In Which I Contemplate 60 Miles on Expanding Trails

Hybrid bike on new bridge crossing Seventh Avenue in Marion, Iowa.

There is no doubt that these are good times for bikers in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Trail networks are expanding in some important ways, and this month, I’ve experienced some of those new routes and glimpsed previews of other future expansions.

And, June! The bike month. I had a one-week gap in my riding this month, brought on by a family trip to Okoboji (a lake area in northwest Iowa—there are two lakes named East and West Okoboji and a larger lake named Spirit Lake located in a set of small tourist towns on the Minnesota border). So, that’s cut my June miles a bit, but even so, longer rides mean that this month is my top mileage month so far in 2022.

June 6--Buck near Boyson Trail.

As it should. It will get to 90 today, and because of that, I’ll have to take some care (and extra water) on an afternoon ride. My goal is to increase my miles to at least 20 per day, and, sometime this week, to crack 60 miles on one ride (“this week,” since this is Thursday, being defined as sometime in the remaining eight days of June).

It’s been a busy month. Lots of family things going on, in a positive way, so the reality that my biking time is a bit more constrained this June than in previous Junes is OK. To some extent, the family is taking advantage of the opportunity to get together more as the pandemic enters a new phase and we’re all vaccinated (aside, a close family member got pretty sick earlier this month with COVID-19, “a new phase” doesn’t mean this thing is over). Taking trips like the one to Okoboji is a new experience.

June 9--The Fancy Beast on the Sac & Fox Trail.

June 8--Geese seen on Cedar River Trail--hazard of Iowa bike rides.

Anyway, what have I been up to on two wheels? I only passed 50 miles on two rides so far--the one ride I reported in a previous post north to Urbana, and a ride June 8, before my vacation trip, south to Solon. But I have been doing some longer (over 20-mile) rides. I rode the Sac and Fox Trail on my mountain bike, for example. A new bridge on the Lindale Trail has opened, at least temporarily (they have some lighting to install still, so I’m sure there will be some short-term closures before the official grand opening). On the Boyson Trail, the one nearest my home that I ride most often, a new paved trail heading east into Marion is visible, if not yet linked to the limestone trail.

And, despite some unusually hot days (and dry weather, Mother Nature, June is always our prettiest month but it made prettier by summer rains that we could really use more of), there have been gorgeous summer days for rides, too. June so far: 291.62 miles. Year to date: 1,108.5 miles.

June 22--New paved trail headed east, seen on Boyson Trail.

So here is a whole bunch of images from some of my recent rides, because I carried my camera just to indulge my other hobby (photography):

June 6—Ride on Lindale-Boyson Trail, including bridge work, 10 miles; 50-mile ride to Solon:

Here and below--I think Catalpa trees are under-rated. Pretty white flowers on ones beside Boyson Trail.

New trail headed east from Boyson Trail--deer crosses muddy path.

Workers at new bridge east of Milwaukee Road bridge on Lindale Trail.

Bike parked beside trail to Menards.

Pretty sky.

On sidewalk to Menards.

Rained the day before, this is always the dampest spot on Boyson Trail.

June 8 and 9—Ride to Solon, 50 miles; Sac and Fox trail rides, 23 miles:

Sky view on Sac & Fox Trail.

Small butterfly on flower by trail.

Flower on Sac & Fox Trail.

Catalpa flowers near Cedar Lake.

Cedar River--on ride home from Sac and Fox.

Statue at north end of Sac & Fox Trail.

Indigo Bunting seen on Sac & Fox Trail.

Bunny guards the south end of trail.

Jogger on trail.

Catalpa flower.

 

 

Thistle by trail.

Something pokes its head out of Cedar Lake, turtle? Loch Ness creature?

Late afternoon sun over trail.

Milwaukee Road bridge.

Bike on bridge.

Sunshine on trail on ride to Solon.

Art on downtown building.

Flying over Cedar Lake.

Sky view south of town.

Splash pad at park in Solon.

Art under bridge on Cedar River.

Bike and biker late in the afternoon.

C Avenue Pond.

View of creek along Sac & Fox Trail.

Sunny part of Sac & Fox.

June 10—Tour of Lowe Park, 10 miles:

Low sun at Lowe Park.

On the way home, balloons over Marion.

This and next two images--flowers at Lowe Park.

June 18-19—Boyson Trail ride then longer ride along Grant Wood Trail (new bridge open) 12 miles and 25 miles:

Had family party day before Fathers Day. Got these socks and wore them for this ride. "Dad Joke Loading."

You would think I would see this "no trespassing sign" at lane across street from end of trial. Or maybe I rode down lane for a while before it occurred to me that this didn't seem to be the trail anymore ... and shot this image after I turned back.

Bike at end of second let of Grant Wood Trail.

Seeing Milwaukee Road bridge with new curvy bridge over street beyond it.

Bike before I cross the bridges.

On Grant Wood Trail.

Sunny day on trail.

New bridge.

Deep blue sky on warm Fathers Day.

Bike on Grant Wood Trail.

End of first leg of trail--used to be 10 miles away from my house, but new trail and bridge cut the distance.

After mile gap, with ride on county road, starting out on second leg of Grant Wood Trail. I like to have mountain bike for this leg, but it's so dry that the trail was firm enough for hybrid bike. Clarence didn't have any trouble handling the ride.

Trail head at west end of second leg of trail.

10 miles from my house now is on grassy second leg.

This part of trail is like riding across a lawn.

Bike at new bridge on ride back.

View of the new bridge over Seventh Avenue in Marion.

June 21--Short morning ride to Cedar Lake and Cemar Trail, 19 miles:

Growing hot as morning goes on, resting at end of Cemar Trail by cemetery.

This and next images--flowers in wildflower area of Noelridge Park.

June 22—20-mile ride on Boyson Trail including first side jaunt on adjacent mountain bike trail (will come back with mountain bike, rode on hybrid bike), 20 miles:

New trail seen from Boyson Trail. Clarence in the image, too.

There are a couple of short mountain bike loops near Boyson Trail, rode one on hybrid bike. Will come back another day with mountain bike to check out them all.

On mountain bike trail.

Grass seen on mountain bike trail.