tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35997785910691067182024-03-17T22:03:17.273-05:00CR BikerCR Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14949410451137266101noreply@blogger.comBlogger1145125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3599778591069106718.post-9737084799678524432024-03-17T18:41:00.000-05:002024-03-17T18:41:44.222-05:00In Which Long Rides Bring Various Encounters<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkDPLX0SfXvKANoRAGGwgIFBZOij4_Mwwbd1UzHPQ5GDxbIeuJbYyJC2K3RpWeu8zcttXbSkOXfn15zTNOCYgJfE7SnPP7ogCQ8-1q7VYzk73lht8I9IRU6RFDOmVDAZB6XjOu01_xL5DzZTKoXLGYw3ODM96VJFkZRkqDKSDkNtIkin7Oy5L3EzEzRBRh/s800/b01-6-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Flag on mountain bike" border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkDPLX0SfXvKANoRAGGwgIFBZOij4_Mwwbd1UzHPQ5GDxbIeuJbYyJC2K3RpWeu8zcttXbSkOXfn15zTNOCYgJfE7SnPP7ogCQ8-1q7VYzk73lht8I9IRU6RFDOmVDAZB6XjOu01_xL5DzZTKoXLGYw3ODM96VJFkZRkqDKSDkNtIkin7Oy5L3EzEzRBRh/w400-h268/b01-6-2.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Rode with this flag on the front of my mountain bike in mostly blue, sunny skies. An image from one of my final commutes to work the week before Spring Break.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Spring Break 2024—in the past, my wife and I have sometimes planned a trip for the week I have off teaching at a university. We didn’t do that this year, partly because we knew there were several times we were going to watch grandchildren, but unusually warm weather (which is over for now) made for some good opportunities for bike rides.<br /><br />For example, on March 11, a Monday, I went on my first ride of more than 50 miles this year, riding down the Cedar River Trail to the Hoover Trail, ending up in the town of Solon, about a 25-mile journey from my house.<br /><br />It was a warm day, with the temperature reaching 70, but also quite windy, so the ride was something of a challenge. It was a cross breeze most of the time, but was more against me as I headed south—which was by design, I was hoping the wind would help me a bit on the way back home.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwfZc_XirbIHcqv5UioA01ctGvcRezACl_jfLlLPSHTt0efjlZZtOGExEFtZrxz2rS51KFmJQV3umzXCJyVlGHEE98MzgRndbod8NkLufhNqz27Vp-kj_gxAqsuCQfT_uOUoB1uKzJMhx_7Q99PS4koBxbg8xzFvsUOYgdHxXTJJThDBm0jsgfG_WD0bR5/s800/b02-6-11.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Bike in Solon" border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwfZc_XirbIHcqv5UioA01ctGvcRezACl_jfLlLPSHTt0efjlZZtOGExEFtZrxz2rS51KFmJQV3umzXCJyVlGHEE98MzgRndbod8NkLufhNqz27Vp-kj_gxAqsuCQfT_uOUoB1uKzJMhx_7Q99PS4koBxbg8xzFvsUOYgdHxXTJJThDBm0jsgfG_WD0bR5/w400-h268/b02-6-11.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>My bike in Nature Rec Area in Solon, Iowa.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div><p>A few days before the ride, I had a mildly unpleasant encounter with a group of teen boys on the Lindale Trail. Nothing too scary, they were just a bit rude to an old man on a bicycle.<br /><br />And I had a feeling of déjà vu as I left Solon. Behind me I could hear adolescent voices chattering. In my mirror, at some distance, I could pick out three riders rolling along together, headed my way.<br /><br />In the scheme of things, I’m a relatively slow biker, and I assumed what I knew was a group of teens would eventually overtake me. I decided I would try to not to care, and not rush myself.<br /><br />Anyway, I was on my road bike, my fastest vehicle. As it turned out, while the following bikers would sometimes approach a bit, at other times I would roll ahead. They never got close enough for me to see them well.<br /><br />A few miles north of Solon, I got to a rest area that is across a county highway, where I planned to rest a bit. On a ride of this length, I’m deliberate about taking some off-bike time, and this was a designated break.<br /><br />And I was there, resting on the bench, when the teens rolled up. And it was a slight surprise—three teen girls, indifferent to an old man. It’s amazing to me that, at a distance, the conversational noises made by groups of adolescences can sound like the same background noise, whether made by girls or boys.<br /><br />Anyway, the girls hopped off of their bikes and gathered to take a selfie, jostling for position for the phone camera.<br /><br />“Do you want a picture from farther away than arm’s length?” I asked.<br /><br />Well, they did. And I shot a picture for them with one of their phones.<br /><br />Shortly afterwards, I headed out, and wished them a good ride. “You have a good ride too,” they cooed like a flock of birds.<br /><br />That encounter was the more pleasant one. And the earlier one, to be fair, was a minor incident on an overall nice ride. The wind was sometimes a challenge this week, but rides were still unexpectedly good for this time of year. Not all my encounters were human--I saw lots of wildlife, including the first butterflies.<br /><br />I rode the Sac and Fox Trail on Wednesday. That day, I cycled down the Cedar River Trail to the New Bo area, and headed down Otis Road to the south end of the trail. After circling the lake at Prairie Park Fishery, I entered the Sac and Fox Trail, an unpaved trail that I ride on my mountain bike several times a summer.</p><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9oNyruzwkNY7Zn-29_rai7qG0P6mAvI-uAh3-3FeeupvOpdQiMCfDa1TnN6kmaIs_i_FvkDrknfiZOnjtb_mSEYMvIrLtO00FdQYrOeCRklyPXSEC58s3568MLSP9qxYd5aqRD5X5fWySRNprml2gCryAXVAzHZqQvKC94gVQZyGanr2dVTYzUtF9fatQ/s800/b04-6-13.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="mountain bike on trail" border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9oNyruzwkNY7Zn-29_rai7qG0P6mAvI-uAh3-3FeeupvOpdQiMCfDa1TnN6kmaIs_i_FvkDrknfiZOnjtb_mSEYMvIrLtO00FdQYrOeCRklyPXSEC58s3568MLSP9qxYd5aqRD5X5fWySRNprml2gCryAXVAzHZqQvKC94gVQZyGanr2dVTYzUtF9fatQ/w400-h268/b04-6-13.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>My bike on mountain bike trial next to the Sac and Fox Trail.</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFQyrcQJM7myGH3SFJjFxsNqSVpnNkH_uB0wWXLeAUeeXL1w4B3V_Wd2MA6C1taZQluq0HuV3gVpIUE0IzuHWTKX0V3hyphenhyphenyA2BxSMoCZmAyo-wxMYB6WaBRPPRz-MJaSf2LAeivvWQx5Z1JKmqbiyV-4TkyVKEaQ2rr2u1A-7hkruGb_tj5waQwnN0C3PW7/s800/b06-6-13.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="frog at Sac and Fox trail" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="534" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFQyrcQJM7myGH3SFJjFxsNqSVpnNkH_uB0wWXLeAUeeXL1w4B3V_Wd2MA6C1taZQluq0HuV3gVpIUE0IzuHWTKX0V3hyphenhyphenyA2BxSMoCZmAyo-wxMYB6WaBRPPRz-MJaSf2LAeivvWQx5Z1JKmqbiyV-4TkyVKEaQ2rr2u1A-7hkruGb_tj5waQwnN0C3PW7/w268-h400/b06-6-13.JPG" width="268" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Frog statue in park at north end of Sac and Fox Trail, someone in the neighborhood always dresses it for the season. It's ready for Saint Patrick's Day.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>The trail proved a pleasant surprise. In the past, there have been some soft sandy spots and some rocky gravel areas. I skipped about 2 miles of the 7-mile trail by taking a mountain bike route through the woods, but the 5 miles or so of the Sac and Fox that I did ride were in great shape. Last year, they must have covered most of the trail with a new limestone layer—there were no tricky soft sandy spots, no gravel areas to crunch over. The Sac and Fox is always a nice trail because of its scenery , but it was much more ride-able than in the past. I could have ridden my hybrid bike here. I probably wouldn’t—I like having a mountain bike on this trail, partly for the option of cycling the woods—still, early in the season in 2024, Cedar Rapids bikers, check out the Sac and Fox.<br /><br />What else is new in my corner of the biking universe? Something important to me.<br /><br />A week ago, a daughter had an out-of-town trip planned, and my wife and I agreed to watch her 7-year-old son for a couple of days. And my wife decided that, with the nice weather, we would help him practice riding a bicycle, a skill he had not yet mastered.<br /><br />She drove him to a school parking lot in Marion on Saturday, and I rode a bike there to meet them. By the time I got there, he was already practicing and doing fairly well. He only could ride a few yards, but was starting to get it.<br /><br />In his final ride that day, he went maybe 25 yards, his longest solo bicycle journey. He had agreed to the biking session in exchange for playing at the school playground, so we stopped the Saturday practice and played.<br /><br />Sunday, we went back, this time to a nearby intermediate school with a slightly newer, larger, flatter parking lot.<br /><br />And the breakthrough was achieved. That weird transition that a person makes, when biking seems too difficult and scary and theoretical, and them something between their brain and body clicks, the balance that eluded them starts to appear and their muscles learn that all you have to do to balance a bike is to keep it rolling—well, it’s magical to see.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE0Dn-7tEVBTGxiLqXPZ00SagbuAKPszE7AtNwYA1nh_c0WYGD-ThBqHAGUZTJAH3pJ-GWbk6kgC0pFiMe0wM8Hmd64h1xRYoC4nnMAN-XV-aEKH0QpjcuLhNs3IKl_QRM0AUsXg80dt4rYJMecDHjskkZRiQCM8M-LD0LtMt2yzsavlnEgb9ncFpKv6Ir/s800/grandson-6-9.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Boy riding bicycle" border="0" data-original-height="525" data-original-width="800" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE0Dn-7tEVBTGxiLqXPZ00SagbuAKPszE7AtNwYA1nh_c0WYGD-ThBqHAGUZTJAH3pJ-GWbk6kgC0pFiMe0wM8Hmd64h1xRYoC4nnMAN-XV-aEKH0QpjcuLhNs3IKl_QRM0AUsXg80dt4rYJMecDHjskkZRiQCM8M-LD0LtMt2yzsavlnEgb9ncFpKv6Ir/w400-h263/grandson-6-9.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Grandson is suddenly a biker!</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Another biker has joined the tribe this Spring Break. I hope it foreshadows some pleasant rides coming this summer.<br /><br />The 50-mile ride March 11 was my longest of 2024. We spent several days in Des Moines at the end of this week, which has also turned seasonably cold, so after Thursday I didn’t add any miles. Still, between March 9 and 14, I rode almost 150 miles (149.47). It included the 50-mile day and several days over 25 miles. It included using all three bikes. It was a nice spring biking break.<br /><br />So far, on this Saint Patrick’s Day, a bit over halfway through this month, this old half-Irish rider has cycled 210.53 miles for the month, and 566.21 miles this year. More pictures from this Spring Break week:</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHybnJa4DyZ2GtZdR-aZkmegd0ud84h3FXecy51lNTo3OE640Typx2xQWiD4SbptA8nvOqnkEeQSUsCp0xEL8U7BZj7IXtBQHtAPwd5kHoq45Oa3dt-i__RCbPBmnDJFAiEyFZsaY4IJMvb_nL2SpOtyXEOW8-R1eNzvSIQWFKRPXXU-Q7ianZEKKTL7g1/s800/b07-6-9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Blackbirds" border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHybnJa4DyZ2GtZdR-aZkmegd0ud84h3FXecy51lNTo3OE640Typx2xQWiD4SbptA8nvOqnkEeQSUsCp0xEL8U7BZj7IXtBQHtAPwd5kHoq45Oa3dt-i__RCbPBmnDJFAiEyFZsaY4IJMvb_nL2SpOtyXEOW8-R1eNzvSIQWFKRPXXU-Q7ianZEKKTL7g1/w400-h268/b07-6-9.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>March 9--Grant Wood Trail east of Marion. It must be a spring thing--usually I see these blackbirds 1 or 2 at a time, but they were in large groups today. Felt a little Hitchcock.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoIt9_Fl7ErS3np1cEvlef2IHgQnvxjntOqyi0SGRt5s8yHLP5UwvLIImfirxcgvbDY65PTEyWQ7unsvqjI4zh6AHmSHfxiEp_RO_71YV5wUQ7fschVmbFPBYaWujRmTY-lSyGZ9TNKkH1cQqcU6jcNnV1MlhiuCJHTO2vOulI6YnPBE3IMy0hTppiw_fF/s800/b06-6-12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Deer" border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoIt9_Fl7ErS3np1cEvlef2IHgQnvxjntOqyi0SGRt5s8yHLP5UwvLIImfirxcgvbDY65PTEyWQ7unsvqjI4zh6AHmSHfxiEp_RO_71YV5wUQ7fschVmbFPBYaWujRmTY-lSyGZ9TNKkH1cQqcU6jcNnV1MlhiuCJHTO2vOulI6YnPBE3IMy0hTppiw_fF/w400-h268/b06-6-12.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>March 12--Deer crossing Lindale Trail.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhut-Kf1L42oIhZ4J2BqbyONDtH5hvWowg5UGVvNY2xNBZuR6gtafFvpzoswGUfsRLbCuAC0Y-6XrDRhlmcqQ6-tPTrVTgh5aascvX898QgOOtLndqy8JsuIQFlPyu1m1TFAc4n3MDA3g_tyCvxyANtJUtHUZdcwAQkoXfIyPyHRkWvl3XcNv8aFG-AK6b/s800/b05.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Creek and sunshine" border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhut-Kf1L42oIhZ4J2BqbyONDtH5hvWowg5UGVvNY2xNBZuR6gtafFvpzoswGUfsRLbCuAC0Y-6XrDRhlmcqQ6-tPTrVTgh5aascvX898QgOOtLndqy8JsuIQFlPyu1m1TFAc4n3MDA3g_tyCvxyANtJUtHUZdcwAQkoXfIyPyHRkWvl3XcNv8aFG-AK6b/w400-h268/b05.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>March 14--Pretty sky seen at creek bend on trail in Marion--the side trail off of the Boyson Trail near Menard's.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyJ30YB0UNXWnVF0n4psQuTU3HF7Ad3glU4eB175RI6z3LefnsUcEFWdCbwe91E10NfliccgItd64gMFchwQqyBV1S3CLqDShITqh_pzynNdgHGTRgctuXRVi9UdDUnrZpZcuumry55l65NJ9ny1ztx-JHoiy6p-mYcVZN-4jKnG5dd-JOebtPXFyll-Cd/s800/b05-6-13.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Boyson trail" border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyJ30YB0UNXWnVF0n4psQuTU3HF7Ad3glU4eB175RI6z3LefnsUcEFWdCbwe91E10NfliccgItd64gMFchwQqyBV1S3CLqDShITqh_pzynNdgHGTRgctuXRVi9UdDUnrZpZcuumry55l65NJ9ny1ztx-JHoiy6p-mYcVZN-4jKnG5dd-JOebtPXFyll-Cd/w400-h268/b05-6-13.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Riding alone the Sac and Fox Trail March 11.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii0A8FEgJ05Ln9-EJEdPQWCeBET8l70as4IxzfOgzfLnLotrqNk5LqikhLFR3i8KoQ2DEEgDqRRnSQFs-E5YDhjmKEIxJr3V7_aiEfr7-_antdQBuhfryJnpCDeA2K2WD1p25HSxqZtLyrqbS6xpPOTWEOausdRRO0rbek9ibmbLjdOS3V5yevtdAp9ICz/s800/b05-6-12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Deer on Lindale Trail" border="0" data-original-height="525" data-original-width="800" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii0A8FEgJ05Ln9-EJEdPQWCeBET8l70as4IxzfOgzfLnLotrqNk5LqikhLFR3i8KoQ2DEEgDqRRnSQFs-E5YDhjmKEIxJr3V7_aiEfr7-_antdQBuhfryJnpCDeA2K2WD1p25HSxqZtLyrqbS6xpPOTWEOausdRRO0rbek9ibmbLjdOS3V5yevtdAp9ICz/w400-h263/b05-6-12.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>More deer March 12, Lindale Trail. A group of more than a dozen were crossing the trail and disappearing into a small patch of woods.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ibMGOe7iP9gM5NQCgQEfuRdSnmhgl_1skyceXLU9QYbEcgf5R0weO41Ng4CASuyQeCPDhxQhehqzx1nrmV81ZqDRyimR7ocWpnMMAumBXn8FzhiPStib2teh8UF_1BXXAfrIEvGcDRdgTS1pASdhrcQGqJPzJSRsrP7G9mQ3TV2OJ-mzdc_0LtbovVvF/s800/b04-3-16.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Bridge on Lindale Trail" border="0" data-original-height="530" data-original-width="800" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ibMGOe7iP9gM5NQCgQEfuRdSnmhgl_1skyceXLU9QYbEcgf5R0weO41Ng4CASuyQeCPDhxQhehqzx1nrmV81ZqDRyimR7ocWpnMMAumBXn8FzhiPStib2teh8UF_1BXXAfrIEvGcDRdgTS1pASdhrcQGqJPzJSRsrP7G9mQ3TV2OJ-mzdc_0LtbovVvF/w400-h265/b04-3-16.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>March 14--Is this bridge on the Lindale Trail? The Grant Wood Trail? Somewhere where these trails run together.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAi-WTIYy8qkVyEf_NAfjJiAw_heGDvgaHGrzsMHslvIP8XKUnphZSTvrkPpfLX5Vz36mXPrX2A3kyAWot-TCBI-DUtP3tteRnT5OUoMeD2feCEHLWZpup-WuwxNNpxlV8FeXhgz7TOkPI1ZdEzXeoyOkdNbEBM85Gfzwu6N_rs_zsNPM3x459AG8d2hww/s800/b02-6-13.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Sac and Fox entrance" border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAi-WTIYy8qkVyEf_NAfjJiAw_heGDvgaHGrzsMHslvIP8XKUnphZSTvrkPpfLX5Vz36mXPrX2A3kyAWot-TCBI-DUtP3tteRnT5OUoMeD2feCEHLWZpup-WuwxNNpxlV8FeXhgz7TOkPI1ZdEzXeoyOkdNbEBM85Gfzwu6N_rs_zsNPM3x459AG8d2hww/w400-h268/b02-6-13.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Start of Sac and Fox Trail March 13.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirEq1YCDQfOvvapc8Rds3oLk_3Gnt2dSScYmxZpSx27mdyMvLHMJbP03C1qh-29hX6iPwcRut0FfKX9CECqQCL-qA-laRL9iiLubzRxsUnHc1-GEZCzP5_Pyemo0DlDKVO0VEqeFlkb72_24WxCasmRMjCQOuQ9-Zzknx8NosB7QsqoJrXzj-RNbR2SGjc/s800/b02-6-10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Cedar Lake" border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirEq1YCDQfOvvapc8Rds3oLk_3Gnt2dSScYmxZpSx27mdyMvLHMJbP03C1qh-29hX6iPwcRut0FfKX9CECqQCL-qA-laRL9iiLubzRxsUnHc1-GEZCzP5_Pyemo0DlDKVO0VEqeFlkb72_24WxCasmRMjCQOuQ9-Zzknx8NosB7QsqoJrXzj-RNbR2SGjc/w400-h268/b02-6-10.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>March 10--Bike at Cedar Lake.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivvKH4pzRbk5EeYwfOcFuouN-gem06oO4gGVxEnI_VYetdXYqmUauhGSclMXYyPXIvHm6QguD8suucuGc6_djRVVCgCinA6Kri0gO3OVXIa7Ylj1euACLy5QCleJrH3PkykSD3tMn0dYMahF4Vx6NbxncrQeqovpLU5Zj7gztyumgLhw7BzJZQKc7ypFF0/s800/b02-6-9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Bike on Grant Wood Trail" border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivvKH4pzRbk5EeYwfOcFuouN-gem06oO4gGVxEnI_VYetdXYqmUauhGSclMXYyPXIvHm6QguD8suucuGc6_djRVVCgCinA6Kri0gO3OVXIa7Ylj1euACLy5QCleJrH3PkykSD3tMn0dYMahF4Vx6NbxncrQeqovpLU5Zj7gztyumgLhw7BzJZQKc7ypFF0/w400-h268/b02-6-9.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Pretty sky March 9 on Grant Wood Trail east of Marion.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj12Rf9FVOhdeRZ3seyayWJgW4vPvn0WiOsw4OHG3zsJhQDrdxReKgphXqgUMbme5-zxBWADEqARgRr3vKfOvos-BxUUSz_HjCwBPAovLPSrU1uW6bOq6f924rbysSovAuk5aa7D5e8RQYXr2jjPq5O1laYwhOLdYwDSa-kUq2QhJDlZY59g_7PGC-IpZuC/s800/b02-3-16.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Lindale Trail or Grant Wood Trail" border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj12Rf9FVOhdeRZ3seyayWJgW4vPvn0WiOsw4OHG3zsJhQDrdxReKgphXqgUMbme5-zxBWADEqARgRr3vKfOvos-BxUUSz_HjCwBPAovLPSrU1uW6bOq6f924rbysSovAuk5aa7D5e8RQYXr2jjPq5O1laYwhOLdYwDSa-kUq2QhJDlZY59g_7PGC-IpZuC/w400-h268/b02-3-16.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>March 14--Final late-day ride of Spring Break.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcSSc_moo706z6N6_5clQvmDqwlc8BMNf6TXL44lKdYhF3GD5s1SnI9viDtKUDWii6lNhF5BYbHIVGpuC8VvgUIR9uKsfqqfTduyEhLTnBe3P3maV02dkHA6sMGk3HbRWkNCTJ7MecwW6YVQIDcT0ZsgkgUApbfYmMwfTdWzksjpvsm-Nv8gZk3lWcfy9H/s800/b01-6-13.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Butterfly" border="0" data-original-height="555" data-original-width="800" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcSSc_moo706z6N6_5clQvmDqwlc8BMNf6TXL44lKdYhF3GD5s1SnI9viDtKUDWii6lNhF5BYbHIVGpuC8VvgUIR9uKsfqqfTduyEhLTnBe3P3maV02dkHA6sMGk3HbRWkNCTJ7MecwW6YVQIDcT0ZsgkgUApbfYmMwfTdWzksjpvsm-Nv8gZk3lWcfy9H/w400-h278/b01-6-13.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Seeing more insects in general, but this butterfly, on final Spring Break Ride March 14 beside Lindale Trail, is a bit unusual to see at this time of year.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Pmf7BTlVHKdIptGwt6fjneV3pLbZHFQeq2ExRUji-J4PPhgm4tKoSxLVZNXTGjZzlv7kU60bZmBaTlfYnSLVmrKecEXtV7IuqLI5GDLMsWvo9wUjNeQp8ef6WAK-MZIIwJWTO2jlDOQpv-FbZxJQW9NZs2rSmaw6EeXm8zZ9cy5O5Qv9Xev0NQIst-hh/s800/b01-6-11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Bike on Hoover Trail south of Ely" border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Pmf7BTlVHKdIptGwt6fjneV3pLbZHFQeq2ExRUji-J4PPhgm4tKoSxLVZNXTGjZzlv7kU60bZmBaTlfYnSLVmrKecEXtV7IuqLI5GDLMsWvo9wUjNeQp8ef6WAK-MZIIwJWTO2jlDOQpv-FbZxJQW9NZs2rSmaw6EeXm8zZ9cy5O5Qv9Xev0NQIst-hh/w400-h268/b01-6-11.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>March 11--Stop at the rest area between Ely on Solon during long ride.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg50PLFa2MQnzukoPnousPYVBRXUM_xOOxYMtSifr1b1n1R6EMIgnS_gsZcBvnXTcMinSkjpNlcyZkcjLHnhd6sXZo48_9yN0EThSEY1oCJ0PqEGmDD01Km4MmMBf8sc_VHnSlziizOv5LPPedbI14T21EH5glTyxcsiBBPMjIwx3RgKfncfhHd_o68Nq9x/s800/b01-6-7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Turkey on trail" border="0" data-original-height="543" data-original-width="800" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg50PLFa2MQnzukoPnousPYVBRXUM_xOOxYMtSifr1b1n1R6EMIgnS_gsZcBvnXTcMinSkjpNlcyZkcjLHnhd6sXZo48_9yN0EThSEY1oCJ0PqEGmDD01Km4MmMBf8sc_VHnSlziizOv5LPPedbI14T21EH5glTyxcsiBBPMjIwx3RgKfncfhHd_o68Nq9x/w400-h271/b01-6-7.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>March 7--Turkey on Lindale Trail.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><br /></div>CR Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14949410451137266101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3599778591069106718.post-59185589442316984312024-03-02T10:58:00.000-06:002024-03-02T10:58:30.460-06:00In Which Early Spring Brings More Than 30 Miles<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzszhRB7UPql1zPL5plFy5NRj3blK-0I3tQDkN5-4eQCwjLCC-g22Tr4IxSWRjU6dwLxkhx0F7qIKRZgd_kRPgwr9JudjCP8p4leKQYM7GP28ktzfRs_TR1lJmRIB3l6rCPZT09IagmfDymAGaQNFlCGVgaTvYWpTXAuZJIgN_YvYmzjDuRMMw1yYiX7mX/s1000/b04-2-25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Bike on MMU campus" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzszhRB7UPql1zPL5plFy5NRj3blK-0I3tQDkN5-4eQCwjLCC-g22Tr4IxSWRjU6dwLxkhx0F7qIKRZgd_kRPgwr9JudjCP8p4leKQYM7GP28ktzfRs_TR1lJmRIB3l6rCPZT09IagmfDymAGaQNFlCGVgaTvYWpTXAuZJIgN_YvYmzjDuRMMw1yYiX7mX/w400-h266/b04-2-25.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>During Feb. 25 ride, I stop to check if first flowers have bloomed at Mount Mercy University Campus. They had.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhljchDpujezefiAj5ghcztDaNIcXt6bCuIaycS9bd9W_BZztxaNpTKfgaMpGc2WWORY3GQyETiMfSjMIfwS6Z68D7oVrCPCIlSzxUjZRVeqbrcKa1oekUvjvlT52gMY3jRDwJ9XzSGUSEHW8icV4WDsh1VJb-HP7UPv_phGnozPhtipSf8-KtS-TveLKGe/s1000/b05-2-25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Bike on trail" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhljchDpujezefiAj5ghcztDaNIcXt6bCuIaycS9bd9W_BZztxaNpTKfgaMpGc2WWORY3GQyETiMfSjMIfwS6Z68D7oVrCPCIlSzxUjZRVeqbrcKa1oekUvjvlT52gMY3jRDwJ9XzSGUSEHW8icV4WDsh1VJb-HP7UPv_phGnozPhtipSf8-KtS-TveLKGe/w400-h266/b05-2-25.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Between Ely and Cedar Rapids on Hoover Trail, resting on a bench and enjoying the woods on Feb. 25 ride.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheUH5_RBZu8DTJFzlOkBDew5UFqkRMgwXqiXAH-D1CxWR7zQ3exCoRXBFyGAEWfv9LBn4-7vdfeB5-pA-3QF0T8ARs1m3iC0y6gukDK3R5bgMD-OHLoMgJFatmjnSIfcmlkiOBGnEVLAIBAvn4-MFZwiYFARBg1RvUharSZQqysqBzLszNOt92rwWf83GK/s1000/b08-2-23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Bike in bike rack" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheUH5_RBZu8DTJFzlOkBDew5UFqkRMgwXqiXAH-D1CxWR7zQ3exCoRXBFyGAEWfv9LBn4-7vdfeB5-pA-3QF0T8ARs1m3iC0y6gukDK3R5bgMD-OHLoMgJFatmjnSIfcmlkiOBGnEVLAIBAvn4-MFZwiYFARBg1RvUharSZQqysqBzLszNOt92rwWf83GK/w400-h266/b08-2-23.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Feb. 23--First commute to work on road bike after replacing front tyre.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpbOQjQqwM7FV1v7cOUQQ09Wdm6GkFiaOGvfi1J1Zk3dXD0QuJRXPtEHdy0NQt3H3lPk1MDyRNSFpVjSyqnBNbp-oUMgJnsH42sdl71dCIV1ssZ2-PwYpVfMKF7oRBEVBeBBIBMpiyMLVoqVIKWd2Y2H2YJpKghCr7JeeHem4PjjQRU84Wvr6ck3evdc1o/s1000/b01-2-27.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Bike at Grotto" border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="667" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpbOQjQqwM7FV1v7cOUQQ09Wdm6GkFiaOGvfi1J1Zk3dXD0QuJRXPtEHdy0NQt3H3lPk1MDyRNSFpVjSyqnBNbp-oUMgJnsH42sdl71dCIV1ssZ2-PwYpVfMKF7oRBEVBeBBIBMpiyMLVoqVIKWd2Y2H2YJpKghCr7JeeHem4PjjQRU84Wvr6ck3evdc1o/w266-h400/b01-2-27.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Feb. 27--Bike parked at MMU Grotto. Windy afternoon, next day was the one day this week I didn't ride--below-zero wind chills in the morning.</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>I suppose, technically, that I own four bicycles—but one is an old tandem, used primarily for short summer rides with either my wife or a grandchild.<br /><br />Grandchildren and spouses, in my corner of the world, don’t do a lot of bicycling in the chilly early spring, which is what February has turned out to be in Iowa. In a normal year, it would still be winter and I would be weeks away from writing about spring. This is not a normal year.<br /><br />And that’s added up to some extra biking miles for me.<br /><br />My first ride of the year of more than 30 miles was Sunday, Feb. 25. I went some distance south on the Cedar River Trail for the first time this year, rolling to Ely and then back. It was oddly warm for a February Sunday, and when I rested in a park at Ely, small spiders were skittering across the pavement. Bugs in February. It’s not Heaven, it’s Iowa, but it’s hot like Hades, at least “hot” for this time of year.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIXXfF68BfZLzkcicSc50PGEtXJAyHI97CANulvN8hAt5k4Aul-CoZjC7HFK1igzNIYX0WKTtTed3MKpQsS2m9Cnsew8oEb11ztcmn0qracuDv9IaNa7i2kvh9cB1jsWmaK8zlGyRNBoXgH8wZJhjV6MvJxGFoojrq0J5Q6j2EH0atPIZleB8frFlx2Fa8/s1440/b07-2-25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Sunshine in Ely" border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIXXfF68BfZLzkcicSc50PGEtXJAyHI97CANulvN8hAt5k4Aul-CoZjC7HFK1igzNIYX0WKTtTed3MKpQsS2m9Cnsew8oEb11ztcmn0qracuDv9IaNa7i2kvh9cB1jsWmaK8zlGyRNBoXgH8wZJhjV6MvJxGFoojrq0J5Q6j2EH0atPIZleB8frFlx2Fa8/w400-h300/b07-2-25.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Feb. 25--Resting at mid-point of long ride in Ely. I will have to dig up sunscreen, got a mild sunburn on this ride.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmAedXiKAGe6xBJ4qebSkzkwXxNOhAPJazcKrW7yPH8s2FyeGk-odBKrmnO_7e4k8ibG6aKkKlC9FK_oIvrqQWYNFCf-snU3VMvSA2RaZ-c2xUZheqXLwuBcCB99V2tYAVm9WqBFT8wAhkA-XIeqOSdAHCJiBs7b7F8bqtLY6iAlO1ceoQXZNmJUU8-hfR/s1000/b06-2-25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Cedar River" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmAedXiKAGe6xBJ4qebSkzkwXxNOhAPJazcKrW7yPH8s2FyeGk-odBKrmnO_7e4k8ibG6aKkKlC9FK_oIvrqQWYNFCf-snU3VMvSA2RaZ-c2xUZheqXLwuBcCB99V2tYAVm9WqBFT8wAhkA-XIeqOSdAHCJiBs7b7F8bqtLY6iAlO1ceoQXZNmJUU8-hfR/w400-h266/b06-2-25.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Feb. 25--Sunny view of Cedar River on trail headed south, south of river. Mount Trashmore in background.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTQa6G0qPUX0GK_iBhOXGClfVj_rSgiUJPmFRFu45SfgFUImehdSl7VOMVdEtlyY-qJxGPAsHwkb08lLVIQmXP1HEFHFlYvJzT8kiHPlTljsU4hyoM7O0T4NvvQgOJ5y93f4qYFszKzjsZOSo_67DkdrooiKW-VjTCAS07ERH6FTwrZjACKFOI1VkoWKew/s1000/b03-2-25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Eagle on tree" border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="662" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTQa6G0qPUX0GK_iBhOXGClfVj_rSgiUJPmFRFu45SfgFUImehdSl7VOMVdEtlyY-qJxGPAsHwkb08lLVIQmXP1HEFHFlYvJzT8kiHPlTljsU4hyoM7O0T4NvvQgOJ5y93f4qYFszKzjsZOSo_67DkdrooiKW-VjTCAS07ERH6FTwrZjACKFOI1VkoWKew/w265-h400/b03-2-25.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Feb. 25--Large bird of prey. I think it's a young bald eagle that hasn't grown into its adult colors yet. Although it could be a hawk. What say you, internet hive mind?<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl3fk7hm1Weo1ibg9EbwMh20k2EIRWGq6_SA7oi7nThTnXxrgewu3TwPlOTPWH9t4eIizhTSI5LFeHrF6wO7HNWyxdazIRwE1vn-FQRz0w5QuYhEjs5FSL5wf0nDzjiOYdWjmc1oXLav-9uNJ9KiQiD6nrgbE1hAiShCKsY_lTWtICETcli_WnEpbp4vQb/s1000/b02-2-25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Geese on Ely pond" border="0" data-original-height="635" data-original-width="1000" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl3fk7hm1Weo1ibg9EbwMh20k2EIRWGq6_SA7oi7nThTnXxrgewu3TwPlOTPWH9t4eIizhTSI5LFeHrF6wO7HNWyxdazIRwE1vn-FQRz0w5QuYhEjs5FSL5wf0nDzjiOYdWjmc1oXLav-9uNJ9KiQiD6nrgbE1hAiShCKsY_lTWtICETcli_WnEpbp4vQb/w400-h254/b02-2-25.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Feb. 25--Geese in Ely city park.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>I didn’t have time to continue riding south to Solon for a much longer 50-mile or so ride, and I wasn’t dressed for it anyway (I need bike shorts for longer rides).<br /><br />It was a pleasant ride. I took two brief rests, one in Ely and one on a bench in the woods on the way back. It was a bit breezy, but still a good day to be out. The ride totaled 32.88 miles.<br /><br />It was on the road bike, which I have finally repaired. I took it to Goldfinch, because I’m too old to easily read tiny black numbers on black rubber, and no, I don’t have my bike tyre size memorized. They concurred that I needed a new front tyre, but advised the that worn back tyre is still good for a few months, although it will need to be replaced before longer summer rides.<br /><br />Changing the tyre is never my favorite thing, but honestly it worked out to be easier than changing the tube on my mountain bike, which I had done a few weeks ago.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfQLFwaafr1hUiEezbh7WFhCxAA1J7PddZLavDwopO4a86RbweMT9fkdnmJW3UCNIDhA1qMz03WeHGjSYYVPn79BewJV7fUfugRgPHOa5Mb6rarFH5cz3uHO9sXm1XlOwbHISuaWtt7gcBqcCzQc3V7OEqaoA0bXV547hDFX5uGfLf4QGVWKEo7FvG_F_v/s1000/b10-2-21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Bike in bike rack" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfQLFwaafr1hUiEezbh7WFhCxAA1J7PddZLavDwopO4a86RbweMT9fkdnmJW3UCNIDhA1qMz03WeHGjSYYVPn79BewJV7fUfugRgPHOa5Mb6rarFH5cz3uHO9sXm1XlOwbHISuaWtt7gcBqcCzQc3V7OEqaoA0bXV547hDFX5uGfLf4QGVWKEo7FvG_F_v/w400-h266/b10-2-21.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Feb. 21--Bikes in rack near Regina Hall, MMU. None mine. Seeing lots more bikes in February than is normal.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif9ZtYbll6QKR0Yr9S-9teiCzJNxx9Bl_xtp6TPmJymWNRETlebHeFuEEExjYi3p342z0u054TrYueoFFfXZlvhYbxU1cPwx2hItPUgo9Fg4EKjhwY-0T0v4hwPNOWR_Cw9UimxPqMfE0Vk_iD_vn7q6obCITHakyQLNarP8fJuyFd9-9gGiqkjlUu5saU/s1000/b09-2-23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Hawk feather and bike" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif9ZtYbll6QKR0Yr9S-9teiCzJNxx9Bl_xtp6TPmJymWNRETlebHeFuEEExjYi3p342z0u054TrYueoFFfXZlvhYbxU1cPwx2hItPUgo9Fg4EKjhwY-0T0v4hwPNOWR_Cw9UimxPqMfE0Vk_iD_vn7q6obCITHakyQLNarP8fJuyFd9-9gGiqkjlUu5saU/w400-h266/b09-2-23.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Feb. 23--My bike parked at Warde Hall, early ride after fixing road bike. Hawk feather has blown against rear wheel--there are a pair of red-tailed Hawks that nest on Warde Hall, I assume this is their greeting card.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>So, recent rides have seen me taking advantage of the full trio—the long weekend ride and some commutes on Argent, my road bike. When I’m in the mood or worried about poor weather, rolling on The Fancy Beast, my mountain bike. And several routine commutes using the all-purpose pickup truck bike, my hybrid, Clarence.<br /><br />I rode 224.29 miles in February and 6.94 miles on March 1, giving me 362.62 miles for the year so far—more than 10 percent of my goal in the early winter months of the year. I hope that foreshadows a good riding year. I’m not sure the year includes RAGBRAI—they have a hilly, southern route this year, which doesn’t, frankly, appeal to me much, and last year’s crowded, hot ride kind of spooked me a bit.<br /><br />I may be ready for fake RAGBRAI this year, where I just try to top 300 miles during the week of the ride. We’ll see. And that way, I can ride my variety of bikes as the mood strikes me—maybe even the tandem (which has no name right now).</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif-8FMbm1TJShvY6V9KRseRk2gcxemUxByIrQKTyTgGRGftIzA-FgudfP5XPCg5qfIUeQHYeCJkv1v1OQuHBfHfYjPbiENsuMgpzUJ0LXClDsQcWDqxYe2XR5BhIJ24cyEmrP1FQl1sMvICkTJdAZEtXcmz48Q-TGbcUNHc92PulkPiMm9xcwvY0ahtw98/s1000/b11-2-25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Flowers at MMU" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif-8FMbm1TJShvY6V9KRseRk2gcxemUxByIrQKTyTgGRGftIzA-FgudfP5XPCg5qfIUeQHYeCJkv1v1OQuHBfHfYjPbiENsuMgpzUJ0LXClDsQcWDqxYe2XR5BhIJ24cyEmrP1FQl1sMvICkTJdAZEtXcmz48Q-TGbcUNHc92PulkPiMm9xcwvY0ahtw98/w400-h266/b11-2-25.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Feb. 25--I wondered if first flowers had bloomed, so rode to campus on my way home from Ely. Yup, early spring is official. Building in background, Warde Hall, is oldest on campus and where my office is.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p>CR Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14949410451137266101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3599778591069106718.post-46973810750712404542024-02-20T21:13:00.000-06:002024-02-20T21:13:10.550-06:00In Which Tyres Bring Some Challenges<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEzAP9x-eSTCDD0rOp6vhBrEk3gGRFOoCLe0rbuH-uZuvTnhKqyoWiZMQGST8dEu9w4R8LDf8yPyy4ufgcD9zFvY4HsTxcu-eI0sRJrpmpYZSCtDAhLlZRDEz_yBf-S2viWIHZDECI1xXwDJeYOSMuzKKVXqpe3JTCBneGdbKSK1e_9TG8qYQ0IBSbHKbf/s1000/1-29A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Lindale Trail" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEzAP9x-eSTCDD0rOp6vhBrEk3gGRFOoCLe0rbuH-uZuvTnhKqyoWiZMQGST8dEu9w4R8LDf8yPyy4ufgcD9zFvY4HsTxcu-eI0sRJrpmpYZSCtDAhLlZRDEz_yBf-S2viWIHZDECI1xXwDJeYOSMuzKKVXqpe3JTCBneGdbKSK1e_9TG8qYQ0IBSbHKbf/w400-h266/1-29A.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Jan. 29--Pretty late day light on Lindale Trail in Cedar Rapids.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuvmTK8SDYB8ATP23mRLRrRkHDuEv8rGNIB1IYfQwo9rXL-IjtyPFHApDJMQRHPtpJOZxMmbL0kxULFjmCIAm9c3w5Z2zS01IADAdQ3j8R9K4x5OgcSyTUenur7tDvBG16GH7v0ZEdsUdvl7piAW1wBQ7jIgo65Lbcrlp8yvWTh4r3FGQmtfW5ycwQgUR_/s1000/2-12A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="C Avenue Pond" border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="1000" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuvmTK8SDYB8ATP23mRLRrRkHDuEv8rGNIB1IYfQwo9rXL-IjtyPFHApDJMQRHPtpJOZxMmbL0kxULFjmCIAm9c3w5Z2zS01IADAdQ3j8R9K4x5OgcSyTUenur7tDvBG16GH7v0ZEdsUdvl7piAW1wBQ7jIgo65Lbcrlp8yvWTh4r3FGQmtfW5ycwQgUR_/w400-h256/2-12A.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Feb. 20--Pretty, frosty morning seen on morning bike ride to work, C Avenue Pond.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWpudj5X2LVvI_FNiMMRRdMLSruLa18w9whneubdqBsa1KdHpJmrO86sg2sLjiEnJEME00YM63zuWRS_oQLIm3UlBtcjWox8w3gipXsFCZ4iPLnaLy76ySqhQ8fE4l7Hre-RVThnBCg8DY-N-RDhBIGD2s4LnmJ96efNmMws0pUEd8iRjdjTQ0iNUeD2Ra/s1000/2-18A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Creek Trail in Marion" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWpudj5X2LVvI_FNiMMRRdMLSruLa18w9whneubdqBsa1KdHpJmrO86sg2sLjiEnJEME00YM63zuWRS_oQLIm3UlBtcjWox8w3gipXsFCZ4iPLnaLy76ySqhQ8fE4l7Hre-RVThnBCg8DY-N-RDhBIGD2s4LnmJ96efNmMws0pUEd8iRjdjTQ0iNUeD2Ra/w400-h266/2-18A.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Feb. 18, pretty late light on Creek Trail behind Linn-Mar High School in Marion.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>It’s been a little while since I reported on my two-wheeled journey through life. It was near the end of January the last time your correspondent wrote a blog post.<br /><br />It’s been a busy time. Winter term turned to spring semester with no break; I attended a <a href="https://crgardenjoe.wordpress.com/2024/02/14/message-of-icma-2024-seize-your-opportunities/" target="_blank">statewide student college media conference</a>; my wife and I worked on jigsaw puzzles and got hooked on an old British TV mystery show (Midsummer Murders)—what with one thing and another, almost a month has passed.<br /><br />Most of that month has been a sunny, dry and unusually warm February. In fact, today, Feb. 20, I posted images on Facebook of flowers blooming in my backyard gardens.<br /><br />Anyway, while I have not done any long (over 50 miles) rides, I have been riding almost every day. There was even one day, Friday of last week, when it had snowed overnight, but I made the unusual choice to ride anyway. The snow was just a light dusting, and it was cold so the snow hadn’t melted and frozen into ice, but stayed a white powder. I thought I might be OK rolling across it on my mountain bike, and, as it turned out, I was correct.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2W5iIyaCFrEFqbByWAT4nQgYur-Hi2qPHfOhCG4vF0WzrzQ4q4qaibZ12hmC73yuFSYAHzS7tO7Bhiyk60RUtsc_3vI1meNySz2QtxAHx5CHNRzS0nk1yab7nTyMkDQl1K9-Ug042j_cy426AAdUUgdpUXQGhEC3GDRYWH6duO04xvBulFrrmxjKZ5XWa/s1000/2-16A.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Warde Hall bike rack" border="0" data-original-height="659" data-original-width="1000" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2W5iIyaCFrEFqbByWAT4nQgYur-Hi2qPHfOhCG4vF0WzrzQ4q4qaibZ12hmC73yuFSYAHzS7tO7Bhiyk60RUtsc_3vI1meNySz2QtxAHx5CHNRzS0nk1yab7nTyMkDQl1K9-Ug042j_cy426AAdUUgdpUXQGhEC3GDRYWH6duO04xvBulFrrmxjKZ5XWa/w400-h264/2-16A.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Feb. 16--Snowy Friday and I'm not the only crazy bike commuter. I don't know whose it is, but a white bike beside my black mountain bike.</i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7UoKKfI_PdZObUTlSiuoFDB_OjGv2JkYuKBf7lm1Spgarg6XPIPAOSvZYBAucASeBDKLOF7XYKIJQNh3mL9KgEhr0Q7Wax4S5-L0HGhfB3kC0D5jW_Jb72GVMURYFYmRW3xXWUxQdQOhPf8z_1dmVH7mm_59AblVu6K6evL3xWTP6oo2BQeEcZcJmScLQ/s1000/2-16B.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Bike at Warde Hall" border="0" data-original-height="693" data-original-width="1000" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7UoKKfI_PdZObUTlSiuoFDB_OjGv2JkYuKBf7lm1Spgarg6XPIPAOSvZYBAucASeBDKLOF7XYKIJQNh3mL9KgEhr0Q7Wax4S5-L0HGhfB3kC0D5jW_Jb72GVMURYFYmRW3xXWUxQdQOhPf8z_1dmVH7mm_59AblVu6K6evL3xWTP6oo2BQeEcZcJmScLQ/w400-h278/2-16B.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Feb. 15, pretty morning light as I arrive on campus.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p>I was lucky to have the mountain bike ready to ride. In January, the back tyre went flat. I didn’t find the cause, but changing the tube seemed to fix it. But, when I took the wheel off, I noted the brake shoes were so worn the metal under the rubber was starting to show.<br /><br />So there was a slight delay until I could pick up some new shoes before I could ride that bike. Meanwhile, I was riding my road bike or my hybrid bike. The mountain bike is my usual winter bike, yet this February has barely counted as winter.<br /><br />But I got the job done, and The Fancy Beast is rolling again. Meanwhile, I noticed that the outer layer has started to wear off of the front tyre of my road boke. For more than a week, I’ve left it parked as I have simply not found the time to get to a bike shop for a new tyre.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiepXtg2LUSodfQToKYW600kKiHNyfN_waeWpDKG2FiIXDTJZoWUd-tyAy180upEGdrDlhOFRt869_9bN5F8CrLW8tWa1tFlSzOvJHW5g1qvwZxGJCABnX35Us19YXOVhoh8897OH0-0ln4VxaREuWOm890dWThZWvMSyT6iSK5HtL5LsaKztcdZ5pq9bpu/s1000/Feb%204A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Bike shoes" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiepXtg2LUSodfQToKYW600kKiHNyfN_waeWpDKG2FiIXDTJZoWUd-tyAy180upEGdrDlhOFRt869_9bN5F8CrLW8tWa1tFlSzOvJHW5g1qvwZxGJCABnX35Us19YXOVhoh8897OH0-0ln4VxaREuWOm890dWThZWvMSyT6iSK5HtL5LsaKztcdZ5pq9bpu/w400-h266/Feb%204A.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Feb. 4--New brake shoes installed on The Fancy Beast, after a few days, it's ready to ride again.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDYt3ATq-TluIlAaKItrVp6f5DKcb8Z8Z2xKadVoht3rt7RKTorGiPX_ZOuq5L7k-e1gHBn-V-2zML5r7wkjxHXoi2-aJ23EQshgqmsBIojnDlSuspIDp4k1_H5cOt1roHt4lL4xwvySPlvS_mzcnM8jbGRFtcDHSaBWHGoOmckaIJ3u3invssxKxNtt9S/s1000/1-28B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Flat tyre" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDYt3ATq-TluIlAaKItrVp6f5DKcb8Z8Z2xKadVoht3rt7RKTorGiPX_ZOuq5L7k-e1gHBn-V-2zML5r7wkjxHXoi2-aJ23EQshgqmsBIojnDlSuspIDp4k1_H5cOt1roHt4lL4xwvySPlvS_mzcnM8jbGRFtcDHSaBWHGoOmckaIJ3u3invssxKxNtt9S/w400-h266/1-28B.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Jan. 28--One morning I just found this. I had ridden this bike the day before. Time change tubes.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoG0s-0DQKWVZOgD9diHIDHksgkgRjUFchWfA-brJnnOF5HZ-YaO6VMvZVnz8ukAd2s5mKMsG10sh4paoXuMm9HNiJg6zDi_nD2a0J6x_cuDfIFI7yJHTPm_7gVrEwTKTM81wD_zo4WhM1SlqBclNbSOat2DbPTRV8sZPn0zajUb6ZPBeQqH6YCPr7Z1m6/s1000/1-28A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Wheel, tyre and tube" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoG0s-0DQKWVZOgD9diHIDHksgkgRjUFchWfA-brJnnOF5HZ-YaO6VMvZVnz8ukAd2s5mKMsG10sh4paoXuMm9HNiJg6zDi_nD2a0J6x_cuDfIFI7yJHTPm_7gVrEwTKTM81wD_zo4WhM1SlqBclNbSOat2DbPTRV8sZPn0zajUb6ZPBeQqH6YCPr7Z1m6/w400-h266/1-28A.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Jan. 28, changing tube. Sadly, bike not ready to ride when I'm done--brake shoes too worn.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>One reason the quest isn’t too urgent is the season. I make far less use of my road bike Argent when it’s winter—the Fancy Beast is my usual winter ride, and I’ve used Clarence, my hybrid bike, when I want a lighter steed. The road bike will be ready when the weather turns really warm and I aim for longer rides.<br /><br />If I’m going to roll 50 miles, it would only be on my lightest, fastest bike. But at this time of year, other bikes serve me perfectly well.<br /><br />Meanwhile spring is coming early. Your biker correspondent has been on the saddle nearly every day. As of Feb. 20, I’ve ridden 152.88 miles this month. That compares to 128.39 in all of January. So far this year, I’ve rolled 280.94 miles, which I think is OK given the time of year. More images from recent rides:<br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfScf6BKd14GErzATpMekDYlG2u_UTKLH2Xr3WpsEr8K0AWzDzNT2tb2ud0KPfm4_C9CUMvr6kfesafK9jAHCQ3Bsr9ZzneNrZWjMNDixlhYmz9pBt1UO9P3N4Sr9ekaLKVom5K8Yx9cgJS_Ql3iXVMi8cZM98-xG-99S9tWGuABu_AuVddlNf_jOf-IuD/s1000/1-29B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Deer" border="0" data-original-height="670" data-original-width="1000" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfScf6BKd14GErzATpMekDYlG2u_UTKLH2Xr3WpsEr8K0AWzDzNT2tb2ud0KPfm4_C9CUMvr6kfesafK9jAHCQ3Bsr9ZzneNrZWjMNDixlhYmz9pBt1UO9P3N4Sr9ekaLKVom5K8Yx9cgJS_Ql3iXVMi8cZM98-xG-99S9tWGuABu_AuVddlNf_jOf-IuD/w400-h268/1-29B.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Jan. 29, Deer by trail.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB2ITLJ5sdw7tKrj6hljVcsjA09fpqiqLGnW4LF1mbDLGUMNY7Lb2xWPJ-l3GCNodZd__u1lQQko54EE9MrSSooF4c1UNMbHNvGQIp54sVe_1uCgP7SkOKSQY2TfbB4NdMG8MUsxnwNxwx3PdB3RvYkS2-BQuQ7sBbesLcVA-7vMxOyK-rPqj3WSdnaVvI/s1000/2-3A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Bike at sunset" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB2ITLJ5sdw7tKrj6hljVcsjA09fpqiqLGnW4LF1mbDLGUMNY7Lb2xWPJ-l3GCNodZd__u1lQQko54EE9MrSSooF4c1UNMbHNvGQIp54sVe_1uCgP7SkOKSQY2TfbB4NdMG8MUsxnwNxwx3PdB3RvYkS2-BQuQ7sBbesLcVA-7vMxOyK-rPqj3WSdnaVvI/w400-h266/2-3A.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Feb. 3--Bike at day's end (road bike shortly before I stopped riding it due to tyre wear).<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKsII6x3qqCF_crNrtrwU91vbpOGuAm4pJZG0eq3gq_wjh9f-2mvU7Ee__dNT9k7gFz3f4Cp6HE46T0lJ9wI2G58nmbIefziUudvxrd4J-UlNTQ3PY1bka2Bp1wk8nPAcxVDudQPF4h6GpVWcvKGCbu-qA5Zk_cwQBzomo202ckY-OtUtb1KwACTySMCcA/s1000/2-11A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Bridge in Robins" border="0" data-original-height="679" data-original-width="1000" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKsII6x3qqCF_crNrtrwU91vbpOGuAm4pJZG0eq3gq_wjh9f-2mvU7Ee__dNT9k7gFz3f4Cp6HE46T0lJ9wI2G58nmbIefziUudvxrd4J-UlNTQ3PY1bka2Bp1wk8nPAcxVDudQPF4h6GpVWcvKGCbu-qA5Zk_cwQBzomo202ckY-OtUtb1KwACTySMCcA/w400-h271/2-11A.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Feb. 11--Snow has melted off county trails--on ride north to Robins.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqy-gRMg4H6x2rS7ezj_UR6N41VIw4LQ2idCj6fT7cbTh1qtiKOT29cZCnHLA0Fy3wP1hdSrtutIo9DrO8GtXns0UrXnvlyWfMEhIqtj4wGgd-9bHkzF2_dk_hhyasrUEYEDoThVUztsgqVQoGgu_YP47YkVjtolLZPHZ1_Dtxi1UBlnoF0c6X-1h2fTop/s1000/2-18B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Boyson Trail" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqy-gRMg4H6x2rS7ezj_UR6N41VIw4LQ2idCj6fT7cbTh1qtiKOT29cZCnHLA0Fy3wP1hdSrtutIo9DrO8GtXns0UrXnvlyWfMEhIqtj4wGgd-9bHkzF2_dk_hhyasrUEYEDoThVUztsgqVQoGgu_YP47YkVjtolLZPHZ1_Dtxi1UBlnoF0c6X-1h2fTop/w400-h266/2-18B.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Feb. 18--Creek on trail near Menards.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv1o9E44ubPuA1orf18jeFjsrWf78-vkIy6zr3pjYqCYDXoePeWyHIi9MuiB2QVwoQrI6l5dyUrz7MYnnTe8_nKKiAIfPa4nYMKTUDdlZZfrnm1YQ6alavun7ZmCd3rfSoKRzlWT9bVrrXVlRJRLRh74dy5QoOmoFLQLDaLeOElDRGZNycLlnIIJs5GCXK/s1000/2-20A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Mountain bike on trail" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv1o9E44ubPuA1orf18jeFjsrWf78-vkIy6zr3pjYqCYDXoePeWyHIi9MuiB2QVwoQrI6l5dyUrz7MYnnTe8_nKKiAIfPa4nYMKTUDdlZZfrnm1YQ6alavun7ZmCd3rfSoKRzlWT9bVrrXVlRJRLRh74dy5QoOmoFLQLDaLeOElDRGZNycLlnIIJs5GCXK/w400-h266/2-20A.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Fancy Beast in the woods Feb. 20--finally dry enough to ride mountain bike trail off of Boyson Trail.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMyklJ223CmcZkPWFNfF99EvtEgF4vtJvZrUAKgmYNaq_FWL1PbZ2aQaKmVSSx5Prjxzv9sRz1h76ABsEP4Y6t1RuRS4kakP1QhKxzsCPvnSTZGu5jw4ZO4Z3ks18Yn-K_Nun2ZFhqD0doJDw83EUp2GkfSvsJiLNw7bmkwyJtzDClyUkCdy06pSApMthl/s1000/Feb4-B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Bridge on Boyson Trail" border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="667" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMyklJ223CmcZkPWFNfF99EvtEgF4vtJvZrUAKgmYNaq_FWL1PbZ2aQaKmVSSx5Prjxzv9sRz1h76ABsEP4Y6t1RuRS4kakP1QhKxzsCPvnSTZGu5jw4ZO4Z3ks18Yn-K_Nun2ZFhqD0doJDw83EUp2GkfSvsJiLNw7bmkwyJtzDClyUkCdy06pSApMthl/w266-h400/Feb4-B.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Feb. 4--On bridge on Boyson Trail.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDbNJEpw8erDR-DlSS_4sVe1HCrydiC7gF8q-ZPIQuZjYdxpXI0FGfdrE2hRU0PLhcLEqlArW_a6bIjwMsftRg9yCojP2DNSrRgbGFI196SiKtd6VuCSYVBlYV3eTCMd9q3W64hWUT2b50XBzvhzQofAsL2bdbVlUXGU0bNnClQlMu_hf8cTrfRHUD8_FY/s1000/Feb4C.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Lindale Trail" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDbNJEpw8erDR-DlSS_4sVe1HCrydiC7gF8q-ZPIQuZjYdxpXI0FGfdrE2hRU0PLhcLEqlArW_a6bIjwMsftRg9yCojP2DNSrRgbGFI196SiKtd6VuCSYVBlYV3eTCMd9q3W64hWUT2b50XBzvhzQofAsL2bdbVlUXGU0bNnClQlMu_hf8cTrfRHUD8_FY/w400-h266/Feb4C.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Feb. 4--Warm weather brings bike and foot traffic to Lindale Trail.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizBksQwjqJUniOsTlW1GAUuX3ir5HKAM9WylxV3NzGadvds9_XPpOCGf4aOksk56h6L4Jfnvab7ShchOvt-z5JUejkmFSCDkUNjPY45YtjODfBfHcI0FiFzmFNoBwwZ7KQ1XyrHv52E4RcYRRK5xrRvwVNeebE9ZXBWJDymoL3RtAXzJaDoeXbenwRA7OO/s1000/Feb%205A-cedarlake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Cedar Lake" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizBksQwjqJUniOsTlW1GAUuX3ir5HKAM9WylxV3NzGadvds9_XPpOCGf4aOksk56h6L4Jfnvab7ShchOvt-z5JUejkmFSCDkUNjPY45YtjODfBfHcI0FiFzmFNoBwwZ7KQ1XyrHv52E4RcYRRK5xrRvwVNeebE9ZXBWJDymoL3RtAXzJaDoeXbenwRA7OO/w400-h266/Feb%205A-cedarlake.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Feb. 8, ride down to Cedar Lake.