Monday, September 8, 2008

Connecticut, the new Iowa?

It was really difficult to ride on the bike path! Photo credit to Bill Owens of Granville, MA.

So, Johanna and I went for a ride yesterday. It was a very nice one and a very nice day. Since I think mapmyride is cool, I mapped it on there. I was surprised to learn that in 60 miles, we had an altitude change of only 850 or so feet (~425 up and ~425 down). I realized that there weren't any long climbs, but I have to admit that I'm a little surprised. I must have found the secret flattest route in the state. I didn't realize that I was such a wuss.

Also, the dreaded sand is returning to the Capitol/Bushnell Park path.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

What time were you out riding yesterday? I passed several riders on Mountain Rd in Suffield yesterday afternoon... I wonder if it might have been you.

As far as the sand behind the LOB... it was great while it lasted but I guess that's what 5+ inches of rain in 4 hours will do.

Brendan said...

I was probably on mountain road around 3:45. beard, gray helmet, gray shirt, ugly-green bike

Karma said...

I've seen you climb, I wouldn't call you a wuss, not at all. You just happened to put together a route that avoided the major steeps in the area. By staying in the valley you managed to log some good miles without killing yourself, a nice relaxing ride. If you did that same length route and headed Northwest out towards Barkhamsted or Riverton it'd be a very different elevation profile, as fortunately Connecticut is no Iowa. Must have been a gorgeous day for a spin. Stupid work.

Brendan said...

Nah, definitely a wuss.

But, I've decided that if I stick to riding in river valleys with no hills, I can probably ride like 200 miles in day.

Karma said...

Well if you were crying and complaining the whole time then perhaps you are yes. I wasn't there so I can't accurately argue your toughness.

Anonymous said...

Last year I was in Piedmont with a bike group and we had a lady from New York who was agoraphobic- exclusively on downhills. She coasted on the valley and was so diligent on those pre-Alpine uphills! But when she got to the apex she would patiently wait for the Sag wagon to accompany her downhill as she couldn't stand the altitude, not to mention the speed and cold wind on the descent. It goes to show, everyone is different and there ain't no shame in the valley..Yours truly,
a devoted Conn valley girl bike commuter

Karma said...

I also like the climb better than the descent, but not because I am agoraphobic or even acrophobic. I just like hills.

Anonymous said...

yikes acrophobic huh? I think I'm etymologyphobic

Brendan said...

It could be agoraphobic. Spaces seem more open when you're going faster.

Karma said...

The basic definition is a fear of unknown places, people, things, and if you are moving faster (as on a downhill) there are a lot more of those things happening per second. Scary indeed.

Brendan said...

what about those of us who are angoraphobic? what happens to us on hills?!

Karma said...

I'd say if said hill leads down into a rabbit farm you'd be in pretty big trouble.

Billy Hoyle said...

Hey man I've got a soft spot for Iowa. There are much flatter places. The rolling hills of Iowa are great for bicycling. Go Grinnell.

Brendan said...

no one said anything bad about iowa! my dad lived in iowa for awhile and I like my dad.