Adams Park Trail Day

Saturday was every busy day. I started with a full breakfast at Hy-Vee.

Off to Adams Park in N. Omaha for the trail building class. The instructors were Steve and Morgan Lommele one of the Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crews. I attended a similar class a couple years ago in Rapid City. So, my function was to shoot photos.

There were over 30 to attend the lecture section of the class. More came in the afternoon, swelling the number up to about 40. During the afternoon hands on session, the crew built about 1000 ft of new singletrack. A great accomplishment.

After a break, some assembled at Roxy and Ryan's for a BBQ.

Checking out Manawa

Nothing going on today needing my attention with the Adams Park work. After treatment, stopped for some shopping. Then attended my fraternity alumni luncheon. Brought my bike (Fuel EX7) on the car and my change of clothes for a ride.

Windy day for a bike ride. Decided it was a good afternoon to see how things are going at Lake Manawa.

Well, the river level is down. But still lots of standing water in the trail area. West Sidewinder is bone dry. Word is Longs Loop is rideable. Woodchopper is under water yet (see Photo). Ended up putting on only 3 miles surveying the situation.

Trail work planned Sunday and Tuesday. I was not making the Sunday work day, too much activity from the weekend.

Treatments and Adams Park Meeting

Thursday was the half day of treatments and doctors. Well, it was supposed to be.

Went to radiation. The computer did not registered that i had checked in. So the therapist and I were waiting for me at different areas. Part of my treatment schedule is blood draw on Wednesday so they are available for Thursday Chemo. Late start on radiation. Then quick chat with the doctor. That is going well, other than the burn I am getting.

Checked in for chemo, eventually vitals and to the treatment room. Finally, the nurse came in, said has to call my doctor because one of the blood counts is low. They are too low for treatment, so went home without chemo treatment. Hmmmm, you think they could have told me later yesterday or earlier this morning?

Later in the day, It was time for the meeting at Adams Park. The meeting is where THOR (our trails group), Activate Omaha, The Omaha Parks Dept, and National Parks Service advised the community what is happening in their park. The partnership brought in the Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew.

In the photo above, Trail Care Crew members Steve and Morgan Lommele and discussing the efforts with Adams Park Community Center Director Orentheian Everett.

Need to catch up

WOW, where did the week go?

Monday marked 2 weeks of radiation treatments to go. Some recovery time from the Sunday bike ride.

Was going to wait until later in the week to ride again but Tuesday it was just tooooo nice. Upper 60s when I got home from the Med Center. Changed clothes, grabbed the hybrid for a bike ride.

Wind from the WSW. Headed from the bike shop toward the trail center. From there, on up to the Bob Bridge.

The river has receded back into its banks. The new park between the levee and the river is still very wet. The same for the construction area West of the levee. At least the gravel detour just at I-480 is drier and ridable!

From there, it "coasting? with the wind toward Big Lake. Wanted to ride op to Big Lake to see how construction was taking shape. The North lake actually looks like a lake, now! And, the new "boardwalk" is completed and open.

Good job Council Bluffs. Looking good!

From Big Lake, completed my "tour de bluffs" (first for the season) down N. 8th, and through town. On up Harry Langdon, Woodbury, and to the Mall. Back at the Xtreme Wheels, visited for a while.

Off the bike Wednesday - needing a good rest!

Sunday Afternoon Ride

Just had to get out to ride this afternoon. The forecast was for cloudy, with promises of sunny later. By noon I was chomping at the bit and by 1 on the way to the Wabash Trace Trailhead. At that time, it was in the upper 50s and cloudy.

Brought the hybrid to get in some miles. Headed out for Lake Manawa (no climbing for me today). Stopped at the river side boat ramp (mountain bike trails) area to check how the water was receding. The verdict - slow but surely. Caught a shot of the sign advertising Lake Manawa Clean-up Day.

Was debating riding over to the Bob Bridge, but that was a bit longer than I wanted to ride today. Instead, went up the Indian Creek Trail to the Veteran's Memorial Trail. Rode there to the new bridge. The new bridge will include a bicycle/pedestrian path. Another way to get across the Missouri via human power.

Back the same way. Shot some photos of the new bridge decking over Indian Creek. Lots of folks out for a Easter Stroll or Sunday afternoon ride. Max (of Xtreme Century fame) was out with 2 riding friends. A group of BBC (?) riders crossed Indian Creek as I was taking photos.

As I was riding the Lake Manawa Trail back to the car, the sun came out. Better late than never. Stall was a good 19 mile ride (OK, only 18.7 miles @ 11.94 mph but who keeps track?!)

Jewell Park Time Trial

Yesterday was a great day for a race. Some 115 racers hit the trails at Jewell Park, Bellevue, Nebraska. Different from mountain bike races I have attended, this was in the Time Trial format.

Was not sure how it would work for shooting the race. No mass start. Was the first time I had been at Jewell Park. I found a great vantage point were I could get up to 3 views as the racers come through the course.

My photos are at: http://win-photo.photoreflect.com

New Detour, Mana-Swamp Update

Dropped the car at Lyle's for a wheel sensor problem. Killed time at Xtreme Wheels until time to take a bike ride. Still had the hardtail at the shop, so just changed clothes and hopped on the bike.

Rode past the Wabash Trace Trailhead over toward Mosquito Creek. At the end of E. South Omaha Bridge Road I encountered some new construction. Appears they are creating a gravel detour - see photo.

Wind was from the NNE. "Flew" down the Lake Manawa Trail along the creek. Rode on over to the mountain bike trail area. Sections of the trails there are still under water.

However, West Sidewinder was high and dry. Took a spin on that trail. Encountered a couple branches over the trail that will need to be cleared. Trail surface of this trail is dry and dusty.

It will probably be at least a week until the river subsides. Then still longer until the trail dries out and can be ridden.

From the MtB trails, rode around Lake Manawa, up Indian Creek to S. 16th. (The bridge over Indian Creek is still closed for redecking - at least during the day.) At that time, received the call that my car was ready. Continued the ride into town to Lyle's.

A good 15 miles ride in 80 degree temps. Great way to end March.