lexington -> concord
The shot heard round the world; the Battle of Lexington; arguably the most poignant event in American history was fired from the green of Lexington Massachusetts. This is where myself and 30 odd other cyclists in the pre-dusk hour of 6 on this eve gathered. This BRC trainer was nearly cancelled as thunderheads loomed in the distance. Gigantic late summer clouds wisk from horizon to horizon in seconds. Trees flex as pre-storm gusts send trickles of green leaves down on the wet pavement. This pre-storm angry air spreads a little apprehension over the weaker riders (like myself) as we sheepishly look around at each other with expressions of ‘Maybe this isnt a good idea?’ written on our faces. Start off at 6:05. As this is race pace training for many of these high ranked Boston area athletes many shots were fired and several small groups went up the road as we weaved in and out of traffic along the ‘Minuteman trail’ toward Concord. We regroup and bear right onto the short 4 lane divided highway which is the entrance to Hanscom Air Force base; the local modern icon of American power. With a brisk tailwind the bunch reaches 36mph up a slight grade; only to be abruptly cut off by an ancient toyota corolla cutting across 3 lanes to make an illegal turn. Brakes locked; wheel screeched; curses made; luckily no one goes down. The car has a union jack bumper sticker. Wheeling through the center of Concord at 28mph we pass the old Concord church; a single light illuminates the steeple; (one by land?) Probably one of the hardest training events in this part of the woods and was happy to experience it. The twilight cool down ride back brought me through a valley of pharmaceutical and biomedical research; wondering what General Gage would think of this? Back at my car at 7:45; drenched. Still some buddies inside working.
