Bike Log

2/5/12, Quaker Hill loop, 17.4mi, 2LFC, C154.0, 15.4%

2012-02-05T13:41:00.000-08:00

COLD ride on the downhills (35F), but beautiful sunny day. Used the shoe covers for the first time, they definitely make a difference. Tough climbs unlike yesterday when I sailed up one of the same hills (well "sailed" is an exaggeration).
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2/4/12, 3 hills and a lake, 11.2mi, 3LFC, C136.6, 13.6%

2012-02-04T16:05:00.000-08:00

About 40F. Good ride. Almost cramped up starting the climb up Harmony Hill Rd., got to watch that.
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1/29/12, 11.0 mi, elongated village loop, 1LFC, C125.4, 12.5%

2012-02-04T16:01:00.000-08:00

The usual loop. Good workout, short, hill climbing. Cold but not too cold.
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1/7/12, Schagticoke-Kent-Quaker Hill, 40.6mi, 2LFC,C114.4, 11.4%

2012-01-07T13:29:00.000-08:00

I think I am starting to like cold weather riding more than warm weather. Somehow the climbs are less of a grind and morale stays higher. Today wasn't all that cold really, about 50F, tho some spots were colder like under the cliffs near the Kent School. The way up to Kent felt really easy, that was because I had a tailwind without realizing it and the sun was out. Faced into a headwind on the way back south but that didn't bother me.

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1/5/12, 41 mi, Hudson River and Palisades, 1 LFC, C73.8, 7.3%

2012-01-05T17:29:00.000-08:00

Took the day off and did a terrific ride w/Dr. P. from Greenwich Village along the Hudson, across the George (first time since 1982), with a first-time visit to the Little Red Lighthouse, then another first-time ride under the Palisades. Great bbq lunch at Dinosaur Barbecue and then a perfect coffee and cinnamon roll at Third Rail Coffee.

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1/2/12, 21.8mi, Quaker Ridge, 2LFC. C32.8, 3.3%

2012-01-02T14:04:00.000-08:00

A little cool (mid-30s) but a nice ride. Great to be riding in January.

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1/1/12, 11.0 mi, elongated village loop, 1LFC *

2012-01-01T13:42:00.000-08:00

Summitted Mt. Tom for the first time in a while. Temps in the mid-40s, beautiful clear New Year's Day though it got kind of dark on the way back. I left later than planned due to an hour of wrestling with tire-patching in various ways, but it came out all right (no flat today).

I made a New Year's resolution to bike 1000 miles this year, let's see if I do it. I'm 1.1% of the way there already.

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12/31/11, Interrupted ride, 11.5mi

2011-12-31T13:42:00.000-08:00

Got a flat somewhere either on 22 or Old Pawling Road. Too bad because it was perfect out and I had extended what would've been just the same loop as last ride. Got picked up, didn't feel like trying to patch in 40 degree weather.

This isn't accurate since it doesn't show going through the cemetery or Old Pawling Road -- Google Maps takes the "Bridge Out" too seriously.

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12/27/11, Elongated village loop, 10.8mi, 1.5LFC

2011-12-27T07:51:00.000-08:00

Another winter ride, this one a little colder than yesterday (about 35F) and no sun. Wore an extra layer of underarmor and was fine though feet were a bit cold, will try the shoe covers next time.

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12/26/11, 3 hills and lake, 11.2 mi (3 LFC)

2011-12-26T12:43:00.000-08:00

First time riding with new winter biking outerwear. Everything stayed reasonably warm except tips of toes and arms (only a short sleeved jersey under shell, next time will have to wear long sleeves).

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9/18/11, Patterson/Whaley Lake/Old 55, 14.6 mi, 2.5LFC *

2011-09-18T14:16:00.000-07:00

Beautiful early fall afternoon, a little on the cool side but that didn't matter once the hills started. Shortish ride in distance but a lot of climbing. Summitted Mt. Tom.

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9/11/11, Quaker Ridge/Hurd's Corners, 24.5mi, 2.5LFC

2011-09-11T14:59:00.000-07:00

First ride since Monday. Felt pretty strong. Cool cloudy weather which kept me from overheating on the climbs. A new variation to add a few miles on by going up Hurd's Corners Rd. then back down 22 instead of going on Dewey Rd. off N. Quaker Hill. I would've preferred going down Kitchen Rd. to West Dover Rd. but the bridge is still out and I didn't feel like investigating how far down that really was and whether it was totally impassible for bike. Maybe next time.

