Another roll in the Dark

Again, it started out light but that was quickly waning and the sun was setting by the time I hit the southern trail head of the Gussy.  I had light for the ride up the Gussy but ended up turning it on during my ride back down.  Tried something new this time around, at the top of the Gussy I took a left onto the yellow trail and took that down and out to the Poly Brody and then back up to the Gussy for the ride back down.  Thinking about it now, what I should have done is cut over to the Mulikin and then loop back to the Gussy!  Next time.

The temperature was funny when I headed out.  The gauge at home was saying 50 but felt warmer than that in a few places.  Of course riding up the trail I never got cold but coming back down I was glad for having a t-shirt on because I could tell that it was getting colder.  I threw in a loop on the Poly Brody down to the boat ramp and that's when I realized that it was really starting to get cold out.  By the time I got home, my toes were numb.

 

Election Nite Ride

Holy crap was it cold tonight!  By the time I got home from work and started doing the Clark Kent from Garage to Bedroom and back to the Garage again, the sun had already set, the light was fading fast, and the temperature was dropping.  Definitely going to be a tight(s) ride, along with cold weather booties, gloves, a couple of layers up top and an ear band.  

I felt the Raleigh was being neglected and needed to be ridden so I threw my commuter light on the bars, bear bell, and headed over to Upper Paugussett State Forest.  I rode the entire length of the Poly Brody with the commuter light on but didn't really need it because I have pretty good night vision but it was comforting.  Then on the Gussy I put the HID on and between the two had plenty of light.  The Raleigh felt good and I was really eating up the trail.  Granted no Strava KOMs on this ride largely due to the trees down in the middle of Gussy but it was just fun to be on the Single Speed again.

Nothing like an ice cold PBR post ride.  It was ice cold and went down smoothly!  Checking the temps when I got home it was 32 degrees but that PBR was perfect!

Post Hurricane Sandy Ride after TM

Found this at the trail head - this is too eclectic for hunters and mountain bikers wouldn't leave a can laying in the forest.  A mystery abounds!

 

The Poly Brody is back open once again!
No KOM today because I was gawking at the progress.

The new up and over and additional ramp is soooo smooth!

Post Hurricane Sandy TM on the Gussy

Day 6 of no power, well, I do have a generator that I like to call Genny.  Between coping with no power, generating our own, and trying to work among all the stress this latest storm has created I haven't had any time for much else, less riding.  Granted, both Upper Paugussett and Waldo were hit hard.  Paula spent the last two days at Waldo and was supposed to help me on the Gussy Saturday afternoon but she was wiped out - I can understand that, so I headed into the woods with a long handled and my Friskas hand axes, bow saw, and clippers.

This clump of three trees needs a chainsaw.

 

I was able to do this one with my clippers.

I cleared around this Widow Maker and foot raked a go around. 

 

The long handled axe came in handy here.  I was able to chop halfway through the tree and let gravity do the rest. 

  

Then I did a little ramping to with the go with the flow

   

Post Hurricane Sandy Upper Gussy Update

On Tuesday, I got out for a quick assessment ride at Upper Paugussett State Forest.
It wasn't pretty.

 

Entering into Upper Pagussett State Forest

This was an easy move but I may have put too much strain on my shoulder injury (non biking related) from the summer.

 

These two require a chain say (which I don't have).  Hopefully a kind sole will get out there and fix these on the Poly Brody.

Prerequisite Spot Longboard 9 Bike Porn shot!

This is on the Gussy

Leaner on some spring poles

Blocking the reroute from the last storm

 

The Coup de Grass.  Three trees in this mess.  It could make for some nice features once it's done.