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><br /><br />CR Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14949410451137266101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3599778591069106718.post-72923028327334146442024-01-27T23:05:00.000-06:002024-01-27T23:05:29.053-06:00 In Which I Contrast Two Winter Rides<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxN4IOKgsS_en5DPZiAfcI5GslU4-ivzxHCbxbN0zMEUgi9zzlg-Hv7d__F7fLPNqEBxbgZtusdvuqX1sAxsabWmnzI4GjSsxw0gnYK1Hg8BVtMdwagF1CAyGe-Qy4Ir28axvWQkLpbqTlKBlQy1Wsyi-QyO8zBrmiDzefznjUiTjx9lWR060ur91NDVjr/s800/1-27-sky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Waldo's Rock pond" border="0" data-original-height="530" data-original-width="800" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxN4IOKgsS_en5DPZiAfcI5GslU4-ivzxHCbxbN0zMEUgi9zzlg-Hv7d__F7fLPNqEBxbgZtusdvuqX1sAxsabWmnzI4GjSsxw0gnYK1Hg8BVtMdwagF1CAyGe-Qy4Ir28axvWQkLpbqTlKBlQy1Wsyi-QyO8zBrmiDzefznjUiTjx9lWR060ur91NDVjr/w400-h265/1-27-sky.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Jan. 27--Grey sky at Waldo's Rock Park.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Six days separate my latest two bike rides.<br /><br />It’s been a bit of bummer this January, to be so seldom being out on two wheels. I’ve make a halfhearted effort to ride an indoor bike for exercise during dreary ride-hostile days, but it’s honestly not the same.<br /><br />It seems actually being outside is a huge part of my biking experience. Without the wind, the trees, the trail, the people, the deer, the birds, the walkers, joggers and things to see and experience, biking is just not as enjoyable.<br /><br />And lately, outdoor riding hasn’t happened much. The theme for January this winter in Iowa has been arctic cold followed by a weird winter wet and warm interlude, with daily rains.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjotuXI_2sJGKUlbDxyqsmswN6qrPNAXv4XpoeC26XVQIX14s1dBlDsfmmuq1jiUE8N19JQToaitnylEnPiQ4ZJ6ql2cfZQM1gBMXp7sO70N8DXnQyKSnRuDygj-CCCFYth8j_LxW0Kpuh8LEomCUxfpSl7OdqgQazO4fiW4D01zVc2GZMaxVaf8b1Q8whz/s800/1-21-Lindale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Bike on Boyson Trail" border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjotuXI_2sJGKUlbDxyqsmswN6qrPNAXv4XpoeC26XVQIX14s1dBlDsfmmuq1jiUE8N19JQToaitnylEnPiQ4ZJ6ql2cfZQM1gBMXp7sO70N8DXnQyKSnRuDygj-CCCFYth8j_LxW0Kpuh8LEomCUxfpSl7OdqgQazO4fiW4D01zVc2GZMaxVaf8b1Q8whz/w400-h268/1-21-Lindale.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Jan. 21--On Lindale Trail bride. It's better than it looks. the snow is so thin riding on it wasn't bad.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJZpZtTQCrntH1ZXRrKWcRB3U5Z1AdurwTKcwGXdPCsDQFO9-_iZpwBGKAWHW1ZfRIQ1dpEiuX9kzEKuRdk8eCmQh93j02bmZ7DKiDdCZXHF4xMwYbvMvlT7ETYHzacoqOot2tao_dYmFkiYGUVovo25u-z7dCL4vcc6vFq58fRBRZM8KZ2ZRBy1qhP3NP/s800/1-21-bike-on-trail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Street and snow" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="534" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJZpZtTQCrntH1ZXRrKWcRB3U5Z1AdurwTKcwGXdPCsDQFO9-_iZpwBGKAWHW1ZfRIQ1dpEiuX9kzEKuRdk8eCmQh93j02bmZ7DKiDdCZXHF4xMwYbvMvlT7ETYHzacoqOot2tao_dYmFkiYGUVovo25u-z7dCL4vcc6vFq58fRBRZM8KZ2ZRBy1qhP3NP/w268-h400/1-21-bike-on-trail.jpg" width="268" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Jan. 21--Trail behind Amoco and Popeye's has not been cleared of snow, so I have to navigate a short city block. The street has been plowed for cars, but the deep salty slush is show going on a bicycle. In contrast, trail pavement is pretty clear.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>So, it was nice, in the past week, to be out twice. I rode 7.11 miles on Sunday, Jan. 21, and 11.7 miles today, Saturday, Jan. 27. I guess 7 and 11 must be my lucky numbers this week.<br /><br />They were contrasting rides, although both were late afternoon rides. My life seems to be filled with busy days—either I’m putting in lots of hours at work during the week or I have family events on the weekend. To be honest, while I do look forward to a more relaxing schedule this summer, I enjoy both the work and the fam, so it’s not bad to be busy the way that I am. But it does cut into rolling time.<br /><br />So last Sunday, at the end of the arctic blast, I rode a few miles on the Boyson Trail. Snow on the road was a challenge. The trails had been cleared, but not all of the sidewalks or streets I used to get there—the Sunday ride convinced me that Monday would a be a driving day, and cold rain the rest of the workweek did the same trick.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuriNzM35BC0d8WsZ3F2N0NAUWuTZ2iLE5eH3WgsApip_dju264Xzc0rqaEgdpPFOH7z_lgDFUhhnNiysQJ_i28CVBVCAgTQaQZRPGwIWGqJMzTbfWouWcg4LTRWQgukcdnIAIy0SssiE3MDs3A7epa5KdrZ6uCs4g095JfU6eMuKScCef96J5IyQk-1RT/s800/1-21-d334.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Deer next to Boyson Trail" border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuriNzM35BC0d8WsZ3F2N0NAUWuTZ2iLE5eH3WgsApip_dju264Xzc0rqaEgdpPFOH7z_lgDFUhhnNiysQJ_i28CVBVCAgTQaQZRPGwIWGqJMzTbfWouWcg4LTRWQgukcdnIAIy0SssiE3MDs3A7epa5KdrZ6uCs4g095JfU6eMuKScCef96J5IyQk-1RT/w400-h268/1-21-d334.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Jan. 21--Deer seen near north end of Boyson Trail, just as I am deciding it's time to head back home. "Hey pinky," I imagine them thinking. "We don't have warm houses to go to. What's your excuse for being out here?"<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Despite being “warm,” it was darn cold. It was about 18 degrees with a stiff wind—my phone weather app put the wind chill at about zero Fahrenheit. I was toying with maybe aiming for 10 miles, but after a short ride into the wind, determined that I would just be happy with what I got and I headed home.<br /><br />Today was different. For one thing, I was not going to ride the Boyson Trail—part of it is limestone, and days this week have been both wet and above freezing, which means that part of the trail would be mushy and sloppy. I knew from ruts on the Jan. 21 ride that not all bikers share my philosophy, but I just don’t enjoy furrowing a trail like a plow and would rather not, thank you.<br /><br />But the sidewalks and little piece of street I would use to get to the Lindale Trail are clearer now, thanks to a week of melting. Even where they have not been shoveled well, pavement is showing on the sidewalks.<br /><br />So, today I got the Fancy Beast out and mounted it at about 4:30. I was planning a quick sojourn, maybe another 7-mile ride before darkness set in.<br /><br />I headed east. There were a few places, at intersections, where I was glad to be mounted on my trusty winter beater mountain bicycle, where snow speed bumps from street plows were still in place, but by and large the trail was clear. My one concession to the winter was that I didn’t ride on bike lanes, which I usually use when crossing Marion on the Grant Wood Trail. Today, the little pavement interfaces that lead from the sidewalk portion of the trail to the street trail part of the route were still blocked with sone.<br /><br />Never mind. I didn’t think traffic would be heavy on the wide walkway along the trail route, and I was right. While I did encounter one other biker on the trail and saw several walkers and joggers, the trail traffic was decidedly light.<br /><br />And I just kept rolling. I wasn’t as dressed—no long johns, no scarf. It was in the 30s and not terribly breezy, a grey, damp, but decidedly warmer day.<br /><br />I expected to get to Highway 13 and then turn around. I know the city of Marion clears its trails, but I am also aware that Linn County does not. (And I don’t want that to sound like a complaint—I understand traffic and walking and other considerations means it makes sense for the cities to clear their trails, while the many more miles and many fewer trail users makes the opposite decision by the county pretty clearly understandable).<br /><br />Anyway, the Highway 13 tunnel is marked as the interface between city and county, so I expected that to be the end of snow clearance and the outer limits of my ride. I was pleasantly surprised that the city carried on, clearing the trail all the way to Waldo’s Rock City Park on the east edge of Marion.<br /><br />Beyond that, trail seems snowbound, so I stopped, made a selfie where the snow clearing ended, and then mounted up, circled the pond at Waldo’s Rock and headed back for home.<br /><br />It was getting full dark, but it was cloudy and I was not out in the county. If you have a low cloudy evening in the city, the clouds act like a giant reflector and the “dark” areas of the trail have far more ambient light than you might expect.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE5rK7DMeUKjrfFFdxPnQhzjtD6W5B0PcWbj9jW5UqG5jxdlYS_Lzqoo3yOeZnKt8RF5tcE0nI368qABGOJjEZu4DWsaE80INB3V4k3VrVnROrtG_GH5C228LNRQ-kXIXx65eVze3m0EU_Wb9oQW2PNl3qo2cXXmEt-75xUMFzms4uGu3dJPmCv-tYEqvJ/s720/1-21%20selfie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="CR Biker on Boyson Trail" border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="720" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE5rK7DMeUKjrfFFdxPnQhzjtD6W5B0PcWbj9jW5UqG5jxdlYS_Lzqoo3yOeZnKt8RF5tcE0nI368qABGOJjEZu4DWsaE80INB3V4k3VrVnROrtG_GH5C228LNRQ-kXIXx65eVze3m0EU_Wb9oQW2PNl3qo2cXXmEt-75xUMFzms4uGu3dJPmCv-tYEqvJ/w400-h300/1-21%20selfie.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Jan. 21--Very cold late afternoon ride, me near north end of Boyson Trail, when I turned back towards home.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>On Jan. 21, I was glad to put in over 7 miles but also very glad to return to a warm house and relieve the deep chill in my old bones Today, I kind of wished I had started earlier. The day was very grey, but from a biking point of view, much more rider friendly.<br /><br />In any case, in two rides of 1’s and 7’s, I had contrasting experiences, but enjoyed them both. That’s the thing about the outside, even if you go to some of the same places and ride the same trails, it’s different from day to day, and I love that difference.<br /><br />This next week may be different. It will continue to be in the 30s, but is not forecast to include daily rain showers. Perhaps there are more miles coming soon! So far in 2024, 94.18 miles.<br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLunwDMtgwAZ9WpcfE6n2fWF3u_3HgpgUlhoVeHbDugVPpCm8iS2dQr7S6DKtU-eEouHMYeN-Q6Imt4b8SfUn6cTvn8O7pvIw78DQJcZwoXmonk2czPEnuikVzVK3yfnttIflYDbyjeKbUlHUenkH7SyX_2-P9ndt-uVo_Crn8Pf5q4mQgPlWaMvQaBHss/s720/1-27%20selfie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="CR Biker and bike on Grant Wood Trail" border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="720" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLunwDMtgwAZ9WpcfE6n2fWF3u_3HgpgUlhoVeHbDugVPpCm8iS2dQr7S6DKtU-eEouHMYeN-Q6Imt4b8SfUn6cTvn8O7pvIw78DQJcZwoXmonk2czPEnuikVzVK3yfnttIflYDbyjeKbUlHUenkH7SyX_2-P9ndt-uVo_Crn8Pf5q4mQgPlWaMvQaBHss/w400-h300/1-27%20selfie.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Jan. 27--A much warmer bike ride, me with bike parked where the snow clearing ends, where trail meets Waldo's Rock Park.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>CR Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14949410451137266101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3599778591069106718.post-32980893048015583022024-01-13T22:55:00.001-06:002024-01-13T22:55:51.324-06:00In Which I Take a Break and Contemplate Inflation<p><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5sDkmMGZIMK6nahh4-ldfXCIY0qv0ANjxN4jGt5Dp29IXd_mxlqHdbPYABXthePVHyUxgzNJ8D1hYTIlwHwM9xFv8undqYcgwutFZAwyijE6dIfzpPw50WphuDTB_67AHmsws-cepp8L6MaCn_foiyKTUHdA7Ko8pOhh3zLWibEMYeNfSNnYG2e6XPdN1/s1000/Jan%205--Cedar%20Lake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Bike at Cedar Lake" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5sDkmMGZIMK6nahh4-ldfXCIY0qv0ANjxN4jGt5Dp29IXd_mxlqHdbPYABXthePVHyUxgzNJ8D1hYTIlwHwM9xFv8undqYcgwutFZAwyijE6dIfzpPw50WphuDTB_67AHmsws-cepp8L6MaCn_foiyKTUHdA7Ko8pOhh3zLWibEMYeNfSNnYG2e6XPdN1/w400-h266/Jan%205--Cedar%20Lake.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Jan. 5--After riding hybrid bike for three days, I take road bike out for a spin. On ride home, parked at Cedar Lake.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table></p><p>So, on Jan. 8 I rode 7.47 miles. It was Monday and I rode to work.<br /><br />And that was the last time for a while that I rolled on two wheels. Monday into Tuesday a heavy snowfall started in Iowa and campus was closed all day Tuesday and Wednesday morning. I held class Thursday, but the streets were way too snowy and icy (and the air way too cold) for biking.<br /><br />And Friday a more ferocious storm, a blizzard with snow, high winds and, now, extreme cold temperatures, arrived.<br /><br />In 2023, I rode 3,346.22, I’m sure a modest milage total for serious bikers, but a slight increase in annual miles for me. In 2024, I’m setting a goal of 3,500 miles. I’m still working (I retire in spring, 2025), and I hope that my bike miles will go way up in 2025, but a 50-mile increase from 2023 to 2024 seems doable, I hope. Maybe 4,000 in 2025? We’ll see.<br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQOva_7vHg_B4gTSsF6y2JJ0URPysYMFFpeBe1xXqCn6ef3RRt2I3tMFmRYcxxZpE_eDURGwQcZitWO-k17ousskGMqzF1tcai7CC5cAvsGwoBI56EulYSJxHSARLeJDQ1cXdFb8J7P9KyDbkCCkH9e2EklhKiuSp4mxlFcYwcIfeO54vQFxgNBRb6xbtG/s1000/Jan%206%20bike%20on%20trail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Bike on Boyson Trail" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQOva_7vHg_B4gTSsF6y2JJ0URPysYMFFpeBe1xXqCn6ef3RRt2I3tMFmRYcxxZpE_eDURGwQcZitWO-k17ousskGMqzF1tcai7CC5cAvsGwoBI56EulYSJxHSARLeJDQ1cXdFb8J7P9KyDbkCCkH9e2EklhKiuSp4mxlFcYwcIfeO54vQFxgNBRb6xbtG/w400-h266/Jan%206%20bike%20on%20trail.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Jan. 6--Rode mountain bike on trail near home. Hoped to ride mountain bike trails there, but it was too muddy. Still, it was a good bike to ride on limestone sections of trail.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><i></i></div><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p>As long as we don’t have too many weeks like this. I was able to ride early in the month, rolling 15.09 miles Jan. 6 in my longest of the year, so far. In 2024, I have 74.37 miles and holding, for now. Still, in 2023, during a milder January, I only rode almost 131 miles, and maybe, if the weather improves, I may get close to that mark this month.<br /><br />Anyway, falling a little behind in month one shouldn’t mean much since this isn’t the time of year when I get most of my miles anyway.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnjJmy5LWSceOiQpf_47PEwImrnDKa6TeK127Nii3z_B97MxcCNVa35FDQvg5RqZcP0sTn_Sc24CIA0IzySIIZgJAdxtyfYLO5jCOtRptvX2UOFvnbUMZsWUv-Xy4m830kKJOwez-ahax0sAL70XDhgeQgn06oSK2UupqDPZI6yrwMemQX2sGyQCVKvJcy/s1000/Jan%208%20final%20ride%20in%20rack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Bike at MMU" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnjJmy5LWSceOiQpf_47PEwImrnDKa6TeK127Nii3z_B97MxcCNVa35FDQvg5RqZcP0sTn_Sc24CIA0IzySIIZgJAdxtyfYLO5jCOtRptvX2UOFvnbUMZsWUv-Xy4m830kKJOwez-ahax0sAL70XDhgeQgn06oSK2UupqDPZI6yrwMemQX2sGyQCVKvJcy/w400-h266/Jan%208%20final%20ride%20in%20rack.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Jan. 8--Final ride for a while was on mountain bike, parked here at Warde Hall, MMU.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC2A_crpoZUC-bT44paayHgLEsC6ze2lpIBtUTxMbN_A4T0alMjuR66cK01YqPTrNrjI5lPOFVDNkfOIKCNxMM_-jubC1XgsdegptWanaxtiAndS8jIKVCXFwgizDkNXzxwiIV9KWc82BMFiYh6tRlojib4byN8rD7u-O6gJrsimyd9nOXLYZ3-iPHx9so/s1000/Jan%204-hybrid%20bike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Hybrid bike." border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC2A_crpoZUC-bT44paayHgLEsC6ze2lpIBtUTxMbN_A4T0alMjuR66cK01YqPTrNrjI5lPOFVDNkfOIKCNxMM_-jubC1XgsdegptWanaxtiAndS8jIKVCXFwgizDkNXzxwiIV9KWc82BMFiYh6tRlojib4byN8rD7u-O6gJrsimyd9nOXLYZ3-iPHx9so/w400-h266/Jan%204-hybrid%20bike.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Jan. 4--on Jan. 2, 3 and here, the 4th, my bike of choice was the hybrid one. I had not been riding it lately because it seemed too slow--turns out the tyres were just a little low. Inflation is a good think for bike tyres!<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>At the end of 2023, I was mostly riding my mountain bike, with some trips on my road bike. Over Christmas break, I pumped up the tyres of my hybrid bike, and it turned out it’s not a bad little bike to ride if one remembers to inflate the tyres. Most of the miles to work in the first week of the year were on the hybrid bike, although the longest ride was on my road bike and I used the mountain bike for my final ride before the snow pause (I was not sure when the snow would start Monday, and had ridden the bike with the widest tyres just in case--turns out I need not have worried, I was home hours before the world turned white).<br /><br />I’ve been lucky to be able to get some miles in. It’ll be a while before I get back on the bike, as the first few days of next week will see temperatures below zero Fahrenheit. The streets aren’t ridable at the moment anyway.<br /><br />We’ll see what the future brings—more miles soon, I hope.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI0QNg3N_rDSBgRIWD0qrrLcskUAydJl8XaJ_QOA_up61i1h4GC7chLRW2P2_DRW4k60GGp0IRe_UijMhzTIFROJSrivG3kevToaTeIBgIax3_YPVF8Tlple1NMHlBUDPvIG7CAtQk5EVhWAF3n2mXxj8JtaQEU0AVWITwNeo0n-dG0kqy4E9qF2odvcqM/s1000/Jan%2011%20bike%20at%20mmu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Bike at MMU" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI0QNg3N_rDSBgRIWD0qrrLcskUAydJl8XaJ_QOA_up61i1h4GC7chLRW2P2_DRW4k60GGp0IRe_UijMhzTIFROJSrivG3kevToaTeIBgIax3_YPVF8Tlple1NMHlBUDPvIG7CAtQk5EVhWAF3n2mXxj8JtaQEU0AVWITwNeo0n-dG0kqy4E9qF2odvcqM/w400-h266/Jan%2011%20bike%20at%20mmu.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Jan. 11-Snow at MMU, bikes in bike rack there. Not mine, I drove today. Riding days are over for a little while, but are coming back soon, I hope.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /><br /><br /></p>CR Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14949410451137266101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3599778591069106718.post-72856789014459054232023-12-29T22:45:00.000-06:002023-12-29T22:45:04.422-06:00In Which Snow Calls for The Fancy Beast<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSpHVijgtm9E8gmxpW8F982DJO8tN8vnTRCijqBe_fK5njk34QXuTZxDqcqQ3mEQVWZU7kO_ZZRAek9b7bOGK7tgErAn4r_Ac96W1hjvqsZ3uY6k70nGG-qM_GAMV3RWP6E0Aw3q2rdH52VGtpu75VonDpZkWhXqpJnSiRqYailBN4dONIX0HLtRGdWCag/s800/b02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Boyson Road Trail" border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSpHVijgtm9E8gmxpW8F982DJO8tN8vnTRCijqBe_fK5njk34QXuTZxDqcqQ3mEQVWZU7kO_ZZRAek9b7bOGK7tgErAn4r_Ac96W1hjvqsZ3uY6k70nGG-qM_GAMV3RWP6E0Aw3q2rdH52VGtpu75VonDpZkWhXqpJnSiRqYailBN4dONIX0HLtRGdWCag/w400-h268/b02.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Late day look at creek along Boyson Trail Dec. 29.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>It was the day after Christmas, and I was planning to work for a while. Winter term at my university starts next week, and this professor has some class materials to generate and organize.<br /><br />Christmas has been warm and wet, and Tuesday was forecast to be drier and colder. Not terribly cold—more like normal for this time of year rather than oddly warm.<br /><br />I updated a syllabus, downloaded a class list, and in general acted busy for a while. It was quiet in the building where my office is, but not totally deserted, and on a short afternoon break, I encountered a nice woman who works in the business office.<br /><br />“Joe, you rode your bike today.” True. She probably saw it locked in the bike rack. “Did you know it’s snowing?”<br /><br />Well, no. Luckily, by chance, I had picked the appropriate bike. Normally, on this kind of ride, I probably would have ridden my road bike, but because I thought there might be some damp pavement as a result of the previous day’s rain, I chose instead to ride The Fancy Beast.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1hsse4ZTd-urGKNYyZyZI4wb3OPK2lgG-HzIU1C2IDi_FTjEsTnJgA33KRarLbgFiv4yCEj4UP-cu2t-tJaWJrUsLLnuO2S347hcQeh2hfoyJJqBl12sAPcmL4Nb5_Cqc558nMLRlLWwU2qbaCmnRnRgZO4LNib5sXo1a3HQ3TMBuHNlfjuqRf7rsb12g/s800/f18-12-23.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Christmas lights in McGrath Amphitheatre" border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="800" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1hsse4ZTd-urGKNYyZyZI4wb3OPK2lgG-HzIU1C2IDi_FTjEsTnJgA33KRarLbgFiv4yCEj4UP-cu2t-tJaWJrUsLLnuO2S347hcQeh2hfoyJJqBl12sAPcmL4Nb5_Cqc558nMLRlLWwU2qbaCmnRnRgZO4LNib5sXo1a3HQ3TMBuHNlfjuqRf7rsb12g/w400-h255/f18-12-23.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A few days before Christmas, went with family to walk through light displays at McGrath Amphitheatre. Grandson agreed to make image of me with bike lights. I know it's a motorcycle, but looks a bit like a bicycle.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Aside—years ago, my youngest son had a heavy Schwinn mountain bike that he passed on to me, and I called it “The Beast.” Then, from an older son by way of a son-in-law, I acquired a slightly nicer, still old and heavy but not as heavy, Raleigh mountain bike—which I dubbed “The Fancy Beast.” The beast was donated to a bike club and later stolen, so these days when I ride a mountain bike, it’s The Fancy Beast.<br /><br />Back to our story. I hadn’t arrived all that early in my office, and it was getting to late afternoon by the time I left. In the fading light, it was clear the scenery had changed—my bike and campus were dusted with a light covering of white.</p><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg84tZmi-BvW-R8mnvArsQBH5VLw4Lxyd6msJ_Dvl8r_7uAIHCPUyZGABJ1yaitcIn7fvqg1cTHu7NFgGtznUqfibFFT_aUEdGrSPncsSqGmrcLBEWuS9jsTJY_cAlhyphenhyphen_PO8T9nYEdI4glLrpX3ZQbwR1lR7cWv3WQBwte0xK1mk0qYuNGJNYGYLD6s1R3K/s800/c02-12-26.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Snow on bike seat" border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg84tZmi-BvW-R8mnvArsQBH5VLw4Lxyd6msJ_Dvl8r_7uAIHCPUyZGABJ1yaitcIn7fvqg1cTHu7NFgGtznUqfibFFT_aUEdGrSPncsSqGmrcLBEWuS9jsTJY_cAlhyphenhyphen_PO8T9nYEdI4glLrpX3ZQbwR1lR7cWv3WQBwte0xK1mk0qYuNGJNYGYLD6s1R3K/w400-h268/c02-12-26.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Bike seat dusted by snow Dec. 26.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhquU1xirG3nY0TIPvohP3rsDzjHJJRKGqKKJnyAfY716Q5foBmLr-M7Tja_8WHXxp_FRODM3TXBFumD17-hYIHjxf08IyMxBswslnwHSo0Q276vffpunrC1wQmXnSbr-GQX2SaQpU6mDTsNTouTg2HR2I9AcFB_v3ZULYKaFMQ_5qsxja_X_MxLAfBgnw7/s800/c01-12-26.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Mount Mercy campus in snow" border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhquU1xirG3nY0TIPvohP3rsDzjHJJRKGqKKJnyAfY716Q5foBmLr-M7Tja_8WHXxp_FRODM3TXBFumD17-hYIHjxf08IyMxBswslnwHSo0Q276vffpunrC1wQmXnSbr-GQX2SaQpU6mDTsNTouTg2HR2I9AcFB_v3ZULYKaFMQ_5qsxja_X_MxLAfBgnw7/w400-h268/c01-12-26.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>As I worked for a few hours in the afternoon, an unexpected snow fell Dec. 26. What the Mount Mercy University campus looked like as I prepare to ride home.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>The pavement on the way home was a little scary—it was dark, growing colder, and the street looked a little wet. As any experienced Iowa biker knows, in appearance, there is sometimes no difference between “wet” and “icy” but there sure is a friction difference.<br /><br />I took it easy on the way home and arrived safe and sound, none-the-worse for winter riding. Thank you, Fancy Beast.<br /><br />Wednesday and Thursday featured more snow. It was too warm to accumulate much beyond maybe a half inch, but I have a rule about riding in snow, in that, I don’t.<br /><br />By Friday, the grey skies were clearing. Sun was peaking through the tattered clouds. I was taking care of a grandson that day, and we went for a fun sled ride in a city park. But by late afternoon, it seemed the snow was clear of the pavement and melting off of most of the grass. My wife got home at 3 in the afternoon, and asked me if I was going to take a bike ride.<br /><br />Well, there’s only one good answer to that question.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJt_XGBqZSeUdI5F8NgfG_c8_KDPZFGtcv9_w3gaMGLy13ebtBnQFX1PX_1LfAzqpmu2uutyyDZCLBE541cjwQ_td2Ova0sPjbltSZN4ozW_ps-OOWdZaXZspAjDGh_O6thP6D9alU54YJQrVZIEYTbXNXD7XWopTtPrTiJ8uqRpLjDpB9PE0mTXRmMu4Z/s800/Bike-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Boyson Trail bridge view" border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJt_XGBqZSeUdI5F8NgfG_c8_KDPZFGtcv9_w3gaMGLy13ebtBnQFX1PX_1LfAzqpmu2uutyyDZCLBE541cjwQ_td2Ova0sPjbltSZN4ozW_ps-OOWdZaXZspAjDGh_O6thP6D9alU54YJQrVZIEYTbXNXD7XWopTtPrTiJ8uqRpLjDpB9PE0mTXRmMu4Z/w400-h300/Bike-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Finally enjoying a bit of sunshine on bike ride Dec. 29.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8DCE1K9RdTCwk9qQgSGFIWvk8nMC7NTotu3oUoUSm5QXefbf-QOnLQY9CYIg0-JrdJ4BqgLyQNXu3YdC84d5tQrv-Wlrhexu1RNjLK5AKSYwUqFvP_rwuoYmNhnI1V2MJcHiBmqfPXumHtkGmx7Qe1P-tfD_4xmWb_P5epSPRLvxkJXsHcT0PDSEHDh5_/s800/b04.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Deer by trail" border="0" data-original-height="515" data-original-width="800" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8DCE1K9RdTCwk9qQgSGFIWvk8nMC7NTotu3oUoUSm5QXefbf-QOnLQY9CYIg0-JrdJ4BqgLyQNXu3YdC84d5tQrv-Wlrhexu1RNjLK5AKSYwUqFvP_rwuoYmNhnI1V2MJcHiBmqfPXumHtkGmx7Qe1P-tfD_4xmWb_P5epSPRLvxkJXsHcT0PDSEHDh5_/w400-h258/b04.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Deer seen beside bike trail Dec. 29.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTXV5YC6Wntq58ur29oYoBCdTicW2qfgB5W9P9uEgNIGzXItMIh8WR_c9DCV6Mg55sKnVw5DsEj-dSLa3mwl6QG3Xz77I77eq46ORysrGSWCWyeM8bu-jmtuOo7LuOWQ6YOKOCvlT2JgjQ1dQo3SPwyH21zcjB4Um8RcVFbbB3ygVmps_GquV53i1f52MD/s800/b01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Fancy Beast on trail bridge" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="534" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTXV5YC6Wntq58ur29oYoBCdTicW2qfgB5W9P9uEgNIGzXItMIh8WR_c9DCV6Mg55sKnVw5DsEj-dSLa3mwl6QG3Xz77I77eq46ORysrGSWCWyeM8bu-jmtuOo7LuOWQ6YOKOCvlT2JgjQ1dQo3SPwyH21zcjB4Um8RcVFbbB3ygVmps_GquV53i1f52MD/w268-h400/b01.JPG" width="268" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>My mountain bike, The Fancy Beast, on trail bridge Dec. 29.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>It was late enough, and I planned to ride on nearby trails, which are partly limestone, so I opted, once again, for the trusty winter mountain bike.<br /><br />I had a good ride, putting in a bit over 9 miles as the winter day’s light faded. Along the Boyson Trail, I did encounter a few soft spots and a few places where there was still snow—nothing that The Fancy Beast couldn’t handle.<br /><br />What with one thing and another, I haven’t had many days of biking this Christmas break, but am glad I’ve had a few. As of Dec. 29, I have 162.41 miles for the month, not a great total, but not bad for a winter month. My goal this year was 3,300 miles, and I’m glad to say I’m at 3,339.22 miles for 2023. I’m not sure if today was the last bike ride of the year, but with things already planned for the weekend, it could well be.<br /><br />Despite the snow and the wet, it wasn’t a bad finish to the year. Now to think about how far I’ll roll in 2024.<br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibvf_G6rL3AfDzRVJuxWqyFiCuiNpIg3ONr6VjCkf_Eoq0TvlIgm56SBcn7AaKQDDOg0nTDNFV88FNBdZ5N3aPoF3Vzobdhz3YYVemrSE7XnnlgQnYT1YtaPMl7bQavFlH6TxzPHg9yllvXTvXh0BdgZVv-C0SSu87zKbSIdTkoSSs_e5ZnNX-qRCRzGUi/s800/b08-12-21.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Milkweed" border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibvf_G6rL3AfDzRVJuxWqyFiCuiNpIg3ONr6VjCkf_Eoq0TvlIgm56SBcn7AaKQDDOg0nTDNFV88FNBdZ5N3aPoF3Vzobdhz3YYVemrSE7XnnlgQnYT1YtaPMl7bQavFlH6TxzPHg9yllvXTvXh0BdgZVv-C0SSu87zKbSIdTkoSSs_e5ZnNX-qRCRzGUi/w400-h268/b08-12-21.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Bike ride Dec. 21, Milkweed seen in Hannah Park.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZQjMa8N_H3VqdIe__KKCZGjGipfxLpAkL0QaojR8Cx-F3gJ0ikEjn_msaOlm_UbCnUctRpNutdIvtCHX7Dtf18Y7BTqpBqXWI_zjCDmNR4FXosaanq7KEKxOdl0De6R494Vgeqh_SM0Pa2URjQaWQTj0QbozciVJ3VtCyHKL6TrjCmRBQ4CgsvCep5rxx/s800/b04-12-23.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Bike on trail" border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZQjMa8N_H3VqdIe__KKCZGjGipfxLpAkL0QaojR8Cx-F3gJ0ikEjn_msaOlm_UbCnUctRpNutdIvtCHX7Dtf18Y7BTqpBqXWI_zjCDmNR4FXosaanq7KEKxOdl0De6R494Vgeqh_SM0Pa2URjQaWQTj0QbozciVJ3VtCyHKL6TrjCmRBQ4CgsvCep5rxx/w400-h268/b04-12-23.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Dec. 23--Final ride before Christmas, 15-mles took me out to Lowe Park and Echo Hill School. The Fancy Beast at turnaround point.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgmr-HjQA4keG0U3NV6avrccDUimwjpjXahL2AXDKAgZWWNSH96qNtQVQ-F3VyeomyK3haCD8cPCAOwRpGZH4NEHyToHyF_zwNgir-d8brv37khi2W9IVYQgnsJKdesFc7JKM-36uN5GG9FBCj6C_XI-qV-4d8T3UO6IWpFwhUzooichDuSMgdN8UIbGm8/s800/b03-12-23.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Lindale Trail bridge with bike on it" border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgmr-HjQA4keG0U3NV6avrccDUimwjpjXahL2AXDKAgZWWNSH96qNtQVQ-F3VyeomyK3haCD8cPCAOwRpGZH4NEHyToHyF_zwNgir-d8brv37khi2W9IVYQgnsJKdesFc7JKM-36uN5GG9FBCj6C_XI-qV-4d8T3UO6IWpFwhUzooichDuSMgdN8UIbGm8/w400-h268/b03-12-23.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Fancy Beast on bridge on Lidale Trail, Dec. 23.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGiHDs3bmn_SKT4hE3e4q23ah_z-LhZhtsOYrKZB-ADToKy3RF1Sp1-KJ91dZIFgY3OoRCajBia3J15ekrqW554xSphHAFtq-60XoUP63DiLul6Kt8HkadDVc2vjnj86xB97mvd78wgbJ929zkFDtDQfdA0LAXJuGI9_CO_wPN7ljTRqptfo3XE79J-WNV/s800/b01-21-21.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Bike on Lindale Trail with ruins of another bike" border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGiHDs3bmn_SKT4hE3e4q23ah_z-LhZhtsOYrKZB-ADToKy3RF1Sp1-KJ91dZIFgY3OoRCajBia3J15ekrqW554xSphHAFtq-60XoUP63DiLul6Kt8HkadDVc2vjnj86xB97mvd78wgbJ929zkFDtDQfdA0LAXJuGI9_CO_wPN7ljTRqptfo3XE79J-WNV/w400-h268/b01-21-21.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Dec. 21--I ride the road bike now and then. Remains of a wrecked bike with my bike in the background, Dec. 21.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />CR Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14949410451137266101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3599778591069106718.post-23052435782257802432023-12-20T21:58:00.002-06:002023-12-21T11:54:52.777-06:00In Which I Seem Near My Goal<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilru9ylPqQaDds5myvr6BW5ysAJmmJxuc51HRRZzzpBQDfjc4zh66JC1Hq04GwbUESr4nlkssMMv0U5EGOgpLEanorzd9cJ-eBgmyW-5oMcOMJ4_4XlmF7JFuOlUOMl7kuehAjXCV4UlaD7O3-4nUWdYWsy8obBPxrlvsSMQ0Ah_AD7OP6wGKDYq16APkv/s800/12-19-(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Cedar Lake" border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilru9ylPqQaDds5myvr6BW5ysAJmmJxuc51HRRZzzpBQDfjc4zh66JC1Hq04GwbUESr4nlkssMMv0U5EGOgpLEanorzd9cJ-eBgmyW-5oMcOMJ4_4XlmF7JFuOlUOMl7kuehAjXCV4UlaD7O3-4nUWdYWsy8obBPxrlvsSMQ0Ah_AD7OP6wGKDYq16APkv/w400-h268/12-19-(2).jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Dec. 19--Cedar Lake sunset, rode by lake on one of the nice December afternoons.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>I don’t want to jinx it, but as of Dec. 19, I have ridden just about 3,293 miles this year—just 7 miles short of my 3,300-mile goal.<br><br>It’s been a weird December—in the pattern of November, it’s been mostly dry and unusually warm, although it also featured a few very cold days where full winter regalia was called for.<br><br>December is a very busy month, so squeezing miles in has been a challenge—but again, it appears I may soon reach my biking goal, so I can’t complain.</p><p>One reason was a fine ride in Des Moines. My youngest son who lives there is traveling to California with his wife and son to be with her family over the holidays, and we drove to Des Moines Dec. 14 to pick up their dog, who is staying with us for about two weeks.<br><br>He’s very big, but not, knock on wood, not a lot of work so far—we feed him and walk him and play a bit with him and he seems content. While his family is on vacation in California, he gets to be on vacation with us. <br></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Dec. 14--Des Moines ride.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>Anyway, we made a day of it. We drove to Des Moines in the morning, ate a late breakfast at a very fine diner there. In the afternoon, after the grandson’s nap, the plan was to play at a park. It was, in this warm December, one of the nice days, and my daughter-in-law and I decided to ride bikes to the park, while my son, wife and grandson drove there.<br><br>It turned out to be a ride of a bit more than 9 miles on a very fine afternoon. At first, we rode north through relatively quiet residential streets, and then met a bike trail that snakes along the south bank of one of the rivers in Des Moines. We turned east. In the distance, we could see the skyline of downtown and then the state Capitol, but the trail had a nice country feel to it, and the last few miles literally felt like a countryside ride along a pretty river valley.<br><br>Our goal was a playground at Easter Lake. We got there, we played for a while, and considered riding the 9 miles back—but it was December, days are short, and light was going to fade soon. One disadvantage of a country trail in Iowa is that when it gets dark, it’s very, very dark, and there would be no moon to help. Well, the drivers had brought a bike rack with them, just in case, and thus we put the bikes on the car, all squeezed in and rode back.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAQZ5lWmmhM-O1uVqK1IBlh8MSM8kAGSEnyiI_TjZlc1-gg1QeOzP90e8wNB3jJZOGFIIgJsMhNYdYns80XX7pNtaNgXgObZQXFBihmB-Fx0ltrJZlAErGjllQPtI2AXfZvTqNh0GsJuoifvvgz_l1RkBZHgU92SY4LNJipwhcRJm2fk3Z4Oaf229tVw2H/s800/12-15-des-moines.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Easter Lake Park" border="0" data-original-height="527" data-original-width="800" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAQZ5lWmmhM-O1uVqK1IBlh8MSM8kAGSEnyiI_TjZlc1-gg1QeOzP90e8wNB3jJZOGFIIgJsMhNYdYns80XX7pNtaNgXgObZQXFBihmB-Fx0ltrJZlAErGjllQPtI2AXfZvTqNh0GsJuoifvvgz_l1RkBZHgU92SY4LNJipwhcRJm2fk3Z4Oaf229tVw2H/w400-h264/12-15-des-moines.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Dec. 14--My son's and daughter-in-law's bikes--my son let me borrow his--parked at Easter Lake Park. Grandson has a big smile for grandpa, too.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>It was a pleasant ride. Not the longest of the month for me, as I did ride a 15.5-mile route on Dec. 9—but I really enjoyed the Des Moines trail and look forward to more visits on two wheels to Iowa’s capital city.<br><br>The final week of the semester at the university where I teach featured the taste of winter. There were mornings in the 20s where the windchill approach single digits. It was indeed cold, but the afternoons weren’t as bad, and with long underwear, warm boots and multiple layers, I found I could handle the commute, although I’m pretty sure I would not have wanted any longer rides on those days.<br><br>Today, we had an out-of-town commitment, which is a shame because it was again one of the unseasonably warm, sunny days. So no miles. Rain is coming—Christmas for us won’t be white, bur rather wet. Still, I’m hopeful to get in the few remaining miles, maybe, weather willing, on Thursday.<br><br>We’ll see. Still, it’s been a good December to be a biker in Iowa, and I’m closing in on my goal with a week and a half left in the month. That’s nice.<br><br>Miles so far this year: 3,292.97. As of Dec. 19 (I did not ride Dec. 20, as I noted), for the month: 116.16.</p><p>Map of the longest ride and more images from December rides:</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixmSphJ0LbWLGBvEZjsq2V5e2pBBXdau3P9GrJefM5aK0Q-geERgymujb6WFPn9Me4Q2okfmuJhuA9DjHSNOet0Iv1P-FRaCm05Bu0JHONtC514eZMYxP8NSDiA7gzqRWGoswETSt2kjNTtkXdgmUcV19FdqhFbdWQrdni5gV2R8aQ93UUr0e77HwdLNFg/s601/dec%209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="282" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixmSphJ0LbWLGBvEZjsq2V5e2pBBXdau3P9GrJefM5aK0Q-geERgymujb6WFPn9Me4Q2okfmuJhuA9DjHSNOet0Iv1P-FRaCm05Bu0JHONtC514eZMYxP8NSDiA7gzqRWGoswETSt2kjNTtkXdgmUcV19FdqhFbdWQrdni5gV2R8aQ93UUr0e77HwdLNFg/w188-h400/dec%209.jpg" width="188"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Dec. 9--the longest ride.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6jq2bsnpAMZSewzChzFMS2XOH9xUDwW-5Xj5OLiXxMI4DsN1WKR_nBmpW8TPfuKWrFSv6yT5NLro4QRQajGla_rpr_j-ln-Y7i-f1fLWMBbFgY71A_dqrmetHYZEx95huVw0Bgx8Wg0dgUPAOxo5axELMVUFqTDgfuQ7zilaDoZLqacgQJzZ_V0L-fuwH/s800/12-19-(6).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Lights" border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6jq2bsnpAMZSewzChzFMS2XOH9xUDwW-5Xj5OLiXxMI4DsN1WKR_nBmpW8TPfuKWrFSv6yT5NLro4QRQajGla_rpr_j-ln-Y7i-f1fLWMBbFgY71A_dqrmetHYZEx95huVw0Bgx8Wg0dgUPAOxo5axELMVUFqTDgfuQ7zilaDoZLqacgQJzZ_V0L-fuwH/w400-h268/12-19-(6).jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Dec. 19--Passing Christmas lights on the way home.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRp9JyWqHG25Nas8g6DTZ8quvCQEsIojv60X9xWWC5EJ-IzaYaFa9sjxijU0TuKckvHPxVQi04bL10X5u9ZGF-CDolpu3KQ1xVzMRn4U43Irb1xUHCZpKIbyrsqmKFGQoHQ_B2g6jlhUdGFRTRPHShnDjaZygG-WDfsbKLRQmBGCDq4gP0AmW-Jl8gSJOj/s800/12-19-(5).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Cedar Lake" border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRp9JyWqHG25Nas8g6DTZ8quvCQEsIojv60X9xWWC5EJ-IzaYaFa9sjxijU0TuKckvHPxVQi04bL10X5u9ZGF-CDolpu3KQ1xVzMRn4U43Irb1xUHCZpKIbyrsqmKFGQoHQ_B2g6jlhUdGFRTRPHShnDjaZygG-WDfsbKLRQmBGCDq4gP0AmW-Jl8gSJOj/w400-h268/12-19-(5).jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Dec. 19--Another look at Cedar Lake.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp66-4sAQOqh9LdzzP8E3Tnrq6yx8e6eQHrUgYZfz3Ck2hZImk1vX6VJA5XVsf-mNpsiehQs9yNX2xAgeUOF_SQnn3CxqoLFfhEqZv4mBY-kZCcmej-xnlU2OSbk_cAYJMf1ZDs1Wo8tLqLqw3FnNTPvDogLw2h5g5z08W5M6c0HlxoNUjjAC9lH_K_YKS/s800/12-19-(4).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Bike in rack" border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp66-4sAQOqh9LdzzP8E3Tnrq6yx8e6eQHrUgYZfz3Ck2hZImk1vX6VJA5XVsf-mNpsiehQs9yNX2xAgeUOF_SQnn3CxqoLFfhEqZv4mBY-kZCcmej-xnlU2OSbk_cAYJMf1ZDs1Wo8tLqLqw3FnNTPvDogLw2h5g5z08W5M6c0HlxoNUjjAC9lH_K_YKS/w400-h268/12-19-(4).jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Dec. 19--On colder days, mostly rode mountain bike, but today, rode the road bike. Parked at campus.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsimjUUSKFeE3R_uElKyCMQI63WPGd4BGq5giIwEnQAGCZf6f3y67hbrQQCT2jLsCuxfxvk3K04cd0Bvnt2hFuh99Zi9gU5YgE9X9zB8yn6xhPD3le-toyKkolG3YB4myqyL84dJaxJsVYcWr2VRwiWf4W4Iz01I-htCX0sJdzMeG6XE9fJJTOixP93G-P/s800/12-19-(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Lights" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="534" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsimjUUSKFeE3R_uElKyCMQI63WPGd4BGq5giIwEnQAGCZf6f3y67hbrQQCT2jLsCuxfxvk3K04cd0Bvnt2hFuh99Zi9gU5YgE9X9zB8yn6xhPD3le-toyKkolG3YB4myqyL84dJaxJsVYcWr2VRwiWf4W4Iz01I-htCX0sJdzMeG6XE9fJJTOixP93G-P/w268-h400/12-19-(3).jpg" width="268"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Dec. 19--Another view of the Christmas lights seen on ride home.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXgsvs_1dRr2APEuK91jxAqBOqEpcp0UbMt-78iMD2fI9cASScUfM_E8RXDrQ-utFFtndMmCM-TlDi1IdGgGkC6xto8QNJi0aPsbdMh7i_1PYuKJ-owjATQkZlAVKTJeHHVoMWGOdpRR8KTXrjY6VHFmnjdZzOb1l_5666_0Y9-xyAHiC-ptAK6dJGV3c_/s800/12-19-(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Geese" border="0" data-original-height="498" data-original-width="800" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXgsvs_1dRr2APEuK91jxAqBOqEpcp0UbMt-78iMD2fI9cASScUfM_E8RXDrQ-utFFtndMmCM-TlDi1IdGgGkC6xto8QNJi0aPsbdMh7i_1PYuKJ-owjATQkZlAVKTJeHHVoMWGOdpRR8KTXrjY6VHFmnjdZzOb1l_5666_0Y9-xyAHiC-ptAK6dJGV3c_/w400-h249/12-19-(1).jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Dec. 19--Geese at Cedar Lake.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5_Bfsx7ESTMb6_2R_Ew_PTctN0LXPC5Pb-71d5Hpt_fxam7tqmt1XJSLM-jHQ1bf5C1U2h4I96pI-UUAAs9Ow-7NPlf9vnHcY8URDcjIuV9lPdJuWSuWHlsU99Kf91Xx6jhxyUxupQK-H5Yly30PCQJJ26IXuElJbjNpER-XMCZcM2iiaLCDpNv9_-dGl/s800/12-12-(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="C Avenue Pond" border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5_Bfsx7ESTMb6_2R_Ew_PTctN0LXPC5Pb-71d5Hpt_fxam7tqmt1XJSLM-jHQ1bf5C1U2h4I96pI-UUAAs9Ow-7NPlf9vnHcY8URDcjIuV9lPdJuWSuWHlsU99Kf91Xx6jhxyUxupQK-H5Yly30PCQJJ26IXuElJbjNpER-XMCZcM2iiaLCDpNv9_-dGl/w400-h268/12-12-(2).jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Dec. 12--Frosty morning at C Avenue Pond, one of the cold days.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVMCd-zDKWAHlNbgjM479xW1GB8AfHRWNVFBm6rh99ele1tq0FXoT2jAIvdI8BZkessP08BsOhaIV5mdncMqLgnBOgr6rWiWfgdZkgsVndHCqmU-UQqduLi0lOMIsSZ-WuK-gs-WdkJ-A4i8cUk6zwtyqn38aQAgHURwUCcjbG2xCBvT9SKpd2uuG49-jc/s800/12-12-(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Eagles at lake" border="0" data-original-height="486" data-original-width="800" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVMCd-zDKWAHlNbgjM479xW1GB8AfHRWNVFBm6rh99ele1tq0FXoT2jAIvdI8BZkessP08BsOhaIV5mdncMqLgnBOgr6rWiWfgdZkgsVndHCqmU-UQqduLi0lOMIsSZ-WuK-gs-WdkJ-A4i8cUk6zwtyqn38aQAgHURwUCcjbG2xCBvT9SKpd2uuG49-jc/w400-h243/12-12-(1).jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Dec. 12--Grey and cool on bike ride home, but swing by Cedar Lake. They are a bit distant, so I'm not 100 percent, but I think three juvenile eagles were fishing.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNQ7KnTYsGTNnSFpO_iNguoIxUkCe32KJOjqPK7XtrTqf6fJEwlaVUwkVg7kaY8sK6TDELvM0CmCRE9OLmyp8FbBBdN0sWe7igQdUYPpOAQkBBPj-S-qRW8MSMtH0z4WUuPnxf_Kr1jQsvD8a4_VTtqapGNWrjI0lx5izOdZPi6A1cdyTHzLpDf6txsIIY/s800/12-08-(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Deer on trail" border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNQ7KnTYsGTNnSFpO_iNguoIxUkCe32KJOjqPK7XtrTqf6fJEwlaVUwkVg7kaY8sK6TDELvM0CmCRE9OLmyp8FbBBdN0sWe7igQdUYPpOAQkBBPj-S-qRW8MSMtH0z4WUuPnxf_Kr1jQsvD8a4_VTtqapGNWrjI0lx5izOdZPi6A1cdyTHzLpDf6txsIIY/w400-h268/12-08-(3).jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Dec. 8--Deer by Boyson Trail on warm day.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNWjmmm3qsfSplZ5FQSede422MJbzZOV3SYh1SNX_zQwDmT7P9ndBfduVxBQM29_QT-I51ZkoQtYLY8kiCF9cwRJSbc6NT7F1m5zV5_q531Lo0d8YlJl7cOx7hyBdQw3riAaBU3BxkLAB-A_oj9THB-4zgtHFoHxEujynMc6w1u-sWlCvXiHLRMcm9suqh/s800/12-08-(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Deer by trail" border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNWjmmm3qsfSplZ5FQSede422MJbzZOV3SYh1SNX_zQwDmT7P9ndBfduVxBQM29_QT-I51ZkoQtYLY8kiCF9cwRJSbc6NT7F1m5zV5_q531Lo0d8YlJl7cOx7hyBdQw3riAaBU3BxkLAB-A_oj9THB-4zgtHFoHxEujynMc6w1u-sWlCvXiHLRMcm9suqh/w400-h268/12-08-(2).jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Dec. 8--More deer by trail.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizkXU7m5_JRaYeMdaq6Hz4Rvxjn8FjyprHrTOJe2dzmQMDPdcEgBvXqV557nIJ3rx1UWLwlMwGjTYWxFHo5RyDfwoUUrf-9aeKEi3lM5JbWhCWiFCcA5gldxvFSN0zUEkMoMablhe1Hnp7T_zE3UjR206pvB_MuT0L0JQI0wBZWjoheBj0iBOCxbvnA9gc/s800/12-08-(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Boyson Trail" border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizkXU7m5_JRaYeMdaq6Hz4Rvxjn8FjyprHrTOJe2dzmQMDPdcEgBvXqV557nIJ3rx1UWLwlMwGjTYWxFHo5RyDfwoUUrf-9aeKEi3lM5JbWhCWiFCcA5gldxvFSN0zUEkMoMablhe1Hnp7T_zE3UjR206pvB_MuT0L0JQI0wBZWjoheBj0iBOCxbvnA9gc/w400-h268/12-08-(1).jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Dec. 8--Mountain bike on Boyson Trail.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><p><br></p>CR Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14949410451137266101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3599778591069106718.post-42127890124633396382023-12-01T22:54:00.002-06:002023-12-02T08:37:03.228-06:00In Which There are Unexpected Interruptions<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBikBVqFJUb5naSa2_IJnthFTqIc1ss4_yIjTGk16lCkfwHhm-FqHQI9Z0R3BfQlVvyoUhf2vPmRThii7m_Rz_qgyTvZHukDYOtvUf3z_r_2q9M60R8nvZmlajtDOiIq1OWFtvUBQSt0YuAJMw9Npnzlx-AwBxSjzczAiDyD7z83b2RjiA06bD0DRDomJl/s800/11-16-Cedar-Lake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Cedar Lake" border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBikBVqFJUb5naSa2_IJnthFTqIc1ss4_yIjTGk16lCkfwHhm-FqHQI9Z0R3BfQlVvyoUhf2vPmRThii7m_Rz_qgyTvZHukDYOtvUf3z_r_2q9M60R8nvZmlajtDOiIq1OWFtvUBQSt0YuAJMw9Npnzlx-AwBxSjzczAiDyD7z83b2RjiA06bD0DRDomJl/w400-h268/11-16-Cedar-Lake.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Nov. 16--I had a work meeting at the Mount Mercy graduate center, a 2-mile bike ride from the main campus. When it was over, I stopped by Cedar Lake to enjoy a November sunset.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY2zCZbT6hneF0a-dkUN9eBhC52dwk-KxPB_Rw-oVX4-lySQfRHqUfuYNGlMrKcHrNHtFE52Bt2Y3NFE3p6Lx3BUyamwznY0kNI5tfHxdLYD0NowWFJPyYw0iz9dFI7pjoUQjMZAtl4WHmI8bLVohC-DgG8hTkbbLn6DzuVqwtjdKOJveCKp8xwTw8ghRJ/s800/11-30-Cedar-Lake-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Cedar Lake" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="534" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY2zCZbT6hneF0a-dkUN9eBhC52dwk-KxPB_Rw-oVX4-lySQfRHqUfuYNGlMrKcHrNHtFE52Bt2Y3NFE3p6Lx3BUyamwznY0kNI5tfHxdLYD0NowWFJPyYw0iz9dFI7pjoUQjMZAtl4WHmI8bLVohC-DgG8hTkbbLn6DzuVqwtjdKOJveCKp8xwTw8ghRJ/w268-h400/11-30-Cedar-Lake-1.jpg" width="268"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Nov. 30, above and below--on final day of the month, I ride my bike down to Cedar Lake again after work. Nice place to see late afternoon sun!<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgicT5AyTIvs0L-14RZpmgUsgAGmNrIYOS6Zkw-uKvVtOe7At0SPI9xDe8XIaz9tN0Cm7tvzlNVTH4Z67YM9euBYLUI8ezq4z4eH5foL_8f7ZsC0d6DdHc1P-5ReypmLix-q7z5zGBLHL4tE-Z5jIV9rY4qkEsihsl03sliUaIavEebro5g0-QLC0i4vZC/s800/11-30-Cedar-Lake-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cedar Lake" border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgicT5AyTIvs0L-14RZpmgUsgAGmNrIYOS6Zkw-uKvVtOe7At0SPI9xDe8XIaz9tN0Cm7tvzlNVTH4Z67YM9euBYLUI8ezq4z4eH5foL_8f7ZsC0d6DdHc1P-5ReypmLix-q7z5zGBLHL4tE-Z5jIV9rY4qkEsihsl03sliUaIavEebro5g0-QLC0i4vZC/w400-h268/11-30-Cedar-Lake-2.jpg" width="400"></a></div><p>How was your November on two wheels? Mine was a mixed bag.<br><br>The first part of the month was warmer than usual, and I got some rides in, but then came a sudden shift to colder weather. We’ve had snow, and while I will ride in cold, I do try to avoid snowy streets.<br><br>So, maybe it’s not a surprise that my miles were down a bit this month. In October, I rolled for almost 235 miles. In November, Map My Ride shows 204.5 miles, giving me a total of 3,176.81 for 2023.