Cold weather ascent of Crawford
Starting at 4 pm and hoping for warming trends--and sadly deceived. Facing the wind the entire 'entry' ride over the flat and slightly down hill to get through Schenectady to the Stockade, through the ancient streets, barely in condition better than the cobbles they certainly were in the 1600s, I turned right onto Rte 5 toward the bridge. Ducked into the entrance ramp recently improved, past the fishing dock, onto the trail proper.
Sign '5 miles to Kiwanis Park' which is the jumping off point for Crawford. Ride is uneventful to the connection from across the river . . . the only place with any real snow and ice. But it was thick and stopped traffic and I walked to the other side to pick it up again and forge on into the wind. It took me 50% more time to make it compared to usual summer days.
We start counting time at the underpass. To the top: 21 minutes, a minute longer than my usual time. 6 minutes longer than the titanium man and his gang. Not for me at 183 lbs at the end of the winter. The naked trees allow everyone to see through to the buildings on the 'other side' e.g. the hillside to the west, toward Ennis Rd. . . . all that area. Ennis is a climb, too. That is next.
OK.
So once up on top, I admire the antennae some ham has perched up there, and prepare my spirit for the windy ride to the bottom. Even thought I have toe cap bootie things on my shoes, it is C O L D. It must be 36 F down below and who knows up where I am + 25 mph wind, with bike shoes carefully engineered for cool summer riding. Maximum ventilation!!
Once down the hill, across the RR tracks, and after the right turn onto 5S, I take a couple of spins and I'm sailing along. With the wind. I warm my fingers at my neck. Painful return of feeling and put 'em out there in front in big chain ring front side, tiny one in back, 45 kph.
This . . . I enjoy.
I'm home after a half hour. Drenched, as you might imagine, thighs aching a bit. Nothing serious. More climbing ahead.
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