Vermont to Switzerland
Quiet lake. Quiet ride. No grand route, nor an epic tale, just an everyday adventure near town. Gray and cool. Mind and legs slow to adjust to the changes in season, weather, temperature. Body wants to eat sweets and hearty food, then sleep sleep sleep. Time to sit in front of the full spectrum lamp.
Explored near home this afternoon after working this morning. Took a quick post lunch ride to check out a stretch of beach on lake Champlain. Part 1 turned into hike a bike over driftwood and through some boggy marshy reeds so I climbed out and tested the fat tires at North Beach. Firm and semi loose sand was no problem – but the pea gravel like mush didn’t like the bike nor the bike shoes very much.
Morning sun comes a bit earlier now with the fall back in time… which means I can actually see the woods I’m riding on one of my morning loops.
~56 miles, some favorite quiet dirt roads, 3 covered bridges, a great stop at the Red Brick Store, and met with the wife, little one, and extended family in town for lunch at the park.
Recent snaps. The Soma is coming along. Proper stem is on the way. Steerer will be cut next week after it arrives. Bars will be left loooong with tape for the time being. Replacement hub for a new wheel build is in… just have to wait for shop time. Surly stainless steel chainring will replace my TA, and a mate will be used to run the dingle cog. Gearing is perplexing me – for now I’m going to run 34/19 or 34/17 and figure out the steep stuff come spring in the woods.
We curtailed a planned run of my now ‘Fall Classic’ mixed terrain route. Rain, cold, and a late start conspired against us. Patrick just returned from the EM1240k where he suffered and eventually pulled the plug at mile ~424 in mid 30s to 40s temps with rain and endless climbing (the name of the event is the Endless Mountains afterall…). Jim and Judy were on the fence with how long to ride… and I had dinner plans at home with the family. Late start + ugly weather made for a short day.
We sat out the rain in a cafe, snacked on yummy baked goods and drank hot hot caffeine to ward off the chill while listening to tales of scenery and pleasure and woe and cold from Patrick’s adventure. Long after the rain stopped and sun came out we rolled back to town and Jim and I salvaged the day by heading to Shelburne Pond. All told I logged 40+ for the day, took in some fall colors, and got to hang with friends. If some new gear arrives and the weather looks decent I’m hoping for a quick bikecamping trip next weekend – otherwise we talked about repeating the classic route to take in the last of fall.
A snap across the lake to the ADKs this morning. Early fall in the north country – my favorite time of year.
Chill in the air this morning. Quick loop around the bay. Wanted to take on some dirt climbing – but chilled in the hollows enroute – rolled it back short to stay warm.
First annual Cafe Grand Prix – ~60 miles, 3 cafes*, 3k of climbing. Tolerable paved sections, dirt, a bit of single track. Classic VT views. BTV to Richmond via Mountain View and Gov. Chittenden. On the Rise Bakery. Cochran’s to Stage Road. Up up up to Leary Rd. and Nashville Rd. A bit of a delay searching out a dead end – then to Plains Rd. And into Jericho for the Village Cup. Rt. 15 to Weed, 128 and Towers then back to the dirt on Lost Nation and the back way with a view to Colchester Pond. Return round the Bay and into town with a final stop at Viva Espresso.
*We skipped the last stop as our relaxed pace began to encroach on family time. The next version might have to turn into a century and include Red Hen Baking.
Sun over the Intervale. Mornings are crisp and dark. 38 x 19 fixed combination + 700 x 40 tires is still a bit tall for playing in the woods – but seems perfect for pulling the little one about in the trailer.