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxmT4KdQIgg6ptrWFIPaz2EWaAB-iXBZczFwMjJJAtO_jz9YZVDXZeMbi9lPPADM7ZC50KBpmum_6vmpmb8EUqUpdWPaBk1yy4P9fbdg_2Eikdakc4MNm2kJpQrna9zZeuEZ3tCxVRL1Q1UHcqAgIelg2uJTwTbV_9-cuEvbE5-GTIigFBLHEutlTmSzCV/s800/11-13-mmu-bike-rack-on-warm-day.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Bike rack" border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxmT4KdQIgg6ptrWFIPaz2EWaAB-iXBZczFwMjJJAtO_jz9YZVDXZeMbi9lPPADM7ZC50KBpmum_6vmpmb8EUqUpdWPaBk1yy4P9fbdg_2Eikdakc4MNm2kJpQrna9zZeuEZ3tCxVRL1Q1UHcqAgIelg2uJTwTbV_9-cuEvbE5-GTIigFBLHEutlTmSzCV/w400-h268/11-13-mmu-bike-rack-on-warm-day.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Nov. 13--Bicycles in rack at Mount Mercy University--warmer weather early in November.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio5F1_nvssBZ62sCxqVM-0Wx5GAThcs64wFST6jgh5G-klwmwADpOvA-BFOxBsNUTsu9JlGPDeSR7Agkn7Gis1KBwrkHYVgqoHmUthHC786TwKACcrlIQrNflfbazRU4TXughiMUP7tBDZja7nKpTZwOLlFQn-vv4eBOdi56ymhO1AZbg6Cwc0MRjCkZj0/s800/11-29-campus-biker.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Biker on campus" border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio5F1_nvssBZ62sCxqVM-0Wx5GAThcs64wFST6jgh5G-klwmwADpOvA-BFOxBsNUTsu9JlGPDeSR7Agkn7Gis1KBwrkHYVgqoHmUthHC786TwKACcrlIQrNflfbazRU4TXughiMUP7tBDZja7nKpTZwOLlFQn-vv4eBOdi56ymhO1AZbg6Cwc0MRjCkZj0/w400-h268/11-29-campus-biker.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Nov. 29--Student biking on campus after snow. I biked that day too, but stuck to dry pavement.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl8X7pIRMr6dS33THdHhlAwmGzlJK2xhvqv-1s8rc5OOpHvb_OIR6Dygrhn4crRye1NBC0Gt6IPwHwfzo3kDYP-4IViFU23NsDUhm5ZvV7ER1-6Dz-5NjoCq9zpdeJHxk7YBVI97MxgpE77k678dgn2cudvLFYHJ9t4NXXMefjSRzq2E2U70njXKIh0EkY/s800/11-29-bike-sunset.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Bike at sunset" border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl8X7pIRMr6dS33THdHhlAwmGzlJK2xhvqv-1s8rc5OOpHvb_OIR6Dygrhn4crRye1NBC0Gt6IPwHwfzo3kDYP-4IViFU23NsDUhm5ZvV7ER1-6Dz-5NjoCq9zpdeJHxk7YBVI97MxgpE77k678dgn2cudvLFYHJ9t4NXXMefjSRzq2E2U70njXKIh0EkY/w400-h268/11-29-bike-sunset.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Nov. 29--Getting ready to hop on my bike for ride home at sunset.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs6Xiz9ttRDTzdnWeuga87C93cxUeBR-cAN9NsdO-CwckkOpHxGlY9hd05Yhyphenhyphendlk5B7KV0_sw8osbIzN7Ut5nOHl00gvMq4uuP2GcZtR6FjTQc8FuR4gO7h24XZj2FpM-P2LCEHiNevnoepnWy2zxjMCbdiBZb57plcKvg8MmBKALCrv4dV51GpnR1sCmQ/s800/11-29-Squirrel-on-Warde.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Squirrel" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="534" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs6Xiz9ttRDTzdnWeuga87C93cxUeBR-cAN9NsdO-CwckkOpHxGlY9hd05Yhyphenhyphendlk5B7KV0_sw8osbIzN7Ut5nOHl00gvMq4uuP2GcZtR6FjTQc8FuR4gO7h24XZj2FpM-P2LCEHiNevnoepnWy2zxjMCbdiBZb57plcKvg8MmBKALCrv4dV51GpnR1sCmQ/w268-h400/11-29-Squirrel-on-Warde.jpg" width="268"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>As I get ready for sunset ride home, I'm being monitored by Squirrel Spiderman, who climbs up the 6-story building where my office is.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: left;">My goal for the year is 3,300 miles, and it does seem attainable, as long as there aren’t too many more bumps in the road in December.<br></p><p style="text-align: left;">Like snow. But Mother Nature wasn’t the major problem with my November miles. Instead, my health was.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6xXoiPK1pEZJnw1-_5BZtLo65eV_LLV-s6i1FUSd7GHE7lyXBnMO62saXPLXLFdQNUKwWNwEBX1LeGnosSmEnCHtE25TXnXZyWszDaWyy_kO69qYZacipH9hlP7SLLQjF0CNXBFySugCIy_RlhTi9DZIWB2uXAzOXtACG8iI4mOEWPC7VNbFRpCAxmA1w/s1000/11-17-gloves.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Gloves" border="0" data-original-height="731" data-original-width="1000" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6xXoiPK1pEZJnw1-_5BZtLo65eV_LLV-s6i1FUSd7GHE7lyXBnMO62saXPLXLFdQNUKwWNwEBX1LeGnosSmEnCHtE25TXnXZyWszDaWyy_kO69qYZacipH9hlP7SLLQjF0CNXBFySugCIy_RlhTi9DZIWB2uXAzOXtACG8iI4mOEWPC7VNbFRpCAxmA1w/w400-h293/11-17-gloves.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Made this image Nov. 17 of new gloves my wife got me--nice reflective wear for winter riding! I wear a reflective vest, too.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p>I had hoped to do one or two longer rides over Thanksgiving break. We get Wednesday through Friday off of classes at the university where I teach, so I was thinking maybe a longer ride Wednesday. I have a daughter-in-law who just this year learned, as an adult, to ride a bicycle, and she has been getting into longer rides. My son, her and their son were all coming over to visit Thanksgiving week, and I was hoping to take her out and show her some of the local bike trails.<br><br>Maybe I hoped too much. It's like a war movie where the friendly character dreams of all he will do once he gets home. Somehow, you know that dude has a target on his back.<br><br>And Sunday night of Thanksgiving week, I had a lightly scratchy throat. Not that unusual for me, it can be a symptom of dry winter air, but still, I felt “off.”<br><br>I woke up Monday morning with my throat still in mild discomfort, and also a headache. Not a bad headache, and I have sleep problems, so awakening with a mild sinus pain can just be a symptom of Monday. Yet, I wondered. I just didn’t feel quite right.<br><br>And thus, I tested. A home COVID-19 test. Positive. Damn.<br><br>My son, daughter-in-law and grandchild all packed up early and left Monday—which I don’t blame them for. They didn’t want to risk getting ill miles from their home. My oldest daughter was to come down from Minnesota, but decided not to, again, understandably. There was no family gathering for turkey day. And no long bike rides that week, as my body was occupied fighting off a bat virus.<br><br>To be honest, it wasn’t much of a fight—my body won that battle handily. I’m in generally decent health, I am only 65 (COVID tends to be dangerous for people in their 80s, and I’m not there, yet) and I am fully vaccinated, with my most recent COVID shot in September. I never ran a fever, my symptoms were not terrible, and I recovered in due time.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg9pE5VqnJ5K8lIktygRgO8tXqT78deXH5W2iqgVhwXKbDGgPmvvmYcpau2s5bN-bjCncKuBFMddbq2JkyYbQKRE7GP7l_LisE_PukP7XYE_CHWlXrGT0ExZJADfATpEqsYNOoLg54pukAtEJpg00GCgIQqIYTfsTREcz3vi_U0PmeAGlSTf_70kpWkAfQ/s800/11-21-clouds-on-trail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Clouds on trail" border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg9pE5VqnJ5K8lIktygRgO8tXqT78deXH5W2iqgVhwXKbDGgPmvvmYcpau2s5bN-bjCncKuBFMddbq2JkyYbQKRE7GP7l_LisE_PukP7XYE_CHWlXrGT0ExZJADfATpEqsYNOoLg54pukAtEJpg00GCgIQqIYTfsTREcz3vi_U0PmeAGlSTf_70kpWkAfQ/w400-h268/11-21-clouds-on-trail.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Nov. 21--Tuesday of COVID week, the family is all gone and I'm getting crazy cooped up. It's a cool, cloudy day, and I figured nobody would be on the trails, so I masked and went for a short ride. I was socially distant, pretty certain no virus transmission happened that day.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtSZkrudNfPBxN8wkPpEWHdkkIp12nClcip4KwZoA6StEHjTFbqYj7xmGcgxw3aNPkr9vykzEXKUIVrl9PctpfU7Oo7J5SwOruwDiQkfXj429Zl-UEb937Q3-U3kVMvtVbO6nEnX5ecN7p7OnFHIFhShkQL819tvE3VA4GX1ZR52JdabJcRGVSIdvgzkZT/s800/11-21-clouds-and-COVID.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Clouds on trail" border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtSZkrudNfPBxN8wkPpEWHdkkIp12nClcip4KwZoA6StEHjTFbqYj7xmGcgxw3aNPkr9vykzEXKUIVrl9PctpfU7Oo7J5SwOruwDiQkfXj429Zl-UEb937Q3-U3kVMvtVbO6nEnX5ecN7p7OnFHIFhShkQL819tvE3VA4GX1ZR52JdabJcRGVSIdvgzkZT/w400-h268/11-21-clouds-and-COVID.jpg" width="400"></a></div><p>I even, several times that week, went on short bike rides, masked and distant from others, although I was too tired to put in many miles.</p><p>On Thanksgiving Day, I staged a sort of ninja raid on my office—going there when I knew the building would be empty to get some files so I could catch up on work. Still, my biking time was nowhere near what I had been hoping for.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioBfwtzGLNSJ-_U7Zhu2zhuwagDEOceXKJ6Qkbe_PvNmd8rPgr7rOIFypqLrkwQnDj48rrQhQSHZvvEOSacvUQryr2VzXJLwFg-syu8x9yCti7sCwJnd3jWXR2vfY-IIsVn_8yzal5eRXn0KxxReAG2PWyUrbeJ4Wr2xwD4l-QEiSnU20p1kjFRDZxUjj7/s800/11-23-Turkey-Day-Ride.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Thanksgiving Day" border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioBfwtzGLNSJ-_U7Zhu2zhuwagDEOceXKJ6Qkbe_PvNmd8rPgr7rOIFypqLrkwQnDj48rrQhQSHZvvEOSacvUQryr2VzXJLwFg-syu8x9yCti7sCwJnd3jWXR2vfY-IIsVn_8yzal5eRXn0KxxReAG2PWyUrbeJ4Wr2xwD4l-QEiSnU20p1kjFRDZxUjj7/w400-h268/11-23-Turkey-Day-Ride.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>I was alone on Thanksgiving Day. My wife went to a daughter's house, but a turkey dinner delivery was made later, so I didn't totally miss out. On my own, I ride down to campus to get some files--much sunnier day.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGPWRAW29OVkTLpMKgO6mVLdgRp1OIR2QuKLKtHMtSMOesJBXJWHKCDtyx8Z1OVuNDGdxVOuE1Xq2JpDy9WZR9T6IVm60IvPx1dTRsAhjENbVVXU24wlBg05iKcFeLl9Bg7f86v4JjsrIRG5FGAVeeC4MRGaWstmjMFMMrFbhBsTCsGVnO2YGKlGAFrpaI/s1000/11-23-TDayRide.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Map of Thanksgiving ride" border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="470" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGPWRAW29OVkTLpMKgO6mVLdgRp1OIR2QuKLKtHMtSMOesJBXJWHKCDtyx8Z1OVuNDGdxVOuE1Xq2JpDy9WZR9T6IVm60IvPx1dTRsAhjENbVVXU24wlBg05iKcFeLl9Bg7f86v4JjsrIRG5FGAVeeC4MRGaWstmjMFMMrFbhBsTCsGVnO2YGKlGAFrpaI/w188-h400/11-23-TDayRide.jpg" width="188"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>My Thanksgiving Ride ends up drawing a turkey picture.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>I did enjoy some nice rides the weekend BV (before virus). On the 11th, the day was cloudy and cool, but I rode to the end of the Grant Wood Trail.<br><br>And on Sunday the 12th, I rode via trails and streets out to Lowe Park, where, although we’d already had some frosty nights, the last bees were visiting fading flowers.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju0YUF1H_vQQkyQCUFkOHU394Iiq5SGVfj198K1kUdipTpV_yQigOXkqFeGi6UtLnqg_1HYmmikouR5ZEY87c1L0lfLUbLKJQ3HKSAM8qjLZggsQMQAwkBbBhnVsQeI3zSF4S9A6EbiK4EvXFBEdpcJVKDGxCanCet1_K-83NQ7SbLpDgO9ukZjebg0r23/s800/11-12-milkweed-on-trail.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Milkweed on trail" border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju0YUF1H_vQQkyQCUFkOHU394Iiq5SGVfj198K1kUdipTpV_yQigOXkqFeGi6UtLnqg_1HYmmikouR5ZEY87c1L0lfLUbLKJQ3HKSAM8qjLZggsQMQAwkBbBhnVsQeI3zSF4S9A6EbiK4EvXFBEdpcJVKDGxCanCet1_K-83NQ7SbLpDgO9ukZjebg0r23/w400-h268/11-12-milkweed-on-trail.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Nov. 12--Milkweed seen on trail ride out to Lowe Park.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLaoKz-Bd00-miLjDBYpEAAI8DslwMc3aK2nZjASKTtEXzQcFAYxg02IRYFryBvihC3IREqmBPLXvB2_VFUIeWF7yV5POM9czOM6EljmAtk_KgBjYfUrCTK-sdbD4Gu8IHUOKMhsgQn02_ROnQ0R7eMc6FaQTlbIOxdgdaPXdY6DVHl4-VYoSrt4IyWZmq/s800/11-12-lowe-park-milkweed.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Milkweed at Lowe Park" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="511" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLaoKz-Bd00-miLjDBYpEAAI8DslwMc3aK2nZjASKTtEXzQcFAYxg02IRYFryBvihC3IREqmBPLXvB2_VFUIeWF7yV5POM9czOM6EljmAtk_KgBjYfUrCTK-sdbD4Gu8IHUOKMhsgQn02_ROnQ0R7eMc6FaQTlbIOxdgdaPXdY6DVHl4-VYoSrt4IyWZmq/w255-h400/11-12-lowe-park-milkweed.jpg" width="255"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Nov. 12--Milkweed in the garden at Lowe Park.</i><br></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQZ172GAwA3rbhAL0sGk47Ytv4-F_oHFfwXRBaXFj2uG1bpDNtxunypgae7M4GmgE7wKgf9W5hkKIjtXzNOqj-5NISI8YA742iho85BUxRjPD5QknmXmZ2XoXek6IX3UEdVvK3ev1b1xLsjQ8r7Nd5RFvkyx4Ug09KBRBfwNGiclXvqTD7UisFHu1V6daB/s800/11-12-lowe-park.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Bee on flower" border="0" data-original-height="466" data-original-width="800" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQZ172GAwA3rbhAL0sGk47Ytv4-F_oHFfwXRBaXFj2uG1bpDNtxunypgae7M4GmgE7wKgf9W5hkKIjtXzNOqj-5NISI8YA742iho85BUxRjPD5QknmXmZ2XoXek6IX3UEdVvK3ev1b1xLsjQ8r7Nd5RFvkyx4Ug09KBRBfwNGiclXvqTD7UisFHu1V6daB/w400-h233/11-12-lowe-park.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Nov. 12--One of the final bees of fall visits a fading flower at Lowe Park.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p>In meantime, snow has fallen and the bees are gone, now. So, happily, is the virus. I had some unexpected detours, and thus fewer miles, this month. Things don’t look good for the first weekend of December—I am busy most of the day Saturday, and snow is possible Saturday into Sunday.<br><br>Still, I bicycled more than 200 miles in November and have far less than 200 to go to reach my 2023 goal. I have lights, winter clothes and, knock on wood, my health—so I’ll keep rolling!<br></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbyE0cS6Y43VCnmfwOtX6w3SCV_M9EZDLyzyBE2beA5QrzqTe0qhdNkF3WcNrnNo1NromDGVJzazyV3Uyr3Geepj4ztKKwgv7Ya0R6whetJR2OyL9ge701DRQXBjlY7K6qwv7bUxCAnFPz14iH_TRk3KvfuihT3Q_echzrTeJrELmsb58KIt_wqqydPqoh/s800/11-11-Grant-Wood-Trail.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Grant Wood Trail" border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbyE0cS6Y43VCnmfwOtX6w3SCV_M9EZDLyzyBE2beA5QrzqTe0qhdNkF3WcNrnNo1NromDGVJzazyV3Uyr3Geepj4ztKKwgv7Ya0R6whetJR2OyL9ge701DRQXBjlY7K6qwv7bUxCAnFPz14iH_TRk3KvfuihT3Q_echzrTeJrELmsb58KIt_wqqydPqoh/w400-h268/11-11-Grant-Wood-Trail.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Nov. 11--Saturday ride on Grant Wood Trail, a bit grey, but not a bad day for a ride.</i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><br></i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkUZ0Vkmml9y0QRT7Fiwzc0E6xaSzx5EFV1WSjXwCm3IfI_789RKCtL97sQnvU9BxW-9CfEl5cRJjzDA6jFJb3_kTQ5BCRBXOdMGb5r-2i_o-fM2BXH8UpTLQuP6DoXa78yWskSt2L7I1SijfdcugS4SL1EsdelgPkgyhx7KJm173xjVmH97yW3gGfY33h/s800/11-11-Grant-Wood-Trail-End.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Bike at end of Grant Wood Trail" border="0" data-original-height="548" data-original-width="800" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkUZ0Vkmml9y0QRT7Fiwzc0E6xaSzx5EFV1WSjXwCm3IfI_789RKCtL97sQnvU9BxW-9CfEl5cRJjzDA6jFJb3_kTQ5BCRBXOdMGb5r-2i_o-fM2BXH8UpTLQuP6DoXa78yWskSt2L7I1SijfdcugS4SL1EsdelgPkgyhx7KJm173xjVmH97yW3gGfY33h/w400-h274/11-11-Grant-Wood-Trail-End.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Nov. 11--Used mountain bike so I could ride the grassy last two miles to the end of the Grant Wood Trail.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd2Xjze5cOixMMVwmp1ctPhKImARZNTQB8VYJqWLGTjoh5DSSZNe1BLdb-mJabsy8Y4l7fSYPn72zrhN6P2sME53V7gJ7l4PZ3zGrHX9gpeS6svInfmxfz_kdyIGeg0BZsDn6jPiJb0qeAmDankmE2EZlkTRnXcaeliak9JM_g3JJ_e-M5QE6LkdekAVgO/s800/11-25-deer-on-Lindale.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Deer" border="0" data-original-height="518" data-original-width="800" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd2Xjze5cOixMMVwmp1ctPhKImARZNTQB8VYJqWLGTjoh5DSSZNe1BLdb-mJabsy8Y4l7fSYPn72zrhN6P2sME53V7gJ7l4PZ3zGrHX9gpeS6svInfmxfz_kdyIGeg0BZsDn6jPiJb0qeAmDankmE2EZlkTRnXcaeliak9JM_g3JJ_e-M5QE6LkdekAVgO/w400-h259/11-25-deer-on-Lindale.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Nov. 25, deer on Lindale Trail.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigdiXaaDIymMY-_91SpQX3Jx_GWsTQI_10D2W481o5Titwn-dwWoEpGr9WLmLCsY7f7PnWppXvK-BrXd6bE-csXc-YSzsEwBdjlzrornBnJJMfcSlZVZG4PvxDELxz-EgVMRmf7yjmcnsCb0Z81_rvR9JoUisO6a6n8zDgU6i1Ok1UudS63_1zrxw6LEYm/s800/11-25-C-Ave-Bridge.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Bridge with snow" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="534" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigdiXaaDIymMY-_91SpQX3Jx_GWsTQI_10D2W481o5Titwn-dwWoEpGr9WLmLCsY7f7PnWppXvK-BrXd6bE-csXc-YSzsEwBdjlzrornBnJJMfcSlZVZG4PvxDELxz-EgVMRmf7yjmcnsCb0Z81_rvR9JoUisO6a6n8zDgU6i1Ok1UudS63_1zrxw6LEYm/w268-h400/11-25-C-Ave-Bridge.jpg" width="268"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Nov. 25--Walked across the C Avenue Bridge today, but rode most of the way on this ride.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSMBbJoCnrN9Y0CWV4oMPLDuc5OD_g1_JWqA94t19THNlt7mgkFJ0eBLAm70bQGmP4_4a8yXaipxe3nbc1ERsn-wbkqfUMjk0lukUeO4glyA8Bh-OYngxVS4DttsNTt-t8da_-g5Bn5bLQfGCl4g_N5MJJXR5wMXAlZcJ72sSzVmQxgD7IUB-EqU9WBU5K/s800/11-25-bridge-on-trail.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Bike by bridge" border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="800" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSMBbJoCnrN9Y0CWV4oMPLDuc5OD_g1_JWqA94t19THNlt7mgkFJ0eBLAm70bQGmP4_4a8yXaipxe3nbc1ERsn-wbkqfUMjk0lukUeO4glyA8Bh-OYngxVS4DttsNTt-t8da_-g5Bn5bLQfGCl4g_N5MJJXR5wMXAlZcJ72sSzVmQxgD7IUB-EqU9WBU5K/w400-h270/11-25-bridge-on-trail.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Nov. 25--Snow on Lindale Trail bridge--rode across this one.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2hmsrR__Cwh90BRcXn23-2mvhrzIp2_L_edj10Y5Sgrw9B_UDRk8FZJACZZPL10Cmg1gOJiglWrc6C_WzhZTBy5DX2AtE2gdkxVvNkU5nbZYoe7PyCiD8fBFfSEWY9O7r1n7SwMhuneeBHWB1uTATrrrLJtTDokYnNfN4lkpiqS_d8FVgkXXd5w70Toq8/s800/11-25-christmas-deco.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Christmas lights" border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2hmsrR__Cwh90BRcXn23-2mvhrzIp2_L_edj10Y5Sgrw9B_UDRk8FZJACZZPL10Cmg1gOJiglWrc6C_WzhZTBy5DX2AtE2gdkxVvNkU5nbZYoe7PyCiD8fBFfSEWY9O7r1n7SwMhuneeBHWB1uTATrrrLJtTDokYnNfN4lkpiqS_d8FVgkXXd5w70Toq8/w400-h268/11-25-christmas-deco.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Nov. 25--Making images of Christmas lights seen during bike ride.</i><br></td></tr></tbody></table><br><br><br><br>CR Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14949410451137266101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3599778591069106718.post-48544392349509007692023-11-10T22:11:00.000-06:002023-11-10T22:11:52.657-06:00In Which I Enter Dark Times with a Light Heart<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7udHNr7IrY480YAVwgf7xMdR4wij7u9fWGD6VbV1PGvt2ezWmzk0QasulkcRgEvoRAV0UPfgJIT2U3kBo2u9MNFi9Nt-BHJQIF6B0hdts4ySV2-_9hD2cyczfct-4frxLpCO2TWaZYkPj7ctX_RXLCRa9xOUzNkgMEF8QbRa86O-NUHhaDcfg78OtM-xC/s800/11-4-bike-in-cemetery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Biike in cemetery" border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7udHNr7IrY480YAVwgf7xMdR4wij7u9fWGD6VbV1PGvt2ezWmzk0QasulkcRgEvoRAV0UPfgJIT2U3kBo2u9MNFi9Nt-BHJQIF6B0hdts4ySV2-_9hD2cyczfct-4frxLpCO2TWaZYkPj7ctX_RXLCRa9xOUzNkgMEF8QbRa86O-NUHhaDcfg78OtM-xC/w400-h268/11-4-bike-in-cemetery.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Enjoying the last night of late light Nov. 4--my bike parked at Mount Calvary Cemetery. I rode there because site of Sisters of Mercy graves is very peaceful and beautiful at sunset. Sisters founded university where I teach.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF4cBPkTNDvzGbVw536kacm3bnTri8c9VWaWEVr5uwWeNG1sALouZFCjyqtNmv2XS5igNl6h6d2mtvFI7mNcHRt7hdYEoLmz6k4KbLZDM1Tp47HmOrsMJcFFlg7tGmI-v638XeYKWseWivYxUEhvuHEf_HY100utYtS9sZyab2R8g1NMadwVGhELtfLZ2W/s800/11-4-Cedar-Lake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Cedar Lake" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="534" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF4cBPkTNDvzGbVw536kacm3bnTri8c9VWaWEVr5uwWeNG1sALouZFCjyqtNmv2XS5igNl6h6d2mtvFI7mNcHRt7hdYEoLmz6k4KbLZDM1Tp47HmOrsMJcFFlg7tGmI-v638XeYKWseWivYxUEhvuHEf_HY100utYtS9sZyab2R8g1NMadwVGhELtfLZ2W/w268-h400/11-4-Cedar-Lake.jpg" width="268" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Nov. 4--Low sun at Cedar Lake.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtvNGOvBcJgvt2UXFllHGlqANXoZRyvB-di7jpETe_wJGI2tqQX1tVwqfgLWDIVG2oHqnhLl60joQa5d8vuTiJC8WYHp9suschTJ1ZJfTjCKtSU9HfNqFSboINTPhW0y6SwHp01vpUi4nGRbUjrquZUbutcCCbfZl50Q9brhm8-7nmITY35hzIqFLhjzDV/s800/11-4-Mount-Calvary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Mount Calvary Cemetery" border="0" data-original-height="494" data-original-width="800" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtvNGOvBcJgvt2UXFllHGlqANXoZRyvB-di7jpETe_wJGI2tqQX1tVwqfgLWDIVG2oHqnhLl60joQa5d8vuTiJC8WYHp9suschTJ1ZJfTjCKtSU9HfNqFSboINTPhW0y6SwHp01vpUi4nGRbUjrquZUbutcCCbfZl50Q9brhm8-7nmITY35hzIqFLhjzDV/w400-h248/11-4-Mount-Calvary.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Low sun behind Sisters of Mercy graves, Mount Calvary Cemetery, Nov. 4.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Winter is coming.<br /><br />I’ve never seen “Game of Thrones,” but even I haven’t escaped that line. Winter really is coming. We’re into mid-November now, nights have a definite chill and the world is turning brown. Fall is late this year, but still the trees are emerging from their leaf coverings and the drab look of the sleeping landscape is taking hold.<br /><br />It’s still a good time for biking—not winter cold yet, although I’ve used my riding hat and gloves a lot more recently. But last weekend was the time shift, and rides home from work are starting to require lights as darkness falls around 5.<br /><br />I’ve had some pretty fun rides in the past week, encroaching winter notwithstanding. Last Saturday, I rode briefly to campus, and took the First Avenue route just to capture the low sun at Mount Calvary Cemetery. After picking up some files on campus, I headed down to Cedar Lake, one of the best places to enjoy the late afternoon light.<br /><br />And it was late, maybe close to 6, because I hadn’t turned the clock back yet.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBHy287Z_p8VIF_1NnO_6x7BXCjaJXx9CmrZ8Uw-8_3kQ7JdzYwAc6yJRmenogcwrjzve4RzTbh4Te6Pt3-mH1LRyHQ3S4pvfjkC2ih03nuTudvMfETuPUkiV9CtpTTeQ4KJAoK0cf9hqyNDkOTc0AcZR7ntgvV72q0ZNfTuQxyu7vz1jh0aycsJSLxbt8/s800/11-4-Gull-light.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Gull at lake" border="0" data-original-height="492" data-original-width="800" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBHy287Z_p8VIF_1NnO_6x7BXCjaJXx9CmrZ8Uw-8_3kQ7JdzYwAc6yJRmenogcwrjzve4RzTbh4Te6Pt3-mH1LRyHQ3S4pvfjkC2ih03nuTudvMfETuPUkiV9CtpTTeQ4KJAoK0cf9hqyNDkOTc0AcZR7ntgvV72q0ZNfTuQxyu7vz1jh0aycsJSLxbt8/w400-h246/11-4-Gull-light.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Nov. 4--Gull flies over Cedar Lake, lit by late sun.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLsBRSyEXlW-jfafsaXo-QXTWIM6yDGaHRxhCadixAblW5q_0uTuOnKHrQ0RZsYhzmj3yGi0dCz2zMlruuYvseQRAIFlgcLawE8hvjS9-vie1_bGIlIwTpnvc52ClkqC5ahXRJXJXsVn6dG1LoSU6XDoxN10g-xFuwz2yVehXJaBGmh04UwSRJW6b9iAFl/s800/11-4-Cedar-Lake-Pelican.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Pelicans on lake" border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="800" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLsBRSyEXlW-jfafsaXo-QXTWIM6yDGaHRxhCadixAblW5q_0uTuOnKHrQ0RZsYhzmj3yGi0dCz2zMlruuYvseQRAIFlgcLawE8hvjS9-vie1_bGIlIwTpnvc52ClkqC5ahXRJXJXsVn6dG1LoSU6XDoxN10g-xFuwz2yVehXJaBGmh04UwSRJW6b9iAFl/w400-h253/11-4-Cedar-Lake-Pelican.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Nov. 4--Smaller south lake by Cedar Lake--pelicans seen from bike trial.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>On the first day of Standard Time, Sunday, my wife and I went over to Des Moines. There was a family baby shower that my wife and daughter were attending. Meanwhile, I visited with my son, his son, his wife and the other daughter’s son (so, two grandsons). My son in Des Moines has a young child who needed a nap, and my son needed one, too—so while he was reading stories in the hope of inducing sleep (which, thankfully, worked out) my daughter-in-law, my older grandson and I embarked on a bike ride.<br /><br />The Des Moines family lives on the south side, and it turns out there is a route along ride-able residential streets to Grey’s Lake. I attached the Tag-A-Long seat to the hybrid bike, which I had brought just in hopes of taking a ride, and we were off.<br /><br />My daughter-in-law just recently learned to ride a bicycle, in her adulthood, but rides well. And she was faster than me—then again, almost all bikers are. In my defense, my hybrid bike is not my fastest bicycle, and I was towing a grandson. Sometime, I’d like to go on a longer ride with this daughter-in-law when I’m riding my road bike and not towing anybody.<br /><br />There were some hill climbs on the way to Grey’s Lake, but we had a pleasant ride around the lake, and then stopped at a park to let the grandson run around. It was funny, he was complaining about his legs being tired on the ride, but when we got to the park, he was zooming around at peak speed.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkaiDqQdB-KKibUqeYNkL2CgygB4L0Rxu87-4ljA90omMoaMm9-wzrZF8GS00DA-tbtivk26B5eWlGZPPUmMMBbPvimv3H1KoB8bDOc4hyphenhyphenbfokUa8LwsL_PgL0gxQXhDZvesBGymdOTcg9nP9vOGTWPBAPXUIkXoknde2NwV55IefkiAADRCrhYGve1qFP/s800/11-5-DM-leaf.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Leaf in Des Moines" border="0" data-original-height="504" data-original-width="800" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkaiDqQdB-KKibUqeYNkL2CgygB4L0Rxu87-4ljA90omMoaMm9-wzrZF8GS00DA-tbtivk26B5eWlGZPPUmMMBbPvimv3H1KoB8bDOc4hyphenhyphenbfokUa8LwsL_PgL0gxQXhDZvesBGymdOTcg9nP9vOGTWPBAPXUIkXoknde2NwV55IefkiAADRCrhYGve1qFP/w400-h253/11-5-DM-leaf.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Nov. 5--Warm afternoon in Des Moines Park, but trees do look like mid-fall.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTqdXVndO5cP09QozIgQyWrDQdYyV47dqSJFLvGF0Yw6W4M4vwmJufreJ7rRYt3Hz20ykB3LW2eXe8FVCv9gHfnkxYaubUOh3d2MN_hCEUH9rHoUp-aXl-ChyphenhyphenLDIZ6aEfUqEZj9L-gp-snqYcNTH2j1l0iQxwMj0Yk8HA4Jo6emkAFaSJrlZp0vct4SWcq/s1000/t06.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Grandson at park" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTqdXVndO5cP09QozIgQyWrDQdYyV47dqSJFLvGF0Yw6W4M4vwmJufreJ7rRYt3Hz20ykB3LW2eXe8FVCv9gHfnkxYaubUOh3d2MN_hCEUH9rHoUp-aXl-ChyphenhyphenLDIZ6aEfUqEZj9L-gp-snqYcNTH2j1l0iQxwMj0Yk8HA4Jo6emkAFaSJrlZp0vct4SWcq/w400-h266/t06.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Nov. 5--Grandson enjoying park in Des Moines.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p>Well, to be fair, you do use different muscles biking than running, and the grandson normally spends a lot more time running than biking.<br /><br />It was a pretty day, and the ride totaled just a bit more than 6 miles. A short ride, but a ride nonetheless on a day when I was out of town.<br /><br />Next time, Stefani, I hope we can ride together for a bit more distance.<br /><br />I have passed a milestone on the way to my 3,300-mile goal. I’ve rolled more than 3,000 miles—as of today, I have 3,035 miles for the year, 62.8 miles in November.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjsMl5Cs_TYfnO1gECLcWeUajqQuV3N8byJ4kBLBmQaJtS9DG49Z5sDcTl6CU67qRzLqJOEqEs_uocWebAv9G_hyPDQdZ-4AcR7Q7qwyMylSjx4tKu-TUkrYvcNTyQ2hYUB3_G9euIAzI8wLLv6zaLpno5WBQjmuouneqx5IZh97hzjlPnc02WsbMCRmwL/s800/11-10-Lindale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Lindale Trail" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="534" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjsMl5Cs_TYfnO1gECLcWeUajqQuV3N8byJ4kBLBmQaJtS9DG49Z5sDcTl6CU67qRzLqJOEqEs_uocWebAv9G_hyPDQdZ-4AcR7Q7qwyMylSjx4tKu-TUkrYvcNTyQ2hYUB3_G9euIAzI8wLLv6zaLpno5WBQjmuouneqx5IZh97hzjlPnc02WsbMCRmwL/w268-h400/11-10-Lindale.jpg" width="268" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Nov. 10--Bike traffic on a cool fall afternoon, Lindale Trail, on my bike ride home.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqpJzI6wH512rkcZPl62JdKbLbisUtGrzA9EMo3oUk4-lLJ24g_SkbvlYh2OwW7Qk01IB83f-3iqwGEAEKZlU_7U-t7WqujLq2BotruN6KErGpDDSMRrqe1OQEPz2eI-AW-xjr5NigusLW3OSL8HCSqT_rcBPMV9gahVJPKSwRorsRkz1J6BevdbkERUJ9/s800/11-6-sunset-Warde.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Sunset" border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqpJzI6wH512rkcZPl62JdKbLbisUtGrzA9EMo3oUk4-lLJ24g_SkbvlYh2OwW7Qk01IB83f-3iqwGEAEKZlU_7U-t7WqujLq2BotruN6KErGpDDSMRrqe1OQEPz2eI-AW-xjr5NigusLW3OSL8HCSqT_rcBPMV9gahVJPKSwRorsRkz1J6BevdbkERUJ9/w400-h268/11-6-sunset-Warde.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Darkness comes earlier, now. Nov. 6, look of the sky at Mount Mercy as I start my bike road home.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><br />CR Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14949410451137266101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3599778591069106718.post-79694713405851204852023-11-03T22:39:00.003-05:002023-11-03T22:39:37.480-05:00In Which the Witch of November Comes Early<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNFl3sJkHDNA8u7H4L2NIp9tQBOKAdj6ca4MzLu70nvWkCC0BPdVPopPjdEcYoT_MpgmGUvYnBMf7Sp856cj1WEAl143j6ZVQPmyW9hbUSDIcW9ILv3hBTEcy8X8vFTmChIbfB-Lr9n1iHSuI3elC50X9B5PQCPoubNAHJKo5w3FGOdT13fsrWOrdY-fZx/s1080/Oct30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Bike winter ride" border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNFl3sJkHDNA8u7H4L2NIp9tQBOKAdj6ca4MzLu70nvWkCC0BPdVPopPjdEcYoT_MpgmGUvYnBMf7Sp856cj1WEAl143j6ZVQPmyW9hbUSDIcW9ILv3hBTEcy8X8vFTmChIbfB-Lr9n1iHSuI3elC50X9B5PQCPoubNAHJKo5w3FGOdT13fsrWOrdY-fZx/w400-h300/Oct30.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Oct. 30--Ready for morning bike ride, first ride in full winter gear.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Oct. 30—the eve of All Hallow’s Eve—and I was getting ready to ride my bicycle to work.<br /><br />Two days earlier, I rode on a cold, windy Saturday, and planned to put in more than 20 miles but gave up and came home and rode just a bit over 14 ½ miles. I had planned to ride north to Lafayette, but my feet were letting me know that my bicycle sandals were totally inadequate, despite warm socks, when I got out to County Home Road, so I sat for a minute, ate my Lafayette snack, and turned back.<br /><br />I rode again Sunday, a shorter ride, and it wasn’t as windy, so despite being cool, it was OK. But Sunday into Monday true cold weather, a genuine hard freeze, settled into Iowa. The witch of November came stealing a bit early.<br /><br />So Monday was my first long johns commute—the first day of riding with warm winter boots, long underwear, my biking hat, my hood, coat and gloves.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizw7Ncd_QNfII_K8KpQ5FQPn3gUItWkcTb_jED4sdoiSjscZELJfHbZIVKjoY_FpmCx_FXRH8OQYNTtNSoA0kCQuyH9PIsL1WpSaNDnVd689_zkuPVzHK9qMkgCM8Z8H1HRGEy90vNtEaREpBs_KOOGPTlPG7MAR_kF4dnqZk-eWZy_VlFT3MUnLrMqlTK/s1000/Oct%2028%20bike%20on%20trail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="bike on trail" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizw7Ncd_QNfII_K8KpQ5FQPn3gUItWkcTb_jED4sdoiSjscZELJfHbZIVKjoY_FpmCx_FXRH8OQYNTtNSoA0kCQuyH9PIsL1WpSaNDnVd689_zkuPVzHK9qMkgCM8Z8H1HRGEy90vNtEaREpBs_KOOGPTlPG7MAR_kF4dnqZk-eWZy_VlFT3MUnLrMqlTK/w400-h266/Oct%2028%20bike%20on%20trail.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Oct. 28--Cool bike ride, colorful Sumac bush beside Cedar Valley Nature Trail in Robins.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIqPQAax7fGS81wST3rk4-25Ey9Lh1-NePI2Qd4uoU0V46oSwCBVZPTsZ2vNiM6gKJyVjgdYJqBuYYDahyvu5mB6JLJ7iaRlU_emMeOfTCbcl504_J7cb0-o3DmBuY3NKRt__O9spcfezLHfvokmEamE8s8GCvGGxhopOkGW4hO7mvDWmi7_ZRN-oIxE85/s1000/10-28%20fower%20by%20trail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Flowers" border="0" data-original-height="664" data-original-width="1000" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIqPQAax7fGS81wST3rk4-25Ey9Lh1-NePI2Qd4uoU0V46oSwCBVZPTsZ2vNiM6gKJyVjgdYJqBuYYDahyvu5mB6JLJ7iaRlU_emMeOfTCbcl504_J7cb0-o3DmBuY3NKRt__O9spcfezLHfvokmEamE8s8GCvGGxhopOkGW4hO7mvDWmi7_ZRN-oIxE85/w400-h265/10-28%20fower%20by%20trail.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>There had been some frosty nights by Oct. 28, and few flowers were to be seen--but a few still hang on.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Yet, it was still a good day to ride. Even with a temperature in the 20s and wind chill in the teens, I was OK. Partly, it was because it was a north wind I’d been feeling, and most of my commute involved riding south.<br /><br />Cold weather bike season came for a visit. It didn’t really stay long, as the first days of November, according to my weather app, will feature cool nights, but not the bitter cold that visited us both Oct. 30 and Oct. 31.<br /><br />Well, I get more miles in during the warm months, and I do like the flowers and butterflies of that time of year. I’ll still ride some miles during the chill months, too.<br /><br />Must be the warlock in me. I wasn’t ever that scared of witches.<br /><br />As of Oct. 31, I had 235 miles for the month. I finished October with 2, 972 miles for 2023, just 328 from my 3,300-mile goal for the year. November is here now, and I missed riding Nov. 2 because I had a blood draw that morning (routine checkup blood tests for an old man), and didn’t have time for biking. But on Nov. 1 and 3, I managed commutes that totaled 14.6 miles. Not bad for a cold, old man.</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPaGd8eu6i7WyU8jLz9V2Q_XmyUQtBCZ5qCWyneBz_D0t6Q7Go-7sVTlOgKmChfVArF6Gk9zv_s4bBgiiD87HCNZD8YEXh5xUdZ1NW-1Cw-4nEVPgTEhA0LdqTNjBNdiVmpBX8ZWzq24My-NA4Nfh-m_e7j3ssg53d-gjPt9kxQrYTvh6676d6y_0IjxXB/s1000/Oct%2023%20sunset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Oct. 23 sunset" border="0" data-original-height="655" data-original-width="1000" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPaGd8eu6i7WyU8jLz9V2Q_XmyUQtBCZ5qCWyneBz_D0t6Q7Go-7sVTlOgKmChfVArF6Gk9zv_s4bBgiiD87HCNZD8YEXh5xUdZ1NW-1Cw-4nEVPgTEhA0LdqTNjBNdiVmpBX8ZWzq24My-NA4Nfh-m_e7j3ssg53d-gjPt9kxQrYTvh6676d6y_0IjxXB/w400-h263/Oct%2023%20sunset.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Sunset Oct. 23 sunset, seen on bike ride home. More night rides coming as time change is this weekend.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> </p>CR Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14949410451137266101noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3599778591069106718.post-79926177190768020492023-10-21T22:48:00.001-05:002023-10-21T22:48:48.942-05:00In Which I Cross Bridges New and Newish<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXEMAzWfqij-YxS_BAzHq-KVTr4IHgnuldOJzNv9HeS1Eqdcx9C_DBgxkxznrfA9vUjpWMtJmk-J2TE95Np9BSptTcE32AoEhsL5hqnwA-fvizOdF2LPdhbpatIwXxYgUTVLFEuxGisRh8KBpHcGUwXMi8VGHOMihe_8d7Ricg6aQOkkf3wXI0-BNhjHMd/s1000/b02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Bridge over Big Creek" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXEMAzWfqij-YxS_BAzHq-KVTr4IHgnuldOJzNv9HeS1Eqdcx9C_DBgxkxznrfA9vUjpWMtJmk-J2TE95Np9BSptTcE32AoEhsL5hqnwA-fvizOdF2LPdhbpatIwXxYgUTVLFEuxGisRh8KBpHcGUwXMi8VGHOMihe_8d7Ricg6aQOkkf3wXI0-BNhjHMd/w400-h266/b02.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>New trail bridge over Big Creek east of Marion, Iowa.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH0dtHIifveJ4nHyYlB8o87dEFIIlRrMQWeN_GSpxlwNrRsxYJ3wBpoc09AYHQE4j6rwyyWUSER0RLpjps9oozGHXW1SJTBVY04pjyQK9k7DoZrMP3rzwY6JnZcan6Gx3GjpCazztKepdsu7HUAAZ4UbNKNMn8pBQv3mXmlcVZq4gGusyQyfcvhIKRP2eE/s1000/b11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="View of bridge beside road" border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="629" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH0dtHIifveJ4nHyYlB8o87dEFIIlRrMQWeN_GSpxlwNrRsxYJ3wBpoc09AYHQE4j6rwyyWUSER0RLpjps9oozGHXW1SJTBVY04pjyQK9k7DoZrMP3rzwY6JnZcan6Gx3GjpCazztKepdsu7HUAAZ4UbNKNMn8pBQv3mXmlcVZq4gGusyQyfcvhIKRP2eE/w251-h400/b11.JPG" width="251" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Up ahead, the new bridge, with the county highway on the right.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLb0ZgrB2397_uosrF_x2v4D3Hv0c6jQLcrrv_EhCzYAmC6Pm5JP7zCjqGvwqjVj2h_t0WHrk6ylucNoPwe02PB1LOj63S1E1gfg1GpVtfDBtRdvP6j8coeN94BRyF-YUemkBG6E1xHlgfpksPHmIMWvOifRNVw7lyUeePxrC1QSLLvHj-K85_KrqwAJMz/s1000/b12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Narrow bridge sign near bridge" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLb0ZgrB2397_uosrF_x2v4D3Hv0c6jQLcrrv_EhCzYAmC6Pm5JP7zCjqGvwqjVj2h_t0WHrk6ylucNoPwe02PB1LOj63S1E1gfg1GpVtfDBtRdvP6j8coeN94BRyF-YUemkBG6E1xHlgfpksPHmIMWvOifRNVw7lyUeePxrC1QSLLvHj-K85_KrqwAJMz/w400-h266/b12.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>For a bike trail bridge, it doesn't seem all that narrow, but thanks for the heads up.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>I got a text this afternoon from a family member, who was out of town and whose trip home was being delayed. At their request, I went to their house and let out a dog for an afternoon break.<br /><br />It was a pretty, sunny Saturday, but windy, too—I wasn’t sure it was ideal biking weather. I decided to use the mountain bike—I knew I was going to be heading east on the bike trail through Marion anyway, and there was always the potential to ride on the mountain bike trails by the Boyson Trail.<br /><br />As I headed south to the trial, I was zooming along. It’s a climb up a modest hill from my house along C Avenue to the Lindale Trail, leading to the Grant Wood Trail, but I felt I was zooming along.<br /><br />When I turned east to head to the relative’s house, I continued to bike at unexpected speed. I was going 11 to 12 mph, a fairly normal trail speed if I was riding my road bike, but greased lightening on my slower, heavier mountain bike. The Fancy Beast wanted to fly and did.<br /><br />And I knew what that meant. I’m no babe in the woods at biking. If you head out and everything clicks and you’re suddenly powerful and fast—watch out. The hidden force is almost always wind, and if you head east on your ride, you may want to save your life you’re going down for the last time. (Sorry, old 1970s Head East party song makes inappropriate appearance). If you're zooming east on the way out, on the way back as you ride west you’ll be going into the teeth of the gale.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TXP963P0nDQ" width="320" youtube-src-id="TXP963P0nDQ"></iframe></div><p>Ah well, enjoy the ride when you can. I overshot my route to the house I was aiming at, and had a foretaste of what I might face on my ride home when I had to do a little back tracking.<br /><br />The dog got his relief and then I was again on my way.<br /><br />The stiff blustery wind was mostly from the north, but also a bit northwest, so when I got to the trail and turned east, I was again riding at backwind speed.<br /><br />It was late in the afternoon, and a bit cool with the wind, but I was enjoying myself and decided to head over towards Waldo’s Rock Park and continue east. They’ve put in a new extension of the Grant Wood Trail this year, and last time I rode out in that direction, it wasn’t open yet. Bike tracks in the dirt then showed that many biker’s don’t care but I didn’t ride on the new trail then.<br /><br />Would it be open now? When I got there, there was a large “sidewalk closed” sign, but it was placed parallel to the trail, not blocking it. Moved by bikers or the county? I decided it could mean that the trail is open for use when there’s not work being done, but they have the sign handy to close it when there’s workers putting some finishing touches on it.<br /><br />In the old days, you rode east to a county road, then headed over to a paved county highway and rode for a bit, down a hill, across a bridge, before getting to a trailhead where the unpaved part of the Grant Wood trail begins. With the new trail, you still ride a tiny bit of the gravel road, but it’s to a new, paved trail segment that parallels the highway.<br /><br />So, I rode it. And it seemed done, to my uneducated eyes. It’s interesting that the new bridge that they installed is higher than the roadway, so you start the trail in what seems to be a ditch pathway beside the highway, but you don’t go as much down into the creek valley. While there’s still a bit of a dip and climb involved, the new bike trail is nice not just because you avoid the scary experience of riding on a busy road, but also because you’re on a more level route.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAUUoaILC7jyA7BGEBdqlaB_Wa6UMWc6HisaAcA3z89g5RrER45MaXgm3RGuuSOhJaOC6TkXV-6zQFcrYKvTjER3u0i7iq61w7FNMiOgH-MyptcEYX1a7u6TlEmwgGQprMjGe9ZQPjy-Mi5Tsv5-lhI_NpaZ9OSTlNNlXzjXgG6TfR1TTac5ocKI4GRsWL/s1000/b03.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Woods and grass secton of Grant Wood Trail east of Marion, Iowa" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAUUoaILC7jyA7BGEBdqlaB_Wa6UMWc6HisaAcA3z89g5RrER45MaXgm3RGuuSOhJaOC6TkXV-6zQFcrYKvTjER3u0i7iq61w7FNMiOgH-MyptcEYX1a7u6TlEmwgGQprMjGe9ZQPjy-Mi5Tsv5-lhI_NpaZ9OSTlNNlXzjXgG6TfR1TTac5ocKI4GRsWL/w400-h266/b03.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>As far as I road. This woodsy trail will be easier to get to and enjoy next summer!<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK-6uHMj-D9jNnyxrTVeR4y1etd-l8rP0vbGsnzxXQpvWu2NGCR3dex3g3gZAGqH3EpgGUqQla6x-5oeYjezgc_5AqNwFsFCscETRq5GyT2ZexYgCw9Dfd7709m3tNtH6q3EBrqQAx56tL-7PkoAC9B_r8-jDEA_1Kzvic6CKIo1JP8jWFILBnkjvtLR4t/s1000/b04.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Mountain bike on trail" border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="667" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK-6uHMj-D9jNnyxrTVeR4y1etd-l8rP0vbGsnzxXQpvWu2NGCR3dex3g3gZAGqH3EpgGUqQla6x-5oeYjezgc_5AqNwFsFCscETRq5GyT2ZexYgCw9Dfd7709m3tNtH6q3EBrqQAx56tL-7PkoAC9B_r8-jDEA_1Kzvic6CKIo1JP8jWFILBnkjvtLR4t/w266-h400/b04.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Bike parked at the far eastern end of my ride.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxlVi7SceB5cV_iJlE-T00WGmgVXrxvNDyVZ634xDmXjqiZLNcHN5ZLSvq_JW74v7rcfVJGJLcCb6OtTvbMtTM9xmHqUXrjXfTkYuftqIOxyJEnFN63W8HaWXvIW8SRh9md6JSZrI2iwcdhj0iA8jhT6OneeE3a-TPyK28P_S3xdbon4LlXz8H9FRUeSDb/s1000/b13.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Bike on trail" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxlVi7SceB5cV_iJlE-T00WGmgVXrxvNDyVZ634xDmXjqiZLNcHN5ZLSvq_JW74v7rcfVJGJLcCb6OtTvbMtTM9xmHqUXrjXfTkYuftqIOxyJEnFN63W8HaWXvIW8SRh9md6JSZrI2iwcdhj0iA8jhT6OneeE3a-TPyK28P_S3xdbon4LlXz8H9FRUeSDb/w400-h266/b13.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Above and below, my bike on Grant Wood Trail on windy, cool fall afternoon in Iowa.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGhvCNwRYNAq1t0uAmViLgpNPYeC4cGsjgmzbKk83ZMaiLuHoxf_6OluM2mAkf-nKHndUgW7HpcCobljrVze1_ovecgy2nP8B4ACu28bQpAFSpN2eJYIpOPZ85mLn7enT5BuDuzYbXbi15FAhzshi65F69d3WduJQT264nmnngPUqDiq2NHw3JhhHKUoaT/s1000/b14.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Bike on trail" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGhvCNwRYNAq1t0uAmViLgpNPYeC4cGsjgmzbKk83ZMaiLuHoxf_6OluM2mAkf-nKHndUgW7HpcCobljrVze1_ovecgy2nP8B4ACu28bQpAFSpN2eJYIpOPZ85mLn7enT5BuDuzYbXbi15FAhzshi65F69d3WduJQT264nmnngPUqDiq2NHw3JhhHKUoaT/w400-h266/b14.JPG" width="400" /></a></p><p>Although it was windy, I was a bit surprised I didn’t see more bikers out. While not hot, it was long-sleeved shirt cool, not jacket or sweatshirt cool. Well, I suppose one reason I chose the Fancy Beast over Argent for this ride isn’t just the chance I might go on a mountain bike trail (which I did not), but the Fancy beast is lower and heavier and harder to blow over.<br /><br />The paved new trail segues to a short section of limestone trail that, in a few hundred yards, converts to a grassy trail through some woods. I paused there. On the mountain bike, I could continue, but it was getting past 5 p.m. in late October, the light was fading, and I didn’t fancy a dark ride in the woods. So I paused, got off my bike and used my phone to make a selfie.<br /><br />I had my good camera with me, but missed recording an amusing incident. There are lots of Walnut trees in the woods where I was, and as I stood there tapping on my phone, a chipmunk popped out of the trees to my right, grabbed a nut at the edge of the trail, gave me a stern glance and proceeded to march across the trail directly in front of me. It didn’t run, I would have had time to kick it if I were a chipmunk kicker (which I am not), and it for sure came in range, passing inches from my feet.<br /><br />While it didn’t run, it didn’t dilly dally either, and I didn’t have time to open my camera bag and get out my good camera. My wife says I should have just used my phone, but honestly, opening the camera app on my phone takes me a minute, too. Whatever. Chippy was off with its nut, its whole body practically stiff with disdain for the tall intruder in its woods.<br /><br />As a consolation prize, I made some images of plants in the low sun. It’s a great time to make plant images, when the sun is low. The light is bright and golden and the angle backlights seed heads that can shimmer and shine.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUasd5gnlCYC6vRCgW-hzMunBBNACPK0aCt3z1wLZuNMup5UhNIGkTmlKw4bBF7z8iEUTLPQg6A-336cmM5-N9KsfkmRr8GT4sh1VsDdcV7CJ7SRBdSs5bRDZOXase0PuzobfulFf6yP5uVzld_wueCoJw0aAX28DGL1_3LXZWf0kMtuq0JFrgRxzGCugn/s1000/b10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="1000" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUasd5gnlCYC6vRCgW-hzMunBBNACPK0aCt3z1wLZuNMup5UhNIGkTmlKw4bBF7z8iEUTLPQg6A-336cmM5-N9KsfkmRr8GT4sh1VsDdcV7CJ7SRBdSs5bRDZOXase0PuzobfulFf6yP5uVzld_wueCoJw0aAX28DGL1_3LXZWf0kMtuq0JFrgRxzGCugn/w400-h261/b10.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Above and below, pretty woodland plants shining in afternoon sun along Grant Wood Trail.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ_AtGE1dmbW5MxiP-4lR7kRlmzQY-pg157I5NQ8S5q5dyRPfESA-TbpaTxzowGQs6Tz2njQ9DUDR3IBXaDTLeeW26OkOtqrM-JjHaHeeL4nrPWnzEKZUWFjL6-YU-ecjonoki_47aJlmcoPx4U5P2sWlzyVXx91Tll_2YlRZlTC-SSEM7dHOtt5kW3hU2/s1000/b09.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ_AtGE1dmbW5MxiP-4lR7kRlmzQY-pg157I5NQ8S5q5dyRPfESA-TbpaTxzowGQs6Tz2njQ9DUDR3IBXaDTLeeW26OkOtqrM-JjHaHeeL4nrPWnzEKZUWFjL6-YU-ecjonoki_47aJlmcoPx4U5P2sWlzyVXx91Tll_2YlRZlTC-SSEM7dHOtt5kW3hU2/w400-h266/b09.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnmwGaoRblTqMkN1PZacS4RQ9tjy_7O0bOGynnagnVN0f-VxEPRT3IHzuu0dQpnkEL1CN1PKa2668IdR99cYPLKOvqBlGcLjOk6IAxbp96kSLjjVE0jEIGia_w4stHR-pdHgDH03YXFxz5_Zmdw0xOWGWAI4yI26lUo0D1lik_IdQsW3m1D408mka6lYa1/s1000/b08.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnmwGaoRblTqMkN1PZacS4RQ9tjy_7O0bOGynnagnVN0f-VxEPRT3IHzuu0dQpnkEL1CN1PKa2668IdR99cYPLKOvqBlGcLjOk6IAxbp96kSLjjVE0jEIGia_w4stHR-pdHgDH03YXFxz5_Zmdw0xOWGWAI4yI26lUo0D1lik_IdQsW3m1D408mka6lYa1/w400-h266/b08.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNvZTfjzrE5jmOjnRqJp6R1gNLPkPhV3E2_qoYhcx8mvb-uqRERYxyNtPPo0xQAcy15fHQ4UYnRSMoJjNsa1ZP_N4ygUHLXbSJoY2KNM7aNjwHg_Q4-jnuGnJcRv0v7UZjajoxTgVh7cY_YTR5srZMuVS__9GNp4PqstZ7JA5h5HcN2kZWv4M7JQjVAyxp/s1000/b07.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNvZTfjzrE5jmOjnRqJp6R1gNLPkPhV3E2_qoYhcx8mvb-uqRERYxyNtPPo0xQAcy15fHQ4UYnRSMoJjNsa1ZP_N4ygUHLXbSJoY2KNM7aNjwHg_Q4-jnuGnJcRv0v7UZjajoxTgVh7cY_YTR5srZMuVS__9GNp4PqstZ7JA5h5HcN2kZWv4M7JQjVAyxp/w400-h266/b07.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiikN-DHYUKPPsLjLso7qn__UwN0_KnXC4hgC2HNXF0evo4-yZLC15o26P7SSzexEkNNRtp2Y1Uz__tro5sVaNysjAo2M17E0qCBriEdbGMEZtjLjRJXTVqK1chMc5cz9bN1OGeUuVJohLzQFU5dFl4z-7MNQqUe8u7WkitqYFntR6_QDRBUD8FERd_tp_E/s1000/b06.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiikN-DHYUKPPsLjLso7qn__UwN0_KnXC4hgC2HNXF0evo4-yZLC15o26P7SSzexEkNNRtp2Y1Uz__tro5sVaNysjAo2M17E0qCBriEdbGMEZtjLjRJXTVqK1chMc5cz9bN1OGeUuVJohLzQFU5dFl4z-7MNQqUe8u7WkitqYFntR6_QDRBUD8FERd_tp_E/w400-h266/b06.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-3RTq3JQeRldYhDPqjiPy8R8k0n1GZHmTKAEciM-i-9uoDsCwmZTiHMvGLWIAdPwCd2xURiu8QcTCBogl1ltugrDDPDsbkD4jIDS9yfuMiCH5i_B7phw1NMW4QkuExNbqbI1ziBRL86Ak6tCyF70YY_dpJ1VdwgP7wVaziy3FdDeULUJs6mqy5sSaDCya/s1000/b05.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-3RTq3JQeRldYhDPqjiPy8R8k0n1GZHmTKAEciM-i-9uoDsCwmZTiHMvGLWIAdPwCd2xURiu8QcTCBogl1ltugrDDPDsbkD4jIDS9yfuMiCH5i_B7phw1NMW4QkuExNbqbI1ziBRL86Ak6tCyF70YY_dpJ1VdwgP7wVaziy3FdDeULUJs6mqy5sSaDCya/w400-h266/b05.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>Well, enough time wasted. Time to face the music and the wind. And an odd thing happened. The wind was more from the north than the west and had aided me on my way out. I expected it to resist me on the way back, and I did start a little slow. As I continued heading into the fading sun, however, my speed picked up. I was getting some miles where my speed was topping 10 mph—again, not the 11 or more I was doing on the way out, and not very fast if I was on Argent, my road bike, but decently moving on the old frame of the Fancy Beast.<br /><br />On the way home, I did circle Waldo’s Rock pond and make a picture of it—it’s one of the prettiest sunset spots for biking riding in Cedar Rapids metro area. I stopped again at the first of the bridges near the western part of my ride, just under two miles to go to C Avenue. The curve bridge there is also pretty in the late light.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgKXYWx5vvDW66p0pAI8lXIN5vZbFlgnLA5eBp1ms4q8fQjtDgsAGD293d35DkeAQ8DTd-fz7UYvXMOVCSg9TVG2h73Hh0Xox5WfEj86YSYsGcJ8W1kPZxyROOejpQREHeNai6e-MtAiqkT4qVZPhyvCEOgVhDTsMqBhcSS3PQi-MBJ26jR1zLdi5tuL5w/s1000/b20.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Curve bridge" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgKXYWx5vvDW66p0pAI8lXIN5vZbFlgnLA5eBp1ms4q8fQjtDgsAGD293d35DkeAQ8DTd-fz7UYvXMOVCSg9TVG2h73Hh0Xox5WfEj86YSYsGcJ8W1kPZxyROOejpQREHeNai6e-MtAiqkT4qVZPhyvCEOgVhDTsMqBhcSS3PQi-MBJ26jR1zLdi5tuL5w/w400-h266/b20.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Not a new bridge, but a newish bridge. Curve bridge on Lindale Trail in Marion at sunset.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5mgSLsooo2efM_FAVqnteHO81ik53bMztHq5qzjtLnbeRfy_0A5DYclWqcropSWCMyyDhmW-mZUTR0_fbq-_lyieBm5d-GKa_6uxHx4VWW9dQpUMqXbJjMkOuuNRyGMjPM9Uun-wRf2UPeqxZBF7RNyhniATmA7NBBeFjt_lHgiNadfNyN-ZZeqA0aeea/s1000/b19.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Pond" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5mgSLsooo2efM_FAVqnteHO81ik53bMztHq5qzjtLnbeRfy_0A5DYclWqcropSWCMyyDhmW-mZUTR0_fbq-_lyieBm5d-GKa_6uxHx4VWW9dQpUMqXbJjMkOuuNRyGMjPM9Uun-wRf2UPeqxZBF7RNyhniATmA7NBBeFjt_lHgiNadfNyN-ZZeqA0aeea/w400-h266/b19.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Waldo's Rock pond.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfOzmkqHCoN8ppuP9LuMeyDfWPAiUao5NnmVlmhJz8RrnGVog44fterjKtnnQHWO10xrhXElRwQmka6FNacGHT3KQA9cXbZ7G3S8fMUeswYDvSMrabcq6cDkCy_ORvMoKV2tvloEsaVqiZNg2mTfGuxGE5oBkpVUUIfGSegqnVhQkskiVEVVl8ScoOv2Dd/s1000/b18.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Grant Wood Trail" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfOzmkqHCoN8ppuP9LuMeyDfWPAiUao5NnmVlmhJz8RrnGVog44fterjKtnnQHWO10xrhXElRwQmka6FNacGHT3KQA9cXbZ7G3S8fMUeswYDvSMrabcq6cDkCy_ORvMoKV2tvloEsaVqiZNg2mTfGuxGE5oBkpVUUIfGSegqnVhQkskiVEVVl8ScoOv2Dd/w400-h266/b18.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Heading home on Grant Wood Trail.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKoHclXDnbAO2ejIQGzCbng2In1Fu6Tas2craZJDb6Q0XVJ6vYUsgqINinScfYTRU9vFZc4LO4K_NQj6HohuYpaLtfBnqjj85aqIyXbIotsBYT4QKxZjaeIG6a1UivVpoGUxZl0UqBNdM8cqzgiI_v6XFfDwdK95vEA1fwPbOFjZP0RusUvPbimapWKps-/s1000/b17.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Near end of new trail section" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKoHclXDnbAO2ejIQGzCbng2In1Fu6Tas2craZJDb6Q0XVJ6vYUsgqINinScfYTRU9vFZc4LO4K_NQj6HohuYpaLtfBnqjj85aqIyXbIotsBYT4QKxZjaeIG6a1UivVpoGUxZl0UqBNdM8cqzgiI_v6XFfDwdK95vEA1fwPbOFjZP0RusUvPbimapWKps-/w400-h266/b17.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Heading west on new trail section, road to the left of me, corn to the right, stuck in the middle with you. Ear worms continue.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEbM0V_s3iapsqrdBv87-WWXS9J9dn5AJ7i47MgPEunt75_3MrLYH4a6Ta_F9Pm2vc_5ns6iAW65CJPlvbgOuv0OYkYk12Ox9_Q4T8du1ObLAz3Z268D376nILzAuF6ZsDHs9hDx5UrNNYiGOzboq1sucx5wniSS36_BlJznH6sUqK1VL8UF4FagnmD2jP/s1000/b16.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Bike on trail" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEbM0V_s3iapsqrdBv87-WWXS9J9dn5AJ7i47MgPEunt75_3MrLYH4a6Ta_F9Pm2vc_5ns6iAW65CJPlvbgOuv0OYkYk12Ox9_Q4T8du1ObLAz3Z268D376nILzAuF6ZsDHs9hDx5UrNNYiGOzboq1sucx5wniSS36_BlJznH6sUqK1VL8UF4FagnmD2jP/w400-h266/b16.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Seeing new bridge from the other side on the ride back to town.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgliSD4CQApoWJ_xCodqzh0V1pEg9mJLYllovwnuj1VlNY9aRFT-lwDIjDvHA7aHd3Iohh3l5wLek3oKZn1scYPFUefb3Z0REnQ-aK_ASWPahrh0n_41hqSTrVl0roLenI82xI5QlajcfaQTs5pneSPYyxepG7KWyDBwn35Lx1VgZiQiah3UrpMBFsBk5KW/s1000/b15.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgliSD4CQApoWJ_xCodqzh0V1pEg9mJLYllovwnuj1VlNY9aRFT-lwDIjDvHA7aHd3Iohh3l5wLek3oKZn1scYPFUefb3Z0REnQ-aK_ASWPahrh0n_41hqSTrVl0roLenI82xI5QlajcfaQTs5pneSPYyxepG7KWyDBwn35Lx1VgZiQiah3UrpMBFsBk5KW/w400-h266/b15.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>New bike trail, resting on old bridge base over Big Creek, higher than county road.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>When I finally got to C Avenue and turned towards home, I did feel the full force of the wind. But heading towards home meant going down the hill on C Avenue, so wind wasn’t that much of an impediment.<br /><br />Map My Ride informed me that I took about 2 hour and 20 minutes to go 22.25 miles, averaging 9.4 mph. Since some of those miles were in the 7 mph range, whenever I stopped to take pictures, that meant others were faster. I had an 11.8 split, and several others in that range—plus one mile where I zoomed along at 13.5 mph.<br /><br />Not fast for a fast biker. CR Biker, however, is old and slow—I would call 13.5 fast even on my road bike. It was a sign that the wind surely was blowing at my back for that mile.<br /><br />As of Oct. 21, 168.43 miles for the month, 2,905.86 for the year.<br /><br /></p><br /><br /><br /><br />CR Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14949410451137266101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3599778591069106718.post-39599206202206128632023-10-16T22:02:00.004-05:002023-10-17T06:28:45.921-05:00In Which Google Tries to Strand Me in Minnesota<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-6FZJhE_x3ApHvLOKFHo6nzRB2t8AwYuArNV0ElLbUM4WdI9mJA-MKp4S23B-p7ph-ONwUPlph9HAbdEkTuCJUxCfbAjgHSP8Np5cvxRCloG6ygpzdFpxeq2SRVhRfY48ivm5jV04VE_Ce9IA8OQc0yGOp7JLes1lBAGR91B-HQrPgGB8BtCmTYmfhA5m/s4608/m01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Bike trail in Minnesota" border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3072" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-6FZJhE_x3ApHvLOKFHo6nzRB2t8AwYuArNV0ElLbUM4WdI9mJA-MKp4S23B-p7ph-ONwUPlph9HAbdEkTuCJUxCfbAjgHSP8Np5cvxRCloG6ygpzdFpxeq2SRVhRfY48ivm5jV04VE_Ce9IA8OQc0yGOp7JLes1lBAGR91B-HQrPgGB8BtCmTYmfhA5m/w266-h400/m01.JPG" width="266"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Oct. 11--Morning on trail near Stillwater, Minnesota. Pretty, sunny fall day, I am on a bike ride with my wife.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Fall break at the university where I teach—three days off classes—has come and gone, and I’m back. No thanks to those high-tech wizards at Google.<br><br>My wife and I visited our oldest daughter and her family in Minnesota over break. We took bicycles and a Tag-a-Long seat that hitches to my hybrid bike, Clarence.<br><br>On Wednesday, it rained in Iowa, but we weren’t in Iowa. We were hundreds of miles north near the Twin Cities in a town called Mahtomedi. And on this day, we drove a short distance from our daughter’s house in that suburb of Saint Paul to Stillwater, on the St. Croix River between Minnesota and Wisconsin. We took out our bikes in our minvan and enjoyed a 10-mile ride along the river and into the countryside.<br><br>We then put our bikes back in the van and walked downtown for a nice lunch.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHpTPKoZ_f2S0o7CwbAenqidsGh_NOuLemHPZSPgSICzXmxFBq3JnYnbjTQrTE-Wj0fmwiywBYzZ7BFe6qwHndm8NVjb30dQjpW1jTn1HgJCXsDTv9k5YyqllF2BcSip5g_lTrGSbzf7woPi1Il3p9xrTGEz8vkveC2fkqAnykjyqmDU7HJLHvhsIoRX5Q/s601/ride1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="282" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHpTPKoZ_f2S0o7CwbAenqidsGh_NOuLemHPZSPgSICzXmxFBq3JnYnbjTQrTE-Wj0fmwiywBYzZ7BFe6qwHndm8NVjb30dQjpW1jTn1HgJCXsDTv9k5YyqllF2BcSip5g_lTrGSbzf7woPi1Il3p9xrTGEz8vkveC2fkqAnykjyqmDU7HJLHvhsIoRX5Q/w188-h400/ride1.jpg" width="188"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Wednesday morning ride.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Later, after my grandson got out of kindergarten for the day, I attached the Tag-A-Long and we headed out.<br><br>And got lost. We had found a trail, rode along it for a while, but on the way back didn’t recognize the turnoff. We both noticed it about the same time.<br><br>“I don’t think we were here before,” the child said.<br><br>Grandpa agreed. And didn’t have the address of his daughter’s house. But that’s why cell phones were invented, a quick phone call and text later, and the address was put into Google maps.<br><br>And then I had to try to follow the Google map directions home. I don’t have a way to hold the phone in view while biking, so I had to depend on its feminine robot voice directing me, which was, frankly, a true pain.<br><br>I can’t say I don’t like Google maps. The systems works far better than the first generation of GPS devices, and we use Google all the time when driving—it’s how we found our daughter’s house on Tuesday.<br><br>But have you ever tried to bike with Google maps? It sort of works in that it will show you a route, but the timing is all wrong. In the car, we had a navigator to watch the map while the driver drove, which helped, but the voice gives usually timely instructions on which fork or exit to take.<br><br>Usually. Google’s directions aren’t 100 percent, but they’re pretty good.<br><br>For driving. Not so much for biking. The robot voice doesn’t seem to grasp when to tell you something on a bike. Distances and speeds are all different, and it feels like the voice tells me things I don’t need too far in advance.<br><br>Anyway, the Google voice didn’t help much. But by pausing and checking the map now and then, I was able to suss it out. Eventually, I recognized the name of the street that leads to the street my daughter lives on, and we were on our way home.<br><br>Fortunately, my 5-year-old grandson loves biking and didn’t mind the extra distance. As we drew near the end of the ride, he informed me that, however, he didn’t want to stop at a neighborhood park we had planned to play at anymore; he wanted to go straight home.<br><br>Until we got right by the park and he could see it. His tune changed, which was fine by me, it was a cool but pretty, sunny fall day and if he wanted to play at a park for a while, well, why not?<br><br>He unexpectedly met a girl in his class there and they enjoyed running around, playing quick games on the equipment. At some point, he wanted to use my camera to try to take a picture, and I let him. (It was a portrait of me that I did not save since it was just my blurry forehead with some trees in the background).</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguF7UyONF_hXRLy5V0lg1cAaWNhc_lDru3DTZifGmxTydVlgV5B9OmnV1zU18TAewpti7AZiVfu0WSSB1-lQVDbh35IRwA3TglYVrsfu3Yle7MtMTiUvuan60x-xQQjSrDOpY5qD7afKO90GQvvU3hN8oDOgBw9vlZcB7DkQzmyRUX6FbGt_v1T6LV_2Hk/s1000/a03.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Grandfather and grandson by bike" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguF7UyONF_hXRLy5V0lg1cAaWNhc_lDru3DTZifGmxTydVlgV5B9OmnV1zU18TAewpti7AZiVfu0WSSB1-lQVDbh35IRwA3TglYVrsfu3Yle7MtMTiUvuan60x-xQQjSrDOpY5qD7afKO90GQvvU3hN8oDOgBw9vlZcB7DkQzmyRUX6FbGt_v1T6LV_2Hk/w400-h266/a03.JPG" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>My grandson and I ready for our afternoon bike ride adventure.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>After 30 minutes or so, he was ready to head home and his classmate was ready to leave, too, so we said our goodbyes, she to go with her mom to pick up a sibling from dance class, my grandson and I to ride to his house.<br><br>It added up to a 5-mile ride, which I enjoyed, aside from being briefly misplaced.<br><br>The next day, Thursday, was cloudy and windy and cool. It was supposed to rain that afternoon, but I headed out on a morning bike ride. There is a trail that leads from my daughter’s suburb to Saint Paul, and my goal was to ride in that direction. I had no intention of going into the city, I just wanted to ride on a prominent trail I hadn’t been on before.<br><br>And Google’s directions, in this case, were an epic fail.<br><br>I had put in what seemed like the nearest trailhead on my chosen route and informed my phone that I planned to bicycle there. And I was off. At first, the directions took me along streets that weren’t bad, more or less in the direction that I thought I should go, although to be fair, my sense of direction is useless in the spaghetti of streets in this suburb.<br><br>I rode by a park and through a four-way stop. The robot voice directed me that, in 1,000 feet, I would turn right.<br><br>However, the block that I was riding on ended in a dead end. There was no street off to my right. I rode back to the park, and decided to try again. I ended my ride and picked a different trailhead along my target trail. The robot voice told me to go to the street and turn right. Which I did.<br><br>And then it took me down the same dead-end block. On my way back out of the block, it told me to turn right onto a street that wasn’t there. However, there was a gravel trail off to my right, so I figured, why not?<br><br>At least I could turn, even if the imaginary street wasn’t there.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb0I-bsynUjWLfdkGwBtGvNun77ifhVaFNpVmcEA1KFxtcMFaxw38iFSjhWju6WHqbZu5BI5m5lBt07G1jXR2FgF7NbJuFwlB3WkOZ8x0FtnghTgq_sTNcM33aUJmX3IFo1l4ZgUfvJbI20_X77RyCLHyvpky8dNCYgb4GOSBRWh-NAVk8LSmY_Zb3wiMR/s1080/Joe%20on%20bike.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Biker lost in park" border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb0I-bsynUjWLfdkGwBtGvNun77ifhVaFNpVmcEA1KFxtcMFaxw38iFSjhWju6WHqbZu5BI5m5lBt07G1jXR2FgF7NbJuFwlB3WkOZ8x0FtnghTgq_sTNcM33aUJmX3IFo1l4ZgUfvJbI20_X77RyCLHyvpky8dNCYgb4GOSBRWh-NAVk8LSmY_Zb3wiMR/w400-h300/Joe%20on%20bike.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Selfie of a lost biker.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p>I was clearly in a large park, crisscrossed by limestone trails. I found myself wishing that I was riding my mountain bike, The Fancy Beast, but at least I wasn’t on Argent, my road bike. The hybrid’s slightly wider tyres weren’t the best on these trails, buts still better than skinny road bike tyres.<br><br>Near a pretty pond, I paused and took a selfie with my phone and posted it to Instagram and Facebook and a family group on Whats App. “Where is Joe?” I asked. Seriously, where was he? He didn’t really know.<br><br>My son-in-law helpfully replied that I was in Minnesota. Thanks, man. I think I was in Katherine Abbott Park, although, to be honest, that's a guess.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Bike in a park" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3iQ1Uw5VrY6dAQG8RWpe5WmwFZkjkkgxHZoLfNfNP_3j_T6D_FZqHnwth6HSaHGTME621WfjiCIj9W-na1KNuIROkJwNJ_UxcxWL3dNky-s74jFOcwlJJXHKHWkCoYJaUWq5s_niru98NtT7qTTbgffjLghqEnuYmqJmq00RzBztmwy988YdlyJKOZGyR/w400-h266/b01.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400"></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>My bike in a park in Minnesota Oct. 12. Based on later research, probably Katherine Abbott Park in Mahtomedi. Maybe.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Bike on trail" border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="667" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnMPsr15qIZzBjhRXqgmZ20tpWWHuC61unqMyc5uUuSlqpIZaeUsL_yznp-7CdIlZf-JzuXxLYTxrkg6XSk5P5qWjeOUt7OCFP-0Q2uOLA_X8xXDViwqwurS41KQ-bcK6GnV2I7Uuo6-9mPi9hCswe7BUAjt1UQkGKi6Xcg8mw8S1WpDhkAZvWCMXdfCMz/w266-h400/b02.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="266"></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Another view of bike on trail somewhere in Minnesota. I didn't mind, it was a pretty ride, but I would have preferred a bit of clarity on where I was.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLvYqwSqM128cXKue2aurtd5bkxNkhOcdpwxwxLF8QF-n8oeOblFkcTdjzOXCLuUUj49DqVO-2JyfryMW7K6ZcHfLCuvNdjehlqtHl49TCwmqh_tBdhVs9YjpSv-BJoNg4lVN3JfbwPEmuFgyyWnCagO5w7ekcxB0ULIT_OOdrpzuwUoUzQ0-mS8p_6taA/s1000/b03.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Bike, trail and downed tree limb." border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLvYqwSqM128cXKue2aurtd5bkxNkhOcdpwxwxLF8QF-n8oeOblFkcTdjzOXCLuUUj49DqVO-2JyfryMW7K6ZcHfLCuvNdjehlqtHl49TCwmqh_tBdhVs9YjpSv-BJoNg4lVN3JfbwPEmuFgyyWnCagO5w7ekcxB0ULIT_OOdrpzuwUoUzQ0-mS8p_6taA/w400-h266/b03.JPG" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Up ahead, a downed tree limb. Even on the hybrid bike, it wasn't hard to go around, and most of the trails were clear, even if I had to take it easy on this bike. Mountain Bike would have been better for this part of the ride.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn5TlC7325sh5pawTJ96-GVpcvgdJ8x9MfeNMPtmbZhsG8hTfH_UlNJ_lQPlc2Cmay66zmS6GNANyD1B4a8JgoO2RQ07TujarfJU_Use6GPfkfAHjjfHyfeIShOuEOSc3nI9RmBihNL92mCYot64zWgGi1lItfoHmUxW8sfrj0fAgKNDwK14_DqJB2K4Io/s1000/b05.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Sign near school." border="0" data-original-height="657" data-original-width="1000" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn5TlC7325sh5pawTJ96-GVpcvgdJ8x9MfeNMPtmbZhsG8hTfH_UlNJ_lQPlc2Cmay66zmS6GNANyD1B4a8JgoO2RQ07TujarfJU_Use6GPfkfAHjjfHyfeIShOuEOSc3nI9RmBihNL92mCYot64zWgGi1lItfoHmUxW8sfrj0fAgKNDwK14_DqJB2K4Io/w400-h263/b05.JPG" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Sign near school in Mahtomedi. From bike trail, the "or" was too small to see, so to me, the sign said "No hunting trespassing." Since this school area was marked that way, I assume hunting trespassing is allowed in most of the state.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoZSNymCX0UuwqhgtOhoBclP9ZoGRi2ozWU_ehHPNF4ZULxFtDiHdRi9AVsD1kUZJ3Ao6kVZMVn6L-ZpPr40ApbABW5E_Ix-xwcxrh7IFanrpRm8Z6as91M3Pk9lzNtpi1Uz5828Il6ELMnWtH-_1ygnQD0s7nR4TPkc3GpuiGkIBuWn0epzgjq5jm_Pdf/s1000/b04.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Bike near school" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoZSNymCX0UuwqhgtOhoBclP9ZoGRi2ozWU_ehHPNF4ZULxFtDiHdRi9AVsD1kUZJ3Ao6kVZMVn6L-ZpPr40ApbABW5E_Ix-xwcxrh7IFanrpRm8Z6as91M3Pk9lzNtpi1Uz5828Il6ELMnWtH-_1ygnQD0s7nR4TPkc3GpuiGkIBuWn0epzgjq5jm_Pdf/w400-h266/b04.JPG" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>I made it to school and am ready to turn back. From here, I can find my own way, which is good news considering my recent experience with electronic navigation.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: left;">I made my way through the park to a street on the other side. Eventually, by accident, I made my way to the bike trail my grandson and I had been on the day before. By now, I had shut Google down, because Ms. Biker Robot Voice was being less than helpful.</p><p>I cycled through downtown, just enjoying the day despite the chill and grey. Eventually, I ended up outside of the elementary school where my daughter works, and took another selfie, just to show that the biker who was lost had again been found.<br><br>No thanks to Google.<br><br>Several years ago, when my small family team was riding on RAGBRAI and was seeking a host house in a strange town, my sister entered the address into Google maps and we were off. Way off. We ended up on an odd, roundabout route that involved, for one thing, an extensive detour along a gravel road. Google, way back then, was not all that reliable for biking. Ironically, the next morning, using directions from our human hosts, we had a relatively easy paved ride back to the big ride.<br></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYMjFewd_SY1yt3728bBhLYJwjgn_IJOE_IhAsEF32qSydMMsLpBmwTGYT392qz8Z6bykTMmi7IYg8_Hq-OOg7xAydf1DUU11KJ_AZVTlech1STusqGHyxb_MKNS96-skVibMnfeT7qQuO1FxeNBCjYE0hHolGdOA0G2uSaw31XADyvZSxASt5K6iXbLS6/s1000/c02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Milkweed seeds" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYMjFewd_SY1yt3728bBhLYJwjgn_IJOE_IhAsEF32qSydMMsLpBmwTGYT392qz8Z6bykTMmi7IYg8_Hq-OOg7xAydf1DUU11KJ_AZVTlech1STusqGHyxb_MKNS96-skVibMnfeT7qQuO1FxeNBCjYE0hHolGdOA0G2uSaw31XADyvZSxASt5K6iXbLS6/w400-h266/c02.JPG" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>What's a lost biker to do in a park? Take plant pictures, clearly. Milkweed seeds above, fall colors below.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF2knaJy4X6xcORC_IRPNpp9pOQzeCrt9P63EPZ92er5PAvga0l7AgmRTnQcphfO38kJ0D2xO-pJ4klR0BnBboWZKzie6YDSx0dpVpJQex4Ipjv1mlFx-8rbAHVdsrvTJkzNWqGUEpRPsdFmQPNxFMFnIkYixUbo3fOtVEF8P0zkclBz6ATqxjmB-6R8jE/s1000/c01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Fall leaves" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF2knaJy4X6xcORC_IRPNpp9pOQzeCrt9P63EPZ92er5PAvga0l7AgmRTnQcphfO38kJ0D2xO-pJ4klR0BnBboWZKzie6YDSx0dpVpJQex4Ipjv1mlFx-8rbAHVdsrvTJkzNWqGUEpRPsdFmQPNxFMFnIkYixUbo3fOtVEF8P0zkclBz6ATqxjmB-6R8jE/w400-h266/c01.JPG" width="400"></a></div><p>Maybe it should be a sense of comfort, in this era of rapid change, that some things seem to remain the same. For biking, at least for me, Google is a very poor tool.<br><br>Well, to be fair, I do like it for driving. And my idea on Thursday was to ride with no particular goal in mind, and if I got lost and ended up getting some extra miles but still made it to my daughter’s house in time to make cinnamon rolls to go with the chili my wife was creating in a crock pot for dinner—well, no harm done.</p><p>Maps of the longest of the Minnesota rides:</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVNyii8NJDQgprRctsl_MV8JVgvVLfWd8rI5hOSrsolZn2dZ4g_XGTmrpmfw4jDbMPi-_ZMo3EtsRczcJ5mk1jtk9WB2EpwkF2hWAFnlZNXJGiWW5j3He7M9nqkq7m1iREEm1S0fqD-33wsjiDvw4f8Qn3ZaOvtGx0Q8mAH-DoRjHY8svGxRYwLdmeIVzN/s601/ride2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="282" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVNyii8NJDQgprRctsl_MV8JVgvVLfWd8rI5hOSrsolZn2dZ4g_XGTmrpmfw4jDbMPi-_ZMo3EtsRczcJ5mk1jtk9WB2EpwkF2hWAFnlZNXJGiWW5j3He7M9nqkq7m1iREEm1S0fqD-33wsjiDvw4f8Qn3ZaOvtGx0Q8mAH-DoRjHY8svGxRYwLdmeIVzN/w188-h400/ride2.jpg" width="188"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The crazy Thursday ride.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>The two days of bike rides was followed by an all-day cold rain. Saturday, we went a local pumpkin festival, and then my wife and I drove home.<br><br>Using Google Maps. Which, as usual, was fine. For driving.<br><br>Sunday, I took a quick ride along some local trails. It was again cool and sunny, a pretty fall day in Iowa. I love cools days for rides. And while I like bike adventures, it was nice to be in a place where the internet wouldn’t try to strand me in the wilderness.<br><br>As of Oct. 16, 114.71 miles for the month and 2,852 for the year. And thanks, Google, for arranging a few extra of those miles. Images from pretty Sunday ride:</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrDgABmZPwgx2_C8YcF1Hxagvg7Qv5EUf2S1EHhwVD0UYjbEpTtBcRMm58CXL8IeE_b_-z4sxMEh00mjiXnRseJuzmSy88atwfYecSDsXTC_aPfY33SG_AZnJrrhFb06EsDy-LosbMtQK4VU3kt7AwvPyGlk4mi_SHvxt03zZOv7jeTX-LbfSQ-m7b3ZyY/s1000/b01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrDgABmZPwgx2_C8YcF1Hxagvg7Qv5EUf2S1EHhwVD0UYjbEpTtBcRMm58CXL8IeE_b_-z4sxMEh00mjiXnRseJuzmSy88atwfYecSDsXTC_aPfY33SG_AZnJrrhFb06EsDy-LosbMtQK4VU3kt7AwvPyGlk4mi_SHvxt03zZOv7jeTX-LbfSQ-m7b3ZyY/w400-h266/b01.JPG" width="400"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgChJLz94aXhtm_H3VKMUXamI9Z6NiV2tWCO5dE8Q3RiiusLEOgPLEg2dHEyP__yYCJ93q8MUOz1bqda46DpvOXrz7KBIou2kff8zT8zHb2_oS3HHPA32FV5YfqvP8HL0w-A4XYh0FB7e27YNdbQWSQ9oje_klVUNiopMNiQs9WWF6kegQwqOLPjIPLjb8g/s1000/b02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="652" data-original-width="1000" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgChJLz94aXhtm_H3VKMUXamI9Z6NiV2tWCO5dE8Q3RiiusLEOgPLEg2dHEyP__yYCJ93q8MUOz1bqda46DpvOXrz7KBIou2kff8zT8zHb2_oS3HHPA32FV5YfqvP8HL0w-A4XYh0FB7e27YNdbQWSQ9oje_klVUNiopMNiQs9WWF6kegQwqOLPjIPLjb8g/w400-h261/b02.JPG" width="400"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlU4YCnKpcABAypJqmjdDTegOg5XXNZAU2zZt9ZhWqFPTwk3uPwb5-46rJNm5M1rMsLfP3u5oM5tgYk3xDUdvU35WSeTeopeumSjRSP1o4nphSgaV7rumTiWjCCNfOs1lPsz8H0CTHw1y4e4VdvjrqdmAom_xVVepXwiYkw4-u-yVFnRpA8t4HCxfp28M3/s1000/b03.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="622" data-original-width="1000" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlU4YCnKpcABAypJqmjdDTegOg5XXNZAU2zZt9ZhWqFPTwk3uPwb5-46rJNm5M1rMsLfP3u5oM5tgYk3xDUdvU35WSeTeopeumSjRSP1o4nphSgaV7rumTiWjCCNfOs1lPsz8H0CTHw1y4e4VdvjrqdmAom_xVVepXwiYkw4-u-yVFnRpA8t4HCxfp28M3/w400-h249/b03.JPG" width="400"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXFYNkIpJ-5kxcTJB8rr31MLb3IbhEthy1wlCEtGMt2vfuM_cgrtmbklPpLs9X1zV4o02bexyb-CCBQSqRkmyqj6aw_w9rqrOs240Pk4ECJppxdfjbyRPAXH6gKiX423iSIIHRA1DyoQ-TzyJcBh4rGHZr_r3XL38BJOTnRfjBpaDhDTAklXJsWa90oWcP/s1000/b04.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXFYNkIpJ-5kxcTJB8rr31MLb3IbhEthy1wlCEtGMt2vfuM_cgrtmbklPpLs9X1zV4o02bexyb-CCBQSqRkmyqj6aw_w9rqrOs240Pk4ECJppxdfjbyRPAXH6gKiX423iSIIHRA1DyoQ-TzyJcBh4rGHZr_r3XL38BJOTnRfjBpaDhDTAklXJsWa90oWcP/w400-h266/b04.JPG" width="400"></a></div><br> <p></p><p><br><br></p>CR Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14949410451137266101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3599778591069106718.post-30627612879786647472023-10-07T23:18:00.005-05:002023-10-08T10:23:49.452-05:00In Which I’m Happy to be a Little Damp<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNiQOhyzlIm_o1PnNJxIujktiiVMKpzzUiDf7pwHNwnZETc8AmKz7ARsL6YC4x2TdPIz101l_La6KeQhVsdqZJe4NE5B7srJ2TGALoE8vitIXR0OKdQcA93JGDR1GATvHOoYPQ9gA2V34JSCfFzSrdIhpN7Y24o_alhcJWLUUD78hWDE996hOUegHtXF43/s1000/b01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="C Avenue Pond in Sun" border="0" data-original-height="649" data-original-width="1000" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNiQOhyzlIm_o1PnNJxIujktiiVMKpzzUiDf7pwHNwnZETc8AmKz7ARsL6YC4x2TdPIz101l_La6KeQhVsdqZJe4NE5B7srJ2TGALoE8vitIXR0OKdQcA93JGDR1GATvHOoYPQ9gA2V34JSCfFzSrdIhpN7Y24o_alhcJWLUUD78hWDE996hOUegHtXF43/w400-h260/b01.JPG" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Above, C Avenue Pond Thursday morning, Oct. 5. Below, C Avenue Pond on Friday morning, Oct. 6, just as it starts to rain on me.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyqCwRlOPKHDsIsG_WQM47zL3ZoU5rmUJVyKUntiUOPBdcDTXIiH3vLVbfROlPUFGLTckhDE0p-1NpWmX00mbj9-anVnWcAxcDQ2fUfXBCy4-j9NxuqKLWSqTEb1PFCnNmdtFF7IirPwFEAp3-BrBn_D8tYD-H-Vl6eDuzKI1B1-NbnVCTZMRfqx2OcGJK/s1000/b02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Clouds at C Avenue Pond." border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyqCwRlOPKHDsIsG_WQM47zL3ZoU5rmUJVyKUntiUOPBdcDTXIiH3vLVbfROlPUFGLTckhDE0p-1NpWmX00mbj9-anVnWcAxcDQ2fUfXBCy4-j9NxuqKLWSqTEb1PFCnNmdtFF7IirPwFEAp3-BrBn_D8tYD-H-Vl6eDuzKI1B1-NbnVCTZMRfqx2OcGJK/w400-h266/b02.JPG" width="400"></a></div><p>When I got ready for my bike ride to work Friday, Oct. 6, I decided to use the mountain bike. I lubed the chain (because rain was possible) and aired the tyres first, then set out.<br><br>The morning was cloudy and cool, and I was riding with lights on. Less than a half mile from home, the air became misty and a fine rain began to fall. And it made me happy.<br><br>No, I’m not a crazy person who takes rain as a challenge and rides no matter what. I typically avoid rain because, while not a wicked witch who would melt, I do prefer the dry life.<br><br>Life lately has been quite dry, extraordinarily dry. The entire state of Iowa, where I reside, is in drought, but a little pocked in east central Iowa recently moved into the highest drought category. We’re not bone dry, because bones aren’t the driest thing anyway—we’re approaching Moon dry.<br><br>And so, there was a minor chance of rain Friday. And when I checked the weather app on my phone that morning, it looked like it could be rainy for most of the morning, but wouldn’t start until 8:30, after I had arrived on campus.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKmjO5UOJ4KCaHKh5vHZ0fi3UM-6TnnKXhome5GRfISeomv9UgeiZfYhIqevibOUC9zxWD0HCrKY-3ow2TSjrB98OOQZ9t4PoDvhmdXi3Oci9edZjm0efzlk5leLSD_y8slpoHIGuhpYG2S6L2_Nf3NOfQOHvwCIOx82kkIouQwC8Yy8tMYIlRx3OYU9dO/s1000/c10-9-26.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Warde Hall bikes at loading dock" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKmjO5UOJ4KCaHKh5vHZ0fi3UM-6TnnKXhome5GRfISeomv9UgeiZfYhIqevibOUC9zxWD0HCrKY-3ow2TSjrB98OOQZ9t4PoDvhmdXi3Oci9edZjm0efzlk5leLSD_y8slpoHIGuhpYG2S6L2_Nf3NOfQOHvwCIOx82kkIouQwC8Yy8tMYIlRx3OYU9dO/w400-h266/c10-9-26.JPG" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Sept. 26--Bikes at Warde Hall loading dock. Seeing more bikes this fall on campus.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihDuAiTXKiSYux-M_Z_4Ppo8_rvwfLlh4Hx9LMx1t5pm8DIHuAcdBdTc5b_QnOlNHX9NSx5LaevpH9fKU3vPVipCdJKGtuyT7rbS_E7RDAayslQEwow8OFtnywJD-fA7w2k98JO-CYs8TOUBy1tTkaURrpk4nnnFo3WSpUQ22Y2aPwjJJsgh_h1d_eWrVT/s1000/b02-9-27.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Bikes at MMU" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihDuAiTXKiSYux-M_Z_4Ppo8_rvwfLlh4Hx9LMx1t5pm8DIHuAcdBdTc5b_QnOlNHX9NSx5LaevpH9fKU3vPVipCdJKGtuyT7rbS_E7RDAayslQEwow8OFtnywJD-fA7w2k98JO-CYs8TOUBy1tTkaURrpk4nnnFo3WSpUQ22Y2aPwjJJsgh_h1d_eWrVT/w400-h266/b02-9-27.JPG" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Sept. 27--Bikes at Basile Hall bike rack.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg753bo1thGR0Ni2m1G6_VADw_TpWb8YJQPo_FReJrNxLiwls4D_zvgrXp0loHN1bO-JC-KSXAQOPCw-C8RKPDwTQJLvlz9eYNs5hN8buWOmKpFYMiJTtda3krq3l07oAqZK-vWkfX-rzlx8u0IRQKSJtSpKnSmOyOmI_mKKJoyTzUMsnQwbgtmgkRevZX6/s1000/b03-9-27.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="My bike in bike rack" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg753bo1thGR0Ni2m1G6_VADw_TpWb8YJQPo_FReJrNxLiwls4D_zvgrXp0loHN1bO-JC-KSXAQOPCw-C8RKPDwTQJLvlz9eYNs5hN8buWOmKpFYMiJTtda3krq3l07oAqZK-vWkfX-rzlx8u0IRQKSJtSpKnSmOyOmI_mKKJoyTzUMsnQwbgtmgkRevZX6/w400-h266/b03-9-27.JPG" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Sept. 26--My bike parked at MMU.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>The app was wrong, the rain began early, ended early and never amount to much more than a hint or memory of rain, raindrops fell but nowhere near enough to put a dent in desert Iowa. Still, rain is rain, and I’m glad for what I get, even if it slightly dampens me on my way on two wheels to work.<br><br>I was wearing a sweatshirt, protection against the cool breeze but not much defense against H2O, but I had no need to worry. I keep a sweatshirt in my office and was thinking I could swap when I got there should I get a bit uncomfortably hydrated, but the rain was so sparse I saw no need for the change.<br><br>Well, at least some rain fell.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGCC9BfMTjrRsP5afNgBJQ7K2Q2jgYaxc8zLY2hd6tloRzZCfDN7wnuvCSSXlZr_ukdzv5nML0ml__Du5DPMVD4zSVdLhDJ3BG0n5cKICcbT4jvMVg7HqZ2ETBnvnmk-0VF-8WAfZ9ZAQxzU7dQ1qTK6jRis6Er-LyD8Q29JvB5gcZmvVf3_bZl0XdFo78/s1120/map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Map" border="0" data-original-height="1120" data-original-width="526" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGCC9BfMTjrRsP5afNgBJQ7K2Q2jgYaxc8zLY2hd6tloRzZCfDN7wnuvCSSXlZr_ukdzv5nML0ml__Du5DPMVD4zSVdLhDJ3BG0n5cKICcbT4jvMVg7HqZ2ETBnvnmk-0VF-8WAfZ9ZAQxzU7dQ1qTK6jRis6Er-LyD8Q29JvB5gcZmvVf3_bZl0XdFo78/w188-h400/map.jpg" width="188"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Weather app image of Friday. Have not seen many colorful days like this during this drought.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>And this fall, even if the gardener in me would prefer more clouds and rain, has been ideal biking weather. It was warm in September and is finally, in October, starting to feel the season—cool mornings. We’re getting to the point where a sweatshirt may even be comfortable some afternoons.<br><br>For this high BMI biker, cool is indeed good news. The bad news is my time for biking is too constrained this time of year, but what person who loves riding a bicycle doesn’t feel their saddle time is sometimes constrained by life?<br><br>This fall has featured another helpful biking sign, too. I’ve seen more bikes parked at Mount Mercy University, the college where I teach. That’s nice. A few years ago, we had an active Bike Club at the school, and maybe we’ll reach a critical mass where that group can be revived.<br><br>Whatever. Most of my biking is solitary, although I enjoy a good group ride now and then. And if it helps appease the rain spirits, I’ll willingly take some risks.<br><br>Never thought I would have this attitude on my biking blog—but more rain, please.<br><br>September miles totaled 308.83. 57.56 miles so far in October as of Oct. 7. Year-to-date: 2,794.99—500 miles or so to ride for annual goal and almost three months to go! I hope they aren’t all dry months.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGUNgmed8ZwAHsvgJgZprXw3BQ7h4LLTTCrZyrlrOhUawsvKZmtXedCOG3Oa08KqAcXBxWzbRwfNBdDgCtGJGYBxY_OeF6gaIdzjpPt6LnJm1HcsPC5GVfPJPXue4ApLc05a_RYVD7q2G4Vs5oqd7XFdwn3oH1UdBczb7yOGY0BjrJXzfEH7oh0vkH5hv2/s1000/b01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Bike at park" border="0" data-original-height="661" data-original-width="1000" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGUNgmed8ZwAHsvgJgZprXw3BQ7h4LLTTCrZyrlrOhUawsvKZmtXedCOG3Oa08KqAcXBxWzbRwfNBdDgCtGJGYBxY_OeF6gaIdzjpPt6LnJm1HcsPC5GVfPJPXue4ApLc05a_RYVD7q2G4Vs5oqd7XFdwn3oH1UdBczb7yOGY0BjrJXzfEH7oh0vkH5hv2/w400-h265/b01.JPG" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Oct. 7--Rode with grandson to Lininger Park in Marion in late afternoon. Pretty day for a ride!<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><br><br><br>CR Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14949410451137266101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3599778591069106718.post-9782918551731088972023-09-24T21:04:00.001-05:002023-09-25T07:19:49.378-05:00In Which There’s Not Much Chill Yet<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaYEED2ROm7nIzviwha71pneFSjM1cFEdDlT8ya3_S5ymkDVpWaFf80wamN5I-2CB_6StiY93RgXrs74OcUnc-ljQkFmAAw4nWNrI7JqUBgJ6-ySlFLf40lVwXL9_sHxkwrIRV5zuHps-JVc9GMjPxTRBZdkF2cUvc6Tt0pmwMHYc9VHpASlP0_3mC_DDO/s1000/b01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Lowe Park sky with clouds" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaYEED2ROm7nIzviwha71pneFSjM1cFEdDlT8ya3_S5ymkDVpWaFf80wamN5I-2CB_6StiY93RgXrs74OcUnc-ljQkFmAAw4nWNrI7JqUBgJ6-ySlFLf40lVwXL9_sHxkwrIRV5zuHps-JVc9GMjPxTRBZdkF2cUvc6Tt0pmwMHYc9VHpASlP0_3mC_DDO/w400-h266/b01.JPG" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Lowe Park, warm summer sun shining on fall day, Sept. 24.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Well, bikers, fall in the Northern Hemisphere is here yet it still feels like summer in Iowa.<br><br>Take today, for instance. I was taking a mid-afternoon break from paper grading, and got my road bike out. It was cloudy and in the 60s this morning, so I had on jeans and a long-sleeved T-shirt. I decided to change into shorts, and I’m glad I did.<br><br>As I road along the local trails—I was headed down the Lindale Trail to the Boyson Trail, thence up to the trail behind Linn-Mar High School, and finally over to Lowe Park—the clouds broke up and it became sunny. This is the second official full day of fall, but the mugginess and sunshine and warmth didn’t foreshadow cooler weather to come. By this time of the year, we’re usually seeing some crisp nights, sometimes even a hint of frost, but not so far in hot, dry 2023.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNEYG1zx6gFplG-NCWD1Oc6M9ugM66OmK8Elc8oPgwvSjyrK0MVa-c9DfgTqtmCrtNFjpIhw-iiSvPb82qKNIRhsh2np8ki78KqBgvoU2zXGbRAwaojv87oHu8qJPX_PTLQI6h94s0scU2IZBhZZk9yxw88iMvKMd1q1b-Lp_uSvTO4JiJ752-w6BUviGl/s6000/b05.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Caterpillar crawling" border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNEYG1zx6gFplG-NCWD1Oc6M9ugM66OmK8Elc8oPgwvSjyrK0MVa-c9DfgTqtmCrtNFjpIhw-iiSvPb82qKNIRhsh2np8ki78KqBgvoU2zXGbRAwaojv87oHu8qJPX_PTLQI6h94s0scU2IZBhZZk9yxw88iMvKMd1q1b-Lp_uSvTO4JiJ752-w6BUviGl/w400-h266/b05.JPG" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Sept. 23--Saw many grasshoppers on Grant Wood Trail, but only one of these crawlies.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Ynsheq4u6g9C2cIhNut5KtrG1kgCrnYeBU_YvGprxAiM61SuIHiTq5MYFA1873XTCB88eBJ4Tmjd4BhkdhkauIHzO5vALIxHeyj1BImTzQM251lHTrdPjBTQeT9W-iHuPVNMFqMtq-2r66EU9DT2whRvW0XShHme2Ra0V4RDzUqj6FC18UMk3_TrSbuO/s6000/b04.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Sky" border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Ynsheq4u6g9C2cIhNut5KtrG1kgCrnYeBU_YvGprxAiM61SuIHiTq5MYFA1873XTCB88eBJ4Tmjd4BhkdhkauIHzO5vALIxHeyj1BImTzQM251lHTrdPjBTQeT9W-iHuPVNMFqMtq-2r66EU9DT2whRvW0XShHme2Ra0V4RDzUqj6FC18UMk3_TrSbuO/w400-h266/b04.JPG" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Sept. 23--Fall is here, but sky looks like summer. You many not see it well, but Monarch butterfly is flitting away west in the middle of the sky. I think they're getting ready to go to Mexico.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_PDvBYuZ-gT4PlU88ExnISgxavjDHTYoeiLJ-SO-KKKSQeIeD2UOfLDIXfHvGhTG7yk7CWYyMnU4jqrEms_bpwj7KdcUF4ZRhJRN6h-SfKyP2I-lKbDtBpPoLV7KVJZlhIXUQz6RADrhWcI7Y2y7r5c-sukh_yxZFnsMhIsEG2x1I-CSshgXaWX0mL2M_/s6000/b03.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Sumac leaves" border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_PDvBYuZ-gT4PlU88ExnISgxavjDHTYoeiLJ-SO-KKKSQeIeD2UOfLDIXfHvGhTG7yk7CWYyMnU4jqrEms_bpwj7KdcUF4ZRhJRN6h-SfKyP2I-lKbDtBpPoLV7KVJZlhIXUQz6RADrhWcI7Y2y7r5c-sukh_yxZFnsMhIsEG2x1I-CSshgXaWX0mL2M_/w400-h266/b03.JPG" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Sept. 23--Grant Wood Trail. Summer may be in the air, but fall is showing in Sumac leaves (above and below).<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7bNAUJ_MmqLpwa7snYkL4zmHvUgFNvCCfvCcA4nNpj30Nso0ycpyYAvTrqOJgwCDjTC1JtK08-qW48ue_AL-uG3471xPqHzT4p9fJheYy_LRhVUfx_IFWiObA7cSWIdU8oyYCVBnxHKo-WPnpylnR4lMLxSuxz1t78dWcQeoIiqjNQo3Fs32imnfPE_Zl/s6000/b02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sumac leaves" border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7bNAUJ_MmqLpwa7snYkL4zmHvUgFNvCCfvCcA4nNpj30Nso0ycpyYAvTrqOJgwCDjTC1JtK08-qW48ue_AL-uG3471xPqHzT4p9fJheYy_LRhVUfx_IFWiObA7cSWIdU8oyYCVBnxHKo-WPnpylnR4lMLxSuxz1t78dWcQeoIiqjNQo3Fs32imnfPE_Zl/w266-h400/b02.JPG" width="266"></a></div><br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHYpbYSyFPusyh0LWA3HV_IQkOpFG-BLqhy754rq8ZhQjhGZgHZKJUKdRinfm3oldfQQ7V02ma3V__SbNLAArKjej3vPDvPNYQX6jDcY__bmbWQUxgg6_MNCMkhsSwVUgwgcCphPqlyE_Fxe_u54mq3LeTrO2ohqheVnALB7MWOzwfCy1expJVk4KZWP38/s4608/b01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="New extension of Grant Wood Trail" border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4608" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHYpbYSyFPusyh0LWA3HV_IQkOpFG-BLqhy754rq8ZhQjhGZgHZKJUKdRinfm3oldfQQ7V02ma3V__SbNLAArKjej3vPDvPNYQX6jDcY__bmbWQUxgg6_MNCMkhsSwVUgwgcCphPqlyE_Fxe_u54mq3LeTrO2ohqheVnALB7MWOzwfCy1expJVk4KZWP38/w400-h266/b01.JPG" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Sept. 23--Turn around point of my ride. On hybrid bike due to flat on road bike (which I fixed later in the day). New extension of Grant Wood Trail visible--I can tell by tracks many are already sampling it, but I'll wait for it to be open. From the looks of things, my wait won't be all that long.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>While we’re still officially in a drought, at least the “dry” was not so intense this week. A few light rains have rolled through. They had a tornado and flash-flood north of us Friday night, but just a few drops here. Still, there has been some fall damp, which we desperately need.<br><br>Although the weather feels summerlike, there are definite signs of fall everywhere. Plants are changing hue. Of course, the drought will dry up grasses and make them brown, but other plants, like milkweed, can be seen in shades of yellow rather than green. Sumac is turning red. Trees are dropping leaves.<br><br>The bike rides have been pleasant, though. Even if I would be OK with cooler fall weather, at least most of September has not featured the full hellish heat that this summer sometimes saw. The 80s and sunshine feel warm, but it’s not the upper 90s nor 100s.<br><br>Winter is coming. That’s OK with me, when it’s not too cold I’ll continue rolling. And I generally like cool fall weather for biking anyway. So, bring on the autumn. Soon, please.<br><br>So far in September, I’ve rolled about 284 miles, giving me 2,713 for the year. Schools keeps me busy and time for riding is precious, but I’m happy to have those miles.<br></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4a4Oe2E1IKrmRVYTvHHOIkdvSSeG0rk-csw1eGHQg96R8ixNDBNaStf9buLeJoBZ9YDA8mg3kosdxSslBSkt472MvghPLrK4G_J1EjhUKkG6usujUla6n8bY55DMAvYU5q2IkewVmU2Oh0i6LRTmnf2NU9JG1kEuUZ9tVgW7_We80RKA9bWLS45ThkcS_/s1000/b01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Flower at Cedar Lake" border="0" data-original-height="663" data-original-width="1000" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4a4Oe2E1IKrmRVYTvHHOIkdvSSeG0rk-csw1eGHQg96R8ixNDBNaStf9buLeJoBZ9YDA8mg3kosdxSslBSkt472MvghPLrK4G_J1EjhUKkG6usujUla6n8bY55DMAvYU5q2IkewVmU2Oh0i6LRTmnf2NU9JG1kEuUZ9tVgW7_We80RKA9bWLS45ThkcS_/w400-h265/b01.JPG" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Sept. 15--Flowers at Cedar Lake.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDfY-jvMRVMYJGuCbjZt7eFl1uOGUhrIHuVIhoni1bsUUngzyQz3YJpKwtyCHGU9j7tte9Qy1XwMoYjt5QfRLNrO0ffTdu_ugQeI1zdh2UyzVDVGNZxr5b7-CMbgN8lNPwQz4hluuU9WxY4q5ofCmaEbuHtHUI_Iar6TabZhFyVqggO8hVRr6i63nG5YH6/s1000/b02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Flowers at lake" border="0" data-original-height="678" data-original-width="1000" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDfY-jvMRVMYJGuCbjZt7eFl1uOGUhrIHuVIhoni1bsUUngzyQz3YJpKwtyCHGU9j7tte9Qy1XwMoYjt5QfRLNrO0ffTdu_ugQeI1zdh2UyzVDVGNZxr5b7-CMbgN8lNPwQz4hluuU9WxY4q5ofCmaEbuHtHUI_Iar6TabZhFyVqggO8hVRr6i63nG5YH6/w400-h271/b02.JPG" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Another look. Have not ridden down to the lake all that much now that school is here, but went down this Friday, Sept. 15.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI4JC0Xcs4UOCxMVNZq7QLsVKRC-D2drZLF-c7IF0ZnSJpjkI6KOVQB0dEbA82Fxmbuvmk3LHBsiEWSA9srqQ152zswmHLPkSep6lk8jjHsXqzArJ5P2gr0UmY9uXuumWH0nH50fBiPMGKTlNbOkxCCvm91d_nv4uPLyv6S_VgYVRdwMjmgE5JHWxyWbf9/s1000/b03.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Birds on lake" border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="1000" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI4JC0Xcs4UOCxMVNZq7QLsVKRC-D2drZLF-c7IF0ZnSJpjkI6KOVQB0dEbA82Fxmbuvmk3LHBsiEWSA9srqQ152zswmHLPkSep6lk8jjHsXqzArJ5P2gr0UmY9uXuumWH0nH50fBiPMGKTlNbOkxCCvm91d_nv4uPLyv6S_VgYVRdwMjmgE5JHWxyWbf9/w400-h239/b03.JPG" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Seen at Cedar Lake Sept. 15--the small lake south of the trail.</i><br></td></tr></tbody></table><br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWU5o506PpmA7ERjnm55Xy16rrls8Ag0c9tvvha_aXzB7KQXQBqf5Iyp_RaEPNje30jVty2_xT3o42K2PMXBE13MFoSZr2LoCu-N-2IhKwvhDznAqAw-PevDnOupikVG0N1xap7WZUBDRE-voG2HpSu_F25Eltv-Vt8lparHQvgRacVHU0hK_8BGrMDnrm/s1000/b04.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Cedar Lake" border="0" data-original-height="582" data-original-width="1000" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWU5o506PpmA7ERjnm55Xy16rrls8Ag0c9tvvha_aXzB7KQXQBqf5Iyp_RaEPNje30jVty2_xT3o42K2PMXBE13MFoSZr2LoCu-N-2IhKwvhDznAqAw-PevDnOupikVG0N1xap7WZUBDRE-voG2HpSu_F25Eltv-Vt8lparHQvgRacVHU0hK_8BGrMDnrm/w400-h233/b04.JPG" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Sept. 15--And some of these big birds on the main lake, too.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaBT_rdtcJ8eeKVOUAcvpBfLR3tvpInXvTabgBpKzBFk4yQbbIO014BnM1QwkLwwmoaMs2asDkXgNdDR3p9T4ahAX20-lkHdvNs6bzM_5PVxWDyTO7v-U4agrvVVQGreJqjpVtiXxt6ipoqXgcFw2llYoZNJqOn24QdWZfh-U8BC59SnzyhP_TmwM15bDE/s1000/b05.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Sky at Cedar Lake" border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="667" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaBT_rdtcJ8eeKVOUAcvpBfLR3tvpInXvTabgBpKzBFk4yQbbIO014BnM1QwkLwwmoaMs2asDkXgNdDR3p9T4ahAX20-lkHdvNs6bzM_5PVxWDyTO7v-U4agrvVVQGreJqjpVtiXxt6ipoqXgcFw2llYoZNJqOn24QdWZfh-U8BC59SnzyhP_TmwM15bDE/w266-h400/b05.JPG" width="266"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Sept. 15--Above and below, pretty sky at Cedar Lake in the afternoon.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpzEHx1FFUPcJpcZMdQbPoYKmwNSwxQuge6u1Dm2QEE9i29WAK_is-1RU9mojpDn2RhRown3ggg8W_ZP4lhMES5bpySsY7tLb3BFLFD5jJ9I6elzfrDqvwq2VEX_SpSNgFqb-h6_66hvzw7hhUUflSeGSmkjbBuzq_BGdJEgcgh1B8xByCeEwhOpBnrNDA/s1000/b06.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cedar Lake" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpzEHx1FFUPcJpcZMdQbPoYKmwNSwxQuge6u1Dm2QEE9i29WAK_is-1RU9mojpDn2RhRown3ggg8W_ZP4lhMES5bpySsY7tLb3BFLFD5jJ9I6elzfrDqvwq2VEX_SpSNgFqb-h6_66hvzw7hhUUflSeGSmkjbBuzq_BGdJEgcgh1B8xByCeEwhOpBnrNDA/w400-h266/b06.JPG" width="400"></a></div><br><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuayG-_v3gFwfwt8d8ec0j9GyeFkBGZXLVxqtgpV4RHIQuz2dbC0xOWzJbCQtdjU3KR4lKGyQlslw7amBWJfelFtY_cjNTvedKo3Iz4BiTsBvx-knaiWfvIyAOfna5WylQ1pF4X8vFfjKVAdCPBDmhq6FVLmJantgSS6NH4SzsO_yjzNfjtBCd4-SqX8v2/s1000/m07.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Mount Calvary Cemetery" border="0" data-original-height="668" data-original-width="1000" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuayG-_v3gFwfwt8d8ec0j9GyeFkBGZXLVxqtgpV4RHIQuz2dbC0xOWzJbCQtdjU3KR4lKGyQlslw7amBWJfelFtY_cjNTvedKo3Iz4BiTsBvx-knaiWfvIyAOfna5WylQ1pF4X8vFfjKVAdCPBDmhq6FVLmJantgSS6NH4SzsO_yjzNfjtBCd4-SqX8v2/w400-h268/m07.JPG" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Sept. 13--This week was "Mission and Ministry Week" at the university where I teach. Many nuns of the order that founded Mount Mercy are buried in Mount Calvary Cemetery, which is right next to a bike trail. There are still living nuns involved at MMU, but on a fine afternoon, I paid a peaceful visit to some previous ones. And that's my bike parked on a drive as I take a quiet stroll with the spirits of the sisters.