Ride
Page
Here You will find the reports of our
exploits for the month July 2001 more or less as they happened. If you
have a ride you want listed or want to submit a report of a ride you
went on, please leave me a note. bikebob@crocker.com
Glossary of Names used in these reports: ME (MaryEllen) Ice
Princess, IP (Lynn Black); Moose Boy, MB (Kris Black); Marcus P. Marcus,
MPM (Marc Lombard); Black Beauty, BB (Marsha Martin); Timster, (Tim
Fowler); Little Puke, LP (Matt Putnam); Jorge, (George Katzar); His
Majesty Jack, HMJ (Jack Spanbauer); Queen Nancy, QN (Nancy Spanbauer);
Donna the Hon, DTH (Donna Golec); Star, (Dave Walker); Crash Test Dummy,
CTD (Ed Sokoloski); Georgie Boy. GB (George Bernegger); Little Bugger,
LB (Casey Golec);
JiT, Just-in-Time (Justin Golec); Homer (Michelle Hurley); Tywor (Tyler
Golec); Service (Rod Perez); Rick2
(Rick McCulloch and Manson)
Thursday July 5: I have selected some of the longer and harder routes for the last few trips because we have enough light that everyone can get to finish before dark. Tonight we did the Conway-Shelburne route which is a ride that I have used in the past but I haven't done in quite a while due to the length and the amount of climbing. We had a smaller group than usual, due to the Nova Scotia trip, but still we had 22 come out for the trip. We left the shop right at 6:00 and I led the group down to RT. 5&10 where we took a left and headed for Deerfield. I have been a little tired lately so I was not a front of the pack piggy like I usually am. I rode in the middle of the group while the Bells took to the front of the group and kept the pace at 20 mph. We rode through the center of Deerfield in a double pace line and I had Jorge in front of me and GB behind. I was a punching bag for those two as they took turns with verbal jabs. Even though I am a little off my game, I was still able to give it back, as we headed for the Stillwater Hill. Once we got on the hill, however, all the chatter stopped and the riders put their effort into the task at hand. Pat Bell led the charge up the hill and was challenged to the top by MB, who did a great job of climbing that hill. After I got to the top, I slowed up to give a chance for the other riders to re-group. We then headed off for RT. 116 at a moderate pace. Once we made the turn onto RT. 116, the group started to string out a bit and I found myself near the front with MB and some of the other stronger riders, while the rest of the group was falling behind. I decided to drop back and ride at a more reasonable rate with Homer, Rick Manson, Jorge, Baby Bell, and a few other people. We paced ourselves up the hill and then made the descent into Conway center. I waited at the back of our group to make sure that all the riders made the turn onto Shelburne Falls Road. After that, it was "everyone for themselves" as we began the long climb up the hill to Buckland. This is a very steep climb and you would be wise to pace yourself on the first part of it so that you will be able to enjoy the rest of the ride. I rode at an even pace (in the small ring!) as I made the climb with Homer in tow. After we got to the top of the hill I took off on the descent and we were able to catch up with Baby Bell and Rick. The next hill we encountered is such a beautiful ride, because the grade is so gentle and the views are so nice that I often like to slow down and just cruise. But not tonight, because we had to keep up our speed or else we might not make it back before dark. The four of us traveled down the hill and into Buckland where we crossed the iron bridge and then rode through the village of Shelburne Falls. We left the town and got out to RT. 2 where we turned right and headed for Greenfield. As we rode down the hill past the police barracks, I spotted some riders up ahead and so I picked the pace up and began the pursuit. I rode at a pretty steady rate as we encountered the last few hills and slowly we began to close the distance on the two riders just ahead of us. As we neared the Duck Pond restaurant I made the final push and we caught up with Jorge and Tom Martell, but in so doing we dropped Rick and Baby Bell. I rode at the front with Tom and soon we were all heading down the hill into Greenfield at 50 mph. We rode through the rotary and then up to Main Street where we slowed the pace a bit. We rode back to the shop at 17 mph and we were greeted by MB, Bell, GB, Mike Beh and the rest of the group. Most of the riders enjoyed the trip even though it was one of the more difficult loops, the scenery makes it well worth the effort.
