A snap across the lake to the ADKs this morning. Early fall in the north country – my favorite time of year.
Exploration
Took some reinforcements and managed to make the Rogers ‘Road’ connection work. We took off in the dry on some familiar roads, then tackled Coon Hill, Galvin Hill, and Austin House dirt in the pouring rain. The usual suspects were wet, tired, cold and hungry by the time we made it to the climb on Hardscrabble – with uncharted territory and a questionable connection ahead of us. We made it to the dead end and laughed as the ‘road’ was in worse condition than my solo adventure. Lots of mud. Slick rock. Roots. At one point we were essentially riding in what seemed to be a creek bed. There were a few instances of cursing and sliding off the bikes – but we made the connection and descended to Stage Road. A quick burn on the rolling and sticky dirt into Essex led us to the Clover Natural Market. Homemade soup and chili hit the spot. Warmed and relatively dry we wheeled back to town on a mix of dirt and pavement for about 60 of mixed terrain in the chill and the wet.
Morning Blur
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.
Cafe Grand Prix
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.
River Sun
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.
Morning Ride
Fall is in the air. Quick trip through the woods and along the lake. Legs still sore from our hike.
Sunday Dirt
Solo adventuring today on some favorite roads. Household stuff to do – so I kept it short to 38 or so. Shot some video descending Governor Chittenden Road – but the bar mounted camera bouncing around makes it nearly impossible to watch.
Proud V.2
Three years ago next week my (then soon to be) father in-law had a stroke. Yesterday Jen and I hiked him to the top of Camel’s Hump via Forest City, the Long Trail, and Burrows. Impressed and proud that he made the trek – he has been talking about hiking and climbing mountains since his first dark days in the recovery room.
We certainly tired him out – and the Forest City to Long Trail route was ambitious to say the least – but with our help he methodically scrambled the rock below the summit, cursing the vertical on the last push to the top – and did it all in style. We even managed to snag the bill from our waiter during a post hike feast – the entire day was our treat to celebrate life and recovery and possibility.
Granola Ninja Training Camp
Stumbled on this secret granola ninja training camp this morning while exploring the local woods. Camo painted extension ladders locked to trees, steel cable slack lines and rigging, climbing wall, tire swings, tree platforms and some sort of zip line. All minutes from downtown Burlington… just off the beaten path.
It is just up the trail from some mild double track, which turns to single track and then footpath. Some foot bridges and plank crossings back in this way too.
Wandering
Wandering the Intervale with the little one.
