Here you will find the accounts of our rides held during the month of December  1999. Leave me a note if you want a ride you went on included. bikebob@crocker.com

Wednesday 12/1:Yo Bob,

Hey, I had a nice ride with Rob Lapointe tonight. up to blue trail, across to reservoir, up to 4 corners, up cinder road to yellow trail to top, down blue and around. GREAT...but it was cold and the damn brakes froze, holy sh_t !!!

Hughes Pack
Thursday 12/2: It was another chilly 30 degree night, but five riders came out nonetheless. Along for tonight's ride were Ira, Matt C., MPM, John F., Jack Rice and me. We left the shop and headed out on the trails behind Stop&Shop for Canada Hill. I once again did not make the hill on the New Trail, but neither did most of the rest of the riders. We rode down to the RT 2 crossover and we headed down towards the stinkhole, but the first riders found out that the water had partially frozen. Matt slid across to the other side, but the rest of the crew crashed through and many feet got wet. After the Ice Capades, we headed up to the turnout and then we headed into the trails through the swamp. This time when we encountered the ice, everyone exercised a little more caution, and although the ice broke, we did not get our feet wet. We headed up the Ridge Trail and then up Luke Skywalker to the water tank were we regrouped. We spent a few moments adjusting Ira's light and then we headed out for the power lines. Everyone was careful not to get crossed up on the ice on the road and we were soon at Red Rock. A quick discussion eliminated the Chute as a route and we headed off for the Messed Up Trail and then onto the Hill of Doom. I made a good effort at the hill but I got loose on some leaves and fell short of the top. I walked to the meeting point and waited there for the people who made a second run and after everyone had returned, I directed the crew to the Double Dip. We rode at a steady clip and although Ira was stating to fade, he gamely followed us as we climbed the Streambed Trail to the Red Rock. I rode in the middle of the group for most of the night and Matt was the point man, so when we got to the top of the hill on the Crossover Trail, MPM and I waited for Jack and Ira, while Matt went on ahead. Once we were all at the top of the Secret Trail, we decided to head back to the shop. we rode to the top of Double Death, and MPM, Matt, John and I decide to ride down and try to ride back up. Only Matt made it and the rest of us decided to leave the bragging rights to him, and soon we were on our way to Five Points. We rode out through the swamp and the trails near Lillian Street. We rode back through the stinkhole again and we crossed RT. 2 and rode back to the shop along Gill Rd. It was a good ride and we all enjoyed a late Fall evening on the trails.

Sunday 12/5: I drove over to Montague Center with Neal for our Sunday ride. We were met by Donna "the Hon", Curt, and Lynn. It really surprised me that there were not more people here for the ride. After all, there are not too many December nights that you can ride in short sleeves. So our small group left the center of town together on this 50 degree night and headed for the plains. Soon after we got going Curt and Neal sped off and were pretty much out of sight as we made the first hill. Donna, Lynn and I headed for the Telephone Pole Trail and when we got to the turn at the top of the hill, we found Curt and Neal fooling with their lights, so we blew past them and headed for the Toilet Bowl Trail. As we headed into the woods Lynn found a bottle of beer (empty, of course!) with her front wheel and she was quickly deposited onto the ground. She got back up brushed herself off  and was on the trail as Neal and Curt passed us on their way out to the power lines. After we all got out to the road, Curt and Neal headed for the climb up to Willis Hill, while the girls and I headed for the Middle Road. As we rode along we were joined by the spirit of Steve the "Croc Man", who imparted his unique vision of the beautiful evening we were enjoying. As we made our way up the washed out Middle Road, Donna made it across the ravine on her bike for the first time. She was please and I am sure that anyone within a mile or so, heard her let out a yell. As soon as Donna and I got to the bottom of the climb we saw Lynn take off and head up the trail, and although she slid on the leaves at one point, she made it to the mud hole without stopping. Donna and I soon caught up with her and we all were faced with the task of crossing the rather large pond that blocked our way. I suggested that the girls head right across the middle of the puddle, and they suggested that I go first, so I did! They followed me and we made our way across the swamp to the Kiabuckus Trail. We rode up the hill to the I-H wreck where we met up with Curt and Neal. We decided to ride together and head back to the Mud Road. I rode at the back of the group and I got to see Donna make a good attempt at the steep climb to the ridge. But as she neared the big tree on the hill  she tumbled off her bike and instead of making history again, she ended up sweeping the leaves off the trail with her butt. Donna was unhurt and she soon joined the rest of the crew at the top of the hill. We rode down from the ridge to the Mud Road and then we split up again with the boys going up Craggy Hill and the girls and I cut over to the base of Willis Hill. When the boys got back to us again, we all headed down the Sandy Road to the Banked Trails and then back to the Telephone Pole Trail. We took it easy as rode back to the cars. We all really wanted to enjoy the evening and we may not get another one like it until spring!

