Windy & Warm Sunday ~

 Sunshine, warm temperatures, humidity & wind.  We stopped for a donut on our way north.  We decided to leave from the Wabash Trailhead at Council Bluffs.  This is northern most point of the trail & connects to the Lake Manawa trail system.  

The bikes are ready to go~

The parking area was almost full, but there was still several spots open.  Most riders were going out on the Trace.  Instead - we took the paved path along the side of  E. South Omaha Bridge Road.

Looking up at Interstate 29~

A sharp turn to the south & the trail goes under Interstate 29.  Another turn to the west & we connected with the trail along Manawa Drive.  It was great to have the big dark clouds over us, blocking the hot sun.  We could hear the noise from the traffic above, but not for long.

Mosquito Creek~

Can you guess how this creek got it's name?  Thankfully, it doesn't seem to be an issue now!  Riding into the wind & out in the open, we were glad when we turned into the park.

By the time we reached the west side of the park & were riding the long stretch along Indian Creek, a big cloud rolled in.  It started sprinkling, the rain drops felt so good!  We made the turn east & crossed the bridge.  The trail across the south end of the lake & through the big Cottonwoods is my favorite.  

Butch~

The clouds continued to follow us.  Just shortly after we'd stopped, another rider came by from the opposite direction.  He pointed over his shoulder & yelled;  "Turkey"!  Sure enough, we could see a big tom turkey off to the side.  I stopped, got my phone & just as I was taking the photo, he disappeared into the underbrush!  I couldn't believe how fast he was!  He missed his photo op!  :-)

Butch adjusting his seat~

This was Butch's longest ride to date on his new bike, he adjusted his seat, adjusted mine a time or two & moved my handlebars just a little toward my seat.  

We were riding around a blind corner, one of the few on the trail, when suddenly coming at us was a large group of five or more riders, on rental, electric bikes.  They took up the entire trail & were going too fast...  The guy in the lead yelled at his companions & they avoided us in the nick-of-time.  We'd seen the rentals at the trailhead.  Butch said we'd have to try them sometime.  The problem I see - is people unused to riding - or trail etiquette - renting them.

Going under the train tracks~

Leaving from the trailhead, added four-miles to our ride.  By the time we were back at the Bronco, we'd covered 11-miles.  

Our route~

We loaded the bikes - then - since it was on our way home...  We had to stop at Tastee Treat!  Their pulled, barbeque chicken & hush puppies are my favorite!  I topped that off with a root-beer freeze!  I think we consumed at least as many calories as we'd burned!  :-)

Breezy' s Upgrades~

 Hot, into the 80's.  Humid, .17 of rain last night.  The trail was sticky & soft in places.  Even so, it was the only day this week thunderstorms weren't in the forecast.  I loaded Breezy & we went to Silver City.  As I pulled in, I couldn't help but notice a small group of riders...  

Bikes in town~

The bike stand my Mari Jo's shop was full, with bikes coming down the trail.  Obviously an organized ride.  As I walked in the door, a large group of customers were leaving.  Even more came in as I left.  Mari Jo had the bike tool Butch had been looking for, we sat it aside for when I returned.

Mari Jo & a customer~

I took advantage of a break in the trail traffic - in the hope of opening some ride space.  The wind gusts, as I left town, were fierce!  A large thunderhead rolled over & the wind calmed.

The lush greens are here!  The humidity, 68% - impossible to photograph.  

When I saw riders coming up from behind, most of the time, I pulled off to the side.  It was easier than maintaining a straight line of travel with so many bikes on the trail.

New Serfas Seat~

My latest new seat, came in Wednesday's mail.  I decided I could put it on myself.  I was thankful Butch's bike was sitting there, so I could see what needed to happen when a piece fell out!  :-)  The jury is still out.  It will take more miles - but I wasn't sore at the end of the ride.  I do like that it's shorter from front to back, making it easer to mount & dismount.

Handlebars lowered!

Another thing I noticed right away, my shoulders were hurting.  They had been hurting after my last few rides.  A light went off!  I realized we'd lowered my seat, but I hadn't lowered the handlebars!  I couldn't wait to get to Agriland, so Butch could look at them.  He adjusted the lower.  The return trip I picked up the pace.  My shoulders felt so much better!  Funny, it took me 70-miles to recognize the problem.

Near the Malvern park~

Leaving Malvern, I turned back to get the photo above.  Written since I'd gone by the first time.  Taking the new walkway, I rode part of the way around the lake.

Plenty of food vendors!

Many of the riders had full saddle bags.  Tents were already being set up.  Everyone was enjoying such a beautiful day & pretty park.

Lots of tents too~

It was nice to have the trail to myself on the return north.  Only a few stragglers were heading south toward Malvern.  

