Our 2012 New England Randonneurs schedule has been posted.
Start times will likely be adjusted. I’ll post some detailed information here when the dust settles.
We are also hoping to add a 200k or 300k ‘Gap Filled’ ride for later in the summer…
VT Brevets 2012
February 21st, 2012Woods
February 20th, 2012
Quick spin in the woods, first time since smashing my face and cutting up my chin.
Pretty sore from yesterdays 45 miler on the road, so I took it easy and spun out a few loops, then played with the camera. Need to use a faster shutter speed when capturing motion. So much to learn…
45, February
February 19th, 201245 miles, windy, a bit cold. Hurt so good. On the IF. Enjoyed a headwind all day, as the wind started in from the South and moved around to the Northwest after I turned around. Followed the lake on the way out, rode some mixed use trail on the skinny tires (fun, slick, and some ice), managed some lovely dirt roads – firm, and smooth for the most part with only a few sections turning to wheel sucking oatmeal.
Climbing was slow but the bike felt fast. I had to put my head down and get it done for the last 12 miles. There was much mashing at first in the big ring but I eventually succumbed to spinning on home.
Aside from a few short rides this is the first quality time on the IF since my 400k last summer. The bike felt small and twitchy at first, and then my body remembered and it fit like a glove again. The Nitto Noodles feel so odd when I’m in the drops… I’m so used to the splay on the Woodchippers. I managed to bang my wrists numerous times when standing to climb – and my hands are a bit unaccustomed to the small size of the Campy Ergo levers. Might have to save up some pennies and move over to a SRAM group. I really like the way the SRAM levers feel in the hand.
At the last minute this morning I moved my MTB pedals over so I could wear the Lake boots (and have warm feet). My knee is a little sore as I’m sure my pedal to saddle height is a bit low now.
Images aren’t the greatest. Popped a polarizing filter on before I left, and I’m not happy with the results. Will have to research that a bit…
Fat School Bus
February 15th, 2012
First ride to drop the little one at school in a long while.
Exploring
February 15th, 2012
I love exploring on a bike… and the Pugsley is the perfect machine for ‘no trail’ riding. Not 10 minutes from my house… the frozen transition from land to water along Lake Champlain.
Pugsley, the Moon, and the Tree
February 13th, 2012
Winter of my Discontent
February 13th, 2012
Crazy few weeks months. Sick little ones, sick dad, travel, work, not enough time on the bike (or even out exploring the world). Mood is all over, weight is way up. Fitness way down, barely riding when I haven’t been hacking up a lung or snuggling a sick wee one. No snow in Burlington to speak of. Cold and gray and pretty depressing this year, compared to last. Remembering how to breathe and trying to be in the moment.
The chart above is completely fictitious, but could sum up the last 3-4 months.
Cleveland
January 31st, 2012Visited the Cleveland, Ohio area with family for the first time in quite awhile. Wish I had more time to wander my old stomping grounds – I could spend days photographing the post industrial landscape. I snapped 2 different panorama shots, and stitched them with Hugin. These are quick and dirty (and noisy). Still learning the new camera, and I need to take more time to set up – these were both taken when family was occupied for a few minutes. (click for big)
Skyline lost in fog, Innerbelt bridge and the industrial flats: (I’ve climbed several of those railroad lift bridges in college, at night…)
Interior of the West Side Market. Spot the family?
Pugsley
January 31st, 2012Finally got the Pugsley prepped for our lack of winter. Moved over some older H-bars, recabled, and generally lubed and cleaned.
Cold
January 4th, 2012
Waterfront, BTV, 5degF, never mind the windchill. Cold fingers.