Breakheart Trail Running

Biking the Bay Circuit Trail - Hanson to Duxbury (Day 10)

2025-01-02T09:01:00.009-05:00

On a brisk and bright October morning, Bill, Tony and I began our final ride on the Bay Circuit Trail. Only 21 miles of the 206-mile journey remained before we would reach the southern terminus at Bay Farm in Duxbury. As with previous rides, this one did not go smoothly and we encountered overgrown trail, numerous blowdowns and a road closure due to bridge construction. Still, we were not deterred and reached the Atlantic Ocean at 11:32 on the moring of October 12, 2024.

Route overview - Red is paved, blue is unpaved.

Bill, waiting up for me, again!

Swans on pond in Tubbs Meadow.

Southern terminus of the Bay Circuit Trail. It took a while, but I finally got there.

View of Kingston Bay from the Southern terminus.

BCT end-to-end victory pose!

Ride Summary:

Day 10 - 20.8 miles, 205.8 cumulative.
Paved - 14.0 miles, 115.8 cumulative.

Unpaved - 6.8 miles, 90.0 cumulative.

Elevation gain - 1,362 feet, 12,718 cumulative.

Max grade - 16.2%

High point - Bonney Hill (High Street), Hanson 134 feet

Towns traversed - Hanson, Pembroke and Duxbury

Green spaces visited - Tubbs Meadow, Pembroke Town Forest, Trout Farm Conservation Area, Duxbury Bogs and Bay Farm

Biking the Bay Circuit Trail - Sharon to Hanson (Day 9)

2024-12-18T10:12:00.006-05:00

The fabulous four (Nancy, Bill, Tony and I) returned for our nineth ride on Bay Circuit Trail. This ride would differ from the previous eight as we decided to spot cars and do a point-to-point ride. All our rides up to this day had been loops, heading out on the BCT to a designated point, then returning via roads back to the starting point and our cars. Although convenient, this method added considerable miles that did not contribute to us reaching our final destination, the southern terminus of the BCT.

Route overview - Red indicates paved, Blue is unpaved

The ride began with a fast, one-mile paved downhill from the Moose Hill Audubon parking lot to Beaver Brook Watershed Land. In contrast to the first mile, the second mile through Beaverbrook was a slow grind on single-track laced with rock and roots and steep climbs up to 17%. For some of us (me included), this required a hike-a-bike over the steepest sections.

Nancy pushing up a steep section of trail.

Tony was able to ride it!

We missed this turn into an overground section of trail.

Once leaving Beaver Brook, we rode smooth, wide trails through the Sharon dog park, which took us to Memorial Beach. From here the BCT turns onto a paved section of road that parallels Lake Massapoag for one mile. In Algonquin, the word Massapoag means large water. True to its name, Lake Massapoag is a 392-acre natural stream and spring fed lake.

Riding past the lake front properties.

The next five miles through Borderland State Park were some of the most difficult biking of the day. Most of the singletrack is rated as expert mountain biking trail. Unfortunately, none of us are expert mountain bikers! Needless to say, this section took quite a while to complete as we had to lift our bikes over large boulders and walk the steep descents. We eventually came to some smooth riding as we neared the Park Ranger headquarters.

It was appropriate for Mr. Morse to lead us down the Morse Trail.

The next 10 miles were slightly easier but still difficult. We had to navigate through the unmarked and difficult to follow trails in Beaver Brook Woods and the washboard, sandy track though Hockomock Swamp. This section was made more difficult as the utility company that maintains the power lines had filled in sections of the trail with softball sized rocks, making it difficult for the gravel tire bikes to pass. Bill and Tony didn’t seem to have much difficulty with it, but I did wait up for Nancy a few times as she was more cautious through these rocky sections.

All these depressions are now filled with large stones. (Picture of Hockomock Swamp Trail taken from 2016 hike.)

It was an unseasonably warm day, and the heat was taking a toll on Nancy. She began cramping in her legs and feet, and riding became more difficult for her. After some road riding through the Bridgewaters, she decided to call it a day and stop at a roadside ice cream shop! The three boys pressed on as we needed to get to Nancy’s car in Hanson, so one of us could pick her up.

There were trail notices posted on the BCT website relevant to the trail ahead of us. We were unsure if we would be able to continue due to a collapsed bridge in Poor Meadowbrook Wildlife area and also flooding in another section. Taking the trail sections back to Hanson would be risky and require additional time. Instead, we decided to take seven miles of paved roads back to minimize the wait time for Nancy.

In the end, our detour off the BCT didn’t change the total miles for the ride, but did eliminate some off-road sections in lieu of roads. We we’re all happy to be finished with this ride as it proved to be more difficult than we expected. Only one more section remains before we reach the southern terminus at Bay Farm!

Ride Summary:

Day 9 - 34.7 miles, 185.0 cumulative.
Paved - 20.0 miles, 101.8 cumulative.

Unpaved - 14.7 miles, 83.2 cumulative.

Elevation gain - 1,071 feet, 11,356 cumulative.

Max grade - 17.1%

High point - Moose Hill Parkway, Sharon 363 feet

Towns traversed - Sharon, The Bridgewaters and Hanson

Green spaces visited - Beaver Brook Watershed Land, Borderland State Park, Fox Mountain Conservation Area, Furnace Village Management Area, Wheaton Farm Management Area and Hockomock Swamp Wildlife Management Area

Biking The Bay Circuit Trail - Medfield to Sharon (Day 8)

2024-07-29T18:18:00.004-04:00

Last weekend I met Bill and Tony at the Noon Hill Reservation Parking lot to begin our 8th ride on the BCT. The initial 1.5 miles were very difficult as they involved a steep hike-a-bike to the summit on Noon Hill followed by a very technical descent down the other side. At mile 3, we hit our first obstacle. The trail under the utility lines in Medfield had not been maintained by the power company and was severely overgrown and impassable. This required a road detour around the Medfield Water Supply Land which added one mile to the ride.

View from the Noon Hill overlook

Fortunately, the powerline section in Walpole was in better shape than in Medfield.

After getting back to the BCT route, we followed a trail along Mine Brook for approximately 2.5 miles. The next two miles alternated between short sections of road and offroad riding. This was followed by 2.5 mile of difficult riding, with several hike-a-bike moments. This was due to trail winding along, and up and down, steep and rocky eskers. The remaining miles were all on pavement as the official BCT bike route is prohibited from entering the Moose Hill Audubon property. The final mile up Moose Hill Road rose 107 feet at a max grade of 9% with the summit marking the high point of the ride at 476 feet.

Neponset River Dam at the start of the Walpole Town Forest section.

A high esker trail known as the "Old Indian Highway" in Walpole Town Forest.

Note: I did not take photos during the ride. Photos shown are from my Spring 2014 hike but are representative of what we encountered on this ride.

Overview of route - Red indicates paved, blue is unpaved

Ride Summary:

Day 8 - 18.0 miles, 150.3 cumulative.
Paved - 10.6 miles, 81.8 cumulative.

Unpaved - 7.4 miles, 68.5 cumulative.

Elevation gain - 1,457 feet, 10,285 cumulative.

Max grade - 29.1%!!

High point - Moose Hill Road, Sharon 476 feet

Towns traversed - Medfield, Walpole and Sharon

Green spaces visited - Noon Hill Reservation, Mine Brook Conservation Area and Walpole Town Forest

Biking the Bay Circuit Trail - Ashland to Medfield (Day 7)

2024-07-29T13:43:00.002-04:00

I did this ride in October 2023 but didn't take any photos nor did I care to write a ride report. There is a ride summary below and cumulative milage and elevation totals for my all my rides to date. This was the most difficult section on the BCT so far, mainly due to the difficult terrain and steep climb up to King Phillips Overlook in Rocky Narrows.

Route overview - Red is paved, Blue is unpaved

Ride Summary:

Day 7 - 18.5 miles, 132.3 cumulative.
Paved - 6.0 miles, 71.2 cumulative.

Unpaved - 12.5 miles, 61.1 cumulative.

Elevation gain - 1,530 feet, 8,828 cumulative.

Max grade - 29.4%!!

High point - Brush Hill, Sherborn Town Forest, 557 feet

Towns traversed - Ashland, Sherborn and Medfield

Green spaces visited - Barber Reservation, Sherborn Town Forest, Rocky Narrows, Shattuck Reservation and Noon Hill Reservation

Biking The Bay Circuit Trail - Mid-Point Recap

2023-11-24T11:06:00.011-05:00

In July, I completed my 6th ride on the Bay Circuit Trail ending at Route 126 in Ashland. Interestingly, 10 years earlier in August 2013, I finished my 7th run on the BCT in the same location. Although the number of outings and end point are the similar, they certainly have been two completely different experiences. I thought it would be interesting to make a brief comparison of my journeys on foot and by bicycle below.

RUN RIDE

Number of Runs/Rides 7 6

Trail/Unpaved Miles 78 65

Road/Paved Miles 50 49

Total Miles 128 114

Elevation Gain (feet) 5,011 7,298

It's not surprising that my runs on the BCT had more trail and total miles than my rides. Bikes are not allowed on all AVIS trails in Andover and the trails maintained by the Sudbury Valley Trustees, hence my route to Ashland was more direct via bike. To account for these prohibited trail sections, the AMC maintains a separate BCT hiking and biking route, although they share much of the same tread. There are less trail restrictions on the southern half of the trail, so I expect the hike and bike routes to be very similar moving forward.

