Epic Allergy Season

A runner coming towards me today had one hand on her jogging stroller, the other one holding a tissue to her nose. The next runner I passed going my way gave a little two-part throat-clearing cough with every breath. And these are the people who feel well enough to go out.

Ideal commuter location

Many homes adjoin the trail. Some have private access with their own gates, paths, or stairs. Only one home faces the trail and has a private crossing: 1359R Massachusetts Avenue in Lexington, now for sale.

1359R Mass. Ave., Lexington

Today: 8.5 miles. This year: 37.2 miles.

Trail Cleanup, Saturday April 30th

From the ABAC mailing list:

Mark your calendars - save the date!
Meet on the Bikeway - Don't be late!

Please join the Arlington Bicycle Advisory Committee in a spring cleanup of the Minuteman Bikeway in Arlington. The cleanup will take place on Saturday April 30 from 9:30am to 1:00pm. If it rains on Saturday, we will try Sunday at the same time.

We will first meet at the three locations listed below then fan out along the path; pick the location where you and your friends might like to work:

Arlington Heights, by the path by the Park Ave. Bridge.
Arlington Center, by the path at Water Street.
East Arlington, by the path at the Rt. 2 overpass near Thorndike Field.

Bring gloves if you have them. Trash bags will be provided.
For further information, contact Stephan Miller via email (steffmiller@mac.com) or by phone (781-641-2845).

Downhill downwind, uphill upwind.

Skating from Lexington Center to Mill Street in Arlington was a pleasure today, with the temperature in the 60s and the wind at my back. I stood and coasted like never before. Returning uphill and upwind? That was work.

The pavement was dryer today than yesterday, with snowbanks perishing rapidly in the heat. Most notable was the absence of yesterday's puddle crossing the Seasons Four driveway in Lexington.

Today: 8.7 miles. This year: 28.7 miles.

Weather perfect. Trail OK.

The anemic remains of this winter's epic snowbanks still dribble their waning moisture onto the trail. Small sticks are the most common litter on the trail today. I kicked up a few as I skated and heard them bounce behind me, sounding like pencils on the pavement.

East Lexington

Near Hartwell Avenue

Today: 12 miles. This year: 20 miles.

Slightly off-trail

It's been a tough winter for street furniture.

Along Mass. Ave., Arlington Heights

Far from clear

I crossed the trail behind Trader Joe's in Arlington Heights a couple of days ago. The stairs from Trader Joe's are meticulously clean from edge to edge, unlike the landing below with its narrow lane between ice banks. The trail itself is fully covered in hard-packed snow and ice. This might be the worst location in Arlington not to plow because the shade of the high wall preserves ice on the trail there after everything else has melted. Continuing across the trail, the Hurd Field parking lot is a wilderness of snow, ice, water, and seemingly random obstacles. My guess is that parked cars hindered plowing and led to the lot's sorry state.