First Ride of 2026

[Tony C.]

Starting this past Saturday, we've had an amazing amount of snow melt. I've been hearing bikes go by for the last couple of days. When I was doing errands in the car yesterday I realized the roads were in good shape for riding. So today was the day.  

I charged the battery yesterday to full. And this morning I dug the bike out of the back of the garage and brought both tires up to the proper air pressure. I was on my way by about 11 and temps were already in the 60s.

I decided to go to the Sunshine Cafe in Clinton for lunch. I took all back roads to route 70 in Boylston and then headed east to Clinton. No salt on roads and I was able to avoid most of the melt water and pot holes by riding the center lane and crossing the yellow line into the opposite lane when it was safe. I arrived at the Cafe and found it closed. They changed their hours and are now closed TUE and WED. So I headed west on route 62 to the Sterling Ice Cream Bagel shop. Had an excellent garlic bagel with ham, egg and cheddar cheese.

After lunch I was back on 62 W to 140 N. Temps were mostly in the 70s until I got close to Wachusett Mountain Ski Area. I took a left onto Mountain road and passed by the bunny slope. Folks were skiing and snowboarding.

I followed Mountain Road to Princeton center, then I was back on 62 E to 140 S to back roads for the ride home. The highest temperature I saw on the gauge was 75. Pretty great considering the WX the last few weeks!

I stopped on the way home to take a picture of the bike by Wachusett Reservoir along route 140. The ride total was 81 miles. Great day!  

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Dqo7eGst7ssxjCB76

[GaryC]

Awesome Tony! Day one and you are already ahead of me for miles. 

[Tony C.]

Awesome Tony! Day one and you are already ahead of me for miles. 

[ybnorml]

A great day to get out and stretch your legs Tony....
We still have a lot of melt running across the roads...Salt and sodium chloride, not to mention gigantic potholes....

[RickT2004]

Deb had complete knee replacement so I am a little behind. I hope to get the wing out of the garage next week.