I think the colder temperatures this morning kept the group size down – the thermometer was below 32° when I left home, and all the puddles were covered with ice. We set off with just three hardy souls – Jonathan B, Chris, and I. We were looking for something low-key and not too strenuous, so we basically ended up doing the Wednesday night route, up River Road in Hatfield, up Falls Road, past the Bookmill, over the hump, and back down 47.
Given the brisk winds out of the SSW, this might not have been the wisest course selection. We tore it up on the northbound leg (apart from a couple mechanicals from Jonathan, including an exploding front derailleur, expertly removed) , but after turning for home, the cold wind was brutal, and the pace dropped significantly. Chris split off to head back towards Belchertown on 116, and Jonathan and I fought the wind all the way down 47, where I split off to head home on Rocky Hill Road.
We finished with about 36 miles @ 17.5 mph, 1,600′ of climbing.
We’re going to push on into December, so dig out your cold-weather gear and join us next Saturday!
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