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 10: Tuesday, August 10
Bike ride, climb Mt. Tom, etc.
Mt. Tom is like my training ground. It’s close, convenient, and provides a range of challenges for a quick workout. Climbing up the access road from Route 5 to the reservation parking lot, about 900 feet, provides a decent exertion – just enough to get you breathing hard. According to my Strava, I rode 22.2 miles in one hour, 26 minutes. Once up there, a ride along the two-mile reservation road, affords a series of gorgeous views of Easthampton and the Valley far below. It’s one of my favorite rides.
Adventure: Bike climb, Mt. Tom, and extended ride around the mountain
Distance traveled: 22 miles ride
Challenges: Climbing up Mt. Tom, about 900 feet of very steep pumping; dealing with drivers on Route 5 eager to get home.
Risks: Riding off the edge of one of the many dropoffs along the reservation road; getting hit by a speeding driver along Route 5.
Difficulty scale 1-10: 6
Highlights: Beautiful views. A good workout. Also, it’s a fast ride, and conveniently close to my house.