Up Hill

Yesterday I had to leave the comfort of Uphill very early and head out to central Connecticut for a trade show and then out to Long Island for a meeting this morning. Rather than face I 95, the bridge and the LIE in afternoon rush hour, I took the ferry from Bridgeport to Port Jefferson. The weather was great and I arrive on the Island rested and relaxed. I wish I brough a bike, It would have been nice to explore a bit of the north shore.

After reading a very good and well written report of the Putnam and Westchester trailway system, I have been hoping to give it a ride. Yesterday morning I met a good friend and co-worker at the unfinished parking lot at the intersection of Tilly Foster Road and State Rte. 6. This parking lot is the northern terminus of the Putnam County Rail Trail. I have to say that for the most part I find rail trails to be crowded, boring and uneventful. This trailway system is, by far, the most interesting and fun rail corridor that I have ridden. For example…. How many Rail trails need to post a warning sign like this? Well I, for one, want to ride THAT train! We rode on down the trail to the point where it changes over to the Northern County trailway where we had a good cup of coffee at the new Starbuckish clone that will not be in business long if they continue to serve stale croissants. After a short business meeting over the coffee and marginal pastry, we continued south. I think one of the n...

I have been packing on the miles this week…unfortunately not on the bike. I do like the cooler temps though and have been getting in a hour or so most days. Last Saturday, I went out for a very enjoyable ride out to Turkey Hill and on to Red Hook via Spring Lake. It was a perfect day and all went well till I got back to Germantown. I was within a half mile of home when …BANG, tic tic tic….I ran over a roofing nail. The nail popped the rear tube but continued to stick in the tire for a couple revolutions, whacking the brake caliper as it passed. Being so close, I walked the bike back home. As I came in sight of the driveway, I see the mailman at the box, shoving a package in with the assorted fliers and credit card offers. It is funny how things work out, within minutes of blowing my worn out rear tire, the new tire I won on eBay shows up in the mail. This new tire is a Kevlar armored model and should last a couple thousand more miles. The old tire made it just short of 1800 miles and m...

Wow...I see that it has been a week since I posted. We were in renovation mode here at Up Hill this week, the roofer finally decided to show up after I hounded him for most of the summer. He started stripping the shingles Tuesday and noontime here on Friday he was putting the cap on and his helper is cleaning up. This was a job that was due but could not come at a worst time as we just paid tuition, local school taxes and our car is on it's last legs. The new roof looks nice and I , somewhat morbidly, realise that I will not need to replace it again. My work has me running back and forth to the Connecticut shore so I've spent hours in the truck. I did win (ebay,$15.25) a brand new Specialized "all conditions" kevlar folder to replace my worn out rear tire. It will match the front and I can continue to roll on through the fall.

I thought I posted this last night....one too many Sam Adams? The past few days are all about whether or not you will run out of water or pass out before you complete the evening ride. I am just skipping it altogether tonight and drinking beer instead. I am going ride in the early dawn before work….at least that is the deal I’ve made with myself. Today work had me down in the woods of Fairfield County and it was hot, sticky, bug infested misery. The kid is doing great and I feel much better about that. The weather forecast calls for cooler temps for the holiday weekend and I hope to pack on some miles. I notice that it is going to be rear tire time soon for the Surly, the cords are not quite showing yet. I had bought this discount pair of Specialized all condition wire beads last January and I guess I should not be disappointed with the nearly 2000 miles of no puncture flats this season. I think I paid 60 bucks for the pair. I do think I should at least replace the rear prior to settin...