In Which This Human is a Tool User

 

City employee makes image of riders on June 8 Ride the Districts event. One is missing, because he's behind her making an image.

As you may suspect, if you’ve read this blog, I’m not exactly Mr. Fix-It. Tools and me don’t always get along. Unlike Kaylee in Firefly, mechanical things do not speak to me and let me know what’s wrong. A bicycle mechanic, I am not.

Still, there has been some tool use along my early summer rides, as inevitably there is.

And seats seem to have been the theme of this month’s tool use.

I had signed up for the city-sponsored “Ride the Districts” ride which took place June 8. Cedar Rapids is divided into four quadrants, and each June, the city likes to display the biking infrastructure in a different part of the city. This year’s ride was to show off trails, including the Sac and Fox trail, one of the most prominent nonpaved Cedar Rapids trails. It’s a place I like to ride, and I was looking forward to experiencing at this event.

Ashley Vanorney, city council member, speaks at start of Ride the Districts ride.

My bike parked at Prairie Park Fishery June 8, ready for ride.

June 8--I'm a bit worn at the end of the ride, Now, time for ride home.

I chose my mountain bike for the ride, given the trail we would be on. But as the day approached, rain encroached into the weather forecast, with a decent chance the night before and morning of the ride.

Still, there was a free shirt at stake, so when it was merely cloudy and threatening to rain, I decided to chance it. I left home about 8, giving myself plenty of time to bike to the Prairie Park Fishery, the start (and end) of the ride. And less than a mile from home, at the corner of C Avenue and Blairs Ferry Road, a light sprinkle turned to more serious rain. I was a little concerned, as I was carrying rather expensive digital cameras in a water resistant, but not waterproof, bag.

Fortunately, good fortune and the rain gods were in a good mood. I wasn’t really soaked, only slightly dampened, when the rain turned back to light drizzle and then to mere damp cloudiness well before I made it downtown.

At the ride site, I got my shirt and had some time to relax before the group set off. Despite the weather, there were around 50 of us on the ride. The planned route was to take the Sac and Fox Trail from the fishery, but part of the trail was flooded, so we headed down Otis Road to the Indian Creek Nature Center.

June 14--Before ride to Mount Trashmore, I change seats on The Fancy Beast.

While there, a woman who had borrowed her son’s bicycle was complaining about the seat. It was adjusted so it was tilted too far back, and needed to be straightened. One of the ride helpers asked if anybody had a wrench, and I do carry a bike took that has a wrench built in. He took it an tried to loosen the seat, but gave up when he couldn’t get enough leverage. I asked if anybody had a regular wrench rather than a bike tool wrench, and another woman was carrying one. (In a group of not-young bikers, tools are likely to be found—even those of us who aren’t tool people know they can be handy to have on a ride).

By then, the ride helper had moved on, so I used the wrench, loosened the nut securing the seat and readjusted it for the rider. It felt a little weird, a joke played by the universe, that I was the one doing the tool use, but it seemed to work out.

The ride then did proceed along a not-flooded section of the trail, and then took a route I’d never been on before to go from the north end of the trial to Bever Park for another presentation (this ride always features presentations about bike trails) and snacks.

The seat of the Fancy Beast, my mountain bike, is kind of worn, and the cracks in the cushioning were bothering me a bit on this ride. I have a seat I saved from a previous bike, and so a few days later I replaced the seat. Doing so took some time and experimentation, but I managed the job (although I still have to tighten the new seat, it got a bit wobbly on its first ride).

Summer rides have been fairly nice this first half of June. Besides the Ride the Districts ride, I rode out out past Center Point to the Interstate 380 tunnel one day. I also planned to go to the end of the Grant Wood Trail, since they’ve added a limestone section where there was a grass trail, but an unexpected trail closure foiled that plan.

Some images of the unexpected experienced on rides. On a June 2 ride, noticed a hunting spider had taken up residence on my handle bars. I didn't bother it, but one ride must have been enough to persuade it to move on, have not seen it since this day. First in a series of June surprise images.

My June 13 plans quickly change. Some project has Grant Wood Trail closed.

June 5--Last ride for a while on mountain bike trails off of Boyson Trail--they've stopped mowing the mountain bike trails here and they are almost impassible due to tall vegetation. Saw a fawn hiding in the tall grass just a few feet from me. This whole set of images are of June biking surprises.

June 11--Stopped at MMU campus during a ride, as I am trying to leave, back wheel suddenly seems uncooperative. Bolt holding on back rack has broken--I remove rack and stow if in my office, and am still able to ride home. Another unexpected adventure. (My wife kindly bought me a replacement for Fathers Day.)

And this week, I did my annual pilgrimage to Mount Trashmore. Mount Trashmore is an artificial hill on the south side of town, built from decades of refuse. It’s still located on a site controlled by the regional solid waste agency, but they don’t add trash to Mount Trashmore anymore, and have put in place several trails. There is a gravel road that you can bike or walk to the top one. There is also a pedestrian-only trail (it’s better to walk there than the rode). And there is a one-way dirt trail that goes from the top down. That trail is strictly for Fat Tire or Mountain bikes.

