Conference noted::bicycle

    	OK, the hike is this Saturday (weather permitting). Who is going?
    I hope to seem most of the Quabbin Century group and any other gung-ho
    cyclist-hikers. Please sign in here.
    
    (correction to .0 : The meeting place at the Mt. is signed as the
    parking area for the Old Toll Road, and is a couple of miles West of
    Jaffery Center, which is where there is a sign pointing to the State
    Park [you don't take that road!] and is a couple of miles west of Jaffery
    itself.
    	So, you get to Jaffery and 124, go West a couple of miles thru
    Jaffery Center and by the State Park sign, and stay on 124 a couple of
    more miles until you see the Old Toll Road parking sign.
    	Better yet, meet us at Groton High School and car pool up.
    
    Some Hiking Hints:  Bicyclists who are not frequent hikers often over
    extend themselves - they are in great aerobic condition, but they are
    using muscle groups that are not strengthened by cycling. This happens
    mostly on the decent off the mountain, Not the climb! The secret to
    survival is taken from low-impact aerobics and such: avoid jarring foot
    placements. Take your time on decents and place your downhill foot
    *before* you load it. This results in a cautious, semi-awkward decent,
    but your knees and legs will love you for it! Make sure your boots are
    tightly laced on the decent, to prevent jamming your toes (which should
    have nails trimmed closely).
    
    	So, who's gonna join us?  - Chris
     

    
    	I sent mail, but, I and 1 to 4 friends will be there.
    
    
    				Roger

    Pending warm weather, I will be there.
    
    	-Nancy_who_does_not_do_anything_when_it_is_cold_out

    I'd go but the weather is still good enough for centuries.
    
    ed

    	To repeat from the base note: "You should be an experienced hiker 
    before trying this one."  NVP and other local groups, like AMC, have
    walks and easy hikes suitable for beginners. This hike is NOT advised
    for new hikers. 
    	[This is sort of like standing around on a September early morning
    watching people sign up for a century. You hope the strangers with
    their shiney new bikes opt for the 1/2 or 1/4 century rides. And see
    the old hands from other clubs with their older bikes with the extra
    water bottles and other modifications and smile to yourself, knowing
    they will be on their way home when I am having lunch at the 75 mile
    point. (It take me 8 hours to do one of those things.)  Hiking is very
    much like cycling - you need to start easy, progress, find out what
    works for you, and take care of your knees/legs.] - Chris

    If it's not for beginners, how come I always see 3 and 4 year olds
    climbing it during peak foliage?
    

    They are experienced 3 and 4 year olds.
    
    :-)
    
    ed

    re. .6  Hiking, like cycling, depends on the pace. Anyone can climb
    Monadnock if they are willing to spend 5 or 6 hours to do it. The group that
    does this hike will take around 3 hours.  Trying to keep up on the
    decent could injure a beginner. As a leader, I don't want that
    responsibility. So, I ask that beginners try slower paced or easier
    hikes.
    	Almost anyone can do a 10 mile bicycle ride in one hour. Put them
    on the road with a strong rider who can do it in 30 minutes and tell
    them to try to keep up - most will die in the first 20mph mile. I'm
    just trying to prevent this on this hike. - Chris

    My idea of a decent workout is RUNNING up Mt. Monadnock.  Coming back
    down is the fun part (bounding from rock to rock takes all your 
    concentration).

    
    RE: Running up Mt. Monadnock
    
    You know, somehow in your case I believe it!
    
    -j

       <<< Note 1339.9 by CESARE::JOHNSON "Matt Johnson, DTN 871-7473" >>>
                               -< I've done it >-

>    My idea of a decent workout is RUNNING up Mt. Monadnock.  Coming back
>    down is the fun part (bounding from rock to rock takes all your 
>    concentration).

Back in my mountain running days, I used to run a trail on Mt Monadnock called 
Pumpelly Ridge trail.  It starts at Dublin Lake and goes up the northern ridge 
to the summit, 4.5m one way.  It has a lot of quite runnable sections with 
some very steep rock scrambles thrown in, just to keep it interesting.  The 
most awesome workout I've EVER done was 21m on this trail: 2 laps (9m round 
trip) plus 3m on the road at the bottom between laps.

I've also run the White Dot trail, which is virtually 2.2m straight up!  Of 
course, 'run' is defined rather loosely in this context.

If I was ever to run again, it would only be in/on the mountains.  Much more 
fun.  Alas, I don't think my feet and knees will tolerate that stuff anymore.

Kevin

ps.  Dress warmly this weekend.  Mt Monadnock is always very windy, and with 
the suddenly cold temps in the area, it will be especially cold on the 
mountain.

    Well, I ran up the white dot trail with one hand tied behind my back
    and then down the Pumpelly Ridge trail backwards. :-)

>>    Well, I ran up the white dot trail with one hand tied behind my back
>>    and then down the Pumpelly Ridge trail backwards. :-)
    
    	Well I biked up the White Dot trail and down the Pumpelly
    Ridge trail entirely on my mountain bike with a water bottle
    in one hand and a bagel in the other :-)
    							_Jerry
    

Since .1 called for the Quabbin Century group to attend the hike, and tomorrow
is the day I suppose that I better make a decision as to whether or not I'm
going biking or hiking.  I just called the weather service and the forecast is
for increasing clouds and temperatures near freezing.  There is a possibility
of snow flurries or a shower in the afternoon.  It doesn't sound like it will
be a good day for cycling, and I'm uncertain about the hike too.  I think I'll
make the decision in the morning.

Rich