In Which I Enjoy Spring, Phase 1

March 27--Bike at Mount Cavalry Cemetery on a sunny spring Sunday afternoon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April 1--No fooling, some bicycle parked at MMU. Mine is the far one. Spring, and a few more bicycles are starting to appear.

To me, many Midwestern seasons are broken into parts. And maybe it’s just the way my brain works, but I think of most of them in thirds. Take my recent bicycle rides, for example.

I’ve not reported them since March 19, which means this post covers almost a fortnight. And it’s definitely a fortnight of spring, phase 1. Here is how I think of spring in Iowa:

• Phase 1—Some early signs of change. A bit of greening in brown areas of grass. The first flowers, glory of the snow and crocus. Stuff that falls from the sky may be wet or white or transitioning in between. Nights are often or usually below freezing, days vary a lot, with lots of clouds, but some sunshine and some days that give the hope of better weather ahead—but the world is still largely brown, the trees, while there are early signs of change (blooming maples), are largely barren.

• Phase 2—Color suddenly bursts into the scene. Daffodils and early tulips and magnolia appear. Smaller trees and early trees start to tentatively show leave. Buds on red buds swell pink and pretty. Snow is not rare, but more rain falls from the sky. You think of planting outside, but wisely decide to wait a bit. Usually, Easter.

• Phase 3—Iowa is a verdant, green place. Trees are coming to life. The smell of lilac and crab apple (and, unfortunately, pear). Late daffodils and tulips galore. Peonies are springing up and the frilly fancy ones are budding and blooming. The later native flower plants—milkweed—can finally be seen. You know which trees and vines “made it,” and which fell to winter. The last frost, the first day in the 80s, you think of sun screen, bugs are becoming an issue.

Anyway, this stretch of rides is in Phase 1. I’ve seen it all, chilly drizzle, wet snows, beautiful sunshine, much variety.

On one Sunday in early spring, I had to ride to campus for some newspaper duties, and I took an indirect route, riding along the slowly growing Cemar Trail in Cedar Rapids, going under First Avenue, and I ended up looping around Mount Calvary Cemetery. There is something weirdly refreshing about a slow circuit of a cemetery on an early, sunny spring day—a reminder of life and eternity at the same time.

March 27--I arrive on campus after cemetery detour. Sunny Sunday.

Seen in the cemetery.

Statue of Saint Francis in cemetery.

I also chanced a rain in a wet morning snow—it was snowing very lightly, it was too warm to stick or freeze on the streets, and the afternoon was supposed to be drier. It was a gamble that worked out.

March 24--Riding on a snowy morning.

March 24--Riding to work on a snowy morning, but it's melting as soon as it falls.

March 24--Road closed? Turns out I can use sidewalk to first cross street, so the project on C Avenue didn't have as big of an impact as I thought.

March 24--I arrive at work a little damp, but not wet. At loading dock--going to park inside in the hall today. Bikers get the best parking places.

March 25--A grey, cool day, but dry. A sparrow rests on my bike as it's parked in a bike rack near the library.

March 26--Sunny Saturday afternoon ride on Boyson Trails. By creek on the trail to Mendards, sun makes old grass from fall shine.

March 26--Bike on bridge.

March 26--Deer stare at me as I photograph them from trial.

March 26--Late afternoon shadows on trail.

March 26--Cardinal sings spring song beside trail.

Most recently, on April Fools Day, I rode a bit extra, going down to Cedar Lake before heading home and taking my usually 7-mile commute and making the total for the day just over 10 miles. After arriving at home, my wife and I drove to a park. It was a cool afternoon, but somewhat milky-sunny, and we enjoyed a stroll around Lowe Park—there, we met artist Drew Evans.

Evans, a Marion bicycle mechanic and welder, also does art made of metal objects, often bicycle parts. One of his sculptures was a woman formed from bicycle chains.

April 1--Bike chain woman.

April 1--Artist Dale Evans with one of his sculptures. "It needs cleaning," he said.

It was a pleasant sight. He’s supposed to have a show later this year at the art gallery at Lowe Park, and I’ll watch for it. Maybe I’ll ride my bike there.

By then, it should be phase 3 of spring and a lot warmer. Still, even if I need gloves and a winter coat, even spring, phase 1, is a nice change of pace from winter bike riding.

Total for March: 157 miles. Year to date: 430.65 (10 of the miles in April).

April 1--Ride home via trail by Cedar Lake. Milky sunshine ends blue sky day.

April 1--C Avenue Pond on morning ride.

In Which Nature, Humans Create Birthday Beauty

On the road between Ely on Solon. CR Biker does not normally go at this pace, but if you're going to average 11 mph, you have to be moving faster than that between stops.

I don’t suppose there is any requirement that an old biker “ride his birthday,” but I’ve seen posts from others who have done it.

It was humid and hot on Saturday in Iowa, not a good day for biking. As sometimes happens here late in summer, Sunday was in contrast and was gorgeous. There is just a huge difference between temperatures in the upper 90s and the upper 80s. The sun was shining, and by late morning, I had decided it was the day for a ride.

