For my bike riding friends!

So, I really didn't know what to expect for my rides. I thought they would be pretty and probably rolly, but I was not ready for this! :) It is green and there are many trees, so even at the heart of the day it isn't too hot. But it is hillier than I expected. For example, a few days ago I rode just 33 miles but hit hills of 12-16% grades. Then today, I climbed almost 4500 ft in 50 miles with severe pitches like before, but this time a few miles long. Despite the serious workouts, the roads I have been on so far are amazing. I didn't have my camera the other day, but there was this downhill that I HAVE to get a picture of for you all, it is completely what one would expect in New England.

Today I tried to ride to the nearest ski resort. It is only 25 miles or so from me, so I thought, yeah, with all the climbing, it should take me a while, but it will be worth it. Well, in a typical lex move, I missed a turn, continued way past my distance goal and decided to turn around only a mile from a road that would have gotten me to my destination. Oh well. The ride was amazing though. I climbed to over 1400ft. I know, all you utahns, big deal, lex! But here that IS a big deal. The whole trip was on major roads, that really are rural, that connect these small towns that are some how still alive. I can't believe that people can live in these places. They aren't like suburbs where people live away from the city and commute to work. There are no cities really, what do these people do? Well, one thing they do is sell produce. There are many veggie stands that I pass every day. Today, in a town named Ashfield, they had a little fair and farmers market. I only had a banana with me, so I told myself when I went by on my way home I would stop and get something (I had a dollar). Well, I DID stop (three cheers for me) and I got two home made muffins. I felt like a real western mass-er stopping and getting food from the locals. Yeah, it wasn't smart to not have food, but it made for a much more fun ride to buy from the locals!

So, if any of my biking friends DO decide to come out to visit, bring your bike stuff. I'll find bikes...you can't miss this!