In Which I Enjoy a Snow Spin

Sunset over Dry Creek on trail bridge of the side trail to the Boyson Trail.

Last weekend was supposed to be the one where members of the Social Distance Cycling Club talked about types of snow, so I am a little late to the party.

We’ve had a persistent snow cover in Iowa for most of January, and colder weather is on the way. It was 7 degrees Fahrenheit this morning—in Celsius, I think that’s somewhere around “damn, it’s cold!” Yet, I put on the layers and headed out.

And it was one of my more pleasant winter rides. The wind was in my face, but fortunately not that strong. The sun was shining, the road mostly clear and the biker buried under denim and long underwear was mostly warm, although my face would disagree. I guess if the digits—toes and fingers—are happy, the winter biker is happy.

On the way home, I decided for no particular reason to go to the back side of the Bowman Woods Hill, which meant a jaunt down the Lindale Trail and the side trail to the Boyson Trail. Most of the Lindale Trail was mostly clear, although I had to roll over ice and snow in places. The side trail to the Boyson Trail (I think that little stub of a trail needs its own name—can we agree to call it “Joe Trail?”) was packed in snow.

Front tyre on snowy limestone trail surface. Good day for the mountain bike!

But it was not super slick and I was on my mountain bike. I simply rolled more slowly than usual—which is a feat since I’m always a slow biker. My one super power is an ability to balance at very low speeds.

Anyway, today was a good day. The morning ride was chilly, but OK. The afternoon ride was windier but also much warmer, and I had a good day on the snow. Whatever kind it was.

Two view of my bike parked at Mount Mercy University this morning.

In Which my Wife is the Heroine of Bike Repairs

Photos of the Fancy Beast on the Jan. 12 lake tour.

Sunset at Noelridge Park, above and below.

I missed a few days of biking last week, and I regret it because bike days can be precious in January.

The city cleared away the snow wall at Collins and C Avenue, yay! But last Tuesday, the rear tyre on my mountain bike was flat. I did not have time during the week to fix it, and I did not feel comfortable yet riding the hybrid bike due to ice and snow.

No mountain of snow blocking my way on C Avenue at Collins Road--image Jan. 9.

 

Late Saturday, about to take my hybrid bike Clarence out for a short spin.

 

But by Saturday, it had been sunny for enough days to try the hybrid. That ride turned out to be short only because I got a message that a son was available to video chat along with his young son, and biking is important but grandchild time comes first.

Sunday, my wife and I bought some supplies at Wal-Mart, including a tyre tube for the Fancy Beast.

But I could not get the job done—I could not get the tyre to pop off the rim. My wife came to the rescue, first by finding my second tyre lever tool, and then taking her turn at trying to get the tyre off.

The flat. And "atomic aluminum?"

Success! Score one for my wife. I do think my finger splint was a factor—turns out that your dominant hand index finger has a role in tyre maintenance, and mine is still immobilized due to the Great Bean Insurrection of 2020. Mostly, I’m glad I’m married to a strong female who, even if she rides far less than I do, still supports my biking habit. And thank goodness nothing crazy like another insurrection is possible in 2021!

So, Monday and Tuesday turned into biking days. The sunshine was so tempting Tuesday that I left work at 4 and rode home via Cedar Lake and the Cedar River Trail. The ride there and the ride around the lake were very pretty on a warmish winter afternoon in the mid 30s. It was dark by the time I got home, but at least it was 5 and I was almost there before darkness fell.

A cold snap is due in a few days. Stuff from the sky may fall. Mother Nature may cause a biking pause, as she does now and then, but in the meantime, here are many, many images from the ride today and other recent rides:

Cedar Lake.

Cedar Lake.

Cedar Lake.

Cedar Lake.

Cedar Lake.

Cedar Lake.

Cedar Lake.

Cedar Lake.

Christmas lights seen on ride home.

Christmas lights seen on ride home.

Not Christmas lights seen on ride home. Traffic on Collins Road.

Christmas lights seen on ride home.

Jan. 11--Morning light at Blairs Ferry.

Back to today, Jan. 12. Daniels Park.

Cedar Lake.

Cedar Lake.

Cedar Lake.

Cedar Lake.

Cedar Lake.

Cedar Lake.

Cedar Lake.

Cedar River Trail. Some walkers and riders at lake, but trail was quiet farther north.

Empty lot in town on way home, I just liked the light ant the single trail of footsteps.

Early evening sky at Noelridge Park.

In Which the Frost Does Rime

Sunday ride. This is a busy corner--Collins Road and C Avenue--in Cedar Rapids. I crossed at the crosswalk and then had to carry my bike over the tall snow wall. I haven't used this route again.

Arriving at Mount Mercy campus Sunday.

It’s been good few days to own a mountain bike in Iowa.

I rode to campus Sunday and today. The Sunday ride was sunnier, but both days featured pretty rime ice—frozen fog stuck to the trees.

Rime ice on magnolia buds, Warde Hall, MMU, seen Sunday.

Another campus image.

Ready to head home Sunday. Needed my lights!

There are some Januaries where I have missed cycling all month long, due to adverse roads. I think I was pushing the envelope today—but I am enjoying the winter rides!

I am not sure riding Monday was wise, but I was OK. Two images from slow, careful morning commute on slick-looking streets.

In Which I Take a Frosty, Quiet, Snowy Ride

The first street I ride on--slick in paces, but OK for a careful rider on a mountain bike.

Boyson Road. Bike lane mostly not open--I rode through the neighborhood on the way home to avoid this.

Lowe Park Trail. Requires careful riding.

Today was a good day to own a mountain bike. It was cold in Iowa, in the 20s, and grey, but I own snow boots, long underwear and a mountain bike, and for an afternoon break, I used them together.

We were forecast to have snow yesterday, but were on the north end of the storm, and as luck would have it, the snow and ice stayed just to our south.

Which means it has been several days since snow fell here. But it was cloudy and has been cold. In winter, if you get sunny days in the 20s, that will warm pavement enough to help clear the slick stuff. We have not had that.

So, I expected some snow and ice but hoped it would be OK with the mountain bike. I saddled up the Fancy Best and planned to ride out to the Lowe Park Trail in Marion.

The Fancy Beast at Lowe Park.

Lowe Park reflecting ball.

The bike lane on Boyson Road was too narrow in places, and I decided I would not use that route on the way home. Other than that, the ride was as expected. While I had to be wary of icy patches, and the trail required slow, careful biking, the ride was nice. I was surprised to see a fair number of walkers and bikers on the trail. And just north of the trail, a whole city of geese was having a convention of some sort.

It was cold, but in my gear, I was OK. Still, I was glad to take a shorter ride.

It was a dreary, grey day, but the frost in the dry foliage and evergreen trees was pretty. Except for the noise of goose city near one end of the trail, it was quiet. While my favorite rides are on pleasant, warm sunny days, there is something to be said for the quiet and solitude of a January ride.

And here are three sets of images: Christmas lights, goose city and winter plants.

Christmas lights:

Lights in the neighborhood on the way home, above and below.

Goose city:

Winter plants: