July 6 - 12: Hot Summer Days

The long gruel, a hot and pulsing summer week, hard rides on heated tarmac. Hard non-training off the bike, the growlers of beer, the meat wagon, the ice cream flagon, did I mention beer? champagne? the hubris of birth? the raucous carouse in baking July?

Still yet to notch a 50 mile ride, but this week managed two 45+ rides, hard ones too, culminating in Saturday's epic 3500 ft of climbing, a Wachusett summit, the furnace of mid-afternoon returning to the baking Woo. Allez!

Not to mention an airport climb, Bancroft Tower, and a cursory Sunday city meander. Not a bad week over all, 118 miles.

July 9, 2015

Princeton, July 9, 2015

The bike conducts itself

July 11, 2015 Holden Reservoir

On the move

Heading toward Wachusett July 11, 2015

Summit, July 11

Dicey Woo, July 12, 2015

Bancroft Tower, July 12, 2015

The Longest Day of the Year

Heavy downpours all last night and into the early morning. Humid. Then mist and low gray clouds into the early afternoon. Then clearing. Sunday afternoon. Languid thick air, everything verdant, pulsing with green. Photosynthesis hum. The giant neighborhood trees regal and still, the air breeze-free. Stillness. Sun in blue sky while the clouds break up and spill away.

I hadn't planned to ride but opportunity presented itself late in the day. It was after 6:00 when I wheeled out of the driveway and rode passed Elm Park with its steamy playground and massive oak trees, its scores of park-goers promenading in the after rain moistness. The climb up to Beechmont St, then through the neighborhoods up near Salisbury St and Assumption College, then Walter St and down into Tatnuck and onto the Reservoir loop road.

Swath of the primordial

Most of the road around the reservoir was just paved. It happened while I was distracted, perhaps during a gap of a week or more when I rode elsewhere, or wasn't riding. When I came this way a week ago, voila, new pavement. Now it's beyond perfect. And tonight in particular - no cars, fecund forest thick with hardwood trees alternating with stands of healthy pines on one side, and the reservoir utterly still like an eleven mirror pool on the other.

Becalmed in thick quiet

Despite the big mountain summit 47 miler yesterday, I don't feel completely beat tonight and I settle into a happy cadence for significant stretches alone the bank of the reservoir. I imagine myself a damp arrow sluicing through a Bavarian forest, I expect to see a sign for Baden Baden. But there is nothing but me and the pavement, me and the rich green surround. I fly.

Flight in a dream

Parables lurk in the woods along the path but I am hurtling through the cathedral of pines and onto the slopes of the sacred climb. I pedal as if I have been written into narrative, as if my legs were churned by someone else's imagination. Eventually, I emerge into Eden and pass into legend.

Still heading north toward enlightenment

Northern tip of the reservoir looking south
June 21, 2015, late evening

Finally, it occurs to me. Summer solstice. This is the longest day of the year. Warm air washes over me as I whir into oblivion's benign embrace. Up up up Reservoir Rd.'s final climb to the intersection with rt. 31, then turn around and head back down and back along the same western shore toward the Woo.

Glorious new surface

Ennui, Adieu

Be gone, ennui! And just like that, two good rides in three days turned things around for El Dubstoevsky.

Sick of being sick, I said "fuck it" and saddled up on a gorgeous Thursday afternoon for a dash up past the Airport to Kettle Brook and on to Paxton and South Rd and a run back along the reservoir. Note that the climb up to the Worcester Airport from Mill St ranks as a Cat 4. It's newly paved, and awesome.

It doesn't look like much but this climb builds into a Cat 4
June 18, 2015

21 miles for the 39th ride of the year, 15.6 mph, not bad for a Shad kicking the grippe. I felt alive again, eager, hungry. I drank in the Kettle Brook visage as I raced past, thoughts straying to raptors, mileage, fresh pavement, the wonders of dinner.

