In Which CR Biker is Hot on a Cold Day

Nov. 13--Heading home from work late on a Sunday afternoon. sunset (and my bike) at MMU's Warde Hall.

Nov. 13 sunset without the bike.

Monday, Nov. 14, represents, sort of, halfway through November. We are supposed to get up to 3 inches of snow on Tuesday, so I will skip couple of biking days this week.

I’ve ridden 87.36 miles so far this month, and have 2,535.43 for the year. My goal is 3,000, which means I would have to ride just under 470 miles in the next 6 weeks—a bit iffy, unless there’s really good December weather once the semester ends.

Still, I’m feeling pretty good. Despite Mother Nature cheating me out of an expected experience today.

You see, snow was in the forecast today, too—not accumulating snow (I don’t ride in accumulating snow), but just a few flakes. Today is the first day I wore my full winter outfit—winter boots, long johns, double socks, hood and biking hat as well as gloves. It wasn’t quite the complete cold weather gear—I would add a third shirt, mittens instead of gloves and have a scarf at really cold temperatures—but it was windy and in the 20s this morning, so worth some weather respect.

I rode the mountain bike, just in case, and brought my camera, ready to record the first truly winter snow ride. And it didn’t happen.

Nov. 14, morning sun shines through clouds at C Avenue pond. But the clouds did not produce promised snow.

I was actually pretty comfortable despite the wind and chill—I do know how to dress and can stay warm. And the sky was pretty, even if it didn’t snow.

Images from other recent rides:

Nov. 11, riding by C Avenue Pond, great place to contemplate sunrise.

Nov. 7--Heading into MMU library late in afternoon to work on student newspaper.

Nov. 7--Sunset seen from MMU Library at end of bike ride there.

Nov. 7--Starting on bike ride home later--Moon seen through trees at MMU Rohde Family Plaza.

Nov. 4--Before weather turns cold, nice fall day, bike parked by Warde Hall.

Nov. 4--Rode bike to Mount Calvary Cemetery to make images of MMU class visiting and cleaning graves of sisters buried there.

Nov. 4--Cemetery crow.

Nov. 2--Dia de los Muertos, perfect day to swing by Mount Calvary Cemetery on the way home. What's a more peaceful place than a cemetery at sunset? The cemetery is by a new bike trail in Cedar Rapids.

Nov. 2--Another view of the sunset and the cemetery.

Oct. 31--Swung by Cedar Lake on the way home on Halloween.

Oct. 31--Hunting at Cedar Lake.

Oct. 31, above and below, reflections on Cedar Lake.

Oct. 31--I wonder at this bike I see at MMU. Always propped on a tree, never in a bike rack. And front brake taken apart. Exciting to get off of the hill on this bike, I bet!

Oct. 30--Checking out newly paved part of Grant Wood Trail.

Oct. 30--Bike parked at end of east segment of Grant Wood Trail.

Oct. 30--Same bike, same place, different angle.

Oct. 30--Waldo's Rock pond.

Oct. 30--Another view of pond.

Oct. 30--Nearly home as darkness falls, Halloween decorations in the neighborhood.

Oct. 30--Selfie on Grant Wood Trail. By the sign of the buffalo.

Oct. 31--Different camera, view of Waldo's Rock Park pond.

Oct. 30--Pretty light on trail bridge