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I managed to make it the entire winter before getting sick. Lauren started with it Friday night a week ago, then it hit me Sunday night.
I thought it would end quick like it did with the girls (they both got it and were over it in 2 days), but it’s lasted all week for me.
Of course it didn’t help that we had all day meetings most of the week followed by dinner and late nights at the bar(s).
Hopefully it ends soon. I’ve got some travel coming up and need to be healthy.
– b
Remember the foundation wall that we discovered to be somewhat buckled when we removed the washroom walls from downstairs last fall?
We had another mason come in for an estimate and he disagreed that it needed re-enforcement. His assessment was that we had a drainage problem, fixable with proper drainage and the foundation simply needed repointing.
So we went with that.
If he’s wrong, the newly repointed mortar will crack and crumble in no time and we’ll have to go back to re-enforcement.
Here’s the work he did.
They took out the windows, dug out a drain on the outside, repointed, put in new windows and concreted the dirt spot in the floor.
Overall they did a decent job.
Though I didn’t want new windows originally and thought walling over the space would be better, I’m glad we did it. They add an extra level of coziness to what otherwise would feel like a dungeon.
You may also notice the plumbing lines. Previously they supported the sink and numerous other things in and above the space. With all that gone they were just getting in the way, so we had a plumber come in and reroute them for extra room.
Definitely better.
– b
Stock weight of the girls bikes is 26.92lbs.
I plan to change the pedals, saddle, seat post, cranks, handlebars, and make them tubeless (at least on all Lauren’s bike). I’m hoping that gets me to 24lbs.
Is it worth it? Is that enough? Not sure.
I’m considering a light weight bottom bracket too.
Most of these parts I can and plan to carry forward to new/bigger bikes as they grow, so they’ll get more years of use.
I say Lauren mostly, because she is only 7 and this is a lot to be peddling around through the woods.
Of course the ultimate temptation is this
It costs as much as the bike, but it’s super sweet and super light. Perfect for my girls.
Unfortunately the accountant would never approve.
Anyway, I’ll keep you up to date with progress. I should have a lot of the parts for Lauren’s bike this weekend. Hopefully I can get things installed and we can take it out for a spin
– b
Remember after I got myself a “plus tire” bike I threatened I’d get a pair for the girls?
I did.
They’re pretty cool.
The bikes aren’t bad either.
They definitely instill confidence over the bumps and anything else sketchy.
First thing I did was convert the tires to tubeless. It saved some rotating mass, and made what was already amazing traction even better.
Overall the bikes are still heavy for their size. I debated a bit with a friend over going super light/small vs plus size and soft. In the end you see what won. I’ll try and make some efforts to lighten up, but there’s only so much you can do.
What matters is that the girls love them and love riding them. We’ve been out a couple of times and plan more this week. Obviously the summer has a lot in store for us.
In addition we’ve been riding more around town.
Obviously a great way to see new things, get around and get exercise.
– b
Can’t remember if I mentioned it, but the girls joined the “Rec(reation) Team” at the rock gym. It’s a non-competitive team that meets once a week to go over skills and train together. In addition to that, I take them one other time during the week for us to climb together.
It’s been great. They really enjoy it and are learning so much.
It won’t be long and they’ll be climbing better than I.
– b
So how’s it going commuting to/from the city every day?
Pretty well.
We’ve definitely fallen into routines, changed them and established new or better ones.
The bus is our staple. I try to take it as much as possible. Sometimes I work late or have late work dinners and take Uber pool, but my “commuter benefits” cover it. I’ve also taken the underground bus a few times, but mostly only to/from the airport from the office.
Recently Jen and I both started using Blue Bikes. They’re also included in our commuter benefits. So far these are game changers. We now get off at the first bus stop from the highway (or get on at the bus last stop before the highway) and cut out all the bus travel in town. That’s generally the slowest part of the bus. Our average commute times are being but by an average of 10 minutes. That’s huge for Boston, and our commutes for Boston were already way better than average (most people expect hour and a half commutes).
The other thing I’ve noticed, though less exciting than riding bikes around inner city Boston, is our dependency on jackets. Sure we all have jackets. You put them on, you walk out to the car, you drive, then walk back inside. They don’t get a whole lot of use that way. The style will wear out before the jacket does. Having to walk 10 blocks or now ride a bike almost a mile, my jacket is getting used. I’ll likely need new ones (different ones for different conditions) each year. Never really considered that before as I watch my favorite 10 year old soft-shell wither away.
One last point on commuting. My number for the parking garage lottery actually came up, and you won’t believe it, but I turned it down. The bus bike thing is really that convenient. Plus it’s significantly cheaper than the parking spot. The lottery only gave me the opportuntity to get a spot I could rent. Though our commuter benefits cover a lot, they wouldn’t cover all of a parking spot. c’est la vie.
