Rolled out on the LHT, still shod in the non-studded Continental Winter II tires, a little before noon. Avoided the Minuteman for once, having a pretty good idea that the Lexington and Bedford sections were still icy (this was confirmed by some riders I met along the way). Instead, went out Massachusetts Avenue as far as Lexington Center, seeing the front-yard flip-side of my usual Minuteman rail trail back-yard route.






Lexington Center featured a little present-day participatory democracy...




... along with a little 18th Century participatory democracy...


Left Mass. Ave. and worked my way over to Grove Street, crossing 128 and climbing the hill to Wright Farm, relatively recently acquired as Lexington conservation land, and sporting a new sign.


Crossed into Bedford; Grove Street became Page Road. I stopped for a minute to talk to the rescue Schipperkes at Corey's Farm.


Went charging down the hill after that; at today's temperatures (pushing 50degF), the Winter IIs are all grip and no roll, virtues that I appreciated on the wet and sometimes sandy downgrade. Didn't push it, topping out at 22mph on the descent. Crossed the Shawsheen, swollen with melt-water and storm run-off.


Forked left off Page Road on Brooksbie Road, then riding a brief section of the Great Road, and picking up Loomis Street. Rode past Depot Park and out Railroad Avenue, and dodged around John Glenn Middle School to McMahon Road, connecting to Concord Road (Route 62).

To be continued...