Winter Views: Taking Advantage

Following the "trail" left by some yahoos.

 We recently have gone through one of those classic post-snowstorm cold snaps that the Mid-West is famous for. After receiving about 8 inches of "sugar-snow" (not good for fat biking due to lower moisture content), we then went down a slide of the mercury sort to reach a low of -20 on Tuesday morning. 

That was at 6:00am in the morning. By about 1:00 pm we had climbed to be at 12 degrees above zero. 1 chose not to do much of any riding until we got to Tuesday afternoon as a result.

I decided to plunk around a local cemetery I live near and it turned out to be that it was a good decision. The caretakers decided not to plow every single pathway in the place, so that left opportunities to test my fat bike handling and pedaling skills in deeper snow. Plus, apparently it afforded a yahoo or two to test their vehicle around near the perimeter of the property. 

I discovered the tracks leading off a plowed section and heading off in the direction of the back end of the property. i decided to follow them to see where they came out on the other side, because I did not note any tracks where, traditionally, you would exit on the others side. Or was that where they entered? I don't know.... Off I went!

It turned out that I was not mistaken and that this vehicle had turned around with about 100 yards to go and went back the way they had come. So, I decided to power on through. Knowing speed was my friend, I hammered my way across and I actually cleared the virgin gap of snow without dabbing. That was good. 

It's been a good little stretch for fat biking, with the exception of the cold snap. However; it looks like we may have warmer than freezing temperatures for an extended period of days, and that might change things for the worse, especially with a higher Sun angle now. 

Spring..... Coming Soon!

Winter Views: Taking Advantage

Following the "trail" left by some yahoos.

 We recently have gone through one of those classic post-snowstorm cold snaps that the Mid-West is famous for. After receiving about 8 inches of "sugar-snow" (not good for fat biking due to lower moisture content), we then went down a slide of the mercury sort to reach a low of -20 on Tuesday morning. 

That was at 6:00am in the morning. By about 1:00 pm we had climbed to be at 12 degrees above zero. 1 chose not to do much of any riding until we got to Tuesday afternoon as a result.

I decided to plunk around a local cemetery I live near and it turned out to be that it was a good decision. The caretakers decided not to plow every single pathway in the place, so that left opportunities to test my fat bike handling and pedaling skills in deeper snow. Plus, apparently it afforded a yahoo or two to test their vehicle around near the perimeter of the property. 

I discovered the tracks leading off a plowed section and heading off in the direction of the back end of the property. i decided to follow them to see where they came out on the other side, because I did not note any tracks where, traditionally, you would exit on the others side. Or was that where they entered? I don't know.... Off I went!

It turned out that I was not mistaken and that this vehicle had turned around with about 100 yards to go and went back the way they had come. So, I decided to power on through. Knowing speed was my friend, I hammered my way across and I actually cleared the virgin gap of snow without dabbing. That was good. 

It's been a good little stretch for fat biking, with the exception of the cold snap. However; it looks like we may have warmer than freezing temperatures for an extended period of days, and that might change things for the worse, especially with a higher Sun angle now. 

Spring..... Coming Soon!

Winter Views: Birthday Ride

Escape Route: Green Belt Trails

Well, first of all, I want to thank all of you that bothered to take the time to offer your well wishes and cheers on the occasion of my birthday on Monday. I very much appreciated those comments both here and elsewhere on social media and in messages. 

Many well-wishers advised that I go for a bicycle ride, and of course, that is exactly what I did. The "frosting" we had on the tress and shrubs was still in effect, miraculously so, and with the addition of Sun, which we hadn't had in quite some while, it was a glorious day for a ride.

It was also frigid cold. 

So, I took out my Blackborow DS since it is currently set with pogies, and off I went. Spinning like a hamster because I left the bike in 'low-range', which if you don't understand, well that refers to the 'dinglespeed' nature of this bike. (Click the link for an ultra-nerd-out on dinglespeed gearing) Anyway, "low" range on the Blackborow DS is pretty spinny, but not low enough to winch yourself up a steep incline, such as the dike entrance to the Green Belt. At least not with snow involved.