Monday 7/9: Tonight we took a trip to the Coke Plant with a small group of riders that included Homer, IP, DTH, Jim Humphrey, Gary, Chris U., Brian, and myself. We made a quick trip over to the highway and after we crossed I stayed behind and waited for Brian to make it over. I rode with him as he is new to the trails and we rode along at an easy pace and arrived at the turnout shortly after the other riders did. Since Brian hasn't ridden in a while I decided to give him an alternative route to take, so he would not have to try to keep up with the faster riders. IP led the faster group out through the swamp, while I led Brian straight out to Five Points, where we all were to meet. When Brian and I arrived at the meeting point we were met by Chris, DTH and Homer. It seems that IP was in no mood to wait so she took the boys and headed up the hill. I gave Brian directions on which trail to take and where we were going to meet. We then split up at Five Points, with Brian taking the Mud Road and the rest of us taking the Ridge Trial. I led our group up the hill and when Chris and I got to the top we looked around for the others and when we didn't find them we decided to wait for Homer and DTH and cut across the hill to Red Rock. We were just about to start down the trail when IP came roaring up the trail right at us. It seems that the dear girl had led the boys on a loop around the whole hill and was just catching up with us as we were heading out. We then followed IP up to the water tank and then out to the Power Lines. Jim and I then took the lead as we rode down the road to Red Rock. At this point we split up, with IP taking the girls down the road to Jacks Pond, and Jim taking the boys down the Chute. I did not do too well on the descent as I am still a little off my game, but I managed to keep up with the crew and soon we were at the bottom of the Hill of Doom. I had planned on doing a mellow ride tonight, but I wanted to do all the climbs in the middle ring. I started up the hill and had no trouble getting up to the root section but I almost dabbed a couple of times, but in the end I managed to keep my momentum and I rode all the way to the top. After a brief rest at the top of the hill we took off for the Orchard Trails and Double Dip. After we all arrived at the top of the dip, IP suggested that we take the Streambed Trail all the way to the top. That girl was on fire!! Well, we rode off and took the Mud Road over to the trail, where we met up with Brian, who was making his way back to the start on a flatter route. I rode up the Streambed Trail to the top in the middle ring and then made the left turn and rode to the top of the last hill. Waiting for me at the top was IP, Jim, Chris and Gary, it seems that they had no trouble making the hill and they were all raring to go, so we took off for the secret trail. I rode in the front with Jim and we hit the descent in no time. I followed the group down the hill and I was planning to wait for the girls at the Super Super Super Secret Trail, but they were right behind me and we all headed down the trail to The Ridge Trail. We rode to Five Points where I expected to find Brian, but he had ridden off to the truck turnout and was waiting there. I sent the rest of the group onto the swamp trails and I went out to find Brian and make sure that he got back to the RT. 2 crossover. We all ended up at the trailhead together and from there we headed back to the shop. It was a truly beautiful evening and I really enjoyed the ride.
Tuesday 7/10: Tonight we were again plagued with thunderstorms in the area and a lot of the regular riders stayed at home, but some of hardy folks did come out and we had a ride anyway. I had planned a ride down the valley, but due to the dark clouds in the southern skies, I decided to head north. A beginner group that included Jeannie, Christina and led by Dave Cayen left a few minutes ahead of our group and they rode down to Deerfield. Along for the longer trip tonight was Joe M., QN, Penny, Homer, Jon Parrott, Service, Troy, and myself. I led the group out of the parking lot and out to Bernardston Road where we headed north towards Bernardston. After we started the climb I dropped back to ride with Penny and I gave her a hand getting up the hill. After we crested the hill, Joe led the faster riders off on a 25 mile loop, while I stayed back to ride with Penny. Penny and I followed a group of three riders that were just ahead of us until we got to the turn onto RT. 10, where the riders pulled away from us on the hill. I told Penny not to try to keep up with them but to just ride within her own capabilities and that we would do our own loop. I kept telling Penny to set a pace that she was comfortable with, but was a little challenging at the same time. We rode up Rt. 10 all the way to Turners Falls Road where we turned right and headed off towards Gill. Penny and I rode at a 17mph average along the flatter sections of the road and when we hit the hill near the golf course we only slowed to about 10 mph, which Penny carried all the way to the top of the climb. I rode behind Penny as we dropped to the bottom of the hill and entered the town of Gill. Penny was getting tired as we hit the RT. 2 traffic lights, but I told her that she only had one more hill to go and that seemed to get her spirits up. Penny and I crossed the bridges over the canal and the river and we soon were on the Greenfield Road climb. penny did an amazing job of riding up that hill and she was able to keep a 9 mph pace all the way to the top. I will not repeat her comment as we crested the top, but it was a and expression of joy and relief for a job well done. Penny and I then rode to the traffic light, which turned green on my command, and then we headed back to the shop to await the arrival of the rest of the group. Penny left the shop before the other riders got back so she did not get to see the nice gift that QN bought for HMJ. I hope that we all get to see him in his new duds after he receives it. It turned out to be a really nice evening after all and I hope that most of you did get out for a ride, it would have been worth it.
