2021 - In Review~

 Five years & how fast they've gone.  December of 2020, we had three snowstorms.  Nika was in her element!  Even so, there were some beautiful days with plenty of sunshine. 

12-31-2020 Nika~

January continued the trend with a blizzard mid-month.  Snow was added to piles of snow. Between storms, I took Speedy out & with Butch watching, tried peddling.  I could make a full rotation.  All the weeks of physical therapy & work at the Y paid off.  Nika & I enjoyed our winter woods walks too.

1-11-2021 Taking Speedy out for a trial run~

This February, I had no ambition to visit WA.  Having spent most of last fall there recovering, I was happy to be home.  I asked about adding color to the walls in the house & Butch took on the project.

2-4-21 The office wall~

To celebrate our birthday's - we made a road trip to Glenwood Springs, CO.  Our home in the early 80's.  Soaking in the pool & watching the snow fall, had always been one of our favorite things.  We hiked at Rifle Falls & enjoyed a long weekend.

2-6-21 Glenwood Hot Springs Pool~

Back home, we hadn't missed another heavy blast of snow!  

2-21-21 The Cabin~

Enough already!  Shoveling had been an everyday routine for way too long!  Late February & into March, the weather moderated & the snow started melting.  Mari Jo & I took walks with our dogs out on the Wabash Trace.  I rode my bike for the first time with Butch, around Lake Manawa!

3-6-21 Connie & Speedy~

It wasn't easy, but it was sure wonderful to be out on two wheels!  By the end of the month, the grass was green again & my little daffodils were blooming!

3-30-21 Color!

By April, all the wildflowers were in bloom & spring had arrived in a big way!  In the marsh, I found new wildflowers - Dutchman's Breechs.  I was riding up to 17-miles on the Wabash Trace & visiting Butch at Agriland!

4-15-21 Speedy at Agriland

May, I was ready again for a different bike.  I really enjoyed riding the Townie, but thought I needed more gears for the long grades of the trail.  Most of my shopping was done on-line.  The Trek bike in the size I needed, was in Kansas City, KS.  I made the drive to pick up a Verve 3 Lowstep,

5-3-2021 Trek Verve Bikes~

Butch ended up buying a new Trek too & soon was outdistancing me on the trails.  Memorial Day weekend, we stayed over in Creston, rode our bikes & attended the Memorial Day services at the Greenfield Cemetery.

5-21-21 Creston Quilt Show

Once June arrived, I spent the days I wasn't riding, working outside. Butch worked to finish the ceiling in the cabin.  He put up the steel panels, while I sanded & painted the trusses.

7-26-21 Cabin finished~

July, daughter Courtney & grandson Mason came for a visit!  We would have kept them for the summer! :-)  We did all the fun things we could think of & a few more.  Mason loved his tour with Papa & checking out the big tractor.  The weather couldn't have been better.  Not hot, not humid, as perfect as a July could be.  Things were too quiet when the two of them left for home.

7-8-21 Mason in the John Deere~

August, with Butch laid off from Agriland, he had time to install the new windows for the house.  The difference they've made is incredible.  The installation led to removing the vinyl siding, adding vapor barrier & painting the shutters.

8-19-21 New windows, painted shutters~

The marigolds I'd planted in the usual spot along the south fence, provided us with color all summer. Butch put in a block wall along the west end of the house.  He also cut shutters for the Cabin windows.  We planted a new row of Emerald Greens along the north split rail fence. (Our second attempt at getting something to grow there.)

8-20-21 Marigolds~

September, Butch was driving a dump truck part time for a local company.  He was also back to driving the school bus.  We took an extended weekend trip to Mason City.  A town resplendent with Frank Lloyd Wright architecture.  Butch finished training & received his Class A driver's license.  (He also passed the test for hazmat certification.)  The bikes went with us, we rode the High Trestle Trail north of Des Moines on our way home.

9-18-21 High Trestle Trail Bridge~

October was mild & beautiful!  We had the big Walnut tree out front trimmed to clean up the damage from the August Derecho.  It produced a bumper crop of walnuts!  I hired the neighbor kids to help with the continual pickup.  It kept me busy for at least an hour a day for weeks!  I used the chips from the walnut to cover my trails.