One other significant difference between my runs and rides is how I got back to each day's starting point. Since the BCT is a point-to-point route, one needs to have a means to get back to transportation home. For my runs, I would park my car at the day's end point, take a cab or uber (less common back then) to the starting point and run or hike to my car. I have not been spotting a car for the rides, instead doing out-and-back loops to the starting point. This adds a considerable number of miles and elevation to the journey. See below.

RUN RIDE LOOP

Number of Runs/Rides 7 6 6

Trail/Unpaved Miles 78 65 67

Road/Paved Miles 50 49 125

Total Miles 128 114 192

Elevation Gain (feet) 5,011 7,298 10,862

Map of the BCT loop rides to date.

I estimate there are approximately 94 miles remaining before I reach the southern terminus. I don't think I'll complete the trail this year but hope to finish in early 2024.

Biking the Bay Circuit Trail - Concord to Ashland (Day 6)

2023-09-08T14:18:00.003-04:00

The rainy spring and summer put a damper on my Bay Circuit Trail adventure, but after a two-month absence, I was back for ride number six. Nancy, Tony and Bill joined me for a mostly paved road segment from Concord Center to Rt. 126 in Ashland. There was some confusion over the designated start time which delayed our departure from downtown Concord. We later encountered a confusing section of trail in Ashland Town Forest but otherwise, the ride was smooth sailing.

Overview of route - Red indicates paved, blue is unpaved.

Soon after leaving Concord center, we entered Hapgood Wright Town Forest. The BCT follows the same footpath walked by Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson in the 1800s. The low-lying trail through Clintonia Swamp leading to Fairyland Pond was muddy and rocky which required dismounting from the bike. A mixed pattern of riding and walking followed for one mile before we were back on pavement.

The Emerson-Thoreau Amble - riding in the footstep of literary greats.

The next six or seven miles were on paved roads through upscale neighborhoods interrupted briefly by a well-maintained gravel road in Lincoln. This one-mile stretch of gravel was my favorite section on the entire ride. Another mile on the Mass Central Rail Trail brought us to Wayland where we crossed the Sudbury River and rode along the boundary of Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge. More road miles ensued before we stopped to refill our water bottles at the Christa McAuliffe Branch Library in Framingham. Yes, that Christa McAuliffe!

Crunchy gravel road

The Sudbury River was running high due to ample rainfall this year.

There’s an extensive aqueduct system in eastern Massachusetts supplying water to the surrounding communities. Some of these aqueducts allow public access while others do not. Approximately 1.5 miles of the official BCT bike route is on the Hultman Aqueduct in Framingham. Evidently, the vetting process for this new route was incomplete as I learned through my own research that the Hultman Aqueduct does not allow public use. I decided to avoid this area and create a re-route to Callahan State Park.

No Trespassing sign at Hultman Aqueduct.

There was a short, technical section of single track in Callahan State Park that required a hike-a-bike. This was followed by 5 miles of road riding with one significant, half-mile climb at 9% grade up Oak Hill in Framingham. South of the Massachusetts Turnpike, we entered Ashland State Forest. After riding a short distance on rocky, single-track, we approach a confusing trail junction. My GPS route showed us going left, but a BCT marker indicated we should take the trail to the right. After some deliberation, we continued to the right which brought us on some of the nicest single-track of the adventure.

When we reached the Mill Pond area, I was expecting to navigate through narrow, overgrown single-track along the Sudbury River. At least that is what I remembered from my BCT hike several years ago. I was pleasantly surprised to find the trail had been widened and upgraded to smooth gravel for approximately one-half mile. I enjoyed seeing the cascading water at Mill Falls as much as I did the first time. After a brief stop to admire the falls, it was time to move on.

Cascades at Mill Pond

Three more miles of road riding brought us to the abandoned pumping station in Ashland. This conclued our 30 mile section ride of the BCT by we were far from finished. We still had several miles to go before our day was done. More on this in my next post.

Ride Summary:

Day 6 - 29.9 miles, 113.8 cumulative.
Paved - 22.5 miles, 65.2 cumulative.

Unpaved - 7.4 miles, 48.6 cumulative.

Elevation gain - 1,622 feet, 7,298 cumulative.

Max grade - 17.0%

High point - Oak Hill, Framingham, 519 feet

Towns traversed - Concord, Lincoln, Sudbury, Wayland, Framingham, Southborough, Ashland

Green spaces visited - Hapgood Wright Town Forest, Ashland Town Forest, Sudbury Riverwalk

Biking the Bay Circuit Trail - Ward Reservation to Middlesex Community College (Days 4 & 5)

2023-05-29T08:14:00.006-04:00

Day 4 - Ward Reservation to Chelmsford Center

After a four-week absence, I was back on the Bay Circuit Trail to continue my quest to ride the entire bike route end-to-end. When I planned this ride, I assumed it would be a solo adventure. Much to my surprise, two of my friends took an interest in riding the trail and have been with me since Day 2. Tony even recruited a friend to join us on Day 5. If this trend continues, we could have a crowd by the time we reach the southern terminus.

Overview of route - Red indicates paved, blue is unpaved.

Andover arguable has the best maintained and blazed trails on the BCT. Unfortunately, bikes are prohibited from nearly all of its nine miles of trails with the exception of Doyle Link Reservation. Since the trails were off-limits, Day 4 was essentially a road ride. The air was crisp and the wind whipping as we departed Ward Reservation. The first two miles were a delight as we lost nearly 300 feet of elevation.

At mile four we entered Doyle Link for our only off-road section of the day. It was a pleasant one mile stretch of rideable single-track. Nothing like to torture of Harold Parker on our previous ride. Leaving the woods, we were met with two sustained climbs on High Plains and River roads as we paralleled the Merrimack River and BCT hiking route in the adjacent woods. What goes up, must come down, and I was rewarded with a 28 mph downhill entering the city of Tewksbury.

There is a gap in the BCT route though the city of Lowell before it resumes again at the Bruce Freeman trail head. I had mapped a route on busy Rt.110 to get us out of the city. Fortunately, Bill is very familiar with the city and led us though less traveled, and presumably safer back roads. Once we reached the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail it was an easy, traffic-free ride into Chelmsford Center where we ended our ride.

Note: There was some discussion during our ride on who is Bruce Freeman? He was a state representative from Chelmsford and a major advocate for turning the abandoned rail line into a multi-use path. Unfortunately, he died of cancer before he could see his vision a reality.

Day 5 - Chelmsford Center to Middlesex Community College

One week later I was back on the BCT with Bill, Tony and our new BCT recruit, Nancy. Today's ride included a BCT spur trail known as the Reformatory Branch. The spur trail follows a former rail line built between Bedford and Concord in 1873. Locals dubbed it the Reformatory Branch after it was extended to Reformatory Station next to a state prison in 1879. Thankfully, Team Orange had removed their brightly colored orange jackets and would not be mistaken for escaped convicts!

Overview of route - Red indicates paved, blue is unpaved.

The first seven miles on the shaded Bruce Freeman Rail Trail provided a nice warm-up for the ride ahead. There were few people on the trail, so we were able to double up and ride side by side most of the way. Chatting made the time pass quickly and soon we were entering Nashoba Brook Conservation Land. I recalled from my BCT run in 2011 that the trail here was very rocky. What I failed to remember was how long it remained that way. We soon found out!

We had some difficulty at the trailhead finding the BCT as there were two trails leaving the parking area, on left and one right. We went left, but as soon as we crossed a footbridge over Nashoba Brook I knew we had chosen the wrong path. The brook should have been on our left but now it was to our right. We backtracked a short distance and headed out on the correct trail. We rode a short distance before dismounting due to an overabundance of large rocks and roots. This would mark the beginning of a long hike-a-bike.

The BCT in Nashoba Brook was a hike-a-bike marathon.

The BCT travels though Acton conservation land for approximately 3.5 miles. I think we walked close to three miles of it! Before this ride, I read a trip report of a cyclist who completed the BCT. He suggested bypassing the official BCT here because you would just be pushing your bike most of the way. I should have heeded the warning, but I wanted to stay on the official route whenever possible. Riding here on any bike would be impossible for all but the most accomplished mountain bikers. I hoped this rude introduction to the BCT would not dissuade Nancy from future rides. Before leaving the woods, we made the short but steep climb up Strawberry Hill. I was able to stay on the bike due to switchbacks and a smoother trail surface.

This old stone chamber provided a brief distraction from the difficult "riding" in Acton.

With my cell phone flashlight in hand, I was able to explore deep into the earth to find this ancient carving.

A five-mile road ride ensued, broken briefly by an off-road section on conservation land in Concord. We took a short break at the visitor center in Minute Man National Historical Park before riding the gravel path to North Bridge for a photo op. Posing completed, we hopped onto the Reformation Branch for six miles of smooth dirt rail trail riding. The final mile was stop and go on overgrown, rough singletrack. The BCT portion of the ride ended at Middlesex Community College Campus.

Are we having fun yet?

This ride was more difficult than anticipated mainly due to the rough terrain in Acton, but still enjoyable. At least for me!

Day 4 - 17.9 miles, 60.2 cumulative.

Paved - 17.0 miles, 31.2 cumulative.

Unpaved - 0.9 miles, 29.0 cumulative.

Elevation gain - 1,141 feet, 4,563 cumulative.

