![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0lNENTDfVvlajtwee6YOdQuvaT35SXwmqXLEFFlcWP71uMr5jdYSAz5CWg_xavWg_JRTYWS_2oGTMh_iewWoZCE9XrLhgEhYb2h3b-ZsktPQ37S-3eDUUp6fDOGr2vXH8oUPwVEDZxGY/s400/IMG_3284.JPG) |
Goofing around on the Cannondale Slate 105. Awesome Gravel Grinder. |
So it's been almost a year since my last post! I've thought many times about putting things up, but I've really been preoccupied with being in the woods. I'm not "training" anymore. I've decided that I don't need that kind of pressure in my life and it takes away from my enjoyment of being outside. My new goal is to get outside every day for at least a few hours. It's keeping me in shape my mind calm.
Yesterday, in preparation for a three day bikepacking trip, I decided to ride my first century (100 miles). I picked the
Northern Rail Trail to ride, as I wanted to be as far away from cars as possible. I also had never seen the trail and was curious. I loaded up my
Cannondale Slate 105 and ended up starting later than I wanted, at 10:15. I didn't care though. I had zero time restrictions and enough gear to bivy overnight if I had too. My goal was to ride 100 miles, for the first time. I was determined to go slow, see the sights, and stop whenever I felt like it. Here is my day in pictures.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbOgdKLm_g7cLB1hbk5HgJdWIA7SJ8vgjL6HXU1lBbGBQ-NLnHsfd5Y6YOootuXiStJjT3LWlaEdWUZx2NrMNJ8YYnoTEleiGttVVDmN0ekPuSP5Us7St9sBqL44JLSEbYMRQszUsiVaI/s400/IMG_3363.JPG) |
Official Start time, 10:15 |
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![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipFX_3xZdmF0Bv9AXXq8wXIDd82zC0OTpFUX-fuyrxIB8wwhPg8ZfqGxzzdc9Fgs82AsgQmRP7oVjrLpUqKuvyuVCgmXh-azOI41fTGo1ptHJWBEymcWq1vTYnzlU3rbXkW5yYVW0kMo8/s400/IMG_3370.JPG) |
Coopers Cycle Supply in Franklin. When I started NPD I bought a bunch of stuff here. Love this place. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRsxogy5LCJ4f0DJk8eIxPrKwCLQF9Q5BQ54sYdlJjUtNNVM_KdoR_q6rEVMeYN55GDZVHRyQom6u1IKbKfgdH-4nrF0snl2o3fGeeenUHnQr0wFkCy_S7VtWk41PfmajvGbHFUq6yvBI/s640/IMG_3374.JPG) |
Pully Cart left from Railroad Days. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW74dMs11-_0hzpebUDdGNWfA57edk4YnePjEBeRJrFW8_RupjP6-Pb6QbC4EJhYc-Of3Ml_JwDVsz66qRcbs_1rYal6DSkj7XeOPRSPeFiK17DV8rqLUVMDUxhn5W0WKjRgwVJ5hBXC8/s400/IMG_3377.JPG) |
One of the many small bridges. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQy5XuSnc8pTnLTDMOYDtp8Gg2uyPc-1ECjghHLSudMAIbQrYmGdKFT3iNlV_jJF2vZ1qAEPP6RkEcP7bMc2vxJ1ehbjg_TX0nsgSAdSYhV9bzeaNIEuTas1oZufctWVjyoUF7kfCLROI/s640/IMG_3385.JPG) |
And one of the larger ones. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH3sYncbom5J8hU7VoOtpPN9s6fTfiMPmIIWkHz4FqVKmhotL5FK7O3uwJR0wEPkAEh-CIEgQi5sl8EGbv9chxvJhhttz8KO1bhXXtc-ss25d2OHhnQ58Ne5UsdmJlIVXLxlnzZIfvmTE/s400/IMG_3387.JPG) |
