Crystal Shores - a Splash of Autumnal Color

Over the last couple of days we have hiked in our own back yard on some trails where I used to ride my horse when I was a kid: the Crystal Shores, Crystal Point, and Crystal Gorge Conservation Areas - easy day hikes, but providing some splendid scenery and, at this time, a splash of autumnal color.

Crystal Point - A goose forages amid the glowing reflections of Autumn. See Gallery

The first day we did a short hike in the Crystal Gorge Area - some variegated terrain, but, nevertheless, an easy hike. The trails were well-marked, and, even without a map, we managed to make a nice little loop for ourselves. The gorge itself is a small stream between two ridges - fun to negotiate, but far from the breathtaking experience of Ausable Chasm or Quechee Gorge.

Crystal Gorge - We had a nice hike on well-marked trails around and through the gorge.

Crystal Gorge - on the trail to the gorge See Gallery

The next day we hiked the trails of Crystal Shores and Crystal Point. The trails are easy and well-marked, with many jog-offs to scenic views of the lake and inlets. Crystal shores trails, sadly, dead end on private property, but we were able to make a nice loop otherwise.

Crystal Shores - on the trail See Gallery

Crystal shores - Scenic View See Gallery

Map of Crystal Shores and Crystal Point Trails

From the parking lot at Crystal Gorge, we walked westward down Crystal Street to the entrance of Crystal Shores, followed the well-marked trails with side trips to take pictures, then walked eastward on Crystal Street to the entrance of Crystal Point for another nice loop and splendid scenery.

Crystal Point - Judy enjoys a scenic view See Gallery

It's been a long time since I've revisited this old haunt. It's nice to see the trails so well-maintained, and heartwarming to be treated to this all-but-forgotten scenery. We will definitely visit more often.

Winnekenni - Return to Birchbrow

A few days ago we were hiking on trails from Winnekenni Park to Plug pond, an area we had previously ignored, and discovered and explored some interesting ruins. Upon doing some research we learned these were the remains of the Birchbrow Estate which presided on this hill over plug pond. The centerpiece of this estate was the 30-room Birchbrow Mansion, a grand mansion which was the summer cottage of the Sanders family. More Here and Here.  It became apparent that we had only explored the stable, carriage house, guest cottage, cistern, assorted outbuildings and other structures, but had missed the mansion and its grand entry stairs, so we went back and did another hike of Winnekenni with the object of finding the mansion.

Judy knocking on the great door of the Birchbrow Mansion - See Gallery

 We started with a 3 1/2 mile hike around the shores of Kenoza lake, and then followed the Castle Trail to the trails that head down to Plug Pond.

Just below the cistern we stayed to the right, a section we had not previously explored, and there she was.

From the site we could still glimpse the shimmering waters of Plug Pond through the trees. It must have been quite a vista back when these were open fields. We explored a little and took some pictures. See Gallery

We returned again the next day for just a short jaunt from Plug Pond with friend, Wanda. We explored some more and took more pictures. 

Judy and Wanda atop the back staircase - See Gallery

It's quite a feeling to explore among such echoes - a hike through time...

Winnekenni - Exploring Ruins

Well, it was a quiet summer for us; spent the spring and early summer cutting and stacking firewood, and just couldn't seem to get away the rest of the summer. Here it is, October, now, and we are on vacation. I have acquired some new gear, which I may review later, and took it for a shakedown hike at Winnekenni Park. This time we hiked a section that we had never done before, between Kenoza Lake and Plug Pond, which included exploring some interesting ruins along the way.

Exploring the ruins of the Birchbrow Estate see Gallery

Judy has researched the history and origins of these ruins, and here is what she writes:

"These ruins were once the Sander's Estate more here.  I didn't know it at the time, but we were wandering through the foot print of the 33 room mansion.  What a feeling to be walking through lives that came before, and though there have been events that overlay history like layers of wall paper, the original spirit of the land comes though. How I enjoyed that hike.  It reminded my of my childhood with my cousins, and the adventures we had through the woods and along the lake, pond and streams near our homes.  I was 10 years old again with my team of explorers... "

cistern ruins see Gallery

Our hike started in the dirt parking lot on the right of the Castle Road. We took the trail at the south end of the lot, an easy walk to Plug Pond and along its shores. We went straight up to the Plug Pond parking lot and took a trail on the left, uphill, but still easy. It's on a loop at the top of this hill that we discovered the ruins. We explored the ruins for a while, and took some pictures before heading downhill towards the lake. When we reached the Castle Trail, we took a right and headed down to the lake shore, where we turned left on Dudley Porter Trail. We walked along the shore until we reached the clearing across from the Basin. We went left across the clearing, and were back at the car.

see Gallery

Another nice and interesting walk at Winnekenni Park.

New Goodies for my Ride

I always try to choose pleasant and picturesque routes for our bike rides. For that reason I always like to carry my camera and a couple of lenses handy. The handiest place to carry them is in a handlebar bag where they will be within easy reach on demand. Of course it takes a sizable bag to carry a DSLR and a couble of lenses. I had fitted my bicycle with such a bag equipped with the ingenious KLICKfix Handlebar Adapter. I discovered in short order that the high and forward mounting with this arrangement, combined with the weight of the contents, unpleasantly affected steering and bike-handling, and I right away started searching for an alternative.