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9/1/11, Half Quaker Hill loop, 17.5 mi, 2 LFC

2011-09-05T08:40:00.000-07:00

"Quick" morning ride w/Dr. P. before J. and I took off for Assateague.

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9/5/11, Wingdale-Pleasant Ridge-Green Haven, 35.0 mi, 3 LFC 1SFC

2011-09-05T08:35:00.000-07:00

Got rained on while climbing up the 'back side' (steep side) of Pleasant Ridge Rd. (coming from Wingdale). Then went by the north wall of Green Haven Prison up into the hills and dales to near I-84 (passing by Stormville Mountain Rd.), stopping by the deli at 55 & 216 for a post-rain split corn muffin (w/Dr. P.).

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8/31/11, Schagticoke-Kent-Quaker Hill, 42.0 mi, 3LFC

2011-08-31T13:43:00.000-07:00

Not quite as pristinely beautiful weather as yesterday but still very good biking weather. We took Schagticoke Road on the way to Kent which I'd never been on before, goes right through the Schagticoke Indian Reservation. Beautiful and quiet but flooded in two spots (we ignored the 'road closed' signs), which a group of riders coming south didn't warn us about. Got our feet wet. Lunch in Kent then came south on Route 7 which was closed to traffic between Kent and Bulls Bridge, which was great. It must have been flooded earlier since the Housatonic came right up to the shoulder in a few places, but it was clear all the way. Bulls Bridge Falls were spectacular with more water in there than I've ever seen.

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8/30/11, Patterson-Quaker Hill-Sherman-Wingdale, 34.2mi, 3LFC

2011-08-30T15:45:00.000-07:00

About the most perfect possible weather, two days after Irene. I didn't want to stop. Loads of tree, wire, and road damage on Quaker Hill, more than up on Mt. Tom.

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8/26/11, early morning village loop, 10.9 mi, 1LFC

2011-08-27T11:22:00.001-07:00

Got out by 7:30am or so, misty but got sunnier as the ride went on. A little short of breath on the climbs.

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8/27/11, Pre-Irene village loop, 12.7mi, 1LFC *

2011-08-27T11:19:00.000-07:00

Variation on yesterday's loop. Felt good and barely got rained on. First time this year to go to the top of Mt. Tom Rd.

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8/21/11, Poughquag/Wingdale, 21.7mi, 3LFC

2011-08-21T11:52:00.000-07:00

Managed to beat the rain. w/Dr. P. 1st ride since the work stoppage started.

Al

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8/6/11, Wingdale-Sherman loop, 29.3mi, 2LFC

2011-08-06T15:36:00.000-07:00

Beat the rain. w/Foster. Started with a scone in the village. No snakes sighted.

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8/5/11, Pleasant Ridge Loop + Snake, 20.3mi, 3LFC

2011-08-05T14:32:00.000-07:00

Interesting encounter with a timber rattler when coming back on West Dover Road just south of where the Appalachian Trail crosses it. When I first passed it I thought it was some kind of thick rope on the road, but realized it was a snake. Turned around to take a look (stopping about 15 feet away), saw a small rattle on its tail and that it was trying to cross the road. I slowed down traffic until it eventually slithered away on the other side. Took 10 minutes or so.

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7/29/11, Short loop 10.8 mi, 1LFC

2011-07-30T20:21:00.000-07:00

Kept the cadence up for the whole Harmony Hill Rd. climb, even the steep parts.

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7/23/11, Birch Hill-Quaker Hill, 22.4mi, 2.5LFC

2011-07-23T09:39:00.000-07:00

Beat most of the heat. Took just under 2 hrs. Nice riding next to a stream almost all the way up Birch Hill Rd., but that is a LFC indeed.

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7/17/11, 31.1mi, Bulls Bridge-Sherman-N. Quaker, 3LFC

2011-07-17T16:20:00.000-07:00

Gorgeous late afternoon ride, not too hot in the shade which was most of the way. Definitely getting stronger, could take the LFCs in a slightly harder gear.

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7/10/11, Patterson-Quaker Hill, 22mi, 2LFC

2011-07-10T12:36:00.000-07:00

Another gorgeous day. Less butt-ache. Ran into the oncoming Pawling Mountain Road Race coming the other way down Ol' 55.

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7/9/11, Pleasant Ridge loop, 22.4mi, 3LFC

2011-07-10T08:52:00.000-07:00

Perfect weather. Felt strong but butt-ache.