Tuesday 12/7: I did a Spinning class this afternoon at 2:00, so I wasn't sure how much energy I had left, but I was ready to go at 6:00 when the riders started to arrive. It was another warm beautifully clear evening and I want to take advantage of all of these days as I can. I waited for about an hour for Lynn to show up, but the boys got really anxious, and we left without her. Along for the ride tonight was Mick, Matt C., Alex, and Jesse. We rode out to the trails behind Stop&Shop and then out to Canada Hill. We took the shortcut across the grass to Gill Road and then we crossed RT. 2. We rode through the stinkhole and then up to the turnout where we regrouped. We headed into the trails through the swamp and we rode over to Five Points. I wanted to try to go on the ridge trail all the way out to the access road, so we all trouped off in that direction. After we past the bottom of Luke Skywalker, we found the trail blocked by many fallen trees, obviously placed there by a nearby resident. We made it across to the road and then we headed for the water tank. Matt and I made it to the top and I circled the tank waiting for the rest to arrive. After everyone got to the top, we headed out to the power lines and then down to Red Rock. We rode from the rock down the Chute Trail to the Messed Up Trail. I followed the riders as we made our way from the Messed Up Trail to the Hill of Doom, but I did not make it to the top once again. After everyone got to the top we all headed for Double Death, but Mick and I did not ride up with the others, but rather we decide to head back to the Ridge Trail and wait. We only had to stop very briefly before we could see lights coming through the trees and soon Matt and company rode up to us. Once everyone arrived, we all headed back towards the shop on the trails behind Lillian Street. It was a great ride.

Wednesday 12/8: It was another inordinately warm, spring like, fall afternoon, when Bob Sagor dropped by the shop at noontime. After a brief conversation I invited Bob to come out for a road ride with me. He quickly agreed and he went home to get his bike. In the meantime, Ray Mason rolled up on his bike. He was on the last leg of his ride, and stopped in to say Hi. I mentioned that Bob and I were just getting ready to go out and, he said that he would wait and ride with us. His wait was only momentary, as Bob rolled up and we were soon on our way. We rode up High Street to Turners Falls Road, where we encountered a utility crew at work. The police officer directing traffic, had stopped the cars coming up the hill and waved us through. Just as I passed the stopped autos, I noticed a young, head banger driving up towards the line of cars. He was obviously more interested in the music and looking at us, than the line of stopped cars ahead him, and soon we heard the tires screeching and the crunching of metal. Yep, you guessed it, he drove straight into the back of the last car in line. He was soon joined by an equally preoccupied young lady, who piled into his trunk. It was the funniest thing I have seen in a while. It was almost clairvoyance, I knew that those kids were going to hit, before it happened. Scary, ain't it! Well, after that, the rest of the ride was pretty mundane. We rode through Turners Falls and headed up Third Street to Scotty's Store and from there we rode out Montague Street to Montage Center. We turned at the book Mill and then took Meadow Rd. down to Falls Road where we pedaled along enjoying the view of the river. Our trip took us down to the center of Sunderland, where we said goodbye to Ray as he headed off for his home, and Bob and I turned to head across the bridge to Deerfield. I followed Bob up RT. 116 and then onto Sugarloaf Street. We chatted as we rode along on this marvelous afternoon, thankful for the opportunity. We turned right onto North Main St. after leaving Sugarloaf St. and we headed north to Mill Village Road. By this time it was getting later in the day and I could feel the temperature drop as the sun started to set. We picked up the pace a bit and we soon found ourselves pedaling through Old Deerfield at 20 mph. Bob and I rode down Old Main ST, and soon we were out on RT. 5&10 heading for Greenfield. We arrived back at the shop in a little over an hour and ten minutes, and 18 mph average.

