Fall Beauty & Dust~

 Today was, or could have been a ten day, if we'd had any moisture.  Temperatures in the 60's & a light breeze.  With two nights in a row of 38 for a low, the leaves are turning.  Far from over my allergies, I still wanted to ride.

North from Silver City~

I put in a call to Mari Jo.  She said the dust was awful & the biting bugs were a little better.  Thinking of where I could avoid the most dust, I decided to ride north from Silver City to the Lookout.  The first mile of concrete is where we walk the dogs in the winter months.  

Grade B road~

This section has some of the most beautiful views.  Above is the road Farah & I used to reach the trails.  It always makes me sad when I think of the fun we had galloping along it.  The uphill grades are much easier when I can shift Shadow's motor on.

Private pond~

Just beyond the covered bench rest area, there was a narrow break in the shrubbery along the trail.  I walked in a few feet to get the above photo.  The pond was almost impossible to see before the corn was harvested.

Curtain of oranges~

Just a short way past the pond is the crest of the climb between Silver City & Mineola.  From there on, two miles of downhill to the Mineola trailhead.  Only one car there, I didn't stop until I reached the bridge over Keg Creek.

Keg Creek~

I took a long drink, put a cough drop in my mouth & continued.  My goal was what I call the "Lookout" about 3-miles south of Council Bluffs.  Many of the trees were turning & without as many field & road crossings, the air was almost fresh.

Applewood~

This road though, stopped me in my track, literally. There's a rise up to the road, I could see there was fresh gravel.  It wasn't until Shadows tires grabbed, I realized how much gravel & how thick it was.  It was sheer luck I didn't lose control.

Margaritaville~

Another climb to Margaritaville.  No one there, such a nice quite day on the trail, I was glad I'd decided on this section.  I passed Dumfries & got through the underpass where mud had stopped me my last visit.  There had been a section of the hill badly washed out on the far side of the underpass.  Large rock had been added to the hillside.  Hopefully enough to keep it from happening again.

The Lookout~

The Lookout covered bench comes up quickly.  I pulled off & took my break.  I'd covered 8:68-miles in an hour flat.  Just a little farther than it is from Silver City to the Arch in Malvern.  The two good climbs take longer though.  When I rode Smokey, it was much harder ride.

Heading back south~

I enjoyed the almost absolute quiet of the afternoon.  Just the sound of a jet somewhere far away to break the stillness.

View across at Mineola~

This is called the "Old Goat" area & has seen many improvements, as has most of this section of trail.  It's used for the Thursday night Taco Rides from Council Bluffs to Tobey Jacks in Mineola.  Definitely a party ride.

For me, enjoying the downhill glides are second only to the views of the countryside.  Less than two miles farther & I was back at Mineola with four miles to go to reach the Explorer parked by Happy Trails in Silver City.  

New picnic area at the Mineola Trailhead~

All the new tables, firepits etc. have been added improvements over the past year or so.  Riders coming south from Council Bluffs use this section of trail.  It can be a busy place weekends, or when special events are held. 

One more uphill, then one more downhill & I was back at the Explorer.  My total ride time was 1:46 for the 17.34 miles.  (I turn the Garmin off for my mid-way break, but otherwise have started leaving it on when I stop for photos etc.)  As I dismounted & looked at Shadow, I realized how covered with limestone dust I was!

A dusty bike~

Back in Glenwood, the car wash was my next stop.  The Explorer is covered with a layer of dust constantly from the sewer construction.  Our neighborhood has gone from the green of beautiful lawns to a dust bowl of dirt.  I had a bad coughing spell at the car wash & another when I got home.  The trail dust on top of the dust here was more than I should have taken on.  

I can only go out at home, once the work in the street stops for the day.  Thankfully, they have kept one street closed to through traffic, so the dust from cars is minimal.  I wear my mask when I go out to water.  No fun for me!  Even so, I sure enjoyed a beautiful ride! The weather forecaster is saying we're on track to break the record for the driest September & October on record.

First Ride of the New Year!

 My first miles in January!  Ever!  After weeks of biting cold, today it warmed to 50!  The winds were in the teens, but not enough to stop me from going out to see what the trail was like.  

Smokey, outside Mineola~

I decided to leave from Mineola & ride the uphill grade to Margaritaville.  It was the same tough uphill grade.  The wind is always hitting me head-on when heading north, but once I'm around the corner & get into the shelter of the hills, it lessens.

Keg Creek~

This was the first time I've seen Keg Creek from the trail bridge, frozen.  I stopped a few times on my way.  A Cardinal few by, as did a big Hawk.

A vacant Margaritaville~

It's always a relief to reach the top of the grade.  I went on to Dumfries to get in a full four miles, before turning back to take a break.  The further I went; the more snow was on the trail.  Still not a lot, but enough to make riding a little more technical.  There were many sticks & branches under the snow too.

Smokey on the snow~

I'd only seen two women out walking the entire way.  Back at Margaritaville, I was only too happy to sit on the swing & enjoy the sun.  It was so quiet, not even the sound of birds.  All the trash bins had been moved to the new covered area to keep them out of the winds.  The POW flag was down.  I took it the rest of the way off the post, rolled it up & put it under the cover too.

View to the west~

This area has received even more bike racks over the last year or two, the new covered area & lots of picnic tables.  All will receive a lot of use on the Thursday evening Taco Rides this coming year.  I avoid the trail like the plaque those days!

Goodyear tires!

Smokey's tires did a Super job on the trail!  The snow was still crunchy on top, then could be slippery underneath.  The trail surface was still rock hard, but a layer of fine grit, covered the tires & fenders.  Never once did the bike slip.

Smokey & Mineola~

I love the view from this spot.  There's a bench to sit on here too.  Sadly, even with a trash container, trash was everywhere.  I picked it up, before I left.  The ride back is my very favorite part!  All downhill, so fun the entire way.  I did take it easier though, not wanting to ruin my good ride with a slip.

Back over Keg Creek~

The minute the sun started setting lower in the sky, I could feel the temperature dropping.  The wind felt colder too.  I was happy to have timed the ride well enough to still have sun back at the Explorer.  Coming into the trailhead, there were two other cars.  Two people out walking & one other with a bike rack.  I'm hoping to get out again tomorrow.  We've cold, freezing rain/snow forecast for Friday, along with another full week of cold temperatures.  It feels like a l o n g way till spring!