the day: sept 16th & 23rd. both of these fridays were nice and cool. the sun was out, but it was never hot or even too warm. the 23rd was wicked windy, at least out on the paved roads.
the adventures: since i haven't been posting goap! regularly--the last entry was in june--i am combining two friday bike rides, exploring the myriad back roads out in the boonies between rt 4 and 4A. i was especially interested in a path that would take me past the north wilmot church and then piper pond.
on the 16th i went up and over fowler road and then turned toward the church, but the path got somewhat sketchy so i turned around and continued out fowler town road to 4A. i was tired anyway and figured i could stop, stretch, and sweep at the shop before it closed.
on the 23rd i took a somewhat more direct route to the church and made it with no problems, even on the 1200-1300' of climbing in the 7 miles from rt 4 rail trail. a mile past that, i found piper pond, but a flooded road beyond, stymied my connecting up a loop with fowler town / fowler road.
the memories: i love the challenge of riding past "this road unmaintained in winter" signs. fowler road is a classic example. at one point i got stopped by the significant steepness with plenty of rocks. i posed the bike for two pictures, one looking up, and one down.
on the 23rd i forgot my camera, but pam and i went to nearby apple orchard on the 25th and snapped a couple of photos. first the beautiful old, north wilmot church which is having some work done: leveling the main floor, setting stone atop a new foundation--under a new sill, and presumably adding stairs up to the front doors.
the last photo is of the elusive, and also beautiful, piper pond, taken from a public access landing donated by the family pam's 'cross the street' neighbor growing up, married into.
- roads "not maintained for winter" are wicked exciting!
- rocky downhills can be every bit as tricky rocky uphills!
- more support for 'no matter which way you go, the wind is always against you!'
