Imogene to Shenandoah ~

 Another perfect day this week!  Butch came home Saturday afternoon & by Sunday we were loading the bikes.  It would be Butch's first ride on his new e-bike & pulling Finn's trailer.

Butch & Finn - ready to rumble!

We decided to drive to Imogene & ride south to Shenandoah.  We'd ridden north from Shenandoah March of 2021 & not made it quite to Imogege before turning back.

On the trail~

It didn't take Butch long at all to decide this bike is a huge improvement over the first one he'd tried. Finn though, was not happy we'd forgotten his flat pad & instead had to use his travel bed.  It was hard for him to stand up.  He loves standing the whole ride.

Very low river!

Riding a pedal assist bike didn't slow my trail companions down much.  Finn likes going fast too!

On one of the longer bridges~

The wild Plums were still in bloom,  it was a cloudless day & so nice to be out in the countryside. 

East Nishnabotna River~

As we rode closer to town, we were soon on the longest bridge of the 64-mile length of the Wabash trail.

On the East Nishnabotna Bridge~

We'd seen no other riders all morning. 

Butch's new bike & Finn in his trailer!

Once we entered the park, there were more families out enjoying the day.  Finn barked at some boys & they got a kick out of seeing him in his trailer. 

Butch continued on from the park.  We were soon riding down the main street of town.  I finally figured out where we were going!  Kats Koolerz ice cream!

Parked in Shenandoah~

There's a nice grassy area with picnic tables in the shade.  Our first ice cream of the season really hit the spot!  We started back toward Imogene.  This section of trail is a nice climb, but the bike's made it doable with greater ease.

Taking a short break on our way back - I returned to Shadow to find my front tire totally flat!  Butch tried to pump it up, but it lost air as fast as he could pump.  My Garmin said we were only two miles from the Explorer.  

Butch & Finn went on ahead to get the car.  I told Butch I'd start walking the bike to the nearest road.  As luck would have it - the trail crossed over on a high overpass.  The way down to the road was steep & totally overgrown.   I continued on - thankful for the "walk" setting on the computer.   That gave me up to 3.5 mph of assist by the motor. 

Shadow- lame in front :-)

I walked on to the next road at the edge of Imogene.  Butch had driven to the first road, but when I called, soon came back a mile & found me!  

When I opened the back door of the Explorer to see Finn - he leaped into my arms!  Butch said he had been SO upset when he realized I wasn't with them.  He'd whined, barked & tried every way he knew to tell Butch they had forgotten me!  

Butch was sure Finn would have taken off in a split second to go find me!  He insisted on sitting on my lap for the trip home!  What a loyal little guy!  I was so very lucky my husband was riding with me & we weren't further out.

We spent some time on Monday at The Bike Way in Omaha getting the flat fixed.  It was a Locust thorn that had ripped almost a 1/4" hole in the tube.  The tires Cannondale put on this bike were a substitute for what it was advertised as having & not as good...  We'll be changing them out!

A Perfect Day ~

 It was - the most perfect day we've had this spring. Once things start turning green, it seems like the green's almost explode overnight.  I wanted to leave from Silver City again, to try to get a set of Garmin stats to compare riding self-pedal (Smokey) with riding the e-bike (Shadow).

Mari Jo came out of the shop to say "Hi".  She was busy stocking for the upcoming opening of Happy Trails!  

South from Silver City~

The trail did not disappoint.  The surface was the best it's been in months & months.  The little bit of rain had settled the dust & made the limestone fast.  The air smelled so fresh & the birds were in full song.

At the Silver Creek Trestle~

I reached the Trestle in good time; a few clouds had rolled over & diffused what had been strong sunshine just a short while earlier.  It was the bright, gray light I enjoy & perfect for taking photos.

Phlox in full bloom~

With the Phlox blooming along both sides of the trail in places, the difference in just a few days' time, was striking.  I rode on into Malvern & made a loop through the side of town.  On my way I couldn't help but stop to take a picture of the blooming Redbud below.

Redbud Tree~

It's a spectacular tree, larger & in better shape than most.  I've tried to find one at the nurseries, without any luck.  From town, I turned back north toward the pond to stop for my break.  

Today, I was using my new Garmin 310 XT for the first time.  I'd purchased it new from a secondary seller through Walmart.  (This model originally came onto the market in 2009.) It even included a heart rate monitor.  When I received it, information had been entered by another user.  It took me a while to get it to clear, but it eventually did & seems to work fine now.  (Walmart gave me a 40% refund.)  It's such an old model, I was surprised to find one at all - let alone one advertised as new. 