Max grade - 13.0%

High point - Salem St, Andover, 306 feet

Towns traversed - Andover, Tewksbury, Lowell, Chelmsford

Green spaces visited - Doyle Link Reservation

Day 5 - 23.7 miles, 83.9 cumulative.

Paved - 11.5 miles, 42.7 cumulative.

Unpaved - 12.2 miles, 41.2 cumulative.

Elevation gain - 1,113 feet, 5,676 cumulative.

Max grade - 11.7%

High point - Strawberry Hill, Acton, 379 feet

Towns traversed - Chelmsford, Carlisle, Westford, Acton, Concord, Bedford

Green spaces visited - Nashoba Brook Conservation Land, Spring Hill Conservation Land, Stoneymeade Conservation Land, Annursac Conservation Land, Great Meadows National Wildlife Preserve, Bedford Conservation Area

Biking The Bay Circuit Trail - Boxford Forest to Ward Reservation (Day 3)

2023-04-23T13:55:00.009-04:00

On Friday, I was back on the Bay Circuit Trail to continue my quest to cycle the entire trail. I arrived early at the J.C. Phillips Wildlife Sanctuary trailhead, but once again my friend Bill was already in the parking lot. He's definitely an early riser. Tony rolled into the lot shortly after, riding his bike the six miles from his house. It was funny to see him wearing an orange jacket. Bill and I were also sporting orange jackets! I was happy both decided to join me for a second ride. Perhaps they've been bitten by the BCT bug?

Overview of route - Red indicates paved, blue is unpaved.

As we started, we commented about how cold it was this morning, but we soon warmed up on the 7% climb up Moonpenny and Crooked Pond Drives. Bicycles are not allowed in the sanctuary, so we had to do a one-mile road ride to enter Boxford State Forest (BSF) by way of the North Loop trail. We rode in the direction of Bald Hill, but the BCT turned onto Thomas Road, and we avoided the 246-foot climb. The four miles of trails in Boxford Forest were generally easy biking but we did have to find our way around flooded sections a few times.

There have been many improvements to the trail since my last visit. These wet sections of trail were far less numerous than what I encountered on my 2011 run.

He rides rough trails on skinny tires and he's still smiling. He's a sick puppy!

While in BSF, Bill spotted a stone chimney about 100 feet off trail. It was surrounded by heavy growth so we couldn't get a closer look. I researched online to see if I could find information about the chimney without success. While researching the history of BSF I learned that it was home to the first Sentinel Anti-Ballistic Missile site in the continental United States. The project was started in 1968 but never completed due to local opposition and a change in military defense strategy.

This is not the only chimney I've seen in the middle of the woods.

Beavers are active in Pout Pond.

Leaving the forest, the BCT is on roads for one mile before entering Harold Parker State Forest (HPSF). The first 1.5 miles of single-track in HPSF were rough but rideable. This would change as soon as we exited the Leland Parcel section. Mountain biking trails have difficulty ratings similar to downhill ski runs. Easy trails are rated green, while blue is intermediate and black trails are considered very difficult.

Up to this point we were on green trails but the next 3.5 miles of single-track were rated blue. The difficulty level was immediately evident. The trail was a minefield of rocks and roots of all sizes. The difficulty was compounded by the constant twists and turns, and ups and downs. There was very little level trail the entire way.

We were about halfway through HPSF when we crossed paths with two mountain bikers coming in the opposite direction. Tony knew them so we stopped and chatted awhile. When they heard we were riding the Bay Circuit Trail one said, "The BCT ahead of you is much harder than what you just rode". OH GREAT! She wasn't joking either. We got through it by riding slowly and walking when the trail got too technical. We're senior citizens after all, and prefer to remain upright. We don't bounce off the ground like we used to. 😆

Slow and steady. Live to ride another day.

No trail, no problem.

When I ran the BCT, I dreaded road sections. But now, I rejoiced when we finished the HPSF section and began a 1.5-mile paved section leading to Ward Reservation. When on foot, the BCT bypasses this road section, entering the Skug River Reservation and connecting to Mary French Reservation and Great Meadow Reservation on trails. These reservations are managed by The Andover Village Improvement Society and bicycles are not allowed on their properties. Today, I thanked them for that!

Entering Ward reservation, we were faced with our first substantial climb of the day, gaining 241 feet in .75 miles with a maximum grade of 17.2%. It began on rocky single-track, followed by a side hill carriage road and finished on a grassy meadow atop Holt Hill. At 423 feet, Holt Hill offered a 180-degree view with the tall buildings of downtown Boston in sight 15 miles south. After a brief rest, we made a fast descent off Holt Hill and ended our BCT ride at the intersection of Prospect Road and Route 125 in Andover.

The official summit.

View from Holt Hill.

My third ride is in the books and I'm about two miles behind my BCT run pace. The next couple of sections of the BCT have a greater percentage of roads than my last two rides so I should be able to jump ahead of my 2011 run schedule. Time will tell.

Total distance - 13.8 miles, 42.3 cumulative.

Paved - 3.5 miles, 14.2 cumulative.

Unpaved - 10.3 miles, 28.1 cumulative.

Elevation gain - 1360 feet, 3422 cumulative.

Max grade - 17.2%

High point - Holt Hill, 423 feet

Towns traversed - Boxford, Middleton, North Andover, Andover,

Green spaces visited - Boxford State Forest, Harold Parker State Forest, Ward Reservation

Back to Day 2

Biking The Bay Circuit Trail - Prospect Hill to Boxford State Forest (Day 2)

2023-04-16T11:55:00.004-04:00

Similar to my 2011 run, I was joined by two friends for section 2 of the BCT. The forecast called for unseasonably warm weather with a high temperature into the 80s. This would become a factor in the latter stages of the ride. We met at the Prospect Hill trailhead with an eclectic mix of bicycles. Tony had a gravel bike with skinny tires, Bill had a hardtail mountain bike, and I brought my very heavy fat bike. I had to give Bill the "Goldilocks Award" for picking the bike that was "just right" for the trail conditions.

Overview of route - Red indicates paved, blue is unpaved.

There was no time to warm up the legs as we were immediately faced with a steep climb up Prospect Hill. Prospect Hill is a glacial drumlin rising 268 feet above sea level and was the high point for the day. The climb was about a half-mile long with occasional blowdowns to make things interesting. I was struggling with the weight of my bike, and I think Tony was having some difficulty getting traction with his smooth tires. Bill was ahead and quickly out of sight. Unfortunately, the hard effort to the summit was not rewarded with any views.

The descent down the other side of the hill and through Dow Brook Reservation was slow and tedious. The trail off the backside of the hill was twisty, steep and rocky and the single-track in Dow Brook was blocked by numerous blowdowns. It required dismounting the bike, lifting the bike over the fallen tree and getting back on the bike. In some cases, we only rode a few hundred feet before repeating this process. Bill helped me get my bike over one of the blowdowns that was waist high. He commented on the weight of the bike. I don't think he believed it was as heavy as I told him it was until he actually had to lift it!

Numerous blowdowns large and small blocked our path.

I was happy to see Willowdale State Forest ahead as we sped downhill though Marini Farm. The BCT though the Pine Swamp section of Willowdale is mainly on easy trails and old carriage roads. Other than the short road sections late in the ride, this was the easiest riding of the day and our pace quickened. That didn't prevent me from being passed by a solo mountain biker. He was the only one we saw all day.

Smooth and easy trail in Willowdale was appreciated.

Crossing Route 1 into the Hood Pond section of Willowdale, the riding remained relatively easily before Linebrook Road. From here, the BCT runs mostly on top of an esker for the next two miles. There were points where the trail ran very close to the edge of the steep-sided esker. A fall here could have been serious. In mountain biking lingo "babyheads" refer to rocks the size of a baby's head. The esker trail had its share of babyheads which slowed my progress. That and the short, punching climbs at times.

Frankly, I was happy as heck to get off that esker when we reached Georgetown-Rowley State Forest. We made a short detour to avoid a flooded section of trail only to be greeted by another section of flooded trail. I had a moment of deja vu as the same thing happened to me when I ran this trail in 2011. We managed to keep our feet dry by walking on a stone wall while pushing our bikes through the deep water. Three miles later we were out of the woods and onto our first stretch of pavement. To me, it was a welcomed sight!

Wet and wild in Georgetown-Rowley State Forest.

Bill had been taking the lead most of the day, so when Tony and I exited the French Family Woodlot and didn't see him, I assumed he missed a turn. My phone rang about five minutes later and Bill confirmed my assumption. When Bill met back up with us, we took a much-needed break at the Boxford Community Kitchen on Elm Street. Tony was having some cramping due to the heat and Bill and I were out of water. We hoped a cold coke and some salty chips would breathe new life into us. It did the trick, at least temporarily.

Boxford Community Kitchen was a welcomed oasis.

We were on our way again and after one mile of road riding we turned into Lockwood Forest. One more mile of single-track dumped us out onto Middleton Road where we ended the ride at the entrance to the J.C. Phillips Sanctuary. Tony had 1400+ feet of elevation gain on his Wahoo while I showed 1300+ feet on my Garmin which was acting wonky on the climb up Prospect Hill. That's a fair amount of gain for a 18.2-mile ride. This ride was a challenge for me, maybe even more than I anticipated, but I'm looking forward to my next ride on the BCT.

Crossing Fish Brook in Lockwood Forest.