Breezy, new pedals, new seat, lowered handlebars~

Even with the heat, humidity & wind, I felt strong on the way back.  I'd forgot to turn off the Garmin when I reached Silver City.  The extra few minutes, made a difference in my over all time on the 17-miles.  It seems I'm gaining ground & enjoying this bike more with every ride.

It's eight months tomorrow since my accident.  The leg still hurts, it still hurts to pedal, but I think I've gained a tiny bit of ROM in both my knee & ankle.  Forward progress!

S M O O T H Ride!

Sunshine!  After clouds & a light rain yesterday.  Mid-70's & a perfect day!  Butch loaded our bikes & we drove up to Lake Manawa State Park.   This has become one of our favorite, close get-a-ways.  We were amazed at how quiet the park was, we were the only car in this parking area.

Ready to ride!

We are going to be just So spoiled by this weather.  I'd hoped for more rain yesterday & last night, but the weatherman says we'll have a wet week.  Butch helped me try to adjust my seat a little more.  (I have a different seat on order & hope it arrives next week.)  I could lower it an inch more, but my knee doesn't have enough ROM for that.  Instead we tipped the front down just a little.  I have to get into the habit having the breaks on & of putting my right foot down first.

Construction on the new campground moving right along~

The air is so clear after the rain, Omaha is next door anyway.  I like seeing a skyline that isn't crowded with tall buildings.  

Love the wildflowers!

We took the little loop trail & were rewarded by the purple flowers.  With all the trees almost leafed out, the dappled shade is  wonderful.  We even had a little humidity - the first of the season!

Butch lovin' Smokey~

Our timing was perfect - we made it across all the road intersections - only stopping at the busiest.  I dismounted to walk Breezy across.

Cloud shadows~

The bikes were just amazing!  I get so used to the Wabash, I forget how different it is to ride on a paved surface!  So very smooth!  I kept looking at my Garmin in disbelief.  I asked Butch at one point how fast he thought we were going?  We'd been easily doing 11.5 mph.  Almost 5-mph. faster than on the Electra's.  Of course my last time here in early March, had been my first time on a bike since the accident.

Across Indian Creek Bridge~

Neither of us even broke a sweat.  It was about 75 degrees & no wind.  The warmth felt good, as cool as our spring has been.  We were back at the Explorer almost too fast!  We were having so much fun, we could have done the loop a second time!

The Explorer Waits~

But, Butch needed to get home to mow & I still had more marigolds to plant.  We decided the Electra's will go up for sale.

Our route~

These bikes make riding a pleasure. We did the 7+ mile loop in under an hour. Not that we didn't enjoy our Electra's, but we've had them since March of 2013. They were fine for getting us back on two-wheels. Now, our new ones will give us many more miles of riding fun!

Challenging Ride ~

 Another of a string of perfect spring days!  How lucky can we be?  Probably the nicest spring weather we've had since our move to Iowa.  Butch met me as I parked the Bronco by his shop.  By 2:30 p.m. I was on the trail & heading south toward Imogene.

One of the many bridges~

For whatever reason, I wasn't quite up to par today.  Later, I realized it was probably because I'd ridden on Monday & hadn't given myself enough time-off.  Regardless, I was looking forward to seeing a section of the trail I've only ridden three or four times.

Perfect quiet~

When I stopped to take an electrolyte, I couldn't help but notice the quiet!  It was so perfectly quiet - I could have heard a pin drop.  With light winds, just the occasional chirping of the birds broke the stillness.

On the White Cloud Trestle~

I'd forgotten about the trestle bridge here.  Slightly shorter than the one over Silver Creek, it's still an amazing tribute to railroad history.  About eight-miles in, another rider passed me.  He looked familiar & sure enough, it was Mari Jo's friend Doug.  We stopped to chat for a few minutes.  He had turned back north, having ridden from Mineola!

Just a mile or so further, the trail maintenance truck was blocking the entire trail, with the drivers side door open.  I was in the middle of the long, hard, uphill grade.  I was just ready to announce my presence, when the gentleman got back in the truck & moved it further up the trail.  Back on Breezy - it was only another half-mile until again - here he was.  This time, he said he would move further ahead.  

At Cottonwood Pass!

Not long after, a road crossed the trail.  The truck was stopped & on the far side was a tractor with the brush blade, cutting the side of the trail.  I skirted by on the drivers side.  With the crest of the hill behind me, it was a relief to be able to make time.  I think I had used every one of Breezy' s gears to make it to this point!

Out on the "flats"~

A Great Blue Heron had taken to the air just as I reached the bridge before this one.  He was huge & he was so beautiful.  As I stopped for a short break, it was only a minute or two until I heard the tractor coming behind me.  He was making good speed out in the open.

Close to town~

By now, I was feeling a bit pushed...  I knew I was only a couple miles out from town & it would be a relief to be off the trail & out of the way...  (I checked the page when we got home, but nothing was mentioned about the maintenance work on this section.)

