May 24, 2007
Southington, CT to Travelers Woods Campground, Berdnardson, MA
It was a great day for cycling.
There was one last commitment to complete before starting the ride. I chair the Planning Committee of MidState Medical Center. The hospital has a lot on its plate maintaining it’s stature as a progressive up to date provider of care to the communities it serves. My service has been very rewarding over the years. Motivated professional staff and volunteers have worked very hard over the years to meet the mission of the hospital. As chair it is part of my job to keep meetings on target and on time. This morning I had an additional incentive to see that the 7:30 to 9:00 AM time frame was adhered to. Karen who was the main presenter usually presents material on a crisp and concise basis. Today she was extra crisp and concise as she knew that I was leaving on this trip. We covered the entire agenda and finished 25 minutes early. It would have been a half hour but Karen said to me on the way out “but you (I) kept asking questions”.
I have ridden the route to Greenfield a number of times. The first was in June of 1992 when my
twin sons graduated from High School and we celebrated with a three day ride to Vermont along with
my younger brother, and nephew. That was my first ever multi day ride. It was a credit card camping
affair as we carried little extra stuff. It was a trip that I will always remember especially the
nasty climb up Rt. 30 in Vermont, and the parade that we became part of, complete with parade watchers
cheering us, as we rode through through Brattleboro, VT.
New meaning for "Old Paint"-
It was a perfect day for starting a tour. Temps in the 70’s in the AM and in the 80’s in the afternoon. Most of the day there was not a cloud in the sky. The light winds were out of the SSW and helped push me along the mostly flat ride up route 10 to Northampton, MA. I have been listing to French tapes trying to learn some of the basics as we will be in Quebec Province for a good part of the trip. Riding alone to Northampton I was hearing phrases in French that I have been listening a lot when I was driving around the last couple of weeks. If I only knew what they mean!
Meeting Denny in Northampton
I met Denny in the center of Northampton. He rode from Machaug, MA and left around 7:30 this AM. He knew I was leaving later so he took a leisurely ride and got in Northampton about an hour or so before me. He found a nice shady spot and waited for me to arrive. I called him on his cell when I arrived and there was no answer. I think he was taking a nap. I called again and he came over to where I was. It is good to ride with someone on a trip like this and Denny has done a lot of hiking on the Appalachian Trail. I’ll bet I’ll learn a few tricks about camping in the next three weeks.
Our ride together to north of Greenfield where we are staying Denny lined up. In fact he lined up the place we are camping tomorrow night too. I told him tonight that he is in charge of the route. I like that so I have less responsibility. I pulled it on Nick in the cross country ride in 2005 so I figured I’d try it again.
Travelers Woods is a nice place with green grass and a bunch of mosquitoes. I guess there are a lot of misquotes everywhere, but it really stands out when you are camping. We got here around 7:00, cooked dinner, set up camp and took showers. I am in my tent typing this log entry. There is a nice moon in the sky, the weather is cool, and I am nice and comfy.
It was a great day for cycling.
Jim
Cycledog (Ride the extra mile!!)