Thursday 12/9: Tonight was another beautiful fall evening and Jack Rice was the only person to show up for the ride. We headed out from the shop and rode up the hill to the ridge. We avoided the steep trail near the cliffs and instead we rode up Stone Farm lane to the trailhead. We took the Blue Dot Trail along the ridge and we enjoyed looking at the lights from the town below as it was a crystal clear night and we could just about see the entire town. We passed Poet's Seat Tower and headed for the trails in Temple Woods. We rode at an even pace as we made our way across the rocky trails in the forest. After the turn onto the Yellow Dot Trial, we followed the lower trails all the way out to the swamp, and then we took the Green Dot Trail up to Bear's Den Road. We decided to take the Red Dot Trail back to the Ridge Trail. After we made it back to Poet's Seat Tower we rode back down the Blue Dot Trail and then down the steep trail near the cliffs and back to the shop. It was another great ride.

Sunday 12/12: I got a call from Curt today and he said that he and Donna "the Hon" would not be riding tonight (the dear girl was still recovering from too many hours of too much fun.). I got on the phone and called Lynn and she said that she still wanted to ride, so I told her to meet me at the shop and we would go out to the Coke Plant. It was a little nippy outside, but it was another clear beautiful evening. We left the shop and rode over to Gill Road and made it across RT. 2 and through the stinkhole without difficulty (no ice!). We rode into the woods on the trail behind the guardrail and made our way to Five Points. Lynn led the way as we rode up the Ridge Trail to Luke Skywalker. Although she slipped on the rocks near the start of the climb and in the mud halfway up, she rode the entire trail to the water tank (I stopped and moved a large tree that had blown down yesterday). We rode past the tank without stopping and then out to the power lines where we descended on the road to Red Rock. I cautioned Lynn about the dangers of the freeze/thaw cycle at this time of the year. You could find that the water on one side of the hill might be running freely, while it might be frozen on the other side. After riding to the top of Red Rock we stopped there briefly and then continued down the hill to Jacks Pond. Lynn led the way as she rode down to the base of the Hill of Doom. She then headed right up the hill and although she did not make it to the top, she made it to the roots near the top before her tires slipped out from under her. I made it up the hill in the little ring tonight, after several failed attempts in the big and middle rings.  I passed Lynn on my way up and after she joined me at the top, we rode on from there toward the Double Dip. I gave Lynn some pointers on hill climbing as we neared the bottom of the hill and she gave it her best effort. I watched as she cruised up the incline and soon she was at the top of the hill. As she crested the top of the hill, she let out a whoop that could be heard all the way downtown! This was quite an achievement, and I really happy for her. After that we headed down the hill and onto the Streambed Trail, we climbed the hill to the halfway point, and then turned left and headed back towards Five Points. We rode at an even pace as we passed Double Death and then we turned right at trail's end, and rode up to the Ridge Trail. We headed out of the woods through the swamp and we trekked back across RT.2, onto Gill Road and then back to the shop. We rode for an hour at a steady pace and I was really glad that I had the chance to go out.

Tuesday 12/14: I was ready for a nap at 6:00 when Jack Rice showed up for the ride. It took me a while to get things together, but I managed to get dressed and headed out the door at 6:15. It was another cool night, but still not that bad for the time of the year, as Jack and I headed out for a ride up on the ridge. We got to the turn and both of us said...Not, and we then headed over to the Coke Plant for a short loop. We rode the trails behind Stop&Shop at a good pace, then we cruised over to Gill Rd, where we crossed the highway to the Coke Plant. I followed Jack tonight as I still haven't got the get up and go that I have had recently. We rode the trails out to Five Points and took the ridge to Luke Skywalker. After a run past the water tank, we headed down to Red Rock, and then we headed to the Hill of Doom. After making it to the top we rode straight to the Streambed Trail and then back to the Ridge Trail. We made the run down to Five Points and from there we headed back to the RT. 2 crossover through the swamp. We rode easily back to the shop from Gill Road and made it back in about an hour and twenty minutes. It was a good ride and I am always glad that I went, even though the easy thing to do would be to hit the sofa.

I have been too busy to ride these last week or so. I hope to get out as soon as the Christmas rush is over. I am still doing the spin class, so stop by for a free spin.

 Saturday 12/25: It was colder that a well digger _ _ _ when I left my house for a road ride to Deerfield. The temperature was just about 29 degrees and I was dressed for a frigid trip. As I headed down Federal Street in Greenfield I was pleasantly surprised that I had a tail wind and there were very few cars on the road. I made my way through town and then I headed down RT. 5&10 towards South Deerfield. As I rode along I noticed that I was getting pretty warm and by the time I got to So. Deerfield center I was really steaming. When I passed the bank clock the temperature had risen to a balmy 34 degrees, and I considered  stopping to take off a layer of clothes, but since I was close to my destination I continued on. After leaving town, I turned onto RT. 116, and into a stiff headwind. This slowed my pace considerably, and increased the amount of heat I was generating. I rode up to Stillwater Road and by the time I got to Helen's house, I was really cooked. I finished the ride with an 18 mph average and I was glad to have made the trip.

