Training Log Archive: PG

Headed back to Quabbin on the early side to see if I could find the strap for my heart monitor, but no luck. A gorgeous morning -- upper 20s, sunny, virtually no wind. Stopped a few times to watch the loons, but not long because I was a little short of time.

And then off Torrington for Sunday lunch with Lina and Angelo and much of their family. Just wonderful.

They did want to know why Charlie hadn't come. :-)

C • Lina and Angelo 1

Pull out the mountain bike for the first time in a few months, lubed the chain (which was sorely in need of it), added a little air to the tires, and headed off for a ride from Gary's (up in the Conway hills) with him, Walter, and Dusty, in which I am probably 3rd out of 4 going up, and 3rd out of 4 going down, so just right.

Another ride that can only be described as a serious interval workout, in a different way than road rides are. On the roads it seems I have more control over my effort, can ramp it up or dial it back as I wish. On the mountain bike on hilly trails, which was all we seemed to do today, a bunch of times there is no choice, it's either max effort or I don't make it up.

Wish I had my heart monitor working just to confirm the feelings. But couldn't find the strap. Not in the usual spot in the house, not in the car. I don't remember taking it off after yesterday's ride. The data for that stop after a couple of miles. So that would give me a place to start looking. But it might have fallen off any place between there and where I parked. I suppose I will head over to Quabbin sometime soon to have a look.

Anyway, this ride was fun. And my skills are getting better. But it's still hard.

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And continuing my fat bike research... :-)

Low 30s, NW 20+ mph. On the old roads on the north side of Quabbin, trying to find a little shelter from the wind. Marginally successful. But I had pretty much enough on so no suffering. Stopped a few times to see what was on the water.

Two photos. In the first, this tree was still upright when I went by about 30 minutes earlier. Had I been extraordinarily unlucky, I would have been bopped. Not sure to what extent my fine bright orange helmut would have saved me.



And a Snowy Owl, a rare visitor to around here. Found by someone else, but worth going to take a look because they are very cool.

Easy ride down the east side of the river to Northampton, back on the west side. Mid-40s, light breeze from the south. Just put it a gear lower than usual. Probably should do that more often.

Longish ride on a somewhat chilly day, just because the sun was out and many days to come will be much worse. About 45F, light breeze from the north. Started in Millers Falls, then up to Wendell, down and up to Warwick, down to Northfield, and back along the river. Beautiful afternoon, just chilly. Well, actually it averaged chilly -- just fine going up and rather cold coming down. But I had about the right amount on.

And didn't go into any streams this time. :-)

Seemed like hard work. Even the last few flat miles. Think I was getting depleted. Maybe should have taken more than half a bottle, and some food. Also also need to tighten the heart monitor strap a little...

Afternoon ride with Walter and Gary in the hills to the east. A few miles paved, lots of dirt, and also a few in mountain bike mode, the latter including a couple of miles I'd been curious about but never been on.

Getting cold, about 40F, light N breeze and cloudy. Winter is coming.

A fine adventure. Even the part where it was flooded for about 50 yards, maybe 6-12" deep, and both feet got soaking wet. Still had the better part of an hour to go and I thought the feet were going to get really unhappy as they froze, but not so bad.

We got started a bit later than we meant to, got back to the cars at 4:35, margin of maybe 10-15 minutes of sufficient light. Enough, but wouldn't want to cut it much closer. A least we were riding most of the time where there was no traffic.

I go out by myself usually, but sometimes it sure is nice to have company.

Thought it was supposed to rain all day, but then it seemed like it wasn't going to start until about noon, and it was mild (low 60s), so got a ride in after all. And though the roads were wet, just got rained on for the last 10 minutes.

On the flats to the south with an short excursion to UMass. Wind out of the south, 5-10 mph.

C • UMass 3