Wednesday 7/11: Our ride tonight was a trip to Deerfield to do the Pocumtuck Ridge. I left the shop with Greg Dupree, Homer and Jim at about 6:10 and we drove down to the parking spot in the field off Keets Road. When we got there Penny was waiting for us and after we got our gear together we headed off onto the trails. I gave directions to the boys and then I set off to follow the group. We made our way out to a connecting trail that led us to the Refrigerator Trail, where I gave the riders another set of directions to follow. I again followed the group up the hill and we were making our way past a rocky section when Penny crashed. She slid out on a rock a flipped right off Service's bike (which she was borrowing for the ride) and she landed on the rocks. She was pretty scraped up and I suggested that she maybe head back to her car, but she said that she was OK and that she would continue on the ride. (Unlike Service who would have had to go to the hospital.) As I was tending to Penny and getting her back on the bike, Kip and Charlie came up the trail and asked me where the other riders where heading. I gave them directions and they rode on ahead of us and quickly caught up with Greg and Jim. After Penny got back on her bike I rode with the two girls up the climb to Pine Nook Road. I decided to forgo the trail and take the road up to the top of the hill because it would be easier for Penny to do with her injury. This is a long steep climb and I decided to push on ahead to catch up with the boys, leaving the girls to ride at their own pace. I found the boys at the top of the ski area and we waited for Homer and Penny to arrive. After they got up to us we all got a rest and then I gave everyone directions to the Stairmaster Trail. When all the riders knew the route, we set off on our way. I started off riding in the middle of the group but after we got to the top of the climb I just sort of trailed off the back and I rode mostly by myself as we followed the trail south towards the power lines. I rode along to the end of the trail, enjoying the beautiful summer evening as I glided along this wonderful path. When I got to the Stairmaster, the boys had already gone down the hill so I waited at the top for them to return. While I waited, the girls came along and they waited with me at the side of the trail. After a few minutes a couple of other riders came down the trail and asked if I had a tool to help them with a repair. I got out my "Alien" and fixed the man's seatpost. They thanked me and then rode off just as the rest of the group arrived at the top of the hill. Jim and Greg were pretty spent when the got up to me and they along with Charlie and Kip took a couple of minutes to get their energy back. We then decided to ride to the bottom of the hill instead of riding re-tracing our route back. We rode down this really beautiful trail towards the water tank and I took my time, enjoying the scenery as I sped along the path. As I neared the end of the trail I was spooked by this person dressed in a bluish shroud who was just gliding along the trail very slowly. The person moved in a very slow, mechanical stride that I was reminded of the "Blair Witch" movie. When I got to the end of the trail, everyone was talking about it, it was pretty spooky. After a brief stop we headed off down the road to the bottom of Hillside road where we took a right onto the railroad tracks and then we headed off down a road that took us out to the motor-cross track. We watched a man on a motorcycle do a couple of laps and then we headed off for Eaglebrook. We took the road back to the tennis courts at Eaglebrook and then we followed the Mud Mile Trail back down to the cars. It was a good ride and everyone did really well.