But once I scaled that and got down the other side, the Green Belt presents no inclines worth mentioning. So, the gear was perfect for negotiating softer, churned up sections of snow and stable as you can get when it came to off-camber bits due to the wide 4.8" tires. 

It is hard to find the best of the trail to ride at times due to the multi-use nature of the Green Belt

Frosted trees overlook a free-running Black Hawk Creek

The low angle of the Sun made the snow and frost stuck to the tress yet glisten and glow like crazy. Again- a super-unusual state for things here and we have had the luxury of living in this wonderland-like atmosphere for several days. However; later on this day that Sun burned off the frosting, so to speak, and things look a little less awe-inspiring now. 

Headed out towards the Green Belt lake.

There were sights to see that just demanded I stop and soak in as much of it as I could.

It turned out to be a perfect day, or at least morning, to be out in the Green Belt. there was not a soul in sight, (other than the ice fisher I saw), and the sky was a clean, washed blue with some wispy contrails from jet traffic here and there. The contrast between shadows and brilliant snow-scapes was spectacular. The dreary, wild, unkempt Green Belt woodland looked beautiful in its new snow-white clothes. 

A lone figure pulls a sledge across the frozen Green Belt lake.

Simply stunning views!

That was most likely the most beautiful, peaceful, and precious Winter ride I have ever experienced. What a gift! And by far the best birthday ride I've yet had. I hope that you enjoyed the bit I was able to share here. 

Thanks for reading.

Winter Views: Birthday Ride

Escape Route: Green Belt Trails

Well, first of all, I want to thank all of you that bothered to take the time to offer your well wishes and cheers on the occasion of my birthday on Monday. I very much appreciated those comments both here and elsewhere on social media and in messages. 

Many well-wishers advised that I go for a bicycle ride, and of course, that is exactly what I did. The "frosting" we had on the tress and shrubs was still in effect, miraculously so, and with the addition of Sun, which we hadn't had in quite some while, it was a glorious day for a ride.

It was also frigid cold. 

So, I took out my Blackborow DS since it is currently set with pogies, and off I went. Spinning like a hamster because I left the bike in 'low-range', which if you don't understand, well that refers to the 'dinglespeed' nature of this bike. (Click the link for an ultra-nerd-out on dinglespeed gearing) Anyway, "low" range on the Blackborow DS is pretty spinny, but not low enough to winch yourself up a steep incline, such as the dike entrance to the Green Belt. At least not with snow involved.

But once I scaled that and got down the other side, the Green Belt presents no inclines worth mentioning. So, the gear was perfect for negotiating softer, churned up sections of snow and stable as you can get when it came to off-camber bits due to the wide 4.8" tires. 

It is hard to find the best of the trail to ride at times due to the multi-use nature of the Green Belt

Frosted trees overlook a free-running Black Hawk Creek

The low angle of the Sun made the snow and frost stuck to the tress yet glisten and glow like crazy. Again- a super-unusual state for things here and we have had the luxury of living in this wonderland-like atmosphere for several days. However; later on this day that Sun burned off the frosting, so to speak, and things look a little less awe-inspiring now. 

Headed out towards the Green Belt lake.

There were sights to see that just demanded I stop and soak in as much of it as I could.

It turned out to be a perfect day, or at least morning, to be out in the Green Belt. there was not a soul in sight, (other than the ice fisher I saw), and the sky was a clean, washed blue with some wispy contrails from jet traffic here and there. The contrast between shadows and brilliant snow-scapes was spectacular. The dreary, wild, unkempt Green Belt woodland looked beautiful in its new snow-white clothes. 

A lone figure pulls a sledge across the frozen Green Belt lake.

Simply stunning views!

That was most likely the most beautiful, peaceful, and precious Winter ride I have ever experienced. What a gift! And by far the best birthday ride I've yet had. I hope that you enjoyed the bit I was able to share here. 

Thanks for reading.

Winter Views: Wonderland Ride

We don't often get conditions like these.

We had another snow storm last week that was quite unusual for a January snow storm. In fact, it felt a lot more like something that would have occurred late in February, or even better- early in March. A snowstorm which occurred at the freezing mark for temperatures. 