Boehner Pond~

The clouds blowing over added a surreal look to the pond.  The water level just keeps dropping lower & lower.  I have to hope we receive the promised rains for next week.  I'm amazed at all the green, considering how unbelievably dry we've been for so long now.

Shadow & Wild Plums~

The smell of the wild plumbs is now my favorite smell of spring.  So rich & sweet, almost as strong as lilac. I had to take Shadow's photo here, since I have one from a few years ago of Speedy in the same spot.

More Phlox~

On my way back to Silver City, the sun reappeared.  The ceaseless winds actually missed today too.  It seems we'll have day after day of wind, then just one quiet day before the wind returns.  

Shadow has made riding a pleasure for me again.  I didn't realize how much my legs hurt, until they didn't.  At least they don't as much!  I had hoped to hold off making the change, but don't regret it now.  

Comparison - e-bike today, self-pedaled right~

At home, when I downloaded my stats, the most obvious change is in the number of calories burned.  (Only Garmin knows where the 59 mph came from!)  I'd thought the number would be higher, since I pedal all the way & the first two miles of the ride, I hadn't realized the assist was off until the first uphill grade. This bike - like Smokey - shifts so smoothly I hadn't even missed the assist.

A successful & fun ride, I'm looking forward to more miles on the trail~

Stop & Go!

 Butch's new bike had arrived on the ninth!  I'd gone riding, so didn't get to opening the box until the following day.  At my husband's insistence I was tasked with getting it out of the box & putting it together.  After all he said, I was now experienced!  Not!

In the box~

I was looking forward to seeing the color, it looked beautiful on-line.  But opening the box, I couldn't see the slightest bit of the bike!  I laid the box on it's side & slid the bike out!

& the color is?

Talk about wrapped!  It was the most carefully wrapped bike I have ever seen!  Butch had ordered it from Electric Wheels of CO.  They no longer have a store front & only sell on-line but were highly rated & now we know why!  Included with the bike were at least 7 full color print outs of each part of the bike & how to assemble.  The unwrapping took quite a while!  I had remembered the process & soon had it standing upright on both tires!

Butch & Maverick - Home!

I knew Butch was making a delivery in Omaha on the 12th, but he expected another dispatch & to be leaving without time for a layover.  I was about 9-miles south of Malvern Friday afternoon, when a text came in; "Home for dinner!"  I texted back - he was coming to see his new bike, rather than his wife! :-) 

I picked Finnigan up from Doris on my way home.  We sat on the front porch waiting. Finn was so excited; the barking started the minute he saw the semi coming down the road!  We watched & waited for Butch to shut the semi down.  Finn was getting very impatient.  Butch took the below photo of him from the truck.

Finn; "Get out of there!"

 I'd left my bike on the rack of the Explorer so Butch could check it out & make a couple minor adjustments.  I'm using the rear rack until the new parts arrive.  

Missing light cover~

We also noticed my bike was missing the rear light cover, since the slip off the rack.  (I contacted Martin's Bike where I'd purchased my bike. They were kind enough to take the part off a defective light & are sending it to me free of charge.)

Butch zooms by~

After driving over 1,000 miles in two days, Butch was on his bike, headset & all!  He noticed the same comfort & ease of riding we both experienced when we'd ridden a similar model at REI.  

The evening home went fast!  I'd put a chicken pot pie in the oven & the house smelled wonderful when we came in. Finn had to have his play time - which includes a whole lot of barking & chasing around the house.  Butch left early Saturday morning for Indiana.  Our little dog spent most of the day recovering from play time with Dad.

A tired Finnigan~

It won't be long & the three of us will be out on the trails again.  This time I hope we'll be riding more together - rather than me chasing the two of them!

Shadow's First 100-miles~

 The month of April has not been as pleasant as I'd hoped. The trees are now almost in full bloom, the bulbs are also blooming & the wind is blowing almost every day.  With the dry air & lack of moisture, I have all the hoses out & have been watering almost daily.  

At the park~

Since today was mild & the winds had backed off, I was ready to get Shadow out for another ride.  This was my sixth ride & I feel like I'm getting more used to the bike.  

Burn to the north of the park~

I could smell the burn, before I saw it.  These fields had already burned last year when there was a fire just off the trail near here.  I don't know if there's some future plan for the area.  I couldn't decide which way I wanted to go, but at the last minute decided to turn south.  It's nice to have the option of riding more challenging grades.