10-11-2021 Walnut

November second, we had our first hard frost.  The leaves fell from the trees like rain.  It was totally beautiful out on the trail.  After a season of over 600 miles on the Verve, I came to the conclusion it was more work to ride, than fun.  Butch took me bike shopping again.  The Bike Rack put together a Cannondale Adventure in my size & I loved it.   It was not only fun to ride, but much easier to get on & off!  

11-2-2021 On the Wabash~

 After an extensive search & many phone calls, Butch found one in the size & model I needed.  The only problem was that the bike was in Seattle!  I called Alaska & changed my February flight reservations.  Right after Thanksgiving, I left for the Pacific NW.

I don't need an excuse to visit the Grandkids - staying with the Peters is always fun family time!  Courtney took me to pick up the new bike in Ballard.  We added a shopping detour to University Village.  The following day, we drove over the pass to Ellensburg.  Cassidy was returning to CWU after Thanksgiving break.  I really enjoyed seeing how she'd personalized her dorm room! 

11-28-2021 Cassidy & Grammy~

I tagged along with Courtney & Mason for Mason's doctor visit at the hospital.  Followed by ice cream!  It rained almost every day of my two weeks stay.  Courtney & I worked on craft projects & shopped at some of our favorite stores.  Lynn & I fit in lunch at the Maltby Cafe.  Afterward, we took a tour of the new housing construction around Monroe.  We went to see the horses, then ended the day at Lynn & Jack's new home in Sultan. 

9-5-2018 Butch with Farah, Iowa ~

After almost a year of positive texts from Farah's owner, she told me Farah was acting up on the way back to the barn & had scared her.  She was going to list Farah for sale.  I started checking with friends to find her a new home.  

Within just days, a sale happened. I wasn't told who to - until after Farah had been picked up.  It didn't take long before I found out it was a woman; I'd had a falling out with years ago.  She was well aware I would have stopped the sale, had I known.  I can only hope those who understand my ongoing commitment to Farah's welfare, will keep me posted as to her future well-being.

12-9-2021 Loess Hills~

Iowa from the air, is always such a welcome sight.  As difficult as it is to be so far away from our family, a couple weeks in the hustle & bustle of the Pacific Northwest is enough for me.  Seeing the Loess Hills come into view feels so right.

The second half of December was mild enough I was able to get Smokey out for a first ride!  I'm hoping for at least a few rideable days this winter. 

12-11-2021 Smokey ~

The beginning our sixth year & another New Year!  We appreciate more than ever, our home & life here in the Midwest.  If we could just convince the kids to move here too! :-)

Happy New Year - 2022!

Past Year - 2020~

My Last Ride on Breezy~

  I was determined to get in a ride, before I leave for Seattle.  Determined too, to reach my 600-mile goal for the year on Breezy.  Mari Jo agreed to accompany me.  It was only due to her encouragement - that I got it done!  It wasn't easy, it was darn chilly low 40's & the wind just kept picking  up...

Breezy, ready to go~

It's a Great husband & a Super friend who don't remind you, of past mistakes.  It was a big mistake to buy a bike without riding it.  But even a short ride at a bike shop, really doesn't tell you how a bike will perform or how you will feel riding it.  That takes time & miles.

Mari Jo, freezing along with me!

I knew I had twelve-miles to ride, to make 600, so we decided on the Hwy 34 underpass.  We were only a couple miles out, when we realized the wind was picking up & the temperature dropping.  

Breezy has been a chore for me to ride...  I was getting so discouraged I was ready to stop riding.  I was thinking my health, or fitness had diminished.  None of my rides on Breezy even came close to matching those I'd done on Speedy.  I blamed my injury, but after a year, I'd hoped to see more improvement.

On the trestle~

It was tempting to stop at the trestle & turn back, but since tomorrow is slated to be in the 30's & I leave Friday, this was the day.

Turn-around point~

The sky looked so ominous.  Mari Jo commented more like December/Winter - than the last of November.  Luckily, we had a lot of news to catch up on!  The conversation sure made the miles go faster!  I don't think I could have accomplished it - without the new low gears.  I was riding in 1,2 & 3 going south.

