Spring Green

Our ride this evening was with only two riders. We covered 18.5 miles and the average speed was 12.1 miles per hour. Each of us commented on enjoying the sunshine. I found two pennies and we were treated to seeing the first red-winged blackbird this spring. They are an ever present sight during the summer, but it was nice to see the first one of the season.

The winter wheat is sprouted and turning green. Those blades, less than an inch in length now, almost seem to explode out of the ground. One comment from a rider was, "Is your yard that green?" He was noticing yards in town that are a strong spring green already. I suspect the addition of chemicals helped some of the yards we saw. Every one of them was not as green. Even algae in shallow pools of water seem to be greener than it was just a few days ago.

Peepers

March 16, 2010 was the first ride our group took this year. 18.4 miles and an average speed of 11.5 mph. The temperature was in the low fifties, on the Fahrenheit thermometer, and there was a noticeable wind from the north / northeast. Found a dime to start the year off right with coin pick ups. The sun shining was what made the ride good, but the best part of the ride was hearing "peepers". At least that is what my family has always called them.

The spring peeper (Pseudacris crucifer) is a small chorus frog widespread throughout the eastern USA and Canada. I have always counted it as a good indicator that spring is soon to be upon us. The Crocuses have popped up, Turkey Vultures (Cathartes aura) are back circling in our sky, and we noticed the buds on Maple trees swelled up and ready to shed their bud scales.

There was a lot of snow, this year, in March. It was great to be back out in the sun and riding with friends. Weather permitting, we will be back next week at 5:30pm for another adventure.

Sooner Would Be Nice

I finished February with a twenty mile ride. It was still cold, with temperature in the low thirties. This year has been a good one in spite of the fact that my fenders were very useful. Slush and wet roads made having the fenders almost a necessity. Rides have ranged from ten to twenty-five miles every weekend during the year.

There are more and more bird sounds while I ride. The smell of skunk was evident this Sunday. Both the sounds and the smell are good indicators that the weather will warm up. I am ready for better weather and sooner would be nice.

It's Getting Noisy

Sunday's ride was bright and cold. The roads still had snow cover in places and I discovered it was delicate to ascend a hill that had ice on it. There was an odd feeling when the back wheel spun as I tried to put power to the pedals. Wind out of the west fooled me because it seemed to be from the south. I spent several minutes headed east to get to a good southbound road. Just a zip up of my vest helped to keep out the westerly breeze when I turned back that direction and found myself riding into the wind.

It was a nice ride, with everything still snow covered, the sky was its delightful blue, and the temperature was in the low twenties. The best part of the ride was hearing so many birds! It almost sounded like summer with all the Robins singing their praises to the sun. Compared to just a week ago, there was a lot of noise. It was encouraging to think that warm weather will arrive. I still don't know how soon, but there are more and more signs it is going to get here.

Never stop looking

Church meets every Sunday it is possible. With level 2 and level 3 snow emergency conditions posted by local law enforcement agencies it was more difficult to get around. Fortunately for me the church plowed their parking lot. Last weekend the snow was nearly a foot deep everywhere, except the parking lot.

After our church service I was able to make my way over snow covered streets to First English Lutheran Church. There was bare asphalt available all around the church! I'll admit that it only takes a little over two tenths of a mile to circumnavigate the parking lot. You can imagine it was several circuits to accomplish the eight miles I wanted for the ride. I rode counterclockwise, clockwise, down and up the small hill that is the drive, and even round in circles on one side of the lot.

The sky was blue and wispy white clouds complemented the view. I could still hear birds, and for nearly two circuits, the carillon played its preset melodies. Cars periodically left the parking lot from some afternoon event in the church. Watching the clouds move, listening to sounds, and enjoying the beautiful snow on bushes and trees helped me pass the time quickly. I'm always amazed at the sensual inputs available for the solo bicycle rider. Never stop looking, would be my advice to any rider.

Good Bicycling Weather

When I ride in twenty-degree winter weather, with the wind blowing, and slush deposits growing between tire and fender, it would be easy to concede to the feelings of cold. Instead, I enjoy the interplay of sun, snow and shadow. First, there is to behold, the contrast, of dark lines extended from trees, with the white brightness of the snow they lay upon. Then I remember warm summer days, as I see the sun shining on everything it can. The sight, so bright, is enough to make me feel it is heating the land. Only the slim shadows limit the sun lighting up the snow. When I spend my time seeing these sights from this perspective, the cold is far from my mind.

More wonders await my searching eyes and stories begin to emerge from my reading. There comes a line of punches in the snow. This sequence of holes shows where a deer walked, or ran. Some fields have only a few of these wandering hoof-punched paths. There are other fields that show more than one deer trip through the pristine snow. Only a few openings in the woods reveal what appears as if there could have been a deer party. In these few there are many trails crisscrossing everywhere. I can only wonder or imagine where the paths lead, or from where they came. I only see where they cross my path. Surely, I imagine, these trails of holes are markers of a search for safety or sustenance. The spacing of some indicates a change of pace. A walk seems to have become a run, as the holes stretch farther apart. Fences have interesting hole punches, on both sides of them, that show the fence was nearly not there when the deer passed.

Other warm bright treats along the ride are birds. A Cardinal seems even redder against the white of snow. Its color is like a flame burning a spot on the branch of a bush, or a blaze as it crosses the sky. A Blue jay makes his warning noise, telling all around that I am near. It has been said that the Blue jay is obnoxious with its noise and aggressive behavior. I welcome the sound on quiet winter rides. On January 9, 2010 I saw Robins searching for food in the snow. I know they stay around most of the year, but I associate them with sounds of summer. It is always pleasant to see the "red" breasts of these familiar birds and think of warm summer times. I remember hearing Robins chirping the summer sun up and singing a goodnight to a warm humid evening. Occasionally a hawk will swoop through the sky and pick a tall branch to perch upon. Hawks radiate strength that speaks to me of assurance and swiftness. I need this reminder that returning warm days are sure to come soon. Flocks of smaller birds inhabit the edges of my route. I see small tracks searching for something they need. Perhaps a bit of salt, or the melted snow making water, is their goal. All of the activity lets me know there is life in the cold world, and that is a warming thought.

Soon the ride is done and I am peeling off layers of clothes. Now I know my toes are cold and my nose needs blowing. Fingers feel for a warm cup. It is enjoyable to remember the sights I saw and have my heart warmed by the life that I was just treated to see. "Soon there will be some good bicycling weather," I am told. I just had some great cycling weather and look forward to the next ride.

New Year 2010

My first day of 2010 was 24 miles. The wind was out of the northwest and temperature starting was 14 degrees F. Even with ice in my whiskers it was a wonderful day.

Clothing has improved so much that a rider can be comfortable even in extreme temperatures. I would encourage riders to avoid cotton garments, cover foreheads, fingers and toes with synthetics, and use something that will stop wind on the upper body. Neoprene shoe covers, ski gloves, and a bright vest work for me.

I'm looking forward to a great year with as much bicycling as can be fitted in. We are planning to have an evening event, where tire changing and a few other maintenance practices can be learned, sometime in March or April. I'll try to advertise it well in advance.