Training Log Archive: PGIn the 7 days ending Jun 16, 2019:
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Sunday Jun 16, 2019 #
8 AM
biking - dark blue bike 1:13:56 18.34 mi (4:02 / mi) +454ft 3:56 / mi
ahr:127 max:146 weight:139lbs
Wasn't raining when I got up, and not supposed to until mid-morning, so I had some breakfast and then headed out. It was dry when I got out of the garage, but the first drops were already falling by the time the Garmin had found enough satellites. Oh well, just do it.
Mid's 60s, modest breeze from the south. Up to Leverett, no ambition on any of the ups. My mood perked up when the route stopped going up and the rest of the way was fine, though wet. Raining steadily by the time I was done.
Not so many riders out today (yesterday there had been lots).
Mid's 60s, modest breeze from the south. Up to Leverett, no ambition on any of the ups. My mood perked up when the route stopped going up and the rest of the way was fine, though wet. Raining steadily by the time I was done.
Not so many riders out today (yesterday there had been lots).
Saturday Jun 15, 2019 #
9 AM
biking - dark blue bike 1:41:41 26.23 mi (3:53 / mi) +317ft 3:50 / mi
ahr:123 max:150 weight:139lbs
Feeling tired, but wanted to get out because rain is forecast for tomorrow. And didn't feel like going up any hills.
Down the west side of the river, over the rail trail bridge in Northampton, and back on this side. Steady breeze out of the south. Low 60's when I started so I put on a long-sleeve shirt. Was regretting that choice for about the last 20 miles.
Down the west side of the river, over the rail trail bridge in Northampton, and back on this side. Steady breeze out of the south. Low 60's when I started so I put on a long-sleeve shirt. Was regretting that choice for about the last 20 miles.
Friday Jun 14, 2019 #
10 AM
biking - dark blue bike 2:55:52 40.25 mi (4:22 / mi) +2482ft 4:08 / mi
ahr:132 max:161 weight:139lbs
Time to visit another fire tower. Decided on the one at the top of Moore Hill in Goshen, since I hadn't ever been there (even though I'd been real close), and the 40 miles needed to get there and back seemed a reasonable distance.
Upper 60s, bit of sun, some clouds, got rained on several times but never hard. Wind from the SW to W, about 10 mph, but in the hills things really vary. It did mean a headwind for much of the way out, and then a tailwind for the last bunch of miles, always a pleasure.
Only the last little bit of the climb, less than half a mile, was not paved, and it was pretty straightforward. Not that I was complaining at that point, as I'd been going uphill for what seemed like a long time. I did stop for a few minutes at the tower -- take a selfie, send it to Gail to let her know what part of the world I was in, have a bit to eat, and swat some black flies. The BFs don't bother you if you're moving, so before long I took the message and headed home. Forgot to climb the tower.
Legs were getting tired the last hour. The best indication is when you look at some little uphill, have a good idea of what gear you should be in given the slope, and then look down and find you are in a gear or two lower. And struggling a bit. Fortunately there weren't many ups in the last hour, and I made it home without any significant distress.
And having really enjoyed myself. :-)
Upper 60s, bit of sun, some clouds, got rained on several times but never hard. Wind from the SW to W, about 10 mph, but in the hills things really vary. It did mean a headwind for much of the way out, and then a tailwind for the last bunch of miles, always a pleasure.
Only the last little bit of the climb, less than half a mile, was not paved, and it was pretty straightforward. Not that I was complaining at that point, as I'd been going uphill for what seemed like a long time. I did stop for a few minutes at the tower -- take a selfie, send it to Gail to let her know what part of the world I was in, have a bit to eat, and swat some black flies. The BFs don't bother you if you're moving, so before long I took the message and headed home. Forgot to climb the tower.
Legs were getting tired the last hour. The best indication is when you look at some little uphill, have a good idea of what gear you should be in given the slope, and then look down and find you are in a gear or two lower. And struggling a bit. Fortunately there weren't many ups in the last hour, and I made it home without any significant distress.
And having really enjoyed myself. :-)
Wednesday Jun 12, 2019 #
10 AM
biking - dark blue bike 2:03:31 24.45 mi (5:03 / mi) +2074ft 4:41 / mi
ahr:128 max:163
Perfect day. I was thinking about possibilities for where to go, not really sure, when Mt. Grace popped into my mind, and in an instant I knew where I was going.
Last (and only) trip there had been last December. A fair bit of snow and ice. Made it up but only by walking quite a bit. Time from the gate to the tower was 26:33, right about one mile, a little over 600' climb. Lots of walking.
So Phil showed up a week later, by then most of the snow and ice had disappeared, and he did it in 16:45. He was clearly younger, fitter, and smarter, the latter referring to his feeling no need to drag a bike all the way to the top. I was clearly old, slow, and stupid.
Six months later I am at it again. Even older, still stupid. Also still slow, but not so horribly slow. 18:51 this time.
Made it all the way up without getting off, but it wasn't easy. The average grade is about 12%. That's OK. But the grade varies a lot and there are a lot of shorter sections in the 15-20% range, I'd guess. That's mostly OK. If it were paved.
It's not really dirt either. Dirt would be better, it compacts nicely, gives you a firm surface with good traction. There's usually a bit of loose sand and gravel too, but it's mostly avoidable.
This had a bunch more of the sand/gravel stuff. Often it was packed enough that it was no problem. Other times, well, when they coincided with the steep pitches.... Came close to losing it several times, but didn't.
Not sure I need to do this again. No way I am going to threaten 16:45.
But I should point out that the time that matters in these summiting efforts is not the ascent but the round trip. And in that regard, Mr. Phil has some catching up to do. :-)
Last (and only) trip there had been last December. A fair bit of snow and ice. Made it up but only by walking quite a bit. Time from the gate to the tower was 26:33, right about one mile, a little over 600' climb. Lots of walking.
So Phil showed up a week later, by then most of the snow and ice had disappeared, and he did it in 16:45. He was clearly younger, fitter, and smarter, the latter referring to his feeling no need to drag a bike all the way to the top. I was clearly old, slow, and stupid.
Six months later I am at it again. Even older, still stupid. Also still slow, but not so horribly slow. 18:51 this time.
Made it all the way up without getting off, but it wasn't easy. The average grade is about 12%. That's OK. But the grade varies a lot and there are a lot of shorter sections in the 15-20% range, I'd guess. That's mostly OK. If it were paved.
It's not really dirt either. Dirt would be better, it compacts nicely, gives you a firm surface with good traction. There's usually a bit of loose sand and gravel too, but it's mostly avoidable.
This had a bunch more of the sand/gravel stuff. Often it was packed enough that it was no problem. Other times, well, when they coincided with the steep pitches.... Came close to losing it several times, but didn't.
Not sure I need to do this again. No way I am going to threaten 16:45.
But I should point out that the time that matters in these summiting efforts is not the ascent but the round trip. And in that regard, Mr. Phil has some catching up to do. :-)