When out this morning for a wet bike ride.  It was misting or a slight drizzle, but it was nice.  Rode the Norwottuck Trail past the Hampshire Mall. About a mile or two past the mall I thought I had picked up a rock in the front tire a bit later I noticed it was starting to go flat… not a rock but a piece of glass, bummer!  Where is that patch kit and frame pump?   Something I never got around to adding to my bike.  So our only choice… to walk…

The Mall has a Dicks Sporting Goods store so I figured I could pick up what I needed to make the repair there.  Bought a patch kit and asked if I could bring my bike in and use the pump…  She said yes, alright!  Now I gotta get this thing patched.  Used my keys as tire levers it worked well… The patch stuck and it held air.  So off we go! Lesson learned,time to get a repair kit on the bike.   The ride totaled up at about 20 miles so it was a good morning ride…

Things I need for the repair kit:

1. Patch kit
2. Tire levers
3. Mini pump
4. Bike multitool

I think that should make a good repair kit. I am also thinking about adding Slime to my tubes and tire liners. The tires on my bike are puncture resistant commuter tires.  Not so much I guess… Time to make these things flat proof!

Related posts:

1. Rail Trail – Florence to Amherst (13.8 miles one way)
2. Winter Bicycling – Ktrak Track System & More

Ktrak Full Kit

Ktrak is a kit that replaces the rear wheel on your MTB to turn it in to a snow machine. They also have an optional front ski. I think one of these kits would be really cool to have.  I’m not sure I could drop the $400 + on it though.  A lot of the reviews mention how much rolling resistance the track has and that it is useless in deep snow.  Before I even think about one of these kits I need to get a mountain bike but I think I would rather just have a good set of studded tires. I have about a 2.5 mile commute to work and would like to ride through the winter.  I am planing on building a winter bike over the summer to ride next winter. Christini is an all-wheel-drive motorcycle manufacturer.  They now offer AWD bicycles and they look like they would be great in the snow and ice.  They are offering 2 full suspension models.  I think they cost $1400 + so this would be out of my winter bike budget.

Do you ride in the snow and ice? if so what is your ride?

Related posts:

1. First Snowshoe Hike of the Winter

Extended Bike Path Route

The Northampton Bike Trail is undergoing a much anticipated change tomorrow… Main Street will be shut down tomorrow for a few hours to put up the new bridge crossing Main St. in Northampton.  This is a project to extend the rail trail from Earle Street to a stop light at King St.

The plan is also to connect the Norwottuck Rail Trail to the Northampton Bike Path. And extend the Look Park end of the trail to continue into Leeds.  The bridge will not be open to public till after June.  I have also heard that plans are in the works to connect Easthampton and

Mudslide on the Manhan

Northampton via a bike path.  I hope that the mud slide that happened this past fall does not put a stop to those plans. The mud slide has washed out a section of the Manhan Bike Trail and left a hole 30 feet deep and 100 feet wide.  They estimate that it will be upwards of $400,000.

I have also heard plans for a trail that runs all the way to Boston.  I am not sure if this is true or complete hogwash.  I hope for it being true…

Related posts:

1. Rail Trail – Florence to Amherst (13.8 miles one way)

Along the Rail Trail

Yesterday I decided to take the bicycle out for a change of pace.  I was a little worried about it being a little cold so I threw on some layers, a hat, and gloves.  I live about 1000 feet from the Northampton Bike Trail.  The Northampton Bike Trail Starts at Bridge Rd. near Look Park and continues to the Stop and Shop parking lot on King St.  If you are daring you can cross over King St. and follow the trail behind the McDonalds you will have to cross some rail road tracks (use caution the tracks are active).  Once you cross over you are now on the start of the Norwottuck Rail Trail. The Norwottuck Trail runs about 11 miles from Northampton to the Amherst/Pelham town line. The main parking lot for the Norwottuck Trail is just off Damon Rd. in Northampton. You can view my map in google for other possible parking locations.  This trail has a great mix of country riding.  You will find a few businesses on the Trail including two bike shops (Chris’ Bike Shop &  Trailside Bicycles), and a few places to get some

Trailside Bicycles

food. Trailside Bicycles offers rentals and is open every day but Monday.  If geocaching is your thing you can find at least a half dozen caches just off the trail.  I found two yesterday.

Over all my ride was 24 miles and it was wonderfully relaxing.  I did however realize that I need a bag for my rack so I can easily carry some stuff with me.  Mainly geocaching stuff and some tools would be nice to have too…

Related posts:

1. Bare Mountain to Military Rd. loop trail – 4.3 Miles