Checking the Trails

Yesterday was a beautiful day for a bike ride. Sunny, 70's, breeze from the South. Actually waited for it to get warm before riding - was 45 when I headed to town for breakfast.

The first place I wanted to check out was the Lake Manawa mountain bike trails. There are being trail days scheduled for Manawa. I missed the work day least Thursday (already had other plans).

Getting on the Lake Manawa trail I noticed the trail surface had been seal-coated. Been long enough that it was not sticky (thankfully).

The water is slowly receding. Still flooding at the exit of the longer loop (see photo). The THOR Trail Leader for Manawa is mowing - saw that in the Kiosk area. Trail Days are planned for this week. Planning to attend. May scope out the trail conditions beforehand.

On over to the Trail Center. Indian Creek trail also has been seal-coated.

Iowa Riverfront Trail behind the Western Historic Trails Center is now clear (see lower photo). Water is down and the trees have been cleared. Rode that trail as far as I-80.

Stopped at the Trails Center and visited with the staff, drank my G2, ate a granola bar and headed back to the bike shop.

Trace Construction Update

Connectors to the street and sidewalk are yet to be poured in Silver City. Contractor is shouldering the trail North of town. Additional photos taken 9/2.

No work on the Trace planned for next week. Work in the Malvern area will start week of 9/13.

Echo Reunion Photos

I have been spending rainy days working on the web site pages for the Echo Reunion. Burning the DVD of photos for attendees is on the "To Do" list.

Photos of the reunion functions are now on my web site. I am still writing verbiage for the pages. Also still working on the pages of my "tourist" stops on the way to and from the reunion. Finally, there will be the reports of my bicycle rides and trails during the trip.

Here's the link to the reunion report and photos... http://www.tomwinfield.com/vietnam/echo2010/echo-10.html

Maskenthine Photos Posted

Photos of Maskenthine XC Classic are now posted on http://win-photo.photoreflect.com.

Not pleased with the quality of the photos I shot Saturday. I did get some good shots, but just too many with improper exposure and/or out of focus.

I will do some touch-up before sending files to purchasers. For my customers, if you wish to look at touched-up proof copies before purchase, I will provide them.

Ride to Mineola - 2

Another "warm" and humid morning. When I headed into town for breakfast (7am) it was in the mid 70s. It was sunny and not too windy. With the shortage of water on the ride yesterday, today I filled my hydration pack. With the pack in my back and the good camera and tools in the rack bag, I was ready to ride.

I wanted to climb again on the Wabash Trace. With a breeze and the shade on the Trace, it should be more comfortable than out on the open. Departed the bike shop a little after 9am.

While there was a good breeze from the SSE (sure felt it heading to the trailhead), it seemed to disappear while climbing. Specially in the cuts, there was no a breath of air.

Took it easy in the climb. Sucked on water several time. When I hit Margaritaville, I stopped for water and a granola bar. Felt good, so ready to ride on down to Mineola. Popped a shot-block in my mouth to suck on during the way down (prep for the climb back).

At the Mineola trailhead, I stopped for a break and drank my bottle of G2. Rode on into town to take photos of the old hotel and jail (see photo).

On up the Dumfries Hill. Stopped briefly again at Margaritaville to deposit my empty G2 bottle. On down to bike shop. When I got there (a little after 11:30) the temp was in the upper 80s.

Tired this afternoon, but feeling good from the ride. Fastest ride on the Trace for the year. Guess the magazine is right -- with hills and miles will come speed.

Oh, I hit the 1100 mile mark for the year - and the hardtail made the 4800 mile mark.

Construction Update - Wabash Trace

Paving continues in Silver City. The construction company is anticipating they will complete paving in the Silver City area by the end of the week.

Next week, plans are for paving starting in the Malvern area. That should take about 3 weeks (weather permitting).

Another Ride on The Trace

This morning, I headed early to Panera Bread to upload race photos. I had nothing but problems getting them loaded - kept getting "Publishing Error". So, I spent the time loading photos from my Army Reunion.

On to the Dentist to take care of a cavity. Weather forecast is for storms the next couple days. I needed to get in another ride before the rain, so high-tailed it home. Things were going very good -- from the dentist to home I hit VERY light green! Changed clothes into a riding kit and then to the bike shop.

Windy, sunny, getting hot day, so brought the hardtail for a ride up The Trace. Was thinking of riding to Mineola and back. But by the time I got to Margaritaville, and stopped for re-hydration and snacks, I was very thirsty. Ended drinking most of my water and the bottle of G2.

I stopped a couple times up and down the hill to take some photos. Had the good camera with me, so shot HDR bracketed exposures.

Did not relish the thought of riding down to Mineola and back to the bike shop in lease than a half bottle of water. Not happy about relying on replenishing water in Mineola. I rode a little past Margaritaville to 240th St. Then back to the bike shop.

Ended up with over 16 miles in 1:34.