MHM -41/bikeride -- Mon. Aug. 30

Trial run of R's bike route to school, so start via GeoHannum, Jackson, state school, BHS, and then JBMS. After viewing the school, head out solo to find the other way into the new bit of Jabish canal trail from Sunday. Along Old Spfld, down 21 to Ludlow, along until it turns into a trail (gated a la Quabbin, ish) and keep going; then as it connects to the tarmac lane round Spfld res. take a left and sure enough, eventually get to the gate I was on the *other* side of on Sunday (and on the other bank of the canal). At this point, turn back and start looking for off road trail to get through to there -- I know there must be one from seeing the canal bridge, well travelled, on Sunday. Make two unsuccessful attempts, following rough trails in very low gear uphill only to have them peter out at the top ridge--each time, back down same trail, getting a very good workout! Finally, having rejoined Ludlow and heading out towards the gate, find THE trail, again steep uphill, but with occasional metallic blue blazes. Trail heads down, also steep, and finally come out to bridge; cross canal, then go left along to rejoin 21, but then cross onto the familiar bit of Jabish trail, following up to rail trail (startling a gorgeous great heron, twice! --second time, with fish in beak) and all the way home, finishing with Howard/Jackson/Geohannum.

BikeRide = 17.5 miles in 1:4:00 @ 10.5 mph.

Comment: this didn't seem so high effort at the time, more an extended medium effort, but MAN I was wiped out for the day (arms especially). Need to do this more often!