Sunshine! After clouds & a light rain yesterday. Mid-70's & a perfect day! Butch loaded our bikes & we drove up to Lake Manawa State Park. This has become one of our favorite, close get-a-ways. We were amazed at how quiet the park was, we were the only car in this parking area.
Ready to ride!
We are going to be just So spoiled by this weather. I'd hoped for more rain yesterday & last night, but the weatherman says we'll have a wet week. Butch helped me try to adjust my seat a little more. (I have a different seat on order & hope it arrives next week.) I could lower it an inch more, but my knee doesn't have enough ROM for that. Instead we tipped the front down just a little. I have to get into the habit having the breaks on & of putting my right foot down first.
Construction on the new campground moving right along~
The air is so clear after the rain, Omaha is next door anyway. I like seeing a skyline that isn't crowded with tall buildings.
Love the wildflowers!
We took the little loop trail & were rewarded by the purple flowers. With all the trees almost leafed out, the dappled shade is wonderful. We even had a little humidity - the first of the season!
Butch lovin' Smokey~
Our timing was perfect - we made it across all the road intersections - only stopping at the busiest. I dismounted to walk Breezy across.
Cloud shadows~
The bikes were just amazing! I get so used to the Wabash, I forget how different it is to ride on a paved surface! So very smooth! I kept looking at my Garmin in disbelief. I asked Butch at one point how fast he thought we were going? We'd been easily doing 11.5 mph. Almost 5-mph. faster than on the Electra's. Of course my last time here in early March, had been my first time on a bike since the accident.
Across Indian Creek Bridge~
Neither of us even broke a sweat. It was about 75 degrees & no wind. The warmth felt good, as cool as our spring has been. We were back at the Explorer almost too fast! We were having so much fun, we could have done the loop a second time!
The Explorer Waits~
But, Butch needed to get home to mow & I still had more marigolds to plant. We decided the Electra's will go up for sale.
Our route~
These bikes make riding a pleasure. We did the 7+ mile loop in under an hour. Not that we didn't enjoy our Electra's, but we've had them since March of 2013. They were fine for getting us back on two-wheels. Now, our new ones will give us many more miles of riding fun!
Back to the great outdoors! Another warm day - warm - mid 80's - way better than hot! I was looking forward to a ride, but not too long, after a couple days on the road. I drove to Agriland, parked the Bronco & asked Butch to pick me up in Imogene.
South of Malvern~
It is cooler in the shade, but with the trail damp & sticky, the humidity was again, very high. At least when you're cruising along at about 8-mph., the breeze makes it tolerable.
Coming out into the open~
I've done this section one other time & remembered most of the route. Once I was out there & working - I was very glad I'd decided against the round-trip.
The native grape vines have taken over this entire hillside! I have yet to try the fruit - maybe later this summer.
Speedy~
The corn on the other hand, is getting huge! It's a little way off the trail here, but in places it's growing along both sides of the trial & so tall it totally blocks most of what breeze there may be.
White Cloud Railroad trestle - over the W. Nishnabotna River ~
It was a relief to get to the trestle. There & could appreciate the little bit of breeze coming off the water, drink & take another electrolyte.
The River~
On past the river, is the longest wood bridge on this section of the trail. Scenic - I stopped again in the shade. It was a typical Iowa late July day.
On the bridge~
Not too many miles further, is a dirt grade B road. It still looked a little muddy. I did what's become my usual routine - walked Speedy lightly across. Speedy's tires aren't wide & are not narrow, so they usually do just fine.
All I could see ahead - on the dirt - was butterflies! Yellow, blue & Painted Ladies! The yellow butterflies stayed together as did the blue. The Painted Ladies on the other hand - were everywhere! I realized my going through would spook them, so setting the camera to video, I continued down the trail. In seconds, the air was filled with butterflies! Such a unique experience - especially without much depth perception!
Tree down~
Just a few miles from Imogene, a big tree was down... I'm always sad to see any really large tree go down - anywhere. A big healthy tree - uprooted by the wind. I walked Speedy under the branches - where someone had broken a few off.
Arriving in Imogene - two large groups of riders were getting ready to leave. There was a huge older bus, I think must have provided transportation for some. One group heading south, the larger, north. I was ever so glad to be off the trail. I'm spoiled, having it to myself most days.
Imogene~
Pulling in at 4:35, it had taken us just a few minutes over two-hours to travel the 14-miles. I was surprised at my time, considering the stops I'd made. Butch was coming for us at 5, so I sat on the side of a big metal roller to wait. The picnic table area was still full of the biking group.
Electra~
I have to mention, how happy I am with Speedy. Electra still makes a fine bike. Fun to ride, easy to handle & as Butch found out, easy to work on. I've been happy to find at least one day a week to date, where the weather isn't too miserable to ride. I'm really looking forward to the cooler weather of fall & even riding in the winter. I may be pulling out my riding thermals after all! :-)
