October 8 and 9 rides

[azfiddle]

Yeah, it's not the weekend anymore, but I am on my last week of vacation so I did 38 miles in absolutely great cycling weather. I used to be a serious birder, and decided to pack binoculars and walking shoes in a camelpack and rode to a wetland birding area. (NYPam are you out there?).

I enjoyed a very smooth and speedy trip across the city, partly on bike lanes and partly on a MUP trail, and averaged over 17.5 mph on the way out! Even though I got to the wetlands a bit late, after 10 am, I had a good time birding, wearing my Terry conservation jersey. I continued on to meet my husband for lunch at a great hole in the wall Mexican restaurant and came home. The route home wasn't quite as speedy, with more traffic and stops/lights, plus its marginally uphill, so my final tally was 15.7, but still faster than most of my hillier routes.

[indysteel]

Another 27 miles today! I love federal holidays. I got a bunch of stuff done and got to ride. Win, win.

[Catrin]

Another 27 miles today! I love federal holidays. I got a bunch of stuff done and got to ride. Win, win.

Lucky you...city offices are still open on Columbus Day. County offices are closed but not the city...

[indysteel]

Lucky you...city offices are still open on Columbus Day. County offices are closed but not the city...

Yeah, but you got to spend the entire weekend in Brown County, while I was in in-law hell.

[Catrin]

Yeah, but you got to spend the entire weekend in Brown County, while I was in in-law hell.

Indeed, and I was there 3 glorious dayso. Ok, I take that back and am not jealous

I am heading back Saturday for a day trip to get lost in the woods - hiking the entire NT loop, then riding it (and probably walking the bike for part of it & the connector). Let me know if the two of you will be there - though I am quite sure you are faster than I.

[indysteel]

We're camping at the park this weekend. I haven't been out there in at least six weeks, so we'll likely spend Saturday morning at Limekiln so that I can get back in the swing of it again. It sounds like you'll be by the North Gate, so we'll look for you on the trails.

[Catrin]

We're camping at the park this weekend. I haven't been out there in at least six weeks, so we'll likely spend Saturday morning at Limekiln so that I can get back in the swing of it again. It sounds like you'll be by the North Gate, so we'll look for you on the trails.

I really LIKE Limekiln and like to finish up there. This Saturday, while the weather is still nice, I want to hike the entire NT Loop and then focus on riding the connector and loop after warming up Pine. If I am not too tired may still hit LK afterwards, but I suspect I may be too tired. I hope to start hiking around 10:00...will probably park at the North Tower for the hike, then drive down to the Upper Shelter to ride down, and back up, Pine Loop to warm up before hitting the NT Connector.