In Which I Enjoy a Snow Spin

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In Which Biking Alone Becomes More Social

Outdoor stage at Lowe Park in Marion Iowa after sunset on March 26.

My bike rides this week have been short, and late. I’ve been busy during the day.

Thursday was no exception, and by the time all was said and done, it was pushing 7 p.m. I decided to ride in the twilight, and got the road bike out for a quick trip to the trail at Lowe Park in Marion.

I passed a few bikers, walkers and runners. I was fairly well lit, but I was surprised at how dark some others were—on the way home, long after sunset in the full dark of early night, I encountered a walker going in the opposite direction. He clearly saw me coming and we were both on the far right edge of the pavement—but I didn’t see him until I was almost on top of him. He had on black clothing, head to toe, with a hood up against the evening chill.

I hope he didn’t cross many streets.

Anyway, although I saw a number of people, the traffic was light, and I avoided any close physical proximity. I thought it was just restful to be out—my brief bicycle rides this week have been good for stress release.

Facebook banner of group.

And my brother-in-law sent me, earlier this week, a link to a Facebook public group that I’ve joined, the “Social Distance Cycling Club.” Other than the Linn County Trail Association, which I just support through membership, and my RAGBRAI team, bicycle is mostly a solitary activity for me.

Anyway, the Facebook group is all about sharing socially distance cycling in the time of COVID-19. It’s fun, seeing all the images from around the country—and Iowa seems well represented in the group. One Des Moines cycles posted a short video of the musical pipes at Water Works Park in Des Moines—something like that, sculptures designed to sing when the wind passes over them—would be cool to have along all of the new trails that are in the planning stage in my area.

As I noted, I’m like Lobo on the bike. I hunt my biking pleasures alone. The Facebook group does allow me to see materials posted by some kindred spirits.

So my solitary activity is now linked to something social in a time of hunkering down and keeping our distance from each other. Cool.