Short Bike Ride

Sunny and about 30 degrees, figured a good day for first ride on the studded tires this season. Parked at the Wabash Trace Trailhead. Trail looked good along ISD and out from the trailhead. The trail had been plowed. Trail surface was sections of snow-pack, ice, wet, and dry.

At the bus barn, rode the street to Mosquito Creek bridge. Was planning to ride the Lake Manawa trail. Unfortunately, that trail has not been plowed. (see photo) A little bit too heavy to ride through.

The bike computer was not registering. Saw that the wheel (and therefore tire) was mounted backward. Was going to ride anyway, except for the trail conditions.

I had selected gloves a little too thin for the weather. Decided to head to the bike shop instead of finding a different place to ride (trails past Lewis Central we also not plowed.

Recently, I have been riding my road bike. Sure is different (more work) riding the hardtail with studded tires!

Replacement bike rack for the car was in and ready - Zach exchanged the racks.

Weather is forecast to turn cold the next few days. Hope we get more "normal" weather yet this year.

The Blizzard of 2012

We have had a pretty mild December until this week. A couple times I have been out riding my road bike on the Council Bluffs trails. Looks like i should have ridden a little more to make my goal of 1000 miles (17 miles short).

The hybrid was in the shop to get a spoke replaced. Looks like it was damaged when hauling home from Albuquerque in May (had not ridden this bike since). Needed to get the bike ready for the next trip to Albuquerque.

Tuesday, I took the hardtail to the bike shop and got tires and pedals exchanged - now running studded tires and flat pedals. And just in time. We got about 6" of show (with ice under) Wednesday evening.

Missed a doctor appointment yesterday (did not feel comfortable with venturing out in the snow, cold, and wind). Stayed inside for the day except for a walk out to the mail box and take a couple photos.

Did not stay out very long. While it was in the 20s, the winds were 25-40mph and the drifting snow. Made it pretty chilly and not fun. Winds died off last night. Was able to get out and head out to Panera Bread for coffee and bagel this morning.

Word is that the Council Bluffs trails have been plowed (before than our county roads!) Don't see much melting for the next week or so. Looks like maybe the studded tires will get use yet this year.

Holiday On The Trails

Western Historic Trails Center
Holiday On The Trails
3434 Richard Downing Ave
Council Bluffs IA
51501

December 7th-9th 11am-3pm
Craft show with Christmas tree’s all decorated and for sale! With Lights and tree Skirt All Ready to go!
Doll clothes & Scarf's &Hats
Decorative Bottles & Wine Racks
Geode’s rocks & Quilts

Free Event

Friday 7th Evening
Jam 5pm-9pm
Family Crafts 6:30-7:30pm

Saturday 8th
12pm-2pm Free Photo with Santa.
Used Book Sale
Free Kids & Adult Crafts 12pm-3pm
Council Bluffs Recycling Center
What can & can’t you recycle

Sunday 9th
Free Holiday Crafts for Kids & Adults 11am-3pm
For more information 712-366-4900

Long Shadows

Took a little break from blogging. Think I needed it after the trip! Took a short trip to Wisconsin to see my family for Thanksgiving.

Over the last couple weeks, the weather has been unseasonably warm. Really great bicycle riding for later November/early December. Sunday it was about 60 and filtered sunshine - the bicycle trails around Council Bluffs were very busy.

In just over 2 weeks we will have the shortest day of the year. With the sun so low in the sky, the shadows are long even in the early afternoon. In a 2 hour ride you can start out comfortable with long sleeve base layer and jersey with a light jacket. The sun starts warm you and need to shed a layer. And quickly, you are quickly donning the jacket again.

But a cheap price for mid 50 degree days in December. Soon the temperatures drop as the sun starts on its arc back up toward the equator. For now, we just enjoy the warm weather riding our bikes.

Veteran's Day vs Memorial Day

Yesterday, one of my facebook friends posted a question: "Can I ask a question - a serious question - its a pet peeve of mine. We have two holidays that seem somewhat similar - Memorial Day when we remember our deceased and especially our deceased military. I remember at home the parade going over the Wisconsin River bridge and stopping while a floral wreath was lowered into the river in honor of the naval war dead.

And we have Veterans Day to honor our nations Veterans. Why do we find it necessary to have our Veterans celebrations in cemeteries? Aren't we mixing apples and oranges here? Shouldn't we be having these celebrations at places like VA Hospitals, and maybe at recruiting centers or military installations?"

This made me reflect and think a little.

Memorial Day once was called "Decoration Day". Its the day graves of those lost their lives in the service of our country. Originally, it was for those that fought the Civil War. After WW1, it was expanded to honor those died in all American wars.

Memorial Day was traditionally observed on May 30th. In 1971 it was recognized as a federal holiday on the last Monday in May.

Veteran's Day used to be called Armistice Day. It is celebrated to mark the armistice between the Allied Nations and Germany. That armistice was signed on signed at 11 am on November 11, 1918. In 1938, it was made a legal holiday.

I remember that on November 11th each year, school came to a halt before 11 am. We stood at our desks at 11 am, turned facing East (I think it was) and had a moment of silence in observance of the signing of the armistice.

From 1971 until 1978 it was celebrated on the Monday close to November 11. However, because of the historic significance, it is celebrated on November 11th. That helps focus attention to the reason for the holiday: A celebration to honor America's veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.

So, the short answer is that is that Memorial Day is for remembering those who lost their lives in battle or as a result of battle. Veteran's Day is to celebrate ALL Americans that served honorably.

I can understand the confusion. In my thinking, we should be laying wreaths and flagging cemeteries in observance of Memorial Day. On Veteran's Day we should celebrate all that have served in our armed forces.

It is appropriate to celebrate Veteran's Day with free meals to veterans, but not on Memorial Day.

Yes, it would be appropriate to celebrate at places like VA Hospitals, but it is also appropriate to celebrate the lives of veterans have have been laid to rest.

Best of the Trip

I have done this a couple other times - pick the best of my trip. I will start with cycling:

Best pavement ride - Moab Canyon Trail, Moab, UT. Rode this trail from downtown Moab to Arches National Park.

Best singletrack ride - J.E.M. Trail, Hurricane, UT

Best National Park scenery - Capitol Reef, Torrey, UT

Best State Park scenery - Valley of Fire, Nevada

Unusual scenery - Goblin Valley State Park, UT

I took a lot of HDR photos during the trip. They are available to viewing at: http://www.tomwinfield.com/vietnam/Echo2012/echo-12.html

They are Off!

Yesterday, I took photos of the Greenstreet Cyclocross race at Fontenelle Park. Day one of the race was a warm, windy day. I think the temperature hit 80 during the afternoon.

Its going to be a different situation today for the second day of the race. Its still windy, but temperatures are forecast to be in the 30s and some light drizzle (cyclocross weather).

As usual. my photos are available for viewing and purchase on my race and events web site http://win-photo.photoreflect.com. The photos on the web site are jpg proofs. When a photo file is ordered, I will start from the camera RAW file do some touch-up before converting to jpg and e-mailing the file to the customer.