Wild Plums in full bloom~

As soon as I smelled the sweetness in the air, I was happy I'd decided on this route.  The Wild Plums are plentiful on this section of the trail & the smell is one of my favorites!  From what I've read, the fruit which ripens in July, is good too.  I may have to time a visit to correspond & try some. 

The blooms~

 It wasn't long at all before I was at the White Cloud Trestle.  I'm riding more in sync with the bike now, going through the gears & matching them to the assist levels.  On the flats I turn the motor off, but once I'm on a grade, my knees let me know.  I can feel the additional weight of the bike.  I shift to eco mode & that bit of assist makes up for the bike's additional weight.

Shadow on the Trestle~

This section of the trail is becoming a favorite now.  It's never seemed to get as much use as the trail closer to Council Bluffs.  The surface is less well maintained, so it's a little more interesting to avoid the ruts, branches etc.  

9-miles south of Malvern

I knew Butch would be arriving in Omaha with a delivery today, but we didn't expect he'd have time to overnight at home.  I was surprised when his text came in saying he'd be "Home for dinner."  I decided I had enough time to go one more mile & make it an even ten miles each way.  

Turn around spot~

Another reason I like it out this way, is the quiet.  I stopped several times just to listen to it.  If that makes any sense at all.  Quiet is a hard thing to find anymore.  I still remember the year we visited my aunt & uncle in WY over Thanksgiving.  It had snowed in Ranchester overnight, but we woke to brilliant sunshine.  Butch & I took an early morning walk & stopped to listen to the quiet.  With the fresh snow & cold - the air tinkled.

A little more water in the creeks~

I was surprised to see a little more water flowing in the creeks here, than further north.  

Wild Phlox~ 

I hit the brakes when I caught sight of the first spot of purple!  Color!  

100-miles~

Not long after, Shadow's odometer turned over its first 100 miles!  This bike is doing what I'd hoped.  Giving me the opportunity to ride further, along with the ability to adjust the amount of effort I want to employ.  My legs are still getting used to the slightly different frame.  I've been using Smokey's saddle.  I'd sent the one the bike came with to be recovered.  (I did not like brown grips or seat on this bike, so changed them out to black.)

Shadow & the Big Bike!

Shadow insists on having a photo taken at all the spots I've used over the last few years for mandatory bike photo opportunities.  It's funny how a regular sized bike can look So small!  I finished the trip of 20-miles in just under two hours.  My average speed was ten mph.  In two days of riding & 30-miles, the battery had dropped two bars.  (I did shift up to Turbo just for fun on the return for a mile.)  I'm still on a learning curve but really enjoying the ride.

The Trestle Reopens~

 It was a beautiful day without as much wind as we've seen so far almost every day this month.  There isn't a person I know who hadn't had about enough of the wind!  To have such pretty spring days & yet have the winds drying things out even more is difficult.  We had a touch of rain .09 last Sat. not even enough to moisten the ultra-dry earth.  Red Flag warnings are almost a daily occurrence.

Leaving from Happy Trails~

With Silver City being my to-go place for so long, it seemed strange to be back.  I was excited to be able to ride the entire route to Malvern again.  It was quiet in town & I was surprised to be the only car in the parking area.

Fields yet to be planted~

Things still look more like late winter than early spring.  The fields are still brown & the leaves are yet to emerge from their buds.  The trail surface was completely dry & very dusty.

The big Cottonwood~

It was almost eerie, how quiet it was rolling onto the new Trestle planks!  They are so tight & smooth after the rough old boards of the original.  I stopped to admire the big cottonwood, but the river is so low now, you can hardly pick it out in the background.

Shadow on the Silver Creek Trestle~

You can see in the photo above, the black boards of decking.  I'm not sure what material was used, but it will probably outlast any other wood type product.  The rails here, as on the White Horse Trestle, do have a raw look with the rusted metal of the overhead structure.

Boehner Pond - lower than ever~

Shadow made the ride a breeze!  I'm sticking with my goal of keeping the battery charged with constantly pedaling in the highest gear my knees feel comfortable with.  After all, besides getting in my time out in nature, I appreciate getting all the exercise I can!

I didn't stop for long at the park, before going on to the Arch in Malvern.  I wanted to try to match up this ride with a previous one on Smokey (self-pedaled).  

Under the Arch - looking south~

The flower vines have yet to begun to turn green, but soon & hope I'll to see blooms! 

