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

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)

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

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

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

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

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

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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