Xtreme Winterfest Bike This Saturday

After the deep freeze we have have had the last week - how about a bicycle ride!  Saturday weather forecast for Council Bluffs is for a high of 40 degrees.  YES - 40 degrees.

Gather your riding friends for the 11th Annual Xtreme Winterfest Bike Ride - Saturday, January 11th.  The ride starts at the Western Historic Trails Center at 11am.  Arrive early and enjoy a cup of hot cocoa and tour the museum.

The ride will be on the river trail 3 miles to Caddy's Riverside Grille. Lunch service will be available.The ride is free, lunch is on your dime.

The ride is sponsored by Council Bluffs Parks & Recreation, Western Historic Trails Center, and Caddy's Riverside Grille.

I am hoping to get over to check out the trail before Saturday.  See if I can ride the hybrid or need the hardtail with studded tires.  Friday weather forecast is for a "wintry mix" and high of 37.

Xtreme Winterfest Bike Ride

Yesterday was the 10th annual bike ride. Weather was much better than last year.It was in the mid 30s when the riders started arriving with their bikes at the Western Historic Trails Center.

After a cup of coffee, riders pedaled the 2 1/2 miles on the bike path to Riverside Grill. The Grill offered overpriced chilli, hot dogs, and chips.

Xtreme Winterfest Ride

It was a sunny, cool (OK cold) day, Over 40 riders assembled at the Western Historic Trails Center for the annual ride. Most riders arrived by motor vehicle, a few hardy souls rode from their residences in town.

We rode the 2 1/2 miles up the Iowa Riverfront trail to Riverside Grill. The Grill had a special for riders - Chili, foot-long dog, and soda for $6. (Think I got that right - I substituted a Winter Lager for the soda).

After food and refreshments, some rode on to and over the Bob Bridge. I headed back to the Trails Center and drove home.

Today's photo is a group shot of the riders.

First Ride of 2011

This morning I had to take the car into the shop for a new battery. Back home, I just could not get moving. Sunny morning, in the 30s, no wind. Perfect - for January in Iowa, at least.

I was able to motivate myself to get ready for a bike ride. Too warm to ride singletrack. Figured the paved trails would be in a mixture of conditions - icy, snow covered, wet, and dry. Aired up the tires of my "Ice Bike" - Trek 4300 with studded tires and combo pedals.

Parked at the Wabash Trace Trailhead. From the condition of the parking lot, I could see that the trail will be in the condition I expected.

Rode the Lake Manawa Trail to the Indian Creek Bridge. Today's photo shows the Lake Manawa Trail early this afternoon. I did not to push it too much today, so headed back.

Detoured to the river (mountain bike trail area). The river level has dropped considerably since I last rode there. Another detour to the lake. There were a couple folks out on the lake. Was thinking of taking a spin on the lake, but backed out.

By the time I was at the Nature Trail, the snow/ice was nearly melted from the trail surface. Ended up with 11.6 miles for my first ride of 2011. Forecast is for more rideable days this week. Xtreme Winterfest Bike Ride should be cool (low/middle 20s) and clean Saturday.

Xtreme Winterfest Bike Ride

Today was the 7th Annual Xtreme Winterfest Bike Ride sponsored by my friends at Xtreme Wheels Bike & Sport and the Council Bluffs Parks & Recreation Dept. It was NOT my first ride of the year (I got out an rode New Years Day). It was the first ride in the bicycling calendar.

The ride started from the Western Historic Trail Center and ended up at the Riverside Grill. The weather was "damp" - constant mist with temperature of 36 deg. Not the best conditions - but could have been worse.

Some folks rode from Omaha and around CB, stopped at the Riverside Grill, before heading home. Several rode on up to the Bob Kerrey Bridge. Others (like me) just rode up to the restaurant and back to the trail center. I was damp enough when I got back!

Bill (Xtreme Wheels) estimated some 70-75 riders participated. Pretty good attendance with the nasty weather!

Photos I took of Xtreme Winterfest Bike Ride can be found (and ordered - hope that works) at win-photo.photoreflect.com