Spring has Sprung!

It was a great bike riding weekend. Sunday morning I headed to the Mall for breakfast. Panera Bread is in the middle of a move. We were talking about checking out Mickey D's. I was the only one to make it.

It was already in the 50s at 9am. Took a little nap (tired after the dirt ride yesterday). Then prepped the Super T (road bike) for a ride. Drove to Wabash Trace Trailhead Park. Gonna be a busy day on The Trace, too.

The route today was Lake Manawa Trail, Indian Creek Trail. Veteran's Memorial Trail and Western Heritage Trail to the Trails Center. Stopped in for a visit and time for a granola bar and G2.

Retraced my way back to Indian Creek Trail, turning North to S. 16th. From there the connector to S 8th and to Xtreme Wheels downtown. A little more visiting and talking bikes.

Rode down Harry Landon Blvd and South Avenue back to Wabash Trace Trailhead Park.

My day was not finished. After a quick change of clothes at home, it was off to Aksarben Village for a THOR (Trails Have Our Respect) Marketing Committee meeting.

Today's photo was taken at Lake Manawa Mountain Bike Trails (Long's Loop) on Saturday during my dirt ride - a shameless ad for THOR.

Dirt!

Getting close to riding season in the heartland. Friday I took the road bike out for its first ride of the year. Felt good (though a bit different as had been riding the hybrid).

Yesterday was the day to ride dirt. The first ride ride of the year at area. Over the winter I tried to ride Manawa in the snow - but it was just to crusty. I started seeing reports of the area dirt trails were opening. Even one report that Lake Manawa trail was rideable.

Since it was a windy day (way too much wind for a ride out in the open), I opted to ride Manawa. I started out with West Sidewinder - generally the driest trail. I could see that others have been riding here. Trail is in good shape - enough traffic to smooth the bumps.

Stopped in the parking lot to visit with a CB Police Officer (a mountain biker). Gave him a trail report. Then on over to the East side. The trail was dry through Riverfront Real Estate. The double track from there to Fast Track was soft. Not damaging the trail, but sure have to work at pedaling!

Fast Track was mostly dry (surprisingly). Tony's playground was is in good shape. Some minor reroutes from downed trees. The "four-log" FFT was completely removed (likely by trail crew - it was moved with high water).

On to Longs Landing. Here I faced the wind that was kicking up. A large downed tree has been removed and features a THOR advertisement. Trail Leader had said there was lots of work done to clear trees out there - sure was the case. A minor re-route at the gravel road.

In many open sections of the trails, I notice there are several places the "singletrack' is almost at 4-lane highway. Now, with the floods the last 2 years, parts of the trail our not that visible. But - the trails is singletrack. Please ride ONE track. (photo above)

On the back side of Fast Track over to No Second Chance, there is mud just before the double track connector (lower photo). The ditch just past there is also very soft - most are riding the grass over the the levee and back.

The ditch at the black pipe is soft. As is the trail just past the pipe. There again, the trails is not defined from numerous riders.

By the time I was back to the car, my legs were too tired to ride Woodchopper. i would expect it would be in the same condition.

RIP Dick Zion

Yesterday was one of those days that I just HAD to get out to ride. Not really enthused, but had to get out. I loaded up the hybrid and donned my kit. Headed to the Wabash Trace Trailhead.

Rode the paved trail toward the Trails Center. The only "dicy" section of the trail was ice on Indian Creek under Hwy 92. Rutted ice that would throw a rider, specially with the 28mm tires I was riding.

Made my normal stop at the Trails Center. Signed the book. Back at my bike, Dewey called to me. He told me that Dick Zion (another of the folks at the Trails Center) had died. It was a shock for me. We had become more than just acquaintances at the Trails Center. He suggested some web sites for my photography. I showed him my work, kept him advised on trail conditions. He was always interested in my miles and health.

Checked my archive, hoping that I night have taken a photo of Dick during my visits, but it looks like I had not. The above photo is copied from the obituary. Gonna miss you, Dick.

From the Trails Center, I rode into town to stop by the bike shop. Had not been in a while since last week I was suffering the bug going around. Kept me in the house (except for coffee & breakfast) for much of a week. Told Zack about Dick's passing.

On to the car. Ended up with over 18 miles. Really tired after the ride.

THOR Meeting

Saturday was the annual meeting for Trails Have Our Respect. our dirt trail organization. Pretty good turn-out for a Saturday afternoon.

VP and Marketing Chair "Roxy" chaired the meeting. The meeting started with a reminder of THOR's mission and goals. Next, a Roxy enumerated the planned actions and accomplishments of the year. It was a very busy year for THOR.

Time for election of officers. President Kent had expressed his desire to step aside as did Webmaster Tom and a trail leader or two. Roxy was elected President.

From there, the group split into committees (Trail Leaders, Fund Raising, Social, and Marketing). The committees started plans for the year.

Once I receive info, changes will be made to the THOR web site (contact list, etc).

Snow is Melting - a Lot

With the snow melting, it means standing water. Sure glad I have the fenders on the hybrid!

Unfortunately, some places the standing water covers a layer of ice. That's what we have in the tunnel under the railroad on the Lake Manawa Trail. This afternoon there was a good 2 inches of water over the ice. Very slippery walking the bike through the tunnel.

Still have to watch it under bridges - specially those of us with slick, skinny tires. Otherwise Lake Manawa, Indian Creek, and Western Historic Trails are in good shape.

Rode from Wabash Trace Trailhead to the Trail Center. Westbound via Lake Manawa. Return via S 16th and Harry Langdon.

Overdressed today. Could have shed a layer. Bright sunshine and mid 50s. Breeze from the SSW. But who could complain - its only mid February.

Warmer Weather

After a couple cold weeks, the weather turned warmer. When I headed out for my ride it was 45 deg and filtered sunshine. Parked at the Wabash Trace Trailhead and headed toward the Western Historic Trails Center.

The bicycle trail is mostly clear and dry. Some spots are wet with melting snow. Caution! Underpasses and the railroad tunnel are icy. The tunnel is particularly treacherous. The tunnel has a lot of standing water with ice underneath. My bike slid under me and had problems just walking in the tunnel.

There is a big drift crossing Indian Creek Trail just South of Hwy 92. A couple other short sections have slushy snow.

With day-time highs in the 50s this week, the trails should be clear withing a couple days.

It was great to be back on a bike for a good ride.

2 Weeks off the Bike

Since return from Albuquerque, the weather has not been conducive to bicycle riding (guess it was not good in Abq, either). Yesterday I got out to check the snow covered dirt trails at Lake Manawa. Temperature was just about freezing and filtered sunshine.

As you can see from the photo here, there has been a snowmobile through the West side - no surprise, happens every year. Lots of walkers along the river. No bicycle tracks. The snow was frozen hard which makes rough riding. Riding my hardtail, wishing I was riding the Fuel EX7!

Tried to ride the singletrack. There were only a couple footprints. The crusty snow made it just too much work to try riding.

Going to get sloppy riding with the snow melt - 40s over the weekend, climbing into the 50s middle of next week. But it will sure be nice!