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7/3/11, 10.6mi, Elongated village loop, 1LFC

2011-07-03T15:45:00.000-07:00

And didn't get rained on! Just by luck picked the one 45 min of the day that it didn't rain. Almost fell on wet slippery road a couple of times, though.

Felt strong after yesterday's 33 miler.

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7/2/11, 3 county loop, 33.5mi, 3LFC 1SFC

2011-07-02T11:19:00.000-07:00

Perfect weather, sun was hot. Scone refuel at American Pie Co. in Sherman CT. South Harmony Hill Rd. going up is one steep climb especially after 3 hours of riding.

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6/8/11, Wolverton-Open University, approx 15 mi, 0LFC

2011-06-27T04:14:00.000-07:00

Map is not accurate because it doesn't show the wonderful MK bike paths that nearly the whole route was on.

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6/26/11, Short village loop, 7 mi, 1LFC

2011-06-27T04:10:00.000-07:00

Late in the day sprint to the ATM and back. Still a workout with the climb back up.

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6/18/11, Patterson-Whaley Lake, 14.4mi, 1.5LFC

2011-06-27T04:06:00.000-07:00

Getting behind in these.

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5/30/11, Cricket Hill Loop, 24.2 mi, 1LFC

2011-05-30T15:19:00.000-07:00

Perfect first true 'summer' ride, bit on the hot side but the shade felt like heaven.

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5/28/11, Quaker Ridge, 21.6 mi, 2.5LFC

2011-05-30T15:17:00.000-07:00

Felt good. Beautiful out. How come the wind turbine on Quaker Hill is never turning anymore? There was a breeze.

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5/22/11, Patterson/Whaley Lake/Old 55, 14.2mi, 2.5LFC

2011-05-22T06:29:00.000-07:00

As soon as I had descended the first hill, I looked east towards Quaker Hill (where I was going to go) and saw black rain clouds, so decided to go west instead. It got darker as I went but the real rain held out until I was about a quarter mile downhill from home, and the trees mostly kept the rain off the rest of the way. But this caused me to really pump up the last two LFCs!

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5/7/11, Quaker Hill, 17.8mi, 2LFC

2011-05-08T06:50:00.000-07:00

Perfect riding weather. Felt pretty strong.

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5/6/11, Pawling loop, 10.5mi, 1.5LFC

2011-05-06T16:49:00.001-07:00

Kind of late in the day but great to get out on a Friday eve. Probably more like 11 miles because I went through the cemetery and Trinity Pawling but Google Maps doesn't show those roads going through.

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5/1/11 Pawling-Sherman-Quaker Hill 29.3mi 3LFC

2011-05-01T11:44:00.000-07:00

Perfect spring day, it should never get warmer than this for biking! Royal blue skies, little wind, birds singing, etc. Stopped for a tasty bacon/egg/cheese sandwich on a fresh biscuit at the Pawling Cafe on the way back just before the last LFC. The whole ride felt good, better than when I took the first similar ride last spring.

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4/17/11, Pawling/Patterson interruptus, 9.1mi

2011-04-17T14:17:00.000-07:00

Was going a great clip with a tailwind, then hit a piece of glass or something on Rte. 22 9 miles into the ride. Too cold to sit around and try to patch it wearing shorts and short sleeves, so bailed and called home for a pickup.

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4/9/11, Harmony-Dodge Loop, 9.5mi, 1LFC

2011-04-09T13:37:00.000-07:00

First Pawling ride of the season. Felt good. Gorgeous day. Peepers in all the wetland areas.

Click here for route

4/4/11, City Lights and down 3rd St. SF, 12.9mi, 1SFC

2011-04-09T13:35:00.000-07:00

Didn't really get anywhere on 3rd St., was trying to find Candlestick Park but the bike routes kept petering out. Nice tough climb back up Potrero Hill from the Cesar Chavez side.

Click here for route

4/1/11, Golden Gate Park and downtown, 13.1 mi, 1SFC

2011-04-03T17:51:00.000-07:00

Another beautiful warm SF day. Hot actually, and the ride back from Harrison downtown (FedEx location) to Tartine's to meet Eugene was trafficky, noisy, and hot. Then I couldn't get the bike lock to unlock for quite a while. Gave up and left it alone for 45 minutes, came back and it came apart like a dream.

Here's the route.

3/31/11, San Francisco - Clement St. Loop (18.0 mi., 1 SFC)

2011-03-31T18:30:00.000-07:00

Perfect gorgeous SF day.