Thursday 7/12: I have been scheduling the longer, hillier rides for this time of the year so that everyone who wants to try to do them will get the chance to do so in the daylight. The route for tonight was a 35 mile trip that included the climb up the Eden Trail. The Eden Trail is a 4 mile climb that can really take the starch out of you, so it was nice to have a sunny day with the temperatures in the low 70's, and the riders could concentrate on the hill and not on the weather. We left the shop with myself in the lead and we headed over to Turners Falls. My plan for the night was to stay in the middle of the group for as long as necessary and only lead when others couldn't. My plan lasted only until we got to the top of the Third Street Hill, when the faster group pulled off and left the rest of the riders in the rear. I decided to drop back and give a hand to the following bunch and I found myself at the front for most of the way to Millers Falls. I did manage to bring the group back up to the leaders and we all stayed together as we turned onto RT. 63 and headed towards Northfield. I dropped back into the group to visit with GB and Mike Beh and some of the others when I noticed a red car go streaking past the pack and race over to the side of the road. A man jumped out of the car and pulled out a bike and after donning his helmet and gloves, joined the front of line. After a short pull up the hill into Northfield, the rider drifted back towards me and I recognized who it was. It was Malcolm Moore, who missed the start and not wanting to endure the ribbing from the other Beermonters, he decided to make a go of it. Well Malcolm had just gotten settled in when several riders at the front made a sprint for the town line marker. The sprint was contested by Doug, Pat Bell, Joe, Brendan, Matt Hyde and Dan LaRoche. The sprint was won by Patrick and after the sprint that group pulled off ahead of the rest of us by several hundred meters. I then ended up at the front of the chase group with Malcolm and we started to pull the pack along the flatter sections of the roadway. Malcolm and I did our best to keep the group together as we headed for the turn onto RT. 10 and we took the turn with the whole bunch just behind us. I could see the front group was just ahead of me so I decided to give it a go and try to catch them so they could pull us down to Bernardston. I gave it a good push and I managed to close the gap, but when I looked behind I could see that the rest of the riders were not right behind me so I backed it off and tried to get the group back together. I then rode along with Malcolm and we led the bunch to the top of the decline into the center of Bernardston and there we let Jamie and Homer take a pull at the front. When I got to the turn, I again went to the front and stayed there until we got to the turn onto West Mountain Road. GB and Michael started to crab about not liking to ride on any road that had the word mountain in it. I told them to buck-up and get ready to ride. I took the lead as we started to climb and I stayed on the front as the road steepened and I was nearing the top of the first section, when GB and Mike came storming up to me. I casually mentioned that we were only at the half way point and that they would be wise to save their exuberance for the finish at Frizzle Hill. This produced a groan from GB and he quickly slowed the pace to a more sustainable rate. I rode with my three fellow Beermont buddies all the way to the turn onto Frizzle Hill, where I toasted my trio of riders to the top of the hill. I then led the bunch down the hill at 55 mph and I waited at the bottom to make sure that they all made the turn onto Greenfield Road. I took a long pull at the front and our quartet screamed down into the town of Leyden at 28 mph. We kept the pace high all the way to the long descent into Greenfield and it was here that we caught up with Dan LaRoche as he pedaled along by himself. Dan then joined our group and we took off towards Silver Street. Mike started to drop back off the group so I told the others to head on back to the shop and I waited for Mike to catch up with me. Mike and I rode down Leyden Road and onto Silver Street with GB, Malcolm and Dan just in front of us. We rode back to the shop and after a few minutes we were joined by the rest of the people from the ride. Everyone seemed to have a great time on the trip and we took the festivities from the shop down the road to The Peoples Pint where most of the people partook of the specialty of the house; Bobognaise! The food was great and we all had good time and after the meal we left for our homes.
