rholland1951

Took the Rambouillet Saturday afternoon and rode East.


Temperatures were in the mid-40s when I started, but by the time the Fells Escarpment hills-and-traffic drill had exhausted the daylight and night fell (still annoyingly early), we were in the upper 30s. Hill climbing kept me warm, fast descents made sure I didn't overheat. The Rambouillet danced nimbly over the pavement, and the 32mm Stampede Pass Extralights dealt with the occasional rough bits gently. Bumpety-bump!

Towards the end of the ride, I stopped to photograph a peaceful East Arlington street scene. No traffic here, and no hills either.


Good night, roads!


rod

rumrunn6

if you're gonna walk 4 dogs off leash you should have the decency to keep them contained w/o someone having to shout ahead of time that we are coming thru. I can't imagine the hassle. wouldn't the owners be happier w/ leashes?

rumrunn6

we went to Alston last night for dinner at Son & his girlfriend's apartment. it was very quiet on the streets

EVlove

No pictorial record today but I went on a hilly outing in a figure of 8 either side of Westford town center after lunch today. Which means I got to choose which of four 6 to 7% inclines I was going to suffer going up, and which to enjoy going down. It was invigorating. Muffins on Main seemed to be doing brisk pre-big-game business, with the pressed for time (or cooking skills) "can we bring dessert?" crowd. I had to watch out not to get doored. 14.1 miles, 835 feet climbed.

Now looking forward to game time so I can go shop for flowers and a V-day card in peace

bike_tom

Is that the observation tower at Great Meadows? If so, I had forgotten there is a bench on the far side. I will have to check that out next time I am there.

rumrunn6

yes! nice sunny spot

bike_tom

Great ride today out to Bedford. It wasn't quite as warm as this past Friday, but there was almost no wind, making for very pleasant conditions.

The MM was relatively busy for this time of year, especially in Arlington. Still, I had Depot Park to myself when I got there:



I did a lot more passing than being passed today, so either it was a slower crowd or I was in better form. Maybe a bit of both.

The forecast for the second half of February is decidedly un-winterlike, so I expect to be getting in above average saddle time. That's great, but... is it just me, or has this winter been somewhat unsettling? There really hasn't been a demarcation of the seasons that we usually have in New England.

Tom

rholland1951

Seems to me we often get our seasons a few days at a time. That flash of very cold weather we had recently was a prime example. We're getting more heat exchange between the tropics and the poles, and more chaotic weather as a result. Or so I tell myself...

rod

bike_tom

That deep freeze was just last weekend, but I've already put it out of my mind! It was followed immediately by such a warm week that there were no long lasting consequences. No ice on the ponds, no snow. It still looks and feels like November out there.

rumrunn6

yes, unnerving. but it's subtle, like just an intuition type thing

rumrunn6

like what it felt like the other night. cool breezes interrupted by weird warm breezes

rumrunn6

I hope we don't get hit by a rouge string of storms, training over us. unreal rain might be worse than a lot of snow

rholland1951

Took the Surly Trucker DeLuxe, shod with 2.3" Compass Rat Trap Pass Extralight tires, for a speedy spin on the Minuteman Monday afternoon. Temperature was in the lower 40s, but the wind was negligible, so any windchill I experienced was strictly roll-your-own.


This was the last of the noodle-tweaking validation rides. The rectification of the noodles is complete, as Confucius might say.

Thinking ahead to warmer days and longer rides. Pleasant thoughts...

rod

EVlove

Anybody get out today? My ankle has been a little unhappy but looking at the forecast it doesn't seem like I need to worry about missing this latest mild spell. I think I'm getting spoiled

rumrunn6

Tomorrow nite get well soon

EVlove

The ankle felt better today, thanks, and I managed to get out around 2:30, in shorts, tights, a knitted quarter-zip and fingerless gloves. I wanted to take it easy but didn't have use of the car today, so driving to avoid the climb from and to my house was out. I picked the Lotus with its smaller small chainring and admonished myself to spin rather than mash uphill. It was a steady 57 degrees but with a gusty wind that had me a little worried while on the busier roads. Hunt Road was quiet, though, and I decided to stay on it all the way to H[e]art Pond, rather than hop onto the BFRT right away, for some extra undulations. The beach felt almost Mediterranean:



There were a few more cars in the parking lot than had been the norm recently, but the BFRT still turned out to be lightly used. Many dog walkers, of course, but they have little choice. Bikes were relatively few and far between.

The Lotus is of course set up the way I like it, i.e. with clips and straps, but the pedals lack the little flick-up tab and it's quite surprising how much of a difference that can make. Usually when there is an audience, of course. Well, today I executed three flawless, nonchalant, no-look re-entries on the first revolution, one of them in full view of waiting cars while crossing Route 225

The wind was not unpleasant but did add to the exercise so when I arrived at NARA Park, I was actually sweating and decided to stuff the under-helmet cap into a pocket for the return leg. Still only a few people around, even in the playground.



I turned around and decided the ankle was now good for a more spirited ride, and I also got to work on my hands-off balance for about a quarter mile. I stayed on the BFRT all the way to Chelmsford center so I would have the somewhat easier climb back home.

Now of course the ankle is complaining a little again. It will pass. This is probably related to me breaking that leg, above the ankle, in a both stupid and spectacular fashion many years ago. Needed two plates and a bunch of screws which are still in there.

17.0 miles, 557 feet

rumrunn6

darkness was elusive

rholland1951

Took the Long Haul Trucker on the ride I had time for today, a quick spin at sunset up the Mystic Valley Parkway along the Eastern shore of the Mystic Lakes. Short and sweet.


The parkland wasn't empty, but there was enough solitude to go around.






Not that it was silent: Canada geese were ubiquitous and proclaimed their presence forthrightly. These two were breasting the waves kicked up on the Lower Mystic Lake by the SW wind.


The sunset colors were subtle, but welcome. Here they are in the clear air as I re-crossed the Mystic River, on my way home.


rod

rumrunn6

my ride was short too. sometimes I think shorter rides allow me to ride harder / faster

rumrunn6

that looks so inviting. how's the ankle today?

rholland1951

True dat. There's a school of thought that says the older you get, the more important short, intense rides become. Is that right? I dunno...

rod

EVlove

Feels fine, thanks. It's a funny thing, when I returned to cycling about 15 months ago, after 14 years of spending all my outdoor time with our dog, I was much more worried about my lower back than my joints. Turns out the back is still fine with a moderate saddle-to-bar drop, I could even go more aggressive there, but at age 55 my ankles, knees and hips are beginning to make themselves known on occasion. Let's not dwell on it, it's minor so far, it happens to all of us, and it belongs into Pills & Ills, anyway.

rumrunn6

that sounds true. approx. 10 yrs ago when I was attempting a body transformation & took up running & swimming I concentrated on good form. I was never fast or did those for long distances but I enjoyed the benefits of those those sports. 20-50 minutes was intense enough for me

rumrunn6

yup. at the end of my Dad's 95 years, it was his knees that bothered him the most. I'm trying to stay fit w/o wearing out my joints. happy trailz!

rholland1951

Twenty years ago or so, an octogenarian recommended I try glucosamine and chondroitin supplements. That worked remarkably well warding off joint pain, still does. Recommended by old ladies, you can't go wrong with it. ;-)

rod