This afternoon we finally had the combination of mild temperatures and light wind that has been so elusive recently.
Not having been out to Concord in awhile, I decided it was time to check out the Reformatory Branch Trail, via the Minuteman and Depot Park. Normally I would choose the Checkpoint for that route, which is really in its element, and a joy to ride, on the RBT. However, considering that nominally this is mud season, and not knowing what to expect, I decided to saddle up the Cannondale hardtail. This also gave me a chance to validate the maintenance (repack hubs and replace brake fluid) I gave that bike the winter.
So, here's my trip report.
Outbound on the MM was quiet, though I did have to yield to a work vehicle near the Lexington Visitor's Center.
No,
you go first:
I used the Elm Brook Trail, accessed from South Rd, to get from Depot Park to the RBT. It was in good condition:
You can see there's quite a bit of water in the brook. That was true of all the trailside bodies of water I encountered.
The RBT itself was
mostly dry, typically looking like this:
There were however a few spots that made for some fun slithering through the mud:
My turnaround point was at Lowell Rd Concord:
I stopped at Great Meadows National Wildlife Sanctuary on the way back. This view from part way up the observation tower shows how high the water levels are:
(BTW: new bathrooms at Great Meadows are
still locked.)
Depot Park is always a welcome milestone on the way home:
I continued home on the MM, availing myself of the restrooms at the Lexington Visitor's Center. There was quite a change in the weather during the last hour of the ride. At 3pm at Great Meadows I was so warm I wished I was wearing shorts and considered peeling off a top layer. By 4pm in Lexington it had cooled so much I closed all my zippers and put my neck gaiter back on.
The round trip was 28 miles, the longest ride for me since December (this was a fact that my butt and knees kept pointing out to me.)
A great afternoon.
Tom