Bike29: Grinder

This morning started off grey, cold and blustery. I had already made plans to ride a loop that I had planned in my head today. I was not feeling happy about it, but I was going to ride even if it killed me. I knew I had Dave in, he is always good for a punishing ride, but I was pretty surprised when Ian called and asked to join.

There is an old saying here, that if'n you don't like the weather here in Vermont, wait 5 minutes. Well by the time we gathered and pushed off on our ride, it was blue bird, and warming up well into the 40s.

The route took us from Waterbury along the Winooski River to Jonesville, where we turned and went up and over the mountain (403 ft in .8miles) into Huntington. The loop we did was about 11 miles, and put us back on the Winooski, where we headed back the way we came. We had a decent head wind on our way out, but once we made the big climb the sun was beating down on us, and thankfully, we had a good tail wind on the way back. We managed to dodge a grader on the way back. There is nothing worse than pedalling on freshly graded road in mud season. It's like riding in wet cement.

It ended up being about a 32 mile ride. You can see a close approxiamtion of the ride here.

Here are some shots of the ride.
Enjoy!

Mt. Mansfield from the south west.

Gillen Pond.

Sugaring in Huntington. Obscured by clouds on the left is Camel's Hump.

Huntigton Gorge. It seems like someone dies here every year. The currents that shoot through this chute pin unsuspecting bathers underwater. Often, the bodies are never recovered. Amazingly people still choose to swim here.

Ian getting chased down by a hungry grader. Apparently, it had a hankering for some 26" wheels. Davey and I were able to roll away with ease on our large wheels.