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.

Still Fishing

On Saturday, December 5, 2009, I rode past the old stone quarry where people fish. When I noticed the strange looking bicycle there I scanned the shore. Sure enough, there was the man I had talked with earlier this summer. He was still tipping and still fishing. The high temperature Saturday was 27 degrees F. It was a wonder to me that someone could stand fishing for hours in that temperature. I guess it wouldn't be much different from ice fishing, except this man had no shelter. Thinking of possibilities, it occured to me that there might be other reasons for his activities than fishing. Perhaps the fishing was an excuse or a justification for escape from his other realities. I suspect the tipping of the bottle might enter into the equation. I wished peace for him and hoped he stayed warm and safe.

2009 Summary

2009 was a good year for our group. Often there were people from First English Lutheran and from the community riding together. Fellowship and good times were shared each week. We even saw some new riders and welcomed the time with them as they learned some of the dynamics of group rides.

Our average distance per evening ride was 16.1 miles. 12.5 miles per hour was the average speed we covered the routes with. The record shows there were twenty evening rides this season. I can see just two or three rides were a little quicker than the others. Probably only a few riders were present those evenings, and the pace was quickened when all agreed to.

Thanks to all who participated! Let's ride more next year.

Fall's Fall

October 20Th was a delightful day. High sixties for temperature and plenty of sunshine. A few of the riders rode 9-10 miles before our regular start time. Four riders started at the 5:30 pm time and completed 16 miles at 11.8 mph average. I only found one penny and had to catch up with the group after going back to pick it up. Just like life; we often depart from the group when an opportunity is seized.

Participants were kind enough to agree on my destination of "Blue Clay Falls," south or Richmond. I give thanks to my fellow riders for going where I wanted.

My goal is to obtain four seasons of photographs of Blue Clay Falls, and a Fall picture is not in my collection yet.

Our ride was nearly one and one half hours in length. The sun was down when we returned to the church. Since the time changes on November 1st we will only have one more week of daylight to ride. I look forward to some riders next week for the last weekday ride of the season.