Training Log Archive: PGIn the 1 days ending Nov 6, 2014:
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Thursday Nov 6, 2014 #
12 PM
trail running 7:44 [3] 0.59 mi (13:05 / mi) +88ft 11:28 / mi
weight:136.5lbs shoes: pegasus 4
Executive summary -- three strikes and you're out.
Went off the the Sawmill hills just west of Northampton to check out some rumored single-track mountain bike trails. Couldn't find any access point on the east side (close to Florence). There was a possibility off Avis Circle but it looked questionable. So I headed over to the west side, Sylvester Road, used to run along there at times on the old N'ton half-marathon course, also a familiar spot where we used to come out of the woods after doing the Jeepeater. But I was less happy parking there, all private, so went a little farther north.
Saw a small parking area and the start of a double-track trail. Headed off. Cold and light rain. Trail degenerated rapidly, first a bit of marsh, then down to one lane and then less, pretty sure no bikes had ever been there, then up a hill, then dead end in a laurel patch.
So much for that, back to the car to look for someplace else.
Went off the the Sawmill hills just west of Northampton to check out some rumored single-track mountain bike trails. Couldn't find any access point on the east side (close to Florence). There was a possibility off Avis Circle but it looked questionable. So I headed over to the west side, Sylvester Road, used to run along there at times on the old N'ton half-marathon course, also a familiar spot where we used to come out of the woods after doing the Jeepeater. But I was less happy parking there, all private, so went a little farther north.
Saw a small parking area and the start of a double-track trail. Headed off. Cold and light rain. Trail degenerated rapidly, first a bit of marsh, then down to one lane and then less, pretty sure no bikes had ever been there, then up a hill, then dead end in a laurel patch.
So much for that, back to the car to look for someplace else.
trail running 14:02 [3] 1.01 mi (13:54 / mi) +344ft 10:30 / mi
shoes: pegasus 4
Drove up the road just a bit and there was a good bit larger parking area. This must be it. Headed off. Trail looked like something that macho guys would use to bust their ATVs. Steep up, down a little through some mud, then steep up again, big slabs of rock all over the place.
Made it to the top of the hill, though only with the help of a couple of stops. Again, no sign of bike trails. And this thing I was on wasn't real appealing.
Back to the car and onward…
Made it to the top of the hill, though only with the help of a couple of stops. Again, no sign of bike trails. And this thing I was on wasn't real appealing.
Back to the car and onward…
trail running 16:53 [3] 1.51 mi (11:12 / mi) +202ft 9:56 / mi
shoes: pegasus 4
Time to explore the other side of the road. Definitely a trailhead there, for the Mineral Hills Conservation Area, and even a trail map posted.
Headed off, and once again up. Still cold, still raining. The trail, once again, no way you would have wanted a bike on it, lots of rocks, some mud. I climbed a bunch, saw a sign that offered the possibility of a quick return via Turkey Hill Road, and took it.
Enough is enough.
Dried off, changed clothes, headed off in the rain and fog for my weekly trip to Litchfield. And that was OK. Went right by the airport but no flat tires this week, and very glad I wasn't on a plane. Mom was cranky, but Lina was doing fine. We chatted for a while about mom, also about wacko sister and brother-in-law, laughed a bunch. I paid the bills. A good visit.
And then on the way home, still rain and fog and now also dark, with my new eyes the driving is certainly easier. That's not to say it's fun, but you take what you can get.
Headed off, and once again up. Still cold, still raining. The trail, once again, no way you would have wanted a bike on it, lots of rocks, some mud. I climbed a bunch, saw a sign that offered the possibility of a quick return via Turkey Hill Road, and took it.
Enough is enough.
Dried off, changed clothes, headed off in the rain and fog for my weekly trip to Litchfield. And that was OK. Went right by the airport but no flat tires this week, and very glad I wasn't on a plane. Mom was cranky, but Lina was doing fine. We chatted for a while about mom, also about wacko sister and brother-in-law, laughed a bunch. I paid the bills. A good visit.
And then on the way home, still rain and fog and now also dark, with my new eyes the driving is certainly easier. That's not to say it's fun, but you take what you can get.