Trail Clearing in Lexington: A Day Later

Thursday's work to clear the trail brought it down almost to the pavement. You can cycle in these conditions, with snow tires, if you really want to. And it seems a few people do.

West from Bow Street, Lexington

Bicycle track near Bow Street

Trail Clearing in Lexington

They're working on it. Where they haven't arrived yet, there's plenty of snow.

Behind Mal's, east of Bow Street

Looking east from Fottler Avenue

Clear from Lexington Center to Bedford Depot Park

The trail was very nice today, just a little nippy around the fingers and ears. Fingers were warm after two miles, ears took longer. Conditions were generally clear from Lexington Center (milepost VI) out to Bedford Depot Park (milepost X), where the plowing ends with a frozen snowbank at the parking lot ramp.

Between Westview Street and Wiggins Avenue

At Bedford Depot Park

Tophet Swamp

Today: 8 miles. This year: 8 miles.

1/1/11: All wet

Happy new year, everybody! I'm recycling last year's resolutions, hoping against medical interruption this time.

While the trail is plowed all through Lexington, the snowbanks on each side keep in the meltwater. The trail is all wet this weekend and sure to be icy after the temperature falls again on Monday.

Lexington Center approaching Meriam Street

Training Run / Looking Like Fall / Touring 6211

A Boston Fit training run brought unusual crowds to the trail this morning. The trainees had the good sense to run singly or in small groups, limiting congestion. I saw refreshment stations at Hurd Field (Arlington Heights) and near Fletcher Avenue (Lexington Center). Basement cat presided at the latter.

Near Fletcher Avenue, Lexington

Last week's rain after the dry summer covered the trail in dead leaves, creating an autumnal appearance in August.

Near Valley Road, Lexington

I'm always at Bedford Depot Park early in the morning, so I've never seen Budd car 6211 open for inspection.  My wife and I walked part of the Bedford Narrow Gauge Rail Trail today, then toured 6211 and the Freight House at the park.

At Bedford Depot Park

Today: 10.5 miles. This year: 740.4 miles.

Just Damp

I hoped today's sunshine, breeze, and warmth would clear the whole week's rain off the trail by noontime. This was close enough to true for me to skate from Lexington Center to Arlington Center, scattering acorns and sliding across wet leaves. I'd call it about three-quarters clear, one quarter messy, and nowhere actually obstructed.

Today: 9.4 miles. This year: 716.9 miles.

Update: Friday morning, the wind has wafted away the widespread wetness, leaving only a few puddles. Sticks, leaves, and acorns continue unabated.

Lexington Patch: Bikeway Signage Improvements

An article on Lexington Patch today discusses trail/street crossing safety and coming signage improvements. I'm just shaking my head at the cyclists who keep their helmets on their handlebars.

Today: 11 miles. This year: 707.5 miles.