Bicycle Tree - Malvern, IA

The Bicycle tree always looks so colorful as you ride by!  I made a short loop around town before heading back.  I'd just ridden under the train underpass when I saw two riders stopped on the trail.  Dan & Mari Jo!  Dan was heading the way I was, Mari Jo had been going south.  It was great to see them both & we had a nice chat before Dan left us.  Mari Jo cut her ride short & we rode together back north to Silver City & enjoyed catching up!

Back at Happy Trails, I loaded Shadow & started for home.  I was only about a mile from town when I heard a strange noise.  I looked in the rear-view mirror to see the bike handlebars had dropped & were turned sideways!   Not good!  I found the first farm driveway & pulled off to the side of the road.

 Yakima OnRamp Hitch E-bike Ramp broken Strap

The strap holding Shadow's front tire had broken completely off.  The front of the bike had come down off the rail & was being held to the rack by the rear tire strap & the center post strap.  It was so taunt - when I tried to lift the front end enough to get it back up on the tire rail it was impossible.  When I tried to loosen the strap on the center post, it was so tight I couldn't get it to release & give me enough slack.

About this time, a Sherrif's officer in an unmarked car pulled alongside & asked if I needed assistance?  Well, yes, a helping hand would be appreciated!  He pulled in behind me.  As I pulled up on the front of the bike, he managed to get the strap on the center post to release!  Thankfully, the bike hadn't been damaged!  He had parachute cord, I had bungee cords & between the two, we secured the front tire. 

Butch has ordered all new attachments & straps.  This carrier is rated for two 66 lb. bikes & until a week ago, had only carried Smokey at 32 lbs.  We're attributing the break to the Iowa cold/heat cycle (material fatigue) & have ordered additional straps to double secure the bikes from now on!  

Mineola to the Trestle~

A day that was supposed to be less windy.  I told myself it was, since I'd planned to do another section of the Wabash trail.  I made the drive to Mineola & parked at the trail head.  This day, I was going to ride south toward Silver City & beyond another four miles to check on the repair work at the Silver Creek Trestle.

Shadow on the curving bridge~

This is another section of the trail with a good uphill grade for the first two miles.  Butch & I had ridden it for the first time on Easter of 2019.  My Garmin recorded the assent as 195 feet by the time I'd reached Silver City.  It doesn't sound like much, but it's a steady grind.

Rest area almost at the crest of the climb~

I was amazed at how quick & easy Shadow made the assent.  We've had such beautiful weather if it weren't for the ceaseless wind.  In just a short way, past the top of the hill, I reached the concrete & coasted the last mile to Silver City.  

Leaving the rest stop~

Not stopping in Silver City, I was anxious to see what the Trestle looked like.  It was nice to be on my favorite section of the trail again.  The fields were alive with the purple ground cover that always blooms early in April.

Past Silver City, toward the Trestle~

Reaching Gaston Road, the signage made it obvious the Trestle repairs weren't yet complete.  I decided to go around & continue forward.

At Gaston Road~

As I drew near the Trestle, I passed the staging area by the old fallen down picnic area.  It would sure be nice to see some improvements there too, someday.

At the Silver Creek Trestle~

I stopped about 1/4 mile from the Trestle, as I saw trucks & equipment there.  I didn't want to get in the way, so turned back.  I found out after returning home, they had opened the bridge just shortly after I was there.  I'm sure I'm not the only one happy to have this major section of trail back open.

Dust - Gaston Road~

I was returning north & had just crossed Gaston Road again, when I heard a car coming fast.  I looked back & took the above photo of the raised dust.  Between the gravel road dust & dust flying off the fields as the farmers start to prepare for spring planting - the air was thick.

Shadow too, wanted a picture taken at Happy Trails!

Back in Silver City, I looked for Mari Jo.  The shop isn't open yet but will be the 24th of April.  It will be a busy season for Glenwood, Silver City & all the small towns in our area with the Ragbrai ride coming through the end of July.

I continued on north, up the hill, down the far side & back to the Explorer in Mineola.  I'd ridden 16.5 miles in 1:30.  My average speed was just under 12 mph.  Four miles per hour faster than the last time I'd gone this way early September of 2020 riding Speedy.  (I'd avoided this section since my accident.) On the downhill, I again turned the assist off & pedaled my way up to 16.7 mph.  

Garmin Connect has a category for e-bikes now - so I can track these miles separately from when I self-pedaled.  Shadow gave me another great ride & had only dropped one bar of battery charge over two days of riding.