Here's the loop (can't embed Google Maps bike routes for some reason).

11/10/2010, Seal Rocks-Golden Gate Bridge, 29.1mi

2010-11-10T18:39:00.000-08:00

Awesome ride on a stupendously beautiful day. I've wanted to ride across the GG bridge my whole life. San Francisco is a terrific city to ride in. Marked bike routes everywhere, bike lanes, tons of fellow cyclists. I like "The Wiggle" which is a route between two of the peaks that avoids two giant hills. Lunch with Eugene at the Mayflower Chinese restaurant in the Outer Richmond was a big plus.

Google Maps bike route wouldn't embed, here's the URL.

10/9/2010, Patterson loop, 13.3 mi, 1LFC

2010-10-09T14:54:00.000-07:00

Gorgeous late afternoon fall day. Felt good though not super strong. Listened to audiobook ("Freedom") while riding. Felt longer than this measly 13.3, though over an hour due to the climbs.

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10/2/10, Wingdale-Sherman-N. Quaker, 28 mi, 2LFC

2010-10-02T14:25:00.000-07:00

Spectacular early fall day, beautiful ride, didn't feel 100% but made it up all the hills anyway.

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9/5/10 Many Holmes climbs 14.3 mi 1SFC, 4.5LFC

2010-09-06T06:38:00.000-07:00

May not look like much but a @#$! of a lot of climbing on a short ride. I forgot that getting to Bundy Hill Rd. (itself a LFC) from the south means climbing South Harmony Hill Rd. first, a SFC. w/Dr. P.

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8/20/10, Cricket Hill/West Dover, 24.3 mi, 1LFC

2010-09-04T13:49:00.000-07:00

w/ Dr. P. Early morning ride. First in a while. Ran out of time so took a ride back from village, avoiding the Mt. Tom climb.

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8/28/10, Quaker Ridge loop, 21.1 mi, 2LFC

2010-09-04T13:43:00.000-07:00

w/ Dr. P. Another beautiful day. The climbs felt fine.

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9/4/10, Whaley Lake/Pleasant Ridge/Patterson, 29.7 mi, 1LFC

2010-09-04T13:41:00.000-07:00

With Dr P. Beautiful cool late summer day. Some wind. Stopped for tasty carrot cake and brownie at Magnolia's in Patterson.

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7/18/2010 Cricket Hill loop 27.2 mi 1.5LFC

2010-07-18T10:17:00.000-07:00

Hot day but a good ride, with Pak. Stopped at Baklajava for a heaven-sent iced mocha latte after the first 25 mi. Some nice views from the top of Cricket Hill Rd.

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7/17/10 - Quaker Ridge - 21.9 mi - 2.5LFC

2010-07-17T15:18:00.000-07:00

First longer ride of the year, with the usual Quaker Hill and Mt. Tom climbs (or cliiiimbs as some might say). Followed by fresh pesto from the garden and an ice cold Dogfish Head on the deck. Could be worse. I weighed >3 lbs. less after the ride than before (and probably about the same now). I took it slow on the long climbs but did alright.

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7/16/10 Pawling village loop 11.6mi 1LFC

2010-07-17T08:18:00.000-07:00

Pretty much a repeat of last time with a couple of small variations.

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6/19/10, Pawling village loop, 11.2 mi, 1 LFC

2010-06-19T13:18:00.000-07:00

The map isn't totally accurate because I went through the cemetery and some roads in the Trinity-Pawling campus that aren't on Google Maps.

Gorgeous day, a little on the warm side. Did not die coming back up Mt. Tom.

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5/31/10, Putnam County Trailway (approx 15 mi)

2010-06-06T11:21:00.000-07:00

With J., rode the sections of the Putnam County (NY) Trailway between the current northern trailhead at Tilly Foster Rd., and the village of Mahopac. The trail is nicer than I expected, with interesting sections following old rail routes, especially on an old railroad bridge crossing Middle Branch Reservoir and through a lot of fairly deep woods. The trail goes through countryside that is not quite as pristine as the Amenia bike trail, but OTOH this was a much bigger engineering effort, with many bike-only tunnels and bridges. We turned around and retraced our steps when we got to Mahopac (the trail actually continues deep into Westchester County), stopping after for a fine frappucino in Carmel.

For some reason (I think because Google Maps' biking maps don't support it yet) this map can't be embedded, but here's the link.

