The stretch of warm almost summer like weather continued today. The temps were in the mid fifties when I arrived at the shop for our 1:00 ride. I got my bike ready and then got dressed for the ride. Even though it is warm for this time of year; it is after all November, so I put on my wind block baselayer, a short sleeve jersey, long sleeved jersey and my knickers. After I was dressed I headed out to the parking lot where I put on my winter boots and greeted the 9 riders that awaited me.
The group for today was Tom Martyn, Bentley, Steve Power, Michelle, Keith Streeter, Jeeves, Don McCool, Bob Sheperd, Mark Newton, and me. We left the shop and I led the group over to Adams Road where I decided it would be better for me to lead than follow since following might mean Tom or Steve or Keith could get to the front and that might be it for me. I rode up the hill at a 10 mph pace and I was quite frankly riding on the rivet most of the way up the hill. When I got to the top and pulled off to head for the back of the line. As I rode down the line I passed Tom who said “thanks for the nice easy pace” or something to the like. I looked over towards him and I gasped a response; “For some!!” before dropping like a stone to the back of the line. I recovered on the ride down the other side of the hill and managed to stay in the group as we made our way out to RT. 10. The wind was at our backs and that helped me but I have to say that when the pace went up I had to struggle to keep in the group. I managed to ride down the hill to the Bennett Meadow Bridge near the front of the paceline and was pleased to see Bentley on the front as we headed up the hill to RT. 63. Bentley set a nice even pace up the hill and I rode comfortably in line behind him in fourth wheel. We made the turn onto RT. 63 and then rode up to Warwick Ave where Bob Croke was waiting for us. Bob got into line and we all headed for the hill up to Warwick. I was quickly in the red zone on the first part of the hill so I slowed my pace and climbed in my comfort zone. The back of the group was in sight most of the way up the hill but I generally rode with Bob Sheperd the whole way up to the turn where the group was waiting. I stopped briefly before the group was ready to go. We headed down the hill to Moore’s Pond with Steve, Tom and Keith doing most of the work. I did a short pull myself before retreating to the middle of the pack to rest up for was sure to be a tough ride up the hill to Wendell. I rode the rest of the way down the hill to RT. 2A in the middle of the pack, saving what little I had for the next climb. After we crossed the highway the climbing begins in earnest. I set a nice tempo on the very steep first part of the hill and then settled into my own rhythm for the rest of the climb. I managed to keep Mark Newton and a few others in sight all the way up to the cemetery hill. At that point Bob, who was on my wheel for the majority of the climb, came off the back. He fell behind by quite a bit so I waited up for him and the two of us rode up the hill together. When we got to the gazebo the group was waiting and Bentley wanted to take a shorter route home so he suggested Mormon Hollow Road. I do not like riding down a hill we just rode up, just to do a crappy little road, so I made the bold move to head us down Millers Falls Road. As the discussion continued I simply started to pedal down the hill. Pretty quick we were all on the nasty little hill that nearly kills everyone. We all managed to get up it, although some quicker than others, and then it was a nice little ride over to the ranger station at Wendell State Forest where the last descent began. It was a pretty fun ride down the hill and pretty soon we were climbing the hill out of Millers Falls Center up to Millers Falls Road. We re-grouped at the top of the hill and then headed for downtown Turners Falls. After getting through town we rode over to Esleeck Hill and back to the shop. I managed a good effort on the climb and finished the ride behind the main pack. All in all it was a good ride and we ended the trip with an 18 mph average. It was a pretty fast ride for me and a tough effort, but I was glad that I did it. Sometimes the best thing I can do to get into better shape is to push a little more than I think I can. If I don’t over do it I usually make progress.
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