TriFury - Training Resources

Lake: Silver lake is approx .25 miles across. The water quality is generally good, its tested every week by the board of health, the results are posted on the town of wilmington's web site, usually on Friday the results will be listed.

Temp: Mid April -- June 1st range from 50-65 degrees June 1st--Sept 15th range from 65-83 degrees wetsuits would be required for any temp under 70 degrees to avoid a hypothermia situation.

Time: The earlier the better, as this is the town beach, you are technically suppose to be a Wilmington resident, but they don't check until after 11:00am from June 15-September 1st. The sun can be tough on the eyes, on the early morning west to east crossing.

Parking: Park at the beach only, there is no parking signs on the surrounding streets. A beach sticker is not required.

The Swim: Start at the end of the roped off area, and proceed straight across the lake, looking for several landmarks which are a small group of stores, in a white building and a blue house, aim for the middle of these two. The water depth does drop of right after the end of the sandy beach. The swim back, you should aim for the blue beach house, very easy to see even in cloudy/foggy conditions. Swim back to the roped off area. across and back is .5 mile An occasional group weeds maybe encountered, but less of> a chance if you are right in the middle of the lake. Once in a while several small fish maybe seen, but there is nothing in this lake that will eat or hurt you.

Misc: Beware of the fisherman on both sides of the lake, you don't want to run into there lines. Keep the noise down we don't want any trouble with the neighbors or police. Swim with a colored cap on, so you fellow swimmers can see you to avoid head on collisions.

Summary: Great place to swim early in the day.

submitted 6/5/02 Paul Sedgwick

Stiles Pond, Boxford A few times a week, various groups swim across Stiles pond and back. Check schedule above for correct times. The swim is about 3/4 mile one way.
Note: park in the boat launch parking lot. The other lot (if opened is for a private beach. Please stay off the beach, it is private. There is a path in the woods that leads to the pond without going onto the beach.

Directions
From North Andover Center:

Salem to Dale St.
Left on Dale St.
Dale St. to Main St.
Right on Main St.
After hill crest, stay left, take first left, Stiles Pond Road.

Bike Route: Tewksbury, MA to Jaffrey N.H.

Distance: 100 miles

Directions: Pick up Rt 113 in Lowell follow along Merrimack River cross Tynsbourgh bridge, continue into Dunstable and Pepperel, Pick up Rt 119 in Townsend follow for approx 5 miles, Turn right after the town center, look for a sign for RT 123/124, Follow RT 124 into Mason, New Ipswich and Jaffrey. Turn around just after Jaffrey Center, you can see Mt. Monadnock.

Stops: Multiple conveince stores along the route. Bike store located in Pepperell.

Roads: good to very good. Use caution on RT 119 for the 5 mile stretch, the road is narrow, with some traffic turning. Rt. 124 is as good as it gets, smooth with a breakdown lane.

Hard section: mile 30-58, there are countless rolling and very difficult climbs, be prepared to work, and work hard.

Easy Section: Mile 59-70, what goes up must come down, some of the downhill sections can reach speeds over 40 mph

Summary: An excellent hill workout, you will suffer going up the hills, but make up the average speed later. The wind which is usual west to east will be at your back upon your return.

submitted: 6/1/02 Paul Sedgwick

Bike Route: Tewksbury/Lowell MA to Gloucester, MA

Distance: 100 miles roundtrip

Directions: Start Tewksbury/Lowell area, Pick up start of RT. 133 in Lowell, you will be a mile zero, on the mileage markers. Continue on RT. 133 through the towns of Lowell, Tewksbury, Andover, N.Andover, Boxford, Georgetown, Rowley, Ipswich. After Ipswich Center, turn left onto Aquilla rd, this will bring you to Cranes Beach, (Cranes Beach is an out an back, one way in one way out), Turn around at the Cranes gate house, follow for 2.5 miles, turn Left onto Northgate rd. Follow Northgate road, follow for .75 miles, turn left on rt. 133 again, Follow Rt. 133 through the towns of Essex, and Gloucester, when Rt. 133 ends at the Atlantic ocean, Turn left onto RT. 127 follow for .4 miles, until you reach the Fisherman's Memorial statue. This is the turn-around. Turn around and head home. Options: shorter: skip the out/back to cranes beach this is 5.0 miles total, each time. Longer: continue on rt 127 in Gloucester into Rockport.

Stops: Multiple conveince stores, resturants in Essex. Bike Shops in Ipswich center, and Georgetown center.

Roads: Generally good. RT 133 narrows in some sections. Essex Center can be a bit bumpy. Rt 133 is a well traveled road, but early on a weekend morning it's not a problem.

Hard section: there are many "rolling hills" on this course, The hills tend to be short. Georgetown center on the return trip, approx mile 77, there is a tough hill approx .5 in length, this can zap some tired legs. Beware the wind generally goes from west to east, you may get a head wind late. Easy Section: RT 133 from RT 95 overpass in Georgetown into Ipswich center, a flat section.

Summary: This ride has it all, hills, flats, scenery. Plus you can pick up other riders along the way, at designated meeting points.

Submitted: 6/19/02 Paul Sedgwick

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