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br>CR Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14949410451137266101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3599778591069106718.post-84588423902059581332023-09-03T23:17:00.002-05:002023-09-04T08:34:31.108-05:00In Which Heavier Bikes Still Reach the Goal<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Gua8r1xBJR9nlSvwUI-ZyQYLoOoN-6aSD7qwuu_M-tJTbUEma2ZiAoXl4H4czH3D0Ut7JaBgRDyt3J0pxkwHpYEvpuId6T9HT16VrsXuDFn4aqzqhFdu9RFGio2IMyYVcuvuurYzcEZqwHpkahfl2YiW6v_aQuofKVNg-MN2gEA9LjZw9Ie-T2pYfi71/s1000/b02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Bicycle on trail" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Gua8r1xBJR9nlSvwUI-ZyQYLoOoN-6aSD7qwuu_M-tJTbUEma2ZiAoXl4H4czH3D0Ut7JaBgRDyt3J0pxkwHpYEvpuId6T9HT16VrsXuDFn4aqzqhFdu9RFGio2IMyYVcuvuurYzcEZqwHpkahfl2YiW6v_aQuofKVNg-MN2gEA9LjZw9Ie-T2pYfi71/w400-h266/b02.JPG" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Fancy Beast mountain bike on trail late on Saturday ride, second ride that got me to my birthday ride goal.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>So, I turned 65 in late August, the penultimate day of the month. It was a Wednesday, a work day, and I have a couple of more years until I retire.<br><br>Therefore, my birthday ride had to wait for the weekend. My plan was to ride all three of my bikes and have a series of rides Saturday that would add up to at least 65 miles, and thus, as is my tradition in recent years, to ride my birthday near my birthday.<br><br>Mice and men and all that. Plans change. The valve on the rear tyre of my road bike was acting a bit funky this week—spewing air when I tried to inflate it. I could get pressure up to maybe 60, but it’s a road bike and I like to run around 90, at least.<br><br>I have other tubes and could change it—but I’m gainfully employed and didn't have time this week. I thought I might swap tubes Friday afternoon. However, Family matter dictated an unexpected drive to Des Moines after work that day, so the tube swap never happened.<br><br>No matter. I still have Clarence, my hybrid bike, and The Fancy Beast, my mountain bike. I met my sister Saturday morning, rolling on the hybrid, and we headed out to the Cedar River Trail.<br><br>The plan was to go north, stop at Jams in Urbana, then head south, do lunch in Cedar Rapids and maybe check out Cedar Lake. The ride started pleasant, but the day was warming up by the time we got north of Center Point. A Labor Day weekend heat wave was just setting in, and what had been a cool morning was switching to a sweltering afternoon.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZGBQ5uT0JXwFErYBDExl5UW3-_PxsmzE82uc_rxp1U6VwAHjobdLIPqKfCTzDBeSj1jn50CnD8pI1fuUL_22GsRWbQP2azICPyg8K6z53YqV9OESANvlwX61hLZlTf1PIaVCLuk9VnHv-rOtnDkYboU-VMEUaYRqmo8ha6tUhRAIEgAX5hfLWE3bcf1Fb/s1000/b07.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Bikes at Center Point depot" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZGBQ5uT0JXwFErYBDExl5UW3-_PxsmzE82uc_rxp1U6VwAHjobdLIPqKfCTzDBeSj1jn50CnD8pI1fuUL_22GsRWbQP2azICPyg8K6z53YqV9OESANvlwX61hLZlTf1PIaVCLuk9VnHv-rOtnDkYboU-VMEUaYRqmo8ha6tUhRAIEgAX5hfLWE3bcf1Fb/w400-h266/b07.JPG" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>My hybrid bike, Clarence, and my sister's trike, which she named Tiger but I always think of as Pumpkin, parked at depot in Center Point as we take a breather during 50-mile ride.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>We followed the plan, but on the way back to Cedar Rapids, my sister noted the ride wasn’t that fun anymore. Too hot. So we decided to cash it in after lunch at Culver’s in Hiawatha. Thanks, sis, for the ride, and for treating me to both first lunch (Jams) and second lunch (Culver's). It was the hottest part of the afternoon, about 3:30, when I arrived at home.<br><br>The ride went surprisingly well, despite the heat. On the hybrid, I was rolling, at least for the first few hours, at speeds that rival Argent, my road bike. My sister was leading, and I struggled a bit at times, but kept the pace.<br><br>We slowed down in the heat, but when I was done with the ride, I had completed just over 50 miles. A big step towards the 65-mile goal.<br><br>I rested for a while at home, visited with my wife and a grandson who was staying the night. We even did a bit of shopping, buying a replacement dehumidifier at Menard’s for a unit that conked out in the laundry room.<br><br>It was getting close to 6 when I headed out again. It was still hot, in the 90s, but at that point in the afternoon, shadows grow longer, the heat starts to abate and a ride seemed more doable. My plan was to ride mostly along the Boyson Trail and associated side trails—a shady ride to beat the heat.<br><br>The second ride on The Fancy Beast went pretty much as I had planned. I rode the mountain bike trails by the Boyson Trail and was pleasantly ruminating about the old road bike. Not counting the ancient tandem that my wife and I use now and then for very short rides, The Fancy Beast is by far my slowest bike. Yet, it has a bit of zip. It rolls surprisingly well on a downhill, and I can get it up to decent speed on a flat with favorable wind.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDw3jGszFyPkFSNnxCqJg2qPNOtj9ZurqVRY-1OHdQLkYM_uVJftuSig70M-AzBSotJcyrODwsv63now_kSbF99niRTFJTi47zp3l0FFhbNgyjySn5KeCLoMt-aefy5aGrqlX4iKwvacv5Dzb_9jT53x0MFIshSN43HVXMKuCHTNYtxubqshiUGMkHOfDW/s1000/b04.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Construction equipment on trail" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDw3jGszFyPkFSNnxCqJg2qPNOtj9ZurqVRY-1OHdQLkYM_uVJftuSig70M-AzBSotJcyrODwsv63now_kSbF99niRTFJTi47zp3l0FFhbNgyjySn5KeCLoMt-aefy5aGrqlX4iKwvacv5Dzb_9jT53x0MFIshSN43HVXMKuCHTNYtxubqshiUGMkHOfDW/w400-h266/b04.JPG" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Utility work going on at Menard's end of trail.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht4MSj-ipbEXJSCwQljDJKUMQ4xO6lxs2SOfeeDAQ1ZncZwBlHsN2pbxvLFpYR2-E2lc2dgyD1j2WZRaX5uWzbONq2aJ8-U7UOs2K9PssJpmkSNPt5cM5CAFqUBtsitSCF15yQTlf4iabox6Zmhkl-b0taBeSCC5NCjP1dhz4kll3xJbxlcbZJxuiL6Ovc/s1000/b03.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Deer by trail" border="0" data-original-height="636" data-original-width="1000" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht4MSj-ipbEXJSCwQljDJKUMQ4xO6lxs2SOfeeDAQ1ZncZwBlHsN2pbxvLFpYR2-E2lc2dgyD1j2WZRaX5uWzbONq2aJ8-U7UOs2K9PssJpmkSNPt5cM5CAFqUBtsitSCF15yQTlf4iabox6Zmhkl-b0taBeSCC5NCjP1dhz4kll3xJbxlcbZJxuiL6Ovc/w400-h255/b03.JPG" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A doe ambles across the Lindale Trail Sept. 2 as I'm heading home and nearing 65-mle goal.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>I was rolling fast enough that I was melting a bit from the sweat, but it still felt good to be on this sturdy little go-anywhere bike. After doing the mountain trail loops, I rode down the trail to Hanna Park, going from there via streets to the trail by Menards.<br><br>I was a bit startled to see a big construction project going on at the trail by Menards. Luckily, late on a Saturday there was no work going on, and the trail was open. I rode to the bridge, and paused there to turn on my lights.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUN2e8V0-WgKo4zPRSgssA0gi4GQNfwG2Gv4uPZnsg6P1lbfIL2WddDImQynKhjszS17-BRC1VfRpK_olcnLGFIcpkP0aSdf4ApJT_kIebs32BVbPs5GS5dxjC1qKXEiYHUPmB70tnvSdlyxqW0XjBro9H_QB1XUU9qeT0RMPPBiuVNMlE-Urnnlctm3m9/s1000/b06.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Bike on bridge" border="0" data-original-height="681" data-original-width="1000" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUN2e8V0-WgKo4zPRSgssA0gi4GQNfwG2Gv4uPZnsg6P1lbfIL2WddDImQynKhjszS17-BRC1VfRpK_olcnLGFIcpkP0aSdf4ApJT_kIebs32BVbPs5GS5dxjC1qKXEiYHUPmB70tnvSdlyxqW0XjBro9H_QB1XUU9qeT0RMPPBiuVNMlE-Urnnlctm3m9/w400-h272/b06.JPG" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>I crossed the bridges on the trail before heading home, just to be sure to get to my mile goal.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZhZgZMWByQ28N1W0RDCv-vpPL8UaPa4w4OsmkY8vyWPYRGYyJ9RjWb-AgNDnr6XgHFHdvZK3iDNX7hjeNEVNqJuF18V323KTjEs4v1NgPv6ZKxsj2KctpNt9lqWW7A0phI8EzQ-m0o6Pl8I6c9Q4S99x9Cd04vIu6PM47n9ODHXa7iWi7bQMqpYBUcjox/s1500/b05.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Bike on bridge" border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZhZgZMWByQ28N1W0RDCv-vpPL8UaPa4w4OsmkY8vyWPYRGYyJ9RjWb-AgNDnr6XgHFHdvZK3iDNX7hjeNEVNqJuF18V323KTjEs4v1NgPv6ZKxsj2KctpNt9lqWW7A0phI8EzQ-m0o6Pl8I6c9Q4S99x9Cd04vIu6PM47n9ODHXa7iWi7bQMqpYBUcjox/w266-h400/b05.JPG" width="266"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Stopping to turn on lights.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV0XBFWvfjgEHomRy244_-IlP1P2tOyfO1srpV83DS93oKweE2ESCNKKF3FKKIWSN8UeNf_2HEQ50acCYT_tLN3blFPJ1t15AIBjbDzRA2IcBVaHGlaDNtP6-dsZi2hcIHTGTmAkStRENAS9WwSc_mZTeVpu-oQ5OV2cVjtJTmbxEduRZiClS4QLCGqNjr/s1000/b01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Weeds on trail" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV0XBFWvfjgEHomRy244_-IlP1P2tOyfO1srpV83DS93oKweE2ESCNKKF3FKKIWSN8UeNf_2HEQ50acCYT_tLN3blFPJ1t15AIBjbDzRA2IcBVaHGlaDNtP6-dsZi2hcIHTGTmAkStRENAS9WwSc_mZTeVpu-oQ5OV2cVjtJTmbxEduRZiClS4QLCGqNjr/w400-h266/b01.JPG" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Accidental image--trying to make image seen at start of this post, and I don't aim the camera well. Still, I like this picture of some dry weeds at the edge of the trail.</i><br></td></tr></tbody></table><p>It didn’t get fully dark on the ride, but was getting a little dusky. I rode up to Boyson Road via the Boyson Trail and the new side creek trail, and was watching my miles. By the time I got to Boyson, I was pretty sure I would be past 65 by the time I got home. Just to be sure, when I rode up the hill by the Milwaukee Road bride, I doubled back and crossed both bridges before turning towards home.<br><br>I was a bit tired, but I was right. I hit 65 miles before I got to C Avenue, about a half mile from home.<br><br>And I have new respect for the backup bikes. It would have been an easier day on Argent, but Clarence and The Fancy Beast carried me to my birthday goal.<br><br>Postscript: On Sunday, Sept. 3, the day after my birthday ride, I paused for a little bike maintenance. The rearview mirror on Clarence, my hybrid bike, was a little loose, which can be irritating. My wife had purchased a new mirror for me for my birthday, and I put it on. But before that, I made one more attempt to air up the tyre on Argent—and this time, for some reason, I easily got it to 90 psi.<br><br>I pumped it up, did the mirror project, and checked the air again. The tyre seems to be holding air. So, I went for a late afternoon 11-mile ride on Argent. Even if the road bike wasn’t part of the birthday ride, it was part of this hot Labor Day weekend. And on today’s ride, I passed the 2,500-mile mark for the year so far.<br></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6QmB0C_6ZL3mTe87ZkblDn7TmQV17eoX3FrAQvBSxCRIoplCyxucyJo72JBNeJciPnSKELCYU-w523T0RHvCEZAwauoBUyFNtNfQKAyxJBQdci-r50IhgKGV2hUR33bImVcxA-5Nq_oF0PV1HUITd-Yh8yYSHcCZXzRVnWclg98XJU5Y_f9ZVMFYXC2ju/s2048/b08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Map of ride" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="962" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6QmB0C_6ZL3mTe87ZkblDn7TmQV17eoX3FrAQvBSxCRIoplCyxucyJo72JBNeJciPnSKELCYU-w523T0RHvCEZAwauoBUyFNtNfQKAyxJBQdci-r50IhgKGV2hUR33bImVcxA-5Nq_oF0PV1HUITd-Yh8yYSHcCZXzRVnWclg98XJU5Y_f9ZVMFYXC2ju/w188-h400/b08.jpg" width="188"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>I paused app between rides, but kept it on for both to track full goal of the day.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><p><br></p>CR Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14949410451137266101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3599778591069106718.post-25836716023649223242023-08-25T22:19:00.002-05:002023-08-27T07:53:37.630-05:00In Which Heat Forces Morning Rides<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Vtd-kBo72AXgka2UsRvFTTC_wyI6heUGX_wfOSSgf9xUYhQ-kdG1_14gdoHhNBOakMibbvIB8DwG88U9FOgOyHWqYeWUBZrRL3FsXLDjbVa92S7nTXl85_cM__Xc_pLYFciphS_Qk8J98jpyf8IDYotV9I-9y5pc3aqNHXYgtUmBMA3OUb5K5DlsyEZR/s1000/b01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Morning sun" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Vtd-kBo72AXgka2UsRvFTTC_wyI6heUGX_wfOSSgf9xUYhQ-kdG1_14gdoHhNBOakMibbvIB8DwG88U9FOgOyHWqYeWUBZrRL3FsXLDjbVa92S7nTXl85_cM__Xc_pLYFciphS_Qk8J98jpyf8IDYotV9I-9y5pc3aqNHXYgtUmBMA3OUb5K5DlsyEZR/w400-h266/b01.JPG" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Morning sun on early bike ride, Aug. 22, 2023. Seen from mountain bike trail off of the Boyson Trail.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbGEfR9LF3aEXblgB2X3JBb1Z4BbLhMQTSG_-LDLIw2ap44DU7elmIsHepSEKg6VOz14XytuATz416ipl9p4O9aMGNeb28brgy2TAM-GC7AjxsJxoHJGZTnVMYKsfznzpz91Do0hAVInRCJ9asj4D0Haj5J_SpT86U-uQ4o-5RiKkBiLjKiYeP-BFLjjKA/s1000/b02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Mountain Bike Trail" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbGEfR9LF3aEXblgB2X3JBb1Z4BbLhMQTSG_-LDLIw2ap44DU7elmIsHepSEKg6VOz14XytuATz416ipl9p4O9aMGNeb28brgy2TAM-GC7AjxsJxoHJGZTnVMYKsfznzpz91Do0hAVInRCJ9asj4D0Haj5J_SpT86U-uQ4o-5RiKkBiLjKiYeP-BFLjjKA/w400-h266/b02.JPG" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Aug. 22--Mountain bike trail off of Boyson Trail.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibXwhKPMV_6sG7WsAsjI2_8yOiJqN-ZHUMjdfzOjuRtVoFj9ekD8Nm_8-Qx8XU4_LPtvgzd5cjFiMUjGF4TSvj2adVa__epn-uIuchl5BRY4yJkfaA3DX7Vtse0JWgFYNuqI30Ss1hxDx2rJslxpeE2DlKZPAISQl7uMb6hO_vd4ieuql3hDkScN2QH8Dl/s1000/b03.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Morning sky" border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="667" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibXwhKPMV_6sG7WsAsjI2_8yOiJqN-ZHUMjdfzOjuRtVoFj9ekD8Nm_8-Qx8XU4_LPtvgzd5cjFiMUjGF4TSvj2adVa__epn-uIuchl5BRY4yJkfaA3DX7Vtse0JWgFYNuqI30Ss1hxDx2rJslxpeE2DlKZPAISQl7uMb6hO_vd4ieuql3hDkScN2QH8Dl/w266-h400/b03.JPG" width="266"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Mountain bike trail Tuesday morning.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV4i9rNvACS2zCLxQ18I1FABbkteZl9tTTnj96lzXJTyx_JXcr_EOiI2MNFa9EBd-Nqr9mWnIkyDUIwAa-nifpKERNDF_yeN74gUcf-HuWwZNsBp8t1L4aZU2Q9OvEjIT49QofBNxPdydSbpgEqgGStBd24HVN-djBRFYmwuONbWg6DGRaJ2Om_YG5H6G6/s1000/b04.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Trail" border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="667" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV4i9rNvACS2zCLxQ18I1FABbkteZl9tTTnj96lzXJTyx_JXcr_EOiI2MNFa9EBd-Nqr9mWnIkyDUIwAa-nifpKERNDF_yeN74gUcf-HuWwZNsBp8t1L4aZU2Q9OvEjIT49QofBNxPdydSbpgEqgGStBd24HVN-djBRFYmwuONbWg6DGRaJ2Om_YG5H6G6/w266-h400/b04.JPG" width="266"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Mountain bike trail.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO3lrX2HHGXoyFufvdk69n9FwvRr1869BNRbRILWlo1jJoHemA-B8TD06Z45zoJCFrMTZg5wes2FbOIUosDjB12gIS6TaYZDojlJayEzBhQtac8mnpL3TyQ4-zuqf1_IQP9BGp4Gt34OsAVo_iUMTGhCkd04pvdk4IuDZlwuyqfNTVFTn1Q-LgwsTCIi8r/s1000/b05.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Morning sun" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO3lrX2HHGXoyFufvdk69n9FwvRr1869BNRbRILWlo1jJoHemA-B8TD06Z45zoJCFrMTZg5wes2FbOIUosDjB12gIS6TaYZDojlJayEzBhQtac8mnpL3TyQ4-zuqf1_IQP9BGp4Gt34OsAVo_iUMTGhCkd04pvdk4IuDZlwuyqfNTVFTn1Q-LgwsTCIi8r/w400-h266/b05.JPG" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Morning sun.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Something new happened to me on my two-wheeled journey across the planet this week. I’m a year-round biker in living in Iowa, and, if it’s dry, any temperature from whatever down to about zero will find me on my bicycle. To me, it is a more pleasant way to get from here to there and enjoy my transit of this life to sit on a bit of molded metal rather than be encased in it.</p><p>And yes, I am not athlete, but I do enjoy using my body and consider biking to be a bit of body maintenance. So, promoting that corporal existence is also part of my biking brand.<br><br>Which leads me to this week, when something unprecedented occurred.<br><br>When it’s icy, snowy or even raining, I tend not to ride (with the caveat that sprinkles don’t always count as rain and flurries aren’t real snow). And it can get too cold—when either the actual temperature or the wind chill gets below zero Fahrenheit, when frost bite is possible in less than 25 minutes (my commute time), I won’t ride.<br><br>Heat? It doesn’t normally beat me. I wear appropriate clothes, hydrate adequately and slow down, but I can keep rolling no matter how hot.<br><br>Until this week. A heat dome formed over the middle of this continent, and the combination of humidity and heat produced air like none I have felt before. It was only going to be in the mid-90s Tuesday, but will feel like the 100s. And Wednesday and Thursday, the actual temperature was in three digits.<br><br>I rode some hot days on RAGBRAI this year but my team decided, partly due to a cold virus, to skip the hottest days. Nonetheless, in my second RAGBRAI, which was about 10 years ago, I rode in triple digit heat.<br><br>I was younger then. I hope I’m smarter now. I decided the start of school this year, I would have be doing something I don’t normally do—driving to work.<br><br>It’s that hot. I guess I’m learning that 0 to maybe 98 or so is my current biking range, with the caveat that the range is growing slightly narrower over time. I’m not getting any younger, and your body being less tolerant of temperature extremes is one of the prices you pay for survival in the long run.<br><br>Tuesday morning, the day before classed start, I did go for an 8-mile ride in the morning before driving to work.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7cgJJRYQ0Z1S1WLmlOHcNCOmYJEFi37YYH8CAamaaPmcAZDclDlZdTF5a_TXQguTSkTBOUh0tCJ78_MQvMguHlWrCz3WP--gPGz5XqslbNnunWjLhvOjE81-f1Hi3IECp47ZxH3olbiVQmKyH7lhoR8YUNhPvyUMEDL9pvQ8U_okXlojg7aJemqorSVwh/s1000/b11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Deer" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7cgJJRYQ0Z1S1WLmlOHcNCOmYJEFi37YYH8CAamaaPmcAZDclDlZdTF5a_TXQguTSkTBOUh0tCJ78_MQvMguHlWrCz3WP--gPGz5XqslbNnunWjLhvOjE81-f1Hi3IECp47ZxH3olbiVQmKyH7lhoR8YUNhPvyUMEDL9pvQ8U_okXlojg7aJemqorSVwh/w400-h266/b11.JPG" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Deer crossing Lindale Trail, seen Aug. 22.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPNidQvBdSFO9R8XgzE8evwvdjGqJUfCl1U_HcEe1j3Qv8zLEWmRr7o2rnxBt8nYSHf8pv1VR1Z38-ya0VHS_P5200w0Z9j9XorRoOPy_MnrTxoDRZRZAXzMpZIMOa41bfxi8o8lFwX3klZ1R-pj6-r-A7n8QrLouIK433XyMOAs9fjagIz0-xlYx3-dBM/s1000/b10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Flowers" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPNidQvBdSFO9R8XgzE8evwvdjGqJUfCl1U_HcEe1j3Qv8zLEWmRr7o2rnxBt8nYSHf8pv1VR1Z38-ya0VHS_P5200w0Z9j9XorRoOPy_MnrTxoDRZRZAXzMpZIMOa41bfxi8o8lFwX3klZ1R-pj6-r-A7n8QrLouIK433XyMOAs9fjagIz0-xlYx3-dBM/w400-h266/b10.JPG" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Flowers in woods, seen from mountain bike trail Aug. 22.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7qF07QywI1bYxUcwqfSvqTLzUbnY7JdOqZ1ZhOoydlg-l5VX9FWKctOUDTpCNCHXW9bsZnn2Hp-f7rZ5MgcdfJTKlBznekO4JXlDibebMOYnbl348ZYr0fB0CuYLU1Ve7v7ra7IUBIDK-wllKjtBYVT9p_TWsMu_zDi5OP7SQeEouiQE73cq-dNWLtrgL/s1000/b09.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Deer in woods" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7qF07QywI1bYxUcwqfSvqTLzUbnY7JdOqZ1ZhOoydlg-l5VX9FWKctOUDTpCNCHXW9bsZnn2Hp-f7rZ5MgcdfJTKlBznekO4JXlDibebMOYnbl348ZYr0fB0CuYLU1Ve7v7ra7IUBIDK-wllKjtBYVT9p_TWsMu_zDi5OP7SQeEouiQE73cq-dNWLtrgL/w400-h266/b09.JPG" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Deer peeks out from undergrowth.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwsmuh3tckjGgx6tdcq6GglsvkIEVNM64kTqIy9uwm6OQjKiyX6oOVZ1MEBDzdHKcMAqhBYJ8SeYQ-fJN46JgsIGSx1cdT9-uryEFppmPyhozuYqqYcNG90ONey-oL_5bdxN7TgASroatviTTAETYksj93lZnKHwQijYquNOh1YfvEQoJCXFvXnav1hM1I/s1000/b08.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Turkey" border="0" data-original-height="629" data-original-width="1000" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwsmuh3tckjGgx6tdcq6GglsvkIEVNM64kTqIy9uwm6OQjKiyX6oOVZ1MEBDzdHKcMAqhBYJ8SeYQ-fJN46JgsIGSx1cdT9-uryEFppmPyhozuYqqYcNG90ONey-oL_5bdxN7TgASroatviTTAETYksj93lZnKHwQijYquNOh1YfvEQoJCXFvXnav1hM1I/w400-h251/b08.JPG" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Turkey seen from Lindale Trail.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhebTYn-QDJYsngPl6D32HjNn0tIMpnnirRoRwxEC8VQLTaGDDxi4kKbGczuwzMm7dy_XaZY6xGiR2Ac17EEfOgB-W6pEGBkASlRG1TqSg7gHjCaQhQz4WpE7rblkFflCnYdPCkJa95yolugi-KL2dAwq6faN8mV_FBb7OVahGtzlukX9tSRB5UN2N7LuoD/s1000/b07.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Pond" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhebTYn-QDJYsngPl6D32HjNn0tIMpnnirRoRwxEC8VQLTaGDDxi4kKbGczuwzMm7dy_XaZY6xGiR2Ac17EEfOgB-W6pEGBkASlRG1TqSg7gHjCaQhQz4WpE7rblkFflCnYdPCkJa95yolugi-KL2dAwq6faN8mV_FBb7OVahGtzlukX9tSRB5UN2N7LuoD/w400-h266/b07.JPG" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Morning sun seen at C Avenue Pond Aug. 22.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN4nFtG2OhKuADn-J7Jiqyja6GVl_A9x8ZG9fzUzBjwS5cQDJiSmyOsahrXRTY-m3GSpPK-5uFr329ca4JQ2pssiYkL93N4XqrD-B23g_4q_T0UZVH50thi1jGGQneNGsaKocbl9DhmmISqIbxT-pR5-XhAqlPbN6nWY0SPC-S66nhCUVruoT215EpM4Kd/s1000/b06.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Creek trail" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN4nFtG2OhKuADn-J7Jiqyja6GVl_A9x8ZG9fzUzBjwS5cQDJiSmyOsahrXRTY-m3GSpPK-5uFr329ca4JQ2pssiYkL93N4XqrD-B23g_4q_T0UZVH50thi1jGGQneNGsaKocbl9DhmmISqIbxT-pR5-XhAqlPbN6nWY0SPC-S66nhCUVruoT215EpM4Kd/w400-h266/b06.JPG" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Creek trail on morning of Aug. 22.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>The ride Tuesday morning was a little breezy, but nice. I saw a group of turkeys and several deer as I rode on the Boyson and Lindale trails. I was riding the Fancy Beast, so I used the mountain bike trails off of the Boyson Trail, and was pleased to see that a downed tree which had been blocking the “hard” trail has been cleared.<br><br>It was a short ride, and I stopped several times to make images, but I liked being out on two wheels, and I liked cheating the heat just a bit. And I liked drawing a picture of a whale:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnyjDzqz7-Le0NU46M5DDRMEUjlxfm0HBz2NiA5bw1dSceDQmgdt9_IFJaRDtYfDywIvgvhoc4ooQT4m2LtGKU7CxIZFOGnHZOPk6fl6HjQNRr6AHv2WwgEVvep7TTQ3QXn0EBU85iuCQPO2rYLrA9MJPsY-VUvH7oFfeoQmfOWYhwdCoUjNwKTUsitUcR/s2048/whale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Ride map" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="962" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnyjDzqz7-Le0NU46M5DDRMEUjlxfm0HBz2NiA5bw1dSceDQmgdt9_IFJaRDtYfDywIvgvhoc4ooQT4m2LtGKU7CxIZFOGnHZOPk6fl6HjQNRr6AHv2WwgEVvep7TTQ3QXn0EBU85iuCQPO2rYLrA9MJPsY-VUvH7oFfeoQmfOWYhwdCoUjNwKTUsitUcR/w188-h400/whale.jpg" width="188"></a></div><p>And by Friday, the heat dome was breaking down. It got to 91 in the afternoon—but guess what. I rode to work and to home in the heat. 100 will put me on four wheels. Nice to find out the 90s won’t.<br><br>So far in August: 179.3 miles. Year to date: 2,373.85 miles. My birthday is coming up at the end of this month, but the birthday ride may be on Labor Day Weekend. Lord willing and the creek don’t rise (and the heat dome doesn’t reform). I will be aiming for 65 miles this year!<br><br></p>CR Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14949410451137266101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3599778591069106718.post-75049824981826366672023-08-08T23:01:00.004-05:002023-08-11T11:14:08.552-05:00In Which Priscilla and I Teach Life Lessons<p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLuCqw0s3esa9HuviQ_86apTDoqsOtwU2etU-hoHrUI23gAxpdytOBbfAnSNOr9axV9aP6S_HVETfrB8cJPtcQ6bxhr_D8N3fGi38xPFFkKdnIMJ59RYgRUI7vmam9LZxk8RoOLYFWtXZ3u-ihV1Z_HFxRf3KLIby1AQ0QjoMljvB0-HGGWtvsohtazJAE/s1000/license.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="RAGBRAI license" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLuCqw0s3esa9HuviQ_86apTDoqsOtwU2etU-hoHrUI23gAxpdytOBbfAnSNOr9axV9aP6S_HVETfrB8cJPtcQ6bxhr_D8N3fGi38xPFFkKdnIMJ59RYgRUI7vmam9LZxk8RoOLYFWtXZ3u-ihV1Z_HFxRf3KLIby1AQ0QjoMljvB0-HGGWtvsohtazJAE/w400-h266/license.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Back of my bike.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table> So, the week before last week was RAGBRAI.<br /><br />I am part of a RAGBRAI team called “Team Joe” (named by two of my sisters in a clearly successful attempt to keep me riding along with them). We have our own support vehicle and trade off driving duties, so it was never in the cards that I would ride all of this year’s route.<br /><br />Still, I hoped to achieve something like half the miles, maybe topping 250 miles for the week. Mother Nature and fate had other plans.<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXviViOl_v5bva-pTOsdQe4V82SbbSiSKSqfx9kYeOIoxgmEtRwYKYXowEkGuu8Rg1zvxPsrPIgeCL6cgEtZ4gRlaAdId6YEcVFE9G4BXdlVJIYE5bjJ19TFS8e10Y0gQfDwSYu33SV6BsWbo5kDRx_FFgsA_wrO0IQNsXUoHlwe9PenFp7atZ4A2ocI5A/s1080/teamjoe.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Wearing RAGBRAI rider bands" border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXviViOl_v5bva-pTOsdQe4V82SbbSiSKSqfx9kYeOIoxgmEtRwYKYXowEkGuu8Rg1zvxPsrPIgeCL6cgEtZ4gRlaAdId6YEcVFE9G4BXdlVJIYE5bjJ19TFS8e10Y0gQfDwSYu33SV6BsWbo5kDRx_FFgsA_wrO0IQNsXUoHlwe9PenFp7atZ4A2ocI5A/w400-h300/teamjoe.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Saturday in camp at Morningside University--Team Joe has donned our RAGBRAI wristbands and are ready for the week.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p><b>First life lesson: I am not the center of the universe,</b> and sometimes I have to play the cards I’m dealt rather than the ones I wished I had.<br /><br />On July 21, I packed up for the long ride, and on July 22, my wife and I embarked on the drive across the state to Sioux City. The rest of Team Joe, my two sisters and a brother-in-law, were to drive from Des Moines.<br /><br />My wife and I arrived first. It’s an old rule of life that whoever is coming from the farthest often arrives first. We used GPS to get the to park listed as the main camp site, but when we arrived, all we found near the parking lot were lots of “no camping” signs.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitHMYhSC1WbQ-_ffCwDs5BrqnYQq0V5Bqzhtzp8iwoNG-eQASZnE9BrLiBFNgoILDg6VcLBzKhrmH91t3OlaonjPIDVMgEGmRn9778AbnbYtW9yLibOVwRhMJb1zdujJhRsdCi5Y06hBLiIhWZt-Rf0DCO4dgTWUuTulOvKR_q_asuEvTGYCySzOpQyYRC/s1080/scpark.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Sioux City park" border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitHMYhSC1WbQ-_ffCwDs5BrqnYQq0V5Bqzhtzp8iwoNG-eQASZnE9BrLiBFNgoILDg6VcLBzKhrmH91t3OlaonjPIDVMgEGmRn9778AbnbYtW9yLibOVwRhMJb1zdujJhRsdCi5Y06hBLiIhWZt-Rf0DCO4dgTWUuTulOvKR_q_asuEvTGYCySzOpQyYRC/w400-h300/scpark.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>GPS on Google leads me here in Sioux City, to the park listed as the main campground. Something is missing.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Now, I know that the park was probably a large one that stretches along the Missouri River, and I’m sure there was another area we simply couldn’t see from where we were that was used for RAGBRAI camping.<br /><br />But, in the meantime, we discovered online that Morningside University was listed as a camping area, too, and we assumed (correctly) that it may be less crowded that the main campground anyway, so my wife and I drove there and I picked a shady spot and pitched my tent.<br /><br />After lunch in a nearby Dairy Queen, my wife left for the drive home, leaving me on my own. Not for long, I only had a short wait until the crew from Des Moines, driving the support vehicle, arrived.<br /><br />It was a comfortable camp spot, despite the motorcycle group that cruised by repeatedly at night. Supper was at a decent Mexican restaurant and we were in our tents, asleep, by soon after 9. At 5 a.m. Sunday, my sister Cate and I arose and began prepping for the ride. We were the first riders of the first day, while my other sister, Brigid, and her husband, Eldon, were the first drivers.<br /><br />Cate and I knew we were in for a climb because we were going through the Loess Hills, a hilly region of western Iowa where the majority of the more than 3,000 feet of climb set for that day would take place. We hoped to leave camp by 6 a.m., but peddled off about 6:30.<br /><br /><b>Second life lesson: Most things take longer than you think.</b> It applies especially to two old night owls early in the morning.<br /><br />We had a 5-mile or so ride to get to the park where RAGBRAI was to start. And when we did find it, we almost regretted finding it. Camping vehicles were attempting to leave the park using the same road that was clogged with bikers. Bike traffic was chaotic and heavy, and it was a hairy cruise getting out of the park. Once we were finally in the city proper, we had to dodge traffic cones that Sioux City inexplicably lined the whole route with. I suppose it was to try to squeeze us into one lane, but given the crush of riders (this we a difference RAGBRAI, the 50th ride, and there was far more biker than in most years) that was impossible.<br /><br />The crowd was so large that several walking “scrums” formed in the first few miles of countryside, something unusual on RAGBRAI. A scrum is normal in a town. In a town, there is usually a point where bikers have to dismount and walk for a few blocks, but such is not expected out in the countryside.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaMGAO-qH_9A1xgnRyHJmJzzB_lBl20Ref99bHOtFgu18pdExLT4XX9zz4o0TIknW0mg8cj8kIiF3w6G6RFwjqKqJECiIj6YlOFn7noKHaplnTqq0GwKzk_42BNfEKIFDL_muP4Tm9GxmW-Ny0aIQWAny09gLJD5elzyajyRiHFGi_qEazOEx7fBoICN68/s1000/day1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Walking scrum" border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaMGAO-qH_9A1xgnRyHJmJzzB_lBl20Ref99bHOtFgu18pdExLT4XX9zz4o0TIknW0mg8cj8kIiF3w6G6RFwjqKqJECiIj6YlOFn7noKHaplnTqq0GwKzk_42BNfEKIFDL_muP4Tm9GxmW-Ny0aIQWAny09gLJD5elzyajyRiHFGi_qEazOEx7fBoICN68/w400-h300/day1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Day one, walking scrum in the countryside. Walk Across Iowa.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>We were expecting to find breakfast on the road. But there were very few vendors in the 29 miles to Kingsley, where we finally were able to stop to eat. And they were hilly miles.<br /><br />However, there was good news. While the week would turn hot, the early days, particularly in the mornings, were pleasant. And while the graph of elevations made this first half of the first day look very daunting, it turned out many of the hills were “rollers,” where one hill is followed by another in such proximity that the downhill momentum from the first one helps you climb the second.<br /><br />Our breakfast involved a nice waffle in Kinglsey, but a long wait in a hot line to get to food. Crowded RAGBRAI.<br /><br />Day 1 ended for Cate and I in the tiny hamlet of Washta, the “meet town” where Brigid and Eldon had parked “Chuck” the Honda Pilot that was our support vehicle (yes, named after Chuck Yaeger because it’s a pilot …). We used an app called “What3Words” that gives detailed coordinates to any location, and it worked well to share the location of the support vehicle.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQtaTRmRI6FDljhtJV4mR-rpH72Mvv979cX3fhjUkzYP1VPB1cfI1wCiHNHJPQa-hal50F9ct1lDZNz5NJm27lITLhbDtmYhK8f5FcuHnjgNcBXZGcVNlnURYzA9uxiErjnvHjkQAPyXbe1kmhZdkT6XfMCPRgBjabvl6ImEyN-HnO4iF37ptE_Ztr_FYd/s1000/day2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Flowers and bikers on RAGBRAI" border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQtaTRmRI6FDljhtJV4mR-rpH72Mvv979cX3fhjUkzYP1VPB1cfI1wCiHNHJPQa-hal50F9ct1lDZNz5NJm27lITLhbDtmYhK8f5FcuHnjgNcBXZGcVNlnURYzA9uxiErjnvHjkQAPyXbe1kmhZdkT6XfMCPRgBjabvl6ImEyN-HnO4iF37ptE_Ztr_FYd/w400-h300/day2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Scene from Monday ride.</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Sunday’s ride ended in Storm Lake. On Monday, the ride was to Carroll. The route was to go through Early, a tiny town I lived in during the 1990s, and I was kind of looking forward to riding through there. But we had a host couple who lived on a small farm near Sac City, and their gravel road abutted the route just south of Early, so on Monday my ride began there.<br /><br />On Monday, Cate was to hang out with the college pal who was our host while I, Bridgid and Eldon rode. Cate and I had missed pie the first day—we only passed through two towns, after all. On day 2, the pie drought ended in a big way.<br /><br />We merry band had eaten breakfast at our host house, so we passed through the first town, Lake View, and headed on to the second, Breda. And at Breda, the Lions Club was selling pie. It was apple, cherry or peach—a slightly narrow selection by RAGBRAI standards (no rhubarb!), but it looked good. “And we have a shady area for you to sit,” one of the ladies said. Sold.<br /><br />I carried my pie to a shady table. I was the quickest of the team to pick my pie (peach) and as I sat down, another sweet lady said: “We have a flusher inside, and would you like a cup of coffee?”<br /><br />A free cup of coffee served in an actual mug and a bathroom with indoor plumbing? It was some kind of RAGBRAI pie nirvana.<br /><br />We also enjoyed a stop in Mt. Carmel, where we each ate a great BLT sandwich and checked out the huge, fancy Catholic church in the tiny town. The church volunteers all dressed as angels, which was a cute touch.<br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL6WDJuQKAWCkkpqczbeWtsyzrz0Ng7xbfqPWOLXSRVwjD0N9-HE4Ln9_3eBFsMwp_hJJv4628iJRF3MvobmuLNx_iYWsO5ibp-feahFC9dPyvwxvoVy6TLrm32jKeAmNhxP3DZH6CZUs73BVdoILKpK8YpvF6uWAs9JKFm3RqppIWBDzoASUebeSKRYul/s1000/teamjoeriding.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Brigid and Eldon on their trikes" border="0" data-original-height="759" data-original-width="1000" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL6WDJuQKAWCkkpqczbeWtsyzrz0Ng7xbfqPWOLXSRVwjD0N9-HE4Ln9_3eBFsMwp_hJJv4628iJRF3MvobmuLNx_iYWsO5ibp-feahFC9dPyvwxvoVy6TLrm32jKeAmNhxP3DZH6CZUs73BVdoILKpK8YpvF6uWAs9JKFm3RqppIWBDzoASUebeSKRYul/w400-h304/teamjoeriding.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Brigid and Eldon, half of Team Joe, ride their trikes in front of me.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p>The afternoon was growing a bit warm as we finally entered Carroll for the end of day two, just a taste of what warmth was to come.<br /><br />And my throat was getting sorer. I started to notice a scratchy throat on Sunday, and it was worse on Monday. By Monday night, I was feeling really under the weather. Foreshadowing: If you are in close proximity with your RAGBRAI teams, sadly, it’s not likely your personal virus will stay all that personal.<br /><br />We stayed that night again with our Sac City host, and took off in the morning. The host was taking Cate and Brigid to the start of the route, while Eldon and I were to leave Chuck in Rippley, the meet town.<br /><br />With the packing up and drive (the driving route maps RAGBRAI posted were terrible), it was late morning by the time we got to the meet town. We were in for a hot ride. It was miserable in town, but improved a bit when we got out to town and got a bit of a breeze.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBnXeCeIS3F6Gob8zCRVM4pLRcyv-HgWe7dykpMAuVuMjCBcs2VaAWfw8Hdv4A-9o11A-ar9ACgOwi3RYQMm5a2JP-PGMfZb9wgr9BZnihour9x2jYh7foxDvNmc_m1EuxzefM6oveR3ttfSbPyB78cGwOGe7oSKvCJGP0TYe87mEuxAR2azgcotq2dFAt/s1000/eldon.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Eldon assists" border="0" data-original-height="727" data-original-width="1000" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBnXeCeIS3F6Gob8zCRVM4pLRcyv-HgWe7dykpMAuVuMjCBcs2VaAWfw8Hdv4A-9o11A-ar9ACgOwi3RYQMm5a2JP-PGMfZb9wgr9BZnihour9x2jYh7foxDvNmc_m1EuxzefM6oveR3ttfSbPyB78cGwOGe7oSKvCJGP0TYe87mEuxAR2azgcotq2dFAt/w400-h291/eldon.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Eldon assists another biker for part of the ride.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>It was 22 miles to Luther, but lunch at a local barbecue joint, Whatcha Smokin BBQ, was excellent. Another long line, but worth the wait. It’s one of the nice aspects of RAGBRAI that can keep you coming back—the opportunity to discover aspects of Iowa towns you weren’t aware of, whether you’re from here or somewhere else.<br /><br /><b>Third life lesson: Everybody everywhere are living interesting lives,</b> and every place has its own story to tell.<br /><br />The ride ended in Ames, where we had an adventure getting to our kind hosts’ house. It’s fortunate that Cate and Brigid, my sisters, went to ISU, worked there, and still have contact with an ISU mafia that can house us on RAGBRAI.<br /><br />Anyway, the host lives on the north end of Ames, while we entered town from the south. To get us there, Google decided to give us a tour of the ISU campus, which was both weird and kind of nice (it’s a very pretty campus). We skipped the stadium ride, because, honestly, why do non-sports fans like us care?<br /><br />We knew that Wednesday would be a hot day. That night, we would be at Eldon’s and Brigid’s house, so they volunteered to drive. Cate and I got a fairly early start, hoping to beat the heat.<br /><br />Because our hosts had again fed us, we planned to keep cycling past the first town. But shades of day 1—the crowd was so intense that the walking scrum for Slater, the first town after Ames, formed almost a mile from town. The Great Walk Across Iowa once again appeared.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDT2fLWwWodxFaR29Yt_v0yIwk5IbBTu9WQJ-OZIppqafV6sBsQ7Y2M5gzqWaztro4f8fDDUQTZF0F0jyb5lAVE90UPBEQZfp3tCBxgT24cFjWt-qpcS9q4r5vwwPx8ovR7zD16IF33gCBWaOHZc5KZascPjy9ECDBu8_J0lgMXOZ284UXus-rnAU5IOgN/s1080/slater.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Slater" border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDT2fLWwWodxFaR29Yt_v0yIwk5IbBTu9WQJ-OZIppqafV6sBsQ7Y2M5gzqWaztro4f8fDDUQTZF0F0jyb5lAVE90UPBEQZfp3tCBxgT24cFjWt-qpcS9q4r5vwwPx8ovR7zD16IF33gCBWaOHZc5KZascPjy9ECDBu8_J0lgMXOZ284UXus-rnAU5IOgN/w400-h300/slater.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>In Slater, town one on road from Ames. Scrum forms early.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Thus, we entered Slater slowly, and walked our way for a while. Near the edge of town, the county conservation department had set up a nice stop featuring water and free bananas—but despite our early start, all the bananas were gone by the time we got there. Yes, we had no bananas.<br /><br />We watered up and continued our stroll across Slater. After the vendor area, we got to the mount point, started to ride away, but suddenly stopped.<br /><br />A Lutheran church. A long row of tables with no lines. Pies. And yes, strawberry rhubarb was an option, which I think we both chose.<br /><br />They didn’t have free coffee, nor a designated shady sitting area, but it was so unbusy that the retaining wall of the church provide pleasant, shaded seating.<br /><br />It was already feeling warm. As we rode on through the morning, it kept getting warmer and a warmer.<br /><br />Polk City had a bright idea—they opened some fire hydrants to spray in the air. Since they weren’t horizontal, they didn’t have the force to knock you down, but a hydrant provides a very intense, cooling shower, an appreciated and maybe needed shock to the system.<br /><br />And the corn growers were there, too—free sweet corn! We did the obligatory corn promo truck tour, managed to fish out a fact to earn both corn and a corn necklace, and also purchased a “biker brat,” which was a bun-less bratwurst. We bought a Tailwind IPA, the official RAGBRAI brew, at another booth and enjoyed the quintessential RAGBRAI lunch.<br /><br />And then we rode off into the increasingly hot day. It was afternoon now, and as we approach Ankeny, the heat was getting brutal. When we left lunch, our intention was to ride all the way to Des Moines, but as we approached Ankeny, our intentions quickly changed.<br /><br />We texted the rest of Team Joe to come get us. After a hot ride across Ankeny to a pickup point, we rode into Des Moine in the comfort of Chuck’s AC.<br /><br />See the first life lesson.<br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Ankney bike trail" border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAvCWcMwIFwuf_U-Bq8NPyahacJYb_R00XeExtffL-1o4djo6X8_MOXu7mULqRoGcJqznYoB6I-ajl1-qeM05sRbZV2roSTeHWA2UJ6ozgyWXYSvCfMoAjHyw_jgjAexDhV34xfUHfakEm8B4fF7rnV9rtnUPEWdxG7mK2fwHKASnDqilnGZfhlLrtApO0/w400-h300/ankney.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Cate rides ahead of me on Ankney bike trail as we seek pickup point beyond RAGBRAI traffic.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p>Our plan was to enjoy a night in a house in Des Moines, and ride to Tama-Toledo in two shifts for our final night of camping for RAGBRAI 2023. I would then ride part of the day to Coralville and be delivered home on Friday, while the team would continue to at least Muscatine on Saturday.<br /><br />But again, fate decided to take a hand. The minor virus I had brought to the team was starting to spread. Cate was starting to feel a scratchy throat that night, which by Thursday morning was very uncomfortable.<br /><br />I slept later than expected Thursday, because they did not wake me. The mood was serious when I awoke, “we need to meet” someone said. Hmm. And there were COVID tests on the dining table.<br /><br />The day was expected to be even hotter, and the team had lost the will to camp on a hot, hot night. With the onset of Joe’s Disease, which I was mostly recovered from, Cate had also lost the will to bike. Brigid had a job interview scheduled for the week after RAGBRAI, and was feeling like being rested and healthy was a priority.<br /><br />We did the nose swabs and took the tests. We didn’t really think it was THAT virus, and the negative tests seem to back up that impression. But the team didn’t want to bike any more. And I don’t blame them, in the context of all the factors, it felt like the right decision.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwfAh2Jspeqjn5hkeTrE9W0mKJA9Vx6bgbrMlXJQxGcwB46QBeuFblyKcOxSfJgosYKdWvDgEd45VV8e7tF6NVvlocaciAkYD0P92fzrZvylta-GfeBaUgxhWGsYMmVk-K8_loiksdpgSChucUzCDXg5TLsLaoGt5NOXOyqda1jDt3d2xRbbLd1zgAd1bH/s1000/flag-last%20day.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Flag on bike" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwfAh2Jspeqjn5hkeTrE9W0mKJA9Vx6bgbrMlXJQxGcwB46QBeuFblyKcOxSfJgosYKdWvDgEd45VV8e7tF6NVvlocaciAkYD0P92fzrZvylta-GfeBaUgxhWGsYMmVk-K8_loiksdpgSChucUzCDXg5TLsLaoGt5NOXOyqda1jDt3d2xRbbLd1zgAd1bH/w400-h266/flag-last%20day.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A kid handed me a new bike bling as I rode past on final RAGBRAI ride.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>And I had family visiting this week, visits scheduled without regard to RAGBRAI based on other plans. By returning home Thursday rather than Friday, I got to at least briefly see a daughter and her daughters that I would have otherwise missed.<br /><br />They were in town from Minnesota because my oldest son, who lives in San Francisco, was visiting. And he was partly in Iowa to fulfill a life goal. A pig roast had been planned in California, but did not take place—and the trip to Iowa provided another opportunity to feed a crowd by roasting a whole hog.<br /><br />My children are, for some reason, into food and cooking, and the oldest son was determined to fulfill this life goal. He arranged to buy a rotisserie, rent a large barbecue to put it over and purchase a whole hog.<br /><br />And, on top of all that, he decided to ride the final day of RAGBARI with some college friends who live in the area. Another ISU mafia.<br /><br />His ride didn’t completely go as planned—yadda, yadda, life lessons, etc. What with one thing and another, including an early flat tyre, he got home later than expected Saturday, and we had prep work to do for the big post-RAGBRAI hog roast, set for Sunday.<br /><br />Set up the unit. Discover that it was good Amazon had by accident delivered two different units, because one had a piece welded on upside down, which made it impossible to assemble.<br /><br />And get the pig out of the fridge, clean it, inject marinade, and rub it with spices. My wife and I acted as the support crew, and after staying up till close to midnight Saturday, we were up again around 5:30 a.m. Sunday to help our oldest son get the pig going.<br /><br />It took some time and several loads of charcoal, but before 7 a.m., the hog was on the spit, being turned slowly over smoldering charcoal.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy6qqrGQD13Zd4TQ0YUaN5OoOSMxEClCSKP86IFjU7lHzm3p0kw66yidb4UGh5Jv4NGppMLSg9Q97ZjpIngRhKZiUqGLyK4lfb_BK2fPWLIXTyOXqtz9qwgp2XaOnnXQ6RezxPcFaU8yrExmHnOtQ7lRxU79QKq4XcMkJlTMHjQ7n3lxgZul4j0zMZWIYX/s2000/received_193720563680622.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy6qqrGQD13Zd4TQ0YUaN5OoOSMxEClCSKP86IFjU7lHzm3p0kw66yidb4UGh5Jv4NGppMLSg9Q97ZjpIngRhKZiUqGLyK4lfb_BK2fPWLIXTyOXqtz9qwgp2XaOnnXQ6RezxPcFaU8yrExmHnOtQ7lRxU79QKq4XcMkJlTMHjQ7n3lxgZul4j0zMZWIYX/w400-h300/received_193720563680622.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Image make by Cate--Priscilla has been roasted, my oldest son and I are getting ready to remove her from the cooking area to the carving table.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>One of my daughters-in-law, the wife of my younger son, came out early in the morning, and we were the fire crew who prepped new loads of charcoal using a chimney starter and applying them to the bed of coals.<br /><br />It was Stefanie, the daughter-in-law, who helped name the hog. Jon, the oldest son whose pig roast this was, determined that the animal had been female, and it became Priscilla Hogsley.<br /><br />Jon’s young son, who speaks primarily Spanish, had an interesting set of observations. I speak a little Spanish, but it was handy to have Jon to translate. “Why did the pig have to die?” my grandson inquired. And in the next breath, “I’m hungry for the hog.”<br /><br /><b>Fourth life lesson: Food we eat comes from somewhere. </b>If I’m going to eat meat, I have to be prepared to make peace with the idea that something died so I can eat.