(A note regarding the above photos: Although these photos are from my 2011 run, they depict the conditions we encountered on the trail. I felt I was the weak link on this ride, and I did not want to delay the group further by stopping to snap pictures.)

Total distance - 18.2 miles, 28.5 cumulative.

Paved - 2.9 miles, 10.7 cumulative.

Unpaved - 15.3 miles, 17.8 cumulative.

Elevation gain - 1400 feet, 2062 cumulative.

Max grade - 32.8%

High point - Prospect Hill, 268 feet

Towns traversed - Rowley, Georgetown, Boxford

Green spaces visited - Prospect Hill, Dow Brook Reservoir Lands, Linebrook Woods Conservation Area, Willowdate State Forest, Cleveland Farm State Forest, Georgetown-Rowley State Forest, French Family Woodlot, Lockwood Forest

Go to Day 3

Back to Day 1

Biking The Bay Circuit Trail - Northern Terminus to Prospect Hill (Day 1)

2023-04-11T14:28:00.012-04:00

It’s been nearly twelve years to the day when I started my journey to run the length of the 230-mile Bay Circuit Trail (BCT). The adventure didn’t go exactly to plan, but I eventually completed the entire trail. Now, here I stand at the northern terminus of the BCT at the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, about to attempt my second end-to-end adventure from Newburyport to Kingston. Unlike last time, I will not be traveling by foot, but instead by bicycle. With practically zero mountain biking experience, this will be a challenging ride (also because I don’t own a mountain bike 😳).

The official northern terminus of the Bay Circuit Trail

Overview of route - Red indicates paved, blue is unpaved

There is conflicting information on the BCT website with regards to the Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm. The interactive map shows the bike route passing through the farm, but the trail description indicates "bicycles not allowed." I choose to bypass the farm, departing the visitor center parking lot onto Ocean Avenue. It wasn't long before I was passing Tendercrop Farm on busy Route 1A. Tendercrop Farm was once home to the only buffalo on the BCT. Buffy the buffalo passed about four months after I visited her on my 2011 run of the BCT.

Buffy is now grazing on the big prairie in the sky (photo from 2011 run)

When I saw a domed house mentioned in the trail guide, I knew it was just a matter of feet before I would turn left into Old Town Hill Reservation. Little's Trail in the reservation would have been ridable even for me but I was on my Trek 7000 with road touring tires and was concerned I could slip when cornering as the trail was covered with dry leaves. I decided to hike-a-bike for the 0.8 miles through the woods. I felt it was good practice for all the future hike-a-bikes I would be doing over the next 200 miles.

The not-so-famous domed house on the BCT

It was dry in Old Town Reservation

The 35 mph wind gusts slowed my progress as I peddled through the open expanse of the Newbury Salt Marsh and over a bridge spanning the Little River. The salt hay here is harvested year-round and is used as mulch for landscapers and gardeners throughout New England. After crossing Little River a second time, I began the steep climb up Old Town Hill. I was able to ride some of the approach to the summit but had to walk once the grade hit 14%. Once I reached the summit, I rode a short distance on the Ridge Trail before dismounting again for the -22% descent down Switchback Trail. Yes, I was getting really good at this hike-a-bike thing!

Little River and the salt marsh beyond

The only view of the day. Atop Old Town Hill with the town of Newburyport and the Atlantic Ocean in the distance.

Coming down Switchback Trail with a blowdown ahead. There was no way around it, so I had to lift my bike over one limb and under the other.

The remainder of the ride was uninspiring to say the least; a 5.5-mile ride on Route 1A south to Prospect Hill in Rowley. At least there was a one-foot-wide shoulder to give me a false sense of safety.

Total distance - 10.3 miles

Paved - 7.8 miles

Unpaved - 2.5 miles

Elevation gain - 662 feet

Max grade - 14.2%

High point - Old Town Hill, 162 feet

Towns traversed - Newburyport, Newbury, Rowley

Green spaces visited - Old Town Hill Reservation

Go to Day 2

Chipping Away The East Coast Greenway

2023-01-06T16:38:00.006-05:00

The East Coast Greenway (ECG) is a 3,000mile route passing through 15 states and the District of Columbia. Its southern terminus is in Key West, Florida and the northern terminus in Calais, ME on the Canadian border. Approximately one-third of the route is on protected bike paths and the remaining 2,000 miles on public roads. The goal is to have all 3,000 miles off-road. This would be an amazing accomplishment but it's a slow process. I doubt I'll see it in my lifetime.

Over the past few years, I have biked a little over 10% of the route. In the beginning, this was by happenstance as I often rode bike paths that were part of the ECG route. In 2022, I made a conscious effort ride more of the greenway. In late September and early October in did overnight bike trips in Maine and Massachusetts and did another October ride in CT. To date, I have covered 315 miles of the ECG, including the spur trail to Cape Cod.

Below are sections of ECG I have completed in eight different states. New Hampshire is the only state where I have completed 100% of the route. So many more miles to go!

Southern-most point in continental USA to Florida Keys Heritage Trail - 5 miles.

Florida Keys Heritage Trail, Islamorada to Key Largo, FL - 23 miles.

Miami Beach, FL - 3 miles.

Charleston, SC - 4 miles.

Mt. Vernon Trail - Mt. Vernon to Alexandria, VA - 12 miles.

Farmington Canal Heritage Trail - Farmington to Simsbury, CT - 12 miles.

Blackstone River and East Bay Bike Paths - Bristol to Woonsocket, RI - 28 miles.

Cape Cod Canal Trail - Buzzard Bay to Bourne, MA - 5 miles.

Cape Cod Rail Trail - Yarmouth to Wellfleet, MA - 31 miles.

Upper Charles Trail - Milford to Sherborn, MA - 9 miles.

Wayland, MA to Portland, ME - 183 miles.

I hope to ride an additional 300 miles of the greenway in Maine this year. This could take the form of a point-to-point ride from Portland to Calais or a Portland-Bangor-Augusta-Portland loop. I'm leaning towards the loop route but don't have a firm plan at this time. There's much planning to be done for a ride this long. I guess that's what winters are for.

Possible Maine ride in 2023.

Stay warm!

Riding The Farmington Heritage Canal Trail

2022-11-24T11:16:00.006-05:00

In late October, I ventured to Central Connecticut for a two day exploration of the Farmington Heritage Canal Trail. In the 1800s, the canal extended for 82 miles from New Haven Connecticut to North Hampton, Massachusetts. As with other canals of that time period, it was rendered obsolete with the introduction of railroads. The Farmington Trail is now a 56 mile mixed-use path running from New Haven to the Massachusetts border in Suffield.

From Bloomfield to the east, the East Coast Greenway connects to the Farmington Trail in Simsbury continuing south to New Haven and beyond. I decided to overnight in Simsbury, allowing me to ride south on day one and north on day two covering the majority of the trail. Both days were cold and windy but at least the sun was shining. The trail north of Simsbury is more scenic than the southern section and also has less street crossings.

Although it was past peak foliage, there were still some colors visible. I had a great time riding through forests, past farmlands and over rivers. It's definitely worth a return trip in the future. Also, I recommend Rein's New York Style Deli just off Interstate 84 in Vernon, CT. I had an excellent pastrami and rye on my drive back to MA.

Taking a break at a shelter in Farmington. The East Coast Greenway trail marker overhead indicated 2,184 miles to Key West. Maybe I should have kept riding south? I'm not a fan of winter.

Crossing over the Farmington River. Water level is low due to summer drought.

View of Talcott Mountain from Avon. Heublein Tower is barely visible but if you look closely you'll see it.

Close-up of the tower and estate on Talcott Mountain. The interesting history of the tower can be found HERE.

A scenic stretch through the forest in Granby(?)

Beautiful farmland in Suffield.

Potato field in Southwick MA. Fall harvest was in full swing.

Some unexpected artwork inside a Southwick porta-potty. I don't know if this Link is the same one I found on Etsy.

And this one on the outside of a porta-potty in East Granby. I know my artist friend Emily would have had a witty comment if she saw this. Hats off to the unknown artist!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Home to Hudson Overnight Bike Tour - Day 2

2022-11-19T09:05:00.003-05:00

Well, day two did not unfold entirely as planned. I had mapped a 57 mile route from Hudson to home but decided to stop after 33 miles at the Bedford Depot on the Minuteman Bikeway. I’ve ridden the Minuteman Bikeway from Bedford to Cambridge and the Northern Strand Community Trail from Everett to Saugus numerous times. I felt I wasn't missing out on anything new by shortening the ride except for the section through Somerville which didn’t interest me much anyway. It was still the most climby (made up word meaning a lot of uphill riding) day I’ve had on a bike with over 1800 feet of elevation gain.

Day 2

Distance - 59.6 kilometers (33.3 miles)

Elevation gain - 560 meters (1,838 feet)

Max grade -12.0%

Hudson to Bedford via the Atlantic Coast Route (ACR)

Getting out of bed after a not so restful sleep, the first thing I did was to check the weather. The temperature in Hudson was in the upper 30s. Yikes! I had checked the forecast before leaving Saugus the day before so I was prepared for colder weather. I needed a light insulating layer for most of the ride as the high for the day was only in the low 60s. I didn't want to ride in 30 degree weather so I ate breakfast and waited for it to warm a bit. When the temperature was in the 40s I packed up the bike and I departed the hotel at 7:30.

