Wow what a week. I finally put down the trail tools for a few days (well except for a short time on Monday when I started the new trail in Wendell) and got in some regular riding.
Sunday was Hop Brook, which I reviewed last week.
Monday morning I spend about an hour in the morning in Wendell starting on the 2nd section of the Mormon Hollow trail. When finished this will be close to 3 miles of varied sweet toughness, swinging through the north central section of the park.
Tuesday - Hawley only this time in the saddle rather than with loppers, rake and chain saw. We rode for close to 15 miles, 2/3 or more on some of the parks superb single track that has been lovingly restored following the devastation of the December ice storm. I am not exaggerating when I say that over 80% of the hardwoods in the forest lost at least one major branch. Lots of love, and lots of work by many volunteers from NEMBA and other trail user groups. Did I mention this was a fabulous ride with the spooky bikes boys - they are trying to keep me young. 161 Average, 182 Max 1600' vertical.
Wednesday - Bikes Unlimited/NEMBA regular group ride. Tonight we rode the Greenfield Ridge with a group of about a dozen. There were a few slower riders tonight, and we kept to a single group, so not as many miles as most of these rides, after the hammerfest in Hawley yesterday though, that was OK by me. 147 Average 179 6.15 miles 1000' of vertical.
Thursday - Matt, Liam and I met up for an assault on Sugarloaf North. We rode the Single Track Loop and then the outside loop - what a great workout this trail network is. Great Training for Coyote Hill on the Weekend!! 141 Average 180 Max Just about 5 miles 1100' of vertical. Comparing this ride with wednesdays, they look pretty similar, but... I guess you had to be there!
Friday - rest day, at least biking wise...
Saturday - get up early and head to Fairlee VT for the weekend of races at Coyote Hill MTB Camp. Tom Masterson puts on a great event up there. Matt has been a camper or councilor up there for the past 6 years or so, so we headed up to give a hand pre-race in exchange for camping space Saturday night.
We arrived early Saturday morning and marked out the Short Track Loop and 2 different options for the hill climb the first principally fire-road and the second all single track, so by the time the competitions rolled around at noon, I had already done the ST loop a couple of times and both Hill Climb courses - we ended up using the ST version which is shorter, but with a more steady pitch. The fire-road course had a squidge more elevation gain, since it incorporated a short steep down hill so some of the gain had to be fought for twice.
I participated in the Short Track, not a result I'm proud of, but what should I expect competing in a 35+ bracket. 4.3 miles, 167 average 194 Max 700' climbing.
Immediately following was the Hill Climb up a nice 1/2 mile ST course behind one of the cabins. Elevation gain was about 260 feet - average 166 max 184. I ended with a 3rd in the 35+ category, about as expected beating a couple of guys. Both the ST and HC were pretty small fields - about 10 riders.
Following the HC, Matt, Kent and I did a casual lap of most of the XC course - about 4 miles per the GPS, though Tom swore it was 5.2!!! must be the squiggles added up faster than the GPS could record them. 148 average, max 184 750' climbing.
Sunday - XC Race day - another podium 2 laps 3rd place. 1600' climbing 160 average 184 max. Shared tent space again with Kathy. Great to have multiple members of the team on hand yet again. The four events so far there has been at least two of us at each - GO Team!
Till next time,
H
Great week, lots of bike talk around the campfire Saturday night.
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