Camping!!

Last weekend we decided to take Jordan on her first camping trip. We went to Crawford Notch, NH. The plan was to leave on Thursday at noon, but we got off to a rough start when I had to pack the car in between down pours. We were on the road by 12:30 and arrived around 4:00 As you can see by the photo above it was pouring when we arrived in New Hampshire but Jordan didn't seem to mind much. We decided to hold off on setting up our tent and instead went out looking for dinner for Jordan. We found a nice dry pizza joint where we were able to get Jordan some cheese pizza (her favorite) and more importantly, Annie a Bud Light. Halfway through dinner we noticed the skies clearing a bit. We finished up quickly and scurried off to the campground to set up our gear. We found the perfect window and were able to set up our tent during relatively dry conditions. It was an early night for us so we headed to sleep by 9:30.



Friday was a beautiful morning. My bike was being tuned up for the PMC so I brought Annie's bike to get in an easy ride. It was strange riding a different bike but it got more comfortable as I rode. As you can see from the sign there was no chance of an easy ride. I got 25-30 miles in on a single road (302) in front of the campground. The 13% climb almost killed me and coming down the backside was pretty intense. I would guess it was the fastest I had ever been on a bike. The views were amazing. Just huge cliffs all around me. In the afternoon we hiked up to Ripley's Falls. A great waterfall. It was a nice 60 minute round trip hike. Buddy loved it and Jordan enjoyed it so much that she fell asleep on Annie's back on the hike out.

Saturday morning I awoke with a little soreness in my left hip flexor. I wasn't sure if it was from the ride the day before or sleeping on the ground, but I decided not to aggravate it and bailed on my planned ride. Instead we ended up driving up Mount Washington. There is a sign at the bottom of the mountain that tells you not to drive up if you are afraid of heights and I should have heeded that warning. I drove the whole way up with two hands firmly on the wheel at ten and two. Halfway up we saw a van that got stuck in a ditch. Not something that helped my confidence. We made it up and Jordan got to see the highest point in New England. Unfortunately we hadn't planned on the trip so we didn't have our camera. On the way back to the campgroud we saw a moose grazing on the side of the road. Absolutely amazing.

Sunday was an early morning and we packed up to head home. I wanted to pick up my bike and get in another good ride. I was able to get out around 2:00 and rode 40 miles. I would have liked to go a little further but I could see thunder clouds heading in. I made it home with about 15 minutes to spare before the skies opened up. It was a nice ride and I averaged 17.3 mph without much effort.

There will be one more tune up ride and then rest for the big weekend.

Tuesday night

Last night I went out for a quick ride after work. Riding after work is always a little hard because I get home, see Jordan for 15 minutes and then out the door. When I get back she is already sleeping. Well, only a couple more 'night rides'. I rode with Tom again. I headed over to his house via the long route to grab a couple extra miles. We headed out to Stow and up more hills in Harvard. It was the same loop as last week. Nice climbing and also a lot of places where you can cruise along at a nice pace. We had two separate deer sightings. The first was a solo deer standing on the side of the road in someones yard. It was kinda funny, the deer just looked at us, never moved, as if to say, what are those fools doing. Then about 7 miles later we saw two deer bound across the road in front of us and across a field. Amazing!
As we got to the great descent of Oak Hill the rain started. At first it was just a few drops, a few miles later it was a full storm. Annie actually called my cell phone to see if we needed to be picked up. I made it home a little wet but with no problems. The ride ended up being 31 miles and we averaged over 16mph. Based on my schedule it looks as though I have 3 more rides left before the big weekend. I am getting itchy and ready to go.

Here is my brand new Team Lick Cancer shirt. We will be wearing these on Sunday so if you see us out on the cape, please give us a wave and a word of encourgement.



Sunday was supposed to be the Big Climb to the Clouds but I was talked out of it. Instead I opted for a team ride. We met at 7:00 and there was a photographer from the Globe there. He took a couple of pictures and we were off. We rode a bunch of loops around Bolton, Stow, and Boxborough. Once we got back, Tom and I decided to add on another 20 miles. We rode through Carlisle and Concord. While on 225 in Carlisle, some ass in a Jaguar tried to squeeze us off the road. It is a pretty wide road and no one was coming in the other direction. I can understand people getting mad when bikes are across the road but when there are only two of us and we are on the shoulder maybe he could have calmed down. We ended up with 64 for the day. Alot better then the 40 we would have had if we stopped with the group. Sunday night was a birthday party for my college roommate. He joined me in the 40. We had a great time and enjoyed steak and lobster. Not a bad way to kick off the week.

Picking it up

It has been a good week of training. I got out for two runs during the week. Let me say that biking does not translate to running and I felt horrible both days. On Thursday night I got out for a ride with a Team Lick Cancer member. We ended up going a nice 35 miles. It was great to ride with someone else and I definitely put in a much better effort. We rode through Acton Stow and Harvard. It seems that I put most of my riding time in in Harvard. Hopefully those hill will prepare me well for August 2nd.