There was fast moving, rush-hour traffic on route 62 so before I left the hotel parking lot I attached a rear blinking light to my bike. Unfortunately, it didn’t work. I thought I charged the light before leaving on this trip but evidently I did not. I made a mad dash south-west down the busy road for one mile and turned north onto Sawyer Hill Road in Berlin. I’m always concerned when the word “HILL” is in the name of any street I’m about to ride. Later in the day I rode Nagog Hill Road in Littleton and Strawberry Hill Road in Concord. As I said before, it was a climby day!

I took a break here after climbing a difficult hill. These three stooges were not impressed.

Sawyer Hill Road was true to its name. I faced rolling hills followed by a longer, sustained climb on the four mile ride to Bolton. Three more miles of rolling hills in Bolton brought me to 600 feet and the high point of the day in Harvard. What goes up eventually comes down and I was rewarded with a slight two mile descent. I had a sense of déjà vu while riding through Harvard. I think it's because I ran a very hilly 10 mile road race here in 2005 named the Apple Harvest Ramble which may have been on the same road I was currently riding. I believe I placed 3rd in my age group. Surely, the older I get, the faster I was!

Unlike yesterdays ride which was through busy cities and suburbs, I was enjoying todays ride through these smaller, less populated towns. This part of the state is known for its farms and orchards. I traveled pass many on this ride including Berlin Farms in Berlin (of course), Nashoba Valley Winery in Bolton and Nagog Hill Farms in Littleton. I couldn't help but notice many apple orchards are perched atop hills. I wondered if there was an agricultural reason for this.

Berlin Farms

Nagog Hill Farm

After 14 miles on the Official ACR I reached the Boston spur in Littleton. I still had another 19 miles to the town of Bedford but I was making progress. I barely made it across the train tracks on the Fitchburg Route Main Line as the crossing gate began to close. I stood and watched as a fast moving train passed by another decaying train depot. It a shame to see these old buildings being neglected.

Old rail station in Littleton.

An important consideration when exercising for a long period is to stay hydrated. The downside to staying well hydrated is that you’ll eventually need to find a bathroom. This is not an issue when you're trail running in the woods but when you’re riding on public roads there aren’t many options. By the time I reached Acton center I felt my bladder was about to burst. Luckily, I passed the Acton fire station and was able to use their bathroom. Crisis averted!

A short while later I crossed the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail near Route 27 and entered into Concord. After climbing 1.5 miles to Strawberry Hill Road I was again rewarded with a nearly 2 mile downhill to Barrett’s Mill Farm. After negotiating my way through a busy intersection in West Concord, I was again on Route 62 for the final four miles to Bedford Depot. With shorter days ahead this will likely be my last tour for 2022, but it wont be my last.

Back to Day 1

Home to Hudson Overnight Bike Tour - Day 1

2022-11-14T07:52:00.004-05:00

Shortly after returning from my Maine bike tour I begin planning a second overnighter. I like maps and designing routes, whether for running, hiking or cycling, is a process I’ve always enjoyed. I live approximately one mile from the East Coast Greenway (ECG) where it passes through Saugus on the Northern Strand Community Trail. I cross-referenced the ECG map with the Atlantic Coast Route (ACR) trail map to see if the routes intersected nearby as they do in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. By comparing maps, I could see that the trails intersect in the town of Berlin approximately 33 miles west of my hometown.

The ECG travels in an east-west direction through Berlin while the ACR travels in a north-south direction. (The East Coast Greenway has been rerouted since my ride and no longer goes as far west as Worcester before turning south to Rhode Island, thereby shortening the distance to Providence by 30 miles.) Further investigation of the ACR map revealed a Boston spur to Alewife station in Cambridge via the Minuteman Bikeway. From there I could use city streets through Somerville and Charlestown to get back on the Northern Strand and home.

My plan for this overnighter was to ride 47 miles on the ECG from Saugus to Hudson on day 1. On day 2, I would pick up the ACR in Berlin, turning north towards Littleton. In Littleton, I would take the Boston spur for the return to home. This would make for a 57 mile ride on day 2 and 104 total miles for both days. Total elevation gain would be approximately 3,500 feet.

Home to Hudson Loop via the East Coast Greenway and Atlantic Coast Route

OK, I may love maps but you're probably bored out of mind by now so let's get on to the ride itself.

Day 1
Distance - 74.7 kilometers (46.4 miles)
Elevation gain - 484 meters (1587 feet)
Max Grade - 10.6%

Home to Hudson via the East Coast Greenway

After breakfast and some last minute packing I departed my house at 10:30am. The forecast called for a sunny, 70 degree day. Perfect riding weather! I was soon on the Northern Strand riding through the cities of Revere, Malden and Everett. It's a nice local bike path but there are too many busy street crossings in Malden. After passing under Route 16 I took the Mystic River path to the Encore Casino.

I couldn't afford to lose any money so I kept riding.

Crossing the Route 99 bridge over the mystic river, the ECG is well marked through Charlestown. I commuted to work for years over the Tobin and Zakim bridges but it was an entirely different perspective riding my bike under them. Pretty cool! Before reaching the Charles River I rode past the Charlestown Naval Yard and the USS Constitution. I'm embarrassed to admit I didn't even notice the old ship as I was more concerned about avoiding tourists and pedestrians out for a stroll on this fine day.

Riding under the Tobin Bridge in Charlestown

Paul Revere Park Playground under the Zakim Bridge

The next 12 miles were traffic-free riding on the Dr. Paul Dudley White bike path which parallels the Charles River. As I passed the Charles River Canoe and Kayak launch area I saw a woman waving at me. At first I thought it must have be meant for another person but when she asked if I was riding the East Coast Greenway I knew she was waving at me. She was with Timberline Adventures in Colorado and co-leading a 825 mile guided tour on the ECG from Calais, ME to New York city. She was waiting for a few cyclists on the tour who were spending some extra time exploring Boston. I explained I was only out for a two day ride but would like to do a longer tour in 2023.

The bike path in Boston and Alston-Brighton was paved and exposed to the sun. Although it was late September, I was feeling the heat of the sun beating down on me. When I reached Watertown I was pleasantly surprised to find dirt paths meandering under a canopy of trees. It felt much cooler in the shade. The ECG was not marked and I made a wrong turn when leaving the river behind. My GPS quickly alerted me of my error and I was back on track again.

Charles River in Boston

View of Charles River in Watertown

After two miles of busy traffic on Route 117 in Watertown, I reached the Mass Central Rail Trail in Weston. I enjoyed this quiet, four mile trail knowing Route 27 was soon to follow. I was not looking forward to this twisting, two-lane road with little to no shoulder. Leaving the trail, I took a short break at the Wayland Country Club to refill my water bottles. I saw several golfers enjoying an alcoholic beverage in the afternoon sun. I thought to myself, "I hope they're not heading in my direction any time soon".

This train depot in Weston has seen better days. So have I.

Mass Central Rail Trail in Weston (photo taken from Google)

The next 14 miles on Routes 27 and 62 were a little stressful. I was constantly checking my mirror for oncoming traffic. Most drivers were courteous and gave me plenty of room but occasionally vehicles passed a little to close for comfort. I did get a short reprieve from traffic when I reached the Assabet River Rail Trail. My lower back had been bothering me for the past few miles so I stopped here to do some stretching and take ibuprofen. The stretching seemed to help and I rode pain free to my destination for the evening.

Google image of a narrow, shoulder-less street I had to ride. Traffic was heavy when I rode it in the afternoon.

Old boxcar on the Assabet River Rail Trail

After all the hectic miles, I was relieved to reach the Holiday Inn Express in Hudson. It was directly on the ECG route and the only lodging option. It was fitting that the final mile to the hotel was uphill. After checking in and getting to my room, (not easy getting a fully-loaded bike on a small elevation) it was time for a well-deserved shower. The only thing left to do was to eat, rest and do it all over again tomorrow!

Day 2

Maine Overnight Bike Tour - Day 2

2022-11-09T18:26:00.003-05:00

I awoke to a cool morning after a somewhat restless night. The first order of business was to fire up the camp stove so I could boil water for coffee and instant oatmeal. Pro tip: Instead of pouring oatmeal into your cookpot, pour boiling water directly into the instant oatmeal packet and eliminate the need to clean your pot. After breakfast, I packed up and got on the road by 8am. I was glad I had an extra layer as it was needed on this 50 degree morning.

Day 2

Distance - 66.1 kilometers (41.1 miles)

Elevation Gain - 578 meters (1896 feet)

Max Grade - 12%

Kennebunk, ME to Portsmouth, NH via the East Coast Greenway

I headed north a short distance on ME 35 before turning left onto the East Coast Greenway (ECG). The next 25 miles would be in a south-westerly direction before turning south-east and south into Portsmouth, New Hampshire. From Kennebunk to Kittery the ECG, US1 Route and Maine's Eastern Trail (ET) use the same roads. All turns were clearly marked along the route with signage for all three routes. As was the case during my trail running days, I still managed to miss one to the turns!

US1, ET and ECG signage

Around three miles into the ride I reached the first of many climbs on the route. It was two miles in length but thankfully the grade was slight. Later in the ride I climbed two hills with 12% grades. These were very difficult hills but I was rewarded with 30 mph descents on the backside. I tried not to think what would happen if I had a mechanical issue or flat tire at that speed. Even though this climb was not steep, it felt like I was working hard on the bike. This feeling would continue for the remainder of the ride. I'm not sure if it was the lack of sleep or insufficient calories the day before, but the effort on day two was noticeably more difficult than on day one.