– b
This year’s family winter ADK trip was a little different. Instead of staying at the cozy condo in town, we decided to hike into the interior and stay at Grace Camp.
It’s a three and a half mile hike in. Luckily for mid March we still had plenty of snow. The day we started it was 50 degrees. When we hiked out on Sunday it was only 23 degrees.
The girls really enjoy Grace Camp and quickly adjust to the differences of backcountry living.
On Saturday we geared up for a day hike. Originally we were going to try and climb Big Slide Mt., but the recent warm temps and rains had the creek crossings bigger than I wanted to risk with the kids and Jen. Instead we decided to head in the Wolf Jaw direction. We could try and climb either Lower Wolf or Upper Wolf Jaw Mts. (all are above 4k’ – 2k’ gains from where we were camped), or just look for fun places to sled. The temps were in the low 30’s and lightly snowing most of the day.
Along the way they found some places to try their ice axes. When I originally considered climbing Big Slide, I knew there were places near the top where it got steep and icy, so I got them lightweight ice axes to minimally hook trees along the trailside to climb up. They weren’t as necessary for the Wolf Jaw area, but still light enough to carry and fun enough to play with.
What you can’t see is that both picks have covers duct taped over them. As I said, they were mostly meant for hooking for them.
We stopped for lunch at the Wolf Jaw lean-to. The gear in the background belonged to two guys camping their that weekend. We later met them near the top of Lower Wolf Jaw.
Shortly after lunch, Lauren and Jen decided to head back to the cabin. Abigail, on the other hand, had her sights set on getting to the top of Lower Wolf Jaw. It was late in the day, but we tried anyway. I gave us a 4pm turn around time. We summited at 4:11, then turned back and slid most of the way home.
The hike out on Sunday was the coldest. It was probably in the upper teens when we started, and ended in the mid 20’s. The girls did their best to sled most of the way home. They had a blast.
– b
We’ve been skiing a lot.
We’ve been going back to Sunapee. It’s an easy drive and the skiing is great.
We managed some “fluff” one day. We got about 4″ of fresh snow over night, and it was great. It was also a little rough. Though the temps were in the 30’s the wind was blowing hard and the snow was coming down sideways. The difference between the top of the mountain and the bottom was significant. Eventually the snow became sleet and was freezing on our jackets and goggles. By that time it was time to go home.
Tomorrow is likely our last day skiing this season.
In early February we did a submission only Jiu Jitsu tournament. The girls did really well. Lauren won both of her matches. They took forever, but she got the submissions. Though the organizers messed up Abigail’s bracket, she got some matches in and did really well too.
The frozen ponds made for some interesting walks to school this winter.
In general I wouldn’t have considered it that much colder here for the winter (at least this winter) than what we’d experience in PA, but the ponds and lakes around here do remain more frozen more often than what we had in PA.
The girls have been climbing a ton.
For winter break (they get a whole week off in February) they did the climbing camp again (like they did at Christmas). They loved it.
For whatever reason they decided to dress up the last day. They chose this.
Managed to get back to the ADK in February for some ice climbing. It’s going to be really hard not to get out more next year considering I’m only 4 hours away.
I lead a route in the north Pitchoff area called Tendonitis. It was pretty fun. There’s lots of stuff in the north Pitchoff area we’d like to try again.
– b
Took the girls to Sunapee yesterday. Nice mountain. Long runs. Great family feel.
The temps started out in the low teens (like 11), then rose to about 20 for the day. They did fine. They did more than fine.
I snowboarded for the first time since they were born. That was a hoot. Since they’re to the point where they can do they’re own thing on the slopes, I finally felt comfortable to do mine.
They’ve gotten back to a point where their skills are consistent and very similar to each other. Should probably look to start getting lessons again, so they can take it to the next level. From what I’ve heard, most of the ski schools are already booked to March. Maybe we just have fun this year and worry about better next year.
– b
Got out for the ADK backcountry trip this year. Six of us stayed at Grace Camp. Conditions were pretty awesome. Lots and lots of fresh snow.
The first day Craig, Zak, and I bushwacked up Howard mt to look for some ice up there. We found it, but it was a little over our pay grade, and we were a little whooped.
The second day Craig, Zak, and I attempted to summit Big Slide (over 4k feet). Craig and Zak turned back shortly before the summit, but I pushed on.
Visibility was terrible and the wind was driving snow into my face, but I wanted to see what it would be like from a climbing perspective for the kids. It was steep and covered with deep snow, which isn’t so bad going up. Going back down presented some challenges due to the steepness. For the girls, I’d likely bring a rope and lower them wearing our harnesses. Of course that assumes lots of snow which makes it easier and softer. I imagine if/when I get there with them it will all be ice. Lowering technique is still the same, just harder bumps along the way.
I’ve got the cabin booked for the family next month. I guess we’ll find out then.
– b