In Which I Enjoy the Coral Twilight

Pretty late day light on Cedar River Trail Jan. 21.

This has not been a bike friendly week. A pretty good snow fell Tuesday into Wednesday, and the forecast is for some serious artic chill Thursday and especially Friday.

There had also been snow Saturday, and I wondered how the streets would be Monday.

Well, there was snow, and I had to be careful, but the ride was not bad. Except it was very, very cold—my feet suffered despite the boots. Then again, I had left the boots in the unheated sun room, due to snow on them from Sunday snow play with grandchildren, and I think the major problem Monday morning was the boots were so darn cold to start with.

The ride home was late in the afternoon, as the sun was going down. It was cold again, but not as cold as the morning. And my feet were far warmer. I decided to take the Cedar River Trail home, thus avoiding some of the less-traveled streets that had more snow on them.

It was a good move—the trail was a bit snowy here or there, but largely clear—and even where snowy, there was no anxiety about slipping near auto traffic. In fact, while I had to slow it down, the mountain bike performed well. There was no slipping.

It was quiet and the light was going from golden to coral, a pretty pink, as the sun sank. At one point, some deer paused after crossing the trail, looking at me as I looked at them.

Cedar River Trail, ride home in fading light, deer watching me approach.

After an oddly mild start to winter, January has turned harsh. But now and then, there is a milder day, like Monday. It may be a while before I get the winter bike out of the garage, but when I do, I can only hope for such pretty light and such a peaceful ride.

Late afternoon light reflected on McLeod Run, Cedar River Trail.