The miles through North and South Berwick were not memorable. I passed by a farm and a golf course but other than that it was mostly views of trees and more tress. Not that I dislike trees. It just gets a bit boring when you're in the green tunnel for extended periods. Oh, I do remember one unusual sight. While passing one of the few houses that dot the roads of North Berwick, I saw a four to five foot tall black bear standing on the front lawn. That in itself is not unusual, but this bear was playing a saxophone! You may have guessed this was not a real black bear but a fun lawn statue. I was past it so quickly I didn't stop to take a picture. One mile later I wish I had, thinking "When will I ever see something like that again?"

I think this is one disadvantage to being on a bike. When I was trail running I would stop often to take pictures, perhaps too often. Maybe I can blame my slow race times on this? On a bike you have to stop, get the camera from your bag, get back on the bike, all the time thinking you'd be a quarter mile down the road by now. I have to remind myself a bike tour is not a race and I should take time to stop and smell the roses.

Some miles later in South Berwick, there was a pumpkin patch on someone's front lawn. The yard was five feet or so above street level but I could still see two fairly large pumpkins. They were not 2,000 pound award winners but the larger of the two must have weighted a few hundred pounds or more. Not as exciting as a saxophone playing bear but this time I stopped to take a photo.

Large, but not quite ready for the county fair.

As I approached a busy intersection in downtown South Berwick I saw a few restaurants on Route 236. I was out of water at this point so I decided to stop to purchase water and get something to eat. I thought getting some much needed calories would give me an energy boost for the remaining 15 miles to go. The owner of the Early Bird Café was super nice and offered to fill my water bottles for free, ice included! I devoured a delicious, giant breakfast burrito and was again on my way. If you're ever in the area you should give the Early Bird Café a try. There's also some interesting art work hanging on the walls.

Up to this point traffic had been fairly light but once I made my way into Eliot the six miles on Route103 were much busier, and noisy. Crossing the Piscataqua River for the second time in two days, I knew I was nearing the end of my journey. Now the air was much warmer than when I started the day and I was feeling tired. I saw a large shady area on the waterfront in Prescott Park and took a break here to cool down. I spent a few minutes admiring the beautiful plants before making one final push to my parked car about four miles away.

Beautiful grounds. Come visit!

I really enjoyed this mini tour. Although I struggled somewhat on day two, day one felt easy with with similar distance and elevation gain. I think my endurance will improve with more saddle time on a loaded bike. I gained confidence in knowing I could reduce the weight carried by 15 pounds compared to my 2017 tour, and still have everything I needed. I'll definitely be taking another short tour to improve my skills before tackling a multi-day tour in 2023.

Be safe out there!

Maine Overnight Bike Tour - Day 1

2022-11-07T14:02:00.005-05:00

Ever since I stopped running ultramarathons my thirst for adventure has remained unquenched. I became interested in bicycle touring as a means to address the boredom that has crept into my life. I did my first (and only) bike tour in the summer of 2017. It did not go exactly as planned. I mapped out a seven day route along the Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine coasts but had to abandon in Portland, Maine after three days due to extensive knee pain.

Being a novice bicycle tourer, I made some mistakes that likely caused my knee pain. There’s an expression in backpacking, “You pack your fears” meaning you take everything but the kitchen sink on your journey out of fear you may need it. This leads to carrying excessive and unnecessary weight. I certainly packed mine as my bike was weighed down with 35 pounds of camping gear, food, water, bike tools, extra clothing, etc. I also tried to maintain a fast (for me) pace despite the excessive weight. I believe these two factors contributed to my knee pain.

For my 2017 tour I created my own route. I have since learned that there are many established bicycle touring routes across the United States covering several thousand miles. Two such routes along the east coast are The East Coast Greenway and the Adventure Cycling Association's Atlantic Coast Route. Although they share some of the same roads and trails, they are for the most part separate routes. This summer I decided to return to Maine for an overnight tour by connecting the two routes.

Both bike routes cross paths in Portsmouth, New Hampshire which is only an hour drive from my home. After crossing the Piscataqua River into Maine, the Atlantic Coast Route (ACR) hugs the coastline while the East Coast Greenway (ECG) takes an inland route. In Kennebunk, Maine they again come within five miles of one another. I thought this would make a perfect overnight loop as the distance is approximately 80-85 miles. I vowed not to make the same mistake as I did in 2017 and departed with “only” 19 pounds of gear on my bike!

Day 1
Distance - 63.3 Kilometers (39.3 miles)
Elevation Gain - 564 meters (1,851 feet)
Max Grade -12%

Portsmouth, New Hampshire to Kennebunk, Maine via the Atlantic Coast Route.

Navigating through the city of Portsmouth was easier than expected. There were dedicated bike paths on main roads and the narrow streets in the downtown area were not heavily trafficked. After crossing into Kittery Maine, the ACR follows Route 103 for approximately 8 rolling miles into York. In York, it turns right onto Route 1A. It was here rounding a turn, where I got my first real glimpse of the ocean and felt a cooling sea breeze coming off York Beach. This was also the first time I realized I was riding into a cross-headwind. Thankfully, it wasn't too severe and didn’t hinder my progress as I am slow enough without fighting the wind!

York Beach with Cape Neddick in the distance

In Cape Neddick, the official ACR does not take you to Nubble Lighthouse. I decided to make a detour here since I have never been to the lighthouse despite numerous car trips in the area. In a car, we feel compelled to get to our destination as quickly as possible. On a bicycle, an unexpected detour to a new sight is often welcomed as it adds to the adventure. This is one of the many things I enjoy about bike touring.

As I approached the lighthouse there was a backlog of cars trying to enter the parking lot. I joyfully rode past them on my bike! There were many tourists taking photos and enjoying the views. I started a conversation with the only other cyclists in the crowd. They were a couple from Connecticut who were riding an out-and-back from Hampton Beach New Hampshire, a distance of approximately 100 kilometers or 62 miles.

Nubble Lighthouse

One of them commented on the weight of my bicycle and suggested I get a lighter bike to ease the burden. My bike is indeed a beast, weighing over 30 pounds naked. With racks, panniers and gear it was 50+ pounds on this ride. By comparison, my new friend’s bike was made of carbon and only weighted 16 pounds! I was dumbfounded when I easily picked it up with one hand. Sure, anyone can ride long distances on a 16 pound bike but how many cyclists can go far on a 50 pound one? Only the foolish ones I guess! After chatting a bit more it was time to move on.

Typical rugged Maine coast

There was a short steep hill leaving Nubble Lighthouse. As I slowly climbed the hill, a SUV pulled up beside me and the passenger stuck her head out the window and asked if I needed a push. We both laughed. I certainly could have used one but I gracefully declined. Another 6 miles on a narrow, rolling two-lane road brought me into the town of Ogunquit. Here I took a 30 minute break at a friend’s house to eat a snack and refill my water bottles.

The ACR exits Ogunquit on very busy US 1 but there is an adequate shoulder and the riding is easy. A half-mile out of Ogunquit, in the town of Wells, the route turns right off US 1 and travels on coastal roads past Moody, Crescent and Wells beaches. Although quieter and more scenic, I’ve been down this stretch of road numerous times on my bike so I opted to remain on US 1. I was hoping to make up a little time given my late start out of Portsmouth.

About 32 miles into the ride, I turned onto ME 9 heading towards Kennebunkport. The ACR continues east on ME 9 to Kennbunkport and beyond but at mile 34 I turned north towards Kennebunk. I planned to spend the night in Kennebunk close to where I would pick up the East Coast Greenway trail for my return trip to Portsmouth the following day. I stopped at a restaurant on ME 35 hoping to get a meal to go for dinner. The receptionist informed me they did not have takeout which surprised me. It seems foolhardy to eliminate a reliable revenue stream if you're a business owner. Without a meal to go, I boiled some water and enjoyed a delicious (sarcasm) Mountain House meal once I stopped for the night. At least my load would be slightly less heavy in the morning.

Stay tuned for Day 2...

A Tribute To Trail Pixie

2021-03-02T17:53:00.001-05:00

There’s no doubt the few years I spend running with “The Ultra Gang” were the best of times. All the “Tuggers”are great friends and I know these friendships will last a lifetime. Sadly, the life of our beloved Tugger Emily ended recently and unexpectedly.

Emily was special to me. Her “glass is always full” cheerfulness was the perfect complement to my grumpy old man “glass half empty” outlook. When I was in Emily’s company I was always happy and there’s a lot to be said for that.

I made a short video in remembrance of our friendship and happy times.

Rest In Peace dear friend.

Where's Waldo?

2017-09-17T13:11:00.005-04:00

My name isn't Waldo but I have been almost impossible to find on the interwebs this year. I even surprised myself when I saw my last post was 10 months ago. Well, not that surprised. I really haven't been doing anything that interesting. Combine my lack of activity with my declining interest in most forms of social media and you end up with a neglected blog. But I haven't been entirety inactive this year. Here is a brief summary my lackluster year so far.

