In Which it’s Suddenly Iowa Summer

My commuting route has changed a little because Cedar Rapids put in a sidewalk all the way past Collins Road on C Avenue and added crossing lights at Collins Road. As they redid a stretch of C Avenue, they also planted trees along the sidewalk. This is one of those trees. Nice.

Well, not really. Spring flowers are still in bloom—although I’ve had plenty of early ones, regular peonies are still budding, and lilies are yet to be seen.

But the final crush and rush of school are finally subsiding. I still have lots of end-of-year details to iron out, but there is light at the end of the tunnel, and there will be time for some serious bike miles. I rode 18 today, the day I finished my spring grading (with 4 ½ hours to spare, I’ll have you know), and I hope to have my first 40-mile day soon.

Cedar Lake during finals week--I'm riding my bike to a department meeting at a downtown restaurant.

Anyway, while I am enjoying the newly warm temperatures, I’ve also put some Bug Soother in my bike bag. That’s the one downside of summer rides in Iowa.

But when I look up and see the hillsides green or smell the locust trees—well, I’ll gladly use some sunscreen and insect spray. It’s the bike time of year!

Meeting venue. No bike rack, but eatery may still be worth another summer visit.