Looking like winter~

When we turned back...  WOW!  The wind hit us full force!  It was frigid!  We had no choice but to keep on truckin' - but we commented "Crazy" was a true description of us both!  The 12.5 mile ride had taken 2.5 hours.  Not bad when you consider the wind.

I'm excited to announce I'm getting a new bike!  

Cannondale Adventure EQ

When we were waiting for Breezy's cassette to be installed, we walked through the new bikes.  The Cannondale stopped me in my tracks.  It just had the right look!  They had none in my size on the floor, but Bike Rack is such a great shop.  They offered to build up the only small they had left, even knowing it wasn't the model I wanted.  

The first of the week they called, the bike was ready.  I got on & about a split second later was literally flying around the parking lot!  I rode it down the steep little hill, around the lower parking area & back up the hill effortlessly!  Butch said he hadn't seen me so happy riding in ages.  I felt like I could have ridden all day!

The problem, was finding a bike.  I called Cannondale, they said;  "All gone, no more coming."  Butch got on-line, searching with every search engine.  He found one at Gregg's Cycle in the Greenlake area of Seattle.  We confirmed at least three times - it was the bike I wanted in the size I needed.  

Butch said;  "Call Alaska & see what they'll charge for you to bring it home."  I did & made a reservation.  The charge for the bike, is only $40.  Gregg's Cycle explained their policy was to build up the bikes they sell, but they'll put it back in the box for shipment without a charge.

Two wonderful excuses to visit up north again!  Seeing the Grandkids & picking up my new ride!

Changing Gears ~

 The more miles I've ridden my Verve 3, the more I've decided I'm struggling on the long gradual grades.  It's been hard to compare my speed over the same route from last season - both my due to my leg injury & the change in bikes from the Townie.  Coming close to 600-miles for the year, the grades have become a real chore.  

I seem to pedal, pedal, pedal, then have to actually stop, take a short break & return to pedaling.  Yes, I did that before my injury & with the Townie, but not as often as I have been.  It's hard to compare apples to oranges, or 7-speed Townies to an 18-speed Verve, but it's felt like my work load has increased.

I'm certainly nowhere near the category of a strong rider, but I don't feel like I'm a weak one either.  Maybe more middle-of-the-trail.  I did like longer sections of the trail, but my riding has been more sporadic than I'd hoped this fall.  When it feels more like a chore than fun, my motivation wanes...  Butch, on his Verve 2, with totally different gearing, has been moving out way ahead of me.  Before - on our Electra's - he usually brought up the rear.

We loaded my Verve & visited the Bike Rack in Omaha this afternoon.  We were the only ones in the store & were lucky to find their most knowledgeable tech person on duty.  He too, kindly listened to my complaints (& praise of the Townie) before getting on his computer. 

He came up with a idea he thought might help solve my issues.  A new $45. Cassette Sprocket.  He said it sounded to him, like I was looking for gears I just didn't have.  On the original rear cassette - CS-HG-200-9 - first gear was literally useless.  Second wasn't much better, my feet would spin, but the bike was traveling almost nowhere.  Over several miles, I would end up in third or fourth & then need rest breaks.

The expense to totally change the bike out to the gearing of a Verve 2 would be a couple hundred dollars & there are literally no parts to be had anywhere.  Luckily for me, he found a cassette he thought might improve my ride & actually had one on the shelf!  It was installed in just a few minutes.

New Cassett Sprocket CS-HG-400-9

Butch decided I should try it out on a flat, smooth stretch of trail first.  We drove to the north Wabash Trail-head, where it connects to the  Lake Manawa trails.  I was wearing street clothes & the wind was brutal!  Coming right at me as I headed to the trail underpass.

The first thing I noticed, was how smoothly the bike was shifting.  Going into the wind I quickly moved down through the gears from 6 to 5 & right on down to second!  I still had a decent bite to each rotation of the pedals.  Finally, with a big gust, I moved down to first.  I could still make headway!  It was slow going, but I was making forward progress!

