Another of a string of perfect spring days! How lucky can we be? Probably the nicest spring weather we've had since our move to Iowa. Butch met me as I parked the Bronco by his shop. By 2:30 p.m. I was on the trail & heading south toward Imogene.
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One of the many bridges~ |
For whatever reason, I wasn't quite up to par today. Later, I realized it was probably because I'd ridden on Monday & hadn't given myself enough time-off. Regardless, I was looking forward to seeing a
section of the trail I've only ridden three or four times.
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Perfect quiet~ |
When I stopped to take an electrolyte, I couldn't help but notice the quiet! It was so perfectly quiet - I could have heard a pin drop. With light winds, just the occasional chirping of the birds broke the stillness.
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On the White Cloud Trestle~ |
I'd forgotten about the trestle bridge here. Slightly shorter than the one over Silver Creek, it's still an amazing tribute to railroad history. About eight-miles in, another rider passed me. He looked familiar & sure enough, it was Mari Jo's friend Doug. We stopped to chat for a few minutes. He had turned back north, having ridden from Mineola!
Just a mile or so further, the trail maintenance truck was blocking the entire trail, with the drivers side door open. I was in the middle of the long, hard, uphill grade. I was just ready to announce my presence, when the gentleman got back in the truck & moved it further up the trail. Back on Breezy - it was only another half-mile until again - here he was. This time, he said he would move further ahead.
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At Cottonwood Pass! |
Not long after, a road crossed the trail. The truck was stopped & on the far side was a tractor with the brush blade, cutting the side of the trail. I skirted by on the drivers side. With the crest of the hill behind me, it was a relief to be able to make time. I think I had used every one of Breezy' s gears to make it to this point!
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Out on the "flats"~ |
A Great Blue Heron had taken to the air just as I reached the bridge before this one. He was huge & he was so beautiful. As I stopped for a short break, it was only a minute or two until I heard the tractor coming behind me. He was making good speed out in the open.
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Close to town~ |
By now, I was feeling a bit pushed... I knew I was only a couple miles out from town & it would be a relief to be off the trail & out of the way... (I checked
the page when we got home, but nothing was mentioned about the maintenance work on this section.)
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Rough trail~ |
For the last several miles, the trail surface looked like this... Heavily rutted by a tractor tire on the left, piles of loose rock on the right. It made it technical & more tiring, with my limited depth perception, to find a track for Breezy' s tires.
By the time Imogene was in front of me, I stopped too suddenly & lost control of the bike. It was a slow motion fall onto my bad knee. Thankfully - no damage done - to either me - or Breezy. But, I knew I'd tackled this section a little too soon. Last time, I'd had over 380- miles under my wheels, this time, not even 200. I was also amazed
Speedy & I had actually done this section
round-trip! I don't think that will happen this season!
I heard the Bronco, as Butch pulled in to pick me up. We'd decided on dinner at the Emerald Isle. The only place to eat in town & I was starved! Now, I've tested myself, I'm going back to being more sensible! At least for the time being. :-)
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