November, Record Breaking Heat~

 Today we were on schedule to break the record set in 1964 of 76 degrees.  Our fire danger has increased too.  The temperature topped out at 77.  I've spent the week working outside & watering.  Planting all the Emerald Green trees along our perimeter as we did in WA, seemed a good idea at the time.  As they've grown though, their need for water has, too.  Several in dry locations were severely stressed by last summer's drought.  This year most have recovered with just two that may need to be replaced.  I'm not willing to give up on trees that have reached ten feet!

South from Malvern~

Today, though, it was time to see what the trail looked like.  I parked at Boehner Pond.  The dust was flying off the gravel road, but this time of year without rain, the dust is everywhere.  

Almost to the Trestle~

I left going south & was soon enjoying the beautiful day.  The leaves on the trees were drying & falling without any further bursts of color.  In many places the trail was so covered with them you couldn't see the main track.  This made for a more challenging ride, hitting hidden walnuts, sticks etc.

White Cloud Trestle~

I've not ridden south from Silver City for months now & miss that section of the trail.  It's more heavily used & easier riding.  I could feel it had been almost a month since I'd been on the limestone.  It's definitely more work than the smooth surfaces at Lake Manawa.

The narrow bridge~

The above bridge is the narrowest on the entire length of the trail.  Narrow enough that two bikes can't pass each other.  My handlebars don't have much clearance when they're turned straight.  It's not far in either direction to a road though, which is how the volunteer maintenance crew access the area.

Very low creeks~

The creeks held very little water, hardly flowing at all.

Gooseberry~

The Gooseberry bush had the most vibrant colors of the entire ride. I have one that started in the woods & hope to one day have berries!  

Last of the golden leaves~

Almost to the bench where I turn back, the trees in this section were beautiful!  The sunlight, low on the southern horizon added to the beauty.  The afternoons are so short, the time change didn't help!

Woods~

The wooded areas are changing to the barren look of the winter months.  The gold & oranges of the grasses still give some definition to the hillsides.

When the soy has been harvested~

The wind was really blowing for most of the ride.  It's pretty wide open out this way & there's not much to break the gusts, now the crops are in.  The soy fields look positively naked.  

West Nishnabotna River~

As the sun moved lower in the sky, the river reflected the filtered light through the high, thin clouds.  These are the days I wish could last longer than they do.  Moisture would help though!  I haven't ridden quite as many miles this year as in the past.  I spent a lot of time working outside at home.  I hope one day soon - I'll have help again~

Imogene to Shenandoah ~

 A Perfect!  Totally Perfect day!  Sunshine, mid-50's & no wind!  We'd made too many plans to fit in to the day.  I was so appreciative of Butch's support in taking me to Imogene & dropping Breezy & I off to make the ride south to Shenandoah.  There were no cars parked at the trail head.  I used to know almost exactly how long it would take me to ride a portion of trail.   Now, that time has about doubled since my injury.  I told him to expect me in anywhere from 1+ to 2 hours.

On our way~

It was a totally quiet morning.  On a weekend, farther north, the trail is usually busier than I like.  I hadn't known what to expect - but having it to myself was more than I could have asked for.  This would be the first real test of the new rear cassette.

From the Walnut Creek bridge~

I was a little apprehensive as Butch drove away.  I'd not ridden this section of trail since May of 2020 on Speedy.  I'd left from Malvern & ridden over 23-miles on that day.  I'd also been in great shape, riding a bike I knew would get me there.  From Imogene, it's only nine-miles, but it's a more difficult section of the trail, with a couple steep, long grades.  I had no idea, if the new gears would be what I needed.

Down a beautiful hall of trees~

Soon, my apprehension vanished!  The bike was shifting great, the low gears much more reminiscent of my Townie & useable!  I was working hard enough to remove my coat by the second mile in.

Further along~

March of this year, Butch & I had left from Shenandoah on our Electra's & ridden north on the trail.  It's a brutal uphill grade & we'd worked hard for three-miles, in a stiff wind, before we called it quits & turned back.  I planned to try to text Butch when I reached our turn-around spot, knowing I'd be three-miles out.

At the Pond!

I recognized the road when I came to it & soon after saw the little pond where we'd taken a break.  Now, I was on the downhill portion of the trail, all the way to the flats on the far side of the river.  Here I was, almost to town & still hadn't seen anyone on the trail.  Only one big white tail deer, had stood her ground until I was within a few hundred feet, before jumping away into the timber.

Nishnabotna River Bridge~

I hadn't ridden in two-weeks, but felt pretty good considering.  I used all the lower gears, first worked so well.  I could continue forward, had some bite to the peddles & my legs weren't flying round-n-round.

Breezy at the town sign~

Sportsman's park is such a nice place.  A swimming pool, playground, picnic areas & of course the trail.  I continued to the Train Station & heard Butch call my name as I approached.  He'd enjoyed his two-hours of quiet on a beautiful sunny day.  My speed hasn't been anywhere near as fast I used to ride, but it was my most pleasant ride on the Verve to date.  My stats~  

When I returned, Butch had me ride on the paving in the parking area.  He told me he wanted me to go through every single gear.  I did & it was obvious the lower 9-gears are what I will use now.  The upper gears I made it through, gaining speed with each stroke, but my knees revolted!  I'm sure the top 5 gears  will seldom be used.