Spring:

My first race in about six months was the Merrimack River Trail Race in April. It's the first race in the Grand Tree Trail Race Series and always draws a fast field of runners. This was my third time running the 'rivah' and also my slowest finish. Not all things improve with age. I went out faster than I should have but felt strong the entire 10 miles. I even managed to run all the uphills, a rare occurrence of late. My knee started hurting about two miles from the finish but I was able to maintain pace to the end. I thought I was capable of breaking two hours but when I saw the clock read 1:49:11 I was pleasantly surprised. My racing season was off to a good start.

Running through the 2 inch deep water would have been easier and faster but someone put this log obstacle in the way.

Up to this point I had been doing 4-6 mile training runs 2-3 times per week. Running low mileage doesn't prepare you for longer races but buoyed by my performance at Merrimack, I decided to run a half marathon at the TARC Spring Classic two weeks later. It was a cold, wet morning but I'd rather run in those conditions than heat and humidity. I knew I was in for long day so I positioned myself at the rear of the starting field and went out at a very conservative pace. I found myself in a long conga line of runners stretched before me on twisting single-track. As the race progressed I worked my way through the field, slowly picking up the pace. I ran my fastest miles over the last 5K and finished in a respectable 2:46 for the 13.5 mile course. I was hoping to break three hours so I was very pleased with my result.

Oh, and I saw John Fegyversi, the 13 finisher of "The Barkley" on his way to a 3rd place finish in the marathon. John seems like a super nice guy and I would have liked to have spoken with him after the race but I didn't hang around in the rain once I finished. I did shout "GO LAKEWOOD!" to him on an out-and-back section of the course which seemed to startle him a bit. He was in the zone so sorry about that John.

Start of the TARC Spring Classic. (Photo from John Fegyversi's blog. Arrow points to him.)

My work schedule prevents me from running the weekly Lynn Woods Races on Wednesday evenings but I manged to make it to four races in May and June. These races are a great way to get in some faster mid-week running. Race Director Bill Mullen does a great job varying the race course and distance each week. Just like the past two races, I was surprised how fast (for me) I ran the shorter 5-6 mile races. I was knocked down a peg when a ran the 10 mile "Baby Barkley" on a warm and humid night and finished dead last. I'm sure it won't be my last DFL finish.

Running to the finish line at the Lynn Woods race.

Summer:

I've never been a fan of summer running so I shifted my focus to cycling more and running less. I was in the planning stages for my first bike tour so I needed to get more time in the saddle anyway. Of course I didn't do enough riding to prepare myself, but in late August I departed for the long journey. Unfortunately, symptoms from my winter knee injury returned on the first day of the tour. I tolerated the pain as it worsened for three days, enjoying my ride though Massachusetts, New Hampshire and into Maine. When I reached Portland, I decided to cut the tour short. I didn't want to cause further damage to my knee which could impact my running in the fall which is my favorite time of year to run. This tour was the most fun I had all year and I will definitely attempt another tour next summer.

About to depart with too much weight on the bike!

Riding the rail trail in Topsfield MA.

Crossing the bridge from Newburyport to Salisbury, MA

This is the way to enjoy summer.

Beautiful sunset on my first night.

A crazy flock of birds swarming me.

Crossing the bridge from Salisbury, MA to Hampton, NH

View from Odiorne Point in Rye, NH

Crossing the bridge from Portsmouth, NH to Kittery, ME

Somewhere in Maine.

Quitting in Portland, ME

My knee is starting to improve and I hope be back running soon so I can complete the Mid State Trail this fall.

Come join me!

Fells Fail

2016-11-30T05:00:00.000-05:00

My plan for last weekend was to continue on my Sea to Summits Tour by doing another long run on the Mid State Trail. A friend was going to join me but he tweeted his back and had to bail which meant I had to change my plans. It would be impossible to do a long point to point run on the MST without a second person to spot a car. If I've learned one thing over the past few years it's that things rarely go as planned and you have to be flexible when life throws you a curve ball.

Instead, I headed to nearby Middlesex Fells Reservation to run a loop or two on the eight mile Skyline Trail. I'm registered to run the TARC Winter Ultra in one week which is a 32 and 40 mile race on this very trail. What better preparation could there be than to get familiar with the terrain before race day? I haven't run in the Fells since 2009 when I completed three loops of the Skyline Trail with my friends KZ and Michelle. I was looking forward to running someplace other than Lynn Woods where I do most of my training runs. I would soon remember why I have avoided the Fells all these years!

I had a difficult time on the technical terrain and my running time for the loop was 30 to 40 minutes slower than what I ran back in 2009. Sure, I'm older, slower and more cautious now but that's a ridiculous time loss for an eight mile run. Needless to say I didn't go out for a second loop. Now, I'm wondering if I should skip the upcoming race. Given my slow time on the race course and my lack of any real training, it seems pointless to toe the starting line this weekend.

Then again, I could always add to my growing list of DNFs!

View of the Boston skyline from Pine Hill.

A closer look.

Wright Tower on Pine Hill.

A distant view of North Reservoir from Winthrop Hill.

North Reservoir pumping station perhaps?

Great Blue Hill on the horizon about 20 miles to the south.

Standing on the bank of North Reservoir.

Decisions, decisions....

Nougat Trail Race Report - The Hardest Race You've Never Heard Of

2016-11-18T14:21:00.000-05:00

Anyone familiar with the sport of ultra running has heard of the "The Barkley". It's considered one of the toughest 100 mile races in the world. Perhaps THE toughest. Runners of The Barkley must navigate five loops of the unmarked course, bushwhack through razor sharp briers and locate hidden books before returning to the finish. It has 59,100 feet of climb (and 59,100 feet of descent), more than any other 100 mile race. Since the race began in 1986, only 14 runners out of about 1000 have finished within the 60 hour cutoff.

"The Nougat" doesn't have books, briers or significant changes in elevation. The course is also well marked making navigation a piece of cake. So what makes this race so hard? I haven't a clue but in it's seven year history no one has ever finished. NO ONE! Surely, this makes "The Nougat" the most difficult race in the world. :)

I went to The Nougat without any hope of finishing the 100 kilometer distance. I've only been running twice a week, averaging about 12 miles total. Even with this low mileage training I thought I had a shot at finishing 50K which meant completing five 10 mile loops (correction: 3 loops. Why make this more difficult than it has to be?). How optimistic of me. And maybe I would have if my mind was in the right place. It wasn't.

When I arrived for the 7 am start it was in the twenties but the strong wind made it feel even colder. I was fine with that. I love cold weather running. There was a small group of runners already gathered at the starting area. I took a quick look at them and didn't recognize a single person. Suddenly, and for the first time, I felt very disconnected from the ultra running community. It was a very strange feeling indeed.

Pre-race photo. I must have been VERY tired because I didn't even notice Jim P. and Norm S. Two people I DO know! (photo by Mike Fitzgerald)

Despite the cold, I decided to run in a shorts and a short-sleeved tee shirt. By the time I had taken off all my outer layers the rest of the race field was already 5 minutes ahead of me. About 200 yards into the race I realized I didn't bring any calories with me for the 10 mile loop. Back to the starting line I went. By the time I was back on course I was 10 minutes behind everyone. This led me to feel even more disconnected from the race.

The 10 mile loop was a mix of single-track and dirt fire roads. I made good time on the fire roads but my pace slowed considerably on the trails. The single-track had an abundance of rocks and roots covered with a thick layer of leaves. I was worried about twisting an ankle, or worse, so I was very slow and careful on all these sections. In my case, I knew this was the right thing to do, but it really annoyed me knowing I'd become so cautious in the woods.

From the beginning, my mind was not into the race. As the miles clicked by I kept hoping my attitude would change. It didn't. I believe I would have felt differently had I not been running alone the entire time. I really missed my friend Karen not being at the race. We run at the same pace and tend to take it easy over the same type of terrain. By mile eight I knew I would drop out after one loop.

Two miles later I became another casualty of the hardest race you've never heard of.

Sea To Summits Tour - Mid-State Trail Day 2

2016-10-17T05:00:00.000-04:00

It was raining and 50 degrees with occasional wind gusts courtesy of Hurricane Matthew. It was a prefect morning to sleep in, or sit at the breakfast table drinking coffee. But I had already asked a friend to join me for a 15 mile run on the Massachusetts Mid-State Trail (MST) and I wasn't about to bail on him. I drove west on Route 2 and hoped the weather would improve as I moved away from the coast. It only got worse. I knew we were in for a long, wet slog.

After spotting a car at the Redemption Rock parking lot in Princeton we drove to Ashburnham and found a small patch of dirt on the side of Route 12 and parked the second car. We ran along the narrow shoulder of the road before reaching the trail head and turning into the woods. From here the trail gained 300 feet of elevation in a half mile which helped to take the damp chill out of me. Once we crested the climb we stayed above 1000 feet for the next three or four miles. The trail was littered with slippery rocks and roots and I was thinking it would take a miracle to keep me from falling today.

Before leaving higher elevation we made a brief stop at Muddy Pond to take in the foggy view. There was a tent pitched next to the Muddy Pond shelter and a backpack hanging inside, but no one in sight. I could tell by the size of the food hang that it was probably a thru-hiker or someone out for a long section hike. It was still fairly early in the morning and the hiker probably decided to sleep in when they heard the sound of steady rain hitting their tent. I know I would have done that.

Gray sky over Muddy Pond.

Muddy Pond shelter. I laughed when I saw the bear bag hanging five feet off the ground. It would do nothing to deter a hungry bear from snacking on your food.

