I’m grateful to have had my road bike back, even as the days are getting shorter and colder. Today was actually quite warm (relatively) and I was able to get out on a ride during late golden hour through sunset.
Burleigh Road in Wilbraham with the following descent down North Road in Hampden has been one of my favorite local climbs for a long time. It’s the unique climb/descent combo that’s equally pleasant in both directions.
At the town line there’s also a turn off onto Hollow Road, an old closed road that is now singletrack connecting to the back side of Rice Nature Preserve at Sunrise Peak and Monson Road beyond that. We’ve taken gravel bikes through this area loads of times and have hiked all over the preserve. Any excuse to make a trip to Rice Fruit Farm is fine by me.
Instead, this evening, my ride took me out past the Springfield Sportsman’s Club in Hampden, a long but reasonable climb on secluded narrow roads. With the sun on my back, at this point I turned on lights and rode on into the relaxing darkness.
I normally don’t listen to music when I ride, but Phish just released a new archival recording from Fall ’94 that I wanted to dig into. Piper began as I was climbing up the backside of Monson Road, and then crashed over me as I came over the top and caught this incredible sunset. I got off the bike and sat there for a few minutes. Perfect moment.
The ride along Ridge Road was beautiful as the sky grew darker, and the last light finally disappeared as I spun quickly down Mountain Road in Wilbraham towards home. Slave to the Traffic Light started playing as I saw my first traffic signal in a couple hours.
Home was approaching, and an old red SUV drove by and honked. I was annoyed that my ride had been so perfect only for a driver to get angry at my presence. Moments later I pulled up next to them at a red light and they rolled down the passenger side window. I prepared myself for the standard complaints about bikes on the road, but the middle aged couple said to me in think southern accents, “We saw you earlier on the other side of the mountain – you’re really moving, boy!”
The three of us laughed together, we wished each other a good evening and happy Thanksgiving, and as the light turned green they honked the horn to bid me adieu. I took my last pedal strokes home, satisfied with a great ride as part of a wonderfully average day.