Thursday, March 15, 2018

42 Mile Ride the Day After the Storm (Ferncroft/North Andover/Boxford/Topsfield)

Just because the region got 18 inches of snow yesterday, is no reason to not ride the next day! Today’s ride was far less sketchy than other rides I’ve done this winter. Most roads had no snow at all on them and many were even dry. I went by Ferncroft and then circled through North Andover and Boxford before heading back to Danvers through Topsfield. The captions on the photos tell the story of the ride and identify the locations.
The elevation gain is only 45.6 feet per mile but by hitting the hills hard, it's possible to get in some decent intervals.

The captions on the photos tell the story and locations.

Near the beginning of the ride passing in back of the Hogan center.

The Ferncroft hill is a fantastic place to ride. Here's the place where you have to decide if you want to ascend via Locust or Village. I usually take Locust and then loop around and descend Village but Village makes for a fine ascent as well. I don't recommend descending Locust because you have to come to a hard stop whereas Village allows you to keep all your speed from the descent which can be considerable.

About to plunge down Village. Care must be taken with cars exiting and entering Ferncroft but as long as you're aware, you can pretty much go all out on the descent.

Sharpeners Pond is completely clear of snow.

Even Lacy/Brookview was almost totally clear which is often a spot that stays snow-covered longer than other roads.

On Foster.

Even the little turnout on Foster had been plowed out. It's a good place to stop. By the way, those are shorts I'm wearing not a skirt as the photo makes it appear!

I like this section of Winter street with this cool marsh area.

A closer look at the marsh.

Looking up the Howlett ascent from the Topsfield side. The picture doesn't do the hill justice. It's a great hill to power right up.

Looking back the other way on Howlett.

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