It was my first ride with the new seat. The forecast said it would get the the upper 80s the day of my ride, so I anticipated it being nice. It was, but it was also just a touch hotter, with the temperature instead getting stuck at 90.

Some nature images from June rides--June 14, view from Mount Trashmore on warm afternoon.

June 5--Thistle flower.

June 2--Late day ride, features rainbow.

June 13--Interesting sky reflected in pond at Noelridge Park.

Bike at Noelridge Park June 13.

June 7--On ride north, fence just looks pretty by trail in Lafayette.

I was thus a bit tired and worn by the time I rode my slowest (not counting the old tandem) bike on a very warm afternoon down to Mount Trashmore. After checking in (you have to register with the agency to use the trails), I took a restroom break and refilled my water bottle, then headed up the mountain.

And I was so focused on doing the hard work of not only climbing, but climbing on a sometimes loose gravel surface, that I didn’t focus on the few people around me, much to my embarrassment. Because later, I found out that my wife, knowing I was planning to ride up Mount Trahshmore, had driven there and walked to the top. She was on her way down the gravel road when I was going up, and vocalized a greeting to me, which I neither heard nor acknowledged.

Well. That wasn’t the smoothest move of my biking career.

June 7--Resting in Center Point Depot on longest ride north so far this year.

Despite that, I enjoyed the challenge. I had brought a snack, knowing I would want a rest for the tougher part of the ride. Ascending to the top of Mount Trashmore is one feat. Riding the mountain bike trial down—it’s less work, but way, way more fear.

I did slide to an inelegant stop at one curve where I nearly lost control—but “nearly” is an important modifier. In the end, I made it to the end, and I enjoyed the journey.

As of June 16, I have 221.88 miles for the month—not quite as many as I got in all of February, but I have a fortnight of June riding still to do. The longest June ride was the day before the district ride when I went north—41.73 miles on June 7. For the years so far, 1,295.65 miles.

And, to finish off the post, two deer seen on trail behind Linn-Mar High School June 15.

In Which I Climb Mount Trashmore

Looking back from top of drive on Mount Trashmore.

For the second time, I’ve been to the top of Mount Trashmore.

While I was riding RAGBRAI, my winter bike was in the shop getting a new drive train—derailleurs, cassette and chain. On a sunny, warm Saturday afternoon, I decided to take it on a ride.

And I checked online. Mt. Trashmore was open.

I had been there when the trails first opened, and decided to go back. There was a fair amount of bike traffic on the trail on this pretty summer afternoon. When I crossed the Cedar River, there was a bit of a detour to get to the landfill site, due to levee construction.

At the base of Mount Trashmore, a tent was set up. There was someone in front of me signing in, so I had a brief wait, put in my information, and then circled the gravel lot to get my bike into granny gear.

Mount. Trashmore is best experienced on a day that isn’t too hot—on the long climb, there is no shade. I think I was at the limit on this day, but not past it. I was glad of a water station at the base of the hill, because I did need the hydration. I took it easy on the climb. It’s not steep, but it does go on and on, and is on a gravel drive. I was glad to be on my mountain bike, and would not ride up the hill on a road bike. I might on a hybrid.

There is also a walking trail, although I’ve never used it.

At the top, I stopped to take a selfie, and then sat in the sheltered seats to rest for a few minutes and each some snacks.

My Saturday selfie on top of Mount Trahsmore.

There is a mountain bike trail to head down the hill—definitely a mountain bike trail. I took it. I also slipped at some turns, and found this hill to be rather scary on the way down.

It was a fun ride, and part of a weekend of fun rides. After I got home, my wife and I went on a bike ride on the Boyson trail. We rode again today to meet grandchildren at Noelridge Park.

But the main ride of the weekend was up the local mountain.

Mount Mercy, on extreme zoom, seen from Mount Trashmore.

And the other way, Kirkwood.

Bike parked, right before I leave top of Mount Trashmore.

The mountain bike trail down.

Tent to sign in at base of Mt. Trashmore.

Detour on C Avenue to avoid levee work.

Deer on Boyson Trail during late afternoon ride Saturday--camera is not on zoom at all, this deer is right by the trail.

In Which We Talk Trash and Death

Friday morning--lube and air ready for bikes.

On Friday, the morning began with a bit of bike maintenance on my personal fleet. I took 10 minutes to pump up tires, squirt WD40 on derailleurs and grease my chains. I hope to get a mountain bike in shape to ride soon—and then I’ll have three CR Biker bikes to maintain.

Then I had to choose which bike to ride. I have used Francis a lot this week, because my old bike is more convenient for hauling books and such to work. Argent is the faster, more fun bike to ride. Then I recalled my wife would be on campus late for a nursing ceremony, which meant I could put my heavy stuff in the van she was driving, so I opted for Argent.