Rough trail~

For the last several miles, the trail surface looked like this...  Heavily rutted by a tractor tire on the left, piles of loose rock on the right.  It made it technical & more tiring, with my limited depth perception, to find a track for Breezy' s tires.

By the time Imogene was in front of me, I stopped too suddenly & lost control of the bike.  It was a slow motion fall onto my bad knee.  Thankfully - no damage done - to either me - or Breezy.  But, I knew I'd tackled this section a little too soon.  Last time, I'd had over 380- miles under my wheels, this time, not even 200.  I was also amazed Speedy & I had actually done this section round-trip!  I don't think that will happen this season!

I heard the Bronco, as Butch pulled in to pick me up.  We'd decided on dinner at the Emerald Isle.  The only place to eat in town & I was starved!  Now, I've tested myself, I'm going back to being more sensible!  At least for the time being.  :-)

Another First Ride~

 The original Verve I bought in Kansas - we returned to the Omaha Trek for a full refund.  Butch had purchased his bike at the Bike Rack in Omaha.  I was happy to find the bike I'd driven so far for - closer to home.  We picked up another Verve 3 Lowstep, on Saturday.  No screws broken off in the frame, fenders properly installed, as were the brakes & shifters!

Today, was this bikes first time on the trail.  Mari Jo was ready to ride & I was happy to have company!  The weather was just stunning, cool & hardly any wind.

New Verve with the Bronco~

Butch put the new rear racks on both our bikes, yesterday.  It was nice to have all my "stuff" back with me.  As we rode toward Malvern, we ran into the trail maintenance crew cutting some of the tree snags & pulling invasive vines out of the trees.  The mower was going through too.

Mari Jo - the Marlin & Breezy

We were in no hurry, it was so nice to be able to ride side by side & talk.  Before, with Speedy, I had a more difficult time peddling & talking too.  :-)  

Breezy on the Trestle~

The miles seemed to fly by.  As Mari Jo said, it's about riding smarter, not harder!  This bike makes that statement so true!  My bad leg is getting more used to the peddle position, which helps.

Corn coming up!

The corn is already turning the fields a light shade of green!  We had almost an inch of very welcome rain on Sat.  Just what was needed to make the plant life pop.

Our Way back~

It was the easiest 16-miles I think I've ridden.  Mari Jo helped me find my way through the gears & noticed I didn't ask to stop as often either!  A combination of the new bike & another week of healing for my leg.  I'm planning to tackle the ride from Agriland to Imogene on Wed.  It'll be interesting to see how well Breezy does on Cottonwood Pass!

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. 

Our New Rides!

 We decided to visit Omaha & the Bike Rack.  After the empty Trek store, we were amazed at the selection!  They were stocked with many different bikes, including a great selection of Trek.  Butch really like the Verve 2.   Both of us wondered how the Trek Dealers can compete, when independent dealers have stock they don't?  By yesterday afternoon, we were picking up Butch's new bike!  

Butch & his new Trek Verve~

  We stopped for an early dinner on our way home.  With enough time, before sunset, Butch put our bike rack on the Explorer & loaded both bikes.  We bought a new Saris Adapter Bar for my bike.  It fits tighter & opens easier.  It also doesn't have anything to scratch the frame.

On the Trail~

It was a beautiful evening.  The strong winds that buffeted us all day, had finally died down a little.  The Sweet William was now in full bloom along the trail.  The smell of the plum blooms filled the air.

Butch adjusting his seat~

This was our trial ride, lots of stopping to adjust - just about everything!  Butch took off ahead of me.  It had only taken one stroke of the pedal to put my knee in pain.  We'd removed the shock from my seat post to lower the seat even more, but now, it was too low.  Butch moved it up & now we think the shock can go back on.  

Silver Creek Trestle~

I was constantly trying to put my rear farther back than the seat.  Butch asked;  "Are you trying to ride on the rear fender?"  We were both doing the same thing!  We've been spoiled by the comfortable ride of the Electra's with flat-foot technology.  Butch moved our seats to the furthest back position & that helped.  Butch was loving the ride & easily outdistanced me!

Our Verve Bikes ~

It was the first time Butch had been to the Trestle.  It's always a beautiful spot, but was especially so, late in the day.  It's the mid-point between Silver City & Malvern, four-miles from each.  We turned back & this time the wind was coming at us.

Evening sun~

My legs were shot by the time we were back at the Explorer...  I've done so many miles on Speedy, the change will be more difficult.  I'm even wondering, if I'll be able to ride this bike, without more pain in the left knee & ankle.  I sure wouldn't have been riding as early as I was - if it weren't for Speedy.

Butch is sold, the jury is out for me.  More adjustments, more riding & we'll see how I feel.  This bike is faster, for sure.  More gears & such easy shifting will make the inclines so much easier.  If & it's a big IF, my leg can adapt.  Fingers crossed.