Welcome to Aging Adventurist. I am attempting to do one adventure every day for the month of August, 31 days, 31 adventures, some big, some small, some physical, some mental. I hope you’ll come along, or join me!
Day 6: Friday, August 6
Bike ride: round trip to Amherst
I needed a simple adventure today, to bridge my high points day and a weekend in the White mountains, so I intended to ride the entire rail trail, Manhan in Easthampton to the Norwottuck ending in Belchertown, and back. I was limited on time, though, having set off at about 6 p.m. (Working full-time and engineering daily adventures is turning out to be more of a logistical challenge than I anticipated.) I made good time to Amherst, but quickly changed plan when I got a text that my mother, who lives in Amherst, needed technical assistance. So instead, I swung by her Amherst home and fixed several deferred computer/phone/lamp issues, and visited briefly.
My return home gave me a sunset view over the river, and was partially in the dark, which, going through Northampton, becomes an adventure in itself.
Adventure: Bike trip to Amherst and back to Easthampton
Distance traveled: ~22 miles biked
Challenges: Maintaining fast speed; riding in the dark
Risks: Hitting a wayward wanderer crossing, sitting or sleeping on the bike path in downtown Northampton (seriously!).
Difficulty scale 1-10: 5
Highlights: This was one of my first rides since my x-US bike trip and without 40 lbs of belongings strapped on my bike. It was revelatory riding without weight, and I flew, easily averaging 18 mph on the flat bike path. Felt amazing! Also, I always enjoy crossing the river on the wooden bike path bridge, and always stop for a nice view and a drink.