January has been atypically warmer than usual. Not by a lot, maybe more December-ish than it would be on a typical year. Nothing crazy like we've seen for short moments during past Januarys where it has been in the 50's for a day or two max, then it goes back to under zero or near to that with below zero nights for weeks. 

Last week it had been so warm everyday that almost every iota of snow we had was melted and gone. Then the weather folks were ballyhooing this big snow event with "six to ten inches of snow' which was to fall overnight Wednesday into Thursday. It snowed alright, but only maybe four inches of thick, heavy snow which, due to the high temperatures it fell at, stuck to every tree, wire, and pole it hit. 

This left behind a "Winter Wonderland" effect where every branch on every branching thing was coated with a thick covering of snow. Since there was little to no wind associated with the storm, or its aftermath, this stayed in effect for more than a few hours. Typically when we see this sort of thing it is gone right away the same day. That I could wait until Friday, when it was colder and the snow had set up to ride, was a big-time luxury.

It was colder than it had been, but not bad. 20 degrees is fine for riding fat bikes, and due to the high moisture content of the snow we got, it was easily rideable even without grooming. That said, anywhere there had been compaction it made the snow as fast, or maybe faster on a fat bike, than pavement. It was fun yet still a challenge. 

There is a road here, a two-track. (The downed tree is laying across it)

A view of the recently completed "bridge" on the Sergeant Road bike path. HWY 63 is in the background.

I plunked and trundled along for a bit longer than an hour. Got my heart rate way up there a couple of times! It was fun to actually have fat biking in great snow as opposed to the last snow we had which was all drifted in snow. That stuff is like riding through hour glass sand. No consistency or stability to that sort of snow. This high-moisture content snow is far more fun on a fat bike. 

This might stick around for a while as well since it is not supposed to get too warm for a while. I doubt the "frosting" will stay once the Sun reappears for any stretch of time, but this was a lot of fun to ride through and experience for me. Like I said, this is rare here and this probably won't happen again anytime soon.

Winter Views: Wonderland Ride

We don't often get conditions like these.

We had another snow storm last week that was quite unusual for a January snow storm. In fact, it felt a lot more like something that would have occurred late in February, or even better- early in March. A snowstorm which occurred at the freezing mark for temperatures. 

January has been atypically warmer than usual. Not by a lot, maybe more December-ish than it would be on a typical year. Nothing crazy like we've seen for short moments during past Januarys where it has been in the 50's for a day or two max, then it goes back to under zero or near to that with below zero nights for weeks. 

Last week it had been so warm everyday that almost every iota of snow we had was melted and gone. Then the weather folks were ballyhooing this big snow event with "six to ten inches of snow' which was to fall overnight Wednesday into Thursday. It snowed alright, but only maybe four inches of thick, heavy snow which, due to the high temperatures it fell at, stuck to every tree, wire, and pole it hit. 

This left behind a "Winter Wonderland" effect where every branch on every branching thing was coated with a thick covering of snow. Since there was little to no wind associated with the storm, or its aftermath, this stayed in effect for more than a few hours. Typically when we see this sort of thing it is gone right away the same day. That I could wait until Friday, when it was colder and the snow had set up to ride, was a big-time luxury.

It was colder than it had been, but not bad. 20 degrees is fine for riding fat bikes, and due to the high moisture content of the snow we got, it was easily rideable even without grooming. That said, anywhere there had been compaction it made the snow as fast, or maybe faster on a fat bike, than pavement. It was fun yet still a challenge. 

There is a road here, a two-track. (The downed tree is laying across it)

A view of the recently completed "bridge" on the Sergeant Road bike path. HWY 63 is in the background.

I plunked and trundled along for a bit longer than an hour. Got my heart rate way up there a couple of times! It was fun to actually have fat biking in great snow as opposed to the last snow we had which was all drifted in snow. That stuff is like riding through hour glass sand. No consistency or stability to that sort of snow. This high-moisture content snow is far more fun on a fat bike. 

This might stick around for a while as well since it is not supposed to get too warm for a while. I doubt the "frosting" will stay once the Sun reappears for any stretch of time, but this was a lot of fun to ride through and experience for me. Like I said, this is rare here and this probably won't happen again anytime soon.

