Anyway, so the "riding gap" that I above refer to, has to do with getting back on a motorcycle after roughly two weeks without a long ride. Sure, a few short jaunts here and there, but nothing like my previous motorcycle trips. Well, as it turns out, when you haven't ridden in a few weeks, and you climb back on a bike and decide to ride for 6 hours, it really does a number on you. I am, and this is not really an exaggeration, sore all over. My back, backside, arms, neck, feet, all of it. So very sore...
That said, it was and absolutely gorgeous day to ride today. Despite the chill in the air (especially felt on a motorcycle with no windshield), the sun was out and shining, and the roads I picked were in spectacular shape. I would have to say that, within a margin of error, today was possibly the best ride yet. Really for two reasons:
1) I got to check off another ride from the list. I rode out to Dana, MA and got to walk around the remains of the town a little bit. I certainly didn't spend enough time there, and I have to go back, preferably with better shoes to wear.
2) I was on my motorcycle for the first time in weeks and it was a perfect start to my vacation.
I also happened to take more pictures on this trip than I have for any of the others. To try and describe them all would be a waste, as they are all, basically, of the same 500 foot radius around the site of Dana Common. However, they are very beautiful pictures, so I will post them anyway.
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| It reads: SITE OF DANA COMMON 1801 - 1938 To all those who sacrificed their homes and way of life (Erected by Dana Reunion 1996) |
So, the entrance to Dana, MA is along MA-32A. It's about 1.8 miles down the old road from the gate that the Department of Recreation and Conservation put up. The entire walk was very nice. It was tree lined most of the way, breaking in spots were a particular house and property once stood. In a few spots, the trees thinned and I could see a nearby pond set back in the woods. One of the most amazing features is the remains of extra roads that you would normally see in any small town, branching out from the main road.
As I got closer to the Common, the amount of forest along the roads receded and the number of old foundations increased. The Common itself looks well cared for, as the DRC keeps it more or less taken care of. It has a distinct feeling of being lonely, though. As if the area around the common is just waiting for people to come back home. However, I did find it peaceful otherwise. It would be a hell of a place for a picnic.
When it was time to head back to the bike, my feet were starting to hurt. Here's the equation:
Chippewa Logger Motorcycle boots + top-grain cowhide chaps + 3.6 mile hike = Sore feet and a massive blister.
I had to chant a cadence to myself to keep going on the way back. It wasn't as fun as I would have wanted.
That said, the next time I go, I'm bringing my motorcycle bag and a pair of sneakers. I wish I had a better camera to use as well. Still, all things considered, it was pretty awesome.
After getting back to my bike, I then headed up to the Quabbin Tower in what used to be Enfield, MA. It has a magnificent view of the Reservoir and the surrounding area. With the sky as clear as it was today, I could see all the way to Mt. Monadnock in New Hampshire. After that, I climbed back on the bike and headed home.
I went a slightly different route today. I was getting a little tired of 117 to 110, and Clinton, MA is a shithole to begin with. So, I went out US-20 to MA-27, then to MA-62, MA-70, MA-140, then I took Goodale St to MA-31, to MA-122, to MA-32/32A, to 32A. From that turn, it was 3.1 miles to the entrance to the road to Dana. After that, I pretty much backtracked. It was a decent ride, with some nice twisties and a few places to really open the bike up. It was a magnificent return to the saddle.
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