In case you are all wondering why the frequency of rides is much lower than this time last year, it's for two reasons: 1) playing a lot of frisbee at what otherwise would be good bike times, 2) opportunities are scarcer because I'm working hard on my phd to try to finish it this year.

4/4/10 Patterson loop, first ride of 2010, 12.2mi, 1 LFC

2010-04-04T15:24:00.000-07:00

Not easy but I made it. Not too far gone to be able to climb Harmony Hill/Mt. Tom. Beautiful day.

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10/10/09, Patterson loop, 14.2 mi, 1LFC

2009-10-10T18:48:00.001-07:00

Seemed longer while I was doing it. Guess the declining riding frequency that comes with end of summer is starting to slow me down. Tougher to get psyched for riding when temp goes below 60.

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9/25/09, Blackberry Rd. Loop, 16.3 mi, 1SFC, 2LFC

2009-09-25T15:38:00.000-07:00

Blackberry Road is quite the SFC. And an LFC (about .7 mi) to boot, climbing up the side of West Mountain, at least 500 vertical feet and maybe more. A sign going back down said 17% grade. I made it up without stopping... barely. With a lot of switchbacking.

Beautiful early fall weather though I stopped noticing after I started climbing Blackberry Rd. It made Harmony Hill Rd. look like, not quite a breeze, but nothing much hill-wise (still a LFC).

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9/20/09, Harlem Valley Rail Trail, 18 mi

2009-09-20T18:52:00.000-07:00

Or maybe a bit less since we started from Amenia not Wassaic. As always, beautiful scenery, enhanced by late afternoon, late summer light. Have to check out the Irving Farm Coffeehouse in Millerton and some other places that we peeked into but did not go in.

No map this time; check out hvrt.org.

8/31/09, Pleasant Ridge-West Dover Rd., 21.8 mi, 3LFC-0SFC

2009-08-31T15:04:00.000-07:00

Cool but perfect weather. Pleasant Ridge Road is, as Larry said, indeed not so bad except near the end (between Susan Drive and Wingdale Mountain Rd.) when it gets steep. Beautiful views near the top, especially from Pleasant Ridge Road Extension. One of those places (the top of Mt. Tom is another) where you'd almost think you were in below-tree-line Colorado or Switzerland.

Stopped at Mckinney & Doyle for one last cinnamon roll served by Maggie behind the counter.

I was contemplating two new terms while riding: "LFC" and "SFC", as ratings for rides. "L" = long, "S" = steep, "C" = climb. 55 up to Little Pond Road is an LFC, Pleasant Ridge Road is an LFC, 55 from Dutcher to Harmony Hill Road is another LFC. No real SFCs on this route, unlike yesterday's South Harmony Hill Rd. That is an SFC. So is Kirby Hill Rd. Harmony Hill Rd. from 55 to Mt. Tom Rd. is almost an SFC but a bit too short to qualify.

So, this was a 3LFC-0SFC ride.

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8/30/09, Whaley Lake-Holmes-Patterson, 19.1 mi

2009-08-30T15:52:00.000-07:00

Beautiful out, not too hot at sunset. Dry for the first time in several rides. Solo this time. Legs a bit tired for the hills but I was keeping a pretty fast pace (I think).

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8/29/09, Tour of Holmes lakes, 17.8 miles

2009-08-29T12:50:00.000-07:00

With Foster. Grey and cool but no rain. There are a lot of hills around here. Some of these mileages don't sound impressive, but when you take all the climbs into account...

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706 miles this year so far

2009-08-29T04:55:00.000-07:00

Rough calculation.

8/28/09, Quaker Ridge, 21.5 mi

2009-08-28T15:48:00.000-07:00

w/Foster. Cold and rainy but good anyway. Half a sauna afterward.

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8/23/09, Quaker Hill, 17.8 mi

2009-08-23T13:13:00.000-07:00

Drippy and humid, but a nice ride. Came back up South Harmony Hill Rd. -- it is steep (if you zoom in on that part of the map you can see it cross about 15 contour lines from Harmony Rd. to mid-Mt. Tom in a mile) -- but didn't have to weave.

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8/17/09, late day errand run to A&P, 12.4 mi

2009-08-19T06:58:00.000-07:00

Very hot even at 6:30pm.

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8/15/09, Sherman-Webatuck, 40.4 mi

2009-08-16T08:27:00.000-07:00

With Foster. Great ride tho it got hot. Nice long break at Mckinney & Doyle, then the painful climb up S. Harmony Hill.

