Training Log Archive: Fanatic

Hike on the bike trails to the south of Reservoir Road. Fully dressed for the 5°F wind chill temperature. Didn't see anyone today, wonder why?

Walk on the condo grounds. Temperature was 19°F, but wind chill dropped it to 2°F.

Hike in Beartown State Forest. The roads are closed for the winter so the gate is locked. Parked close to the gate and went up Wildcat Trail to Bear Mountain Trail and when I reached the shelter at the top, I got back on Wildcat and descended to the east. Crossed the paved road and continued on Wildcat until I reached Mt. Wilcox Road, where I turned left and headed back to my car.

The trails were pretty well used, both by fat-tire bikers and hikers, so the footing in general was good. Only the short, steep sections of Wildcat that hadn't been hiked/biked required a bit more effort.

Hike from the gate at the top of Reservoir Road. First I did some on The Finger and got off of that onto the road that leads to the tower on Lenox Mountain. But instead of going to the top, I turned left and headed back toward my car. Once there, I did some on the bike trails to the south of Reservoir Road, too.

Going was slow due to anywhere from an inch to three inches of new snow, none of which had been biked yet.

Walk with Colette from the center of Lenox. Counterclockwise loop down Cliffwood, then along Reservoir Road for a quick out-and-back. After that, along Undermountain Road over to Tanglewood and turn back to town along Route 183.

Couple of very cold blasts reminded us of why we were overdressed, but most of the time it was pleasant weather.

Hike on the bike trails to the south of Reservoir Road. The trails were in good condition since the fat-tire bikers were evidently riding them yesterday. The unridden trails were a bit harder, but still not too difficult.

Met one couple with their dog.

Hike on the bike trails and dirt roads near Sykes Mountain. I was pleasantly surprised when I started up New Lenox Road, as the snow was only a couple of inches deep and very moist, so it compressed and gave good traction. But once I turned onto the bike trails, it was a totally different scene--the snow had an icy crust, not strong enough to support my weight. Every step would break through and sink in two to four inches; very tiring to put it mildly. Eventually, I wound my way over to a dirt road, which had been traveled by some sort of vehicle that had compressed the snow, making for much better footing. So I stayed on that to complete my hike.