Pre-ride GRSF

In the "old days" I rode dual sport bikes in the Georgetown-Rowley State Forest. Then they banned them. I have been back to the forest infrequently since then. Doing map recon though, it seems that there are trails that lead all the way through the GRSF and into Willowdale State Forest and into the Ipswitch Wildlife Sanctuary. I have wanted to try this out as a hike, but that never happened. So, I got the bright idea that I would try it as a ride. I went out to pre-ride some of it today and I was appalled. The forest has received almost no trail maintenance at all, unless you count countless pile of horse crap as maintenance! The trails that were there, for the most part, are gone. The main road is overgrown and no longer a road. It's a trail, The trails that were there before are mostly gone and grown over or swamped out. It's a shame really. With all that you hear about how ATVs and dirt bike destroy the land, it turns out that the only things keeping the land open for the other users were the ATVs and dirt bikes!

Deep Sea Fishing!

I went out for the first time ever today! Out of 30 or so people we scored 8-9 keeper Scup, Hadoc, Poluck and Cod. And two dozen or more Dogfish! A LOT of them. A couple of beers and some Sunburn and call it a day. Pretty proud of my Little Girl who was "doing it all on her own".

Legs Hurt today

Guess 8 miles with an extra 30 pounds is a good start.

Just me and the Boy

We expanded on yesterday's ride. 7.7 miles in 90 degree heat and humidity. We saw two beavers, on in the water one out of  the water. We also saw a weasel, two bunnies and a whole bunch of birds. We watched the Newburport bridge open up for a big sailboat to go through. At the end of it all, he was fighting to keep his helmet on! He LOVED the ride.

The Longest Ride

 So, after a Winter of sitting in the garage, untouched, I attempted to take the 820 out for a spin only to realize that it wouldn't shift right, the back wheel wouldn't turn and the chain was off. This is the only bike that I have set up for general purpose duty and child carrying. With the trout stocked and stripers running as well as work all my other hobbies clamoring for my time, the bike never got fixed. Finally, this last week, I took a wrench and some chain lube to the trusty 820 and got her in running shape again. It just so happens that this is the kick off for The Tour , so of course all I want to ride is the road bike! The baby seat is attached to the 820 though so it was that that I took out, with baby, on Friday evening. The Boy loved it.

It was his first time in the seat this year, and the second ever I think. We had, and still have, a little trailer for him last year. I love pulling that thing along and he loves riding in it. However, despite "knowing" better, I "feel" that it is a little wide for dragging behind me on city streets and wanted to try the baby seat this year. To make a long story short, the Boy loves that seat. I had to fight with him to get him off the bike at the end of the ride! And I was exhausted by then too! In those few miles it was clear to me that i have NOT been cycling enough this year. So we went out again today. Only this time I thought that I'd have my 11 year old peddling along as well.

We went over to the Eastern Marsh Trail  in Salisbury and set off. I could tell right away that her seat was too low, and I had to pump her tires up from nearly flat but she took off like a bat out of hell! After going up and back, she was exhausted and even gave me the "I'm going to die" speech. She made it though! About three miles: the longest bike ride she's even been on. I am quite proud of her for it. I think she did well and am anxious to see how she hangs now that her seat is adjusted better. I hope she lets me take her on another ride tomorrow! The Boy, on the other hand was not peddling, so he had quite the nice time, other than when we were stopped for some thing or other. He got a little antsy then and was eager to be back underway. I am pleasantly surprised at how well he transitioned from trailer to seat and that Trek 820 is the BEST $60 that I ever spent (other than my sixty dollar P-Bass). It was a great family cycle outing and I can not wait to do it again!