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8/8/09, Poquott/Belle Terre/Misc, 24.1 mi

2009-08-08T14:21:00.001-07:00

Got kind of lost in both Belle Terre and in some streets near Ward Melville HS, but found my way out both times by retracing my steps. While riding through its parking lots I disliked WMHS just as much as I did 32 years ago.

East Broadway in Port Jeff from the harbor up to Belle Terre is quite a climb.

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8/2/09, Port Jeff loop, 12.9 mi

2009-08-02T11:59:00.000-07:00

A quick ride to Port Jeff and back, concluding this visit to Stony Brook. Had to sprint the last 10.5 minutes back from Old Town Rd. & Sheep Pasture to avoid getting deluged, got away with a few drops.

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8/1/09, Head of the Harbor and Nissequogue, 25 mi

2009-08-01T17:21:00.000-07:00

Included a loop to Lubber Street to visit Pete and June. Google Maps has a lot of trouble with Stony Brook. Note the weird curlicue from Lubber back to Woodbine... could not get GM to draw it right. As Zvi said "it's only software."

A lot of good climbs, especially Cordwood Path and River Road. Head of the Harbor and Nissequogue are mostly beautiful, with water, woods, and wetlands everywhere. Marred by a lot of McMansions and other overly ostentatious wealth, especially Nissequogue, but hey... it's Long Island.

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7/31/09, another Three Villages ride, 19.5 mi (approx)

2009-07-31T14:22:00.000-07:00

Rounding out an active July of biking with a bizarre route that is not accurate on the map, because I followed a new bike path off of Gnarled Hollow Road that Google Maps doesn't show (I approximated below). It led me in circles and dumped me off near Pt. Jeff Station somewhere (near the infamous "bump" on Sheep Pasture Road). I found my way to Old Post Road then somehow was back on Gnarled Hollow again, which took me way past where I thought it went and came out on Lower Sheep Pasture Road, where I finally knew where I was again.

I went on roads on the northwest side of Strong's Neck that I'd never been on before (despite having lived 11 years of my life here, 1967-1978), seeing water views I'd never seen. I always thought it was Poquott you could see from Pt. Jeff Harbor, it's actually part of Strong's Neck. The Strongs still live in the "manor house" according to the sign at the end of Dyke Road, I wonder if it's any of the "kids" I knew.

So many places in the Three Villages are saturated with memories for me as I ride around. Some good, some not so good. Some of the roads I remember something happening on practically every foot; others are empty from that point of view. Some places (like the "Irving Hart" district near the Setauket Mill Pond) have barely changed. Others are full of new streets and McMansions. Many beautiful views and wetlands. I passed places I had walked, swam, skated, snuck, biked, parked, fell, fought, broke down, drank, etc. There were some interesting times.

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7/30/09, Three Villages+1, 17 mi

2009-07-30T16:25:00.000-07:00

The map is not quite accurate. Google Maps insisted on putting a strange round trip down to Conscience Bow from the 'corner' of Mt. Grey and Old Field Road. Couldn't convince it not to do that.

Very warm and humid (typical Stony Brook summer day).

The distances are all much shorter, and the hills lower, than I remember from my childhood. I guess it's what you're used to.

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7/27/09, South Quaker Hill loop (17.7 mi)

2009-07-28T06:19:00.000-07:00

A shorter ride than the last couple of days, legs were complaining and it was the end of the day. Beautiful out with mist and sunset up in the hills, though I did get rained on again, this time mostly in the last half mile or so of climbing.

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7/26/09, Towners-Sherman-Wingdale, 39.1 mi

2009-07-26T12:03:00.000-07:00

Not as spectacular as yesterday's ride but still good. Got drenched coming back from Wingdale, 2nd time in a week. You know that sound you hear when you are just about to get hit by a huge wave of rain -- the sound of a million raindrops hitting the tree leaves? Heard it on West Dover Road 30 sec before getting doused. I could see the wall of rain as I was laboring up the hill towards it. Took a good break at the Star 22 diner, toasted bran muffin and coffee, conversation with a customer sitting there and one of the waitresses restored some faith in humanity. He asked whether I was going to go up the Wingdale Mountain Road, I said not today. He said he used to run up and down it, all the way to the circle in Unionvale (that I crossed yesterday). "That's back when I was doin' martial arts," he growled. Big middle-aged black man in a dark blue suit. Got up after a while and said "Now that my spiritual belly is full, I can go home and sleep." She asked whether it got lonely riding alone, and said she was going to Spain, Paris, and Italy next week with her boyfriend. "You'll be breakin' all our hearts when you leave, Kath," he said. I like that place, the farthest thing from fancy but the food is good and it feels like a real diner, not one of the modern imitations.