Into the wind~

There's a short but steep hill on both sides, I navigated them easily.  The trail was closed further on, I couldn't see why, but turned back to where Butch was waiting.  From there, we drove to the Mineola Trail-head.

My turn-around - north of Mineola~

Thankfully, the wind wasn't as strong.  It was such a nice day, 70+ degrees & several people were out riding.  Both directions are uphill grades, I decided to ride north.  

(I was tired, Nika had escaped last night & I spent the night looking for her & worrying about her.  No sleep for me :-(  By early a.m. I had finally passed out when we heard a knock at the door.  The local police officer telling us our dog was loose.  Butch finally corralled her...)

I'd only planned to ride maybe a mile out, but soon realized pedaling wasn't the effort it had been.  As I again moved down through the gears, I was still making decent forward progress in second & even first.  The low gears had more of the bite - of the lower gears on my Townie.  I rode a little further before turning back.  I shifted into the second set of gears, now on the downhill grade.  The shift was whisper smooth & as I moved up through those gears, found them totally useable.  

New Cassette box - original cassette~

It was a short trial run, but I felt it was successful.  It will take a longer ride to see if the improvement is enough to keep me on this bike.  I've put so much into it & do not like the new version we saw at the store.  Many of the parts are replacements & they do not have the upscale look, or smooth design features of the original 2021 Verve's.  The only bikes left in stock were either large or extra large.  

Breezy on the Keg Creek Bridge~

On the way home, we both commented on our luck in buying our bikes earlier this year, when the bikes had all original components.  I'm hoping to get in another ride this week, though the weather is looking more iffy & the winds aren't due to calm down until the weekend.  Fingers Crossed~

Last Days of Summer~

 This is the first September I've been home in three-years.  I'm again, looking forward to enjoying the trails, in the more moderate weather of fall. With today's ride I reached 513-miles year-to-date.  September fourth of last year, (What ended up being my last ride.) riding Speedy, my total mileage was 542.  I'd fully expected to come home the end of the month & continue riding, but that didn't happen.  It's taken a lot more determination - to reach the milestone this year.  Looking back on my first few rides, it's been a long way & not just in miles.

Into the welcome shade!

It had been a week since I'd been on the trail.  As the trees start to drop their leaves, the shade is getting thinner.  Today, was forecast as the coolest for the next several.  Mid-80's didn't seem very cool, with high humidity coming up from the south.  We're supposed to see 90 again over this weekend.  This morning was actually brisk, with a low in the 50's.  A sign fall is around the corner.   

Crops turning gold~

I stopped to chat with Mari Jo.  We're both looking forward to riding, after the shop is closed for the season.  Several riders from out-of-state had visited, just in the last week.  Mari Jo was kept busy fixing flats.

Wild Grapes~

In 2020 my first ride was April first. This year, with early nice weather, we rode around Lake Manawa the first week of March. Even with an earlier start, this summer's heat/humidity didn't provide as many decent days for riding.

Breezy on the Trestle~

May 3rd, was the first ride on the Verve 3.  It took a while to re-adjust to the different pedal position in relation to the seat.  Of the miles I've ridden this year, 434 have been on the Verve.  

Leaving Malvern behind~

I still miss not having Butch waiting for me in Malvern.  It always provided the extra little push that motivated me on this long (for me) ride.  Our new rest break is the picnic table at the little depot.  No one was around today.  The afternoon was only getting warmer & more humid.  I ate a few pumpkin seeds, before starting back.

The golden corn left, soybeans - right~

The Malvern water tower is in the upper right.  The golden crops in the fields are another sure sign fall will be upon us.  Even the smells in the air are changing to drier, more earthy odors.

Creek almost dry, filtered sunshine~

Just a couple other riders were out today, neither took the time to respond to my hello.  Once back at Happy Trails, as I used Breezy' s seat to lift the bike & found myself holding the seat, still attached to the seatpost in my hand!  The entire piece had released from the seat tube.  Upon further inspection, I saw the threads were completely disengaged, under the rubber cover of the shock. 

Threaded ring at the top of the seatpost.  In correct position & tightened down.  The rubber shock cover usually hides this.