Kettle Brook, June 18, 2015

Kettle Brook Reservoir (which one I'm not sure, there are several)

Then Saturday, today, June 20. Another beauty - low humidity, warm sun, 70+ degrees, no breeze. And a weekend! Nothing to do but quaff a rich 16 oz latte (made in-house at Chez Shad), eat some eggs and toast, perform some minor maintenance on the trusty Specialized Steed, done the Steal Your Face jersey, and set out.

A BIG day. I set my sights on the Mountain and powered north toward Princeton and toward the Mont Vontusett. Felt good for the first half of the ride but flagged some during the second half. Not quite back to Full Cry mode; the time off the bike and the illness over the last two weeks definitely impacted my stamina.

Not to mention the fact that today's ride, 47 miles including a Cat 4 climb to the summit of Mount Wachusett, was hard as hell anyway. Tired legs, sore forearms, sun-weary, and dirty, I embraced it all. 3500 feet of climbing.

Deer in the road, nearing the Wachusett upswing

I've said it before but it's worth repeating; the climbing required to reach the visitor center and the actual road up to the mountain summit is arguably harder than the summit climb itself. True, the mountain does offer a Cat 4 sequence but the relentless, and steep, roads leading to it provide their own considerable challenge. For me, it's old known territory; no surprises, just the steepness and the need for focus.

Looking toward Woo City from the summit

Overall, we're having an incredible summer weather-wise so far. Numerous sunny days, none of them overly humid, many in the 70s. Ideal, really. I just need to stay healthy and not over do it; I need to work toward the D2R2 at the end of August. That ride demands peak fitness.

Mired in Ennui

Almost two weeks since I've ridden. First, there were visits from friends and family, and various social commitments. Then, I came down with the grippe. Respiratory issues, congestion, weird topical tenderness on the neck behind the right ear, a throat just sore enough to be noticeable. Throw in some odd weather, both cold and hot, and the combination manifests in the form of ennui. Lackluster. Pedestrian in the most banal, uncreative way. Television, a trashy rock star memoir, New York Times crossword puzzles. Actually, the crossword puzzles were the most intellectual endeavor of the period. Oh, yes, and Downton Abbey. And I am still in the grip of it, of ennui. Still not 100% recovered from The Malaise of illness either.

But on the positive side, I rode today. The first in twelve days. 17 miles. A Reservoir Loop. Overcast, humid, the Dew Point high. Thick air. And I felt surprisingly good, almost powerful. I guess lay offs can be like that. You return to the saddle and feel really good. Turning the cranks returns the universe to balance.

Tonight the clouds have disappeared and the pale blue white-gauzed sky hosts a buttery sun on the slide down. The sunlight enlivens the dazzling fresh green leaves in the towering oak outside the window.

Anyway, going back to the end of May and early June, I had some good rides and was feeling strong. I branched out on June 3rd and rode into Paxton via the Kettle Brook Reservoirs on a beautiful day. Following are some images from the last three of four rides. But not today's ride; I was so unmotivated and filled with dispassion that I deliberately left the camera behind.

May 27, 2015

Rt 56 North, Kettle Brook, June 3, 2015

Rt 56 North, Kettle Brook, June 3, 2015

Rt 56 North, Kettle Brook, June 3, 2015

June 3, 2015

The weird beech tree at WPI

June 4, 2015

New Roads in Princeton and Paxton

Good rides this passed week, some longer ones over the Memorial Day weekend, a 41 miler and a 33 miler exploring up toward Princeton and Paxton having examined the maps closely in advance. Some really beautiful stretches of country road - Prescott St. into Hillside Rd in Paxton fantastic, Hillside Rd in particular a narrow, shaded, byway that at times seemed like it would peter out altogether into dirt and forest, but didn't; and also Ball Hill, Princeton, and Jefferson roads coming down from the northern reaches of Princeton, long sloping farm roads descending to Holden.

I've noticed that something felt a little different these last few rides and it finally occurred to me what it was - because all the trees and shrubs have their foliage now, the landscape is no longer visible, the long vistas into the rocky & stone-walled countryside have been replaced with thicket. The narrow country roads are now dense and overhung with greenery, so much so that I began to have vague feelings of claustrophobia. Nothing alarming, just a sense of being encroached upon, a sort of green enveloping.

