Training Log Archive: PG

Driving home from Ratlum Mountain, left mid-morning. The radar, which at breakfast time forecast rain all day, was now much more friendly. The truer test, sticking a hand out the window, confirmed that there was just light rain. Temps at or just above 40, just a little wind, from the north. Perfect day for a ride under my new criteria -- every day until December 31 is a perfect day for a ride, in one way or another.

This time the choice of route was simple. I had no desire to ride on the roads, especially since there was a bike path in Granby that I had driven past many times (maybe a thousand times??), but had never actually been on. Perfect.

Parked, changed quickly and was off, didn't want any loss of courage to change my plans. Headed north first, hoping to get 5 miles, 10 for the round-trip. More than once I wondered if this was going to be into the wind and uphill in both directions. It certainly seemed that way going north, and I was ready to be disappointed going south.

Made it to 5, decided a total of 15 was a more worthy goal. Made it to 7.5, decided the math was easier if I didn't turn until 8. Got to a road crossing just about there and headed back south.

It was clear pretty quickly that there was now at least a slight breeze in my favor. As far as uphill/downhill, not enough to make much difference. But with a hint of a tailwind, certainly more pleasant going south.

At some point I wondered what state I was in. Not my physical state (I had good energy and was managing the wet weather pretty well), nor my mental state (didn't feel like I was doing anything stupid), nor my psychological state (MF2 seems to ensure a good mood), but simply MA or CT. I'd been keeping my head down, cutting down the rain getting me in the face, and if there had been a sign at the state line, well, I'd missed it. But I guess it didn't really matter. What did matter was I knew where my car was.

Got most of the way back and things couldn't have been too bad because I decided to up the number, might as well do 20. So right past the car, but no longing looks nor failure of resolve. A couple more miles south, then back and I was done.

Saw a few cars at the various road crossings and 6 people on the rail trail. Five walkers (2 singles and a triple) and one jogger (women appeared to be in her 50s). I wonder what they were doing out there, I'm sure they thought the same about be.

Not a single other biker.

Clothing report -- shirt was excellent, jacket fine with a little leaking starting at the front zipper, a pair of old and ratty tights just doesn't cut it (butt and legs were soaked before long), hands and feet were just starting to get a little chilly at the end. So 30 would have taken some willpower, but 20 was just fine.

C • State Line 3

Event: WCOC RHINO at Ratlum Mountain
 

Was driving right past Mt. Tom so thought I'd stop for a ride. First thought was some sort of loop up the road past Lake Bray, then out to 141, then back through Easthampton. But that has one zippy downhill usually with traffic, so less appealing this time of year.

So Plan B, three different out and backs. The first up the Lake Bray road and out to 141, the second back to the NE end of the range towards Mt. Nonotuck, the third back to route 5 and south to Whiting Reservoir and a loop around it. All with either minimal traffic or bike lanes.

But at some point that morphed into plan C. Did the part up and over to 141, just fine, roads clear and dry. Headed past the gate towards Nonotuck, really crappy broken-up pavement covered by leaves and, in places, a mix of crusty snow and ice maybe a couple of inches deep. Making forward progress, so kept going.

The plan C part was, obviously perhaps, the fact that the route went right by the access "road" to Goat Peak. I hadn't done a summit for a while, and Goat Peak would be a new one (on a bike). It was almost irresistible.

Except that, when I reached the little parking area where the access road starts, the area was all covered with snow. Nope, not going to happen. Continued on towards Nonotuck. But I had noticed that where the access road headed up into the woods there was some bare ground.

Got as far as I could towards Nonotuck but then the steepness and full snow cover said enough was enough. Headed back, got to the GP parking, really, how could I not try?

I knew for a proper summiting I had to get both me and the bike up to the top (but not up the tower too). Also knew the last 50 yards were straight up, definitely hike-a bike and not an easy one. The question was how far up the road I could get, and whether I'd trash myself in the process.

Almost failed on the first little pitch, wet leaves on smooth rock and the rear wheel was spinning more than grabbing. Made the second one but not with a lot to spare. Around the corner and the last one, well, I might have made it if it was dry. But on this day not close to enough traction.

Regardless, I was on the ball, priority one, unclip as you're losing it. Smooth as could be. Hiked the bike up the last bit of the road, then up the totally unridable part, and there was the summit. Very cool.

