That’s the state all you hopefuls. My life has changed a bit but don’t worry faithful readers, I maintain my allegiance to an internal spirit, a belief in one’s self as the end of the pipeline.
As much as I researched the IMBA epic at Borden Mtn Tannery Fals, I kept coming up with no ride data.
Way cold in AM, doubled summer down blanket & ski hat just barely kept cold sleepable. Next night will be heater on lowest setting.
Noisy sleep spot but not bothered sleeping in bank parking lot screened by a hedge from street. Left before it got busy.
Drove down to grocery store parking lot to do internet work. Beautiful day. Conversation with woman checker about my age. She said “bucket List”. Hadn’t thought of that before. My bucket at this point is lower 48. OK dancing with wolves.
Called 2 bike shops seeking ride info which got back to Bikerag.com for NE. Decided Mass needed another go. Drove back highways to West Stockbridge & Lenox Mtn. Fall colors have fallen leaving bare trees & trees that have turner but not let loose of their leaves. Ground and forest are exposed.
NE old towns are to die for. Old buildings, fallen elaves, mostly all white, old cemetaries, twisty winding narrow state highways, and whatever. Picked most beautiful desireable season to be here. Bitter cold w/ ice storms, biting black flies & stiffling humidity & heat are unknown by me. I do know the fallen colors and the bite of fall.
Found TH on shoulder of Lenox mtn. fallen leaves cover main tread in cart path. Find a ST taking off, followed for a short loop then spun off another. Twisty undulating across the mountainside thru fallen leaves. Trail finding is again like following old ski tracks, attention is placed on the ground a little in front of front wheel, the rest of the scenery is not observed. Such is mtn biking.
Elevation is getting higher like 1300′. Today’s ride climbed 1723′. Not as rocky and rooty as others. Rides are measured in successful maneuvers and time, not mileage. Today was 8.93 miles in 1 hr 40 mins riding time.
Rode the ST as an out & back because I didn’t recall menatlly what the map said the trails were like. Fun ST figuring out trail, tight, lots of turns, rideable both ways except for some of the rock faces.
The birch have not been killed off here.
Back to TH, light getting fall like flatter. Clear skies. Worked on bike at TH which had a lookout down mtn to lake below and mtns on the horizon. Replaced chain at 350 miles and it appears to have saved the cluster.
Drove into Pitsfield, Mass for high speed internet for research.
Stopped at package store for Scotch replenishment. Bought Drambue 1 hit & made rusty nail, can you tell? Research wil be addled tonight.
Parked in Doctors’ park parking lot just of rt 20. May tonight not be so noisy. No shower tonight.
Tampa Bay won the ALCS. Go Tampa. But may Jamie pitch a good game.