New England Covered Bridge. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixcyiOKtsqZ81dpa9Qoe7-8N7QSqXrhIhwk7KVXM6PXgiGO_YQNOijLUq6lLpC4Falybco8a32GJhRVw-Jd50b7P800TA1liOVmmzI78c7vGpDuzcrGG_qO8U_ryT_Y1kS6jY06N4igmM/s400/IMG_3394.JPG) |
Some tracks are still there. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9R77QaoKXa51odgm767pPL0Jt2RF28KWT0obLfugrTalsBHgSNqMjTYRDai-Q4ONWU4PS9rK8CvYTwHqbBb3jc0aPFeJtQXvesdxRO6YB-HG8sqfP-zzvK5r8MncT6NroFMPUUDMTVv8/s400/IMG_3395.JPG) |
Made me think of my brother Barry, who is a huge train fan. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjofOD5yvsw6WrUr-kNhNxOTRDdlV106sOwqsBEANylAyFaDTCLiS0ko-RQWrGwjEScg4i52qq4wxs9P5ueAKL6GHuWy2O4dizLFqoy1HB35QLoBC5ioSXnGx82ho1KlhLeT_u5U0uzDP4/s400/IMG_3424.JPG) |
There was zero pavement. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxUPTij0eyKFCxM3Kn39F8an_fOB6_9zuCS-8rDz-zJqhvU7xzQopSm1F_AlLaPBtU7ginOSy1YVVuxmOSxy1wlkBkv26tIVELYiXV8RUgfEIKxzAWwlIO6pxcBnUi9sR9MyDt5XA5j8U/s400/IMG_3426.JPG) |
Lunch at the Danbury Country Store. Whoopee Pie and a Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar drink. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlr8nqe9kX4Tl7TSV_JTOPriGfV_q4TxMAdr4_TgGsFpoBRbz_hcax4mAhEBkfHDlRpMMb1evtOYToK_mfWWBrdZlVjxJiMM4x_KXOI_GdGX_79evqUmEFMPi4AHMqmBw9RHLmWWeaauI/s400/IMG_3429.JPG) |
It's a very peaceful trail. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPq8lNPAEhVvqhPJ6ZWoSQZSdfp_oS6f_W5-0n5StSLwuzeGhEnZ6QY_AidFflGV8XR82Mi-uCZBwm4eho8msDS4HMLh6pIB1Lw5WRZWjTmOq_pj15Zb2CdcJlu-UYmI9Z08D38odv3OU/s400/IMG_3434.JPG) |
After a torrential downpour the trail was waterlogged for about an hour. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirpt1LUawlt4vk6UJWu5dqhAftBy1zuEEN3X1WJRt3YjhnpNH6VzyMEYeUvJhOfXGaA34n7qr8x1lLvNwhyphenhyphenS03G_0jNUnvUW7YbZrXwwlCU3FB_8Kpx_OpcDjCra4pKUzhaCLJuBs12Fg/s400/IMG_3435.JPG) |
There is almost zero elevation on this trail. It feels flat as a pancake. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnlKwuzja83fvK6cjOFZlfj6sljAmPgSveuCpfi55Gdqv8bqYuANZ7UKy7RJgEqjkvcg1YHHlB_RqDLQ9MmQaHlLKSCiIx97lBCgLw-Xh7KTJ8TikF1P30GM_TNFGMGItETaxlCkkpG0o/s400/IMG_3437.JPG) |
Artsy shot. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOZWusR_tgClWRejNSF5o3EfzdFbGS-0SLZyuFvR6-nnIP8ZnkH6OixLZUrxhyMl50LzwxFR70orpqr1AcGsr5HZZsDPVOxXC1YNt7Xo2CWpEvyvbrzba9n3Z2Vb96lXtmqea7piIFvCA/s400/IMG_3442.JPG) |
The tunnels were a bit hard to see in, but were fun. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIGz9j2bKcPxSaAUVN8sNe9CLAofr4F_6c6YBd2eQvhJRP4CCbZGfXFIGZEaCNBCNEXpWXXtBhyphenhyphenwRAbN1nTa_BKakg93iR4RseWtmECzdjLVTIxJquFbtNEns9yTY0FTOX91eC105Lqdk/s320/IMG_3446.JPG) |
