December 24, 2012

Christmas Eve Ride


Merry Christmas to my internet friends and readers, et joyeux noel à mes lecteurs et amis en France.


Today offered moderate for winter (30F or -1C) temperatures, with the sun sometimes peeking out and no wind. I've barely been outside on the bike this December, and wanted to get a ride in before the month is gone. What better to do on Christmas Eve but go for a little spin. There wasn't a lot of spare time, so I rode down the main road to Becket and back.



20 miles, 1600 feet of climbing, and me thinking, while climbing the first hill, that nothing trains you for climbing hills like climbing hills does. Despite my twice weekly indoor riding and strength training, the first little hill still felt like a hill. Then I noticed that my speed was somewhat higher than usual. Hmmm, perhaps, hopefully, a case of it-doesn't-get-easier-it just-gets-faster. That would be nice.



There isn't much snow, and there are lots of turkeys evident in the woods, and in last summer's vegetable garden. We're seeing the usual coyote track, and yesterday there were clear, unmistakable moose track in the snow.

The "rodeo ranch" in Becket appears to have more horses on the property than I usually see. Perhaps they are boarded there for the winter.

A short ride, and chilly, but very nice to be out on the bike!

10 comments:

  1. Joyeux noel, Suze! A very picturesque ride, indeed.

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    1. Hi Steve! This is the major time of the year that I miss your part of the world and metropolitan DC...so Merry Christmas there, and if you go looking at lights in the city take a peek for me! Suze

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  2. Hey Suze,

    I didn't know you lived near there! I'll be heading up to Pittsfield later on!

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    1. Hey Ashley! Thanks for commenting ... I've been to your site a little, I think through coffeeneuring. You are near Boston? If you have time when you come to Pittsfield and want a (slow, I think you race) ride in the hills, I live nearby, it would be fun to show off our back roads..just drop an email or comment!

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  3. Merry Christmas - enjoy the rides into the New Year

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    1. Hey Georgie, thanks! And Merry Christmas, Happy New Year's and many good rides to you! I tried to email you probably a few weeks ago, about the photo site, did you receive it? Anyway, I loved your image there!

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  4. Riding in snow...sort of. I don't have many good excuses not to get out then. Happy holidays!

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    1. It is, as you say, only sort of snow. So long as there is no ice on the roads, it's ok. I'd say you have the best of excuses ... more efficient training indoors, and better weather arriving in the near future.

      Happy holidays to you also!

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  5. How cool is that - seeing moose trails and wild turkeys!
    Wishing you wonderful cycling in 2013.
    Bon fin d'annee.

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    1. Hi Steph,
      I thought of you when I went out this morning, because we have about 14" of snow, and last summer's garden is now totally hidden. So, you ask why did that bring you to mind? Because you have (or had) no snow. A swap from last year when you had lots and us ... rien.

      Happy New Years to you and your famiy also!
      Suze

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