Ride before Work: 55 degrees this morning!

Been a while since I rode the Kona and seeing that I had some spare time before a doctor's appointment on Wednesday morning I decided to hit Upper Paugussett for more than the basic 5 mile ride.

While the Poly Brody was really dry for once the single track trails were showing signs of the recent rains as they were still a bit moist.  Riding down the Gussy was largely uneventful but getting on the Reach Around I noticed that it appears to be getting a lot of traffic!  I gave it two laps just to add to it, too.

Since I had time to kill I looped back to the Mulikin and took that down only to find some issues that have me concerned.  The downed tree, pictured above is a quick fix.  I probably could have slid it down but plan on coming back with a hand saw, that is, if the trail gnomes don't get to it first.  

Further up on the trail, the section before the stonewall appears to have been really muddy with all the rain that we have been having and past the stonewall the trail is getting really rutted out.  That re-route that I have been planning is looking more than ever really important right now but unfortunately, I don't have a lot of time right now to start working on it.  I was hoping for fall with the leaves down.  

Now here is an interesting development, somebody foot raked a go around on the Blue Trail where those exposed roots are.  Again, my reroute for cyclists is sorely needed here. 

Wear-a-mug 100K

I needed a big ride this weekend to prepare for D2R2 so I decided on riding to Lake Waramaug and then try some new stuff around New Preston.  By new stuff, looking for more dirt roads to ride.

While I had planned to leave around 6:30 I finally got on the bike at 7:45 and it was actually better that I left a little later because it warmed up.  Still, riding in cooler temperatures I opted for an extra layer under my jersey that was perfect for some of the descents earlier in the morning and helped wick more sweat when it got warmer.

There were some spectacular views from Hut Hill Road that I never knew existed, then again, I don't think I have ever been this route before, I always take 133 to get to Bridgewater.  I went this way to keep off the main road.  It was well worth the detour.

This new route took me the back way into Mine Hill and subsequently Judd's Bridge for a very cooling descent and then up one of my favorite gradual ascents, Walker Brook.

Dropping down into New Preston I chose a route to Lake Waramaug that I probably should have reconnoitered better because it was an insane climb, Finlay Road.

It was a bitch but I made it.

A nice, fast descent off this hill (probably should have just ridden up through the center of town) took me into the top of New Preston and then I was on West Shore Road and enjoying the scenery of Lake Waramaug.

There was an equal amount of cyclists as there were runners on East and Shore Roads, as well as people out for a morning stroll.  Runners were pretty good, staying two abreast but some were far out in the lane, posing a hazard to cyclists (me) and cars who might be coming around a blind corner, but the walkers were the worst.  I had my bell and gave them warning but they seemed reluctant to make room.

I noticed someone pacing me into 3 mile but when I hit the headwind I lost it and he passed me.  Of course, he was lean and mean on a TT bike but he liked my Cannondale!  The majority of the cyclist seemed to be destination riders on flat bar and comfort bikes.  There was one couple on a tandem and another guy on an hold school Cannonale mountainbike with a Headshok.  We high-fived each other because we both new we were riding vintage Cannondale bikes.

I got screwed at the end of the lake because my Garmin, which is supposed to have turn by turn directions, doesn't tell me when to turn so I missed the turn off to Filtration Rd, which by the way coming the other direction is a much more suitable climb that I might have to try sometime.  Also, the next time I ride up to Waramaug I might try doing a few laps, too.  And of course, there is a Strava Segment for that, too.

My time is way off so I am going to have to work on that.  Maybe on my next ride up to the lake I will pick a more direct route and then ride a few laps, as well as try the route in the opposite direction.  Might have to bring the bar cam and get come video, too.

The highlight was finding Whittlesey Rd, which started out as an oil & gravel road but at the top of the first climb turned over to dirt! 

From the top of that climb is an awesome descent in which to pass by some ultra chi-chi private school.  I went right on this road called Sabbaday Lane which turned into another monster climb.  Then it was Rt 109 down into Washington and on towards Steep Rock.

Crossing over the Shepaug at the entrance to the Steep Rock Reservation is a great spot for a little bike porn.

