In Which I’m Happy to be a Little Damp

Above, C Avenue Pond Thursday morning, Oct. 5. Below, C Avenue Pond on Friday morning, Oct. 6, just as it starts to rain on me.

When I got ready for my bike ride to work Friday, Oct. 6, I decided to use the mountain bike. I lubed the chain (because rain was possible) and aired the tyres first, then set out.

The morning was cloudy and cool, and I was riding with lights on. Less than a half mile from home, the air became misty and a fine rain began to fall. And it made me happy.

No, I’m not a crazy person who takes rain as a challenge and rides no matter what. I typically avoid rain because, while not a wicked witch who would melt, I do prefer the dry life.

Life lately has been quite dry, extraordinarily dry. The entire state of Iowa, where I reside, is in drought, but a little pocked in east central Iowa recently moved into the highest drought category. We’re not bone dry, because bones aren’t the driest thing anyway—we’re approaching Moon dry.

And so, there was a minor chance of rain Friday. And when I checked the weather app on my phone that morning, it looked like it could be rainy for most of the morning, but wouldn’t start until 8:30, after I had arrived on campus.

Sept. 26--Bikes at Warde Hall loading dock. Seeing more bikes this fall on campus.

Sept. 27--Bikes at Basile Hall bike rack.

Sept. 26--My bike parked at MMU.

The app was wrong, the rain began early, ended early and never amount to much more than a hint or memory of rain, raindrops fell but nowhere near enough to put a dent in desert Iowa. Still, rain is rain, and I’m glad for what I get, even if it slightly dampens me on my way on two wheels to work.

I was wearing a sweatshirt, protection against the cool breeze but not much defense against H2O, but I had no need to worry. I keep a sweatshirt in my office and was thinking I could swap when I got there should I get a bit uncomfortably hydrated, but the rain was so sparse I saw no need for the change.

Well, at least some rain fell.

Weather app image of Friday. Have not seen many colorful days like this during this drought.

And this fall, even if the gardener in me would prefer more clouds and rain, has been ideal biking weather. It was warm in September and is finally, in October, starting to feel the season—cool mornings. We’re getting to the point where a sweatshirt may even be comfortable some afternoons.

For this high BMI biker, cool is indeed good news. The bad news is my time for biking is too constrained this time of year, but what person who loves riding a bicycle doesn’t feel their saddle time is sometimes constrained by life?

This fall has featured another helpful biking sign, too. I’ve seen more bikes parked at Mount Mercy University, the college where I teach. That’s nice. A few years ago, we had an active Bike Club at the school, and maybe we’ll reach a critical mass where that group can be revived.

Whatever. Most of my biking is solitary, although I enjoy a good group ride now and then. And if it helps appease the rain spirits, I’ll willingly take some risks.

Never thought I would have this attitude on my biking blog—but more rain, please.

September miles totaled 308.83. 57.56 miles so far in October as of Oct. 7. Year-to-date: 2,794.99—500 miles or so to ride for annual goal and almost three months to go! I hope they aren’t all dry months.

Oct. 7--Rode with grandson to Lininger Park in Marion in late afternoon. Pretty day for a ride!

In Which The Rain Comes Down And Leaves Me Dry

Grey clouds over Mount Mercy University as I ride in on Wednesday morning. No, the wet on the walk is from lawn sprinklers, not Mother Nature. But, an hour later, it did sprinkle.

There was a 20 percent chance of rain Wednesday morning, and I decided I would encourage the Rain Gods and give them a target. So, although I don’t when it’s really wet, I biked.

As it happens, despite the slate grey color of the sky, nothing fell on me while I was commuting, although around 9 a.m., when I was walking across the Mount Mercy University campus, a brief sprinkle did show up.

Rain! Not much and not for long, but actual rain! In the grotto pond at Mount Mercy University.

It’s been a pretty warm, dry stretch here in Iowa—which isn’t terrible news for biking. Some at Mount Mercy have expressed surprise to me that I continue to bike as the temperature has flirted with 100.

Well, it’s less than five miles. At a lazy pace, it’s 30 to 35 minutes. That’s long enough to sweat a little—and some warm mornings I have worn a different shirt for the ride than what I later wear to work in—but the ride is not long enough to be a health issue, as long as I didn’t push myself.

I’m good at not pushing myself, by the way.

We didn’t get much moisture, but the Wednesday sprinkle did single a change. It was a little cool on the morning ride today, and by the forecast (lows in the 40s) I probably will need a sweater Friday morning.