Today I went for a flat 40. It was a nice leisurely ride but I was still able to average 17.3 mph. Then we headed to the lake for a cool off. Jordan loved it but Buddy enjoyed it more. Tomorrow I has cancelled the Climb to the Clouds and opted for a team ride instead. Hopefully the weather will hold off.

Back to Kimball's

Jordan and Buddy waiting for Mom to bring back french fries.



Sunday I decided to try the ride to Kimball's again. I had tried this in early June with horrible results and barely made it. The ride is only 42 miles but the last 15 is uphill. In the morning we went to a road race in Somerville. Annie ran another great race. The course was tough with a huge hill during the first mile. Jordan and I went out to the hill to cheer Mom along. Jordan loves to see her mom run by. We got home from the race at noon and I headed out to Jaffery. The ride was much easier this time. One problem was that they are paving a rode in Shirley and I had to ride a couple of miles on a dirt road. I think that because I knew what to expect, the hills were not as bad. The ride took about 2:45 and we enjoyed a cheeseburger and Chicken Fingers. Jordan and Buddy loved their fries. Next weekend is the climb to the clouds. Hopefully this ride has prepared me for the ride up to the summit of Wachusett.

NASC Soccer reunion

Saturday was a North Adams State soccer reunion for Annie. We had to leave at 10:00 so I had to get up early to ride. I was out the door by 5:45 to put in an hour before meeting up with Team Lick Cancer. I rode through Harvard and over Oak Hill again. It has become my favorite route and the hill gets easier each time. I met up with the team at 7:00. We headed out to Stow and Bolton. I was able to ride with them for 20 miles and then had to break off and head home. Back through Harvard and over the hills. The ride was 49 miles and I averaged 16.5 mph. The afternoon was spent in Hanover at the soccer party. Jordan and I spent a good amount of time in the pool. She is becoming a little water rat.

Today I rode into work again. I decided to go a bit of a different route to try to avoid some bad roads. I avoided the roads but the ride was a bit longer. It was 28.6 to get to the gym. I rode through Acton and Concord on my way to the Minuteman RailTrail. The roads were awesome, and no traffic.
The ride home was pretty uneventful. I picked another new route and this one worked out pretty well. I went through Belmont over to Lexington and then onto the railtrail. The ride was 26.5 miles and I averaged 16.5 mph. We went out for a quick bite to eat and were in bed by 9:00.

4th of July

I expected to get in a couple of rides over the 4th weekend but unfortunately only got in one. On Friday the 4th we went to Mattapoisett for the Mattapoisett Road Race. Annie ran while Jordan and I cheered her on. Each time she came by us Jordan would light up and start laughing. I am sure that gave Annie a little extra motivation. After the race we headed for the beach. It wasn't a perfect beach day but a great time with great friends. Jordan loved the water. During low tide there is a large area that she could crawl around in and splash. I finally had to take the little shiverer out (kicking and screaming) and get her into some warm dry clothes. We ended up staying through dinner so when we got home it was dark.

Sunday I was able to get out for a ride. I wanted to try to duplicate the first day of the PMC so I headed to Harvard for some hills and then circled around Stow Sudbury Wayland etc. The ride was uneventful but it was a perfect day. I ended up going 60 miles and averaging 16.5mph. Hopefully this weekend I can get a ride in with some other people. It is kinda boring riding for 4 hours alone.

A Good Week

Tuesday night I was able to get out for a quick ride. I only had about 1:45 of daylight left so I rode out through Westford and into Carlisle. Beautiful roads and pretty quiet. It is amazing how many bikes I see on each ride. I don't know if they were always there and I only notice now because I am on a bike as well. After Carlisle, I rode down Monument Street into Concord. It may be the nicest road in Corcord. Big farms and nice woods. From Monument, I rode by the Old North Bridge and headed home. I didn't bring my camera so of course I rode over the apple orchard on Nagog Hill and saw an amazing sunset. At the same time, the sky started spitting on me. I was a bit afraid of another thunder shower so I hustled straight home. The loop was 25 miles and I averaged 16.5 MPH.

Thursday I finally tried riding into work. I figured it would be a quiet day on the roads so I thought this would be my best chance. The ride in was great. I left home at 5:50 and worked my way to the Minuteman Rail Trail via Westford, Carlisle, and Concord. Once on the MRT I rode into the Alewife T Station. The trail is excellent but there are many many road crossings that you have to stop for. I got to the gym in Watertown around 7:30. The ride was about 26 miles. It was great to have that mileage covered before work. Since it was the day before the 4th we got out a little early. I was back on my bike at 3:30. I decided to go home via Belmont, and Lincoln. The roads out there are not very 'rider friendly'. The shoulders are almost non existent and there was a lot of traffic. There were also a lot more hills. The highlight of the ride was in Lincoln. I was cutting through a side road when a deer popped up. He was only 10 yards off the road. He took off across a field and disappeared into the woods. Watching a deer run like that is truly an amazing sight. I pulled into the driveway at about 5:15. It was a little longer and much hillier going home. It was 28.5 miles and I averaged 16.3 mph. A total of 53.5 for the day.