AMC Paddle - French River

This is a great early season paddle.  I have done it in the past, I didn't expect any surprises.  Also, I have paddled with the leader, Elaine, many times as well as a couple others on the trip.

This is a shuttle trip.  We put in at the dam, eat lunch along the way, and end up by the railroad tracks.

It's a warm day.  The sun is shining and the water should not be too cold.

Getting ready at the put-in.  We're on a river, so I'll be taking the yellow boat (Pungo 120) today.

Waiting for everyone else to get in the water, you can see the put in.  The dam is made of earth and rocks and the road rides along a bit higher to the top (out of frame).

There were some tricky trees to navigate through.  I even bottomed out a little on a couple of trees across the river.  We haven't had a lot of rain, but we have enough water to paddle.

This actually isn't an obstacle, but a tree thinking about falling into the river.

Lunchtime!  A nice spot with a little bit of shade.

Honestly, I can't remember why I took this picture.  I am not sure if we to go through this mess, but it seems the most likely scenario.

Not much to see after that point. I remember the railroad tracks. Our total time on the water was 3.44, but we took a long lunch break in there and covered a total of 6.22 miles. A good day.

Rail Trail Bike Rides - Concord & Ayer

September 10, 2022 10:00

Although most of my bike rides are with the Worcester or Boston AMC chapters, it's fun to ride with friends when the opportunity presents itself.  Kate ant I have biked together before, back in 2019 for the 45 mile Hub on Wheels in Boston.  Since there was organized ride this year, we opted to get together and ride the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail.  Eventually, this trail will extend further south and connect with the Assabet River Rail Trail.  

I have biked part of this trail before with Troop 11 from Nara Park in Acton up to an ice cream place in Chelmsford center (with Mr. O, there has to be an ice cream place).  Last week, Kate did this whole 30 miles of the trail with another friend and we weren't going to do any less today.  I was uncertain about the bridge over Rt 2 because its official opening isn't until November.  However, Kate assured me that walking around the construction vehicles was a piece of cake.

We met the parking lot just down the road from MCI Concord.  The weather was very nice with a forecast for a high of 82.

I forgot to take any photos, but suffice it to say, our riding statistics were pretty impressive:

Distance:           31.17 miles
Moving Time:   2:27
Elevation:          441'
Avg Speed:        12.7 mph
Max Speed:       33.4 mph
Elapsed Time:   2:41

September 17, 2022 10:15

Since Kate took me on a "new" rail trail last week, it was my turn to take her on "new" rail trail this week.  I consider the Nashua River Rail Trail my "home" bike trail and Kate has never made it out past I-495 to go biking.

I act as the tour guide today and show her all the highlights:  the Buckingham bus company's lot in Groton, the bridge over Rt 225, the ice cream store in Pepperell center, and the New Hampshire state line.

Things have changed since the last time I've been to the end of this trail.  Instead of just ending on a road in Dunstable, the trail has not extended all the way to 94 Gilson Road in Nashua, where there is a small recreation area and parking lot.

  

Kate finds a great rock to rest on overlooking a pristine pond.

Here's the required selfie, to prove to you that I made this ride as well.  

This ride was a little shorter than last week's, but with fewer people to navigate around on the trail, our average speed was actually higher.

Distance:          25.12mi

Moving Time:  1:52

Elevation:         243'

Avg Speed:       13.4mph

Max Speed:       35.9mph

Thanks Kate for a couple great rides.  With the change of seasons, I'm not sure we'll have another chance to get out this year, but you never know.