Which, I will like very much, thank you. I do prefer cool biking to hot biking.

Hot biking, on the other hand, beats heck out of no biking!

In Which The Friday Heat Makes For A Slow Ride

On C Avenue, headed north, my 55th birthday, Aug. 30, 2013. Note how grass is losing it's green, and some young trees are brown. It's still pretty, although you might not think so if you were out on a bicycle in the relentless sun on this broiling hot day.

I hoped to head home a bit early Friday—it was my birthday, and there was a family party planned, complete with grandkids, and CR Biker loves partying with the grandkids.

Anyway, what with printing a set of papers from a freshman class, it was after 4 when I left campus. I got a text from a daughter, and the message stated “Mom wonders where you are.” Well, I was on my way, more than halfway there by the time I got the message.

It was a slow afternoon ride. Not terribly slow—I’m sure I made it in around 30 minutes, which is about par. But I sure was not pushing. I slipped into higher gears and peddled easily.

It was hot. Not a little warm. It was full-on, Iowa summer max, egg frying on pavement, hot. We’ve been dry for weeks, and the plants look pale, and now the dry is punctuated and accentuated by heat. Grass is turning brown and many trees are shedding leaves.

In the afternoon, bikers move slowly. I was thinking of a line from "To Kill A Mockingbird"--"it seemed hotter then," and retorting, "no it didn't. It's hotter NOW."  I don’t need it—it is less than a 5 mile ride, for goodness sake—but I do take and sip some water along the afternoon journey.

When I got to the corner of C Avenue and Blair’s Ferry Road, the battling temperature signs (one on a drug store and one on a bank) displayed their random readings. The bank, which seems to at least be in the neighborhood, said 93. It felt much hotter—I suspect the bank was under-stating by 5 degrees or so, and the heat index was well over 100. The drug store? I don’t even remember, but I know from experience that, for temperature, it just displays random digits. In heat like this, it would typically claim something ridiculous, like “85.”

Well, I made it home, safe and sound and feeling very hot. That CR Biker, he’s so hot right now. Next week will be cooler and there is a slight chance for rain over the weekend.

May we get some. We need some. And the cooler temperatures will definitely make the bicycle journeys much more pleasant!

Watching All the Bunnies and Deer

If at first you don't succeed ....  The first brood of robins in my back bushes was eaten by something, cat or raccoon, I suppose.  But the robins are trying again, and I wish them luck.  Note that just right and below daddy, you can see one of the babies--there seem to be 3 in the nest.

OK, the bird is just in my back yard, and although I saw lots of birds on my bike rides today, I suppose that's cheating, a little.

The doe, however, is legitimately from my morning ride. After I went to the gym, I rode on part of the Boyson Trail, and saw this doe.

Doe on trail between Lindale Drive and main Boyson Road trail, this morning around 8.

Later today, late morning, the grandchildren were over playing, and I offered Tristan a pre-lunch ride. He accepted and we headed down the Boyson Road trail.

Although I didn't photograph them, we actually saw four more deer. He also informed me that any patch of trees we passed through was the “deep dark woods” where the Gruffalo lives.

His older sister is obsessed with the Gruffalo, and apparently Tristan is getting into the act, too.

It's been cool, naturally, since RAGBRAI is over and it's safe for nice weather to return to Iowa. We've had a few rains, which have greened up some of the plant life, although much still looks tired in this dry year.

Today's ride was all about the critters, and we saw many birds and bunnies as well as deer. It was a good Thursday for a mid-day ride.

I asked Tristan after I hopped on the bike--"should I take our picture before we go for our ride?"  "Yes," he said.

All My Bags Are Packed, I'm Ready To Go ….

Cate at Parlor City Pub.  We are in the cop corner.  And even saw a bike cop on the trail.

Well, not really. I have some final prep to do in the morning, including tagging all my stuff.

CR Biker will be on vacation next week, so no blog updates for a while. Despite the triple-digit heat, I'll be on RAGBRAI. Wish me luck, blog followers, but I am acclimated to the Iowa summer, and promise to drink lots of water and electrolyte solution and to be careful out there.

Did the final long prep ride Thursday with my sister Cate. We were exchanging data about our home town. She requested a tutorial on changing a flat (she has had her first flat in recent history, whereas I am a regular flatulent rider and have lots of tire-changing experience, alas). (And yes, I know, a fart joke is low humor, but I hope you chuckled.)

