I've been a bit glum lately. Depressed would be a strong word. The summer is rapidly drawing to a close and I didn't get as much cool stuff accomplished as I had hoped I might have. Over the past several days, however, I have gotten a bunch of routine stuff done in preparation for the fall, so it's not all bad.
Yesterday, I went to see Daniel ride in the last of the Northampton Cycle Club bike races. The races were held at 
Look Park. I decided to ride my bike there and then, after the race, ride home in the car. I rode on the Norwottuck trail to Northampton, and then tried to navigate to the Northampton bike trail. Eventually the two are supposed to connect, but at the moment there is no obvious way to get from one to the other. For the first time, I rode past the end of the Norwottuck trail to see where it goes. It continues as a dirt path under the expressway (91) and eventually peters out at the, still active, railroad tracks along the east side of Northampton. After dragging my bike across the tracks, I found myself in the Wendy's parking lot. I had looked on a map months ago (or maybe years ago) when I first heard that the trails would be connecting, but unfortunately hadn't gotten around to rechecking where the Northampton trail started. I wandered around a bit, eventually ending up at the Smith College campus and then asked someone. From there, I was eventually able to get on the trail, but was tired enough that I didn't bother riding the wrong way on the trail for a while to see where I should have gotten on it -- that will be an exercise for another day. Eventually, I got the end of the trail, entered Look Park, and found Alisa and Daniel.
The race had attracted around 100 people. The track is put up on the grass, which seems like a weird way to race to me, but is probably a lot safer if kids fall. Daniel was in the third heat. He got to wear a little number and pedalled valiantly around the track.
After the race, we hung out in the splash park until it was time to award the ribbons. Daniel received his and a coupon for a little sundae at the concession stand. I rode home in the back seat with Daniel (because he asked me to) while he ate his sundae. So, how can you be depressed after a day like that.
StevenBrewer