Butch & I have been discussing my future enjoyment of the trail.  Things have changed for me since the injury.  My strong leg has become the weaker one - though I'm still hopeful for continued improvement.  I've changed from a bike with more forward pedals, to one with the pedals under the seat.  The frame is definitely too big for me.  When I have to make an unexpected stop, it's difficult to get off the seat & dismount.  Then, of course there's the gearing issues, now resolved.  I may be bike shopping again, looking for something - somewhere between the Townie & the Verve~

North from Shenandoah~

 Sunday was such a beautiful day!  I mentioned a bike ride to Butch & he agreed.  We hadn't been to Shenandoah for a long while.  The Depot was open for indoor dining - so we stopped there first for lunch.

Butch at the Train Station~

There wasn't much activity at Sportsman's Park.  I couldn't remember much about the trail from my last ride south from Malvern.  It had been since early May of last year.  I thought it had been relatively easy.

Bridge over the Nishnabotna River~

With just a light breeze & riding on the paving, it didn't take us long to reach the river.

Butch on the bridge~

Soon after, we ran off the paving & back to the limestone.  It was dry, but had deep groves each time the trail crossed a road.  I think the run-off from the road softens the trail & bikes had been on it, when it was still too wet.  In the photo below you can see the ruts.

To the pond~

We took a break on the bench here.  The frogs were croaking, a sound we both miss from nights in WA, during late winter & early spring.  To this point, we'd gone three-miles, all of it an uphill grade.  The wind had picked up too.

Where we turned back~

The next mile, continued on the same.  We reached 160th.  It looked like we'd have downhill from this point on, toward Imogene, but my leg said;  "No!" in a big way.  It had bottomed out - with the continual climb. :-(  We decided to turn back.

Butch coming up the grade~

Butch stayed game throughout!  He never mentioned turning back, until I did!  At least - as I told him - we knew the way back would be all downhill!

Back at the Park~

  I was a little discouraged my leg hadn't worked better, but I'm still a way from the year the Doctor's told me healing would take.  We did get a workout, 8-miles, half of it up!  Pretty good for so early in the season.  Enough of one, we stopped for ice cream before heading home! 

Malvern to Shenandoah~

Weather watching again - today was to be cool - no wind & no rain until tomorrow.  The clouds did look ominous as I drove to Malvern.

Our parking spot at Agriland~

My plan was to ride again to Imogene 13.6 mi., & on to Shenandoah, another 8.9, for a total of 23-miles.  On the roads, it was 28-miles.  Butch & I planned to meet by 6 p.m. at the trailhead in Shenandoah.  (Of course, neither of us had been to the trailhead!)  I hoped to make the ride in four-hours, with no idea what the trail was like past Imogene.

Speedy at Fast Stop!

We left promptly at 2 p.m.  Speedy was insistent about stopping at Butch's gas station for a photo!   With my Garmin working again - yippee - it was so nice to know about where I was on the trail & how fast I was going.  I wore my light weight rain coat, it was actually chilly.

Sign in the trees says;  "Ten-miles to Imogene"

It took me about three-miles to take the jacket off.  The greens are popping fast now!  The trees are really leafing out, a big change from even last week.

Cottonwood Pass~

There is a big, long uphill grade about 2/3rds of the way to Imogene.  I remembered it & decided to stop near the top for a photo of the beautiful Cottonwoods.

Imogene Bike Area~

We reached Imogene at 3:50 p.m.  I decided to rest for ten-minutes & eat the peanuts I'd bought, for a snack.  I wanted to check out the inside of the grain bin, but the door was locked.  The clouds would move in, then out, within minutes.  I got cold here & put on my jacket, knowing it would be coming off shortly.

Far side of Imogene~

Before I was a couple miles out of town, the sky cleared.  Another stunning spring afternoon in the heartland!  (Today, was Farah's 14th birthday.  I missed her...  I asked Grandson Ben to visit her for me & take her carrots.  I hope he did.)  The trail from this point on, had more of a sandy surface.  Smoother, but at one point Speedy's rear tire spun a little sideways.

My second selfie~

By now, I was still feeling just fine.  My knees are getting used to all the work & Speedy has lost the random squeaks.  We were averaging over 8-mph & our fastest was 17.3 on one flat stretch.

4:33 p.m. Walnut Creek~

The clouds added so much to the beauty of the landscape!  Every time I thought I might get wet, the darkest of them would sail on by.

I must have been near Essex~

Coming up on a road crossing - I could hear emergency vehicles.  The first two passed by before I could get my camera out for a photo.  The dust was flying, lucky for me, in the other direction!  Yes, that's a decent hill you see on the far side.  The beginning of another long, uphill grade.  This one, seemed to go on forever.  I could see the hill on the horizon & hoped we'd reach the top soon!

