CR Biker: In Which Snow Calls for The Fancy Beast

Late day look at creek along Boyson Trail Dec. 29.

It was the day after Christmas, and I was planning to work for a while. Winter term at my university starts next week, and this professor has some class materials to generate and organize.

Christmas has been warm and wet, and Tuesday was forecast to be drier and colder. Not terribly cold—more like normal for this time of year rather than oddly warm.

I updated a syllabus, downloaded a class list, and in general acted busy for a while. It was quiet in the building where my office is, but not totally deserted, and on a short afternoon break, I encountered a nice woman who works in the business office.

“Joe, you rode your bike today.” True. She probably saw it locked in the bike rack. “Did you know it’s snowing?”

Well, no. Luckily, by chance, I had picked the appropriate bike. Normally, on this kind of ride, I probably would have ridden my road bike, but because I thought there might be some damp pavement as a result of the previous day’s rain, I chose instead to ride The Fancy Beast.

Christmas lights in McGrath Amphitheatre

A few days before Christmas, went with family to walk through light displays at McGrath Amphitheatre. Grandson agreed to make image of me with bike lights. I know it's a motorcycle, but looks a bit like a bicycle.

Aside—years ago, my youngest son had a heavy Schwinn mountain bike that he passed on to me, and I called it “The Beast.” Then, from an older son by way of a son-in-law, I acquired a slightly nicer, still old and heavy but not as heavy, Raleigh mountain bike—which I dubbed “The Fancy Beast.” The beast was donated to a bike club and later stolen, so these days when I ride a mountain bike, it’s The Fancy Beast.

Back to our story. I hadn’t arrived all that early in my office, and it was getting to late afternoon by the time I left. In the fading light, it was clear the scenery had changed—my bike and campus were dusted with a light covering of white.

Bike seat dusted by snow Dec. 26.

As I worked for a few hours in the afternoon, an unexpected snow fell Dec. 26. What the Mount Mercy University campus looked like as I prepare to ride home.

The pavement on the way home was a little scary—it was dark, growing colder, and the street looked a little wet. As any experienced Iowa biker knows, in appearance, there is sometimes no difference between “wet” and “icy” but there sure is a friction difference.

I took it easy on the way home and arrived safe and sound, none-the-worse for winter riding. Thank you, Fancy Beast.

Wednesday and Thursday featured more snow. It was too warm to accumulate much beyond maybe a half inch, but I have a rule about riding in snow, in that, I don’t.

By Friday, the grey skies were clearing. Sun was peaking through the tattered clouds. I was taking care of a grandson that day, and we went for a fun sled ride in a city park. But by late afternoon, it seemed the snow was clear of the pavement and melting off of most of the grass. My wife got home at 3 in the afternoon, and asked me if I was going to take a bike ride.

Well, there’s only one good answer to that question.

Finally enjoying a bit of sunshine on bike ride Dec. 29.

Deer seen beside bike trail Dec. 29.

My mountain bike, The Fancy Beast, on trail bridge Dec. 29.

It was late enough, and I planned to ride on nearby trails, which are partly limestone, so I opted, once again, for the trusty winter mountain bike.

I had a good ride, putting in a bit over 9 miles as the winter day’s light faded. Along the Boyson Trail, I did encounter a few soft spots and a few places where there was still snow—nothing that The Fancy Beast couldn’t handle.

What with one thing and another, I haven’t had many days of biking this Christmas break, but am glad I’ve had a few. As of Dec. 29, I have 162.41 miles for the month, not a great total, but not bad for a winter month. My goal this year was 3,300 miles, and I’m glad to say I’m at 3,339.22 miles for 2023. I’m not sure if today was the last bike ride of the year, but with things already planned for the weekend, it could well be.

Despite the snow and the wet, it wasn’t a bad finish to the year. Now to think about how far I’ll roll in 2024.