Bicycle Tour: Massasoit State Park, Day Three

On Wednesday, July 3, 2024, I rode from Massasoit State Park to my home in Somerville, Massachusetts. (For the second day of this three-day tour, see Massasoit State Park, Day Two.)

I woke up at 5:00 a.m. I ate two cheese sticks and crackers with peanut butter for breakfast. I did not have much food left: crackers, peanut butter, two caffeine bars, two Clif Bars, and one scoop of Gatorade.

I packed efficiently and left at 7:00 a.m., when the temperature was a cool 62 °F. I managed to navigate safely through some busy intersections on what was otherwise a pleasant ride northbound before reaching Ames Long Pond at 20.5 miles, where the temperature was 75 °F.

Ames Long Pond, looking south

Ames Long Pond, looking north

At 9:40 a.m., after riding 25 miles, I stopped at Cabot Devoll Field in Springdale for a snack. There was a drinking fountain and a port-a-john.

I continued riding north to Route 138, where the ride across Interstate 93 was unpleasant because of high speed traffic and poor bicycle infrastructure, but riding on Canton Avenue and Blue Hills Parkway was nice.

Getting to Walk Hill Road from Blue Hill Avenue was challenging because Babson Avenue turns into a one-way street going the wrong way. I walked my bike through two intersections using pedestrian signals.

If you’re not used to city traffic, riding on Blue Hill Avenue and Massachusetts Avenue in Boston can be intimidating; patience is the key. I have a blinking headlight, taillight, and two blinking sidelights for extra visibility, and I believe this helps drivers see me.

After Walk Hill Road, I rode up the Southwest Corridor Trail and across the Charles River on Massachusetts Avenue. I took bike lanes in Cambridge and Somerville. I arrived home at 12:05 p.m. after riding 20 miles from Cabot Devoll Field in Springdale. That was a good route, and I will use it again.

I managed my effort very well at 56% Zone 1, 37% Zone 2, 5% Zone 3, and 2% Zone 4.