I had gone a bit past Ely on the trail south of town, but had gone no farther this year. And I know from previous rides that a pretty park awaits in Solon—so southern fever gripped me, and I got the road bike out and took off on the Cedar River Trail, headed south. I was making good time, which of course meant there was a bit of a north wind and the ride back would be a little more challenging.

It was my final day of being 62, and it was also a fine day. At Cedar Lake, several herons were in sight, strutting about on their tall legs, seeking fish.

First stop at Cedar Lake--Herons and a pretty little butterfly. The day is getting nice.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As I rode down by the river, I encountered a man under the bridge by the African-American Museum, busy painting. There is a large new mural there, and the painter said he was Marcus Irving, who had submitted the winning design in a city contest and now was putting final touches on his art. This is the summer of art in Cedar Rapids, in a way—murals seem to be popping up everywhere, in NewBo and Czech Village, even under the bridge.

From natural beauty to the work of humans. Marcus Irving (did not confirm spelling) works on his art under bridge by African-American museum.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After making some images of the artist at work on his images, I was on my way, ruminating that both nature and humans were conspiring to make my birthday eve a day of visual delights.

I ate a snack at Ely, watering up. I considered the ice cream shop, and though I maybe I would see if it was still open. I had gone about 20 miles, and Solon just was not that far, so off I went.
 

Bird statue in Solon nature park.

Argent by metal birds.

Birds and bike, Solon, Iowa.

Dragonfly by pond in Ely seen on my first snack break.

This group of images is in reverse sequence. Between Cedar Rapids and Ely. Many of these encouraging heart signs seen south of town.

It's not just Cedar Lake. Seen along Cedar River after I cross to the south side.

I reached Solon, circled the pretty nature park there, make some images, and decided to ride back to the rest area where the trail to Solon crosses a county highway. Snack stop number two. In Ely, I had eaten some nuts and an apple. Here, I wolfed down some animal crackers and raisins. I had not been planning a really long ride, and so was a bit informal in my snack planning, as in, I just grabbed whatever was at hand and took off.

I had topped 30 miles by this point, and I new I was over 20 miles from home. It was getting on in the afternoon, but the Sunday ride would total 50 miles if I just went home—50, and on Monday I would turn 63. If I just added a few more miles …

Eating my final snacks, heading back to Ely from Solon. The math is starting to add up. Tired as I am, I would be getting close to a birthday ride. Maybe if the ice cream shop is still open ...

I was convinced the ice cream shop would be closed in Ely by the time I got there. I am happy to report I was wrong. A double scoop bowl—Dutch chocolate for one scoop because one can never have too much chocolate, and birthday cake for the second. Super sweet, I know, but I was starting to think of this as a potential birthday ride.

When I got back into Cedar Rapids, I headed down the little stub trail that leads to the site of the future “Sleeping Giant” bridge whose construction is planned in the coming years. Just adding some distance. I got to Cedar Lake, feeling a bit faded as the afternoon light was fading. Fading—but getting to 50 miles or so. So close.

The lake put on quite a show to boost my spirits. I had been pretty excited to see blue herons earlier, but this time there was a group of pelicans, and white herons. Quite the display.

Second time at Cedar Lake, it puts on quite the show. I circle it twice to gain some distance as I start to commit to the goal. White herons, pelicans, pretty sunset--nice.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So I headed north, and rather than heading directly home, I headed up to Robins, and circled one of the parks there. In my mind, I realized I was getting close. By going north to this point, I was inevitably going to be close to 60 miles by the time I got home. All I needed was 3 extra miles.

So as I approached home, I headed over to the new Milwaukee Road bridge on the Lindale Trail, taking some post-sunset images of Argent (my bike). When I got back to C Avenue, I realized I would be about half a mile short if I went straight home, so I turned south again and inspected the C Avenue pond at Collins Aerospace. Geese flew low overhead as I approached, honking reproaches. It turns out lots of duck and geese were gathered for some kind of Sunday night party in the pond. I made a few images. By the time I got to Blairs Ferry, my miles were over 62 ½, and I knew it was almost exactly half a mile to home from there.

I pulled into my driveway, not exactly feeling euphoric, but feeling good. My legs were not happy with me, indeed sleep was a bit difficult that night due to some large leg muscles that registered their complaints in the form of cramps.

I had not planned on riding 63.4 miles, nor of averaging 11 mph (blisteringly fast for this old man). Sometimes, the most fun you can have is in the moment and not due to plans. I didn’t plan to meet Marcus, didn’t plan to see pelicans, didn’t know the day would be so gorgeous.

But it was. A nice birthday present on my birthday eve.

Last look at Cedar Lake.

Another look at trail on the way to Solon. Perfect day for a ride.

Dinosaur party at C Avenue Pond.

In fading after sundown light, my bike on Lindale Trail bridge.

Doe checks on my during Lindale Trail ride--last few miles of birthday ride.

Not from Sunday ride--Monday, my birthday. I see this butterfly in the tree over the bike rack as I mount hybrid bike for ride home. Legs a bit sore, but I was still rolling on my birthday.