I realize that I miss the bare landscape, I miss being able to see far into the forest from the road, miss seeing the contours of the countryside, the hills and slopes, the big rocks left behind by glaciers. Now, with the full emergence of leaf cover, the landscape pulses with a trembling green, a fluttery tangle of photosynthesizing leaf cover.

The encroaching green

Of course, the farmland now hums and radiates, the fields verdant and the blue sky yawning vast above. Farm roads, like short duration oasis, like coming up for air before plunging back into the tangle and shadow.

Mason Rd

Visuals from the week of May 18-24.

May 23, 2015

Holden Reservoir monster
(Look carefully)

Princeton St

And a couple of shots of Bancroft Tower.

May 19, 2015

May 23, 2015

The days haven't all been warm and nice, however. In the midst of this run there were two days where long sleeves were involved. One day the temps were barely in the 50s and it was breezy, I had to done under armor and full-fingered gloves.

Chilly style

Four Days in a Week: May 11- May 16

It's been quite a week. Perfect weather, four rides, the reverence of motion and the meditation of spin.

Steal Your Dubstoevsky

Today, for example. A slightly humid but overcast Saturday, dull sun glare filtering through the grayish blanket. Almost 70 degrees, but still cool, the perfect temperature. All afternoon available. Opt for a dash to Princeton, a revisit to Mason Rd, to River Rd. in Holden, and an exploration of Ball Hill Rd, Jefferson Rd, & Princeton Rd. (never ridden upon before today), beautiful pastorals, the rural Idyll.

Jefferson Rd and the beginning of
a run of hoary maples lining the way

I almost didn't ride today, was up late last night, questioned my motivation when the time came, then saddled up and rode BIG.

I am concentrating on my pedaling these days, trying to be more uniform, more aware of the muscle groups being put to the test, trying to sync the Whole Stroke into a continuous 360 rotation of power. I can't maintain it for an entire ride but I can turn it on as need be.

Take Monday night. I rode with the Barney's crew again. This time I acquitted myself much better than two weeks prior. This time I hung with the fast group. In fact, I engaged in great duels along the way, heart-pumping, spirited racing, the rush to stay attached, then to climb ahead, to force the pace, to FLY. The usual route, but I averaged 16+ mph, a reputable speed given the terrain.

On Tuesday I rode again, and Thursday yet again. Honest 20+ mile rambles, solo afternoons. Beautiful stretches of empty roads, forest on both sides, sun-dappled tarmac, cars few and far between. There's been no rain for weeks but the foliage persists in its lime green emergence and the landscape is abloom and awash in the Freshness. New growth. New England landscape glory, the rolling terrain, the stone walls, the hardwoods.

Lemony burst of South Rd

Spring Shad, South Rd
May 12, 2015

South Rd, and the New England moment

Today, I discovered new roads. Went back to Mason Rd then up the long climb to Princeton center but instead of dropping back south on rt. 31 I headed west on rt. 62 until I came to Ball Hill Rd, which I turned left onto, and then enjoyed a glorious stretch of empty rural wonder. In fact, for many miles at a time this afternoon, no cars passed. Just me and the landscape and the birds - red-wing blackbirds, robins, cardinals, catbirds, doves, a cowbird, finches & sparrows unidentified.

And I saved a snake! So far this year, road kill has included a plump ground hog, a turtle, several chipmunks, and a gangley heron. Today, I almost ran over a tiny milk snake, I'm surprised I even saw it but I did as I flashed passed, so I turned around to see if it really was alive. It was, and I herded it off the warm tarmac and into the dull leaf mass shoulder, to safety.

Herding the milk snake

The snake lives!

