In Which Summer-Style Riding Arrives

Pretty May sky on Grant Wood Trail, Marion, Iowa.

Late day sunshine at Waldo's Rock Park along Grant Wood Trail.

Late day sun on Grant Wood Trail.

Spring, phase 3, is upon Iowa. I’ve not written much about rides recently—May is my busiest month and school has been out for only a few days. I’m getting my feet and my wheels back under me again.

Today, it’s rainy and cool. A chilly April was followed by a May with almost every kind of weather Iowa has to offer—hot days in the 90s, cold nights in the 30s, sunshine, rain. Thankfully, no snow, although that’s always possible in early May.

And I’ve had some fun. I still haven’t cracked 40 miles on a single ride, and it will be, because of other life activities, a few days before I try.

Despite the occasional cool, the trees are now all green. Early flowers have faded. The startling green of an Iowa spring is suddenly everywhere you look. The air is sweet, sweat can be an issue and bugs are finding us again.

May 24--Cloudy mid-day ride before rain--headed north 5.5 miles on Cedar Valley Nature Trail to where damaged bridge has trail closed. My bike as far as it can go headed north.

Bridge is out, trail ends here for now.

Not sure what was going on, but someone was working at the gap.

Closure gate on Cedar Valley Nature Trail north of Robins, 5.5 miles or so from start of trail in Hiawatha.

In short, May has been a pleasant biking month in Iowa. I had put the wrong kind of tube on my hybrid bike, and the subsequent flat tyre kept me off that bike until the semester ended, and I had time to swap tubes. But it’s back now. I’ve used all three bikes this month, mostly riding on my road bike.

Blue skies, breezy days, the sight of deer and bunnies and birds—this is the time of year that a biker who loves biking all year long most especially falls in love with bicycling. I hope you’re enjoying your May rides.

Miles so far: 190.45 in May; 797.35 for the year so far. More May images:

Deer seen on ride north on Cedar Valley Nature Trail.

Iowa's state bird, goldfinch, seen on Cedar Valley Nature Trail on ride north. It was in a bush beside the trail. Not easy to capture images of these shy birds.

Nice day in back yard on a Sunday afternoon--putting new tube (and new tyre) on hybrid bike.

This should work better on the hybrid bike.

On trail to Menards. After changing tyre, took hybrid bike on 10-mile trail spin.

Goose seen early in May at C Avenue pond on bike ride to work.

Got a flower on "Have Mercy, Give Mercy" event early in May at MMU, create a vase to carry it home on bike.

Maybe I should have a flower on my bike more often?