In Which Cold Air Brings Pretty Skies

East end of Lowe Park Trail by art museum, admiring sun setting in the west. Two additional sky images from the east end of the trail.

I’m a year-round biker in Iowa. So today, as April sometimes does, when the weather and temperature suddenly hearken to the previous season rather than the next, it didn’t keep me indoors.

After the tasks of the day were done, it was getting past 6 in the evening. And the wind had been blowing all day—30 mph from the north with gusts in the 40s.

While the wind went from the 30s to the 40s, the termperature started in the 40s and slowly went down from there. Clouds rolled in midday, and sprinkles were followed by white flakes. The rain and snow moved out fairly quickly and the wind picked up.

But, what the heck. Late in the day, the wind settled a bit—it was still breezy and cool, but I’m pretty big and hard to blow over.

Flowering tree by Lowe Park trail.

Same tree.

New paved side trail--leads to a gravel trail that goes to middle school, and since I was on road bike I turned back to parking lot to return to main trail.

It was in the upper 30s with a wind chill in the upper 20s. As winter biking goes, that’s not bad—it doesn’t even call for the full winter outfit. I did wear the jacket, gloves, and hood—but in colder weather, wear insulated boots, long underwear and another shirt layer. Today, just the jacket, hood and gloves were enough extra winter wear.

Despite the breeze, it was a very nice ride. The sky was unsettled, with rain cascading down from some clouds on the horizon, although where I rode, it stayed dry.

The streets were pretty quiet. I rode along the wide sidewalk of Boyson Road, to Geode/Third Street, heading up to Tower Terrace Road. At the pond on Irish Drive, I spied an egret, which took flight when I paused to make an image of it.

Egret seen on Irish Drive pond.

Ducks on pond--the one image in the set with no egrets.

The trail at Lowe Park was quiet, too. I passed one jogger, but otherwise had the place to myself. Maybe cold winds will do that—make social distancing easy.

I paused at midpoint to turn on all my lights. On the way home, I found myself stopping often to record the sky. I was hoping the unsettled clouds would produce a rainbow, with the low sun passing through some raindrops.

I never saw one, but can’t stay too disappointed. Despite the chill, it was the kind of pretty evening bike ride that reminds me why biking year-round in Iowa is worth it.

Riding west from east end of trail--taking the side trail behind the art museum in Lowe Park. Figure of buffalo and followers, who to me don't look like they are hunting buffalo, but rather gathering fertilizer.

 

Sunset seen in suburban neighborhood just south of Lowe Park trail.

Tower Terrace Road looking comely.

Boyson Road, about a mile from home.

View from my bike at east end of Lowe Park, looking west.

Another look from east end of Lowe Park.

West end of Lowe Park Trail, looking over playground at Echo Hill School. Sun shines through clouds.

Computer summary of ride.