We left Thursday for our fourth trip to the Berkshires with our friends. This is primarily a cycling (and eating) trip, but this year we added some variation. We stayed at the Lakeside B & B in Otis, MA, across the street from the largest recreational lake in the state. This is part of the Tolland State Forest. Although this location is a little further away from eating and shopping and where we start some of our rides, it was really nice!
After eating lunch at the Otis Poultry Farm (mmmm), we took our canoe out on the lake. We just don't use it enough. Our friends rented a canoe and followed us across the lake, to a small beach where we swam. Since it was not the weekend, there weren't too many jet skis out. I can't really understand why people love those things, but anyway, it was a good upper body workout and I think we rowed about about 3 miles. After a great Mexican food dinner and sangria, we went to bed, to get ready for our adventure to meet Lisa (Bleeker St. Girl) for lunch on Friday. We started out from Great Barrington around 10 AM, on a sunny day, with fairly low humidity. There were some clouds, but compared to the high heat/humidity days we've had, this was perfect. The ride started out with a mile climb, but the first 10 miles were roads we are very familiar with. Lots of rolling hills until we got to the NY border, where we were greeted by a one way bridge and a long red light. A driver from Tennessee decided to go on the red, and then another car came the other way, sending the flag woman into fits. The driver had to back up, while we waited and laughed at the stupidity. Once we crossed into NY, we stopped at a gas station, refilled our water bottles and started mostly downhill to Chatham, NY. The ride was mostly on a main road at this point, with a wide shoulder. After stopping to call Lisa at a Buddhist retreat, we got to Chatham at the 30 mile mark. Lisa had reserved a table at Ralph's Pretty Good Cafe, which had delicious food. We had a great lunch; I had a Caprese sandwich. Soooo... Lisa said the first 8 miles out of Chatham were a "gentle climb." Well, once we turned onto Rt. 302, the fun began. This was a seven and a half mile climb that never relented! Of course, the sun came out and I thought I was going to pass out, but of course, I didn't. We got to the end and all agreed that the climb kind of sucked, since the road conditions were not that good. However, the rest of the ride was mostly flat and my husband and I were able to maintain an average of about 20 for the last ten miles back to the car. We waited for our friends, ate our Clif Bars, and drove to the store to buy Corona, chips, and salsa, whcih we enjoyed by the lake. The total ride was 53 miles, with 3900 feet of climbing. I felt really tired, but not too tired for Cafe Luccia in Lenox that night, followed by ice cream. Unfortunately, I had mocha ice cream, which kept me up all of Friday night.
So, on Saturday there was a 60% chance of rain predicted. We had wanted to do a 50 mile ride we did last year, but we knew that was out of the question. With the help of the B and B owners, we planned a 25 mile route and headed out early, around 9. The first 15 miles were fine; then we turned onto Blanford Rd. I will never forget this as long as I live. I got behind my husband and went up the first part, about a 12% grade. OK, no problem. Then, we rounded a corner and I saw the road go up and up and up! I was in the granniest of granny gear (and I was thinking of Lisa's 24 tooth granny), pushing as hard as I could, when I heard my friend say, "I'm getting off!" I went a few more feet and I accepted defeat and got off of my bike. I have NEVER walked up a hill. However, this was about half a mile at 18%; I ride up 18% regularly, but not for half a mile. I was so demoralized, but the walk up that stretch, probably about 1/4 of a mile in road shoes, was not too easy, either. We got to a spot where it flattened out and I got back on my bike. After another half of a mile or so, we got to the summit (or so we thought). After a downhill, lo and behold, the second part of the hill began.I was dying, but I got behind my friend, who is very slow and finally got up to speed and passed her. After another 2 miles or so of climbing, at maybe 12%, we got to the real summit, where it was cold and my husband and my friend's husband were waiting. The rest of the ride was rolling, with beautiful scenery, but my legs were shot and not sleeping had just about zapped all of my energy. When we got back, it was 30.3 miles and I flicked my computer off, because I didn't want to see how slow I was. Another 3900 feet of climbing. We had a great lunch at a local place and i even allowed myself to eat some onion rings, due to my "trauma"of having to walk my bike. By now it was pouring out, and we headed to the Arcadian Shop, where a huge sale was in progress. It was mobbed, and there was not a lot of stuff in my size, but I got 2 Ibex short sleeved t shirts, some socks, and a hand made cotton hoody sweater, all at a good discount. We then went into the cafe and I had herbal tea and talked to my son who had called us from Iraq on my husband's cell phone.
Saturday night we had another awesome dinner at Chez Nous in Lenox. I got a good night's sleep and we had a leisurely breakfast and left around 9 AM today. When we got home, my older son was here, with his girlfriend, so we went on a 4 mile hike in the local conservation land. I am now exhausted, about to make dinner. It was a great vacation, good food, good friends, and very challenging riding. I have to get stronger!
Pictures to follow.