After passing under graffiti bridge we missed a turn but found it after wandering around in the rain for a while. Less than a half mile later we missing another turn. Once again Bill and I went in opposite directions in search of an elusive yellow triangle which marked the direction of travel. It took some time but we found the trail again. In both cases the trail markers were placed to high to be easily seen. We had one more mishap later in a gravel pit near Route 2 but it was not because we had missed a turn. This time the turn simply was unmarked. These navigation errors added several minutes and about a mile to the run.

Much of the MST passes through private property so it's important to stay on the marked trail. Eight miles into the run we came to a fenced in cow pasture. After carefully closing the gate behind us we attempted to follow the trail along the perimeter of the pasture. A couple of cows had other ideas and they blocked our path. Instead of sticking close to the fence we had to cross through cow pasture proper, carefully avoiding the numerous, giant, soupy cow patties while looking over our shoulders for an angry bull. Fortunately, the pasture was only occupied by cows and heifers and most of them were hunkered down due to the miserable weather. A quarter mile later we exited the field unscathed and our shoes free of cow poo.

Most of the cows were lying low and didn't give us a second look.

The trail lost elevation over the next four miles and was generally less technical than the previous eight. That all changed when we began the climb up Crow Hill. It may be called a hill but the climb was long, steep and very technical, requiring rock scrambling at times. It's not something you want to do under wet conditions but we didn't have any choice. Crow Hill is known for its vertical cliffs and is a popular location for rock climbers. At times the trail came within inches of the cliffs and one misstep could have resulted in a long plunge to the ground below. I moved with extreme caution through these sections.

Bill on the steep, rocky climb up Crow Hill.

On a clear day the views from Crow Hill are spectacular but today there were only low clouds and a gray sky visible. Here are some of the views we missed. Photos below were taken from the web.

View of Mt. Wachusett to the south-west.

View of Rt. 31 and Crow Hill Pond below.

One of the many vertical cliffs.

Getting off Crow Hill was more challenging than climbing it. We had to make a steep descent of about 250 feet over wet boulders of various sizes and shapes. I took to descending on my butt on more than one occasion. I thought it was the safest option. When my feet finally touched dirt again I thought the climbing was over but I was wrong. We made one last climb of 125 feet over the next half mile before reaching Rt 140 in Princeton and the Redemption Rock parking lot. Whew!

A tough, technical and wet 15 mile section run on the MST with over 3,300 feet of elevation change.

Another section of the MST completed. And I make it without a single fall. Miracle!

Sea To Summits Tour - Mid-State Trail Day 1

2016-09-17T17:21:00.001-04:00

Since posting my plan two months ago to cover over 300 miles on foot through four New England states I haven't walked or run a single step of the route. I just couldn't motivate myself to do it during one of hottest summers on record. Now that cooler weather has arrived I hope to make some progress towards that end. Today's run on the Mid-State Trail was a start. A small one mind you, but still a start.

Since I had previously hiked from the Northern terminus to Mt.Watatic, my plan for today was to start at the Mt. Watatic parking lot in Ashburnham and run to the Wachusetts Village Inn in Westminster, a distance of approximately 15 miles. That changed when my friend Bill M. asked if he could join me. He only had two hours available due to another morning commitment but I was happy to alter my plan. I'd much rather do a two hour out and back with a friend than a 15 mile point to point alone. I already spend way too much time alone.

Although we covered less than nine miles we had to work hard for much of the run, climbing three mountains (twice, since we did and out-and-back) with nearly 1500 feet of vertical gain. I can't recall a whole lot of flat trail on this section of the MST. That's fine with me. I need to start doing more climbing which was painfully obvious as I gasped for air on the return climb up Blueberry Hill. Pass the oxygen please.

Best view of the day from Mt. Hunger. Looking down at Stodge Meadow Pond with Mt. Watatic to the left and the Wapack Range in the distance.

A closer look at the Wapack Range to the right of Mt. Watatic.

Bill leading the way up Mt. Hunger.

A cave in the mountain side.

Today's elevation profile reminds me of ocean waves. Just not as much fun riding these ones!

Happy Trails!

Maine Lighthouse Ride

2016-09-11T15:30:00.001-04:00

This weekend, I participated in the Maine Lighthouse Ride which is the main fundraiser for The Eastern Trail in southern Maine. About 1200 riders had the option to cycle routes ranging from 25 to 100 miles. I haven't been spending as much time on the bike as I would have liked so I picked the 40 mile option. The 40 route would take me though South Portland, Scarborough and Cape Elizabeth with the final 10 miles being the hilliest. So Cruel! I thought the distance was long enough to challenge me and the route also provide an opportunity to see eight of southern Maine's lighthouses. I have to admit I must have not paid close attention to my surroundings and can't recall seeing that many. It was still a great day to be outdoors and it was my longest ride so far.

Route Map.

40 mile riders lining up for the early morning start.

Civil War fort in Portland Harbor.

Spring Port Lighthouse in Portland

Posing with Bug Light in the background. Can shorts still be called shorts if they are below your knees?

Taking a break at Ferry Beach in Scarborough.

Looking back at Pine Point Beach, I think.

Approaching Prounts Neck.

Taking another break at Higgins Beach.

I have to come back here another time for a swim.

Entering Cape Elizabeth.

One of two Lighthouses in Cape Elizabeth.

I believe this is Cape Elizabeth Light West.

One of the many coves along Shore Road.

I know I'm slow but no need to rub it in.

Ride on!

A Run to Remember Eric Sherman

2016-09-05T08:49:00.001-04:00

Yesterday morning I made the short drive to Willowdale State Forest in Ipswich to celebrate the life of Eric Sherman. Eric passed unexpectedly last month at the early age of 53. The run was organized by Eric's good friend Mike, and Willowdale was one of Eric's favorite places to train. I'm guessing he really loved the trails here since he lived two hours away and would often meet Mike at 5 am for training runs. It's just an indication how passionate Eric was about running. Thankfully, Mike cut this grumpy old man some slack (and everyone else) and started this run at 7 am. Actually, I had it easy compared to Eric's friend Steve who drove up from New Jersey to join in the run. Good friends do this kind of stuff.

A great turnout for the run. (photo credit: someone's iPhone)

Happy times at the famous(?) Chevy Chevette. (photo credit: Stephanie Cooper)

Mike named a gate after Eric to commemorate his wrong way turn during their first Willowdale run.

Eric doing what he loved. RIP

A message from Mike:

Eric lived a great life that included a loving family, many great friends and a long-lasting love of the outdoors that he nurtured with his love of hiking and trail running.
Eric became a fixture in the New England Ultramarathoning community over the last 5-6 years of his life with his entry and involvement in a great many races. He became well-known beyond New England thru his podcast "DFL Ultrarunning." His ideas from this medium were to expose a great many people to his sport and to focus on the everyday runners who are drawn to this sport and to be a voice of encouragement to all who choose to participate.
As an active and healthy of a lifestyle as Eric led it did not stop him from being stricken down from heart disease at the very young age of 53. A void that will never be filled has been left with his family, friends and all who knew him. We ask that you consider honoring his memory with a donation that will help the American Heart Association fight heart disease. Thank you. mjs

Donations appreciated.

Peace.

Hodges Hoedown Half Marathon Race Report

2016-08-26T10:05:00.000-04:00

Last weekend I drove out to central MA to run my first race of the year. Yeah, I know we're eighth months into 2016 but better late than never, right? As usual, I was totally unprepared for the distance given my training of twice weekly runs totaling 8 - 10 miles. I did have one 10 mile training run under my belt but that was only because I got lost one day in the woods and my planned 7 mile run was unintentionally extended.

First race bib for 2016. It won't be my last.

View of Hodges Dam near the race start/finish line.

I somehow managed to convince my friend Mary to join me for this race. Mary recently ran a sub-four hour road marathon so I knew I would never be able keep up with her if she was here to race. She decided to stick with me. Thanks Mary! We haven't run together since she broke her ankle on a training run with me and some friends on ice covered trails in the Middlesex Fells several years ago. Ice is one thing we didn't need to concern ourselves with on this day. It was in the mid-eighties and very humid. Just the type of weather that destroys me. Oh,well.

Mary and I at the start. The smile will soon be wiped from my face.

Bringing up the rear at the start of the race. We would later pass several runners only to loose places after missing a turn.

The first four miles of the race were fairly flat with some short, steep climbs but very technical with plenty of rocks and roots to contend with. Miles 5 - 7 were the most difficult and hilly, at one point climbing about 200 feet in less than a mile. The downhills were also challenging with many loose rocks. I chose to move slowly on the descents not wanting to risk a bad fall. The final four miles were mostly flat, smooth trail but I bonked badly with two miles to go and my pace slowed significant. We also missed a clearly marked turn between miles 7 - 8 which added about eight minutes to our time.

The course was not as flat as it appears. There were numerous short, steep climbs.

Mary led the way throughout the race and set a good pace for me. I would have run slower if I was on my own. I knew the pace was WAY slow for her and told her she could leave me at any time but she stuck with me....until I bonked.

Peace sign, or me counting the number of times I stubbed a toe in the last mile?

Mary crossing the finish line. She put 11 minutes on me in the final two miles! I'm sure she could have run 30 minutes faster if she ran her own race.

I really had a blast running with Mary despite the weather conditions and my poor fitness. I already have my sights set on the next race.

Happy Trails!