12 Hours of Bradbury - 2012

The 12 Hours of Bradbury is a 12-hour mountain bike endurance race held each fall at Bradbury Mountain State Park in Pownal Maine. I've entered the event twice. Both times as part of a 4 man team. The average race lap takes about an hour. With a 4 man team, each rider takes turns 'racing' a lap. That allows plenty of time to recover (and socialize!) in between laps. 

That's the way us older guys roll!

Black Friday crowds

Turkey Burner mountain bike ride, Portland Maine

Thinking of an Escape

Shoulder Season Backpacking on the Midstate Trail

About this time every year, I get a case of itchy feet. No, not some strange rash or skin funk but an overwhelming desire to put on my backpack and start walking on something other than snow.

A few weeks ago while surfing online for a cure to my itch I stumbled upon the Midstate Trail in Massachusetts.  Let’s see, it's 95 miles long, traverses the low hills of central Mass’, and 3 hours south of here. The snow should be gone. Voila! I think I found my cure.

Hiking: They're seeing the light

Ultra-light hiking has grown to spawn an industry for hikers who hike simply because, well, they enjoy it.

"I think there are two misunderstandings about ultra-light hikers. That it's for speed or for long hikes. I like to carry loads like this for a weekend trip. For me it's about not being exhausted at the top of the mountain and feeling like I carried a dead body up there," said Ryan Linn, a Camden (Maine) native and longtime ultra-light hiker.

Hiking: They’re seeing the light - The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram. <-- click to read the full article!

The Long Trail - Training Hike

The Long Trail is a 273 mile foot path in Vermont. It follows the main ridge of Green Mountains from the Massachusetts / Vermont line to the Canadian border. It is the oldest long distance hiking trail in the United States.


I've hiked all but the northern most 88 miles of the Long Trail. I plan on completing it this June. I'll start at the Canadian border and hike south to Rte. 2 in Jonesville. 


In preparation I've been doing a series of training hikes. The general plan is to hike every other day. On each hike I'll increase the amount of weight I carry. After I max-out the weight I'll start increasing my distance. This is my normal training hike routine. 

Free Entrance Days in the National Parks

America's Best Idea - the national parks - gets even better with several fee-free days at more than 100 national parks that usually charge entrance fees.*

Mark your calendar for these fee-free dates in 2012:

• April 21-29
• National Park Week
• June 9
  Get Outdoors Day
• September 29
  National Public Lands Day
• November 10-12
  Veterans Day weekend