<br /><br />I sacrificed some sleep for a post-RAGBRAI celebration. My wife sacrificed more—not just the sleep, but while I was mostly sitting in a lawn chair arising now and then to light or pour coals, she was very busy, cooking up a storm in the kitchen to have a mountain of side dishes ready. And, of course, Priscilla sacrificed the most.<br /><br />My biker sister in town, another sister who had planned to be a support driver for the final day which we didn’t ride and my son plus his riding friend and his family, as well as more of my kids and grandkids, enjoyed a fine feast Sunday afternoon.<br /><br />Priscilla’s sacrifice was not in vain.<br /><br />And so, we close the book on RAGBRAI L. It was an L of a ride. Enjoyable, but way more crowded, and the size of the ride seemed to overwhelm the new crew that was organizing it. In total, I rode 157.5 miles in four days on RAGBRAI, short of the over 200 that I had planned, but it was still a good ride. I had more than 500 miles in June and, at the end of RAGBRAI, 2,227 miles for the year.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1vetGodQjJW-zPYhzNhWSO1oqYYmeHYoO6-kid3Gqm4EQL9CRvTWZwTUvkD9VwgVGuUrzEVWKR1chwkTRd0gyb5u6Vv-zEhCW5WiFT3vH5C9nsxs8SoMU97VMlrpnL79WppKvotfbvwcCt-AnyFkYnMYIoxcpvQbKs5pO8r_slEhPCIvjo6auAJMzVBU8/s1000/c04.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1vetGodQjJW-zPYhzNhWSO1oqYYmeHYoO6-kid3Gqm4EQL9CRvTWZwTUvkD9VwgVGuUrzEVWKR1chwkTRd0gyb5u6Vv-zEhCW5WiFT3vH5C9nsxs8SoMU97VMlrpnL79WppKvotfbvwcCt-AnyFkYnMYIoxcpvQbKs5pO8r_slEhPCIvjo6auAJMzVBU8/s320/c04.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Bike bears bands of many RAGBRAIs--not all of them, I rode a hybrid bike on several early rides.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>But wait, there’s more. Two more life lessons.<br /><br />I’ve gone on several rides since RAGBRAI, the most eventful being Aug. 2. The weather was nicer, warm but not brutally hot, and continued dry. I decided to enjoy some riding on The Fancy Beast, my mountain bike. A park a couple of miles from my house, Noelridge Park, includes some natural flower areas, and one has a grassy walkway. I circle that area often on bike rides, and on this day, I decided to ride the grassy part on the Fancy Beast.<br /><br />That part of the ride went well. And I returned towards home and rode down the Lindale Trail to the Boyson Trail. There are mountain bike trails there, although one was blocked by a fallen tree from the thunderstorm that had blown through before the final day of RAGBRAI.<br /><br />I thought that was the glitch of the ride. But just like the movie Apollo 13, the minor problem wasn’t the major problem.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSC9zAsYhjhXyie4Imb9eVCPKdxUi207OL_QFrfeDkM9ipWIR_0OV4TihdpkYzTQlQqM4KpC_y-6iP_L9NEiD_JFUXAUvjzB6CFZy-mzDyntGX7O8QGvMyYBXxFzo9kjdUsPrEaxrXT4AQTJCvWaPTnXr9P0N-WbSavKlrJR1OmmJHkx85HARji-W0mObR/s1000/c05.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Fallen tree" border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSC9zAsYhjhXyie4Imb9eVCPKdxUi207OL_QFrfeDkM9ipWIR_0OV4TihdpkYzTQlQqM4KpC_y-6iP_L9NEiD_JFUXAUvjzB6CFZy-mzDyntGX7O8QGvMyYBXxFzo9kjdUsPrEaxrXT4AQTJCvWaPTnXr9P0N-WbSavKlrJR1OmmJHkx85HARji-W0mObR/w400-h300/c05.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Tree that fell in storm blocks mountain bike trail in Marion. As it turns out, one of the final images I made before a bike accident claims this camera.</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>I was ready to head home, and decided to use a side trail I don’t normally ride since it’s slightly rough limestone. It’s a piece of cake, or so I thought, on The Fancy Beast.<br /><br />And just ahead of me on the trail, a whole group of wild turkeys and a deer were fetchingly crossing the trail. I was zooming along and wanted to stop to make an image.<br /><br />A bit of bike knowledge. When you brake, you either have to brake only with the rear wheel or with both wheels, never just the front wheel. But I was distracted and not paying adequate attention and I am also left (front-wheel) handed. So, I squeezed with my left hand first, not simultaneously with my right hand.<br /><br />Big mistake. I knew it was a possible hazard, but had never personally experienced it in more than five decades of bicycle riding.<br /><b><br />Fifth life lesson: If you stop the front wheel of your bicycle too abruptly,</b> you can flip a bike end-over-end.<br /><br />It’s not a maneuver I recommend. I realized what was happening as I flipped dramatically into the air and had some time for speaking choice cuss words before the inelegant, rough landing.<br /><br />Luckily, I let go with my hands, which meant I extended my arms as I flipped and didn’t land on my head. In fact, my left knee took the hardest jolt as I ground my heavy body into the planet through a rough limestone surface.<br /><br />Ouch. Way ouch. But not as ouch as it could have been.<br /><br /><b>Sixth life lesson: When it goes wrong, I should count my blessings</b> that it doesn’t go wronger.<br /><br />Sure, I had just had one of my rare accidents. Sure, I was stunned, scratched, out of breath. Sure, the small Cannon camera that had recorded all of my RABRAI experiences fell out of my pocket and got broken on the hard trail surface.<br /><br />But I was more OK than I thought I was. I was scratched but not bleeding badly. I had a sore knee but zero broken bones. Head and neck and face were all intact. The bike lost all of its lights (luckily none of them broke and just had to be clicked back into place), but was otherwise undamaged.<br /><br />I stopped to collect myself and send my wife a text—I didn’t need rescue, but was wasting a bit of time to ensure I was OK. Then, I mounted The Fancy Beast and pedaled, slowly, home.<br /><br />It turned out by next day my knee was quite painful, but I was intending to go to campus to work, and of course, I rode a bicycle there. And had my second fall in two days.<br /><br />Quite a rarity for me—I still think I would need only the fingers of one hand to count up all of the falls I’ve had over the years.<br /><br />Anyway, the Aug. 3 fall from Argent, my road bike, was way less of a deal. I was stopped at a stoplight, and it was cloudy enough that I thought riding with lights made sense. I went to hop off the bike to turn on the lights, and, partly because my knee was acting up, didn’t quite clear it with my leg and tumbled into the grass beside the sidewalk.<br /><br />Luckily, only my ego was injured in this second mishap. In fact, in the ensuing days, it turned out the knee injury was minor—I know from experience that a banged knee can be very sore for months, and I was lucky this one was only sore for days.<br /><br />All in all, I would have some advice for the new crew running RAGBRAI now—such as do a much, much better job on maps and don’t force everyone to use an app for maps—but I enjoyed the ride. And the hog roast.<br /><br />Can’t say I enjoyed the tumbles from the bikes—yet, even most of those rides went well.<br /><br />And I like to think that I learned some life lessons. Maybe that’s all we can ask.<br /><br /></p>CR Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14949410451137266101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3599778591069106718.post-53570038863871220312023-07-21T21:03:00.001-05:002023-07-22T08:26:23.857-05:00In Which There is a Lull Before<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDObiiYjRAWC3pAHk-PtWJwHuw7bTqfp5Cxt9OM1rX8qkKr8VsbjjxQ_0gZ0Yu7rWFJtw9LsEWb88nugA2vh1JDERo86H8gTqdJSjtXwLvhIF5nbASvwx92dKnahwW8dhM0XE3DF0kxcTqpSSmF76pA609JM9QrsalyoykaQFlLy3KUgQXWtSfPqqXTZ2u/s1000/r01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Tent" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDObiiYjRAWC3pAHk-PtWJwHuw7bTqfp5Cxt9OM1rX8qkKr8VsbjjxQ_0gZ0Yu7rWFJtw9LsEWb88nugA2vh1JDERo86H8gTqdJSjtXwLvhIF5nbASvwx92dKnahwW8dhM0XE3DF0kxcTqpSSmF76pA609JM9QrsalyoykaQFlLy3KUgQXWtSfPqqXTZ2u/w400-h266/r01.JPG" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Airing my tent out in the backyard July 20. It's my second RAGBRAI tent, much smaller and simpler than the first. Less complex is sometimes good.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>I had not really planned it that way, but Wednesday was my final bike ride before RAGBRAI.<br><br>On Monday, I had gone to Des Moines to visit my youngest son, daughter-in-law and grandson there. The daughter-in-law has a new bike given to her for her birthday by my son, and it was a momentous gift, marking her foray into the world of biking. She never learned to ride a bike as a child, and just last week they went to Gray’s Lake, where she glided around for a while on my son’s bike, and then started pedaling.<br><br>He shot a video. She pedals by him, saying something about blessed excrement. It turns out, in your 30s, if you're motivated, it's possible for your body and brain to learn the subtle balance needed to keep moving on two wheels.<br><br>So, we brought our bikes to Des Moines and pedaled along the paths near Gray’s Lake Park with them. Our speed was pretty slow, dictated by a very young grandson who waffled between riding in a trailer (faster) and zooming along on a glider bike (slower).</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFr4JRyMGWoBikvx166LzlTBj2gfKAACUXOMrg_KaZ8pSNgF96j339QcRL_opEk_G_jusXmbNY2IN20KutPcqdP1SKsnLlCpaLZI9RSKNnFAnpkn5-O0BWRBWwBqNtU-6CWBgc5ZsPvcG6EaBMbLFXw1_RTtJioO2QqAYJhaaYfLIdrQekj70wR6aOkJpA/s1000/x19.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Gray's Lake Trail" border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFr4JRyMGWoBikvx166LzlTBj2gfKAACUXOMrg_KaZ8pSNgF96j339QcRL_opEk_G_jusXmbNY2IN20KutPcqdP1SKsnLlCpaLZI9RSKNnFAnpkn5-O0BWRBWwBqNtU-6CWBgc5ZsPvcG6EaBMbLFXw1_RTtJioO2QqAYJhaaYfLIdrQekj70wR6aOkJpA/w400-h300/x19.JPG" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>On a trail near Gray's Lake, Des Moines, newest rider, daughter-in-law, leads the way.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Still, it was a pretty day, it was fun to enjoy a ride with a new adult biker, and we did also stop at a playground, always fun.<br><br>Tuesday, I only did a little riding, going to campus and back and doing a minor amount of work there.<br><br>And on Wednesday, pre-RAGBRAI riding reached it climax. I got my mountain bike out of the garage that afternoon, planning to ride on some grassy walkways through a prairie flower garden at Waldo's Rock Park in Marion. It was a fine, warm afternoon. On the way, I encountered a group of turkeys crossing the Lindale Trail, and made some images of them.<br><br>And when I got out to Waldo’s Rock, there was a pelican at the pond, which was cool to see.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzczl3iVTaiouEPqIPxXWfxPYLBPo8QMogJN-Ky2_1naYRKBd9Q1VbGQ_Si_509ADpi8oBpH8ConejJdhCEKGsBSA4QHh7NCwroYSOZdR4BhFTByuDzLaTPuEUTODa1Mq5_uU-G-BKANfy4XEDn5Md5TtDhq4Bf30g1S7GAskDrr-9xvYToFd39zHmC1VP/s1000/b07.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzczl3iVTaiouEPqIPxXWfxPYLBPo8QMogJN-Ky2_1naYRKBd9Q1VbGQ_Si_509ADpi8oBpH8ConejJdhCEKGsBSA4QHh7NCwroYSOZdR4BhFTByuDzLaTPuEUTODa1Mq5_uU-G-BKANfy4XEDn5Md5TtDhq4Bf30g1S7GAskDrr-9xvYToFd39zHmC1VP/w400-h266/b07.JPG" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Pelican (above and below) leaving Waldo's Rock pond.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5mr2ReISJfIt5c1Cbmarw5gMbY5kGZNloZJVCf3f4pguaBwq6jRfWDu83TnEScX1HoOBxY-Iktf2HyX-nu_hKe6guSiSv86OKVxqe5HM2eg9ZwDiNctew1KckVzUYNyoUKq61ak7UFPYbFoC6y7vRBSxljAYR3mXF1504c5TaVm6eYr3Sani3l6-R5EKp/s1000/b06.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Pelican" border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1000" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5mr2ReISJfIt5c1Cbmarw5gMbY5kGZNloZJVCf3f4pguaBwq6jRfWDu83TnEScX1HoOBxY-Iktf2HyX-nu_hKe6guSiSv86OKVxqe5HM2eg9ZwDiNctew1KckVzUYNyoUKq61ak7UFPYbFoC6y7vRBSxljAYR3mXF1504c5TaVm6eYr3Sani3l6-R5EKp/w400-h270/b06.JPG" width="400"></a></div><br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Pelican in pond" border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1000" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTR3RnIhNq0xdM93nmrqI_1HCpFSR15LtbVwJLac22PQ9eKS6ZhHk7W6RewrqK_YXqK2loS9lQcUI749uG0zYPBiB2SmPobPeX1p-hJ255mlkv_1AJNsWESLAb_ohVWtmqJp4OZuDN_WJ0WiCXPH_UOySCDzwf98ekJM4YWNT3BjnT3i9d4wBbHQm3oAyl/w400-h270/b05.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400"></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Pelican in the pond.</i><br></td></tr></tbody></table><br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi4ZvjvjoODFwE4PTYD2YjQa9fIbKY18JdsGEKLSRQAx4x4Wu1gr7znTBbf-COsPopQHIt8Cf8ovuH6qSY1xzFZ7l7doH6K4na9HKcOlINqcQJJxXR_aOEfDHQX_vZEffn2lPDYrti_x1_8WlMXVQ-ocvgIiqlsnrBmtlapgSQldZW9GNuKHkOu4JvxyD9/s1000/b04.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Turkey" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi4ZvjvjoODFwE4PTYD2YjQa9fIbKY18JdsGEKLSRQAx4x4Wu1gr7znTBbf-COsPopQHIt8Cf8ovuH6qSY1xzFZ7l7doH6K4na9HKcOlINqcQJJxXR_aOEfDHQX_vZEffn2lPDYrti_x1_8WlMXVQ-ocvgIiqlsnrBmtlapgSQldZW9GNuKHkOu4JvxyD9/w400-h266/b04.JPG" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Turkey (above and below) seen on Lindale Trail.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd62BgMdmQof4GZk11RjLN3bIrqawuU3Ge2-cORQipqKSvfb1ZNpktESxCExtS-xWmnMHlh-bkfljB6OcERP4PRWm0sa9uoW6TvV6WvLdERViUDpDi1UWwG8dfZzfqCbi7PJMhrr3s9zdEpBXa47NQQj5xVBEGG1ANFhkWhzsrPHQejtLiDtX9TWqvXC8l/s1000/b03.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Turkey" border="0" data-original-height="645" data-original-width="1000" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd62BgMdmQof4GZk11RjLN3bIrqawuU3Ge2-cORQipqKSvfb1ZNpktESxCExtS-xWmnMHlh-bkfljB6OcERP4PRWm0sa9uoW6TvV6WvLdERViUDpDi1UWwG8dfZzfqCbi7PJMhrr3s9zdEpBXa47NQQj5xVBEGG1ANFhkWhzsrPHQejtLiDtX9TWqvXC8l/w400-h258/b03.JPG" width="400"></a></div><br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWJX0mfZYKxKXl8jkr4iAbo9bwPyS1bITl_NuvDkP61REDEZQy402STJxSBDorekMpA5RFsCYB-J5_W2n6W9aW2x2gBu-zX_WlDBgpE_-PHvfK1MNtq7A7giBzI1WByKLXwIp6NwQqKNoNcr1og-aYPluvO_uD_759_aymx2DvPIkdgOPeUdQpMfSmdHhc/s1000/b02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Bikers pass turkeys" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="1000" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWJX0mfZYKxKXl8jkr4iAbo9bwPyS1bITl_NuvDkP61REDEZQy402STJxSBDorekMpA5RFsCYB-J5_W2n6W9aW2x2gBu-zX_WlDBgpE_-PHvfK1MNtq7A7giBzI1WByKLXwIp6NwQqKNoNcr1og-aYPluvO_uD_759_aymx2DvPIkdgOPeUdQpMfSmdHhc/w400-h261/b02.JPG" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Turkeys (above and below), Lindale Trail.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ39cNSeWGUMGK4QW2Esqj_UgN-xwWoKQEJpZ1QDeT9aOtTQM6BsP4U1o0dz9CEDH1NO8Q15byfzjPwn_a8d4HPnfVeLxeS81pk2zvpWw3-p6_jo7Jr7Twi4QWjJTKq6CiEHsQ1g-UotAWuTiSov1tSBXZMZMGc46xQSTW6wPAT6nQcliXWACGj7FxlDfr/s1000/b01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Turkeys next to bike trail" border="0" data-original-height="587" data-original-width="1000" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ39cNSeWGUMGK4QW2Esqj_UgN-xwWoKQEJpZ1QDeT9aOtTQM6BsP4U1o0dz9CEDH1NO8Q15byfzjPwn_a8d4HPnfVeLxeS81pk2zvpWw3-p6_jo7Jr7Twi4QWjJTKq6CiEHsQ1g-UotAWuTiSov1tSBXZMZMGc46xQSTW6wPAT6nQcliXWACGj7FxlDfr/w400-h235/b01.JPG" width="400"></a></div><p>The final ride was thus already a win but it would get even better. I was headed back west, intending to ride the mountain bike trails by the Boyson Trail, when I ran into my wife riding the other way. We decided to ride on the Boyson Trail together. We went out to Menard’s and then turned back. When we got to the mountain bike trail, I took it and she stayed on the main trail. By pushing pretty hard, I managed to finish the mountain bike trail in the same time that she rode the main trail. We rode home together.<br><br>She rode 10 miles that day. I rode 17.4 miles. The miles this week were far fewer—deliberately so, taking it easy the week before RAGBRAI is a time-honored strategy to have your body well rested for the long ride.<br><br>And it’s shaping up to be a long ride in at least one way. A heat wave is expected, with temps approaching triple digits by mid next week. Hot weather riding—well, I have done that before. Was it 2012? It was my second RAGBRAI, and it began in a heat wave. Temps that year soared to more than 100 degrees.<br><br>The strategy was clear—begin each day as early as possible and ride as far as possible before the heat really kicked in. Take hydration seriously. Any time you felt a bit off, stop, find some shade, rest a while. It was a tough RAGBRAI, but I got through it.<br><br>I was younger then. And my style of RAGBRAI riding has evolved. During that ride, the goal was to ride every mile. Now I’m on a family team where we share driving duties, and so I have the choice whether to ride a full day or half day.<br><br>The hydration and rest strategy will be in place. The start early strategy is also important. The let the ride be what it will be and don’t fuss about riding all the miles idea is new. I plan to enjoy the ride as best I can, let the weather be what it is and roll with it. In the RAGBRAI spirit.<br><br>In July so far, I have pedaled 346.9 miles. Year to date, 2,035.9 miles. And more miles next week as I roll most of the way across the state. See you on the other side. My RAGBRAI will probably end Thursday, my plan is to ride 5 days and then be home to see visiting family members.<br><br>Good luck to you if you’re doing the ride this year. And next week on RAGBRAI, start early, take it easy and drink—water. Lots of water.<br><br></p><br>CR Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14949410451137266101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3599778591069106718.post-74020321210057745312023-07-14T23:12:00.006-05:002023-07-15T07:26:57.671-05:00In Which My Sister and I Pass a Century <p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg45rZLl2KvTH8KqRztQOhsw1lB9cnJ7xcLTFPKFBUYBiHpP7Te59ubHarL_jjJ7ILqBlt-eiPypRWoAenX8ex2pby7xZ1ZY_argTh7G89uJlenHG-GQor8IN2AquBMKnY-D2XIuTvWFdZPwEbTHYI15thjELL004cDC4Monf1ms3_hkMDbGU5WMrdZq5KJ/s1000/b01.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="bike" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg45rZLl2KvTH8KqRztQOhsw1lB9cnJ7xcLTFPKFBUYBiHpP7Te59ubHarL_jjJ7ILqBlt-eiPypRWoAenX8ex2pby7xZ1ZY_argTh7G89uJlenHG-GQor8IN2AquBMKnY-D2XIuTvWFdZPwEbTHYI15thjELL004cDC4Monf1ms3_hkMDbGU5WMrdZq5KJ/w400-h266/b01.JPG" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Bike in driveway ready to roll on 100-mile ride.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>What does 100 miles on a bike feel like?<br><br>I’m
about a week before leaving home to ride RAGBRAI. My sister contacted
me earlier this week and suggested we plan a longer ride for this week,
with a goal of reaching a century—a 100-mile ride.<br><br>We’ve done it
before. A 100-mile practice ride shows that we’re RAGBRAI-ready, but 100
miles on a practice ride is a lot easier than 100 RAGBRAI miles, since
RAGBRAI involves many more hills than our long practice ride does.<br><br>On
the other hand, neither of us plans to ride the optional loop to reach
100 miles in one day during RAGBRAI, so our last very long training ride
does have some meaning.<br><br>The goal was to start at 8 a.m. I
arrived at my sister’s house about 8:10, so I was a little late, but it
means my ride began before 8.<br><br>The morning was sunny and pretty. It would turn into a warm day, but was very pleasant at the start of the ride.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhznby6ebLVN7rzkLn4GxWUBcL8PDJEzT8un1J8YucGaRXiI1jyXzUKIRiuBw1Oala9NwUhKr_61Q3-wgFuGPEXG378kefYHTVuM2oaUwzG3wpjmg7LReLL0HhxZVOBgdPHK_h9yStOH7y_UVhQabBp-nEDN2mFBpPMzheh17OOo1Lkw4aS-Mo8_-hXTjka/s1000/a09.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="trail" border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhznby6ebLVN7rzkLn4GxWUBcL8PDJEzT8un1J8YucGaRXiI1jyXzUKIRiuBw1Oala9NwUhKr_61Q3-wgFuGPEXG378kefYHTVuM2oaUwzG3wpjmg7LReLL0HhxZVOBgdPHK_h9yStOH7y_UVhQabBp-nEDN2mFBpPMzheh17OOo1Lkw4aS-Mo8_-hXTjka/w400-h300/a09.JPG" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>My
sister on her trike as we head north on a warm, fine sunny Iowa summer
morning, Cedar Valley Nature Trail north of Center Point.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>As
we headed north to Urbana, it felt like we were flying. We had lots of
miles where our split speed was over 12 mph. Now, I know for many
serious bikers, that’s a slow pace, but for a 10 mph rider like me, we
were kicking it.<br><br>My sister saw a fox on the way north, although I
missed it. But sunshine, flowers, birds, etc., Iowa was looking quite
fine. We rode past Jams coffee shop to the end of pavement and then came
back for our first long break. We both had savory scones and I had iced
coffee.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdGaSBAbB2EmsHNFnVXnKZjkYRReDrKMQdxte3qFXMqlOPXxuYpz6zMY6Dpao0Il3RsLrdA8lQ1hU_SpgWYqjBOx4g25v3pF1HYKUpq_p4Sdjlfo7NvxtAiVz4RHKaJxStJipJfw4m83MVtMtYv9PKIIuI5-wOD_zbgcAbanrOoCCjVhK8vnyqBdSF1XJn/s1000/b02.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="birds" border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="1000" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdGaSBAbB2EmsHNFnVXnKZjkYRReDrKMQdxte3qFXMqlOPXxuYpz6zMY6Dpao0Il3RsLrdA8lQ1hU_SpgWYqjBOx4g25v3pF1HYKUpq_p4Sdjlfo7NvxtAiVz4RHKaJxStJipJfw4m83MVtMtYv9PKIIuI5-wOD_zbgcAbanrOoCCjVhK8vnyqBdSF1XJn/w400-h241/b02.JPG" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Watching robin family, munching a nice scone at Jams in Urbana.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>My sister bought a bag of Chex Mix and then we were back on the road.<br><br>We
paused as we headed south, resting at Cedar Lake and at the city park
in Ely. It was getting to be afternoon and turning hot, and I suggested
we might want ice cream in Ely as an appetizer rather than an
after-lunch treat, but we decided we would need the break and the desert
more later, so we pushed on.<br><br>I was glad to have my sister with
me. Granted, I would have been able to use Google, but when we got to
Solon, I had no idea how to find the local brewery, our designated lunch
spot. Hello Big Grove marketing department, many some signage along the
popular trail brining traffic into town from Cedar Rapids would be in
order?</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-8df0FiFSdA6TvMlf9NgJDFCkcbeQlSoO6i_YbfHAhZz_dDsNO5RoS3g6DJYWYXGpWusKjBdM8imMeOZPHFTPgOvxa3UoWx6D7T97snBZyVZbndy3jS7NHcbhbJbPjZyWq_BIZXeqMHojOap1Ms3chtY9iu4AnMkig99YGni7ObB0leCCaannOWz_IBO8/s1000/b13.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Pretty day on trail" border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-8df0FiFSdA6TvMlf9NgJDFCkcbeQlSoO6i_YbfHAhZz_dDsNO5RoS3g6DJYWYXGpWusKjBdM8imMeOZPHFTPgOvxa3UoWx6D7T97snBZyVZbndy3jS7NHcbhbJbPjZyWq_BIZXeqMHojOap1Ms3chtY9iu4AnMkig99YGni7ObB0leCCaannOWz_IBO8/w300-h400/b13.JPG" width="300"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Headed south on trail towards Solon.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Anyway,
it turned out it was happy hour, so we each had two beers. My sister
ordered cauliflower wings as an appetizer, then she had a salad and I
had a burger. The food was very good.<br><br>There was a little drama,
as my sister misplaced her keys to her bike like, but they were quickly
found by a helpful waitress. We also stopped at a bike shop in Solon
hoping to get my sister’s mirror on her trike fixed, and the mechanic
there tried to help, but the screw seems to be stripped.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWpGRQyBNpD17UNfOQ-C7tCTH4nLSgXEi2_8cHXvcBEtjpB7En1ffwOLmoqMQhh6d7qyp948uEWCfxNGlBzyUBvLX4cvmeWjqnfgzLyuJPr_vUmtIT9Nd4FcsRT_29fCtWUcNbt5cZCjqLkZ4lMa4oDGEqXC5D1LqKJHP4pvLJvAFn3Lqemqr9SEpJ6Vsz/s1000/b03.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="working on trike" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWpGRQyBNpD17UNfOQ-C7tCTH4nLSgXEi2_8cHXvcBEtjpB7En1ffwOLmoqMQhh6d7qyp948uEWCfxNGlBzyUBvLX4cvmeWjqnfgzLyuJPr_vUmtIT9Nd4FcsRT_29fCtWUcNbt5cZCjqLkZ4lMa4oDGEqXC5D1LqKJHP4pvLJvAFn3Lqemqr9SEpJ6Vsz/w400-h266/b03.JPG" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Sister trying to fix mirror. Trail fixes didn't work. Something to fix for RAGBRAI.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Anyway,
back on the road. We headed north again towards Ely, making good time,
although the sky in the north was starting to look a little dicey.<br><br>We
had our ice cream break, but when we again started riding, we were just
outside of Cedar Rapids when I saw lightning in the north sky. A check
of the weather app confirmed an approaching storm.<br><br>“Should we stop at the park?” my sister asked. I agreed to that plan.<br><br>A
open park shelter may not be the ideal shelter in a thunderstorm, but
it felt better than being out in the open. We stayed in place for about
40 minutes as the storm passed.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGYVd3Hfhku-KN6ksoJ-xkPSD717ptPhsFrIv4AS_iHhzXaAnRzwVq6h4Un0EokUSADC5jCkreUYJfuhP5pZAAU6TVjQnrZs2T_j7--J6LOqnUL_BVcmug5qJcIB2b0ABV9OgwK9X6LQi1xJ-WlLL4LgjXc_dinf_10D3zaUGFUtiw_COHNNygK5P4JBS3/s1000/b11.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Sky" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGYVd3Hfhku-KN6ksoJ-xkPSD717ptPhsFrIv4AS_iHhzXaAnRzwVq6h4Un0EokUSADC5jCkreUYJfuhP5pZAAU6TVjQnrZs2T_j7--J6LOqnUL_BVcmug5qJcIB2b0ABV9OgwK9X6LQi1xJ-WlLL4LgjXc_dinf_10D3zaUGFUtiw_COHNNygK5P4JBS3/w400-h266/b11.JPG" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Watching storm in Hoover Park shelter--this is sky starting to lighten as storm ends. Below, as rain falls.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHzH90ewlxpTh9bKHwQLhG9v4ePuvDaiTBqa1SreGH42RtKkUw9J5VmxuewVAgd03Y-ufFsT_K_j_Vo3Nr7PwFIhRkU87A8O0QSa_Nbqj5hmLZufPaElXgfHDYhKBILnVZa73RqevqtDqrMi2ii149r061ivBfDYeznBj9wDcyUuwX_Wg8M5i5EwIP5YnV/s1000/b10.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHzH90ewlxpTh9bKHwQLhG9v4ePuvDaiTBqa1SreGH42RtKkUw9J5VmxuewVAgd03Y-ufFsT_K_j_Vo3Nr7PwFIhRkU87A8O0QSa_Nbqj5hmLZufPaElXgfHDYhKBILnVZa73RqevqtDqrMi2ii149r061ivBfDYeznBj9wDcyUuwX_Wg8M5i5EwIP5YnV/w400-h266/b10.JPG" width="400"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZsGAzl--4xUXNJvHj0YkM1W6CEoZQ4zELrCK8Bt_0GCtXykDP5OVG7u2Ux2UVlfGWu8FPU6XWY7-HFQruDWM1Z_v-duApXnvw3vr-t65Sh8vusJ8dfvbntTlXdYD7W_a11-4xZxXmyYyABQyolE_F0-32n0n5TYVZXW08SVocNaHDvrZ4QEzsYVGXLgPf/s1000/b09.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZsGAzl--4xUXNJvHj0YkM1W6CEoZQ4zELrCK8Bt_0GCtXykDP5OVG7u2Ux2UVlfGWu8FPU6XWY7-HFQruDWM1Z_v-duApXnvw3vr-t65Sh8vusJ8dfvbntTlXdYD7W_a11-4xZxXmyYyABQyolE_F0-32n0n5TYVZXW08SVocNaHDvrZ4QEzsYVGXLgPf/w400-h266/b09.JPG" width="400"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4hKzQE1Pkv0JmfPCnVVbI4VVLXAA9_TFNWkpeFN3AnUjfsfy40_imLIWN2zTIfSZqfd9GeIGP34RzhWFmrWQwSw-ugC7ndTBsQLiG_BjOD7a6nbPnLZsC4sUG3cXSkF-6Ehkh63cFi1n_5f3P9f3v4peDsFlOYPK34SJ-36ZmKs3d01IOK4Gcw3fNgm2f/s1000/b08.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4hKzQE1Pkv0JmfPCnVVbI4VVLXAA9_TFNWkpeFN3AnUjfsfy40_imLIWN2zTIfSZqfd9GeIGP34RzhWFmrWQwSw-ugC7ndTBsQLiG_BjOD7a6nbPnLZsC4sUG3cXSkF-6Ehkh63cFi1n_5f3P9f3v4peDsFlOYPK34SJ-36ZmKs3d01IOK4Gcw3fNgm2f/w400-h266/b08.JPG" width="400"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3l2zxOsYA9Ho3wYfhoBSwe_WR17USEuWXW347G86qp6DcQDeXtkS3P61NzU5kYCCCazIH186qHxRoZUjmkzcr3IYBnNxp-WXe0CMQQiG3LMo5zxLjhW6VCMBOdHLMdpAMGS9riphkTN3My-jH1ycyWByxOnr4JBGG6PHY9av9QSDFceDbbu9C-Qgv0UzZ/s1000/b06.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3l2zxOsYA9Ho3wYfhoBSwe_WR17USEuWXW347G86qp6DcQDeXtkS3P61NzU5kYCCCazIH186qHxRoZUjmkzcr3IYBnNxp-WXe0CMQQiG3LMo5zxLjhW6VCMBOdHLMdpAMGS9riphkTN3My-jH1ycyWByxOnr4JBGG6PHY9av9QSDFceDbbu9C-Qgv0UzZ/w400-h266/b06.JPG" width="400"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkX2846RO7kjfkHCh3xienYe7-blQtWaQ3E63EAnq1C_dNzsjmXFifyDASKBaSdV8WdN-vg92yNr3yWhs-sXR2SSLoi4zo5zJwbFlFgWg2YjH6pJF4uoaD7p0ZPKaqTLwkUMq2utHZH4qfpyUc-irGYNaYJzLSsG0FWZUgPOsd91x3cXUPid9s4OOXCoIS/s1000/b05.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkX2846RO7kjfkHCh3xienYe7-blQtWaQ3E63EAnq1C_dNzsjmXFifyDASKBaSdV8WdN-vg92yNr3yWhs-sXR2SSLoi4zo5zJwbFlFgWg2YjH6pJF4uoaD7p0ZPKaqTLwkUMq2utHZH4qfpyUc-irGYNaYJzLSsG0FWZUgPOsd91x3cXUPid9s4OOXCoIS/w400-h266/b05.JPG" width="400"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqHLZAPvTAd8LS6WRAbaYOMEKWesiNs0vuPEMlV0pL1Oy1VK0eMa3MfGboxiVxBT8xCA7rNnLIbsGSgoqlrCMNsSvd8gOktvH1ifEu3YWPevyBxS95SUJUl7mbWTg0CtFMMIHkUMtNRAwxsq3ekAQhmECmHBZ1N-F7BhKNTTGsZavDx75dr7TQD_YJDJDs/s1000/b04.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqHLZAPvTAd8LS6WRAbaYOMEKWesiNs0vuPEMlV0pL1Oy1VK0eMa3MfGboxiVxBT8xCA7rNnLIbsGSgoqlrCMNsSvd8gOktvH1ifEu3YWPevyBxS95SUJUl7mbWTg0CtFMMIHkUMtNRAwxsq3ekAQhmECmHBZ1N-F7BhKNTTGsZavDx75dr7TQD_YJDJDs/w400-h266/b04.JPG" width="400"></a></div><p>A
young lady rode up and joined us. She was riding with her dog in a
backpack, and she described him as a cranky old man who enjoys biking.<br><br>Sounds like me.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDWYCCXMEnZAix_-BGtsJdZ9KHhyc-eUDDdWH2hsehKw3JXFZk796qS5XwqyNaiyrPKEuL9DWFksSE_y39xta2DKwyxnW6iE67BZ-0MVv3lR0wTOob0Qc9jtBiy_bUADu9Ner7bschBvp9EmS21uH2QseBUNZRYFUVOK4rEJJLhJCsxNQr-hUdZAtwN8L8/s1000/b07.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="biker in rain" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDWYCCXMEnZAix_-BGtsJdZ9KHhyc-eUDDdWH2hsehKw3JXFZk796qS5XwqyNaiyrPKEuL9DWFksSE_y39xta2DKwyxnW6iE67BZ-0MVv3lR0wTOob0Qc9jtBiy_bUADu9Ner7bschBvp9EmS21uH2QseBUNZRYFUVOK4rEJJLhJCsxNQr-hUdZAtwN8L8/w400-h266/b07.JPG" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Young lady riding in rain with old dog in backpack She stopped and waited with us in the park shelter.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>By
the time the rain passed, it was getting close to sunset. We were 80
miles into the ride. I was thinking we would only get about 90 miles,
but as we neared home and the ride had reached the mid-90s mark, it
became a quest. So, despite the dim light, we turned down the Lindale
Trail, riding east until our way was blocked by a fallen tree, and then
riding past Thomas Park for a ways on the Boyson Trail.<br><br>When I reached home, it was around 9 p.m. and my bike computer showed a ride of 101.1 miles.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJJpdjIS5ApigO21XU32OpYAPnAeveqK7Tn2igFQf01zVJwMLAPUY-uuJBriBfpoZU2iIoiXw6LFo0IE2Kg1w34ur6Rd8pJbKHj1ombiM-LjeChrIXOWgusUF5y1KZyUMgX_LWvJ5eTDlYi49sii7WLpcTTm-Anbd46IlsquGqaYVykTFVlB2lds8nwGCn/s1000/b15.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJJpdjIS5ApigO21XU32OpYAPnAeveqK7Tn2igFQf01zVJwMLAPUY-uuJBriBfpoZU2iIoiXw6LFo0IE2Kg1w34ur6Rd8pJbKHj1ombiM-LjeChrIXOWgusUF5y1KZyUMgX_LWvJ5eTDlYi49sii7WLpcTTm-Anbd46IlsquGqaYVykTFVlB2lds8nwGCn/w400-h300/b15.JPG" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Sky and river views late in the ride after the storm.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJThoJC2-5QigvAqF3kDUmGIWUW8LE5ZJUnrO46mHscPMov3tpD2K41Apryq7IC8_Bq798KC9jKtDJoDmBrt6XKLNcOn_-L5MWntYuqDJ7qhshdcx_nEPTJzMmHle-fd5w56xbCInbJ-d6TQB4W2kJ-g4yuSjrVoKkOxufDcrilm8hwuzhk0rupCjkDfao/s1000/b14.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJThoJC2-5QigvAqF3kDUmGIWUW8LE5ZJUnrO46mHscPMov3tpD2K41Apryq7IC8_Bq798KC9jKtDJoDmBrt6XKLNcOn_-L5MWntYuqDJ7qhshdcx_nEPTJzMmHle-fd5w56xbCInbJ-d6TQB4W2kJ-g4yuSjrVoKkOxufDcrilm8hwuzhk0rupCjkDfao/w400-h300/b14.JPG" width="400"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzQv6aIG2ASxKYfHitnY_tHOIGyoQ_B0DwGWV2KM4AYmxM1JvWA72dnmdPvhpKDcTpL9_wzNPipkdnlDP-5leaXhd-dGDdW1QpqKPa5MZYCVJqQaJyKsaC-PwPFDWbtD8sjbX09aZhjRr-ixge8-JayYLvKdKkPz9_XS12T9FIKG4FzJROVfm8l5hpJcaG/s1000/b12.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzQv6aIG2ASxKYfHitnY_tHOIGyoQ_B0DwGWV2KM4AYmxM1JvWA72dnmdPvhpKDcTpL9_wzNPipkdnlDP-5leaXhd-dGDdW1QpqKPa5MZYCVJqQaJyKsaC-PwPFDWbtD8sjbX09aZhjRr-ixge8-JayYLvKdKkPz9_XS12T9FIKG4FzJROVfm8l5hpJcaG/w400-h266/b12.JPG" width="400"></a></div>Goal
reached. It was an easier century ride then the time we went up to a
suburb of Waterloo, since the whole ride was paved. We both decided if
we survive to be 100 years old and decide, like crazy bikers, to ride
our birthday in miles, this century route is a better bet.<br><br>With
those 100 miles, I’ve reached 309 miles so far in July. I rode 571 in
June. So far this year, I’ve rolled 1,998.05 miles—so even if my rides
the next week will be a little less long, I’m sure to top 2,000 miles
before RAGBRAI. And 100 miles felt good.CR Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14949410451137266101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3599778591069106718.post-64842085684971698182023-06-23T22:30:00.002-05:002023-06-24T08:27:33.217-05:00In Which the City Shows New Trails<p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdfwH6qOsPl2DSQwWr4CY3fWTnj2QTTiu8v5Zza6JAB8a9GQ5XyHdr48Q9lQj6FMRbOvcut5D46ATC5vEeg1lmLA6o66-kAvLk2EzXMYBFQgSRmyaFwsBRjJ3In9xspLQLS3xebuahevxjxKRTHB4S1NfTx69m69zlwnmLC3elvxbQEVTEh3vzJEuZeSWU/s1000/6-10-bikeatstart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Bike at Ellis Park" border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdfwH6qOsPl2DSQwWr4CY3fWTnj2QTTiu8v5Zza6JAB8a9GQ5XyHdr48Q9lQj6FMRbOvcut5D46ATC5vEeg1lmLA6o66-kAvLk2EzXMYBFQgSRmyaFwsBRjJ3In9xspLQLS3xebuahevxjxKRTHB4S1NfTx69m69zlwnmLC3elvxbQEVTEh3vzJEuZeSWU/w400-h300/6-10-bikeatstart.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>June 10--My bike parked at pool at Ellis Park, start of city ride. Another biker (below) arrives.</i><br></td></tr></tbody></table><br><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicCH3IRrMtp4dFEts7cmmZWlyizEg9rbldABzfuP-b_q5JdoZ71pHwUUVZf7MweYvM7iHszKyA7R6i7UdAZmwxwMajzMdiNjpUsxrkGlVugX5hXnyC-Xc12i_y8gE5hstto9PQ_T6P7A53P7xCihGU2l1mxIbLRm6_lSZASPL-WJQHgFMi_Zy8bg5l7Yik/s1000/6-10-arrive%20at%20ellist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Biker arrives Ellis Park" border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicCH3IRrMtp4dFEts7cmmZWlyizEg9rbldABzfuP-b_q5JdoZ71pHwUUVZf7MweYvM7iHszKyA7R6i7UdAZmwxwMajzMdiNjpUsxrkGlVugX5hXnyC-Xc12i_y8gE5hstto9PQ_T6P7A53P7xCihGU2l1mxIbLRm6_lSZASPL-WJQHgFMi_Zy8bg5l7Yik/w400-h240/6-10-arrive%20at%20ellist.jpg" width="400"></a></div><p></p><p>“New” is a bit of a theme to my June rides.</p><p>Although I got a flat tyre on it yesterday and need to fix it, I have a new wheel on my road bike. I had slightly dented the rim getting a flat a few weeks ago, and it had a bit of a wobble my sister noted on one of our training rides. So I took it to the shop and bought a new wheel.</p><p>It won’t take me long to fix the flat, I already have the tube. A job for tomorrow.<br><br>Ill health cost me biking one day during this hot, dry month—vertigo. I checked the videos and did the head movements, and it seems to have cleared up that problem.<br><br>June has been mixed. My goal was to go on a 60-plus-mile ride each week, and due to various other things cropping up, I have not met that goal. But I’ve ridden over 470 miles in June, more miles than most whole weeks of RAGBRAI, so while I need to do more long rides, enough medium rides are giving me many miles.<br><br>One of those rides, June 10, was a “Ride the Districts” 15-mile ride where the city of Cedar Rapids showed off some new bicycle infrastructure south of the Cedar River. The ride started at Ellis Park, which I’ve cycled to in the past but avoided this year because construction projects are between me and it and I have not found an alternative route. For this ride, I drove there along a busy street I would not bike on. Still, we, me and dozens of others on this ride, headed out of the park, turned south and then west and reached the Cherokee Trail.<br><br>Using that trail, which was new to me, and some streets and roundabouts, we reached Morgan Creek County Park, one of the nicest parks in the Cedar Rapids area. It was both exciting to learn one can cycle there, and a little sad.<br><br>On my own, with my poor navigation skills, I doubt I could repeat that route. Maybe after Ellis Park finally becomes a viable destination I can experiment and figure it out—I hope so. Morgan Creek Park would be a nice new bike ride destination.</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifIF1gwktHzB-tjWRIV8_hCBdkmOm0h0Uhjmc5onmP4-hBFVkyVylMrn0HmSvDsLySDGAuZUybFjk3s-t663UF0hjvRCCHy5aVNMM4VgWss2RqbKpoYuNS_wdLeOVQjakGRs4WqcCOaHW1HKvlDmqcRHN-HAcrD_5Zo4fBabccVNuUpXb23PniydAt6H_Q/s1000/6-10-map%20on%20shirt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Shirt" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifIF1gwktHzB-tjWRIV8_hCBdkmOm0h0Uhjmc5onmP4-hBFVkyVylMrn0HmSvDsLySDGAuZUybFjk3s-t663UF0hjvRCCHy5aVNMM4VgWss2RqbKpoYuNS_wdLeOVQjakGRs4WqcCOaHW1HKvlDmqcRHN-HAcrD_5Zo4fBabccVNuUpXb23PniydAt6H_Q/w400-h266/6-10-map%20on%20shirt.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>June 10--I signed up online and got one of these shirts, route on the back, not great to check during ride.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV0WzEw3PNz5ivx33MDkdrbegdAtCzaywAosi28NsMG0Vz_i2_qzHRvxfWgfrXC5AvWrjUr3z3A-pLRq478bOHSg1pV32Wf3s_ia-CI2Fc_z48T2493ZLyUIVgpWpbu3JpWFnCbqqKWshkslf_NIwwKkEjh8qa0ano-bFG1OADV4JTKdAQAdJVkYts-JKF/s1000/6-10-city-speaker.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Speaker at first start" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV0WzEw3PNz5ivx33MDkdrbegdAtCzaywAosi28NsMG0Vz_i2_qzHRvxfWgfrXC5AvWrjUr3z3A-pLRq478bOHSg1pV32Wf3s_ia-CI2Fc_z48T2493ZLyUIVgpWpbu3JpWFnCbqqKWshkslf_NIwwKkEjh8qa0ano-bFG1OADV4JTKdAQAdJVkYts-JKF/w400-h266/6-10-city-speaker.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Above and below, speaker at first stop in the ride covers new developments along Cherokee Trail.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI26T836iWXTy9-Eyl7mAdwR0Syn6aX9sSOMlKbAmYGagCpAz5AzfQFOR05eonqajPRxDVtlj2g-d19DyE_xcL82Mkp6-nF0l0S7G292_jWRj9v-ShzXJl-HT5VIzw31ZuBIku_0iOHtamjcWzazU6cn_gYugeBqfMBqxV6SIY519K0NV104lWbiUqXfa6/s1000/6-10-city%20speaker%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Speaker" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI26T836iWXTy9-Eyl7mAdwR0Syn6aX9sSOMlKbAmYGagCpAz5AzfQFOR05eonqajPRxDVtlj2g-d19DyE_xcL82Mkp6-nF0l0S7G292_jWRj9v-ShzXJl-HT5VIzw31ZuBIku_0iOHtamjcWzazU6cn_gYugeBqfMBqxV6SIY519K0NV104lWbiUqXfa6/w400-h266/6-10-city%20speaker%202.jpg" width="400"></a></p><p>In June, summer is for sure here. Iowa this year feels like “high summer” in June. In a normal year, the state dries out and heats up in late July and August—but this year the heat and dry time has arrive early.<br><br>Well, at least that means more sunny days for biking, but careful biking, an old man like me needs to stay well hydrated in this heat.<br><br>Anyway, back to the ride. We received some updates from city staff, and I sadly didn’t take any notes, so I don’t recall a lot, except that work continues to expand the Grant Wood Trail, which is good news in my neighborhood.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkOcGBVzNan6oQdmXjNu5giCR8Nb9Foiq0v0OxnbwaD-Y_GDcT71_sz0g42FFR5UqjSKAgzukQWDcq2AF03PYmRFrL2GCXhfzZfnwiJKmAXgQe-Kww7dNU_-C4ND7_IaaVhOfLZ9wAw_ZAHPIRUrfQ_uLyRBQByI-ginXlfcFyjY9aQqMBu1JoAt9haOFw/s1000/6-10-thirdstop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Bike" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkOcGBVzNan6oQdmXjNu5giCR8Nb9Foiq0v0OxnbwaD-Y_GDcT71_sz0g42FFR5UqjSKAgzukQWDcq2AF03PYmRFrL2GCXhfzZfnwiJKmAXgQe-Kww7dNU_-C4ND7_IaaVhOfLZ9wAw_ZAHPIRUrfQ_uLyRBQByI-ginXlfcFyjY9aQqMBu1JoAt9haOFw/w400-h266/6-10-thirdstop.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Third stop, near the end of the ride.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Riders" border="0" data-original-height="634" data-original-width="1000" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy_pf2alZlacAcdWKOuMH9DXpO7iVOk6ghGbUcpLdcbUTWMMmMyZadO5JDxWmkvYjcBWc3AbKkIoeCg0KUgY7335wjmDua8z0rok7cjY_otckY6HbL60Xr02Pw8nAMse0d8t2TGnqBScy0b6mdJHKbGeO-FoX-5FtGeplj_zA1cTJOpBP303uhcak8_VQM/w400-h254/6-10-rider.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400"></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Riders.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy_pf2alZlacAcdWKOuMH9DXpO7iVOk6ghGbUcpLdcbUTWMMmMyZadO5JDxWmkvYjcBWc3AbKkIoeCg0KUgY7335wjmDua8z0rok7cjY_otckY6HbL60Xr02Pw8nAMse0d8t2TGnqBScy0b6mdJHKbGeO-FoX-5FtGeplj_zA1cTJOpBP303uhcak8_VQM/s1000/6-10-rider.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a><br></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4mVdqeaKkB6pRS1F5bHt6294oin-KGidHXJOS7WXSbNYK9H11fkpEul711Kfnp6tExos9zRjIg6nXXg-J1rYY2H68BJZj1XEIXW-ulnG4_wqGq-rKGSiEn-wcComIlk9eWQrOyI3eKfiswvyleRK-CrJxs_BWFTKZgWwWPj50H3ELCqXOC7LDKP_7_nrQ/s1000/6-10-ride%20organizer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Ride speaker" border="0" data-original-height="656" data-original-width="1000" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4mVdqeaKkB6pRS1F5bHt6294oin-KGidHXJOS7WXSbNYK9H11fkpEul711Kfnp6tExos9zRjIg6nXXg-J1rYY2H68BJZj1XEIXW-ulnG4_wqGq-rKGSiEn-wcComIlk9eWQrOyI3eKfiswvyleRK-CrJxs_BWFTKZgWwWPj50H3ELCqXOC7LDKP_7_nrQ/w400-h263/6-10-ride%20organizer.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Ride organizer speaking at first stop.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzeNF7IFUapgKrTFB3IbKY9er_kkvDSC0uzErU4RtpXwpMVOcnHrX_ULA_7SD8tB1LQslY1i9hD6ajS8ictRglhnTD7EVqCFeyFkPH2dGqUeVyHnV8TLFqXad3kB0UzJzXhitSdWSDtDWDvQGzN8FcSXF_jRMjitkY3I0Ly_8i0D7oaNgs2kxWC247r7xw/s1000/6-10-Morgan%20Creek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Morgan Creek" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzeNF7IFUapgKrTFB3IbKY9er_kkvDSC0uzErU4RtpXwpMVOcnHrX_ULA_7SD8tB1LQslY1i9hD6ajS8ictRglhnTD7EVqCFeyFkPH2dGqUeVyHnV8TLFqXad3kB0UzJzXhitSdWSDtDWDvQGzN8FcSXF_jRMjitkY3I0Ly_8i0D7oaNgs2kxWC247r7xw/w400-h266/6-10-Morgan%20Creek.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Shelter at Morgan Creek Park was snack stop, which was nice. Whole ride was about 15 miles.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikNJ_V5rvC-UQ3GRNk8GPUAFEuyRU24JKY20YK61AJ15tQf9gLOXO_RFVlqp22uZkd4mB7j-vohxI3EVjvKcFtopZbEVLx1C7v_-gbnk2YpUaHg2YXi1KQeTEd4EDWGgqtr20A-i5DyU25SZfjao8Vef-ygH57QZm-V_d-TsxZ2naX5cYRnrCrhc33OCbz/s1000/6-10-morgan%20creek%20speaker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="County speaker" border="0" data-original-height="665" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikNJ_V5rvC-UQ3GRNk8GPUAFEuyRU24JKY20YK61AJ15tQf9gLOXO_RFVlqp22uZkd4mB7j-vohxI3EVjvKcFtopZbEVLx1C7v_-gbnk2YpUaHg2YXi1KQeTEd4EDWGgqtr20A-i5DyU25SZfjao8Vef-ygH57QZm-V_d-TsxZ2naX5cYRnrCrhc33OCbz/w400-h266/6-10-morgan%20creek%20speaker.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>County speaker at Morgan Creek Park.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>And, as the equinox came on later in the month, summer flowers, lilies and coneflowers and milkweed, are suddenly everywhere. The grass is dry, although mature trees still look OK. If it continues to be extremely hot and dry, eventually they’ll start to look sad and drop leaves early, but fortunately we’re not at that point.<br><br>Anyway, on June 23 I had a meeting at the University of Northern Iowa. It gave me a chance, in the afternoon, to ride 10 miles along some trails that were new to me. If I had more time, more water and less heat, I would have ridden farther, but at least I was able to ride some new routes in Wateloo. I’ve been using familiar trails a lot this month, so some tastes of new have been good.<br><br>Longest ride so far in June: 60.7 miles on the 9th. Year-to-date, 1.591.42 miles. Not quite halfway to the 3,300-mile goal, but there is still a week left in June, and I should get even more miles in July, what with RAGBRAI and all.<br><br>Many images from this summer month:</p><p><b>June 1-9:</b><b></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheSgV-zI3C8JRt2Vr4KyRPJKa-rOwsZ7_4Pe9YACMhVCMQsCZ1yOunwyYu51B0NJLPYQ9vu4CO9uKqz0THx9_9nJq5cROwo3gmNi1V3xO3bH2l2Nzxp05aG53RVQCY2SuX5MUBKj9eaOY5v5zM8QL2BHjCNKr1JVocmR3SQMQG5zTyX4mhILFghowdQ13p/s1000/6-9-near%20solon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Near Solon" border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheSgV-zI3C8JRt2Vr4KyRPJKa-rOwsZ7_4Pe9YACMhVCMQsCZ1yOunwyYu51B0NJLPYQ9vu4CO9uKqz0THx9_9nJq5cROwo3gmNi1V3xO3bH2l2Nzxp05aG53RVQCY2SuX5MUBKj9eaOY5v5zM8QL2BHjCNKr1JVocmR3SQMQG5zTyX4mhILFghowdQ13p/w400-h300/6-9-near%20solon.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Sunny, hot day June 9, riding trail south to Solon.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><b> </b><b></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdf1X0oKC-f2VVRKQ0u_DASi1J2H6N3Xqpqa6X4iu2I3T2yw4wDWRciaNrLQppPSyFGiH5nNR7Z45_bn3HOp8YGUsT00OSbnAhXBOBaetFlF1iBnM4plLYXVWvycCmAVHy3VnmfCe23JrR7HhQZW4zqtF99glHPUIMh-7p-qdRtsiloBLBjOvkgEmFebbR/s1000/6-9-cottage%20grove%20bike%20lane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Cottage Grove" border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdf1X0oKC-f2VVRKQ0u_DASi1J2H6N3Xqpqa6X4iu2I3T2yw4wDWRciaNrLQppPSyFGiH5nNR7Z45_bn3HOp8YGUsT00OSbnAhXBOBaetFlF1iBnM4plLYXVWvycCmAVHy3VnmfCe23JrR7HhQZW4zqtF99glHPUIMh-7p-qdRtsiloBLBjOvkgEmFebbR/w400-h300/6-9-cottage%20grove%20bike%20lane.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>June 9--Ride to north end of Sac and Fox Trail. Nice to see bike lines added on Cottage Grove Road.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><b><br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9CAc3qtCn5msJRx0B28evmey8B7Z5wcwgKVLDCg5VBQ47BpfzKzUei9TGWICcme_tXNyvKQvejT4sIL4q6qCkMOAJ66Dn31KbW7g95-IfwtgTYns9RjJFaYvNmY4nu73lluZNq6WizUgjQc5AmraTRI43uJZsmXEw2yVni_3iSf_25Hj0PcDqOKaEhatB/s1000/6-9-C%20Avenue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Sky" border="0" data-original-height="713" data-original-width="1000" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9CAc3qtCn5msJRx0B28evmey8B7Z5wcwgKVLDCg5VBQ47BpfzKzUei9TGWICcme_tXNyvKQvejT4sIL4q6qCkMOAJ66Dn31KbW7g95-IfwtgTYns9RjJFaYvNmY4nu73lluZNq6WizUgjQc5AmraTRI43uJZsmXEw2yVni_3iSf_25Hj0PcDqOKaEhatB/w400-h285/6-9-C%20Avenue.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>June 9--Stormy looking clouds on C Avenue.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTI5HxYFnhhF2Be5N3NrG2xMIi6yTnaAsQLZqZmlSkoc7obbqGVwE7pUfLXFHOWWrrkhvP-pHiXzh9y121jBVpq7f7-uzHpuHXc1fWxUsokfjr7PAa_1V7e1IUmD8Tg8nOps2ssrDgmfi7gBTMI7ZefNtMgLS9I3iKUAyPWfU4K-vuNFbcdbiFWFbRX85P/s1000/6-5-bikelocked-lowepark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Lowe Park" border="0" data-original-height="649" data-original-width="1000" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTI5HxYFnhhF2Be5N3NrG2xMIi6yTnaAsQLZqZmlSkoc7obbqGVwE7pUfLXFHOWWrrkhvP-pHiXzh9y121jBVpq7f7-uzHpuHXc1fWxUsokfjr7PAa_1V7e1IUmD8Tg8nOps2ssrDgmfi7gBTMI7ZefNtMgLS9I3iKUAyPWfU4K-vuNFbcdbiFWFbRX85P/w400-h260/6-5-bikelocked-lowepark.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Hybrid bike at Lowe Park, going for short morning rides while granddaughters have music lessons.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJKJAqdsTr-WARiYThZnNfYyFOcFbrFF7pk6e1khuZIH_OsM-Abixn0GwkD11q6MQVAEvCJH3RjyUICPpEr1ipvYS2K2cv1POirNs-Q7Y4n9qezfPhBzVZw8AHGBX9Vt7o7uthaecunSJr9QMG2JuR2k3xZexQag_ywB8ofWiehcr_LCyPH7Fo41YE18LF/s1000/6-4-lindalesunset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Sunset" border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="667" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJKJAqdsTr-WARiYThZnNfYyFOcFbrFF7pk6e1khuZIH_OsM-Abixn0GwkD11q6MQVAEvCJH3RjyUICPpEr1ipvYS2K2cv1POirNs-Q7Y4n9qezfPhBzVZw8AHGBX9Vt7o7uthaecunSJr9QMG2JuR2k3xZexQag_ywB8ofWiehcr_LCyPH7Fo41YE18LF/w266-h400/6-4-lindalesunset.jpg" width="266"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>June 10--Sunset on Lindale Trail, hazy sky thanks to forest fires in Canada.