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7/25/09, Clove Valley-Chestnut Ridge-Lime Kiln (41.9 mi)

2009-07-25T10:04:00.000-07:00

One of the "this is why I bike" rides. Perfect weather, gorgeous scenery (hills, valleys, farms, streams), little to no traffic, felt good. No breaks except for a couple of 60 second stands. Down 3.5 lbs from waking weight after the ride (I'm sure it's back up close to it now).

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7/24/09, Short village loop (8.2 mi)

2009-07-25T05:39:00.000-07:00

But still that climb back up Mt. Tom...

Wheel fixed and new kevlar back tire, we'll see how long til next broken spoke. Two so far this season.

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7/19/09, Around the village and back (13.1 mi)

2009-07-19T12:04:00.000-07:00

On J's mountain bike. More of a thigh workout than the road bike but otherwise fine. Gorgeous weather. Some rumor that 2 or 3 of us might do the Amenia bike trail later.

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7/17/09, Wingdale and back in the rain (19.7 mi)

2009-07-17T14:24:00.000-07:00

Had to wait out a thunderstorm under an awning in Wingdale, broke a spoke, got completely drenched on the way back. Remembered again that once you're wet, it doesn't matter that much if you keep getting rained on... but not the most enjoyable.

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7/16/09, Village and back, then Pleasant Ridge / West Dover (27.9 mi)

2009-07-16T14:23:00.000-07:00

Warm and humid. Long climb up Pleasant Ridge. Working off the curried noodles.

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7/13/09 Workday loop (12.0 mi, ~45 min) *

2009-07-13T16:50:00.000-07:00

With a couple of stops in the village, treated to a Mckinney & Doyle cookie by a staffer. Never thought before to ride through Trinity Pawling and down Westmont to avoid that stretch of 22.

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7/12/09, Towners-Sherman-Webatuck loop (37.1 mi, approx 3 hours)

2009-07-12T12:00:00.000-07:00

The biggest salvo yet in the 2009 anti-belly campaign. Perfect weather, some headwind when heading west.

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7/11/09 - Sands Point/Plandome/Roslyn/Pt. Washington, 23.4 mi, 1h50m

2009-07-11T20:48:00.000-07:00

Some of these streets are guesses, took some little roads in the Sands Point / Manorhaven area.

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7/5/09, Tom Tom Loop (26 mi)

2009-07-05T13:53:00.000-07:00

With J, longest ride he's done yet. He did great. Kind of hot in the sun but gorgeous out. Long break for excellent bagels and cool drinks at Tom Tom Bagel Club in Brewster, then stopping for a gear adjustment at Pawling Cycle & Sport. The big long climb home didn't faze the "zombie".

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6/19/09 -- Wolverton-Open Univ (UK), ~14 mi r/t, 2 30 min rides

2009-07-04T11:49:00.000-07:00

Forgot about this one, biked to and from the Open U, Milton Keynes, GB w/Simon. Milton Keynes has a huge bike path network, this map is just an approximation.

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7/4/09, Denton Lake Loop (doubling back through village 2x), 21.5 mi, about 1hr45min

2009-07-04T11:37:00.000-07:00

Good ride with Pak, remained fat but not old/slow. Now that all the parties and celebrations are over maybe I can stop pigging out. Lost 3 lbs (temporarily) on the ride. Took coffee/english muffin break at Mckinney & Doyle.

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7/3/09, S. Quaker Hill Loop (17.6 mi, 1h20m) *

2009-07-04T08:02:00.000-07:00

Got rained on a bit, but no matter, it was a beautiful ride. Felt neither old nor slow, but still fat. Gotta ride more, I will get out today also.

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Quaker Hill loop (17.7 mi, about 1 hr 40 min) *

2009-06-15T05:42:00.000-07:00

I felt heavy, fat, and slow, but got up all the hills. Got to get out more.

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Wingdale diner loop (23.2 mi, w/Pak)

2009-05-26T04:17:00.000-07:00

Been a while since my last ride, but got out with Pak yesterday for 2.5 hours (including coffee break at Rte. 22 Diner in Wingdale). Perfect, gorgeous spring weather.

