A Ride On The Conservation Trail

I've been having a hard time getting motivated to ride the past couple of weeks. So, I decided it was time to mix it up a little. Plus, the bugs are gone from the forests. I took the Giro, with the knobby tires on it, out on the conservation trail which is a rails trail that goes between Newfields and Manchester.  I started at the Halls Mill Road entrance in Newfields and rode 10 miles towards Manchester. This was a lunchtime ride, and I think I was in Fremont or Raymond when I turned around to get back home. I must say it was the most fun I've had riding in the past few weeks. The Giro handled the trail very nicely. The trail is in pretty good shape now, but there are some very bumpy spots, which may be due to horses riding on the trail. I did wish for some suspension in those areas, but they were brief. The trail does cross a number of roads in the Epping area, and does end up pretty close to a few backyards. Most of the trail is a nice ride through southern New Hampshire forests.

The Halls Mill Road Entrance

In the Epping Area

 

 

Route 101 in the background

Newfields, near Route 87

Newfields, near Route 87, looking East

Kingston Ride

I am happy to say that we are not getting the snow that the Midwest is. I rode a little over 100 miles between last Friday and Tuesday, with the temperatures being pleasant. On Sunday, I rode west past Kingston and out to Hampstead. Kind of a test ride to see what it would be like to ride Route 111 to work. It was a nice ride and I think I'll do some more exploring on that side of Route 125, which is a pain to cross.

I stopped at the Kingston Common to take some pictures of spring.

Dinotte 300R and a Bentup Bag

After a long hiatus, I thought I'd start this up again.

It has been a cold and windy spring of 2013, and today continued that trend. Although not too cold, but still in the mid 50's at the end of April. I did get my first 30+ mile ride of the year in today. I went out Drinkwater Road on my way to Hampton Falls. It did get noticeably cooler as I got closer to the coast, especially with the fairly strong wind coming from the East.

I did stop to take a picture at one of those places I always just ride past because it is so close to home.

 

End of Watson Road

You may notice the new Bentup Cycles bag on the Aero. It has a sleeker look and can hold two water bottles. Now I can ride the Aero without using a bladder for the water. I am still having a little trouble with reaching the water bottle. I am one of the more challenged people when it comes to flexibility. The bag tends to slip down lower when loaded because it has an opening on the top for a headrest.

Bentup bag lower on the seat

I tried using some velcro to hold it up higher, but the velcro didn't hold and slipped down. I will continue playing with it. That extra inch or so higher makes it much easier for me to get to the water bottle.

Higher on the seat

While riding in last years Granite State Wheelmen Century, I noticed a tail light up ahead that made all the other tail lights appear dim. I caught up to the rider and of course it was a Dinotte light. I have been aware of the superior brightness of the Dinotte lights for years, but the price and the fact that they use external batteries always made me decide not to buy one. After seeing the light on the century, it made me decide to get one. Plus they had come out with the 300R which has the battery built in. It is still pretty expensive, but a driver will have to be very distracted to not notice me on the road now. The light comes with a plethora of mounting hardware. I have been using a PVC T fitting mounted in the loop on the back of my bags. This has worked well with the 300R also. I add a tie wrap, just for a little extra security. In case something wiggles loose. The 300R has a quick release to remove it, for charging via a USB cable. I've been running it in slow flash mode and the charge has been great. I charge it every 2 or 3 weeks. Perhaps that will increase when my riding picks up during the summer, but I doubt I will have to charge it more frequently than once every 10 days or so.

300R on PVC fitting