Training Log Archive: PG

Not happy with the election results. Went to bed about midnight when it was clear what was happening. Up about 6 am, I decided some exploring was in order to get my mind on something else. In the course of a couple of hours out in the woods I came to the conclusion that there was nothing I could do about what had happened, and therefore no purpose in getting stressed or depressed or whatever. And so by the time I got home I was back in my normal reasonably good mood.

For which I count my blessings. I have managed over the years to put a number of things behind me, to not let resentments build, to just let things go. That ability has served me well.

Perhaps if I were younger or had kids my perspective would be quite different, but that is not the case. As it is, nearing the end of the journey, at least near the end of that part in which I still have some amount of competence, perhaps this will spur me to get involved in something again -- I don't want to be just "retired" for the rest of my time. We'll see.

Meanwhile, I'm curious what will happen. And I have some sympathy to those who say that the government has gotten too big and too intrusive. The tax code is insane, Dealing with the IRS is infuriating. Dodd-Frank may have good intentions but it too is insane. I could go on. I don't really expect any progress, but one can always hope.

And if things don't go as I would wish, well, Massachusetts voted to legalize recreational marijuana, so I can just let reality fade away.... :-)

C • Legal 1

C • Dodd-Frank 1

Another PT session (in Northampton). I'd brought my bike to give the possibility of a ride on some different roads, but it was wet out, and my left leg was feeling quite battered, and so I didn't think a ride was the best idea.

Plan B was a visit to Whiting Reservoir in Holyoke. The dirt road around it is about 3 miles, but I didn't come close to doing the loop because I had my binoculars and camera with me. But it did stretch things out a bit.

Upper 50s, not much wind, sunny, gorgeous. Lots of bikers out. Montague and then over Cave Hill, downhill on the south side is mighty fine.

48F, N5, sunny. Up to Montague, plus went up Dry Hill Road, first time on a bike -- it's a dead end road, all uphill.

I remember a bunch of years ago driving up it just to see what was there, and finding all sorts of keep out signs at the end, even though the public right of way continued along an old woods road. And then reading in the paper some years later about the fight between the town and the guy that lived there about access. But I couldn't remember how that turned out. So I didn't know what to expect.

It turned out real nice -- the road had been paved sometime in the recent past, the grade was constantly changing so it was a fun climb, and at the end there was no sign of any hostile residents -- on the contrary, a little signboard with information about the "Dry Hill Conservation Area" and a map of the trails.

Spent a couple of minutes looking at that, while also sweating away a bunch, so the ride down was both quick and very chilly. :-)

C • Wrongful keep out signs 1

Tour of the Berkshires.

Event: WCOC Gay City State Park
 

South Deefield and Whately. Low 50s, very light SW breeze, cloudy. Put in a good effort. A little chilly at times, but I think that's better than being too warm.

Today's AOWN --

C • barn owl 10

Hatfield and Whately. Low 50s, NW 10 mph, bright sunshine, beautiful. A decent effort, especially after I turned and headed back north.

Seen this morning --

C • Duck 4

Thought I was going to pass on today, but the weather cleared up in mid-afternoon, and so why not take advantage of what decent days are left in the year.

Upper 50s, NW 10-15+, dressed a little too warm again. Mostly flat, but the wind made it interesting.

Passed 3,000 miles for the year, counting both bikes. More than I'd expected, but then alternative forms of exercise are not many, so you take advantage of what's possible. 3,500 will be difficult....