Training Log Archive: danfoster

30 minute half-loop with Jess to test out changes to the Cutthroat (Redshift seatpost, old SPDs). Then off to the refuge to meet Keren for a 15 mile gravel+ ride. Can't wait to explore more of these trails this spring!

Road ride around Lexington, Concord, and Carlisle with Janet and Kathy.

Headed out mid-afternoon to enjoy the sunshine and the first above-freezing temps all week, and to escape the house cleaners, who typically show up at that time. Did the full loop. Still no cleaners. Did the loop in reverse. Got a text that the cleaners finally showed up right as we were finishing up. Jess chose a couple more old favorite trails and then we finally headed home, with just enough light to find our way through the woods.

As soon as we left the house, I knew it was a mistake. Is this what getting sick feels like, or am I just tired and suffering from over-use? Dragged our way through the usual loop, but with little energy. Scored a beautiful sunset, though! Jess seemed to know what was up (and was dragging a bit, herself) and took the shortest route home, even before I could suggest it.

Chilly dawn ride on the fattie. Tested some new ideas in the cold. Dog poop bag around right foot as makeshift vapor barrier liner - definitely warmer than the "control" left foot. Both big toes are pretty chilly now that I'm inside, though. Also tried some thick fleece gloves inside the Bar Mitts, instead of my usual full-fingered MTB gloves. Nice and warm, and wicked away moisture beautifully, but the leather palm pad really didn't like being wrapped around the grips, and most of my fingers went numb unless I make a conscious effort to ride with a loose grip.

Another night loop. Sat in the dark by the outflow from the beaver dam and enjoyed the night sky. Trails are hard packed and rolling fast. Really liking my new Redshift suspension seatpost - hopefully my spine appreciates the smoother ride!

Just enough snow from last night's storm to ski at Delaney. Bluebird skies with temps rapidly climbing to 40s. Rolled the dice, didn't bring wax. Every time I hit a patch of sunlight in the woods, the softer snow would immediately clump up. Looped back after 30 minutes, drove home for glide wax, and things improved from there.

Headed over to Camp Acton to scout out trails for our Intro to Bikepacking trip. Got a call from K asking if I wanted to ride. Jess and I looped back to the parking lot to pick them up and then set out again. Ended up doing double our intended distance, and Jess and I were both running on fumes, having only eaten a light breakfast. Luckily there were treats of both canine and human varieties in my pack.

A new puppy sleeping bag was waiting for us when we got home, so Jess is currently sacked out in it in the corner of my office, hopefully dreaming of bigger adventures yet to come.

A repeat of last night's night ride, but with fewer coyotes. I considered throwing in a spare battery as I was heading out the door, but decided against it. Sure enough, my helmet light was fading to black for the last half hour.

3.5 hours on the phone, planning out bikepacking trips for this summer. By the time we were done, it was 7PM and pitch black out. Luckily, I had charged the lights today, so Jess and I headed out for a night ride.

Riding at night always feels faster, and given that this was the first ride on the mountain bike after plodding around on 4.8" studded fatbike tires for the last month, it felt like flying. Adding to the spookiness, we came around a corner and found a glowing rope hanging from a tree - it was reflective webbing on somebody's deer stand, set up right beside a trail we ride all the time. Would never have seen it in the daytime. And then a coyote or fox started screaming nearby. I could see the hairs go up all the way down Jess' spine - I'm sure mine was doing the same thing.

Neighborhood hill repeats. Had to swing back home to switch into full summer gear - it was HOT out there today! Pushing 70 in January?!?

Leisurely fatbike around the pond. Mostly an excuse to soak up the sun. Almost entirely dry trails - suprising given that there was ice yesterday and rain this morning.

Jess is zonked out in my old summer sleeping bag while I research dog camping sleep systems. Little does she know what's coming... (actually, I don't either, but it's fun to imagine)

Is this mike on? :) I guess it's time to start logging training again.

Trashed my L4 and L5 discs back in Oct 2018, and spent most of last year recovering. Lead a few bikepacking trips and did some long sea kayaking journeys, but otherwise it was a zero year. Slowly getting back into things again. Probably did more riding in December than in all of the previous 11 months.

Here's to a healthier 2020!

Today's ride: sloppy fatbiking with Jess the wonder dog a bit after sunrise. A messy mix of water over ice and water over sandy mud until we got into the woods. Ran out of room in the frame bag on the way back, as I was shedding gear every mile to keep cool. A neighbor warned us of deer up ahead, and sure enough a doe and two yearlings were standing in the trail at our next turn. Nearly 55 degrees out when we returned.

When the ponds refreeze next week it's going to be tremendous for skating!

C • Welcome back! 3