Monday 12/27: I want to say thank you to the many friends that stopped by for my surprise 50th birthday party at the shop. I was touched by the cards and thoughtful gifts that I received.

Tuesday 12/28: I had a bike delivery to make tonight, so I missed the ride with MPM and Matt Chickering. I will publish a report as soon as I get it.

Tuesday December 28, 1999:After a quick little three mile trail run to get the body temp up, I rode the trails of Highland Park over to the shop. I met up with Matt C. who was circling around waiting for any hardy souls who might show for a ride (that would be me!). We enjoyed the crisp night air as we made our way up to Poet's Seat via the ridge trail. I had to show the young Turk what us older riders can do by tackling the rocky cliff edge near the top. Whoever sets up the Christmas tree at the top does one heck of a job. It is quite the sight to be riding around the tower at night bathed in the glow of a giant Christmas tree! We then took the steep yellow trail down to the white trail. You've really got to get back off the saddle on that one or you'll be tumblin' down. We then turned right and followed the white trail out to the parking lot. A nice little roller coaster ride. We then turned and made the run down the red trail back to the ridge trail. At that point I had been out for about an hour so I decided to head for home as I still had about three miles to go to get back home. I didn't want to risk losing my lights while out alone. As I crossed Mountain Road, I decided that I would follow the ridge trail as is our usual route. I reveled in the quiet and solitude as I made my way slowly to the top, then turned on the high beams and screamed my way home! There's some good riding to be had before the snow comes, see you out there! 
MPM

Thursday 12/30: It was an unusually warm day and I was planning to get a road ride in, but duty called, and I had to postpone my trip. I did however get to go out for the night ride at 6:00. Jon Adamski joined me for a trip to the Coke Plant. I wanted to go over to check out the trails for the ride tomorrow night's New Year's Eve ride. We rode down Gill road and crossed RT. 2, where we entered the trails. The first puddle was still frozen  solid, and we rode across without difficulty. From there we headed over to the swamp, but when we started down the trail we also found that brook frozen.  There was one difference however; the ice had running water on top of it. I wisely decided not to try to ride across it as this kind of ice is impossible to ride on, due to the unstable surface. After we walked across the brook, we headed up to Five Points. From there we rode up the trails to the water tank and out to the power lines. As we headed down the power lines, there were several spots where the frost gave way under our wheels and if a rider was not paying attention, this could cause you to crash. After passing Red Rock we rode down the Chute Trail and over to the Messed Up Trail. The flowing water on the Messed Up Trail covered some ice under the leaves, and we were very careful as we made our down the hill and over to the Hill of Doom. I made it up the hill without difficulty. After cresting the hill we headed over to the Streambed Trail and then we rode back to Five Points. I was getting a little tired, so we headed back to the shop on the Lillian St. trails. I was happy that I had the chance to get out tonight, even though I had to work hard to keep up with Jon.

New Years Eve 1999: I was joined by four riders for the last ride of the year/century. It was a clear cold night, colder than last night for sure, but not bitter cold. Along for the ride was Jack, Matt, Mick, and Alex. The late year revelers and I headed out for a trip over to the Coke Plant. We rode the trails behind Stop&Shop on our way out to Canada Hill. We stopped briefly at the road to make some equipment adjustments and then we rode over to the RT. 2 crossover. We arrived at the first puddle to find that it was totally frozen over, and we all made it across without difficulty. We rode up to the truck turnout and then we headed over to the swamp. When we arrived at the brook, everyone except me, stopped and walked across. I rode straight over the ice and then on towards Five Points. We regrouped  there and then we headed up to the water tank where we stopped and Jack led us in a moment of silence for the passage of the century. After our stop we headed down the power lines to Red Rock and then we rode the Chute Trail down the Messed Up Trail to the Mud Road. I took the lead as we rode to the bottom of the Messed Up Trail and then took the group on the Mud road over to Jack's Pond. I demonstrated my ice skills by riding across the frozen surface, to the amazement of the other riders. We rode up the Hill of Doom ( I made it this time) and then we headed over to Double Death. When we arrived at Double Death we decided to not climb the hill, but rather we headed back to Five Points.  We rode out through the swamp (I rode across the brook again) and then back across RT. 2 and then back to the shop. This is a fitting way to end the year.