Traditional end

Air temperature 58 F, wind south about 5 mph, scattered fog. Expect to bike upriver over that section of road that was closed for a month -- open for traffic now, but I suspect I'll find a stretch of gravel to navigate. Which won't be fun on a road bike with narrow tires.

Sunday road report

Construction zones were passable -- smooth compacted fill with a wetting agent, probably calcium chloride to keep the dust down. Tomorrow's forecast of rain may alter this condition.

Rose hips ripening, with some of the wild roses still blooming. Less welcome, the Japanese knotweed is in full bloom, as are the goldenrods and asters and late tansy. And ragweed.

Roadkill limited to a couple of gray squirrels. This is suspicious, as my route was mostly US and state highway. Some well-fed coyotes and foxes out there?

Upriver to my eagle overlook, devoid of eagles. Couple of gulls, probably ringbills, some crows, and a duck hurrying downstream. Across the river and down, and I heard geese on the river beyond the trees. Ride takes me over 900 miles for the year. Did not die.

27.67 miles, 2:15:35

(no subject)

Some of the trees are dropping leaves already, probably due to the drought. Fall "color" will be spotty this year. If you are looking for solid panoramas of New England Autumn, head for the northern part of Maine.