Sunday 7/15: Tonight is the first time in quite a while that I was able to do a "Family Ride". because it seems that each Sunday we had thunderstorms. Well tonight we had really beautiful weather for the trip and so I left the shop at 5:00 with CTD riding shotgun in the van. We were met at the common by Homer, Jack, Service, Harold and Matt Green, Jim H., Kip, Fred and Jacub Bezio and Maxine. The group split up with Jim leading a group on a longer trip and I led the remainder of the bunch. My group took the usual road route to the Telephone Pole Trail. I led the group all the way to the gas station where Matthew and Jacub took over and I took up the third spot in the line. Our group made the turn onto the trail from the road and soon we had the newer riders looking to find a good line through the sandy lower sections of the hill. We rode to the fire pit and re-grouped briefly and then we headed off for the Toilet Bowl Trail. I let Freddy and Jacub take the lead and I just sort of followed them out to the turn, where I stopped to make sure that CTD and Maxine made the turn. I was amazed that Harold Green was able to make it along these trails on his hybrid bike without any difficulty. We all rode out to the power lines where I decided to take a different route than I had originally planned because the group was going along pretty quickly. We followed the power lines out to the road and then took a right onto a small cut over trail that leads us to the Brook Trail. The riders had no trouble making it across the little section of forest that we have to ride on, due to a large tree lying across the main trail. When we got to the now dried up brook we stopped for a couple of minutes and I asked the group if they wanted to try the Swamp Road route. Everyone agreed to give it a try and so off we went. I led the bunch up the hill to the big mud hole where Jacub tried to ride. He got about half way before the mud grabbed his wheels and he stopped dead in the middle of the muck. After we got Jacob's bike pulled from the mud hole we all took off to ride up the rest of the hill to the swamp. As we got to the end of the swamp section we could hear the rest of the riders up ahead and we took off to join them. At this point I could see that the kids were getting a little tired as was CTD, so I suggested that we ride down the hill to the trail at the bottom which takes us over to the Big Pine Tree. I rode down in the middle of the group and when I got to the bottom I watched as both Penny and CTD did spectacular endo's. Penny was first and she fell right onto the rocks, while CTD went right over the bars and into the grass. Penny was scraped and bruised but she came down on her own. CTD, on the other hand flew half way to the bottom in the air, before skidding on the grass, which collected in the holes of his helmet. Freddie helped get him up and he too was able to make it to the bottom under his own power. After that I decided to send Jim and the faster riders out on the road while I took CTD, Penny, Jacub and Maxine a shorter way through the woods past the Big Pine Tree to the power lines. We then took the banked trails out to Old Northfield Road which we took all the way to the blacktop road. Our group took the blacktop road all the way back to the cars. After everyone got back I went over to make sure that CTD and Penny were not in need of any medical supplies and after they assured me that all was OK, we then partook of the refreshments supplied by CTD. All in all, we had a fun ride on a nice summer evening.
Ride for Tuesday, July 17thThis ride was a personal best for me. At times I
knew that if the pace was even 1/2mph faster, or the hill 20 feet
taller, I wouldn't have been able to hang on!
Tuesday 7/17: Our beginners group was fairly small tonight as we only had 21 riders which we spit into two groups. ME took one group on a 17 mile trip while I took the rest of the troops for a 35 mile loop down through Hatfield. I left the shop and led the group down High Street and then out to RT. 5&10. I set a fairly modest pace as I rode towards the turn onto Old Main Street and after taking the turn I dropped back to the back of the group to check up on how everyone was doing. I stayed at the back while MPM, Chip and Shawn Manchester took over the pace setting duties. We rolled along down Mill Village Road in a double pace line and many of the riders got to take a turn at the front. I eventually ended up at the front with Steve Daby as we neared the Bar-Way Farm and we pulled the group to the bottom of the hill. As we started to climb, Steve said that he was having trouble with cramps and he had to slow up. I stayed back with him and the rest of the group pressed onward. Steve and I Rode easily up Lee Road and then we took a shortcut down to RT. 116 where we caught up with the rest of the riders as they made the turn onto So. Mill River Road. After MPM dropped back to ride with Steve for a while, I went to the front to take a turn. I rode with the group top the next hill where Steve fell off again. MPM and I stayed with him and blacked the wind as we fought to catch up with the group before the next hill. We caught up with them right at the beginning of the climb, but it was to no avail as Steve fell off again. At this point I decided to take it a little easier and Steve and I set a slower pace. We took it easy for a while and we were joined by MPM and Roger Katz. Our group then took a shorter route over to River Road. Steve was really beginning to feel worse so I put the pace down to 17 mph and our quartet rode along to just before MT. Sugarloaf, where we were joined by the Bell Brothers. I sent MPM and the Bells on ahead and Steve and I dropped off the pace and headed for Sugarloaf Street. After crossing RT. 116 we ran into Jim Ruddock who was just going out for a run and we stopped to chat with him for a moment. After a minute or so Steve said that he should get going as he was starting to cramp. I followed Steve as we made our way down Sugarloaf Street and onto North Main Street, but as we got towards the end of North Main Street, Steve started to cramp up and soon he had to stop. We stopped at the side of the road and I told Steve to wait there and I would get the van and pick him up. I took off and rode at 25 mph all the way back to the shop where I was met by some of the riders from ME's group. ME said that Uncle Mic could pick up Steve so I waited at the shop for them to arrive. Steve said that he was OK, he just ran out of gas. So after a few minutes rest he and MPM took off for home. I left the shop a few minutes later and headed for home myself.