In Which Family Adds to Recent Rides

Grant Wood Trail on Fathers Day, warm sunshine.

Fathers Day 2020 also coincided with the sun’s farthest northern sky journey—it was the longest day of the year, if you define “day” as daylight.

It wasn’t the longest bike ride. It was very humid and warm today, and I had family plans. Local daughters were stopping by with their children, and we were to enjoy an afternoon feast of some of my favorite foods—brats, macaroni salad, coleslaw, potato salad, deviled eggs, hot dogs, chips—it was summer, Midwest style.

But before the feast, we set aside a couple of hours for biking. I knew the far end of the Grant Wood Trail was about 10 miles from my house, and I thought that route would be a good ride that suited the day. Plus, neither of the two daughters who were riding with me had been on this route before.

One daughter was on a nice road bike, and could make good time. Another daughter was accompanied by her boyfriend, and he was on a road bike. That second daughter, however, had to borrow a bicycle, and the one she road was a bit of a beast—and old Schwinn women’s mountain bike.

Well, at least she was riding with dad. I was on my only ridable bike (if you don’t count the tandem) right how, my hybrid, which I use mostly for work commutes and family rides. It’s not the choice for a quick summer ride like this, but the road bike is still down with a broken rear rim.

And, to be honest, even if I were riding my fastest bike, I would still be the slowest rider. I’m big and not young and not fast at all on two wheels, but I still plug along and ride, that that’s important thing, I think.

It was a fun ride. The day was humid and warm, but not too hot. We made good time, by my standards, and chatted amiably during the ride. We did hurry home, a bit, and not just because of an awaiting summer feast. The weather in these parts was unstable, with some thunderstorms rumbling through the area, the sky started to look a bit ominous. It was time to get home.

Looking east at end of the contiguous segment of the Grand Wood Trail. More clouds moving in on warm summer day.

We have turned back and are nearing town--note trail is paved here. And sky is getting more interesting.

Recent rides, for me, have often been family affairs. I did a quick 10 miles alone on Saturday, but in the week before had taken a granddaughter on her first tandem ride, and enjoyed a quick evening ride with my wife.

Granddaughter ready for first tandem ride on June 14.

I like biking alone, but biking with family is even nicer. One of the key elements of biking, I think, is that it’s one of those diversions that works both solo and with others. It can be solitary and it can equally be social.

Fathers Day 2020—We visiting the beast in the bog, circled the pond at Waldos Rock Park and enjoyed a nearly perfect family ride. I have six children, and only two were with me on the ride, but it was still a great way to enjoy the day.

A summary of today's ride, and some images from my solo ride yesterday:

One of my sisters claimed this was the appropriate image for Fathers Day because it's a sperm wearing a shirt.

End of quick ride Saturday. C Avenue pond at Collins Aerospace.

Start of Saturday ride. Sky was not settled that day, either.

Sky at Cedar Lake, this image and next two.

Clouds in west look interesting. There was rain in the morning and rain at night, but none during my ride.

Common milkweed ready to bloom near Cedar Lake.

Heading north on Cedar River Trail.

Getting near home, pond at Noelridge Park.