Then ride the rail trail down and through my favorite Rail Road Tunnel, out to Tunnel Road and then up Judds Bridge for a pit stop at the Roxbury Market for another bottle of water and black and white cookie.  The market is 2/3s of the way through the route and a great place to recharge.  It turns out that Roxbury Market gets all of it's pastries from the Blue Colony diner in Newtown.  

Then I rode down to the Southbury and over the I-84 pedestrian bridge only to get lost in the rabbit warren of small streets near Lake Zoar.

I decided not to stop at the Village Perk because I was running out of time just pushed towards home.

My third 100K ride this year and I am really starting to like this distance!  Riding to Lake Waramaug is definitely happening again, probably with some variation.

Am I becoming a roadie?

Don't get me wrong, I still love mountain biking but I am also starting to really like road riding, too.  Maybe it's due to the commuting or also because we have had another incredibly wet summer that not being able to ride as much in the woods but still wanting to ride is causing me to gravitate to the roads.  

Granted, I am not tempted to go out and drop serious money on a really good road bike and if you know me I like more eclectic bikes to the point where I think my next bike will probably be something steel, geared, that can be ridden equally on trails and roads.

I am still having fun experimenting with different ways to carry stuff.  The Timbuk2 top tube bag works great on the Qball but not the Cannondale.  I have different top tube bag that I got for my trip to the Cape.

It's called a Rosewheel and it holds my Blackberry better than the Timbuk2, however, like the Timbuk2 my knees graze the sides when I am out of the saddle and climbing.  It will be perfect for commuting because I will be able to fit my work stuff in it (security id, wallet, and keys).  I am up in the air whether I will ride with it for D2R2, though.  

 

I am starting to develop a nice network of routes throughout Newtown that aren't super hilly and are fun to ride on a singlespeed.  Many of these routes take me through the southern part of town, which to my surprise, has a lot of farms and nurseries that I never knew existed.  There are also quite a few farmstands but they usually aren't selling anything for a quick energy boost.

Tyler Fcuking Mill!

A recent controversy (which was quickly resolved) with the Town of Wallingford and CT NEMBA has sparked a revival of activity at this once infamous riding location.  I know there used to be a pretty good mountain bike race here in the past and that it has also been known for some other illicit activities that I care not to get into.  We tried to ride here last month but got rained out.  Fortunately, it looked like the rain was going to hold off long enough for us to get in a ride.

Wow!  These trails are fcuking insanely good!
Tight, twisty singletrack and unbelievable smooth for New England!

Along the way we picked Fabian Esponda and then some more guys at the bridge before Small Intestine.

The only drawback was the poison ivy.  It was everywhere!
Learned a new trick to thwart it, use hand sanitizer.
Tried that and didn't get any!

Bill Boles, aka NEMBABill, one of the founding fathers of NEMBA joined us for the ride

This was a taste and I can't wait to go back and ride the entire place!

Newtown Epic

I have always wanted to try this:  Ride Upper Paugussett, the Vineyard Trails and Waldo on the same ride Today, I did it and it was AWESOME!  The vineyard trails need a lot of work, though, and they are almost not worth riding.  It's clear that Waldo is really popular now.  The main trail is really rode in well.  I hit some of the new trail but it was just a sniff.  It will be great when the rest is complete, though.

Looks like the new parking lot has been started at Waldo.

Had a pretty good run down to the lake but Endo'd on Waldo.
Everything was fine but had to curse myself for poor body position.

While heading back up the fire road to ride Extra Credit two Yentas were coming the other direction with three dogs.  Two of the dogs were really friendly but the third was growling at me constantly.  All the dogs were off leash.  I reminded the younger of the two that leash laws are applicable at Waldo.  The older of the two said that the growling dog doesn't bite but a stranger's presence will set her off.  Well, I don't know the dog doesn't bite and by the dog's reaction to my presence all I could tell is that it was going to bite me.  I told her whether or not the dog will bite it's her responsibility to keep it on a leash.  

Found the new drop on Waldo.  Either side makes a nice a roller, too.

Intersection with the hunters trails is sporting this new teepee thing.

Ran into Ed Perten on the Upper Gussy Trail.
24 mile ride