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~

Another Fine Day~

 Our summer has been hotter & drier than usual - our temperatures were 1.5 degrees higher than average.  Along with the heat, it was drier too, as our drought status concludes its third year. I have missed the rain, that's for sure!   

It had been almost a week since my last ride.  I've been busy at home.  Our outside water spigot broke a week ago.  Thankfully we had a brass fitting that allowed us to turn the water off until repairs could be made.  While the plumbers were here, we had them add a spicket on the back of the house & an interior main shut-off valve.  

After mat making this morning, I came home for a quick lunch before loading Smokey.  Once in Silver City, I'm always anxious to get out on the trail.  

Soybeans - turning yellow~

The Soybeans too, are feeling the effects of the combination of heat & a lack of moisture. It won't be long until they will be harvested.  It is beautiful to see the acres of gold against the blue skies.

Smokey under the arch in Malvern~

I was glad I'd decided to ride into Malvern, when I saw the Clematis on the arch was in full bloom!  It's so beautiful & one of the last to flower.  I decided to push myself on this ride & made my best time of the year.  

Smokey takes all the credit~

Of course, I couldn't do it without Smokey's smooth running! :-)  I really do enjoy riding this bike more than any other I've had.  It's not as fast as a road bike would be, but it handles the limestone trail with relative ease.  As of this ride, Smokey's miles since his purchase in November of 2021 total 1,338.  I'm a little odd I know, keeping track of bike miles - but it's something I've done since purchasing my first Garmin 2010.  

I remember how excited we were in those days - to have an accurate accounting of the miles we'd ridden our horses.  The feature I've always enjoyed most, is the ability to download the information & produce a map overlaid on Google Earth, of our route on the computer!

Silver Creek from the Trestle, upstream~

It was a beautiful, quiet day on the trail.  The squirrels are the busiest of all the small critters, collecting the walnuts & burying them everywhere.  The trail has become the yearly walnut obstacle course, but this year hasn't been one of heavy production, thankfully.

The "run-a-way" pansies~

Back at Happy Trails, Mari Jo's pansies have about run away with her step!  Each year they seem to double in size.  There's one growing out in the street!

I'm appreciating every one of these wonderful days, both at home & on the trail.  The sun is setting a little earlier each day & before long we'll be into fall!

Speedy's First LD~

(LD is short for Limited Distance - an equestrian endurance term for any ride of 25-35 miles.)
After days of what felt like frigid cold, today was supposed to be the warmest of the week, without much wind.  Perfect for my first trail ride on Speedy!

Ready to leave the Mineola Trail-head~

The high temperature of the day was to be maybe 50, mid to late afternoon.  Now I know about how long it takes me to cover distance, I decided to get on the trail by 2 p.m.  I had four-miles to travel to Silver City.  About 1/2 of it up & the second half a down grade.  Butch & I had done this section last year.

To the concrete, almost to Silver City~

I was so impressed with Speedy!  A learning experience, figuring out what gears to use & not stopping when I was in 7th!  Whatever was easier on my knees is what worked.  The downhill grade was fun & we made it up to 16.5!  :-)

Entering Silver City

Speedy had a couple annoying small rattles.  I got off a couple times to see if I could stop them.  We picked up one stick in the front spokes, making enough racket to start a far off dog barking.

No more large gathering of bike riders!

I made a short stop here, just to see what the sign said.  After the group Butch & I saw here a couple weekends ago, I wasn't surprised.

Speedy wanted a photo here too!  :-)

Next, the eight-mile stretch to Malvern.  We were making great time - there wasn't much wind!  I heard a familiar sound just in time to see a pheasant take to the air!  At the bridge over the pretty creek, a Great Blue Heron took flight!  He was too quick for me to catch his photo.

Better view of all the rail cars~

I want to ask our DNR representative what the rail car thing is all about.  Erosion control I'm sure will be the answer, but what a ugly way to do it.  Cheap for the rail companies though.

Concrete, close to Malvern~

The next concrete we came to, I knew we were getting close to Malvern!  Butch was expecting us.  My original plan was to stay there until he got off work & hitch a ride back to Minneola.  But, after a sort rest stop, I decided to ride Speedy at least as far back as Silver City.

Leaving Butch's shop at 3:50 p.m.- Agriland!

We made a plan!  I told Butch it would take me about an hour or so - to get back to Silver City.  If I wasn't there when he arrived, he should go on to Mineola & meet me for take out from Tobey Jacks!

The return, back at the Trestle over Silver Creek~

I stopped for a short break just before the trestle.  My right knee wasn't too happy, I tried to stretch it out a little.  Shortly after we'd crossed this bridge, we came to a small gravel road crossing, where a car was parked off to the side.  Two ladies were standing about 500 ft. from the vehicle, looking down the trail.  One was ever so pregnant!  The older of the two women waved me down as I rode up & said; "Will you please find the kids, on down the trail & tell them to come back!  Their mother is in labor!"  Wow! Far ahead, I could just see two kids!  As I closed the gap - they saw me - but continued running down the trail - away from their mother!  I caught up to them & told them to head back!  They yelled;  "Can you tell Bella?"  I replied I sure could, when I found her!  I kept up my speed & in another mile, saw a girl on a bike!  I asked;  "Are you Bella?"  She replied in the affirmative & I sent her on her way back!  My excitement for the day :-)

Interesting bridge support?

I have to wonder at the history of this particular bridge?  Where horsemen ever allowed on this section of the trail?  Or were they just being hopeful they would be?  I kept moving, not wanting to be late getting into Silver City, I was looking forward to being picked up!

5:03 - Waiting for our ride?

I noticed my Garmin had stopped buzzing off the miles?  When I checked, it was only showing 17.4 miles & by that time I'd gone just over twenty!  It displayed my time on the trail, but nothing else :-(  I've had it for so very many years & had sent it in for repairs probably at least 7-years ago.  They no longer make the Forerunner 310 XT.  It ties in with Farah's heart monitor, so I sure hope it can be fixed!

I'd taken just over an hour to go the eight miles from Butch's shop.  I expected him somewhere between 5 & 5:30 at the latest.  It was getting cold by now!  I only had a thermal top & polar fleece vest.  By 5:35, still no husband :-(  What to do?  Well, buck up & ride - that's what!  Four-miles more & I'd be back at the Bronco in Mineola.  I knew the first two would be uphill & didn't look forward to that!  Speedy though - with all those gears really helped!  Once I hit the crest & started the downhill, we we flying!

Back at Mineola!  25-miles!

We crossed the last bridge, boards rattling with our speed.  On the far side of the paved road - there Butch was!  Well!!!  He'd made a stop/go at Silver City, just before 5!  Why didn't you wait a few minutes - I asked him?!  "Didn't you know it would take me an hour?!"  He explained he thought I'd be traveling faster with Speedy!  :-)  Right!  Not that much faster after going that far!

We walked back to the trucks.  It was a beautiful evening - I forgave him :-)  Once at Tobey Jacks, we picked up pork loin sandwiches, on toasted buns, with a few famous onion rings thrown in!  We sat at a picnic tables near the overflow parking, still in the sun.  I inhaled dinner while we watched the sun drop to the horizon.  Beautiful end to a great ride!