And got back down, still in one piece. Back to the Lake Bray Road. Whipping down that road, thinking the wind chill factor was just a mental challenge, big smile. No time to do the Whiting Reservoir part, back to the car and on to Ratlum Mountain.

It did occur to me that my outing up Goat Peak was not a good use of time as far a racking up the miles. But sometimes you've gotta do what you gotta do.

Cloudy, 35, minimal wind. Pleasant ride, no particular plan other than stay on the flats. First went and checked out a couple of ponds to see if they were iced over (one mostly, one hardly at all, both owe their existence to the construction of I-91).

Then south on Rt. 5 a bit, used to be the main road before 91 came, now has good pavement, a decent shoulder, and not much traffic. Then eventually getting back to the Sunderland bridge and decided before I went home that I should check out a couple of places on the south side of town.

One was where some residents have been complaining about the high water levels and wet basements and, when you get to the gist of it, the beavers that are damming the drainage ditches. Water didn't look particularly high today, so maybe someone has taken matters into his own hands (or hers, possible but surely less likely).

And near to that is where there are plans to start a chicken processing plant. Looks like it will get approved, as it will be a very, very small operation. And I thought, as I cycled by the spot, that it is easy to look at what other people are doing or accomplishing and feel a little envious, or a little less happy with what you are doing or have done.

But I will not lose any sleep fretting over the fact that I have gotten through almost all of my life without ever opening a chicken processing plant. :-)

And then home. Feet and hands both got a little chilly after about 60 or 70 minutes. Upper body was often a little chilly (I leave the vents open to let moisture out) but totally acceptable. So need to do a more investigating into better gloves and booties.

On the other hand, the shirt I wear under my jacket is wonderful, really does seem to wick the moisture away from my skin. It has two layers, different fabrics. When I took it off, the inside layer felt completely dry and warm. The outside felt damp and chilly. Remarkable.

C • shirt 5

Cloudy, about 40, NW 15 mph. Figured I'd better get some miles in while it was warm (next week highs are supposed to be about 30), so added on a few miles to my intended route. And it went pretty well. Dressed just about right and in a good mood the whole time.

Though the uphills are still hard work, nothing new there...

About 40, cloudy, NW 10-15. Was about to head out, checked the weather on the computer, said it was raining and was expected to rain for the rest of the afternoon, maybe a little snow too. Where did that come from? Was supposed to just be cloudy.

Looked out the window, didn't seem to be raining. Figured I better just head out, if it rained, it rained. Headed north up along the river, darker clouds to my east, a sliver of sunlight and blue sky to the west.

A bit windy, fighting it psychologically a little, but not so much as usual, which I suppose is progress. :-)

Turned around in Montague, headed back, still no rain. Back past the house, a short loop through "downtown" Sunderland, just to get an hour in. Back home, dry as could be. Computer still said there were showers around.

I'm not complaining....

Had to go to the supermarket, so did a ride from there, usual reason, to get some variety. Low 40s, wind W 5-10. Mostly cloudy, a little sun, also got rained on a couple of times. Moderate effort, about what I wanted.

Mid-30s, minimal wind, overcast. Rain predicted by mid-morning so I got out early, but then the rain didn't come until late afternoon. Doesn't really matter, just glad to have gotten out.

Meant to take it rather easy, but then that didn't really happen. Time for Gail to get done with her cold so I have someone to pace me properly.

On the other hand, it strikes me as totally amazing that each morning I seem to be able to walk down the stairs without any difficulty. I still hold onto the bannister because at this age I hold onto any bannister I see. But I go down rather spryly.

Thinking back to when I was running regularly, "spryly" was a word never used in such circumstances. Always some sort of aches and pains. One step at a time coming down, hanging onto the bannister pretty tightly. Much as I miss the running, the biking doesn't seem to beat me up. A pleasant change.

And my back? Usually a little soreness, sometimes not. As long as it stays like it is now, I'm delighted.

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4,699 so far. The plan was to get to 4,750 by the end of November. Ahead of schedule just a little, helped having good weather in Austin. And every mile done when the temps are in the 30s (or 40s) is a mile that won't need to be done in the 20s (or teens). And going out when it's colder than the teens isn't going to happen. :-)

C • the teens 10