I decided I might as well be on the fast, fun bike Friday, because it was the day of the first MMU Bike Club ride.

Courtesy of MMU Bike Club, three more bikes have been added this year to the fleet of bikes MMU students can check out at the Lundy exercise center. Check them out, students.

It had to be a short ride. Campus Ministry reserved all campus bikes for an event later, and I had volunteered to take some photos for the sophomore nursing “white coat” ceremony, and the club president had some other event at 5.

At 4 p.m., three students had showed up—Mark and Lloyd, two club officers, and a freshman nursing student with an unspellable name. Not that it was a hard name to spell—it was Sara or Sarah, I assume—but I did not ask.

Students getting ready for MMU bike club ride.

Bike club tradition--CR Biker takes a group picture of students before the ride.

The cool afternoon was a gorgeous for a ride. The students let me lead as we headed off towards the Cedar River Bike Trail.

The riders were in a lighthearted mood, which was good. Lloyd and Mark chatted about their journey up Mount Trashmore—a local “Meet Me at the Market” ride, held Thursday, had started at the New Bo Market. I had skipped the event, although I wish I could have gone, but there was a Vietnam Series speech that night, and I don’t regret attending that presentation.

Besides trash talk , or at least Mount Trashmore talk, the amiable chitchat was about death. The first-year student who joined us comes from a funeral home-owning family, and Mark, a business student, has had some internships in the mortuary business.

Circling Cedar Lake.

Anyway, when we got to Cedar Lake, I let the students take the lead. Lloyd, who is fast on a bike, zoomed ahead. On Argent, I was pretty confident I could keep up with most of the MMU bikes, at least those that didn’t zoom at Lloyd speed, and indeed I could. We probably never topped 14 mph, but it was a fun, comfortable ride. In total, in about 45 minutes, we went about 8 miles, circling the lake twice before heading back to campus.

Varied the route on the way back to MMU--used the bike lanes on H Avenue.

Once back on campus, I played event photographer. In my neon biking shirt and jeans, I’m sure I was the stereotypical picture of a scruffy photographer at the event in the chapel, but that’s what I was.

Afterwards, I shot a couple of pictures on the Rohde Plaza as I was heading home, riding Argent. The light was beautiful as the sun set on a perfect, cool, early fall biking day.

The bike club will ride again Monday, probably without me since I doubt the faculty meeting will be over by 4, but I hope more students show up—the rides are not too challenging, and it’s a way to meet others and learn about bike routes near MMU. Plus, you might learn about old garbage dumps or funeral rituals. So, MMU students, in the immortal words of the rock band Queen: “Get on your bikes and ride!”

Sunset at Rohde Plaza (above) on the MMU campus. Catherine McAuley with a golden glow (below).

Creatures Observed On A Borrowed Bike

The borrowed bike.

I must have been quite a sight Wednesday.  On a ride last week with Jon, I broke a spoke, so my bike is in the shop.  Jon said it was OK for me to borrow his bike—but his bike has shoe clips, not peddles, and I don’t own bike shoes.

Ben and Audrey rescued a bike from a dumpster in Ames, but right now it needs a front flat fixed and a new pin the chain’s master link (Jon shortened the chain, which was grossly too long).

So the bike that was ready to ride and available was my wife’s lady’s mountain bike.

Well, practice for RAGBRAI is more important than pride, and the weather was nice today, so I rode.  I had a meeting with a prospective student this afternoon, and once that had ended, I headed out on the trail.  First, I went south to Mount Trashmore, then turned north and went out to County Home Road.

Asian lily bloomed for first time Wednesday in my garden.

I am not sure how far I rode.  Because F Avenue was closed, I took the trail both to and from MMU, which adds a bit of distance. I rode from 5 to 7:30.  On my own bike, I would average about 12 mph.  I felt like I was going fairly fast on Audrey’s bike, but it’s not built nor geared for speed, so let’s say maybe 25 miles in two and a half hours?

Anyway, it was a good ride.  There were lilies in bloom, it was a cool, slightly breezy day. 

Native Iowa lily along fence near small Baptist church where the fixed the loudspeaker, thank goodness, so that odd male voice can hector me as I ride.

This and next images are flowers at the end of the trail at County Home Road, where it is closed for paving.  Some catalpa still in bloom though most are done, and cone flowers just getting started.

I saw a number of animals, ducks and geese, of course.  Most odd was a deer, a doe, at Quaker Oats.  What was she doing there?  She was in some trees, sure, but also at the edge of a factory parking lot.  An odd place for Bambi's sister, mom or wife to loiter.

And there were plenty of people on the trail.

That was a mixed blessing.  What a sight I must have been.

Deer me! Wyatt and Katy's car.  Wyatt hit a deer while trying to enter I 380.  The deer must have gone up the ramp.  What is with CR deer?  Quaker Oats parking lot?  Interstate 380? Bambi, stay in the woods!