October 19, 2019  |  Post-Post Foliage Ride

Following our new bike lane to Tariffville and Mountain Roads, into the more bike-friendly portion of 189 and across the gorge, we eventually run into the northern leg of the (*breath*) “Farmington Canal Heritage Trail”, just south of Granby.

The Lake Congamond area is usually as far north as I go, but today we’re riding to the end of the line…

Suddenly, we’re riding the “Columbia Greenway”, named for the legendary local bicycle manufactory (founded by Pope Park’s namesake, Albert Pope).

Columbia’s heyday was a bit before my time, but here’s a far more familiar piece of nostalgia out on the landscape:

Long ago (but more recent than Albert Pope), Veryfine was synonymous with single-serving bottles of fruit juice. Like Univega, they had a minimalist graphic design heyday back in the 80s, but were later bought/sold and the brand hollowed out.

A bit of late foliage, and we finally reach ENDS PATH in Westfield, Massachusetts. On the map, it’s interesting to see how much closer this is to Northampton than Hartford, but I’ll try not to get any ideas.

The weather gets chillier, the days get shorter, and the rides back get darker. Enjoy your autumn!

May 25, 2019  |  Town & Country: Country

First longish ride of the year, and HB-03’s first time scaling the Metacomet Ridge.

On the other side of The Ridge is miles of easygoing greenway, the return loop hugging the gently-flowing Farmington River.