May 2016

About a week after the end of April's Hundo week, I did the 7 Sisters Trail Race in Hadley for the second time. Colin did a good job summing up that race on his blog, but suffice to say, I was quite exhausted after that and decided to take a bit of a break.

Finally recovered after a few rides and runs earlier in the month, I decided to go for the May 100 on the second to last weekend of the month. 

First, because wasting an open day would no doubt make other obligations and thunderstorms materialize the next weekend, and 

Second, because we were already in "any day now territory" with our forthcoming addition to the family. 

  

Since it was so close to (potential) baby day, I decided I'd stay close to home by doing a number of sub-100 loops. That way, I could check back in and cut back to the house if need be at a few spots on the ride. My first idea involved very short loops, but then I saw that a friend was organizing a 40ish mile road ride out of Easthampton around 11am. 

I left the house a bit late, but still rode out to the UMass Amherst campus on the bike path and back, which was good for about 30 miles. I checked my phone. 

Then I met the organized ride back in Easthampton, and we went for a fun 40 something miles including a few very nice dirt roads. I checked my phone. 

When we got back from that ride, I went out again solo to Look Park in Northampton, then traced back over some of the roads we hit in the middle loop.

By adding a quick loop of my local park two or three times throughout the day, I was able to get up to just over 100 miles and I had the May hundo done.

We're still waiting for the baby, so June's hundo plan is still undetermined, but I'll keep you posted.

  

Ride name origin - Planned loop, with one loop before, one loop after, and some extra little circles for gravy  
Bike - Pioneer Valley Hilltowns, Michelin Pro 4 Endurance 700x28
Apparel - Short Sleeve jersey and Giordana bib shorts