Training Log Archive: PG

So I did this 30-mile ride a week and a half ago to benefit the Vermont Land Trust, and they had a 60-mile version that seemed too much for me.

But I told my friend Walter about it (a veteran of many D2R2s while I am a veteran of exactly none), and he was keen, and I figured it would be a good adventure, and so it was on, just waiting for a day with acceptable weather. It was certainly fine weather today, bright sunshine all day and much cooler than the last couple of days, but I would not have objected at all if had 10-15 degrees cooler, especially in the afternoon when it was in the low 80s. I just don't do well in warm weather.

But the company was excellent, the route was fine. We added our own modifications -- some intentionally, like a start/finish closer to home, and excursions to Jacksonville and West Brattleboro for more fluids, and some unintentionally, in a couple of places expected roads didn't seem to exist -- and even opted not to take a couple of shortcuts towards the end, the thought being, we started this, we might as well finish.

All back roads, mostly dirt, which were sometimes less friendly than expected because the late spring road grading operations were going on and in a lot of places the road surfaces were soft and choppy. And then there were three proper mountain bike sections, two on the planned route, the other taken when we missed a turn -- by the time it was clear we must have missed the turn we had gone far enough to consider plan B, which was a road marked on the map with the minimum line width. It started out OK, but quickly turned to a woods road, and then quickly got worse, just barely ridable and only because it was going downhill. We went for a while wondering if we were going to have to haul the bikes back up the hill, but then we popped out of the forest just where we hoped. More fine adventure!

And a really good day. But boy were there some hills. And I am really tired now...

C • Making up for a short day y... 3

Way too hot to do this at mid-day, plus I'd already been on my feet for 3+ hours.

In the January Hills above Amherst. Jeep road got progressively rockier and not all that pleasant. Made it up to the height of land along the power line, decided that was enough, headed back, tried what turned out to be a parallel woods road that skipped the worst of the rocks.

Had more in mind, but it wasn't to be.

Came across this guy. Don't know what kind it is (was) --

C • Snake 6

Surprisingly enjoyable ride. Was tired and a little sore from yesterday, so took the mountain bike and did a nice little loop. First a mellow 5 miles along Grren River Road (dirt, shaded, slightly up), then a stiff climb for a couple miles up West Leyden Road (paved), Then a few miles of mostly ripping downs and the occasional short up. And then there was the car and I was done. :-)

And to satisfy my curiosity, stopped just before the climb to count the cogs on my lowest gear. Awesome numbers, 22 on the front and 34 on the rear, as compared to 34 front and 32 rear on my road bike. Just moseyed up without breathing hard.

A very informal ride offered by the Hatfield Lions on a rather warm day. Was getting quite parched by the end, and certainly not helped by a headwind the last ten miles. But you just keep turning the pedals....

Short ride from Bernardston up in the Leyden hills, successfully dodging thunderstorms. :-)

Working hard on the climb.

From Walter's, over to Cummington at a chatting pace, where we stopped for a bite to eat.

And then back a somewhat longer way at a slightly more energetic pace. Really fine outing.