Saturday, August 28, 2010

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.

Thursday, August 26, 2010

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.

Saturday, August 21, 2010

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.

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Lung Assoc. Seeks Recreational Breathers

The New England chapter of the American Lung Association is out to recruit cyclists. There were a dozen of these signs in Lexington and Bedford today.

Bedford Depot Park

At Hartwell Avenue an oncoming bicyclist asked if I were still blogging. I had time only to say "yes" as we crossed in opposite directions, but I'll take this opportunity to point out the buttons near the bottom of this page for following or subscribing.

Today: 13 miles. This year: 683.5 miles.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Foam

Monday evening was breezy enough to raise some chop on Spy Pond. I walked with my wife through Spy Pond Park, parallel to the bike path, and we wondered at the foam along the water's edge. It reminded us of the problems caused by high-phosphate detergents when we were in junior high school, back in the day. But a check with my Facebook friends produced a natural explanation: tannins, probably from the many nearby oaks. One friend who's an avid hiker tells me he's often seen the effect in unpolluted mountain streams.

Spy Pond, Arlington

Today: 13 miles. This year: 670.5 miles.

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Yield

Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 85, Section 11B, says "A person operating a bicycle on the sidewalk shall yield the right of way to pedestrians and give an audible signal before overtaking and passing any pedestrian." These stickers just appeared at locations along the trail in Lexington.

East of Bedford Street, Lexington

 

Today: 14 miles. This year: 595 miles.

Sunday, August 1, 2010

New Helmet

Did you know you're supposed to replace your helmet every five years? Me neither. I wondered about helmet life as I was re-gluing the Velcro attachment tabs in my old helmet this morning. Now the old one's in the trash and a new one's ready to use.