Halloween Ride ~

 Last day of a beautiful month - dry - but beautiful.  It seems even drier - if that's possible - now that most all of the trees have dropped their leaves.  It's a constant crunch, crunch under Smokey's tires as they roll over them.  The month hasn't even had as much wind as usual.  I've been raking leaves at home & that's unusual too.  Most years the wind has blown them far away.

2 p.m. at the Trestle

Mari Jo rode with me today, she's back to normal after her reaction to the flu shot.  Happy Trails is now closed for the season & it will be missed by the riders who stop by.  It's a good thing for me though, as we hope to get in a few more late season rides.

Fields down~

As usual, Mari Jo kept me peddling & we didn't stop until the Trestle.  I told her my Cougar story.  She commented that they're seen more often in the area than people realize.  We were passed by three ladies, two of them riding electric bikes.  I'm still not much of a fan - especially when they come up fast behind you without a word of warning.

View from the Malvern Depot~

We stopped at the Depot for a short break.  This streak of ongoing unseasonable, warm weather has local riders out enjoying the trail.

At the Depot~

A aquaintance of Mari Jo's came by & stopped to chat.  We asked about the field with the top soil being removed?  Word is - it's to become at least 35 low income houses.  We all had to wonder how that will work out, with the on-going water issues Malvern has experienced?

Land of development~

In Washington state, it was awful seeing trees cut & land cleared for the neverending development.  Here, it's difficult seeing such rich land capable of growing crops, be stripped of it's top soil & paved under.  The cost of progress.

Google earth image, yellow pin where the development will be.

The road that's now gravel, will be paved & of course traffic over the trail will increase exponentially.  As the population continues to grow, the loss of open space will have to continue.  At least here, growing crops is still of major importance to the state's economy.

Greens long gone~ Creek still flowing~

I've taken several photos of this area of the creek, over the years I've been riding the trail.  One of my favorite spots where I enjoy watching the seasonal changes.  We made good time on our ride.  We'd left a little earlier than I usually go out, so returned to the shop early too.  Of course with the time change next week, we'll be loosing that last hour of light in the afternoon...

4:39 p.m. Sun setting over the woods~

By the time I'd driven home, the sun was just getting ready to set behind the woods.  Our little corner does fall into shade sooner than the higher parts of town.  I don't mind it at all, as we cool down quicker in the summer months & miss some of the heavier winds.  At least I like to think so!

Goodby October!  Nowhere near the usual mositure we receive this month.  Now, we're hoping for a nice wet November!

Gaining Ground ~

 A riding goal for going on two years now - has been to ride the Wabash from Silver City to Malvern & back -  either to exceed or match my best time pre-accident.  July 22, 2020 was my best trip, riding Speedy, my Electra Townie.  It's still early in the season & with the weather it's been hard to get any consistant riding.

Southbound~

I honestly didn't even know if I'd be up to making the round-trip yet this season.  Otober 6th of 2021 was the last time I rode the full length of this section of the trail.  It seemed like forever ago.  

Three-miles south of Silver City

My original plan was just to ride to the trestle & turn back.  Well...  I got to the trestle & decided I'd go on to the Hwy 34 underpass.  It was a beautiful day, temperatures in the low 70's.  The only drawback, was the gusting wind.

New clear-cut & the Trestle ahead~

At the underpass I knew my goal was only a couple miles farther.  The last mile of that is concrete.  Smokey is so much easier to ride, more comfortable & faster than the Trek Verve.  I decided to buck up & go the distance.

Malvern~

Arriving in Malvern, I took a short break at the depot.  The wind wasn't letting up.  It had been mostly at my back going south, so I knew I'd be riding into it on the return.

Someone's idea of "art" on the bridge :-(

Fully committed now, I started the ride back.  I did better than I expected.  I was just a short distance from town when I saw a man walking a golden lab off-leash toward me.  As I got closer, the dog came at me barking & circled behind me.  Next, he came up my right side & tried to grab my foot off the pedal. 

The owner was yelling;  "Milo, MILO!!!" at the dog to no avail.  By now, the dog had cut in front of me & I had to stop.  The owner yelled at me;  "Just keep riding!"  I was furious!  The dog backed off when I stopped & confronted it.  I turned to the owner & yelled;  "I would have kept riding if your dog was on a LEASH!" I hope I don't run into this person again...  My closest encounter with a dog in years & one I don't want to repeat! 

I was tired by the time I reached Silver City.  My leg was sore, but not as sore!  When I downloaded my stats, this ride was 2.7 mph faster than my October 2021 ride & I'm within 1.2 mph of reaching my goal!