Dwarf Larkspur (Delphinium tricorne~

Seeing the beautiful dark purple flowers at the side of the trail, gave me a reason to stop for a short break.  It wasn't too long after this, I came to the Hwy 59 crossing.  Traffic was flying by!  I took a quick look both directions & made it over to the far side.  I knew I had to be getting close to Shenandoah when the Garmin turned over 20-miles!

Bridge over the Nishnabotna River~

This was the longest bridge we've been on yet!  Speedy is as good with bridges as Farah!

Between the bars~

The photo above was almost to the mid-point of the span.  A beautiful bridge over a beautiful river!

The East Nishnabotna River ~  5:10 p.m.

Once we were off the bridge, the trail was paved!  The paving was cracked, patched & almost rougher than the limestone surface.  Bike riders in WA would have a complete fit without the smooth surfaces they're so used to on the Centennial Trail!

5:20 p.m. - We've arrived!

I was amazed we'd made such good time!  3 hr.'s. 20 min. for the 22.70-mile ride.  Farah & I did our only 25-mile ride in 3 hr.'s 21min. for second place.  I think Speedy & I could match that time - but not with the 3,626 ft. of elevation gain!  Our gain was 686 ft.

Old Station at the Shenandoah Trailhead~

I was waiting for Butch, he was waiting for me, out at Hwy 59, where there's an off road gravel parking area.  (He had arrived there within five-minutes of my crossing!)  :-(  With no cell service, after an hour I called 911.  They got through to Butch & finally - he found me!  Lesson learned!

Ride Route~

By the time we were back in Malvern, we were starving.  Tobey Jacks is open & we made it just before closing.  They were kind enough let us order & we have to thank the owners & staff for our first sit-down dinner - in a restaurant - for months!

This weekend, we hope to ride one of the last sections of the trail, south, to the Missouri border.

Malvern to Imogene~

After tearing winds most of the week, today was wind free.  The weatherman promised it to be one of the top ten days of the year.  He wasn't wrong!  I hope we have 100 more just like it.

Speedy is not intimidated by size!  :-)

 In Malvern, I parked the Bronco at Agriland.  Butch has given me a parking spot, out of the way of the Big Equipment!  Since I planned a one-way ride, he'd be picking me up at Imogene, my destination.   Leaving Malvern, it's hard to miss the art!  The bike theme alludes to the City considering itself a destination for bike riders on the Wabash Trace Trail.

Wild Plum blooms~

I could smell the plum blooms before I saw them.  A beautiful addition to the rapidly expanding green views.  I didn't leave until 3 p.m.  Butch couldn't get to Imogene until 5 to pick me up.  The map calls it 13.6-miles.  I couldn't imagine it would take me more than two-hours.

Between the bars - The first bridge~

Riding during the week days, I enjoy having the trail to myself.  Heading south from Malvern, farther away from the larger towns, the quiet is wonderful.  Just the singing of the birds & water flowing under the bridges.

Big Sky Country~

Iowa has it's share of magnificent views.  The sky looked huge, leaving the trees of the trail for the road crossing.  I'm still without my Garmin & I miss it.  Since this was a new section of trail to me, I would have preferred to know how far I'd gone & my speed.

Ah...  Green!

Butch told me to slow down, take photos & enjoy the ride.  All of which I did!

Garlic mustard gone amok~ 

Not too many miles out of Malvern, both sides of the trail had been taken over by the horribly invasive Garlic Mustard.  When doing a Google search, the first page to come up - was King County, WA!  This is a weed taking over, in more than one state.  I've pulled the few I've found so far in our timber & marsh.  The second invasive I've learned that is allelopathic - the other being bush honeysuckle.

Speedy on the Trestle Bridge over the west branch of the Nishnabotna River~

This is a big, slow moving river, with a lot of history, as most of our bigger rivers are.  There was a Mill in this area & also a ferry.  Just a short distance further I caught a glimpse of this cute tiny cottage!  What a idyllic place, so close to the river.  The trail today, was a blend of uphill & downhill grades.  The longest of the uphill had me worrying I'd not make Imogene by 5!  With no way to know how much further I had to go - I just kept peddling!

Tiny Country Cottage~

Next, a huge old barn, in the process of crumbling to the ground.  I'm always sad to see these big barns fall, more so than even the farm houses.

Old Barn~

Eventually, I met two mom's pushing baby strollers!  A sure sign town was near!  With a population of only 70+ people, I didn't imagine there would be too much going on.

My destination!

Speedy brought me into town at 5:02 p.m.!  There were picnic tables, fire pits & the grain bin to the left housed restrooms & even showers for the bike riders.  Butch pulled in with the Bronco just a few minutes later.  We'd hoped to order take-out pork tenderloin sandwiches from the Emerald Isle, (Butch had heard they're the best in IA.) but they were closed.

Instead, we drove to Mineola & had the same at Tobey Jacks - eating outside on the picnic tables in the car parking area.  Since it was Thursday & the traditional Taco Thursday night - almost every table was occupied.  All table's were spaced apart & most people honored social distancing.

Butch & I discussed some of the differences we were noticing between bike riders & equestrians...  More than once we had to laugh at some of the outfits.  But considering how fashion in the endurance community has changed - we shouldn't have!  :-)   It was a beautiful ride & perfect end to the day.