Winter Views: Back Out There

Escape Route: Co. V-49 North out of Raymond, IA.

The forecast was calling for unusually warm temperatures and I was of a mind to get back out into the country again. It had been far too long since I'd done a gravel ride. 

Of course, there has been some brutally cold weather of late, and my moving gig did me no favors so that whenever it was nice enough out in January to go gravel riding, my body was not up to it. Well, both things were not excuses yesterday. It was warm enough, and my legs are almost 100% now. So, out the door I went after lunch to go for a short ride. 

Nothing too big, not yet, because I have to gauge where I am at with fitness and my knees, of course, which were the main issue before, hadn't been on an extended ride yet since I quit the moving job. I planned out a little loop for about an hour- hour and a half of riding out of Raymond, Iowa. 

That was a nice outcome of my doing "The Quest" in 2020. I found a couple great spots to embark upon gravel rides so I can ride different sections of Black Hawk County without spending most of my time dealing with traffic or spending a lot of time on the 'to-and-from' bits. The gravel parking lot at the softball complex in Raymond has proven to be an excellent spot to ride from to reach areas of Eastern Black Hawk County more easily.

Osage Road, looking East.

The high winds and sub-zero weather have conspired to scour most of the snow from the fields and into ditches.

I had no idea how I would find the gravel. Would it be soft, wet, and mushy? Maybe it would be still frozen up pretty well and hard and fast? Or I might find snowy patches with ice. I had no idea how it was going to go. 

Here the gravel was clear of snow and ice, and it was dry and dusty!

And here it was wet, mushy, and there was remnants of snow on the road.

Overall, the roads are excellent. I'd say that they are early March kind of good. A few wet spots, but mostly clear and free from snow or ice. Sure, there were a few soft spots and some water saturated bits, but really it was very good for February. In fact, I saw one big snow drift. One. That's really weird. Generally speaking we've had enough snow to have several five foot to over ten foot high drifts along the roadways. Not this year!

Oxley Road looking South

A barn near the banks of a branch of Indian Creek off Young Road

I had a few cars and trucks pass me by and all of the vehicles I saw were kicking up dust. They say Spring will be a wet one, and we sure could use it! I'm afraid that we just haven't had enough snow this Winter to put much of a dent into our situation. We were on the drought index in one capacity or another all of last year, so we are in need of moisture!

Looking off to the Southwest and Highway 20 from Young Road

Almost back to Co V-49 and my route back to the truck.

I was a bit worried that I had under-dressed for this ride. I wore a single layer on my arms (wool jersey) and a wool base layer with an outer wind-proof vest. Bib tights, Northwave Winter boots, wool socks, a pair of Winter Hand-Up gloves, and a buff under my helmet. But I was just fine, really. This is what I find funny, no matter how many years I experience it. 

The funny thing? Well, we've been through about a month straight of sub-zero mornings, brutally cold winds, and daytime highs in the teens. So, when it got to be into the mid-30's yesterday, with a 10mph Northwest wind, it felt awesome. Being accustomed to feeling those super-cold temperatures acclimatized us to that and then it gets a bit warmer and - you know- we Mid-Westerners start thinking it is time to ditch the coats and put our shorts on! 

All that to say that in the Fall I would have gotten frozen toes and would have wished for a long-sleeved wind breaker for mid-30's temperatures, but coming off that really cold weather meant that what I wore on this ride was fine. Totally fine. I still get a kick out of how that works. 

Can't wait to get back out there again......

Winter Views: Back Out There

Escape Route: Co. V-49 North out of Raymond, IA.

The forecast was calling for unusually warm temperatures and I was of a mind to get back out into the country again. It had been far too long since I'd done a gravel ride. 

Of course, there has been some brutally cold weather of late, and my moving gig did me no favors so that whenever it was nice enough out in January to go gravel riding, my body was not up to it. Well, both things were not excuses yesterday. It was warm enough, and my legs are almost 100% now. So, out the door I went after lunch to go for a short ride. 

