D2R2 12868 feet of vertical bliss

D2R2 seemed a bit seriously questionable this year because of the trouble I've been having with my hamstring.  The last long hilly ride I had done was Greylock century after which my leg seriously hurt.  In fact,a 3 hour mountain bike ride the previous Sunday had also caused by leg to seriously hurt, not just that afternoon, but the entire week.  Friday night pre-D2R2 at 10:30 pm I laid on my back in the cornfield near Deerfield and worked on one final round of hamstring stretching.  I considered doing one of the shorter routes, but hell, August only comes once a year - 180 k or bust.  As it was, the combination of cool weather, mountain bike cassette, unhurried pace, and packed roads made for a delightful ride.  Sunday morning, I felt like I had woken up after a day at the D2R2 spa.  Yes, I never thought such a thought would be possible either.  12868 feet of vertical bliss.  The legs felt great and I enjoyed some exploration of the area, including climbing Northfield mountain.  Then bought a 2 bags of veggies from the local farm stand and headed back to Boxford. 

 Saturday morning, I set off alone at 6:10 after a bit too long of lingering at camp.  Made full use of my mountain bike cassette and enjoyed the cool weather and view of mist.  I made it up the Archembo climb no problem at all - thanks to the solid pack and my super easy gears.  I met some new guys, Bruce from Acton with a hot pink jersey and socks and Gavin, a randonneur from Pennsylvania with an orange jersey.  (I know all cyclists by color.    I can take on a new identity by putting on a different jersey.) They made nice company through the hills on a wonderful ride.  Enjoyed some watermelon on Patton Hill and thanks to my awesome cross tires, had the least stressful  ride down the Hawk hill jeep track yet,  Seems like D2R2 is getting better and better.  This was my 6th year and no doubt the most comfortable.  Yet again, one of my best days of the year.  I will say it tied with the Saturday is June I spent wandering around Luxembourg Gardens in Paris.  

There was an article in cycling magazine which described this ride as magical.  Indeed.

6 am, start of D2R2

Cow near the First Rest Stop

Bike Explosion at Lunch Stop - check out the hot pink kit
The stop was moved away from the river this year because the covered bridge is closed.

 but I did have a view of apple trees for lunch

 Clouds over dirt climb

Birds over Patten Hill

 Little Big House

This photo was taken by Glenn Fraser and is representative of a good portion of the terrain at D2R2.

 Home Grown
The beast relaxes while I eat maple cream ice cream

 Yellow Fields at end of D2R2

 Historic Deerfield

 The "corn maze" spin after the end of the official cue sheet

 Sunday morning on the bridge over the Deerfield River

Cows in the Connecticut River Valley

 Trails on Northfield Mountain

 Sign with picture of panorama of the view of the reservoir from the top of Northfield Mountain.  It was too misty for me to see any of these mountains.

Closed gate which caused an abrupt end to what was promising to be a sweet decent down the mountain road.