Got Out for a Ride on Tuesday

[Tony C.]

Been doing some house projects and yard work. I hadn't got out for a ride in a while. Tuesday was forecast to be the best day in at least a week. So I took advantage and left the house about 10:30 for a ride.

I took back roads to the Country Store in Petersham. Lots of good color along the way except for some higher elevations. I had a burrito bowl with pulled pork. It was delicious. 

https://photos.app.goo.gl/SwPEVke7Hanw9Vq7A

After lunch, I took 122 W to 202 S to route 9 in Belchertown. Traffic on both routes was light. I putted along enjoying the views and the bright blue sky.

I took route 9 E to ride to the Quabbin. I stopped at the Enfield Overlook to take some pictures. The colors were pretty good. I could see that the water line was low because of the drought. The pictures show the sandy shore. Normally you can't see it.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/TgrYysd7nriF5NM56

https://photos.app.goo.gl/6g7NHia4bcMj8t156

From the Quabbin I headed east on route 9. I ran into serious construction traffic in West Brookfield. There's a couple of lane diversions and a stretch of packed dirt road. It appears to be a large project with the complete replacement of the east bound lane in Rock House Reservation Area.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/77w9GhAwcYqCMUWK9

After I cleared the construction, it was a nice ride on 9 W all the way to Leicester where I picked up 56 S. Next I got onto to 20 E to head towards home. The stretch of 20 between route 56 and close to Sheldon's HD in Auburn had been under construction for over a year. It's finished now and the road is in great shape.

[ybnorml]

Sure sounds like an enjoyable day Tony...

[GaryC]

Glad you got out Tony,  I haven't touch the bike in awhile either. 

[ybnorml]

Weather forecast for us the next 7 days shows mid 50s and mostly sunny...
Hope ya'll have similar or better....

[HayHauler]

Wow, great ride report Tony!  I have to admit that I rode to work yesterday and didn't even break a sweat on the way home!  Quite the accomplishment down here in the Houston area.

Thanks again for the report.

Hay 
Jimmyt

[Wall]

"I putted along,,," BAH HAHHAA. You've never "putted" anywhere.

[Tony C.]

Sure sounds like an enjoyable day Tony...

Thanks Terry! It was a good ride. 

[Tony C.]

Glad you got out Tony,  I haven't touch the bike in awhile either. 

We'll probably get a joint ride in before the end of the season. 

[Tony C.]

Wow, great ride report Tony!  I have to admit that I rode to work yesterday and didn't even break a sweat on the way home!  Quite the accomplishment down here in the Houston area.

Thanks again for the report.

Hay 
Jimmyt

Thanks Hay! You're riding season doesn't really end, does it? 

[Tony C.]

"I putted along,,," BAH HAHHAA. You've never "putted" anywhere.

Alright, I know you like to stir the pot!    Seriously though, I hope you had a good riding season. Based on your posts you've done some great rides. I'm glad we took a ride together early in the season. Let's try to get together more next season.

[HayHauler]

Wow, great ride report Tony!  I have to admit that I rode to work yesterday and didn't even break a sweat on the way home!  Quite the accomplishment down here in the Houston area.

Thanks again for the report.

Hay 
Jimmyt

Thanks Hay! You're riding season doesn't really end, does it? 

No, it really doesn't.  But, I really don't cherish riding in the "hair dryer" in the summer months down here.  The combo of temp and humidity really takes the smiles out of the miles.
We are currently in our 2 weeks of fall temps, heading straight for the winter months.

Glad you got out for a nice ride...

Hay 
Jimmyt

[Tony C.]

No, it really doesn't.  But, I really don't cherish riding in the "hair dryer" in the summer months down here.  The combo of temp and humidity really takes the smiles out of the miles.
We are currently in our 2 weeks of fall temps, heading straight for the winter months.

Glad you got out for a nice ride...

Hay 
Jimmyt

Yeah, we get days like that in July and August; usually no more than 3 to 5 days in a row. In 2023 we installed mini-splits for AC and supplemental heating if necessary. It was a game changer for us to survive the stifling summer heat.  On those hot days we usually head to the beach. 

[HayHauler]

No, it really doesn't.  But, I really don't cherish riding in the "hair dryer" in the summer months down here.  The combo of temp and humidity really takes the smiles out of the miles.
We are currently in our 2 weeks of fall temps, heading straight for the winter months.

Glad you got out for a nice ride...

Hay 
Jimmyt

Yeah, we get days like that in July and August; usually no more than 3 to 5 days in a row. In 2023 we installed mini-splits for AC and supplemental heating if necessary. It was a game changer for us to survive the stifling summer heat.  On those hot days we usually head to the beach. 

LOL.  Tony, it appears that our seasons are just the opposite of yours.  We get 3-5 days of below freezing temps down here and the whole city shuts down.  Folks don't know how to drive in normal weather conditions, and don't even mention SNOW!! 
Schools shut down, government offices shut down, and only grocery and big box stores stay open.

No riding for these 3-5 days either. 

Hay 
Jimmyt

[Hook#3287]

"From the Quabbin I headed east on route 9. I ran into serious construction traffic in West Brookfield. There's a couple of lane diversions and a stretch of packed dirt road. It appears to be a large project with the complete replacement of the east bound lane in Rock House Reservation Area."

That was started in summer of 2024 and is only 50% complete.  Last I was there they had rock hammers working both sides of the road.

That's a great area to putts around getting off the main routes and hitting the local roads.

The best is 32A out of Petersham to Hardwick.  Newly paved and light traffic.

Once you get to Hardwick, take a left to New Braintree, over to Paxton then south to rt 9.

I'm sure your well acquainted with those roads.

Another route I like is on the west side of 202, through Wendell, Shutesbury, Pelham and skirting Amherst, then over to Belchertown.

Lot's a good old New England roads and towns to visit.  We live in a good bike area where the weather isn't always good but the riding is.

[Tony C.]

The best is 32A out of Petersham to Hardwick.  Newly paved and light traffic.

Once you get to Hardwick, take a left to New Braintree, over to Paxton then south to rt 9.

I'm sure your well acquainted with those roads.

Another route I like is on the west side of 202, through Wendell, Shutesbury, Pelham and skirting Amherst, then over to Belchertown.

Lot's a good old New England roads and towns to visit.  We live in a good bike area where the weather isn't always good but the riding is.

Hey Hook. Good to hear from ya!

At least once per season I ride 32A south from Petersham into Hardwick. I agree, it's a great road. I usually don't take it all the was to 32. Instead I take a left onto Barre Road by Mimi's Coffee House and follow it to the Old Furnace General Store on 32. It's a short but beautiful ride. I cross 32 and continue eastbound on Hardwick Road through New Braintree and into Oakham to route 122 S. That's a beautiful ride, too.

Regarding the route 202 ride you mentioned, Gary and I did that ride this past June. In part that ride was inspired by a post you made on another board about having lunch at McCarthy's Pub in Belchertown. Gary and I had a good lunch there. After lunch, we continued our ride south into CT on some very curvy roads. Details are at this link.

https://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,131488.0.html

I completely agree with your statement "Lot's a good old New England roads and towns to visit.  We live in a good bike area where the weather isn't always good but the riding is."