Nothing too big, not yet, because I have to gauge where I am at with fitness and my knees, of course, which were the main issue before, hadn't been on an extended ride yet since I quit the moving job. I planned out a little loop for about an hour- hour and a half of riding out of Raymond, Iowa. 

That was a nice outcome of my doing "The Quest" in 2020. I found a couple great spots to embark upon gravel rides so I can ride different sections of Black Hawk County without spending most of my time dealing with traffic or spending a lot of time on the 'to-and-from' bits. The gravel parking lot at the softball complex in Raymond has proven to be an excellent spot to ride from to reach areas of Eastern Black Hawk County more easily.

Osage Road, looking East.

The high winds and sub-zero weather have conspired to scour most of the snow from the fields and into ditches.

I had no idea how I would find the gravel. Would it be soft, wet, and mushy? Maybe it would be still frozen up pretty well and hard and fast? Or I might find snowy patches with ice. I had no idea how it was going to go. 

Here the gravel was clear of snow and ice, and it was dry and dusty!

And here it was wet, mushy, and there was remnants of snow on the road.

Overall, the roads are excellent. I'd say that they are early March kind of good. A few wet spots, but mostly clear and free from snow or ice. Sure, there were a few soft spots and some water saturated bits, but really it was very good for February. In fact, I saw one big snow drift. One. That's really weird. Generally speaking we've had enough snow to have several five foot to over ten foot high drifts along the roadways. Not this year!

Oxley Road looking South

A barn near the banks of a branch of Indian Creek off Young Road

I had a few cars and trucks pass me by and all of the vehicles I saw were kicking up dust. They say Spring will be a wet one, and we sure could use it! I'm afraid that we just haven't had enough snow this Winter to put much of a dent into our situation. We were on the drought index in one capacity or another all of last year, so we are in need of moisture!

Looking off to the Southwest and Highway 20 from Young Road

Almost back to Co V-49 and my route back to the truck.

I was a bit worried that I had under-dressed for this ride. I wore a single layer on my arms (wool jersey) and a wool base layer with an outer wind-proof vest. Bib tights, Northwave Winter boots, wool socks, a pair of Winter Hand-Up gloves, and a buff under my helmet. But I was just fine, really. This is what I find funny, no matter how many years I experience it. 

The funny thing? Well, we've been through about a month straight of sub-zero mornings, brutally cold winds, and daytime highs in the teens. So, when it got to be into the mid-30's yesterday, with a 10mph Northwest wind, it felt awesome. Being accustomed to feeling those super-cold temperatures acclimatized us to that and then it gets a bit warmer and - you know- we Mid-Westerners start thinking it is time to ditch the coats and put our shorts on! 

All that to say that in the Fall I would have gotten frozen toes and would have wished for a long-sleeved wind breaker for mid-30's temperatures, but coming off that really cold weather meant that what I wore on this ride was fine. Totally fine. I still get a kick out of how that works. 

Can't wait to get back out there again......

Winter Views: Birthday Ride

It was a balmy 10°F for my Birthday Ride.

Maybe some of you were wondering if I managed to get out for a bicycle ride on my birthday last Sunday. Well, I am happy to report that yes- I did get out. It wasn't anything super-crazy, but it was a good, fun ride and in somewhat challenging conditions. 

I decided to use the Blackborow DS in low range to take it easy on the knees. I know- many of you might think that single speed action is actually worse for the knees, but this low range on the Blackborow DS is pretty spinny. So, I knew I wasn't going to be stressing out my knees too badly and besides, without faster gears I wouldn't be tempted to run a harder gear than I should be. See.......single speeding can be good for you! You just need to use the right single gear. 

My goal for this ride was to go to the lake off Martin Road by Highway 63 and see who might be ice fishing. I'd already seen ice fishing huts on ponds that I never would have dreamed people would try to fish. But there they were. The lake in the Green Belt always attracted ice fishermen. There was a pretty good chance I'd see some action.

So, off I went and spun down the alleys to avoid traffic until I got over by Black Hawk Creek and I had to jump over to the street for a few blocks. It's been so cold that not many people are out and about, so traffic was light. The wind, on the other hand, was a bit stiff and biting. There for a while I thought maybe I'd under-dressed. Actually, that's a sign you've dressed just right if you are Winter riding. 