I swear you can't make this stuff up. I'll just leave that there. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixEb45dkyK555Vi65m-etAtMiN86-EQ6pQZx7dgLNcCvAWes1bXzyoJ3sCnrpsC7dCUVUQUdUkHW_3jXNmJ23mdEVgy36RQPYktwliYGXlSKmM09vBVUJB1LIdZDjU8l8pY_SrIJnp66A/s640/IMG_3451.JPG) |
Parking for lunch. This is the "Old Tray Factory" from the 1700's. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivwwCsUgMGWloUKDvZky3pK5J6GML9C0H-d-ZL5oU4Y3_-yj-dPi9LRA2A13o-r2F3BgxeV8M-LcFQTuJkOOD_fy89cuVHu1_ssnMw-imM7LNAwqkk6pmq-Kx5GLa_cixZ0F1h_XR2nII/s400/IMG_3453.JPG) |
I had no idea it was going to be this scenic. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Uooi5wEKQ3vj38vjsnoqilnsVaXUFPBE5yOlQErttvF4pk0rFkXsdnynBGic4o3lQ8plkY5iOPfs5XZodX0zbG1s8f1kRiDyrm4QX77_nHxtFWX9G10ErlRan53DwEZ9BL4PM7s0ndU/s400/IMG_3454.JPG) |
Feels like being in the Whites. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Vl7kSEnayRJRBCPsQ_9zheqTgXma1N8Gwb4K5m5DBASjEnIsKQAllQrLYFyd1LUUvU6wV7NtgJoSmgRYhOpF9JnDDaDGE_4WZATz0S9TzYLjDnU5alpp6BwgT3P-RXnCh63XxhTUwf0/s400/IMG_3455.JPG) |
Tunnel shot. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6LbW7sbXTTvSCr7r2ERJTjM0RTpDAW2SrhrbHZaPHUzvKm8WHCvSOU8yPh5Ji-rhLHbNSmrGwtg3gkYZLH2jeovGoobogLO7ThfQqU4hokrYMgwkx9soOwUu9cS49Yp4e0YsH1IOlLBk/s320/IMG_3456.JPG) |
The Slate was built for this type of road. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9D5hO7t4EtFxMr8RD4NKTpUdCzt6DVIHCBp4FCQN98YMfn5FdJDSG_F306vpshsRvg1B4fuAUBeOPnxYceFwPBy3UNrOOA_zRATYRIQN5diXqorncA227GINbprIMEQZ_uSD-ZvG03iw/s400/IMG_3458.JPG) |
Just more pretty scenery. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw22flshu5xBiBRhPePa0oSpjfnvrDThHlE30D1VvLT9M8CnNROhKtVqJqpnwhYLv-ju8Xv8ghd0NmtZ9dNg8uLrHCH-_wloO6iCamuk6sKv5nzerT-wqG3nwAEi4Lw3mBd5IJzU7Aalk/s400/IMG_3462.JPG) |
Stopped back at the store on the way back. I had to eat a LOT to keep my energy up. More than running. The rear rack is from Portland Design Works. Check it out. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOnQmYLlrGokkhNWrNVY0SNjH0gpqNXOIG_dHi-lZJ_c2PCZTlwAvh05vIlK2BAvoZxfK6GO7-UUwNMxC3q9hNQy6VIRBD8pkMyIEXecn8K96mLL_GQbVPtjwYUAGjOOXQexf11yuSIXQ/s400/IMG_3465.JPG) |
Early train turntable. Could only be used by very small trains. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglgCDYeYetkbfUAwUvYVEOgDGkMMMCk50JJYgMDnkR7KhyKPOB3yqGLTeuj7Dv7SQg-zCvJCudkTquRmY_wIOFpf6u0Y6RYYR4C9CgO4qn1Rt9saPOwbVyqAqQWWkIfqu_xErGX4LMqHA/s400/IMG_3469.JPG) |
The back of the train station you can see in Franklin. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTm9on3EV-zns4VkLDzPKVE2SpHSYbpD9-_m5QcVB7cMrPmQ9LKiAV4WM1b6wzOQ6AKdwP0tr7itLngIpvjGuQlPw_-2NsitkLWed1R8Mm2vMd1PMCPVWaVkWysYvQBFQt4s1r9AJuOTI/s320/IMG_3476.JPG) |
A long day complete. The longest I have ever ridden on a bicycle. |
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