So I showed her how to put on a new tube and then we rode the Boyson Trail and then down to Prairie Park Fishery, neither of which she had been on before (well, I'm sure she has been on the older parts of the Boyson Trail, but not the new ones that opened this year).

My lunch, the "Jucy Lucy" with sweet potato fries.  Very good, but the menu warned "the first bite will be hot."  Maybe they meant literally hot, because it was just a very good burger, not really spicy.

For lunch, she offered to take me to the Parlor City Pub in the New Bohemia district. The pub is just one block off the trail, but I had not known of it before. I highly recommend it. I had an excellent burger and sweet potato fries, and plan to take Audrey there soon—partly because the food and atmosphere are fun, but also because it's next door to a book store I have not been in yet.

Cate's lunch.  She says the pulled pork had a nice tangy sauce and was very good.

Well, Thursday night I had pretty bad leg cramps. 40 miles with my sister did something bad. But leg cramps, while they can be really, really painful, are also really, really nothing in terms of long-term problems—I would much rather have the cramps than, say, a swollen and sore knee.

All in all, I look forward to RAGBRAI with some trepidation. You can never say you've done enough miles when you hit that road. I'm flying more solo this year, without a Microsoft cohort to keep me company and schlep my bags.

But, I think I'm ready.

Stay tuned, blog fans. CR Biker will not be updating for a while, but when I do, I'll tell you all about my hot time on RAGBRAI.

Old Blackie, now tuned for RAGBRAI, in bike rack at Parlor City, a biker bar in New Bohemia.  It's chained to Cate's bike.  Catty corner from Parlor City is a motorcycle bar.  We wisely chose the bicycle biker bar.

In Which CR Biker Sees Odd Signs In The Water

Taking a water break at ballpark near power station along the trail.  Today's ride, the junky mountain bike.

The RAGBRAI web site indicates that it would not be a good idea to use a mountain bike on the ride across Iowa.

It may not be an entirely fair test—it’s definitely a junky old bike—but after doing around 25 miles on Old Junkie, I say, amen, RAGBRAI.

It was odd riding this style of bike.  I felt like I was moving pretty fast, but it took longer to get places than I’m used to.  The old junk bike doesn’t function in all gears, but it has its speedy gears.  This style of bike is just a tiny bit slower than a hybrid—smaller wheels.

And the knobby tires eat some energy.  You can hear them as you ride along, an odd slow whirring, like a far-off old prop plane sound effect.  It’s a little weird, to me, because my regular bike rolls almost silently.

Well, I didn’t want to tackle any high hills without the hill climbing gears, so I went around the Bowman Woods hill on my morning ride.  I did climb the hill at MMU, though, and made it to the top.  I rode for a while on the Cedar River trail after working on campus—not as far as I would have on my usual bike, but at least I got some time on bike and some miles in today.

Although it was an odd ride, on the other hand, it’s nice to have a bike to use when my regular ride is in the shop.

The ride itself felt a bit weird beyond the strange bike.  It’s drought time in Iowa—high summer, the dry season, has arrived early and ferociously.  We’ve had one sprinkle in July and a dry June before that.  Dry Creek is actually dry for the first time in several years.  Some trees have died—several pines along Cedar Lake are just drying tinder.  Of course, some other trees that look dead might not actually be dead—a tree may go dormant to protect itself during a drought.  Still, some trees no doubt will die.  Some young trees are having a tough go—many of the new trees in the parking between the street and sidewalk in our neighborhood are bare skeletons.

The Cedar River, which raged so fiercely two years ago, is a muddy stream.  I saw a junk bike on a sandbar, and wondered how it got there.  There was a serious piece of iron sticking out of the river like an emerging Loch Ness monster.  I wondered if it’s a piece of the railroad bridge that was cast into the river during the flood, now visible as the water gets slow.

Sandbar in river, a tiny island in the shrinking stream.  How did this bike get there?

A heron waded at the edge of the water, and I wondered if it’s easier to hunt for fish for this bird.  Of course, a drought won’t be good for the health of the river, and if fish are easy to find now, there soon won’t be as many if the rains don’t come.

Are fish easy to find for this fisher?

 On my way home, I passed by a middle school next to Noelridge Park—and saw something, I’m not sure what, swimming in the remaining waters of a drying creek.  What was it doing there?  It looked like a big rat, do they often swim?

What is it that is swimming in the water?

Anyway, I guess I was just glad to get some time and miles in.  Although I would not mind missing  a day for rain.