 At home, Butch pulled in just as I was unloading Breezy from the rack.  He looked at the seatpost, seat tube etc.  We both thought it strange, so decided to go look at his bike.  His was loose too!  Not completely disengaged, but about half-way.  Since his bike gets less than half the miles mine does, that made sense.  He thinks just the vibration of riding is enough, over time to loosed the cover screw.  I pushed down on my seat, while Butch tightened it back up.  Just an FYI for Verve riders.

Sunday Cruise ~

 Really a nice day, cooler, mid-80's & slightly lower humidity.  After our Sunday brunch out & running a few errands, we returned home & loaded the bikes.  The trail head parking in Malvern was full.  We planned to leave from Agriland - plenty of parking for us there.

Leaving Agriland, in Malvern~

Butch hadn't ridden since the end of May, when we'd enjoyed Green Valley State Park.  We decided on the shade of the trail.

Butch & the bikes~

This was also the first time he'd ridden with the new Tannus Amour Tire Inserts.  He didn't notice any change in the way the bike handled.  At Bike Rack, where he had them installed, we were told they'd never had a bike come in with a flat that had them.

Our turn-around at the Trestle~

Such a gorgeous afternoon.  We took our time & enjoyed the scenery.

Bee Balm~

It's one of the most pleasant portions of the trail - not much elevation & quiet.  It didn't seem to take any time at all, until we were returning to Agriland.

The Verve's with the Floater~

I couldn't resist getting a photo of our bikes with the Floater!  They don't even come to the top of the tires!

On the Rack~

Here's how Butch loads both bikes on the new Yakima rack.  They fit perfectly, are super easy to load & stay stable.  This set up should work well, when we travel longer distances to ride.  The only thing we do different with my low-step, is to attach the center mounting bracket to the post going up to the seat.  It doesn't fit well on the enlarged front post.

So fun riding with my husband!

Racing Rain ~

 Another cooler day, lighter winds, slight chance of rain.  Butch would be at Agriland, so it was my day to try another ride with the Verve.  Our new rear racks arrived just as I was leaving.  Parking by Happy Trails, Mari Jo came over to see what I was up to.  It took us both, to figure out how to get the rack installed.  (Butch had put the original seat post with the shock back on & changed out the seat I'd purchased, back to the original.  He added my rear-view mirror too.)  I was late leaving -  Butch usually expects me between 3 & 3:30.

2:29 p.m. A different "Between the Bar's" look!

The clouds were looking a little more ominous as I headed south.  My leg was really stiff & sore, I just kept pedaling.  Even though it hurts, I really believe the work gives more circulation to my leg & will help the nerves to heal.

Flowers & my bike~

The new rack worked, I like having my pack with me on the trail.  It holds what I deem essential.  Especially, if I should be out there longer than I expect.  A head-lamp, first-aid supplies, electrolytes, water, etc.  Some of the items I'd carried in my saddle bag forever, are still with me :-)

Rain catching up to us!

When I felt the first raindrop, I was glad I'd brought my jacket!  It went on, just about 2-miles from my destination.  I picked up my pace, once I reached the concrete.  Butch was waiting at the shop door - he was wondering if I'd make it before the rain came!  I was about 20-min. later than usual.

Visit to Agriland

Butch looked at my installation work on the rack.  I hadn't needed the spacers or longer screws, he fixed that!  A couple of the men came over to check out my new ride.  The rain had stopped & though I hadn't really wanted to do the ride back to Silver City, I did! 

Plums in full bloom along the stream~

So far, this month has had some incredibly beautiful days.  I was glad I'd decided to ride back, I began to feel more comfortable on the bike.  I want to do a few more tweaks, but overall - the last four-miles in to Silver City went faster & more smoothly than any I've done in a while.  

My overall speed went up again to 7.6, the fastest pace since returning to the trail in March.  I've still a couple miles an hour to gain - to match my best time.  (That, before the accident & while riding Speedy last year.)  With just over 25-miles on this bike, it's feeling more comfortable.  I'm getting a decent stroke on the pedals & using more of the gears.  I'm hopeful now - this bike is going to be an improvement.