In Which the Wind Comes Whistling Across the Lake

Cedar Lake late Tuesday afternoon--calm north end.

The week started warm and wet, and I drove on Monday. By Tuesday, a cold front was passing through and winter was on its way back into Iowa—arriving with buffeting wind.

It was still damp Tuesday morning and flurries were possible that day, so I rode my mountain bike. I need not have bothered—the sky, in fact, in Cedar Rapids became increasingly clear as the day went on, and even if it was windy and cool, at least the light was good.

Cool, windy Tuesday morning, sunrise at Collins pond on C Avenue.

Late in the afternoon, I left work. Despite the chill wind, I was in the mood for the longer trail ride, and I headed over to the Cedar River Trail and circled Cedar Lake before heading home.

I was not unhappy to be on the mountain bike. It’s my slowest bike, but in the wind I would not have made much speed anyway (and you all who know me are thinking “you would not make much speed in any case, CR Biker,” and to be fair, you would have a point). It does feel like a very stable bike on a windy day.

I had my good camera with me. I had photographed a basketball game Monday afternoon, and for some reason felt it was important to photograph the first sunny ride of the week. When I got down to the lake, the sun was very low. Geese were all huddled at the north end of the lake, where the water was fairly calm. But anywhere else, especially on the south end, the lake was choppy. I was impressed with the sound of the wind and the water smashing against the shore.

You Californian family members who see actual waves on an actual ocean would be amused, I’m sure, but I was impressed with the surf.

Water splashing against rock at south end of Cedar Lake.

I was also surprised that, unlike geese, some ducks didn’t seem to care to hang out where the water was calm. There were several duck pairs bobbing up and down on the choppy lake, sometimes with feathers ruffled by the wind. There are silly sayings about wet weather being the kind of day that would only make a duck happy—but in this case, despite it being sunny, I’m sure these ducks were getting quite wet and sad. A duck’s face does not have expression, but I could only imagine them quacking vague duck curses under their breaths as they questioned the wisdom of wintering in balmy Cedar Rapids.

I headed north to home and thought the flag at Harding Middle School looks pretty in the late golden light, so I shot some images of it—not realizing until I looked at them how frayed the flag seems. Then again, maybe it wasn’t frayed so badly when it was raised Tuesday morning.

It was that kind of day. Every once in a while, I shifted into a climbing gear on flat ground to ascent the wind hill. I was thoroughly chilled by the time I arrived home, but still rode my bike up to a dinner invitation a half mile or so from home.

The mountain bike has lots of lights. Why not?

Today, it was getting colder and was still breezy in the morning, but luckily not so windy. Winter was back, but there are mittens and warm boots and long underwear, and your biking correspondent was still on two wheels, although today I rode the hybrid bike.

Here are more images from my windy Tuesday ride:

Geese in golden light on lake.

A great wave hit the little ship. "Hold on," Captain Jim told his men.

Flag waves vigorously at Harding Middle School.

Cedar River Trail north of Cedar Lake--pretty sky and golden light of late afternoon.

Ducks, riding waves on Cedar Lake.

More lake waves.