One possible solution was a KLICKfix adapter that bolted to the steering tube, below the handlebars, however I wondered if this plastic support for my handlebar bag would be up to the weight of a camera, two lenses and miscellaneous other items, especially on these rough New England roads. The failure of one of the brackets on my handlebar mount this summer confirmed my fears.

In the course of my searching, I had come across the so-called French-style handlebar bags, which are designed to rest on a small rack above the front wheel, and traditionally attach to the handlebars, or to a décaleur affixed to the stem. This lowers the load and brings it closer to the bicycle, thus improving the handling and balance. Since the load is supported from underneath it is also more stable and secure. This all seemed so sensible to me, but these accessories are rather pricey. My research led me to Velo Orange which carries its own line of French-style bags, racks and décaleurs at a somewhat more reasonable price.

I chose, for my purposes, the Velo Orange Grand Cru Handlebar Bag and the Pass Hunter Front Rack with Integrated Décaleur.

Velo Orange Grand Cru Handlebar Bag and Pass Hunter Front Rack

The bag rests on small front rack. I found that, even though secured to the décaleur, and possessing an internal stiffener, the bag flopped easily from side to side. The bag can be secured to the rack by passing a strap through webbing at the bottom. I did this and it eliminated the floppiness.

Velo Orange Grand Cru Handlebar Bag -Front quarter-view showing large front pocket.

The bag has a large main compartment, a large front pocket, two small back pockets, two shallow pockets on the sides and D-rings for the included shoulder strap.  Rear opening, (hinged at front,) top cover secures with an elastic strap to button on rack insert tab.

rear quarter-view showing small back pockets.

The top cover sports a generously-sized clear-view map pocket.

The top cover opens conveniently facing the rider for easy access.

The Grand Cru Handlebar bag easily contains my camera insert with room to spare for a few odds and ends.

The insert holds my camera , two lenses, and a few odds and ends.

The bag rests on this small front rack. The Pass Hunter rack has an integrated décaleur -- a device to which the top of the bag is attached to steady the bag, yet leave the handlebars unencumbered.

Velo Orange Pass Hunter Front Rack with Integrated Décaleur

Bolted onto the top back of the bag is a bracket with prongs that slip into the décaleur sockets to steady the top of the bag.

The Pass Hunter rack support struts bolt to the cantilever brake bosses via included double-ended cantilever bolts.

The rear support strut of the Pass Hunter rack bolts through the hole in the middle of the fork crown. On my bike this hole had a threaded boss at the rear, which I had to drill out. I had read horror stories of  failed and/or mickey-moused installations of this rack. Luckily for me, everything lined up the way it should, and came together very neatly. The rack tilts backward slightly. I could have used spacers between the rear strut and the fork crown to correct this, but I like the bag leaning in toward me a little, so this is perfect for me.

Here's a comparison shot of how much lower and further back the weight is carried with a French-style décaleur bag versus the popular handlebar quick-mount bags of today.  Steering and security are much improved. I think it's esthetically better-balanced as well.

Looking forward to my next picturesque bike ride!

Chester Scarecrow Festival 2014

On this lovely Sunday afternoon, Debbie led us on a delightful 13 mile bike-and-walk tour of some of the Chester, NH Scarecrows, a yearly tradition where the townsfolk wax creative and adorn their yards with imaginative, charming and humorous scarecrows.

We had a great time and got quite a few pictures. Check out the gallery or slideshow.
Hope you enjoy.

Gallery

Slideshow

Plum Island - Beautiful

Today Judy and I took a 16 mile ride on Plum Island. Any ride or hike on Plum Island is always balm for the soul -- the soft ocean air, the shore birds, an occasional deer peeking over a dune, and the flora -- especially at this time of year, when the marsh grasses and shore shrubs come alive in a symphony of color.

We rode from the Parker River wildlife refuge headquarters on the road into the island to Hellcat Marsh on the refuge, back, and up along the shore of, by this time, a dark and brooding ocean, then jogging out along the dunes to the High Site at the Northern tip of the island, then back along the river side, with its quaint cottages and little boats, and, finally, back down to the start. No hills on this ride, but a stiff sea breeze challenged us when we rode into it, and filled our sails when we rode away.

Weather: 70°F, cloudy and windy, Wind ENE 18-24mph
Terrain: mostly flat
Distance: 16.3mi
Speed: (avg) 13.8mph; (max) 19.6mph;
Avg Cadence: 77rpm

Lovely Merrimack River Ride with Judy and Debbie

Had a wonderful ride, today, with Judy and Debbie, along the Merrimack River from Ferry Park, West Newbury, through parts of Haverhill, Merrimac and Amesbury to Newburyport and Maudslay State Park, and back on the West Newbury side.

Judy and Debbie at Alliance Park, Amesbury, MA

More nice pictures in the Gallery

We finished up with a pleasant picnic in the shade by the riverside at Ferry Park. Life is good! A beautiful ride and great company!

Weather: 86°F, sunny, moderate humidity
Terrain: flat to rolling
Distance: 15.5mi
Speed: (avg) 12.4mph; (max) 36mph;
Avg Cadence: 71rpm