THE STROLL.

Forty-eight degrees; clear skies filled with stars and planets; quiet streets…great way to start the morning and Sandy was on a scent from the moment we stepped outside…so off we shot…well; okay…”shot” as swiftly as a gimpy old dog can hobble along. But she gained speed as she worked out the kinks and, as we stood on the corner of Sherrill and Oxford, Sandy huffing and snuffing vigorously, I gazing at the sky, noticing how low above the horizon Ursa Major perched; how bright Polaris, usually rather dim and fuzzy, shone in the darkness; panning over to Cassiopeia and back to Ursa minor…just as a meteor streaked by; splitting the gap between the “bears” before flaming out in the atmosphere. One more reminder that: “Heaven is under our feet as well as over out heads…”

Good morning everyone.

Now I know that little taste of Thoreau has you anxious to get to the “Thoreauback Thursday” portion of the program, but we have a ride to take. So, let’s get right to the report:

THE ROLL.

RIDE WEATHER: Sunny and mild. High 75F. West winds at 8mph, diminishing to 3mph.

TIME, TEMP, DP, RH, SKY, WIND:

6:00 pm; 75 °F; 44 °F; 33%; Sunny; 8 mph W
7:00 pm; 74 °F; 47 °F; 39%;Sunny; 6 mph W
8:00 pm; 71 °F; 51 °F; 50%; Sunny; 3 mph W

UNIFORM OF THE DAY: Moisture managing, Summer weight kit.

ON TOP: A short-sleeved wicking base layer under your bike jersey. You may also wish to have a bandana (du rag) or cap to protect your noggin.

BELOW THE WAIST: I’d go with bike shorts or 3/4 length (Capri’s) bottoms. You’ll also want your light-weight wool or synthetic socks; and standard half-fingered bike gloves.

AS ALWAYS: Have your RoadID, shades, sunblock, lip balm and a snack or two; two water bottles — one full with water; one with some sports drink — or more water if you’re bringing energy chews or “bloks” as snacks.

DON’T FORGET YOUR MEDS: If you use an inhaler or epi-pen, please have them with you. You may want to let one of our ERT’s know you have them aboard.

DON’T FORGET YOUR HELMET…IT’S A MUST!

AND…AS USUAL: LIGHTS; FORE AND AFT.

(YOU KNOW THE DRILL; COUNTRY ROADS, SHADOWS, LOW SUN AND TWILIGHT. BE SEEN.)

Please have a spare inner tube, some tire levers and a means to inflate the tube should you need to use it. Remember to stop off your tires before arriving — check the sidewall but most of you will be looking for somewhere around 100 – 120 PSI. If you’re not sure about this part; please bring your pump in the car with you.

REMEMBER: Sag space is limited. So plan for items you can wear or stuff easily in your saddlebag or pockets.

Please arrive at WHITESBORO HIGH SCHOOL 6000 NY-291, Marcy, NY 13403 no later than 5:30PM(1730).

We roll at 6PM(1800).

THE “NIGHTS WITH THOREAU.”

It’s THOREAUBACK THURSDAY…DAy…Day…day.

Many was the time that Henry found himself alone — having “… stayed late in town…” — somewhere between Concord and Walden, wandering blindly home in the darkness of the woods:

“…It is darker in the woods, even in common nights, than most suppose. I frequently had to look up at the opening between the trees above the path in order to learn my route, and, where there was no cart-path, to feel with my feet…I felt with my hands, passing between two pines for instance, not more than eighteen inches apart, in the midst of the woods, invariably, in the darkest night.”

These commutes were not all darkness and stumbles; he also encountered stars and planets such as Sandy and I stumble upon on our predawn sojourns:

“…The stars are the jewels of the night, and perchance surpass anything which day has to show.”

Tonight we ride, for the last time this CR Season, up into the hills of Floyd, Stittville and Holland Patent.

Come along with us and expose yourself… HEY! HEY! KEEP YOUR CLOTHES ON! I’m talking about the “subject to light”, not the “make visible; uncover” definition… to the beauty of the fields and forests and waters of the Adirondack foothills.

Come with us and see, as we roll back into WHS as the sun fades, the wonders of the night; as the stars come out to dance and shine…

“When I consider how, after sunset, the stars come out gradually in troops from behind the hills and woods, I confess that I could not have contrived a more curious and inspiring sight.”

All quotes by Henry D.Thoreau from various Essays, Journal and WALDEN.

Comments