Training Log Archive: PG

Interesting story. I assume there's a lot more to the story, and probably a lot more unhappiness.

But good for her for sharing. And my view is that such sharing, going public, is very likely to help. I certainly hope it does.

Inspired by Phil's winter ascent of Mount Warner, I thought I should go off and visit the top of something, and opted for Massaemett Mountain in Shelburne. Started near the rotary in Greenfield, so a three-part climb -- first a good slog up Old Shelburne Road, then after a short dip on Route 2 a climb up to Davenports, and then the climb up to the old stone tower on Massaemont. I didn't know how the latter would go, rough dirt road of unknown traction plus some icy patches, so took it very cautiously. As it turned out, made it up with no trouble.

And then wheeeee on the way back, though there were several short ups to contend with.

Upper 30s, SW 5-10 mph, overcast. Stayed remarkably comfortable. Warm booties took care of the feet. Mittens and inserts mostly took care of the hands. Just one pair of tights but that seemed enough for the legs. And on top, just one LS shirt and a jacket, but both made specifically for biking when it's cooler. Worked well. Despite working hard on the climbs and sweating a bunch, when I finished there was just a small area around the back of my neck that was damp. Drove home the 15 minutes and not chilly at all. Remarkable.

The old tower on top. Parked my bike at the door, saw no reason to go up.

C • Massaemett 4

40F, W 5-10 mph, overcast but pleasant enough. Put out a decent effort for at most half the time, also spent a bunch of time in meandering mode.

First meander was out on the Montague (sand) Plains, been there a number of times but not for a while. Started along the main "road" under the power lines and it was quickly apparent that it would be slow going, soft sand packed a little but not much. Probably would have been fine with fat tires....

Took the first exit from there, which dropped me by the entrance to the state fish hatchery, which was open because it also serves as a checking station in deer season. So I meandered along the narrow road through the pines, never been there before, eventually ending up at the hatchery operations, lots of pools with a pretty good current going through and a whole lot of fish. Getting them ready for April, I guess, and I assume the current will keep the water from freezing all winter.

Then my tour led me to the ramshackle building where the deer checking station was, and there was a pick-up there, and a couple of scruffy looking guys, and behind the truck a deer laid out on the scales. I chatted them up a bit, pleasant enough. And much as deer are fun to see in the wild, there is their fondness for tulips and their hosting of ticks to consider as well. So I had neither any particular joy nor sadness at seeing this fellow laid out. It's just the way things are.

And then the last part of my meandering was along a whole section of farm fields that I hadn't visit before. The access road in both places was right by houses, so I'd hesitated before, but this time there were no apparent farming activities going on and no "Keep Out" signs of any sort, so I ventured along a rather muddy, rutted, and in a few places frozen farm road. It got me down to the river and then along it for a bit, scared up three eagles in the process. Didn't quite make it to the end where the Sawmill River comes in, save that for another time.

As I've probably said before, any ride that takes you places you haven't been before is a good ride, so this one was doubly good.

Lower 40s, W 5-10 mph, sunny. Into Amherst, just because I hadn't been that way in a while, then through Hadley on the bike path, then back along the east side of the river. All pretty flat. Trying to pedal at a higher cadence (and lower gear), not that it makes much difference but it's useful entertainment.

5,000, 297,000'

low 40s, S 5 mph. Got out before the rain started, just didn't get back before it started, though it was very light and no problem. But pleasantly surprised to get out at all as I'd thought the rain would be around all day.

Mid-40s, S 5 mph. Old Deerfield - River Road loop. Beautiful afternoon. Relaxed pace for the first half, then somewhat harder on River Road with its hills and a little headwind.

Upper 20s, no wind. Reasonably early ride from Charlie's the morning after Rhino. Since I was starting on the top of Ratlum Mountain, and the start would be severely downhill no matter which way I went, it seemed reasonable to take advantage of the situation and plan a route that would be not too long but maximize the downhill. And no repeats, also no Devil's Elbow because I've been there and done that.

Came up with a nice route. Even wrote out the turns on a piece of paper. But then I didn't look at the paper at one point and sailed right by one turn. Realized shortly that things were wrong, but decided it was not a problem, chance to see where the road went.

Lots of downhills, as planned. And even a few ups.... :-)

C • Sailed by 2

About 40F, minimal wind, but overcast so it just seemed a little colder. Still had a nice, some flat a few small hills, nice variety and not much traffic.

Cold weather is coming. I expect my rides will get both shorter and less frequent. But at least it's a way to keep getting some exercise.