Conference noted::bicycle

3125.0. "GMA to Springfield and back trip report" by PCBUOA::KRATZ () Mon Jul 22 1996 16:08

Trip: 		Clinton to Springfield and back, 7/21/96
Miles: 		124
Avg speed:	17mph (4 hours there, 3 and change back)
Route out (courtesy DeLorme's Street Atlas USA V3.0):
		Back roads to 110/12/140 in West Boylston
		Back roads (Goodale,...) to 122 in Holden (actually the
			highest elevation of the trip is in this area)
		Rt 31 to Spencer
		Backroads (N. Brookfield Rd,...) to North Brookfield
		Rt 67 to West Warren
		Back roads (Old Palmer Rd,...) to Palmer
		Rt 32 to Rt 20 in Monson
		Rt 20 (busy, but wide shoulder) to Main St in Wilbraham
		Main St, Faculty, Springfield, Wilbraham, Plumtree,...
Bike:		My idea of a "touring" bike: installed a water bottle on
		the 19 pound racing bike (Trek 5500).
Preparation:	A pound of peanut M&M's, followed by a pound of regular,
		washed down with Diet Dr. Pepper.
Highlights:	Didn't seem as hilly as the MassPike; the only significant
		hill was between West Warren and Palmer.  Traffic was light,
		probably due to Olympics on TV (and being in the middle of
		nowhere!).  Bitchin' west/northwest wind; coulda used
		aero bars on the way out.