To safety

The beauty of today's ride was its meander, its newness, its length. 43 miles. Put me over 100 miles on the week, certainly the most prolific six day run I've had since last autumn, 2014. And I feel pretty good, like I'm just coming into form. In fact, by the end of the week, I'd dropped more than five lbs, I dipped below 154 lbs for the first time this year. That's still four lbs above optimum riding weight but it's not yet June. I am on pace for being in peak condition for the D2R2.

Tarmac shadow splash

Of course, of four rides, two climbed up to Bancroft Tower, the long, grinding slog to its base a rite of getting-out-of-town passage now.

May 12, 2015

May 16, 2015

Summary: A week of perfect weather, four rides: 16.4 (Barney's group ride, Monday), 20.5 (Tuesday), 23.6 (Thursday), 43.1 today (Saturday, May 16th). With the super niceness.

Parting Shots

Northern end of Holden Reservoir
May 14, 2015

Spring! May 16, 2015

Way the fuck out there

And if anyone has the inclination, listen to The Eleven from July 7, 1969.

Perfect Days

We are enjoying a run of perfect weather days, lots of sun and warmth and no wind worth mentioning. The glory of spring! Everyday in the 70s, moderate to low humidity, a cyclist's joy. And how quickly riding in shorts and a short-sleeve jersey has come to feel normal again. As if the whole wrath of winter had never occurred. Incredible.

And along with the sun and warmth have come flowering bushes and trees, the emergence of foliage, all the trees aura'd in pale lime, a color that couldn't be fresher nor suggest ALIVE any more aptly. And yet the trees are not yet fully leafed so while spinning along the hardwood forest roads in Holden and Princeton, you can still see clearly into the woods, still see the graying stone walls running nobly into the hilly and tree-trunked distance.

Almost two weeks ago now (April 27), I road with the crew from Barney's Bikes on their Monday night ride. Among the riders (14 in all) was a scrum of fast guys that I did my best to keep pace with. I did for a while but once we reached the reservoir, try as I did to hang onto the wheel of the last guy, the eight or so guys ahead kept the pace at around 19 mph and I dropped off the back.

Monday night speedsters

Whirring by the reservoir, in vain pursuit

That chilly, darkening Monday night was the last ride with tights and long sleeves. Since then the earth has apparently shifted, the juncos have flown north, and the happy days of spring riding have arrived.

I followed up this past Sunday's spirited and lengthy sojourn to the Mountaintop with a reasonably fast-paced 20 mile Reservoir Loop on Tuesday (May 5) (a ride not captured by Strava as I had technical difficulties with my tracking device). Managed 15 mph solo, but that's easier to do when there's no wind and when you're clad in minimal attire. Still, given the hilly nature of that loop, I was pleased.

Today's ride was logged on Strava, and a fine ride it was. More irie weather, hot even. Unlike the previous two full-sun rides, today I lathered on the sun screen before setting out. Smart. Yet riding directly into the sun for much of the day was challenging at times and before long my exposed pink forearms gleamed with greasy sweat. Still, like Harry Crosby in his sun-worshipping mania, I welcomed the solar intensity. It's far too early in the spring/summer season to complain about the heat.

One thing that doesn't change is getting out of town. Though there are various ways of exiting the Woo, almost all of them entail some semblance of this:

Intersection of Pleasant and Park

Then there are the west side neighborhoods to traverse. They're reasonably traffic-free, generally quiet and, these days, just beginning to leaf over. They all look something like this:

In the Thickly Settled

One can never be too careful and must keep a wary eye on everything, 360 degrees, the full circle of awareness.

Dubstoevsky; ever wary, ever alert to danger

Finally, after generous energy expenditures, you get out of the city limits, into Holden or Princeton or Paxton, and you're in the hills and the forests, and some roads are better and safer than others, some are narrow and cracked and dangerous, and many are sweet and mostly empty of cars and it is on these streets, whether hilly or flat, curvy or straight, that you can let you mind roam and contemplate the Immensity of Everything, and your own minuscule place in it all.

Mason Rd. and the onset of spring

Today: 35 miles, 15.3 mph, 2000 ft of climbing, allez!