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnd-hA9vyDHk5Qbv5MU0HDqCrxHIiyUNtKA-iTmMMhzEWCb_QwoBU6HtRU6d4_GQNPh09zRn5vdnR5ZEiQ1mkPlQ43tXS_HMzZfuqC63TO4ODe1R3aMphD-Bu7QPmN1fHKUCBji3qzT8pyZH0LV9h6F3hWo1dIA7fLrkd_pTEc2A3NL_vpbhDpYh29bVJF/s1000/6-4-lindale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Blue Jay" border="0" data-original-height="615" data-original-width="1000" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnd-hA9vyDHk5Qbv5MU0HDqCrxHIiyUNtKA-iTmMMhzEWCb_QwoBU6HtRU6d4_GQNPh09zRn5vdnR5ZEiQ1mkPlQ43tXS_HMzZfuqC63TO4ODe1R3aMphD-Bu7QPmN1fHKUCBji3qzT8pyZH0LV9h6F3hWo1dIA7fLrkd_pTEc2A3NL_vpbhDpYh29bVJF/w400-h246/6-4-lindale.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>June 4--Blue Jay on commercial building next to Lindale Trail.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Rw4NQz5sjSOffyaRdd793bk-rKPf09cc4lN9-waBDjtDszYLysMj0S3qNfSbgA6QEp-YkwMbK7Sd_Qcu5Q_b6_LRHF-16VKr4BwJDt3enKsmEN0Tt6dsxWFRYn3N_pmUkBElkT9KUjy7IYjvhTbEhRlF7OumcSW7tAuq8Gb0wQPQ-gMreOCctoq_YTsU/s1000/6-1grant-wood-b01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Hazy sky on Grant Wood Trail" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Rw4NQz5sjSOffyaRdd793bk-rKPf09cc4lN9-waBDjtDszYLysMj0S3qNfSbgA6QEp-YkwMbK7Sd_Qcu5Q_b6_LRHF-16VKr4BwJDt3enKsmEN0Tt6dsxWFRYn3N_pmUkBElkT9KUjy7IYjvhTbEhRlF7OumcSW7tAuq8Gb0wQPQ-gMreOCctoq_YTsU/w400-h266/6-1grant-wood-b01.JPG" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Sky colors June 1 on Grant Wood Trail.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br>June 11-17</b><p></p><p><b></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdK4BM1H6-VvRDUDkbMn3lte_qOr8JombX6aVrjDBaI9R6ftyizBn-NK30KUQCQJultqUyZVQlDbxJHjZo8XBR2naJbZfh6RBu-G0QW6EErILrBFyEbWL2_gT3x0PQ0PrcjHzpc_1zQgoq651Ru70a9aZLFVHkCKDqjcqod-VTDmnqx2XRH1SxGSSJwsj_/s1000/6-11-lowe%20park.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Blackbird" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdK4BM1H6-VvRDUDkbMn3lte_qOr8JombX6aVrjDBaI9R6ftyizBn-NK30KUQCQJultqUyZVQlDbxJHjZo8XBR2naJbZfh6RBu-G0QW6EErILrBFyEbWL2_gT3x0PQ0PrcjHzpc_1zQgoq651Ru70a9aZLFVHkCKDqjcqod-VTDmnqx2XRH1SxGSSJwsj_/w400-h266/6-11-lowe%20park.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>June 11--Blackbird at Lowe Park.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><b><br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQYUOAm57H2KdqSs_dromYDC0fs4_44z__hrpG46UbLtGqiK4yA6TpyS_jIEKzWg77bEDOjhh5TGWnEvVnqNanxS4WqL1nY9ZjJSs1q5FjdGdK-_3M6O6t0njg9XS-gDEufnrs4yKMeQE8vnFvBAgDa0F9-lcBFTwYQZtpbyQqXEPLYlD3h4ojkzBN7D0z/s1000/6-12-grant%20wood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Grant Wood Trail" border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQYUOAm57H2KdqSs_dromYDC0fs4_44z__hrpG46UbLtGqiK4yA6TpyS_jIEKzWg77bEDOjhh5TGWnEvVnqNanxS4WqL1nY9ZjJSs1q5FjdGdK-_3M6O6t0njg9XS-gDEufnrs4yKMeQE8vnFvBAgDa0F9-lcBFTwYQZtpbyQqXEPLYlD3h4ojkzBN7D0z/w400-h300/6-12-grant%20wood.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>June 12--Pretty summer sky on Grant Wood Trail.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg-WPntCiDUnxKN_UW4tHweIGz6TE1-d1Gr4i-mXsstFFdeJxfQ7wUO_wuK-OcjMBLTCqxf5yDMIYnmeSikrhZj6kKg_74qfGSic65GqHTKXMF2l_BGYO1l_eYH_OdL2gWKrQP88biqqzuHJ0_aoAralsPi9A5OUAB0V_zBpho-QDyLVQiVnErEl0BFANA/s1000/6-12-lowe%20park.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Lowe Park" border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg-WPntCiDUnxKN_UW4tHweIGz6TE1-d1Gr4i-mXsstFFdeJxfQ7wUO_wuK-OcjMBLTCqxf5yDMIYnmeSikrhZj6kKg_74qfGSic65GqHTKXMF2l_BGYO1l_eYH_OdL2gWKrQP88biqqzuHJ0_aoAralsPi9A5OUAB0V_zBpho-QDyLVQiVnErEl0BFANA/w400-h300/6-12-lowe%20park.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>June 12--Clouds at Lowe Park Trail.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_YyJx6RCl2tr0ClIfcqm1ax5SAUmRnkAmkbhUI3QbX_KrjYrGQ6ugK84kTSaeWqtKmRFLVPXUr8rbv8yvj0hfdedskkSyee2k2gojh9la3q660SG-yomvn3VZX4aNggHr9uaVRIm0hPzwB4-9Dl8KKjKlizQ5a3XjP_dK-Mse8aG3JJmXYCGPHjKA59TE/s1000/6-15-CRTrail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Trumpet Vine" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_YyJx6RCl2tr0ClIfcqm1ax5SAUmRnkAmkbhUI3QbX_KrjYrGQ6ugK84kTSaeWqtKmRFLVPXUr8rbv8yvj0hfdedskkSyee2k2gojh9la3q660SG-yomvn3VZX4aNggHr9uaVRIm0hPzwB4-9Dl8KKjKlizQ5a3XjP_dK-Mse8aG3JJmXYCGPHjKA59TE/w400-h266/6-15-CRTrail.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>June 15--Trumpet Vine blooming along Cedar River Trail in Hiawatha.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQzI-zIZX1OzuZW5lPhtTOxiKPwRgHSzKKgMD3Ul9TgxYJHNPlKzwFe94jqqjCCWC_JvFNkfoC0F4Fa4M11wtke4ZxSHYG_iUXgyahHW_JvGXPDOHWXjx_VDSBmfkNnnjpNZFZhMWHagk8l65CrItgZzVOO9WY77ZFctc1G3bz6DHqBdMt0VSx2UhvJIXK/s1000/6-16%20Noelride%20(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Butterfly Flower" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQzI-zIZX1OzuZW5lPhtTOxiKPwRgHSzKKgMD3Ul9TgxYJHNPlKzwFe94jqqjCCWC_JvFNkfoC0F4Fa4M11wtke4ZxSHYG_iUXgyahHW_JvGXPDOHWXjx_VDSBmfkNnnjpNZFZhMWHagk8l65CrItgZzVOO9WY77ZFctc1G3bz6DHqBdMt0VSx2UhvJIXK/w400-h266/6-16%20Noelride%20(1).JPG" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>June 16--Butterfly Flower in bloom at Noelridge Park.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtjDXoMglnvvuyriJUEv8iykfVI0cAvoM66Pz-mUs0wfwCnpKW5Lq9K29yHMmAyY0jojhnogplEgQ5IJgdMkCXtnL3kPFmzYIu4r6GfEd0HIMMoPzkSfC-ILM0hHIoTs_YpVkE6285MmwTlt3TFtfmNyQt3L-nv27zUN6Z0pP5dafy-N1Y4_-L3ZgEESCk/s1000/6-16%20Noelride%20(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Common Milkweed" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtjDXoMglnvvuyriJUEv8iykfVI0cAvoM66Pz-mUs0wfwCnpKW5Lq9K29yHMmAyY0jojhnogplEgQ5IJgdMkCXtnL3kPFmzYIu4r6GfEd0HIMMoPzkSfC-ILM0hHIoTs_YpVkE6285MmwTlt3TFtfmNyQt3L-nv27zUN6Z0pP5dafy-N1Y4_-L3ZgEESCk/w400-h266/6-16%20Noelride%20(2).JPG" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>June 16--Common Milkweed in bloom, Noelridge Park.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUvs1bA9trivtz_vcbOw9vAGf3aOA9NToRwGXgnsVGU1TcJ_3AW6R56Vx4y9U6q1OMuLdXKZDTjcmr8OmVND672JmCoo6-UVK4TlrKMVC2h8WMcvAsuLga0pb0SgG9KGRGZOJYy1aZ1eOWKAE9XgzFIYA4b8J0xXqtjiAIGIKWONR-OfDlgbZ-RuTtVEAb/s1000/6-16%20Noelride%20(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Milkweed flower" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUvs1bA9trivtz_vcbOw9vAGf3aOA9NToRwGXgnsVGU1TcJ_3AW6R56Vx4y9U6q1OMuLdXKZDTjcmr8OmVND672JmCoo6-UVK4TlrKMVC2h8WMcvAsuLga0pb0SgG9KGRGZOJYy1aZ1eOWKAE9XgzFIYA4b8J0xXqtjiAIGIKWONR-OfDlgbZ-RuTtVEAb/w400-h266/6-16%20Noelride%20(3).JPG" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>June 16--Milkweed in bloom Noelridge Park.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLpS4_2zEv47wL0JEXlAWBJjionr1kDKbLbjB4VUfYTE9P3oyX_h4cCTntRRMC4hUI8oAse_3CO6QRtLcbbeTxSWlATWNo9seilqHjbA-EU0Fgo4uSGvd6wL8PtTfpio3ThXdnGPjHsc7driW0vW59Ei5ZGa0uMSSQJyzE49yCzrYCw2eypUEJmEXFfGHZ/s1000/6-16%20Noelride%20(4).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Lafayette" border="0" data-original-height="679" data-original-width="1000" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLpS4_2zEv47wL0JEXlAWBJjionr1kDKbLbjB4VUfYTE9P3oyX_h4cCTntRRMC4hUI8oAse_3CO6QRtLcbbeTxSWlATWNo9seilqHjbA-EU0Fgo4uSGvd6wL8PtTfpio3ThXdnGPjHsc7driW0vW59Ei5ZGa0uMSSQJyzE49yCzrYCw2eypUEJmEXFfGHZ/w400-h271/6-16%20Noelride%20(4).JPG" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>June 16--Parked at Lafayette along Cedar Valley Nature Trail.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid7La5XbGv42GZnzjmTPQBRBLMfO2k1znIgoaSEdb-zrFsfueQrt7OSkrXXk_Z2C33zq6WrhfKOEKKB1DoQBaliaYYFhI6Ej49oVg9oKtTG3Fl8CkE84LSNpxZKnQDtbV5BuAJZ5AIy699q-Hlj7PYOgyagk8A29FDky1AILVp1xITHF_fu0ATqQsUvZtO/s1000/6-16%20Noelride%20(5).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Bird at Lafayette" border="0" data-original-height="618" data-original-width="1000" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid7La5XbGv42GZnzjmTPQBRBLMfO2k1znIgoaSEdb-zrFsfueQrt7OSkrXXk_Z2C33zq6WrhfKOEKKB1DoQBaliaYYFhI6Ej49oVg9oKtTG3Fl8CkE84LSNpxZKnQDtbV5BuAJZ5AIy699q-Hlj7PYOgyagk8A29FDky1AILVp1xITHF_fu0ATqQsUvZtO/w400-h248/6-16%20Noelride%20(5).JPG" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>June 16--Watching bird at Lafayette.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgToMKBIc00cBHAaQIv6tLW9jy9Vn0VwIYp5rZFzSpgdOZ1qDBW9F2nJEEAb13nRLA0F9tneWxRoth19U9K6_CDrkKRE46z7itNn4NK-DAqP7XhHlJgAgGJvfb_1ZRyW3xhyAyh8huh9FF7QwrwYdkIKG4dIVRM4xHI3OHYhcic5iuy6has9j0-b6BDw1Ef/s1000/6-16%20Noelride%20(6).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Trail north of Robins" border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgToMKBIc00cBHAaQIv6tLW9jy9Vn0VwIYp5rZFzSpgdOZ1qDBW9F2nJEEAb13nRLA0F9tneWxRoth19U9K6_CDrkKRE46z7itNn4NK-DAqP7XhHlJgAgGJvfb_1ZRyW3xhyAyh8huh9FF7QwrwYdkIKG4dIVRM4xHI3OHYhcic5iuy6has9j0-b6BDw1Ef/w400-h300/6-16%20Noelride%20(6).jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>June 16--CVNT north, pretty blue sky.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikUKCrESu-sGuq727fYbuFdNcNUlerVLneeXDDbPyqGZJEPTDTn1b_QL672kXv-sFpCw6mF8Hjh6lCWaa36TpuiKwI6mkV9JurJh9kj0P5MAAHOz8axBnAEgPfwlQYNVF9I3iNwKidQEIJ5sFsQ6sJxMjeI7vNBaxH66clTC-qpFdx8tf6YwGpai74ucrA/s4608/6-17-t104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Sunset" border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4608" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikUKCrESu-sGuq727fYbuFdNcNUlerVLneeXDDbPyqGZJEPTDTn1b_QL672kXv-sFpCw6mF8Hjh6lCWaa36TpuiKwI6mkV9JurJh9kj0P5MAAHOz8axBnAEgPfwlQYNVF9I3iNwKidQEIJ5sFsQ6sJxMjeI7vNBaxH66clTC-qpFdx8tf6YwGpai74ucrA/w400-h266/6-17-t104.JPG" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>June 17--Sunset on Lindale Trail.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br> June 21-23:</b><br><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgINH231l6FhvBI_UvNy64W7eLuyWhQGIOPpWs7l1TWE-0I0FswkUQDKy9ZWVIrp8F_LfwPPL-bYgcAqLRPa1zhbJs1GQvbm4EIguxULeXrZxNqXCJFPWxHJ8YcOo5PcVwDgM8fsHxzV5wV57CypV6o0KmChAdI9TYEorNLP5tZqY-cVu0tp319J84O3xCM/s1000/6-21%20(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Deer on creek trail" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgINH231l6FhvBI_UvNy64W7eLuyWhQGIOPpWs7l1TWE-0I0FswkUQDKy9ZWVIrp8F_LfwPPL-bYgcAqLRPa1zhbJs1GQvbm4EIguxULeXrZxNqXCJFPWxHJ8YcOo5PcVwDgM8fsHxzV5wV57CypV6o0KmChAdI9TYEorNLP5tZqY-cVu0tp319J84O3xCM/w400-h266/6-21%20(1).JPG" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>June 21--Deer on creek trail off of Boyson Trail.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCjqPSaCJwRhNC_dbWlze52NGCFF_WVHhZvE77CeLaTVAJk1WpG-CwnE3gsXir44nLVT0Kn9TGC8xoVxzatWTWQiQ0y24fOGqHCkM9PinfNdC6zU7xPUGmzfkl0VuA-m5PhkMMCM2zonz62CRQSsfjf3Y1IEhnrs-kCH8VeqmW27GbJpmSJYIODPJ2KTCs/s1000/6-21%20(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Bridge on trail" border="0" data-original-height="652" data-original-width="1000" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCjqPSaCJwRhNC_dbWlze52NGCFF_WVHhZvE77CeLaTVAJk1WpG-CwnE3gsXir44nLVT0Kn9TGC8xoVxzatWTWQiQ0y24fOGqHCkM9PinfNdC6zU7xPUGmzfkl0VuA-m5PhkMMCM2zonz62CRQSsfjf3Y1IEhnrs-kCH8VeqmW27GbJpmSJYIODPJ2KTCs/w400-h261/6-21%20(2).JPG" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">June 21--View of bridge on creek trail.<br></td></tr></tbody></table><br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjr-uatF1q7UlGJvNruNBdUEo2716Zd3g60HNn4cGhxe1zHWRuugyPRmcwcsjRK6CrQeuPz6R_yqF41cbaRHmvdBXZ2BgtTTkxXC9BkGkxXBJvPY1qa3ABEuymZ6AIN6KfDrM6ZQscObp_HoZXy8A-kktiDuQo1SsMw9eLNhQHgb-mp8-X1z-8BsslL-nx/s1000/6-21%20(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Lowe Park" border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjr-uatF1q7UlGJvNruNBdUEo2716Zd3g60HNn4cGhxe1zHWRuugyPRmcwcsjRK6CrQeuPz6R_yqF41cbaRHmvdBXZ2BgtTTkxXC9BkGkxXBJvPY1qa3ABEuymZ6AIN6KfDrM6ZQscObp_HoZXy8A-kktiDuQo1SsMw9eLNhQHgb-mp8-X1z-8BsslL-nx/w400-h300/6-21%20(3).JPG" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>June 21--Sunset at Lowe Park.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLViQIU_qC4L4YNSdW_gjsrT4t5v2su7zVpJDVN2KOeCKeqcCq16z_96NM0d06_UyiF7wzyJW2TK8aIdYQLlM5SO02KqhLyvgUQCsowmPZ7BsrIIgbAPtPPJ3GH0J8aQyXMheHWwQ0zTtAsN7aXtIc3Zbzx-sRYeMxYY4Xohx3VwsHznaBfrhbhAM0Cnm_/s1000/6-22-Lindale-Boyson%20(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Deer by trail" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLViQIU_qC4L4YNSdW_gjsrT4t5v2su7zVpJDVN2KOeCKeqcCq16z_96NM0d06_UyiF7wzyJW2TK8aIdYQLlM5SO02KqhLyvgUQCsowmPZ7BsrIIgbAPtPPJ3GH0J8aQyXMheHWwQ0zTtAsN7aXtIc3Zbzx-sRYeMxYY4Xohx3VwsHznaBfrhbhAM0Cnm_/w400-h266/6-22-Lindale-Boyson%20(1).JPG" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>June 22-Saw lots of deer on late ride this day.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTx74oJh6bxvlu6rHOtLblGD14n56cepsKnV4ALZ7vg_wrVoR_dQenM88MPCcXdxKp1jvV8YR8NaDBxK9EVoZzu_KjI4wg3zcKLagGlcNDjdi-ydFTcShM2FlldLyvz67BIbsnmDjhS2FK7cLw9uXxdZYeAm1Bpl_Ca0iTicMgC7HDHvhwHFmQOqNPF1_8/s1000/6-22-Lindale-Boyson%20(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Winking deer" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTx74oJh6bxvlu6rHOtLblGD14n56cepsKnV4ALZ7vg_wrVoR_dQenM88MPCcXdxKp1jvV8YR8NaDBxK9EVoZzu_KjI4wg3zcKLagGlcNDjdi-ydFTcShM2FlldLyvz67BIbsnmDjhS2FK7cLw9uXxdZYeAm1Bpl_Ca0iTicMgC7HDHvhwHFmQOqNPF1_8/w400-h266/6-22-Lindale-Boyson%20(2).JPG" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>June 22--It looked like this one winked at me. I rode on quickly.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_QsLzaytdU6NJY5U1KocmzoM_pmtggluj_hECFCTcYlUjxK8F67L6gC1A6fHB5ksXvKYo5I7ZEcDHKeaNs9r8xlEEWQXBX8ZhOjTxnxp5lB7rwNwGWjiAkDuma1-eKSZ3tYWZUHDQFINcGsEUJ-8kmY0nH5tnkT31o65MsR95BZbvbUqKcluRlvlsumgl/s1000/6-23-waterloo%20(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Waterloo elephant" border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="667" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_QsLzaytdU6NJY5U1KocmzoM_pmtggluj_hECFCTcYlUjxK8F67L6gC1A6fHB5ksXvKYo5I7ZEcDHKeaNs9r8xlEEWQXBX8ZhOjTxnxp5lB7rwNwGWjiAkDuma1-eKSZ3tYWZUHDQFINcGsEUJ-8kmY0nH5tnkT31o65MsR95BZbvbUqKcluRlvlsumgl/w266-h400/6-23-waterloo%20(1).JPG" width="266"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>June 22--Elephant in park along trail in Waterloo.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTES7Kn-bfdetQMdk_vdCN-IXFAlwEP6j8TXlXZENiKPGaiLzK68gCj0ce7fa-MzVJ-8HsqOjSheyyMkgI7gGUi3bfMfddXCeChxmmtSifBQZvEFyK7G4SupXyNBqTWs3-lIAOspfaQqdDXK6kzgEFirLGMsbDPpbpksmPWrkzysQAJFGm_7AyRle9WrOI/s1000/6-23-waterloo%20(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="State park" border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTES7Kn-bfdetQMdk_vdCN-IXFAlwEP6j8TXlXZENiKPGaiLzK68gCj0ce7fa-MzVJ-8HsqOjSheyyMkgI7gGUi3bfMfddXCeChxmmtSifBQZvEFyK7G4SupXyNBqTWs3-lIAOspfaQqdDXK6kzgEFirLGMsbDPpbpksmPWrkzysQAJFGm_7AyRle9WrOI/w400-h300/6-23-waterloo%20(2).JPG" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>June 23--George Wyth State Park in Waterloo, shady trail.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUYWj35-5qX7GpK8-W_g-zuZWtoMr60SRzSW1wQEzrN5lzSyQXsQwmZHWhEFT0uElrqLhxr17xcTYW6Jy4CCphYJDsrUxG0pdl54l6wNHpjsWW3eWsV2iSk4auvyNLZQ9CGoR7DMS8PjbyAt2rbku5GSXfphcrj5OoJ7pGd4JXCbS1jPv6fS-0fARz6K3c/s1000/6-23-waterloo%20(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Cedar River" border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUYWj35-5qX7GpK8-W_g-zuZWtoMr60SRzSW1wQEzrN5lzSyQXsQwmZHWhEFT0uElrqLhxr17xcTYW6Jy4CCphYJDsrUxG0pdl54l6wNHpjsWW3eWsV2iSk4auvyNLZQ9CGoR7DMS8PjbyAt2rbku5GSXfphcrj5OoJ7pGd4JXCbS1jPv6fS-0fARz6K3c/w400-h300/6-23-waterloo%20(3).JPG" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>June 23--Trail along top of levee along Cedar River.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br>CR Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14949410451137266101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3599778591069106718.post-53638394469734462582023-06-01T23:56:00.001-05:002023-06-02T07:10:47.541-05:00In Which May Features Many Miles, Creatures<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEira-a4A_W0eI-WSJs-2vpqjwGY96ZJRVvZCgEgaIubFzaBcklEKoZkFTnhbKJCetwasQV-tq7cakYfZtkZyOevpfTQf3hdBT5ytDcj9BQYsD3XCnlkympp2TGbHbNY5XefnOFexvlhulsWK6c9p8YslfAOFD-RA6OL0L8YbbARLZxgteArCbqfWp9juw/s1000/May%2030--Hawk%20at%20Warde%20Hall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Hawk behind Warde Hall" border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="667" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEira-a4A_W0eI-WSJs-2vpqjwGY96ZJRVvZCgEgaIubFzaBcklEKoZkFTnhbKJCetwasQV-tq7cakYfZtkZyOevpfTQf3hdBT5ytDcj9BQYsD3XCnlkympp2TGbHbNY5XefnOFexvlhulsWK6c9p8YslfAOFD-RA6OL0L8YbbARLZxgteArCbqfWp9juw/w266-h400/May%2030--Hawk%20at%20Warde%20Hall.jpg" width="266"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>May 30--Morning bike ride to campus leads me to encounter this bird. It's a substantial bird, but a very young hawk at the end of one its first flights. Resting on a bare bush behind Warde Hall.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigG10KqBh8ZlOUevmpT1Jmh4DA4HQC-PLY4cQ4dIrum3ScTj_ZAIS6GZN6GslZsV_-UdVZLbifWaeBlmNYw20BMGgH74-x6iez1lb6Mn16Vwi9DiInZ_IGDUX378lXk84el3YO2lAgP2HEuz3MYr9QvvgCnfRadXoXC4TJlm1-y7lFTbkVwvRqYyNSZA/s1000/May%2031--Hawk%20at%20Warde%20Hall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Hawk at loading dock." border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="667" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigG10KqBh8ZlOUevmpT1Jmh4DA4HQC-PLY4cQ4dIrum3ScTj_ZAIS6GZN6GslZsV_-UdVZLbifWaeBlmNYw20BMGgH74-x6iez1lb6Mn16Vwi9DiInZ_IGDUX378lXk84el3YO2lAgP2HEuz3MYr9QvvgCnfRadXoXC4TJlm1-y7lFTbkVwvRqYyNSZA/w266-h400/May%2031--Hawk%20at%20Warde%20Hall.jpg" width="266"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>May 31--This time, the young hawk is on the loading dock, which is a problem because I'm trying to get inside the building with my bicycle. The loading dock door is the only external access. I was a bit worried, since I had to get close to junior, that I might meet mom or dad under adverse circumstances, especially since junior was making plaintive cries. Luckily, I got peacefully inside the building.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>I had some bike struggles in May—a persistent problem with flats on my hybrid bike, mainly. The good folks at Goldfinch bike shop kept at it, eventually replacing the back tyre, which was fairly new, for free, which I appreciated.<br><br>My other issues were personal—mostly the first half of the month was crazy busy until Mount Mercy University, where I teach, had its graduation. The final two weeks of the months featured my first longer summer-style rides.<br><br>I rode 50 miles on May 18, although I discovered I was not feeling all that well afterwards. My sister and I rode 40 miles together on May 23, but it pretty much knocked me out afterwards. The next day, I wanted to do another long ride, but only managed 28 miles before exhaustion took its toll. At least, I did manage 35 miles on May 25, but my wife observed, “we have to build you up.” Indeed, those aren’t very impressive RAGBRAI ride distances.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzUUy9gFUhv3Zg-Dm7oLnKu_-dBlFSSEDQwXqTGsOdl359akHx_BFYVA_tEzqfyZGh97jr_MuZvtlW6yye58YB2mQizsPbcvJ2h3P4unJcDjUEUXSga_RVVCNzkjQ-7cauvBiwXBhspIY8aO2GpVncpeKi_965ZjpI0nEuLfJWjkGY3j1adHPHC3RQbw/s1000/May%204%20C%20Ave%20pond.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="C Avenue Pond" border="0" data-original-height="747" data-original-width="1000" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzUUy9gFUhv3Zg-Dm7oLnKu_-dBlFSSEDQwXqTGsOdl359akHx_BFYVA_tEzqfyZGh97jr_MuZvtlW6yye58YB2mQizsPbcvJ2h3P4unJcDjUEUXSga_RVVCNzkjQ-7cauvBiwXBhspIY8aO2GpVncpeKi_965ZjpI0nEuLfJWjkGY3j1adHPHC3RQbw/w400-h299/May%204%20C%20Ave%20pond.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>May 4--Morning sun at C Avenue Pond.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxsHKWkj9wEkxLTSp5A9Om1P5Tk50fV8YHYlSJHQrK1V5mzi0XpWc8DIHdT9o9cdIRSNatwNie8p4D1o9LSk9k8Rh-R0HsRutdekeDD08I-B0nO9vDsW7WZ_wf3h3dBm9_-oKY8ly65DM00mCjPGkQeAsNsszAG-Bg0R-FW42kwaedwFLlyKGJTwy0nA/s1000/May%206%20sun%20on%20cloudy%20day%20on%20trail.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Sun on trail" border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxsHKWkj9wEkxLTSp5A9Om1P5Tk50fV8YHYlSJHQrK1V5mzi0XpWc8DIHdT9o9cdIRSNatwNie8p4D1o9LSk9k8Rh-R0HsRutdekeDD08I-B0nO9vDsW7WZ_wf3h3dBm9_-oKY8ly65DM00mCjPGkQeAsNsszAG-Bg0R-FW42kwaedwFLlyKGJTwy0nA/w400-h300/May%206%20sun%20on%20cloudy%20day%20on%20trail.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>May 6--On a cloudy day, sun peeks out on side trail off of Boyson Trail.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguIwKxOcP44ZFebtZFED9ICoreEk5AJGkdzCe1YgwAtDc463ESb_UgpYMh34XxEmw0kcvGEMapmdh04rDYVz29c5iv07j45E2Darr-4qMhlrios2XJXCwmwMZhr8xWcX2vIq727bCImNTT6xBDWa4ArLgFvjQMsy0R6J0NNKs7aqDMeKUy-qEhT4E7Xw/s1000/May%2016%20morning%20bike%20ride.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Morning sun" border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguIwKxOcP44ZFebtZFED9ICoreEk5AJGkdzCe1YgwAtDc463ESb_UgpYMh34XxEmw0kcvGEMapmdh04rDYVz29c5iv07j45E2Darr-4qMhlrios2XJXCwmwMZhr8xWcX2vIq727bCImNTT6xBDWa4ArLgFvjQMsy0R6J0NNKs7aqDMeKUy-qEhT4E7Xw/w400-h300/May%2016%20morning%20bike%20ride.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>May 16--Interesting morning sky on bike ride to work.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p>On May 31, the weather forecast was for a nice morning, followed by a hot summer-like afternoon with the high around 90 Fahrenheit. I had a plan—I would get on the road by 8 a.m., ride 50 miles before it got hot, and then do 10 miles later after it had cooled down.<br><br>The best laid plans and all that—it didn’t exactly work out. I slept later than I expected and took a while to get ready, so I left after 9. That was still earlier than I’ve usually started rolling, so there was still hope. I rode north to Lafayette, doing the loop around the Robins Park both coming and going. Then I rode down to Cedar Lake. I had to turn in my letter of appointment at the university where I teach, and planned that as a break in my ride. By the time I got there, I had about 25 miles and the day was getting hot.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvnHeoqlsZRbaBSetsXvWC3fGPv6H1-TmxhlKKT8Tnx_0JAWUxMYxfbO6LRhmErHpg4ct_6Dum_sfzjtBTafVOeU3Lq4fNH9_6I7nRHareOAnDhhtb-vdZWOAGDDu1mEA-2zXRusEZIs2X2QtISU9YORROmHYsGTopNQhETeJ7gNgaNR5n5FCRtOZbnQ/s1000/May%2017--Sunscreen%20and%20bug%20spray.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Sunscreen, bug spray" border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="667" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvnHeoqlsZRbaBSetsXvWC3fGPv6H1-TmxhlKKT8Tnx_0JAWUxMYxfbO6LRhmErHpg4ct_6Dum_sfzjtBTafVOeU3Lq4fNH9_6I7nRHareOAnDhhtb-vdZWOAGDDu1mEA-2zXRusEZIs2X2QtISU9YORROmHYsGTopNQhETeJ7gNgaNR5n5FCRtOZbnQ/w266-h400/May%2017--Sunscreen%20and%20bug%20spray.jpg" width="266"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>May 17--Weather in warming up, bugs are getting common and sunscreen is now part of each ride.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9sK2MxtF490Oky1qCO9gxQN4aZ0CDt8jIZfMAANMNpykdEdT0EykzTSGEJf_QRIQNOw92XMVE1s1qnBd21PpbMPI1HAO4TfN-c8jnYElDvpo0sLV_1NNNaHReeH7pQiezhzMuBDp220-EHQiIbUuNxGUVfmgphJaoWisDnZmMjt-u7WU3DBfGDqP3Gw/s1000/May%2017--Bike%20on%20trail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Bike on Lindale Trail" border="0" data-original-height="732" data-original-width="1000" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9sK2MxtF490Oky1qCO9gxQN4aZ0CDt8jIZfMAANMNpykdEdT0EykzTSGEJf_QRIQNOw92XMVE1s1qnBd21PpbMPI1HAO4TfN-c8jnYElDvpo0sLV_1NNNaHReeH7pQiezhzMuBDp220-EHQiIbUuNxGUVfmgphJaoWisDnZmMjt-u7WU3DBfGDqP3Gw/w400-h293/May%2017--Bike%20on%20trail.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>May 17--Bike parked on Lindale Trail as I pause to photograph flowers.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8r65E3xHRhcrUsK0895UN7GJEDzbbLmsapgSIIBCwUkrvqAahWCTlr0mZvIks-XJHSSRqmDFaMPc-TuiXszqv9nZYbV5ELOmIhQ8s76I3eGeq_YK16RFcDDM2bXAKW8HzJqDJ5JknW9pV9ThWjzHjjTJLxNhyppy8b3iDqDAflaA0qzirAzV5zwwu-g/s1000/May%2017%20flower%20on%20Lindale%20Trail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Flowers" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8r65E3xHRhcrUsK0895UN7GJEDzbbLmsapgSIIBCwUkrvqAahWCTlr0mZvIks-XJHSSRqmDFaMPc-TuiXszqv9nZYbV5ELOmIhQ8s76I3eGeq_YK16RFcDDM2bXAKW8HzJqDJ5JknW9pV9ThWjzHjjTJLxNhyppy8b3iDqDAflaA0qzirAzV5zwwu-g/w400-h266/May%2017%20flower%20on%20Lindale%20Trail.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>May 17--Sweet smelling flowers of spring along Lindale Trail.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>The afternoon was quite warm, but on the way home I rode partway down the Lindale Trail, going to the west end and back to the bridge area on the east. By riding a slightly indirect route home and by messing around on the Lindale Trail, I managed to get to 42 miles. It was about 2 p.m., and I decided it was time to hide inside for a while.<br><br>I fixed and ate lunch and took a nap. By the time I was up again and ready to ride, it was past 5 p.m. I decided that if I rode 8 mile and reached 50 for the day, I would still call it a success. I rode out to Waldo’s Rock, and then returned to the Lindale Trail, turning to take the Boyson Trail and the new Creek Trail that leads behind Linn-Mar High School.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7OXE64VCw0cempX1olZm3i7oMB5Njka0RFpgmY9Sl-uvkSicQLC73niqyMha6OeXrqggb6sCOV5vAnpFaMNUxYUoZn9rYgaYalqsVbBbZTP2MThHtaOT1E-TLiYgD-eDHbR20HBc5aRoiFq3iZCALX_Okb-7Nd3zkj_-QIelSeqHI7PJ647Oh40kXuA/s1000/May%2018--Parked%20at%20Lafayette%20on%2050%20mile%20ride%20to%20Urbana.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Bike in Lafayette" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7OXE64VCw0cempX1olZm3i7oMB5Njka0RFpgmY9Sl-uvkSicQLC73niqyMha6OeXrqggb6sCOV5vAnpFaMNUxYUoZn9rYgaYalqsVbBbZTP2MThHtaOT1E-TLiYgD-eDHbR20HBc5aRoiFq3iZCALX_Okb-7Nd3zkj_-QIelSeqHI7PJ647Oh40kXuA/w400-h266/May%2018--Parked%20at%20Lafayette%20on%2050%20mile%20ride%20to%20Urbana.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>May 18--Rode bike to Urbana, parked for break at Lafayette.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZqPwW9zUCDV3tusCkfL-cLuFDLsIcRw4TVF-78MZuQTmCccP9U02R5CZ1B1nlteeXZMRQVMhxRTedDJfZAA9RST5_wdzOYS9TOfjBd8_SbnUcWDMYX_8Hyb6k8shK5ZtwhiT5qusyIRaZb_CFcWcSnS6is-Gn8IDMcQgiUUS2CKDPDGd612VDSkB2Dg/s1000/May%2018--hazy%20sky%20on%20long%20ride.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Cedar Valley Nature Trail" border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZqPwW9zUCDV3tusCkfL-cLuFDLsIcRw4TVF-78MZuQTmCccP9U02R5CZ1B1nlteeXZMRQVMhxRTedDJfZAA9RST5_wdzOYS9TOfjBd8_SbnUcWDMYX_8Hyb6k8shK5ZtwhiT5qusyIRaZb_CFcWcSnS6is-Gn8IDMcQgiUUS2CKDPDGd612VDSkB2Dg/w400-h300/May%2018--hazy%20sky%20on%20long%20ride.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>May 18--Hazy skies on Cedar River Trail north of Center Point. Sorry about the forests, Canada.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>I’m normally a slow biker. My 42-mile ride was on my road bike, my fastest bike, but it had a slow motor that day. For the later ride, I rode my hybrid bike. For one thing, I had moved my bike bag there, so didn’t have to wear my camera bag, which I liked.<br><br>By the time I got to the north end of the new creek trail, at Tower Terrace Road, it was getting dim, and I didn’t want to ride a dark, wooded trail in twilight. So I turned west along Tower Terrace Road. I was well past my 8 mile goal, in fact, I had ridden more than 10 miles. Even though it was getting late and I had not had supper, I was too motivated. I rode to the Lowe Park Trail—not taking the trail as it was too dim, but just heading up the street and back to gain some distance.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZl_NcxWfbECL5wurlht2mp0unLWeYCV9uXsqwP47PWUYLh1iinPiWgD8pE3-17GIKtCXjMrlGk5jJPG5hx27ytMubsz8HVy1TNxTnuYpCtwNgaaLcbcEOqZzJbVoWPogvpqUG-j6eYfw83O69faJjduHblD4GuYddONf4olDxsDqHSOcuWKpa7CUNOA/s1000/May%2024-Sac%20and%20Fox%20mountain%20trail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZl_NcxWfbECL5wurlht2mp0unLWeYCV9uXsqwP47PWUYLh1iinPiWgD8pE3-17GIKtCXjMrlGk5jJPG5hx27ytMubsz8HVy1TNxTnuYpCtwNgaaLcbcEOqZzJbVoWPogvpqUG-j6eYfw83O69faJjduHblD4GuYddONf4olDxsDqHSOcuWKpa7CUNOA/w300-h400/May%2024-Sac%20and%20Fox%20mountain%20trail.jpg" title="Mountain bike trail" width="300"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>May 24--Rode mountain bike to Sac and Fox Trail--took side mountain bike trail for a couple of miles.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfeMw-AitfanP3AVe4iIW9HwjF_uOEFgUdVTqmx4o6w9lNMZzXlio4y3ESSEISPEgraSdbQnERgRsHPbi8WirwxtVcuW-MCUR6vZoDZWy9X1co8LdGYQ-g4p1zIwpvayUI1P4VUhy8RB8eq47-H56VIrEjiTv9SG-T5hlL6ydpZFRgYbHFTSVcaIHP5g/s1000/May%2024--Trail%20closed%20ahead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Closed sign" border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfeMw-AitfanP3AVe4iIW9HwjF_uOEFgUdVTqmx4o6w9lNMZzXlio4y3ESSEISPEgraSdbQnERgRsHPbi8WirwxtVcuW-MCUR6vZoDZWy9X1co8LdGYQ-g4p1zIwpvayUI1P4VUhy8RB8eq47-H56VIrEjiTv9SG-T5hlL6ydpZFRgYbHFTSVcaIHP5g/w400-h300/May%2024--Trail%20closed%20ahead.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>May 24--Halfway down Sac and Fox, trail is closed for a road bridge construction.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnw5laTEVkphsB3WwF6jvr58aZNJiwCqLNMkHh1Bvihw4xnbkvTVGIGBcy29GpuPiz0treQGXifDl8bnhppZmG7BQsr0g6AOtg0oSywcjnl-_mT7jPmfDYJVanFjqhMy-FoA9eMXbrCuD0m34DtYraqcIoNdJa9oULGaiUnzLia1yEgkFZtqFQVaVvug/s1000/May%2024--Cedar%20River%20seen%20from%20Otis%20Road.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Otis Road" border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnw5laTEVkphsB3WwF6jvr58aZNJiwCqLNMkHh1Bvihw4xnbkvTVGIGBcy29GpuPiz0treQGXifDl8bnhppZmG7BQsr0g6AOtg0oSywcjnl-_mT7jPmfDYJVanFjqhMy-FoA9eMXbrCuD0m34DtYraqcIoNdJa9oULGaiUnzLia1yEgkFZtqFQVaVvug/w400-h300/May%2024--Cedar%20River%20seen%20from%20Otis%20Road.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>May 24--Cedar River seen as I ride along Otis Road.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSr7Ez3LybA7wZcoldOW6_-29Xigfyf2Zn-2NKMirYxA3d3SDzTQQPm656Iv3TWPFlb-Vew8Becg1EKBGncQZSZc1f9TbXlvzEnF-z1VHtzYXxbq7WBd_IJ2Rr9uO3mHjhrj45dlI1dffu9G0U3e1S4-BFnw-a1i_4b-cQ26KmdRbxnC6wvT_saXUC3w/s1000/May%2024--Cedar%20Lake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Cedar Lake" border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="667" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSr7Ez3LybA7wZcoldOW6_-29Xigfyf2Zn-2NKMirYxA3d3SDzTQQPm656Iv3TWPFlb-Vew8Becg1EKBGncQZSZc1f9TbXlvzEnF-z1VHtzYXxbq7WBd_IJ2Rr9uO3mHjhrj45dlI1dffu9G0U3e1S4-BFnw-a1i_4b-cQ26KmdRbxnC6wvT_saXUC3w/w266-h400/May%2024--Cedar%20Lake.jpg" width="266"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>May 24--Cedar Lake.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjuR6I5WehteO3RUtQtHEP3JJ66tjDNl52-CUyy3BuC5y2vayDCCinHIUyZRgauJtOJFllB6I6U0noA2DsQRYNDdZEeSgQXdogeKzXE9QVqNVFLDt6KPCxUvgleHWrU97eoL92OAakXuA4jSpUq9V9deSR6eeHQnGJBl7xlLA76jujA90wmZ7NfNr5_Q/s1000/May%2024--Bike%20at%20end%20of%20ride.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Bike on trail" border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjuR6I5WehteO3RUtQtHEP3JJ66tjDNl52-CUyy3BuC5y2vayDCCinHIUyZRgauJtOJFllB6I6U0noA2DsQRYNDdZEeSgQXdogeKzXE9QVqNVFLDt6KPCxUvgleHWrU97eoL92OAakXuA4jSpUq9V9deSR6eeHQnGJBl7xlLA76jujA90wmZ7NfNr5_Q/w400-h300/May%2024--Bike%20at%20end%20of%20ride.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>May 24--Mountain bike parked where the trail ends, halfway.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLxPzYTvNmGYzwTUZyCFGuqYpUuRBzuD-1CbKlwtLTS-ts3phadlIATPiTebG0IW1zcEh2z-MlkmBrjMsIpPlKzjv33PIccp4TQMhHMqnsBtzMyUQ7iY7C1WJ-6Bg--w2G3NhYvITKdvu6Fu3mS9cMICNnBMTMWUZH0AdiLIjhC7Ogo87mO_PadpDLNA/s1000/May%2024--Afternoon%20sun%20at%20Sac%20and%20Fox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Evening sky" border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLxPzYTvNmGYzwTUZyCFGuqYpUuRBzuD-1CbKlwtLTS-ts3phadlIATPiTebG0IW1zcEh2z-MlkmBrjMsIpPlKzjv33PIccp4TQMhHMqnsBtzMyUQ7iY7C1WJ-6Bg--w2G3NhYvITKdvu6Fu3mS9cMICNnBMTMWUZH0AdiLIjhC7Ogo87mO_PadpDLNA/w400-h300/May%2024--Afternoon%20sun%20at%20Sac%20and%20Fox.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>May 28--Riding back to start of Sac and Fox, pretty late afternoon.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>On the way home, I turned north into the Cedar Rapids neighborhood north of Boyson Road. I had about 15 miles on the ride—but looping around, I managed to eke out the missing 3 miles. It wasn’t so hot in the evening and I didn’t want to stop in the 50s if I could make it to 60 miles.<br><br>Which I did. It was the last day of May, and 60 miles is my longest ride so far this year. To get ready for RAGBRAI, I’ll have to try to ride that kind of distances several times a week in June, but it was good to get the first “long” ride in.<br><br>In May of 2022, I cycled about 210 miles. This year, May 2023, my milage total was 397 miles. Maybe I would have gone for 63 if I realized I was only 3 miles short of 400, but I don’t feel bad about 60 miles on May 31. For the year so far, I have 1,118 miles. The old rule of thumb is one should ride at least 1,000 miles before attempting RAGBRAI. With my old body, I need more prep than that—it just takes longer to try to get in shape.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr5VB8sDJ4maP9NezlGApqsELEEKIRQ66-BKUdesteBKp3yXgfwzjryFyJCIj2_JIeVCAWA2LiYhxeeSiFQ8BeoS2UHC8amF-C4zxT_6_Oi0xsQpRQ4CG0UM0se6YVQPG4_ZyZm1IrMRr_XuTCPlgUUkt7JxBEvHgc46mmW16CgyZu3fYNGlNQ3kLISA/s1000/May%2026--Mountain%20bike%20on%20Boyson%20mountain%20trail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Moutain bike on trail" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr5VB8sDJ4maP9NezlGApqsELEEKIRQ66-BKUdesteBKp3yXgfwzjryFyJCIj2_JIeVCAWA2LiYhxeeSiFQ8BeoS2UHC8amF-C4zxT_6_Oi0xsQpRQ4CG0UM0se6YVQPG4_ZyZm1IrMRr_XuTCPlgUUkt7JxBEvHgc46mmW16CgyZu3fYNGlNQ3kLISA/w400-h266/May%2026--Mountain%20bike%20on%20Boyson%20mountain%20trail.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>May 26--Rode to Boyson Trail on mountain bike, parked along mountain bike trail there.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpTlXawb2KvzisLapolVtGZ4ptxkWH1a2CeXuTdpMItRS9mIv6qZSGyHTqUzr85sv-daaqscw9BFpAHOAWg9LmgP3Z1XLbpObFx-X3zt6Ghr9mCSMfnggPQ2QtqGxFawyPYUtLM-WGA6g-AIW1cJPH0zsWfPNE8rFbWoyl51qxtqda3xY6NxUotVKjTQ/s1000/May%2025--Where%20there%20was%20a%20detour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Cedar River Trail" border="0" data-original-height="685" data-original-width="1000" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpTlXawb2KvzisLapolVtGZ4ptxkWH1a2CeXuTdpMItRS9mIv6qZSGyHTqUzr85sv-daaqscw9BFpAHOAWg9LmgP3Z1XLbpObFx-X3zt6Ghr9mCSMfnggPQ2QtqGxFawyPYUtLM-WGA6g-AIW1cJPH0zsWfPNE8rFbWoyl51qxtqda3xY6NxUotVKjTQ/w400-h274/May%2025--Where%20there%20was%20a%20detour.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>May 25--Where there was a detour at a sink hole site on Cedar River Trail south of the river. The regular trail is open now--rode down to Ely this day.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>The rides in May came as the weather quickly transitions from a warm spring to a hot, dry summer pattern. I hope we get some rain soon, as it’s way too dry for this time of year.<br><br>The rides, while getting buggy as they do in Iowa, have also been nice. One feature of the May rides has been the increasing number of interesting critters I’ve seen—deer, of course. Also a groundhog and a snake. And several times, late in May, a young hawk. A pair of red-tailed hawks nest on top of the five-story building where I have my office, and this year they successfully produced at least two young hawks, that one of my faculty friends dubbed “front door” and “back door,” because the first tentative flights of one have been to the front stop of the building, while the other prefers the rear. On my bike rides, I’ve encountered “back door” several times.</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6hNai9R2XvPJSLZg2EEJijJ7jQqXNW-vMehIHPqoLpkwRfJkYkvBsNQbNOd63ig5ugvzvV8b1R_lwq4ko2lqdJQl3Avzv33GRoJBWCl3A_PZXlKjq4579OlbShiVpTvi5NepTzE9MlzYbuMK9EIIwC8vIxtWVMJFwAbh7kZWprk3IRyEYuJgiEYdvpw/s1000/May%2031--Catalpa%20near%20Cedar%20Lake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Catalpa flowers" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6hNai9R2XvPJSLZg2EEJijJ7jQqXNW-vMehIHPqoLpkwRfJkYkvBsNQbNOd63ig5ugvzvV8b1R_lwq4ko2lqdJQl3Avzv33GRoJBWCl3A_PZXlKjq4579OlbShiVpTvi5NepTzE9MlzYbuMK9EIIwC8vIxtWVMJFwAbh7kZWprk3IRyEYuJgiEYdvpw/w400-h266/May%2031--Catalpa%20near%20Cedar%20Lake.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>May 31--Catalpa Tree flowers near Cedar Lake.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSvCSfGX9NdFEiUEWumoyyCJCp4UHw-VZK1kz4vEHrf-YEQ81ifgHvq1X57AYje3eO35hzb6yihJIkiUFlpxhFi_tUlDC0Km36qvx8_-rN5pHA-xIi4h5Xc5Er9SDOA9A8dxzqnXk_OcU6Lw4QCRPryghQBdIHkR3-h7Cd_opf5qyZIteQ5p7GflATjQ/s1000/May%2031--Cedar%20Lake%20on%20hot%20summer%20afternoon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Cedar Lake" border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSvCSfGX9NdFEiUEWumoyyCJCp4UHw-VZK1kz4vEHrf-YEQ81ifgHvq1X57AYje3eO35hzb6yihJIkiUFlpxhFi_tUlDC0Km36qvx8_-rN5pHA-xIi4h5Xc5Er9SDOA9A8dxzqnXk_OcU6Lw4QCRPryghQBdIHkR3-h7Cd_opf5qyZIteQ5p7GflATjQ/w400-h300/May%2031--Cedar%20Lake%20on%20hot%20summer%20afternoon.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>May 31--Very hot day, summer look of Cedar Lake.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyYR8QUeW_O_06j8q6JolVacjILCe8WHah-iEYvuq8oFhWHQF6lndsdFD2ioIZMNvOyDUshdSfKSstQrK0SSZ71tyAEjHUcmDerb6bHDvvQOzvTYFDXAgV8zRZp0BZZ-A8XFXXdVzJpe9pYBH2Ka2T1tIu8bl_z5ySzAbS1ZgwVFvRPowF6Kdh9j8YxQ/s1000/May%2031--Pond%20at%20Waldos%20Rock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Waldos Rock" border="0" data-original-height="743" data-original-width="1000" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyYR8QUeW_O_06j8q6JolVacjILCe8WHah-iEYvuq8oFhWHQF6lndsdFD2ioIZMNvOyDUshdSfKSstQrK0SSZ71tyAEjHUcmDerb6bHDvvQOzvTYFDXAgV8zRZp0BZZ-A8XFXXdVzJpe9pYBH2Ka2T1tIu8bl_z5ySzAbS1ZgwVFvRPowF6Kdh9j8YxQ/w400-h297/May%2031--Pond%20at%20Waldos%20Rock.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>May 31--Pond at Waldos Rock park late in the day as I aim for 60 miles.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-QYclEB9kyEu_KIuxjP6HEd_T-qg5LhYus5HJmc87iVWFkO3_XAzKhEc1gpqy1y8Kk-aVd4xgECRIHAejJ91V298O5GUn5VMjTogsp1nNgcj7aqhBREyjrb-QZdz5zTNLNv-QfBntE8tz7Mf8fBXYrejdxcptHB1lyY4RKCKr2RLeB1OQ0A87iz0SAA/s1000/May%2031--Summer%20snow%20cottonwood%20seeds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Lindale Trail" border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="667" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-QYclEB9kyEu_KIuxjP6HEd_T-qg5LhYus5HJmc87iVWFkO3_XAzKhEc1gpqy1y8Kk-aVd4xgECRIHAejJ91V298O5GUn5VMjTogsp1nNgcj7aqhBREyjrb-QZdz5zTNLNv-QfBntE8tz7Mf8fBXYrejdxcptHB1lyY4RKCKr2RLeB1OQ0A87iz0SAA/w266-h400/May%2031--Summer%20snow%20cottonwood%20seeds.jpg" width="266"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>May 31--Summer "snow" on Lindale Trail--Cottonwood seeds.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGrSGVNitZG2P7Ljz3P_9sb9sdkfdzhLXRuP8B7cpAswf02samqbvMK1lLg3JhyNZqGjlTeEIT-fRxjUdWcf8w0vJDbsktYsNrt5m056pM4ni5AiRYrQSlxpJi0uPnqZL3FhsaLOIgNKQ68AwWwvz0y2YTpAMjylXr038DA_EYR5JiJAFwP2Hmi16WoQ/s1000/May%2031--Sunset%20on%20Lindale%20Trail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Sunset on Lindale Trail" border="0" data-original-height="722" data-original-width="1000" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGrSGVNitZG2P7Ljz3P_9sb9sdkfdzhLXRuP8B7cpAswf02samqbvMK1lLg3JhyNZqGjlTeEIT-fRxjUdWcf8w0vJDbsktYsNrt5m056pM4ni5AiRYrQSlxpJi0uPnqZL3FhsaLOIgNKQ68AwWwvz0y2YTpAMjylXr038DA_EYR5JiJAFwP2Hmi16WoQ/w400-h289/May%2031--Sunset%20on%20Lindale%20Trail.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>May 31--Sun going down on Lindale Trail.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>One day, I even saw a fox family on the Lindale Trail. I'm aware that wild fox live in Iowa, but this was my first time seeing one, and it' wasn't one, but a mom and two kits.<br><br>May—miles are picking up as I plan longer training rides, and nature is getting more interesting to look at. I hope May rides have been pleasant wherever you are!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>The creatures of May:</b><br></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMs7aEshUU42n7lQN2_aSzAH8zLWXSn5E3rinfBdlsHLj6p9Aesnq0wMmDnWokcpOLOfJWsP2WlxSkr1WTuPf5CtVV1WG-2_zW2P1gBdct_d96dumwoKSTgw5U4YB3reJF5rzsP4vWWY-U4lmj7Pgto93_nohzNfrTcjXNIQYI7KuklVc01lVfgrgDaw/s1000/May%206%20fox%20fam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Fox family" border="0" data-original-height="622" data-original-width="1000" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMs7aEshUU42n7lQN2_aSzAH8zLWXSn5E3rinfBdlsHLj6p9Aesnq0wMmDnWokcpOLOfJWsP2WlxSkr1WTuPf5CtVV1WG-2_zW2P1gBdct_d96dumwoKSTgw5U4YB3reJF5rzsP4vWWY-U4lmj7Pgto93_nohzNfrTcjXNIQYI7KuklVc01lVfgrgDaw/w400-h249/May%206%20fox%20fam.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>May 6--Fox family on Lindale Trail.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6xzd8KAeMDHO8Mc4VLs7oyDVrjDCfZNOuYy4N_m9GpCn3qqXZghkQT7y4HPFAbnzckXMvBn-Rc8PLSzdgtbI89RSYASoxqNF92wK1EgBlbjnos2Brggd-bL2msLqAru197bQWt163pKItCjVQxZTx6WrzY4wwDPkq-CObpyoz076dDf0inhNUwSKZAA/s1000/May%206%20fox%20kit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Fox kit" border="0" data-original-height="652" data-original-width="1000" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6xzd8KAeMDHO8Mc4VLs7oyDVrjDCfZNOuYy4N_m9GpCn3qqXZghkQT7y4HPFAbnzckXMvBn-Rc8PLSzdgtbI89RSYASoxqNF92wK1EgBlbjnos2Brggd-bL2msLqAru197bQWt163pKItCjVQxZTx6WrzY4wwDPkq-CObpyoz076dDf0inhNUwSKZAA/w400-h261/May%206%20fox%20kit.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>May 6--Young fox is watching me as I photograph it.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg78iip2z-dzr6rFW49FFN48CLBDPk5Pzm_NSNwjS9mUeYojquG4z3VVd9ofzZVXydV03c3w14oPPvS7N9j4qiSyateMx50JsEyKbbS691UwIgN5DYYARf6bFZlI1LvjZM_dWlEbB6owjQ3tW3rjI5pDiQERGtMfVrcCNczI6RaDgnYRa3iGmw7EYX7PA/s1000/May%2018--Snake%20on%20a%20trail%20in%20Robins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Snake" border="0" data-original-height="637" data-original-width="1000" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg78iip2z-dzr6rFW49FFN48CLBDPk5Pzm_NSNwjS9mUeYojquG4z3VVd9ofzZVXydV03c3w14oPPvS7N9j4qiSyateMx50JsEyKbbS691UwIgN5DYYARf6bFZlI1LvjZM_dWlEbB6owjQ3tW3rjI5pDiQERGtMfVrcCNczI6RaDgnYRa3iGmw7EYX7PA/w400-h255/May%2018--Snake%20on%20a%20trail%20in%20Robins.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>May 18--Snake on trail in Robins. I'm glad to say it quickly moved off the trail.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYumItuYLhLjjxTYJ8WTfL2FDpYmifxdAOof2e40gLrnj5SA4Pu-SKU5adhEbWs-TKa3vbFsQ_TinOuqKYNzVWm2YvsLkrTQc-9NbbEk2z_bdN_8-Tu2qbXU6M6R9WrRx69qOPVVJLX-CccuC8tuw1w8qk3Qigcr8i1CpniYQnnAZu4jGJCaGPmkw30g/s1000/May%2018-snake%20on%20a%20trail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Snake crawls by bike" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYumItuYLhLjjxTYJ8WTfL2FDpYmifxdAOof2e40gLrnj5SA4Pu-SKU5adhEbWs-TKa3vbFsQ_TinOuqKYNzVWm2YvsLkrTQc-9NbbEk2z_bdN_8-Tu2qbXU6M6R9WrRx69qOPVVJLX-CccuC8tuw1w8qk3Qigcr8i1CpniYQnnAZu4jGJCaGPmkw30g/w400-h266/May%2018-snake%20on%20a%20trail.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>May 18--Snake makes a break for the grass (my bike in background).<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicGjfNlTPtqtGREtIDapNfHr6um1XhBNPTa4R1enBTJr8F4BtpT69pBBFq4kMyPqj9zQkbUpaGiFxDz9oDKlERX2g4MxbDXpIJfE-2DI1h7tWsTEXds6cXrXjM1HVqSoPnO_yvbpzXpOkPA79N-jrpsTz3VGhvLkRDUtdm9lnxBrTs7-mpPnQGGgD2HQ/s1000/May%2025--Goose%20fam%20along%20Cedar%20River%20ride%20to%20Ely.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Geese near Cedar River" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicGjfNlTPtqtGREtIDapNfHr6um1XhBNPTa4R1enBTJr8F4BtpT69pBBFq4kMyPqj9zQkbUpaGiFxDz9oDKlERX2g4MxbDXpIJfE-2DI1h7tWsTEXds6cXrXjM1HVqSoPnO_yvbpzXpOkPA79N-jrpsTz3VGhvLkRDUtdm9lnxBrTs7-mpPnQGGgD2HQ/w400-h266/May%2025--Goose%20fam%20along%20Cedar%20River%20ride%20to%20Ely.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>May 25--Geese along Cedar River.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3iC64pvsLVjPUIWezwHukuHSvqk0srDvWcgwDRt4QNs_tmByV0iB7FvfC9U7KCXqpg4Mk2NY58loWit31hRMdFhJ2BDqCZKaCh80wAZ72kSsZAM0HqCUD3EdI-x1Fu3dailXwFsinigwDQ4IzVogRXlefmUsQYzaqajYjzm1_lRMZOlAmOenFjE8wTA/s1000/May%2026--Groundhog%20crosses%20trail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Groundhog" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3iC64pvsLVjPUIWezwHukuHSvqk0srDvWcgwDRt4QNs_tmByV0iB7FvfC9U7KCXqpg4Mk2NY58loWit31hRMdFhJ2BDqCZKaCh80wAZ72kSsZAM0HqCUD3EdI-x1Fu3dailXwFsinigwDQ4IzVogRXlefmUsQYzaqajYjzm1_lRMZOlAmOenFjE8wTA/w400-h266/May%2026--Groundhog%20crosses%20trail.jpg" width="400"></a></i></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>May 26--Groundhog crosses Lindale Trail.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgycJA5O4HBEK_HcxQ51nuDsc089JQN4Tp5sX69-KANYx5ye_7t6G6rx3wkn9ZYD_LfRr6WAxQ2h_tzrkZgrBMtYcUNLXVsA_afKUSyfiD347-D0MiYxK1pOADEi3MFZUWHq9b3nGQfrDlhvnHJT5uq6q8PAxo3aTkLKNMyIvhJegmK0_WeJbarkwHhSw/s1000/May%2026-Deer%20on%20Boyson%20Trail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Deer along creek trail" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgycJA5O4HBEK_HcxQ51nuDsc089JQN4Tp5sX69-KANYx5ye_7t6G6rx3wkn9ZYD_LfRr6WAxQ2h_tzrkZgrBMtYcUNLXVsA_afKUSyfiD347-D0MiYxK1pOADEi3MFZUWHq9b3nGQfrDlhvnHJT5uq6q8PAxo3aTkLKNMyIvhJegmK0_WeJbarkwHhSw/w400-h266/May%2026-Deer%20on%20Boyson%20Trail.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>May 26--Deer near Boyson Trail.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuggrADdAaNzem2MtUAE52j4dpTw-idsjxY1uQAHnZmABld0ITacS0aGzaUq4wK5fdwJygx4ClHYbY6XhJnvqJFAmq9VTqFapOs30_GmA83BEy9EKvMugQ1CUrTct94XDjlWXGu3DC1ah8EXUn4Z17Mdy3e1CJHVlcpTpYDt55SMYYAcnhhbQrsRchRw/s1000/May%2026-Groundhog%20on%20LIndale%20Trail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Groundhog" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuggrADdAaNzem2MtUAE52j4dpTw-idsjxY1uQAHnZmABld0ITacS0aGzaUq4wK5fdwJygx4ClHYbY6XhJnvqJFAmq9VTqFapOs30_GmA83BEy9EKvMugQ1CUrTct94XDjlWXGu3DC1ah8EXUn4Z17Mdy3e1CJHVlcpTpYDt55SMYYAcnhhbQrsRchRw/w400-h266/May%2026-Groundhog%20on%20LIndale%20Trail.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Groundhog near Lindale Trail (before crossing it).<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYGiSpkahblHjewed-w1I8aeBEIdYDxs_wnZ96pHNdGa5R1Zobka4pTa0BoD452wMBfNOFBa85XJ-QYsDez_EFj_76eMIoh1B68FoV1gGCiSHePU5nNTIPRrg2VPWvayMXV-DJ6jVJTioU_ikhFtlBZsiMZ9VN-hMN5YMDRJf6BpSd4JBso1y-NOO2xQ/s1000/May%2031--Geese%20at%20Cedar%20Lake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Geese at Cedar Lake" border="0" data-original-height="626" data-original-width="1000" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYGiSpkahblHjewed-w1I8aeBEIdYDxs_wnZ96pHNdGa5R1Zobka4pTa0BoD452wMBfNOFBa85XJ-QYsDez_EFj_76eMIoh1B68FoV1gGCiSHePU5nNTIPRrg2VPWvayMXV-DJ6jVJTioU_ikhFtlBZsiMZ9VN-hMN5YMDRJf6BpSd4JBso1y-NOO2xQ/w400-h250/May%2031--Geese%20at%20Cedar%20Lake.