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Denton Lake / Mooney Hill Rd. Loop (14.8 mi) *

2009-05-03T07:58:00.000-07:00

Gorgeous spring weather, on the cool side so perfect for biking. Took Larry's recommendation to follow Denton Lake Rd., which sutured together something I'd wondered about for 17 years (where that other fork from Mooney Hill Rd. goes).

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Wingdale diner loop (20.1 mi, w/J)

2009-03-29T04:25:00.000-07:00

Headwind all the way back. Good corn muffin at the Route 22 Diner.

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Semi-Quaker Hill Loop (18.2 miles, approx 1h15m)

2009-03-22T14:41:00.000-07:00

Beautiful but kind of cold and windy.

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First 5 rides of the season

2009-03-15T14:40:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday, close-in loop 6.4 mi (w/J)

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Today, Wingdale loop.

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In Holland 2 weeks back:

Delft-den Haag, 18.8km

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Delft-Rotterdam, 28.2km

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Around Amsterdam (map is only approximate!), maybe 15km in all

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8/30/08: Patterson/Whaley Lake Loop * (15 mi, 1 hr 10 min )

2008-08-30T15:41:00.000-07:00

...with some extras (note the map shows me doubling back -- helped link two pair of AT hikers who had gotten separated and couldn't find each other).

Wanted to do a short ride today in prep for a possible 80+ miler to Red Hook and back tomorrow or Monday.

584 miles to date.

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8/29/08, Pleasant Ridge-Sherman Loop (31.3 mi, 2 hr 20 min)

2008-08-29T14:14:00.001-07:00

First time doing this route. And, finally got decent bike jersey (first ever non-Tshirt, real jersey in 27 years of serious riding), shorts, sunglasses, and new sunglasses-mirror (from Pawling Cycle and Sport). Felt very aerodynamic and spiffy.

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Wed. 8/27/08, Quaker Ridge Loop * (22 mi / 90 min)

2008-08-29T11:07:00.000-07:00

Strongest I've felt all year, even was able to power up the final Harmony Hill Rd. / Mt. Tom Rd. combination all the way to the top. I'm wondering if it was the red meat had at Mom's house on Tues night and Wed lunch, first time in months.

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8/24/08: Sherman-Wingdale Loop (31.3 miles / 2.5 hours)

2008-08-24T15:10:00.000-07:00

Including the infamous Kirby Hill Rd., 5 min of barely turning the chainrings in lowest gear.

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8/21/08: Birch Hill / Quaker Hill Loop (18.6 mi / about 1:45)

2008-08-24T15:08:00.000-07:00

Really a tough climb the last half mile or so of Birch Hill Rd. up from 22.

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466 miles so far this season

2008-08-17T15:08:00.001-07:00

So I don't have to calculate it again from the beginning.

Sun. 8/17/08, Millbrook-Dover Plains (50 miles, 4 hours)

2008-08-17T14:44:00.000-07:00

With a few breaks. Had a delicious raspberry scone fresh out of the oven at the Best Creations Bakery in Millbrook, the baker said she had picked the berries in her own garden.

Longest ride so far this year. Perfect day, gorgeous weather.

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Kind of a funny story:

I passed an older rider south of Dover, about here. He was wearing a Siena (Italy) jersey, with a white beard. I greeted him, passed him by and rode on another few miles. Then I saw him again here. He was stopped and looking at a map. I kind of wondered how he had gotten ahead of me, but I don't know that area so well and figured he took some straighter road and passed me. So I rode by him, and rode on a bit farther. I sat down to take a short rest on the steps of the Wingdale Library. He rode up after a
while, and stopped at the intersection of NY 22 and 55 there to look at a map. He looked a bit puzzled so I rode up and asked him if he needed directions anywhere, and he said "to Pawling!", so I offered to ride with him for a while as I was also going that way. We rode together for a few miles along West Dover Road (a beautiful ride), talking. After a while I asked him how he got ahead of me, if he had taken some straighter road, and he said he had no idea since didn't know the area at all. So I jokingly asked him if he had a twin brother wearing the same jersey. He said yes, one of his friends that looks kind of like him was in the same group and in fact wearing the same Siena jersey! So it was in fact two completely different people.

Sun 8/10/08, Quaker Ridge Ride (21 mi / 2 hrs)

2008-08-17T06:44:00.001-07:00

Left this out last week.

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Sat. 8/16/08, Extended local loop (10.5 mi, 1 hr)

2008-08-17T06:42:00.000-07:00

Waited out a couple of rainstorms and it got late in the day (did this around 6pm), but a nice ride anyway.

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