There were only two ice fishers on the lake. I was surprised.

The trail around the lake looked fun but I veered back into the woods up ahead here.

I met a guy on a fat bike at the top of the dike just before I dove into the Green Belt Trail. I kind of wondered if he came in behind me, but it was hard to tell. The scrunchy sound of my tires masked any other sounds and the trail was beaten in so narrow that I had to pay attention to my own business. 

I figured I'd have to pull up at the place where the trail crosses that rivulet that emanates out of the marshy land along Sergeant Road Trail and the ball diamonds. There has been nothing but confusion at that point since they reworked that area to maintain the dike a few years ago. When I got there I stopped to survey the situation. Then I turned around and sure enough, there was that guy on his bike. I waved him along since I wasn't about to be in a situation where I felt like I couldn't stop whenever I wanted to. 

Up on the dike in the Green Belt

Further down the dike near University Avenue.

I went on then and visited the lake which was fun but there were hardly any ice fishers there. Weird! Then I dove back into the Green Belt so as to stay out of the wind. I ended up getting up on top of the dike then and going all the way down and along that until I reached University Avenue. From there I made my way back to the house. 

It was a great ride and my legs came out of that really well. The snow is about perfect right now with this very frigid air we have. I suspect that if it gets much higher than 20°F that this snow will turn into a mess, but right now the snow is about good as it gets. It sure made for an enjoyable birthday ride.

Winter Views: Birthday Ride

It was a balmy 10°F for my Birthday Ride.

Maybe some of you were wondering if I managed to get out for a bicycle ride on my birthday last Sunday. Well, I am happy to report that yes- I did get out. It wasn't anything super-crazy, but it was a good, fun ride and in somewhat challenging conditions. 

I decided to use the Blackborow DS in low range to take it easy on the knees. I know- many of you might think that single speed action is actually worse for the knees, but this low range on the Blackborow DS is pretty spinny. So, I knew I wasn't going to be stressing out my knees too badly and besides, without faster gears I wouldn't be tempted to run a harder gear than I should be. See.......single speeding can be good for you! You just need to use the right single gear. 

My goal for this ride was to go to the lake off Martin Road by Highway 63 and see who might be ice fishing. I'd already seen ice fishing huts on ponds that I never would have dreamed people would try to fish. But there they were. The lake in the Green Belt always attracted ice fishermen. There was a pretty good chance I'd see some action.

So, off I went and spun down the alleys to avoid traffic until I got over by Black Hawk Creek and I had to jump over to the street for a few blocks. It's been so cold that not many people are out and about, so traffic was light. The wind, on the other hand, was a bit stiff and biting. There for a while I thought maybe I'd under-dressed. Actually, that's a sign you've dressed just right if you are Winter riding. 

There were only two ice fishers on the lake. I was surprised.

The trail around the lake looked fun but I veered back into the woods up ahead here.

I met a guy on a fat bike at the top of the dike just before I dove into the Green Belt Trail. I kind of wondered if he came in behind me, but it was hard to tell. The scrunchy sound of my tires masked any other sounds and the trail was beaten in so narrow that I had to pay attention to my own business. 

I figured I'd have to pull up at the place where the trail crosses that rivulet that emanates out of the marshy land along Sergeant Road Trail and the ball diamonds. There has been nothing but confusion at that point since they reworked that area to maintain the dike a few years ago. When I got there I stopped to survey the situation. Then I turned around and sure enough, there was that guy on his bike. I waved him along since I wasn't about to be in a situation where I felt like I couldn't stop whenever I wanted to. 

Up on the dike in the Green Belt

Further down the dike near University Avenue.

I went on then and visited the lake which was fun but there were hardly any ice fishers there. Weird! Then I dove back into the Green Belt so as to stay out of the wind. I ended up getting up on top of the dike then and going all the way down and along that until I reached University Avenue. From there I made my way back to the house. 

It was a great ride and my legs came out of that really well. The snow is about perfect right now with this very frigid air we have. I suspect that if it gets much higher than 20°F that this snow will turn into a mess, but right now the snow is about good as it gets. It sure made for an enjoyable birthday ride.