Helmet Heat~

Today, was a milder summer day - I can now say - after experiencing just how hot things can get!  Mary Jo had talked me into doing some helmet shopping last week.  I ended up with a white, Bontrager Solstice MIPS.  Lots of vents & harness keeping the top of the inside of the helmet just off your head.

Speedy on the trail~

 I left from Silver City, thinking a 16+ mile round-trip would be more than enough.  The humidity wasn't as bad as it has been, but still more than I like.

The sign is Speedy's color!  :-)

 I had to stop to get a photo of Speedy by this sign.  Every trip past, I'd planed to - today was the day.  It wasn't long until my hair was soaked.  I took the helmet off while we were in the shade, but was already wishing I hadn't worn it.

On the trestle~

Wonderful, so much of this trail is shaded.  I'm sure that's why it remains popular even on the hottest days.  I only passed one couple going the opposite direction.

Track overhead - nearing Malvern

 Butch was gone driving an activity, so I didn't stop at Agriland.  I'd had a rattle most of the trip on Speedy.  I stopped a couple times checking the fenders etc., When I parked for the photo above, I realized it was the kickstand!  So loose it was ready to fall off the bike.

I remembered Little Red's Service, where we'd taken the Bronco.  Once in town - I rode that direction & saw that the garage doors were wide open & Don was working inside.  He was kind enough to come right over.  Hearing my problem - he grabbed tools & tightened it right up!  Thanks Don!

At the Depot in Malvern~

 I stopped in the shade by the Depot for a short break before taking the trail back.  One rider stopped to ask me how far it was to the next town.  When I told him almost 14-miles, he replied he had done that once & had to be picked up.  I didn't ask where he come from.

Open views~

 It was even warmer on the way back.  The sweat was running down my head & my t-shirt was soaked.  I wanted to take the helmet off, but was too miserable to think about using a bungy to attach it to the rack.

In the deep timber~

The very tall, green & growing plants above are stinging nettles!  No way do you want to walk through there!

Once in Silver City, Mary Jo was sitting out.  We went into the shop, I took the helmet from my head & told her I was done with it!  She picked it up, then went to her shelves & brought back another helmet.  Black :-)  I just looked at her - it was the color that had started all this & what my original was!  I did try it on.  The Limar 560 Superlight was 1/2 again lighter than the Solstice & had even more venting.  We'll see how I feel about it my next hot ride!

A Day on the Trail~

Since the first of June, it's been unseasonably hot!  I'd been working outside all week, dripping sweat & soaking my work clothes...  I was looking forward to the rain due to move in late yesterday.  When it did, it was so incredibly humid you could see it in the air!

First rain was forecast for today, but that changed to overcast, cooler & chance of showers.  Yes!  After lunch I loaded Speedy up & headed for the Mineola parking area on the Wabash Trace. 

On the Trestle Bridge~

Now that I have a new way to escape to the great wide-open, I look forward to it.  My original plan was to ride from Mineola to Silver City & then the bridge - before turning back.  Well...  After a short stop in Silver City to visit Mari Jo, I was at the bridge in no time.  The trail wasn't wet, but it was a little sticky.  

Speedy says the corn is growing!

 With the temperature in the high 70's, even with the humidity, if I kept moving it wasn't bad at all.  I decided if I wanted a longer ride, maybe today was the day to do it.  I talked myself into continuing on to Malvern.  Butch was gone driving an activity - so I wouldn't get in my usual visit at Agriland.

Heading back north at Malvern~

 Butch had mentioned how much work Arman had done edging the trail at Fast Stop, so I rode far enough to check it out.  Things sure looked nice & neat!  Here, I'd turned around & would be headed back north.

Malvern Depot~

 I didn't realize until I looked it up, that the Depot acts as overnight accommodation's for bike riders on the trail.  It's really a cute little property, with a picnic table & chairs on the far side.  I stopped for a couple minutes & ate a few nuts before starting the ride back the way I'd come.

Huge old tree~

 Being immersed in all the green is such a wonderful feeling.  I ride along, admiring the trees!  Some with branches spanning the trail - natures natural arches.  The one above grabbed my attention today & I had to stop for a photo.

The downhill to Mineola~

I was glad I only had the one climb out of Silver City, then the wonderful two plus mile downhill grade into Mineola!  I like riding the trail this direction - just for the final section where I can let Speedy go!  :-)  I think Speedy has some of Farah's traits!   We did just over 25-miles.  I'm amazed at how far I've come just since mid-April.  I don't see fifty's in Speedy's future, but a nice LD now & then is fun!