Best day of the week, we'd had quite a bit of rain yesterday & some overnight. Butch checked the trail for me in Malvern & called to say it was rideable. After lunch, I drove to Silver City. Mari Jo was outside her shop. The construction foreman had just opened the new bridge! She grabbed her bike & we went right up to the trail! Mari Jo - fittingly - was first across, followed by me & Speedy!
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| First riders on the new bridge! |
We felt pretty
special to be the first! (All those cookies for the crew paid off :-) The original bridge had been over one-hundred years old. This one should last forever... Mari Jo has her shop open now. I left town from the south end. On my own for the first time - since
early last Sept.
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| Leaving Silver City, southbound~ |
The buds are starting to open on the trees! A beautiful lacy, light green. I felt SO good to be back out in the great-wide open! Everything so beautiful, the air fresh from the rain. A Bald Eagle had flown over me on my way here & a huge hawk took to the air.
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| The wild plums are blooming! |
I was torn between seeing how fast I could make the trip & stopping to admire the beauty. I made plenty of stops! It was just too nice of an afternoon, not to take the time to enjoy the sights & sounds.
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| Speedy - now a year old! |
Just short of a year from the
first time we were at the trestle. Even with my knee & ankle still swollen & sore, I'm in much better shape now than I was then - when I'd
just started biking. The train cars in the river I'd commented on in last years post - I've recently been told - was from an actual train wreck.
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| Near the river! |
Only four-miles to go & the last one on the concrete. Speedy set her own pace & we were still going to be at Agriland within the time window I'd told Butch to expect me.
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| Agriland from the trail. Butch's shop far left, red roof~ |
The trail was sticky - but Speedy's tires didn't sink in. It looked like Malvern had even more rain than in Glenwood. I didn't take any photos during my visit. Butch took some when I arrived. I'll have to see if I can find them on his overloaded phone.
Our first shared Coke of the season, tasted So good! I stopped by the office to say "Hi" to April. I'd had so much fun riding - I decided to go ahead, cowgirl Up & ride another eight-miles back to Silver City.
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| Changing weather & the pond~ |
I wasn't a mile out of town, before I realized I'd probably made a poor decision. The temperature had dropped & the wind had really come up. Blowing right at me, out of the North, NW, the same direction I was trying to go. I dropped down to second gear & had to
work for every rotation of the pedals. When I tried to coast, the wind almost pushed Speedy backward.
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| Mid-span of the Silver Creek Trestle~ |
I only made a couple short stops. I knew if I stopped for too long, my leg would stiffen up & it would be even harder going. As I reached the edge of Silver City, I saw Butch's truck come down the street & park by the shop. He jumped out & took more photos. If they turn out - I'll post them later. Mari Jo was waiting too. I got the "look"! :-)
Butch helped me gimp up the short hill to the trail, so we could admire the bridge. It's unbelievable the resources it takes - for what looks to be - a simple project. The huge crane, a huge excavator, several other track hoe's etc. All that's left now, is the remaining dirt work & clean-up.
It's really a beautiful bridge. I love the rust color & it will only look better with time.
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| From the north end, looking south~ |
As I was riding back, I was thinking about how
very good smoked brisket sounded for dinner. When I mentioned it to Mari Jo she laughed & responded that
The Hood was serving smoked brisket! A perfect end to a milestone ride. My overall speed went up 1.2 mph, but is still 2-3 mph slower than my best time from last year. Thanks for a wonderful 17.10 miles Speedy!