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>May 31--Geese at Cedar Lake.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><p><br></p>CR Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14949410451137266101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3599778591069106718.post-28627284941207511772023-04-29T23:32:00.000-05:002023-04-29T23:32:39.064-05:00In Which It’s a Gray, Cold, Beautiful Day<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKtauXCIrFJqn0DO0OfkZsBV4bZJ-OT8lPqqUrY1g8f9F6Rtgq2MxPVL9Ule5zr3i6eG_N2amL9N7_-8I5bQzob5L2V0XrzvnC5ZWg2ON4XaUN7pEUxSUz1HZR_wdafvGiipUj08WtoMkBkYRqQ8Re8W_GEKnXFDx3A7nkEjfKLRGKMtZll59OMtkoQQ/s1000/b01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1000" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKtauXCIrFJqn0DO0OfkZsBV4bZJ-OT8lPqqUrY1g8f9F6Rtgq2MxPVL9Ule5zr3i6eG_N2amL9N7_-8I5bQzob5L2V0XrzvnC5ZWg2ON4XaUN7pEUxSUz1HZR_wdafvGiipUj08WtoMkBkYRqQ8Re8W_GEKnXFDx3A7nkEjfKLRGKMtZll59OMtkoQQ/w400-h270/b01.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Grey day in Iowa. A blackbird was yelling at me--they get very territorial during nesting season--but flew off when I got my camera out.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzV18XzSgXXoXQd5LQLkPzL9iQmTMJKW0EPUuyd8kSWtCigPuXoAfHMKWG_uN4V0FyAsEuELZyPaH2T1d5CaeD2AuCbRiFnYyvLyeEM-fqRYtOJqczpUDjOHmFhU-mbh8uDLApX69VfSrz0AUgeM-1-K7ItZFC3pV7sLNboDXJ73u9GVISW4AkjDa0hw/s1000/b02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzV18XzSgXXoXQd5LQLkPzL9iQmTMJKW0EPUuyd8kSWtCigPuXoAfHMKWG_uN4V0FyAsEuELZyPaH2T1d5CaeD2AuCbRiFnYyvLyeEM-fqRYtOJqczpUDjOHmFhU-mbh8uDLApX69VfSrz0AUgeM-1-K7ItZFC3pV7sLNboDXJ73u9GVISW4AkjDa0hw/w400-h266/b02.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>North on Cedar Valley Nature Trail--at least the cloud cover has interesting shapes.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBh_gnIhYahg-glTvpOfp3AavUk38VjOsTiAq9Nogkvd2QJP-erMXnPhkZcLU5l6r8R9QQbhTOgu4CulhNanCiNx1gyX48vfp0pZA7fLWWF6AB5Vu8dhK6BNUxMh-IbazdawPR7dmWbgZFDZzs5puOapVXT-i4sCuGGlUW1ewEVfHBi8mXmD2QDHmtrQ/s1000/b03.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="760" data-original-width="1000" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBh_gnIhYahg-glTvpOfp3AavUk38VjOsTiAq9Nogkvd2QJP-erMXnPhkZcLU5l6r8R9QQbhTOgu4CulhNanCiNx1gyX48vfp0pZA7fLWWF6AB5Vu8dhK6BNUxMh-IbazdawPR7dmWbgZFDZzs5puOapVXT-i4sCuGGlUW1ewEVfHBi8mXmD2QDHmtrQ/w400-h304/b03.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Argent parked at Lafayette. 12 miles into the ride, and the tube is still holding air.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHO-IsM14kCHvSJxV76XvBaknAKAO4QJJx3kg8Z_BGNVEh9HTuEaR7HeOXUaCx5-eTU-_pTVVNZ_anHsBSNiQAJrm6w2ddqqIXhH30fyLnXZq2p2O_wyF5RamvEUJaAmpa3zqI9OboW126-JcMRryV1ZnLckg68jwmhtti3rcRxfTM3FmoHX5sTWCJzQ/s1000/b04.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHO-IsM14kCHvSJxV76XvBaknAKAO4QJJx3kg8Z_BGNVEh9HTuEaR7HeOXUaCx5-eTU-_pTVVNZ_anHsBSNiQAJrm6w2ddqqIXhH30fyLnXZq2p2O_wyF5RamvEUJaAmpa3zqI9OboW126-JcMRryV1ZnLckg68jwmhtti3rcRxfTM3FmoHX5sTWCJzQ/w400-h300/b04.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Looking west from the trail as I ride south back towards Hiawatha and Cedar Rapids.</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>The cold drops of rain felt a bit like pellets, blowing in a stiff breeze. Not frozen, but a bit painful to my face.<br /><br />The up side is that there were not many of them. It was cool, in the 40s, and windy, which made it feel cold. Grey clouds and a headwind greeted me as I headed north.<br /><br />And it was a beautiful day.<br /><br />It has been a while, friends, since I last reported my biking adventures. It is just the way my life is in April—the semester starts heating up and time becomes more precious.<br /><br />But even if I have been too preoccupied to document my biking adventures, they continue. As of today, I’ve ridden a bit over 720 miles this year. In March, I totaled 248 miles, compared with 157 last year in March. My goal this year is 3,300 miles, and I know, the year is 1/3 over and I’m not 1/3 of the way there. Not a problem, most of my miles most years are in the summer when school is not in session, and being ahead of where I was last year makes me feel I’m in good shape.<br /><br />And I have been doing a GHC on most rides—a GHC is a gratuitous hill climb, something I do to prep for RAGBRAI. And for the past fortnight, those GHCs have been on my bike least useful for climbing hills—my old mountain bike.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1IrOtMVhfJ6niaIps3d7Tuxre6u71CAq7EF7XlkGwjbWRqz794WL3eWgqSVw1Rc7ifD5RunbBX8f2R6Uf3Ry6O9IEqQgFQORq0sQb-1q1d93g9iV_WCfET8O5cIjtZUnXsp4nfQ5ez9yGGFYhDfarc9yECf5HBj5v4KVqsORq1_aDxlLlH1cnR7a_4w/s1000/b10.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1IrOtMVhfJ6niaIps3d7Tuxre6u71CAq7EF7XlkGwjbWRqz794WL3eWgqSVw1Rc7ifD5RunbBX8f2R6Uf3Ry6O9IEqQgFQORq0sQb-1q1d93g9iV_WCfET8O5cIjtZUnXsp4nfQ5ez9yGGFYhDfarc9yECf5HBj5v4KVqsORq1_aDxlLlH1cnR7a_4w/w400-h300/b10.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Above and below, rode some extra miles home April 27, stopping by Cedar Lake.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgoeQAQ3obHs_Ni0oO9Ts40qvllmuEotH0EVYblI5yeVoe4RUDbu2jxtsBq0Jmf82jDae8TSFjdbReR5ssaE95be77y-LlM8pNX7w9ds1L189Ti3JGvRMC7roIyV1vtp4mP-q16mGvrPT5-gRtFfYbOhEsS4JmJDQkvzv8Kz8sX9dXEwoFbk2NbUIVuA/s1000/b01-4-27.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="667" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgoeQAQ3obHs_Ni0oO9Ts40qvllmuEotH0EVYblI5yeVoe4RUDbu2jxtsBq0Jmf82jDae8TSFjdbReR5ssaE95be77y-LlM8pNX7w9ds1L189Ti3JGvRMC7roIyV1vtp4mP-q16mGvrPT5-gRtFfYbOhEsS4JmJDQkvzv8Kz8sX9dXEwoFbk2NbUIVuA/w266-h400/b01-4-27.JPG" width="266" /></a></p><p>Ironic, to me, that the mountain bike is worst at a task its name implies it should be good at, but that bike is heavier and slower than my road bike or my hybrid bike. I think my hybrid is the best hill climber, although, because it’s lighter and so much faster on flats, the RAGBRAI bike will be the road bike.<br /><br />On April 14, I was zooming along on the road bike, headed for home, when I hit a pothole by Kenwood School. My back tyre became immediately flat. Since my hybrid bike was already out of service—I had discovered a broken axle when trying to put the back wheel back on after mending a flat several week ago—so I was down to one bike. And, just as I have not had time to write about biking, I have not had time to avail myself of the services of a bike shop to ease my woes.<br /><br />On Friday, a Lavender Ceremony, honoring LGBTQ+ graduating seniors, was held at the graduate center, located two miles and a stiff hill climb from the main campus where I teach. And I went there to support the students, riding my Fancy Beast old mountain bike.<br /><br />Even with two of three bikes out of commission, I have been riding miles and climbing hills.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuL8Rh_MoF02KdvfLYl9UYvtWDxI0zCG-_nVgPemezNGpC7yLPBn8FWzVcFfxrdRaKdC7Djrv0RMTNdg1nm6J3jv6oQAhMcG1Cymfk1LCFR-E0uqWslBtyp1dNpPQrxeMJ2nMb2T6rJWfzSOSMoKUJyFFSym9mXN_d8gpcOV0s-lJkILcqcEbRTYYqcg/s5152/b04-4-14.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3864" data-original-width="5152" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuL8Rh_MoF02KdvfLYl9UYvtWDxI0zCG-_nVgPemezNGpC7yLPBn8FWzVcFfxrdRaKdC7Djrv0RMTNdg1nm6J3jv6oQAhMcG1Cymfk1LCFR-E0uqWslBtyp1dNpPQrxeMJ2nMb2T6rJWfzSOSMoKUJyFFSym9mXN_d8gpcOV0s-lJkILcqcEbRTYYqcg/w400-h300/b04-4-14.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>April 14--Bike by Kenwood School, 1.5 miles into a 3.5 mile ride. Back tyre flat. At least it was a nice, warm afternoon for a 2-mile hike pushing the bike home.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDhkoSLSTsPiASA86l3k7yw4T9w_r3LVVfr0r3mn4zYPKxfhltosMObS5_nSNRK03As3vuLdqpj7eT7I9e0P7cliNrDHbcxg7EgPkHARUqlt7GCFBaUQw3U0yT11RLlozBhukCi69gn9PJwQSNm_IztCuw9DMrAbEdvnuQ_gRkNyTTmnyPG28xy4dxhQ/s6000/b01-4-14.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDhkoSLSTsPiASA86l3k7yw4T9w_r3LVVfr0r3mn4zYPKxfhltosMObS5_nSNRK03As3vuLdqpj7eT7I9e0P7cliNrDHbcxg7EgPkHARUqlt7GCFBaUQw3U0yT11RLlozBhukCi69gn9PJwQSNm_IztCuw9DMrAbEdvnuQ_gRkNyTTmnyPG28xy4dxhQ/w400-h266/b01-4-14.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The flat tyre.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtIh1ySkD2Ss8gyhrL77dXMoiEgNJVA_dQ5GxznRMot0inh9UJAjnxj98vQ-sq27nxMEcNtvC4C4TEKzvWKKleHSFNqbgtk4sbXfQutLwtZd2QEEuhudW4AARFLUmfvVOqrrIeIXx1evU-70QVTxZLODZBFrNn7G_VdjzwRrtyXtAiaX8VObii60ZXXg/s6000/b03-4-14.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtIh1ySkD2Ss8gyhrL77dXMoiEgNJVA_dQ5GxznRMot0inh9UJAjnxj98vQ-sq27nxMEcNtvC4C4TEKzvWKKleHSFNqbgtk4sbXfQutLwtZd2QEEuhudW4AARFLUmfvVOqrrIeIXx1evU-70QVTxZLODZBFrNn7G_VdjzwRrtyXtAiaX8VObii60ZXXg/w400-h266/b03-4-14.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Bird watching while I hike home.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Today, I decided I needed to get the road bike back. While I am willing to ride the mountain bike, it is not the steed for longer rides. So, I loaded the two back wheels of the two broken bikes, drove to NewBo and had a conversation with a mechanic at the bike shop there.<br /><br />I was not sure what was wrong with the hybrid wheel, and it was nice, in a way, to confirm that axle was actually broken—it means I hadn’t done anything wrong when I tried to put that wheel back on, failed, and scattered a lot of ball bearings in my garage.<br /><br />The wheel could be repaired, but it is old and worn and it is just about as cheap to order a new wheel, so that’s what I did. By next weekend, probably, the hybrid bike will be on the road again.<br /><br />As for Argent, my road bike, the only reason I took the second wheel to the shop is that size is listed on the tyre in black lettering on black rubber—hard for me to read, impossible for me to record my usual way of noting bike tyre sizes, by photographing then with my cell phone.<br /><br />As the mechanic was inspecting the hybrid’s crippled wheel, another employee helped me get two tubes—on to put on, one to carry. Getting ready for RAGBRAI—I have a pump with me now and a spare tube, too.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzwVy6lOuOumP5ispt1hSGXTELeiMpna5frN9QA6MB229Lwy5AZw72Daw9xLSFgtXUiMmAYIKhuBAWCvsyl8DHxB53u8HAfZcVvbATSc4jMQWvstcyXi2Ngv8qdF_xwWqet37UJC0P4mwTthCpo87PGRuZOhXLb_UqYPXdCilBn-QV8IHdetGPVx9NLg/s1000/a08-4-24.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="744" data-original-width="1000" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzwVy6lOuOumP5ispt1hSGXTELeiMpna5frN9QA6MB229Lwy5AZw72Daw9xLSFgtXUiMmAYIKhuBAWCvsyl8DHxB53u8HAfZcVvbATSc4jMQWvstcyXi2Ngv8qdF_xwWqet37UJC0P4mwTthCpo87PGRuZOhXLb_UqYPXdCilBn-QV8IHdetGPVx9NLg/w400-h297/a08-4-24.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>April 24--Hard freeze this morning. C Avenue pond on a chilly morning.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRaGGpVV8a1o0AzzjFMGB7zRtj8jrnK0hYNWe-msNQLtV_AxVG5QCmPd-EUjT3YK2SbS9mxBPC-JCqnlcP2SvuB97Cfw_BRpjM4haRQIe-frUE2wzRoRpfJYQYN8cfFtuI9aroPSEeT-e7sC2L2hR5fU_P1B3_Eh8VXNbVOZAysH5DfQ4KCHXT8phKHg/s1000/a07-4-24.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRaGGpVV8a1o0AzzjFMGB7zRtj8jrnK0hYNWe-msNQLtV_AxVG5QCmPd-EUjT3YK2SbS9mxBPC-JCqnlcP2SvuB97Cfw_BRpjM4haRQIe-frUE2wzRoRpfJYQYN8cfFtuI9aroPSEeT-e7sC2L2hR5fU_P1B3_Eh8VXNbVOZAysH5DfQ4KCHXT8phKHg/w400-h300/a07-4-24.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>April 24--Dry Creek Valley is gray with frost.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0VfNZThnlMc4XLS75DejU6toRY29e2e9x7LzVHB7u1mgqiEoJnpNY2nrYG3soEbNhr7kBNfmEWEkU-VdNVR02cI4ktllOTuVjt4w_e8P6phhhts2Qq9haKhISshW0IgoukHrxJALzw1m08ab1AZkpj2ezoeEUqBG-kVMPUllIqsQG_Pn6oOG_cOD0oQ/s1000/a03-4-24.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0VfNZThnlMc4XLS75DejU6toRY29e2e9x7LzVHB7u1mgqiEoJnpNY2nrYG3soEbNhr7kBNfmEWEkU-VdNVR02cI4ktllOTuVjt4w_e8P6phhhts2Qq9haKhISshW0IgoukHrxJALzw1m08ab1AZkpj2ezoeEUqBG-kVMPUllIqsQG_Pn6oOG_cOD0oQ/w400-h266/a03-4-24.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>April 24--Ice on the clover in my front yard. (I planted the clover, it's not a weed).<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Anyway, I had an interesting experience when I got home. I hate changing tyres on my road bike, but I happened to read the detailed instructions on the tube box. It said to put one side of the tyre on the wheel, then partly inflate the tube and put it in the tyre, then work the second edge of the tyre onto the rim.<br /><br />In the past, I had put the tube inside the tyre and then worked the tyre onto the rim. And hated it. This time, I followed the directions, and damn. I still do not like changing tubes on a road bike, but if you follow the directions that come with the tube, it’s a whole lot easier.<br /><br />Well, it was about 3:30 in the afternoon. But I had a new tube on my road bike’s back wheel, what was I to do? I went inside, put on bike shorts under my blue jeans (yeah, I know, totally against the biker code, but I do not give a hoot—it was cold in Iowa today) and donned, for the first time in two weeks, my biking shoes.<br /><br />It was grey, chilly, damp, and I headed out. I decided to ride north on the Cedar River Trail, heading to Lafayette.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3R5x0r1gpfqQSqpQAdgbqqoDosu-vbNJ8ZQ89kWvmwo7-BZ9TWe29CJoN5fmf6vYhUH-VImO_ga9ZEA7cKevxgMdz5qOb9wRCyWWCTxbURlFd127LU6dEwbf3MR2FCk8TSTSNvkm-5fjLQGX_BwGr3AvZtq3vxPz802tgfaeqYLfgw6N5jDecsi4YaA/s1000/b02-4.13.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3R5x0r1gpfqQSqpQAdgbqqoDosu-vbNJ8ZQ89kWvmwo7-BZ9TWe29CJoN5fmf6vYhUH-VImO_ga9ZEA7cKevxgMdz5qOb9wRCyWWCTxbURlFd127LU6dEwbf3MR2FCk8TSTSNvkm-5fjLQGX_BwGr3AvZtq3vxPz802tgfaeqYLfgw6N5jDecsi4YaA/w400-h300/b02-4.13.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>April 13--Pretty spring sunset seen on my commute home.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBOdXOZgwzMo892ma8uNRGDm2-78_ya1xesJoGye9zkNIPjILX0BfZBE1a91vEjPFKVDYRGeAwWpmfhR89jBHvmbI8NGykBPf9bbJmVFw7arNxc6sC28s866tf1DfFSBf0PSDN4gfiRaITtpF6xne3gLhunOLLLDVO9NbL8LL7_5iaPeihi__0vUzgAg/s1000/b01-4-13.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="660" data-original-width="1000" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBOdXOZgwzMo892ma8uNRGDm2-78_ya1xesJoGye9zkNIPjILX0BfZBE1a91vEjPFKVDYRGeAwWpmfhR89jBHvmbI8NGykBPf9bbJmVFw7arNxc6sC28s866tf1DfFSBf0PSDN4gfiRaITtpF6xne3gLhunOLLLDVO9NbL8LL7_5iaPeihi__0vUzgAg/w400-h264/b01-4-13.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>April 13--Sunshine on C Avenue Pond.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRFHCFA_d4AQIQrPvAoWJdxXC2sURa5yfhcAWmR5sycFX3MEY9ohc08Q9aeO-l2QVVNZCg6t8RoBBBXZJW5bcHpuY7PFV_IS_euouz1M5YFHYoM0MCNn5CfznqqKg6iHNQe1I8k25Vz8g2eJFk45EzffHtcCJDQzZ5t-pu2NhEDZ7AydIU5QRBhR3DhA/s1000/b01-4-12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRFHCFA_d4AQIQrPvAoWJdxXC2sURa5yfhcAWmR5sycFX3MEY9ohc08Q9aeO-l2QVVNZCg6t8RoBBBXZJW5bcHpuY7PFV_IS_euouz1M5YFHYoM0MCNn5CfznqqKg6iHNQe1I8k25Vz8g2eJFk45EzffHtcCJDQzZ5t-pu2NhEDZ7AydIU5QRBhR3DhA/w400-h266/b01-4-12.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>April 12--Windy day, bike blown over. No harm done.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>The sprinkles, nasty as they were, were very intermittent. I was on my road bike, headed into a stiff headwind, comforted by the knowledge that a headwind on the way out is a tailwind on the way back in.<br /><br />It worked out that way. The ride felt great. I had to head a bit south on the trail to add a little distance—the ride to Lafayette and back is typically under 24 miles but I was determined to get to 25 miles.<br /><br />I did. And it is spring. Sometimes chilly, often windy, sometimes sunny, but biking weather is getting better. In two weeks, school will be over and longer rides can begin.<br /><br />The future is so bright I have to wear shades. For a little while, anyway, today. Then I took them off.<br /><br />It was too cloudy for shades. And yet, still a nice day.<br /><br /></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />CR Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14949410451137266101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3599778591069106718.post-90924277370572295572023-03-16T23:08:00.002-05:002023-03-16T23:08:59.841-05:00In Which A Buck Has One Antler<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnu-19ICdGPDWMjaVEtqRow8_q7IogyDDJg1B2nzWlUdJbmBvYwXZ6dOwPeqFzsGCop5zBGjt4PtkDMl-XMydrclAev5fJFcUvX-vS5ciVDIkZBYfOJzmsP7DpDIUf_pBCzJV_UBFH81Ar0oA4Y6iCX0eJpQeFPIHK0BIio4tPhld0kK1dQUc1tYZWeA/s1000/3-4-deer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="663" data-original-width="1000" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnu-19ICdGPDWMjaVEtqRow8_q7IogyDDJg1B2nzWlUdJbmBvYwXZ6dOwPeqFzsGCop5zBGjt4PtkDMl-XMydrclAev5fJFcUvX-vS5ciVDIkZBYfOJzmsP7DpDIUf_pBCzJV_UBFH81Ar0oA4Y6iCX0eJpQeFPIHK0BIio4tPhld0kK1dQUc1tYZWeA/w400-h265/3-4-deer.jpg" title="Deer on Lindale Trail" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>March 4--Lindale Trail. Deer are plentiful in the modest woods along creek beds that parallel local trails.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDbQZ_2C42ARLX9jNRiO3tq1I7gVzo75ED10d-luiDE-vfyGYQdxF3LU2xv6fkQyEC-zWY-Adynz7QJDAz-mP_aLKPb0iPz5f4i7w9uv6DiHYfMOooBBKOQ8SFMakqWrXkQJbFVeVf2eVu84ZfK-ndegGsPzf5ZjCHDyndhr8QztoLSguwZWJ-61lU0g/s1000/3-4-ducks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="643" data-original-width="1000" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDbQZ_2C42ARLX9jNRiO3tq1I7gVzo75ED10d-luiDE-vfyGYQdxF3LU2xv6fkQyEC-zWY-Adynz7QJDAz-mP_aLKPb0iPz5f4i7w9uv6DiHYfMOooBBKOQ8SFMakqWrXkQJbFVeVf2eVu84ZfK-ndegGsPzf5ZjCHDyndhr8QztoLSguwZWJ-61lU0g/w400-h258/3-4-ducks.jpg" title="Ducks" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>March 4--It's been damp lately, and in a temporary pond in woods near Linn-Mar High School, a duck pair enjoys the wet.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5FpCYonbKn1qFJa13iQV1CqiBJMsBM4oXW79u7NvvqX1_a9FkefCVKXAsl9zWzzCZysl79AkckE1cPOEwvIu1p9LavWFqAtNDzhmsQr_N20wheItUKkW6aT-5nbMmWJYzDdGeGwvQeoKOf5eU0oOE7IbY12zV8WaEh0I2NoPujq1PmK9vdoqwItNMew/s1000/3-4-trailbehindlinnmar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5FpCYonbKn1qFJa13iQV1CqiBJMsBM4oXW79u7NvvqX1_a9FkefCVKXAsl9zWzzCZysl79AkckE1cPOEwvIu1p9LavWFqAtNDzhmsQr_N20wheItUKkW6aT-5nbMmWJYzDdGeGwvQeoKOf5eU0oOE7IbY12zV8WaEh0I2NoPujq1PmK9vdoqwItNMew/w400-h266/3-4-trailbehindlinnmar.jpg" title="Trail in golden afternoon light" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>March 4--Late afternoon like on trail off of Boyson Trail.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>I’ve made decent use of my spring break. With some day trips planned and some bad weather, I’ haven’t gone on any super long rides, but I have accumulated a few miles.<br /><br />My longest ride was March 12, when I went almost 24 miles on my road bike. This morning, March 16, I managed to get a few miles in, but the day turned to a cold rain so the ride was rather constrained. As I write this, it’s snowing, with the coldest St. Patrick’s Day in years expected tomorrow.<br /><br />But I’ve rolled over 155 miles during this inconsistent March, and have just over 447 for the year. And I’ve been pretty good about doing the GHC (gratuitous hills climb) on each ride—gong up the neighborhood hill during this morning’s rain-shortened ride, for example.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0rmvAWLsBmgz5aCMTvFkVgOjfaPfMt7S5flnopJsW-kP2U685DTX3vz9G-ALathhTgg_W6LGDpJfrPaIqTH16Bw_shOw2FdnYlVuVg7Qn7NTg213QmZj9CzXKrTum1Wfyf1wL0FLqivPAZ5Y0Cqj5WYE3jRnos-ZDyXq_WpzrS5RjFSVtLycwY9VbPA/s1000/March%2010%20grant%20wood.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Bike at end of Grant Wood Trail" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0rmvAWLsBmgz5aCMTvFkVgOjfaPfMt7S5flnopJsW-kP2U685DTX3vz9G-ALathhTgg_W6LGDpJfrPaIqTH16Bw_shOw2FdnYlVuVg7Qn7NTg213QmZj9CzXKrTum1Wfyf1wL0FLqivPAZ5Y0Cqj5WYE3jRnos-ZDyXq_WpzrS5RjFSVtLycwY9VbPA/w400-h266/March%2010%20grant%20wood.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>March 11--Road bike at end of pavement on Grant Wood Trail. Beyond that, on limestone, snow has not yet melted, but I'm out in the county now, warmer March weather means trails in the countryside are becoming passable.</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXZgz0hufTQUNpu793bGd8NBOWZkY5WJHOeAzQxCK-i24rttTBlY_LIY4OZPpP-BIeMe2nkUSepJPmUWSHu8V_WmSTYnbAHhPaHi84gG1O5_qX5rgA0iNCcL8_u_tvMIoFnIjh0L9_rDsYTCtuckA5zDMRzeANTcT15Jehv1N7c5G9tipWg6roGnxbqw/s1000/March%2011--bike%20on%20trail.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Mount bikeon trail" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXZgz0hufTQUNpu793bGd8NBOWZkY5WJHOeAzQxCK-i24rttTBlY_LIY4OZPpP-BIeMe2nkUSepJPmUWSHu8V_WmSTYnbAHhPaHi84gG1O5_qX5rgA0iNCcL8_u_tvMIoFnIjh0L9_rDsYTCtuckA5zDMRzeANTcT15Jehv1N7c5G9tipWg6roGnxbqw/w400-h266/March%2011--bike%20on%20trail.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>March 12--The Fancy Beast, my mountain bike, on the Boyson Trail. I have ridden a bit on the limestone, but it can be a bit mushy. Got a bit muddy on this ride and my wife kindly washed my coat and vest.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTiLVWqTIkRm2ZUtD4jrP4NTXWXneBw2FCNcyEWqOe7QkDsane2heGsEeKyJLQiMbDXATjh0aH8-9aQCUxKy2HRD1VvH0PceK417BInaFlqjq4X8S5XYTyVrFrzSuZAxvdmkTKCNw5RLR7JX2Rsad49VXgZZ5OL_dbvpiKkR_9YjAjCoYZtG4W1d8P1g/s1000/March%2011--snowman.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Snowman" border="0" data-original-height="662" data-original-width="1000" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTiLVWqTIkRm2ZUtD4jrP4NTXWXneBw2FCNcyEWqOe7QkDsane2heGsEeKyJLQiMbDXATjh0aH8-9aQCUxKy2HRD1VvH0PceK417BInaFlqjq4X8S5XYTyVrFrzSuZAxvdmkTKCNw5RLR7JX2Rsad49VXgZZ5OL_dbvpiKkR_9YjAjCoYZtG4W1d8P1g/w400-h265/March%2011--snowman.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>March 12--Snowman seen on ride is a bit, well, leaning.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>During a 15-mile ride March 15, I encountered many deer along the Boyson Trail. A herd of maybe 15 was up on the hill as I headed down the side trail to Menard’s. And on the way back, a much smaller group, maybe six, crossed the trail in front of me—one of them a big buck who had just one antler.<br /><br />I supposed winter is when bucks lose them, and it probably has not shed both yet.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUd3fGi_3wkJMcIWocuMODlURN13zEwTEms-yGpx0I0qSn00ZJjTG5eTXcHZqVopa3IhMdhuSQVUPe1p-yolhrLt_VHxb1MQWlCJ8_DotxeS2CD5YfHmZwmB9AIKV5AnBrCmcoJNB6UPNGpRDvR0SYGL_OEwcKsQupS5qoYIPckZ0mxlzKUsj0JI68jg/s1000/March%2013-mountain%20bike%20trail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Mountain Trail" border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUd3fGi_3wkJMcIWocuMODlURN13zEwTEms-yGpx0I0qSn00ZJjTG5eTXcHZqVopa3IhMdhuSQVUPe1p-yolhrLt_VHxb1MQWlCJ8_DotxeS2CD5YfHmZwmB9AIKV5AnBrCmcoJNB6UPNGpRDvR0SYGL_OEwcKsQupS5qoYIPckZ0mxlzKUsj0JI68jg/w400-h300/March%2013-mountain%20bike%20trail.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>March 13--Took a look at woodland mountain bike trail off of the Boyson Trail, and decided it's too muddy today. Will have to save that trail--maybe Friday or Saturday when it's frozen solid?</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFqxQk38wHNpMV1MozkpT1DOkPy9n5AoQHdlYiohaghxnOAW6t5CRGStF-noC64EVkwxSRXAGaigUmUaFptWD55gKA5LBt0TEntKUG0d-nfXOxAscyz7Pm3m520139-AiUMRHNNawv27J4ErOYnO9XajE2NGe1Hn4CnvEfrYgh37kA6RUy4L4BOeOHmw/s1000/March%2013-antler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Buck" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFqxQk38wHNpMV1MozkpT1DOkPy9n5AoQHdlYiohaghxnOAW6t5CRGStF-noC64EVkwxSRXAGaigUmUaFptWD55gKA5LBt0TEntKUG0d-nfXOxAscyz7Pm3m520139-AiUMRHNNawv27J4ErOYnO9XajE2NGe1Hn4CnvEfrYgh37kA6RUy4L4BOeOHmw/w400-h266/March%2013-antler.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>March 13--Buck with one antler crossed trail in front of me.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5PpoBRJm0cuqefvXOyZ3Lv43bJMmzq5acIUF799cYSlB9Hl66Pk0O_AVrUvhcmyKl2yxmnwdireaPFN9pTo6Mpnzw0sLaWHP7MM6yq4Cw-lTRceP4GAUZSVmVRRR9Gw2jWP2d5QsFKdSqrUl17oJ-1c5W0bNiYrzRVlOA7ji6F51hzx84ea9D03bS8Q/s1000/March%2013--deer%20in%20snow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Deer" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5PpoBRJm0cuqefvXOyZ3Lv43bJMmzq5acIUF799cYSlB9Hl66Pk0O_AVrUvhcmyKl2yxmnwdireaPFN9pTo6Mpnzw0sLaWHP7MM6yq4Cw-lTRceP4GAUZSVmVRRR9Gw2jWP2d5QsFKdSqrUl17oJ-1c5W0bNiYrzRVlOA7ji6F51hzx84ea9D03bS8Q/w400-h266/March%2013--deer%20in%20snow.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>March 13--Deer by trail.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Well, one-antlered buck, this old biker was happy to see you, happy to be riding the first spring ride sans coat, hat and gloves, glad, even as snow is falling now and a winter chill settles in, that spring is on its way.<br /><br />And glad, despite the chills, that I’ve ben lucky to get some miles in.<br /></p><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ddhPexqK2TdzH_tKoeTifmTd9Mpcnli0BrIS4UhhtlwGHUzfSUj0U9CXIhkMRBmJWit4D4zSgzL6hJZzYmRXeP-NZQq3uiqo5LHSNevlmq0VURdrTPZHxvrxXQCJFoqhCiQ3y8JcMLaAvFKDBJYkxdd4Vh1Aw7Wp4r4hbB_cr9C5D_vnT047dXG-Nw/s1000/b01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Goose by Cedar Lake" border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="1000" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ddhPexqK2TdzH_tKoeTifmTd9Mpcnli0BrIS4UhhtlwGHUzfSUj0U9CXIhkMRBmJWit4D4zSgzL6hJZzYmRXeP-NZQq3uiqo5LHSNevlmq0VURdrTPZHxvrxXQCJFoqhCiQ3y8JcMLaAvFKDBJYkxdd4Vh1Aw7Wp4r4hbB_cr9C5D_vnT047dXG-Nw/w400-h260/b01.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>March 15--Goose by Cedar Lake, Windy day, some clouds, but warmest day of the week with temperature in the 50s.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnTHhQcCOFY34LOcSfr3_cHiCqLAQGM61ztDiuhswZDH2fe7VBZ2hu0hhdTFsoXv7fmv9y5zt3dVUBbd-F6Ohdm22C5OqWQIc8X2y8j6PpJPLWmC-ApxrracvcFE4Ier1xBaNQwEdXQYEremsRPCu9jrlUgSMdxs_Zz-1byfBMhb25ToN0Tadz2c4--Q/s1000/b02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Biker dressed for ride" border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnTHhQcCOFY34LOcSfr3_cHiCqLAQGM61ztDiuhswZDH2fe7VBZ2hu0hhdTFsoXv7fmv9y5zt3dVUBbd-F6Ohdm22C5OqWQIc8X2y8j6PpJPLWmC-ApxrracvcFE4Ier1xBaNQwEdXQYEremsRPCu9jrlUgSMdxs_Zz-1byfBMhb25ToN0Tadz2c4--Q/w400-h300/b02.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>March 15--First bike ride sans coat and other winter gear.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEcoEVlPd_wq79lN6D4p3ejruzNC0gCpqd_su0ORWzuU96tK0tiCBdQG0ceTToopKx9cB9T37LEVinYrCF2C6mprRsCbh4SVNdKEiOl34bsjXZGmJFNUOnJkJCZUbuWXfu8LxnDxH16_Y8UYOTVoenO7STJD9vYPkrOAkUnk8KFuv-9YyyjVTtLyk8GQ/s1000/b03.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Sky at Cedar Lake" border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEcoEVlPd_wq79lN6D4p3ejruzNC0gCpqd_su0ORWzuU96tK0tiCBdQG0ceTToopKx9cB9T37LEVinYrCF2C6mprRsCbh4SVNdKEiOl34bsjXZGmJFNUOnJkJCZUbuWXfu8LxnDxH16_Y8UYOTVoenO7STJD9vYPkrOAkUnk8KFuv-9YyyjVTtLyk8GQ/w400-h300/b03.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>March 15--Mostly cloudy day, but some breaks, which makes for interesting sky at Cedar Lake.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeYk2-fYEDTK-q9X36sSH0i6luERCfzj3qxfBd46NSnYSPsok-4BnTtWLU4HzGL5K_098cZATMEiZ9Pqd6jhjJRE_HYXjwE5jgy4mC0HB4V_rc8-Q7N5-sxA2GMuHYJlUa-ZZRu93hrywD2Wn0Cg5L-A48hxdroQ4BSvZL6P-MJSUBHeJpjXwywxiOqA/s1000/a02.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Moth on garage door" border="0" data-original-height="679" data-original-width="1000" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeYk2-fYEDTK-q9X36sSH0i6luERCfzj3qxfBd46NSnYSPsok-4BnTtWLU4HzGL5K_098cZATMEiZ9Pqd6jhjJRE_HYXjwE5jgy4mC0HB4V_rc8-Q7N5-sxA2GMuHYJlUa-ZZRu93hrywD2Wn0Cg5L-A48hxdroQ4BSvZL6P-MJSUBHeJpjXwywxiOqA/w400-h271/a02.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>March 16--As I get bike out of garage, I notice this moth, first insect of spring. Hope it finds a hiding place as snow fell that evening and temps dipped way below freezing.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><br /><br />CR Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14949410451137266101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3599778591069106718.post-26606203861173028942023-03-03T21:11:00.000-06:002023-03-04T09:31:22.791-06:00In Which I Enjoy the Returning Light<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhphc8zdvfdVBkl5hLw9bt5CuGdLdi8z4BmZ0SX_0kiAYF03iDB8HApECYFGOsH2bBKjmmiGFuuUgiy_G_okySx2JKAKFsL1fx_lBboBNEnnmyg3b4m8QiKssxIsVVUAd0NTf22t6zhjRtJAa6M60nwjQJfs3q2GCA_L45_SMfGusvaSgEI3bZw2qM37g/s600/3-1-sunset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Sunset" border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhphc8zdvfdVBkl5hLw9bt5CuGdLdi8z4BmZ0SX_0kiAYF03iDB8HApECYFGOsH2bBKjmmiGFuuUgiy_G_okySx2JKAKFsL1fx_lBboBNEnnmyg3b4m8QiKssxIsVVUAd0NTf22t6zhjRtJAa6M60nwjQJfs3q2GCA_L45_SMfGusvaSgEI3bZw2qM37g/w400-h266/3-1-sunset.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>March 1--I worked a bit late that night and am riding home at sunset--but this is the corner of Blairs Ferry and C Avenue, which means I'm almost there. Not as many rides are in the dark as the light is gaining on the dark at this time of year.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>March can be a fickle month in Iowa—sometimes, the soft foreshadowing of spring, sometimes the clinging on of a cold winter, sometimes a bit of both or a bit of in between.<br><br>We’re only three days in, but they have not been a harsh three days. My late February rides were a little constrained by snow, an ice storm and cold rains. Yet, on balance, it was a good month, with nice enough days at the end to travel on my road bike rather than the winter beater mountain bike.<br><br>And, while we’re getting plenty of blustery winds, the deep cold of winter has only visited now and then. Rides have been doable—and many days, warm enough that I could skip the thermal long underwear.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvw7GVj3tIv5rMxtjqBW2eI6aU9ARWu9yQ8D0vZP4S7mQiC-L43NqFntca5eFlQiqenNnd8o8I7HDudeBTUTRdHzhT1FZB0ra8BbGZ6Pnob1_rcdacedpwVOMXW3-JjZifLhfJzfEmSbAbazQn8Vfel5-1dNwoDLvcLvMDkb7PWEmMvPmRLTj4SFIT5w/s600/feb-19-cedar-lake.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Cedar Lake" border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="400" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvw7GVj3tIv5rMxtjqBW2eI6aU9ARWu9yQ8D0vZP4S7mQiC-L43NqFntca5eFlQiqenNnd8o8I7HDudeBTUTRdHzhT1FZB0ra8BbGZ6Pnob1_rcdacedpwVOMXW3-JjZifLhfJzfEmSbAbazQn8Vfel5-1dNwoDLvcLvMDkb7PWEmMvPmRLTj4SFIT5w/w266-h400/feb-19-cedar-lake.jpg" width="266"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Feb. 19--Sunday afternoon ride--last year's flowers seen at Cedar Lake, still icy (it's water, now).<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXx6h50Ql9zUbWMk_xU6MMHRRypGHRm5JYxbnfdKGZlKr7lRkNXUt5qAR8ZDNyB7JE2LNkBnIgE8hmSZ6qSwAFW2PPamYUXTwiA2rPWqM7IBn6ge_HcZOWYYNJ_X_I76tadG4pnDkzkq0YYOot3igyRqQ8xjP58lbyHmUEdQaH9YaAC_t4pqaUVN361Q/s600/Feb-19-hawk.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Hawk" border="0" data-original-height="407" data-original-width="600" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXx6h50Ql9zUbWMk_xU6MMHRRypGHRm5JYxbnfdKGZlKr7lRkNXUt5qAR8ZDNyB7JE2LNkBnIgE8hmSZ6qSwAFW2PPamYUXTwiA2rPWqM7IBn6ge_HcZOWYYNJ_X_I76tadG4pnDkzkq0YYOot3igyRqQ8xjP58lbyHmUEdQaH9YaAC_t4pqaUVN361Q/w400-h271/Feb-19-hawk.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Feb. 19--I climbed the hill at MMU on this ride, and saw this hawk on top of Warde Hall in the late afternoon light.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>And the light is coming back. In January, most commutes even in the morning, were with lights. I often have to work a bit later in the office, but these days it’s well past 5 p.m. before I feel compelled to turn on the bike lights.<br><br>Last time I checked (Feb. 19), the gate on the Cedar River Trail headed north was closed. And I haven’t done any longer rides yet this year, nothing 40 miles or more. But I have started changing my biking routine a bit, mostly by seeking out hills. Whenever I ride my road bike, my rule these days is to climb at least one hill. Either I climb the Mount Mercy hill by one of the “hard” routes (it’s easiest to reach the campus via the gentle drive by Warde Hall, any other road or sidewalk approach involves a longer, steeper hill) or, if it’s a weekend and I’m not riding to work, I’ll climb the Brentwood Drive hill in my neighborhood.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKjShgmYZ_mMz-Rz_qAGtfj5qloAMtJPrsqB_nIiGVDjOdlmgH8ZIfRNbcgHl05Urgh93_RHRIVwUwWbuom4N-N5ax23rT0k_7z-k46M2bu5d53LQMuTwriICYEOxjPbZLxdnR6LT0iVBEPPDLE2mFvZ1U-utynwthlmVryGPnZYdtqgQa8oPnHmxHXA/s600/feb-19-trail-sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Gate on Cedar River Trail" border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKjShgmYZ_mMz-Rz_qAGtfj5qloAMtJPrsqB_nIiGVDjOdlmgH8ZIfRNbcgHl05Urgh93_RHRIVwUwWbuom4N-N5ax23rT0k_7z-k46M2bu5d53LQMuTwriICYEOxjPbZLxdnR6LT0iVBEPPDLE2mFvZ1U-utynwthlmVryGPnZYdtqgQa8oPnHmxHXA/w400-h266/feb-19-trail-sign.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Feb. 19--The end of my ride north, gate closed on Cedar River Trail. I know, I could have gone around it, but I was on my road bike and the ground was mushy, plus my heart wasn't set on a ride north--I just turned around and rode south as far as the Cedar River to get my miles in.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>While I have no “long” rides yet, I’m adding hills to my routine in anticipation of summer. I know from experience that, if one is riding RAGBRAI, one does not regret any hills climbed earlier in the year for practice.<br><br>I finished February this year with 161.1 miles, compared to 147.85 in 2022. I have 25.1 miles in March on the third day of the month, and 317.02 miles for 2023. I realize there are bikers who have passed 1,000 miles this year, but I’m not in a race with them. I want to ride enough to please myself, and, as I advance in years, any month or year in which I can look back and say I rode more now than I did then, well, that’s a win.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiaMdTfdOwrfmTsfa2JWJtDN9ilyUXQASv-t3OHogpzfpr6GH_FSIs14r7xQyueS2gUtqS5d-voUF5cGKAbGcyJyX9u3uc7G_rgDs4vHhOjweZbZwgNJHvS1moal0V_ksxjGPnB4ha-PyqIFPaTsj1RIegHfY5oz44hvOgysmK0W9ZnWBZLFDIz0VqDw/s600/feb-19-bike.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Bike on trail" border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiaMdTfdOwrfmTsfa2JWJtDN9ilyUXQASv-t3OHogpzfpr6GH_FSIs14r7xQyueS2gUtqS5d-voUF5cGKAbGcyJyX9u3uc7G_rgDs4vHhOjweZbZwgNJHvS1moal0V_ksxjGPnB4ha-PyqIFPaTsj1RIegHfY5oz44hvOgysmK0W9ZnWBZLFDIz0VqDw/w400-h266/feb-19-bike.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>I noted in my previous blog post that on Feb. 18 I saw a bike alone on the Grant Wood Trail and wondered a bit about it. This is Feb. 19 on the trail that runs along the levee towards the Sleeping Giant future bridge--and again, a bike with no biker. Hmmm.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkohSpj2B8HH_ahhA8dkfoKmnCFPWQ22tNBuZ5iXPXSU4fwh5H2L-UEXhMgeB1PzYt9ZoY1pyyp9lLy4SAWdkzJ_vvUbqERiNVctcfvpBdxiyCHNiRyUa3oLi9wzktAWQSsJMR5-C2iCh_YWDKGkOaqcRH8OtaOOAqXHTbKH6oOz7xyLQjjykaET9r-w/s606/rides-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Maps" border="0" data-original-height="606" data-original-width="579" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkohSpj2B8HH_ahhA8dkfoKmnCFPWQ22tNBuZ5iXPXSU4fwh5H2L-UEXhMgeB1PzYt9ZoY1pyyp9lLy4SAWdkzJ_vvUbqERiNVctcfvpBdxiyCHNiRyUa3oLi9wzktAWQSsJMR5-C2iCh_YWDKGkOaqcRH8OtaOOAqXHTbKH6oOz7xyLQjjykaET9r-w/w383-h400/rides-2.jpg" width="383"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>My two longest recent rides. It may be May before I do any "long" ride, mostly because time is too precious during the spring semester, but I've gotten a few miles in. And some hill climbs.<br></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br><br><br><br>CR Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14949410451137266101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3599778591069106718.post-26370506351554667502023-02-18T22:32:00.001-06:002023-02-18T22:32:21.213-06:00In Which I Contemplate Trees, Turtles and Humans<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjnQxkvlf7nhWB4KuTQR-uTS8iMXTfHSekmHACFvwrNz0lXQgivu0lrY7mnB5lVcB-kr9zxLRbq0iVxt5o4mmbeWOl3cMe2uerh1SbQHZ6-LWwQ7aJtG-KHXLjMF5g7wPmWfVxg5PRkSeUfRGcTEAsYSFDPg8_5BZh2woNdsffkv9eqPF_SyBJnERADg/s1000/Feb%204%20Cedar%20Lake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Cedar Lake" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjnQxkvlf7nhWB4KuTQR-uTS8iMXTfHSekmHACFvwrNz0lXQgivu0lrY7mnB5lVcB-kr9zxLRbq0iVxt5o4mmbeWOl3cMe2uerh1SbQHZ6-LWwQ7aJtG-KHXLjMF5g7wPmWfVxg5PRkSeUfRGcTEAsYSFDPg8_5BZh2woNdsffkv9eqPF_SyBJnERADg/w400-h266/Feb%204%20Cedar%20Lake.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Feb. 4--Cedar Lake, shadows on snow.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFpnw8oNxIPRoxKrdxnEIr0VuM0XCfJW0IztBzcyWpFEY29YnvOwzlBSiKKvhe9nvdL9EIc8zMng8KAKJXraZGhwSERkY4Zma_4RpjbIWafp6bXmH7sH9Nr5oem4QOFJKMsv4uIR4DM8yyAvM0Sl_yiXbBeaVpwfY3o79XDDOWqik10dJjWIASixxm1A/s1000/Feb%204--Mt%20Calvary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Cemetery light" border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFpnw8oNxIPRoxKrdxnEIr0VuM0XCfJW0IztBzcyWpFEY29YnvOwzlBSiKKvhe9nvdL9EIc8zMng8KAKJXraZGhwSERkY4Zma_4RpjbIWafp6bXmH7sH9Nr5oem4QOFJKMsv4uIR4DM8yyAvM0Sl_yiXbBeaVpwfY3o79XDDOWqik10dJjWIASixxm1A/w300-h400/Feb%204--Mt%20Calvary.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Feb. 4--20 mile ride today. Pretty light and shadows at Mount Calvary Cemetery.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>It’s been a while, bike pals. The weather in Iowa this February has been all over the place. Deep cold, followed by spring warm, followed by snowfalls (missed school on two Thursdays in a row due to snow, and snow is in the forecast for next week—on Thursday).<br /><br />I’ve managed a couple of rides on my road bike Argent, but most riding in February, due to ice and snow, has been on The Fancy Beast, my trusty old mountain bike.<br /><br />Two of my longer rides were Friday, Feb. 17 and today, Feb. 18. It snowed 7 inches or so on Thursday, so no riding that day. Friday morning the wind-chill was well below zero, so I drove to work. But by afternoon it was in the low 20s. I came home in the afternoon, donned my winter gear and headed out.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8RSSftrSVjU5HgDvOBLGqn1pTR0SR4tjLJjiAx2Xk58VteGdHd8aLbusc9zVncVEpj7fskxY53v8XN54j2kn7qWsA-L3HvMcbUBDWXj8lrH0bnwBUu9kKUvU3kgD7XKdRepZIfrTs1uV4BfSWEi4mXfiUvV3fuSj7Y0ee18vv8DMlUxxoZ031-7cFFQ/s1000/Feb%2010--bridge.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Light on bridge" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8RSSftrSVjU5HgDvOBLGqn1pTR0SR4tjLJjiAx2Xk58VteGdHd8aLbusc9zVncVEpj7fskxY53v8XN54j2kn7qWsA-L3HvMcbUBDWXj8lrH0bnwBUu9kKUvU3kgD7XKdRepZIfrTs1uV4BfSWEi4mXfiUvV3fuSj7Y0ee18vv8DMlUxxoZ031-7cFFQ/w400-h266/Feb%2010--bridge.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Feb. 10--Low sun at bridge on Lindale Trail.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>I decided to ride close to home. Due to snow the day before, I wanted to do trails, which I knew would be reasonably ride-able. I headed up C Avenue to the Lindale Trail and rode towards the new trail that goes behind Linn-Mar High School.<br /><br />I gambled that the short stretch on unpaved trail would be OK, because although the sun was melting some snow on pavement, I figured the limestone surface would be mostly frozen. Despite some soft spots, it was OK.<br /><br />I was riding late in the afternoon, and as light faded and the wind picked up a bit, I admit was getting a bit cold. My feet, in particular, were letting me know that they were displeased with my life decision, but I pushed on. If cold, it was also quite sunny and pretty. The later afternoon light in February is quite nice.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmFlrbw3hWbMrKcLgBzRm4mKS7EiLslwcdr4ickM_KAha44sHZ5H4YVw1LBej2Ec_B4LAWdsfTYVAKDAW32IK0dYfUgZC-Kx0sjKzfJwusj-1NfoR8H7Zm1htou2o5UChLm5p0HBlBQMup9F3r1mV9q_8zB2KCoOpAdGi-y0mrX91UBy6hH000ujL2VQ/s1000/Feb%2017-trail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Lindale Trail" border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmFlrbw3hWbMrKcLgBzRm4mKS7EiLslwcdr4ickM_KAha44sHZ5H4YVw1LBej2Ec_B4LAWdsfTYVAKDAW32IK0dYfUgZC-Kx0sjKzfJwusj-1NfoR8H7Zm1htou2o5UChLm5p0HBlBQMup9F3r1mV9q_8zB2KCoOpAdGi-y0mrX91UBy6hH000ujL2VQ/w400-h300/Feb%2017-trail.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Feb. 17--Sunshine on Lindale Trail. Trail mostly clear day after snowfall.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRRjGjcE27ez8FUx-VZWJBK3BXACaap2dhUALOJxF3T9EG8Tobx9VG00HrUkKcfOXc5VWIlAqqREo9dht4DSfjvh46AptqXpvFGnAemKgq-MQMmh0mPQSmNVxnNK3xhP_8oA7S9liquz3DEcsELPnim-BykhpPR5e7BCAm9ecCKS6aqERGDhSo8bd_GA/s1000/Feb%2017%20trees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Trees" border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRRjGjcE27ez8FUx-VZWJBK3BXACaap2dhUALOJxF3T9EG8Tobx9VG00HrUkKcfOXc5VWIlAqqREo9dht4DSfjvh46AptqXpvFGnAemKgq-MQMmh0mPQSmNVxnNK3xhP_8oA7S9liquz3DEcsELPnim-BykhpPR5e7BCAm9ecCKS6aqERGDhSo8bd_GA/w400-h300/Feb%2017%20trees.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Feb. 17--I notice something in the woods near Linn-Mar High School. See how the trees are all close in size and growing in neat rows?<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3W7W6DqeVfy9_L9l-z6Fn0pHK9B2RrGmA2DXXT-c8xhEoUDiuwy9PxXhcMJfiyYyYELUEObUUj8Y_m4AKNhSVA1xMZ1_kKd2X1EQX8_p2BFOLH9n7AFLkWn7odNLZng3dmdHBFfpU59gYQZXv1KzFMX5aiX4EFGY5YBLTe6mAa3L3Y_xINVO69FW59Q/s1000/Feb%2017%20shadow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Shadow" border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3W7W6DqeVfy9_L9l-z6Fn0pHK9B2RrGmA2DXXT-c8xhEoUDiuwy9PxXhcMJfiyYyYELUEObUUj8Y_m4AKNhSVA1xMZ1_kKd2X1EQX8_p2BFOLH9n7AFLkWn7odNLZng3dmdHBFfpU59gYQZXv1KzFMX5aiX4EFGY5YBLTe6mAa3L3Y_xINVO69FW59Q/w400-h300/Feb%2017%20shadow.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Feb. 17--Shadow of CR Biker on trail during afternoon ride.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTorRf01NYxzxncGrgYTRls8jq6UCuzu0YsETSE7_BKM8E1a_IExM-9R_Yz64pvi-0mb4FmvvDAqbNOC7txQT1tmgdS5iV2ZG81-VYkrhiFkR29JtcRoFIY9cRGTip2C8P9t7qauMNAlCdxsux3_ZLtvQM6xQrz6uvPF2ApMCpuTY5MgCOe86BJxvgEA/s1000/Feb%2017%20bike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Bike in front of house" border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTorRf01NYxzxncGrgYTRls8jq6UCuzu0YsETSE7_BKM8E1a_IExM-9R_Yz64pvi-0mb4FmvvDAqbNOC7txQT1tmgdS5iV2ZG81-VYkrhiFkR29JtcRoFIY9cRGTip2C8P9t7qauMNAlCdxsux3_ZLtvQM6xQrz6uvPF2ApMCpuTY5MgCOe86BJxvgEA/w400-h300/Feb%2017%20bike.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Feb. 17--Bike in front of my house before afternoon ride.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>As I rode behind the high school, I noticed something I hadn’t before. The woods along the creek—the trees are approximately the same trunk size. And they are growing in rows, like a field of corn.<br /><br />This “woods” isn’t the wilds at all—I’m riding by a cultivated field of trees. When were they planted? What was the goal of the tree planter not so many years ago? I enjoy these woods, and my pleasure at them isn’t lessened realizing that they didn’t spring spontaneously, but were planned and planted.<br /><br />Today, it was warmer, more comfortable, for riding, although the sunshine was less intense, the sky a bit milky. I headed east on the trail, the goal today was Waldo’s Rock Park.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis9JzxYVpE-I9KzCaPlVNXm90qNrbJQXociALWopaopvWXN9tcwo-Lmckk_ahr4WjMSVfCsZ9y6m6hGT1QxrgBu8tDTkxRklSQp39MjZl-tGoT7gFOshesdjRvLgQ8i8YdNh_8N2CWCAx0RzWsm6arUTh7wCNUUqxHSYFmEvytN8A_FoNw16L7F-4msg/s1000/Feb%2018%20bike%20on%20trail.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Bike trail" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis9JzxYVpE-I9KzCaPlVNXm90qNrbJQXociALWopaopvWXN9tcwo-Lmckk_ahr4WjMSVfCsZ9y6m6hGT1QxrgBu8tDTkxRklSQp39MjZl-tGoT7gFOshesdjRvLgQ8i8YdNh_8N2CWCAx0RzWsm6arUTh7wCNUUqxHSYFmEvytN8A_FoNw16L7F-4msg/w400-h266/Feb%2018%20bike%20on%20trail.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Feb. 18--Mystery bike near Waldo's Rock on Grant Wood Trail. A child's bike, but no child.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAuVrKENWWq0r55RNr4Vux-H4eQYnv3uXkZkxfESuaM3N0-9Pza9TFZW_c_KcKbQjayq50BVKuiAMJZ5bThMkmv2fqlIZUH4_AJk4sKQYYGHolg9W-mrwpk8e73-d-dxlsLcN_wyzBl4reTXxGSrxdpXlxcw7Pb9BIOqvOvzp-YUF4b-u5u56hEdwkXg/s1000/Feb%2018%20geese.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Geese at Waldo's Rock Park" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAuVrKENWWq0r55RNr4Vux-H4eQYnv3uXkZkxfESuaM3N0-9Pza9TFZW_c_KcKbQjayq50BVKuiAMJZ5bThMkmv2fqlIZUH4_AJk4sKQYYGHolg9W-mrwpk8e73-d-dxlsLcN_wyzBl4reTXxGSrxdpXlxcw7Pb9BIOqvOvzp-YUF4b-u5u56hEdwkXg/w400-h266/Feb%2018%20geese.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Geese fly over Waldo's Rock at Waldo's Rock Park.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp7Krs_df-tzR7DrHuXoqW2Z1DUpgNrFA1aB4uy6fiLZuta5vySM72DM2P-x8iro7ZJYbA3U8gQRdxFjNZPkEEI5fmx8X8h5XdqjJQ2gAJmy8ARl0CypRg2lppKUohDfq9XDTAEXzvQYws57vUHS7K1qhJ40BOqmh03fdBa1V6yvn8aDj13vcuWK9iYw/s1000/Feb%2018%20biker.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Biker" border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp7Krs_df-tzR7DrHuXoqW2Z1DUpgNrFA1aB4uy6fiLZuta5vySM72DM2P-x8iro7ZJYbA3U8gQRdxFjNZPkEEI5fmx8X8h5XdqjJQ2gAJmy8ARl0CypRg2lppKUohDfq9XDTAEXzvQYws57vUHS7K1qhJ40BOqmh03fdBa1V6yvn8aDj13vcuWK9iYw/w400-h266/Feb%2018%20biker.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Feb. 18--Another biker circles pond at Waldo's Rock Park.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>While I was paused, making some images, another biker stopped and chatted. He rides around the Waldo’s Rock pond often in summer, and remarked it lacks turtles—possible because it lacks logs or rocks at its edge. Turtles need basking spots to warm themselves, and he is hoping the city will add some stones or something for their sake.<br /><br />Another human intervention in the landscape. One that I wouldn’t mind—rocks and turtles at Waldo’s Rock. Sounds good, to me.<br /><br />Winter is still hanging on. Some days. It’s spring on other days. Biking continues, and, I hope, will increase in coming weeks.<br /><br />Except on Thursdays. These days, every Thursday is snowstorm day.<br /><br />So far in February, 97.7 miles. Year’s total so far, 228.52 miles.<br /><br /><br /><br /></p><br /><br /><br /><br />CR Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14949410451137266101noreply@blogger.com0