Acclimatizing to Warmth~

 I'm going to say it was warm.  Mid-80's again, but not as much humidity as we'll see this summer when the corn starts sweating.  There was a stiff breeze gusting out of the east too.  I loaded Butch's Cannondale Adventure 1 bike onto the rack with Shadow. 

Ahh shade~

When I arrived at Happy Trails, it was a busy place.  A Gravel Series ride was just finishing up & cars were leaving.  I unloaded both bikes & took Butch's into the shop.  Mari Jo is going to help us sell it.  It's such a nice bike & so comfortable to ride. I hope someone will come along to enjoy it.

Mess from the fields~

Some of the farmers whose land adjoins the trail, use the easement as a place deposit the brush & trees they've cleared from the edges of their fields.  It's unsightly but does provide additional habitat for wildlife.

Bridge over the creek~

I expected more weekend riders to be on the trail, but lucky for me, only saw a few.  I can always tell the ones from out of the area, they never say "Hi" or wave an acknowledgement.  After riding a few years now, I know some of the local riders.

Virginia Waterleaf - Hydrophyllaceae virginianum

This season, rather than the Stinging Nettles of last year, the ground around the Trestle is covered with the beautiful Virginia Waterleaf.  Many people consider it a weed & it is hard to pull.  My hillside the woods is partly covered with it & I love the pale lilac-colored flowers.  It has gradually been spreading to the more barren side of the hill

5-13 Waterleaf in our woods, along Timber Trail~

I continued on to Malvern, doing my usual loop around the far side of town near Agriland, before turning back to stop at the pond.  It was a beautiful day to be out.  There were only a few people camping.

Boehner Pond~

I still can't get over the change the rain has made in the pond.  The water is much deeper & clearer than it has been for over a year, probably two.  I sat under the picnic cover; my favorite bench was still in the sun.  I'd started out a little earlier than usual.

Creek & Phlox~

In places, crossing the little creeks, you can hear the water running again.  I looked down to see Phlox growing along the edge of the water.  

Butch had made it home for an overnight stop late afternoon on Mother's Day!  He got out of the truck carrying a beautiful bouquet of flowers!  (Both daughters remembered me with gifts too!)  Butch cut the wood dowel rod I'd bought & put it down the stem of my bike.  Then he adjusted the seat height for me.  This was my first ride with the improvement & it made a huge difference.  I didn't have to stop after every bridge to raise the seat! 

Sunshine & Flowers~

 We had almost an inch of rain last night!  Last May had gone down in the record books as the dryest in the 150-year history of record keeping.  We'd received only .17 inches & continued into summer bone dry.  This May, I appreciate every drop of rain we get!  So far this month, we've had over four inches!  My Hosta's & flowers seem to be growing every day!

I checked with Mari Jo & was surprised when she said the trail was fine.  I'd gone to mat making in the morning, then dropped Finn off with Doris on my way home.  They day turned out much nicer than had been forecast & warming up to 80 degrees.  The humidity was a little higher too, but nothing like last year.  I loaded Shadow & left for Silver City.  I was about three miles out of town when I realized I'd forgotten my phone.  So much for an early start!

Anise Root~ Osmorhiza longistylis

Both along the trail & at home I enjoy seeing the blooms of Anise Root. It's such a pretty plant, tall & delicate looking.  Native American's & early settlers used anise roots for their sweet & aromatic taste.  A tea was made from them for a variety of medicinal uses.

Shadow on the Trail~

As you can tell from these two photos, the signage has really taken a beating in the last four years...  I thought it was pretty nifty that someone had made what had originally been very nice signs for a few spots along the trail.

4-1-2020 - Sunny in the same spot~

Since my first ride above, Shadow is my fifth bike.  This is also my fifth season of riding the trail. I'm still getting used to my e-bike.  Butch recommended using alcohol to clean the grease off my seat post, then tightening the clamp.  I did that after my last ride.  The seat post stayed in position until just before I reached the trestle today, when my knees told me it had slipped down again. 

Shadow on the trestle~

I also felt like I was working harder at peddling too.  My last ride I didn't think there was much difference in the new tires rolling resistance.  This ride though, even with the assist set to eco, it didn't seem like quite enough.  My tenth ride & I'm still adjusting things.  I'm finding the saddle that came with the bike is very comfortable.

Prairie Phlox~

The bright colorful taller blooms of the Prairie Phlox always get my attention!  I love the pink/purple color!  One of these days I'll find seeds & try starting them along the creek. 

I continued on into Malvern today, rode past the bicycle tree & looped through town before turning back for my usual stop at the pond. It was a quiet day, with only the sounds of the birds singing.

Shadow at the bicycle tree~

I have the seat post so tight now, it's almost impossible to open the clamp.  I used my riding gloves, lifted the seat back to the height I like & tightened it down again.  I made good time on the trip back to Silver City.

The way back~

I returned to town a little after 5 p.m.  As Butch & I had our evening conversation, I mentioned that I felt I'd had to work a little harder on today's ride.  He reminded me that the new tires are not as smooth as the one's that had been on the bike originally.  I'd rather have to peddle more, than get more flats!  He suggested putting the assist to better use & I'm going to take his advice.  He also suggested I buy a dowel rod.  He will use it as a spacer in the seat post tube to keep the seat up in place. I have no idea why this bike has the issue, but look forward to it being fixed!