I don't know how it happened, but this was the only time in the entire year that I've ridden the loop trail. Well, actually, I do know that city maintenance has closed parts of the trail for quite some time because of rebuilding the city water drainage system. Beyond that, at the beginning of this month, I did ride about two thirds of the trail prior to meeting my grandchildren at school and walking them home. Missing a whole year without riding the loop, though? That was an unacceptable trend I was determined to rectify.
The ride would take close to three hours, depending on how many times I stopped to snap photos. Also, of course, my stamina would be a factor. I hadn't been riding regularly, so even if I took it easy, I imagined that my legs would probably start feeling the miles on some of the steeper trail hills as the ride progressed. To make the trip more enjoyable, I packed a lunch, including leftover hot winter squash soup, which I'd made the day before for lunch. Hot soup, apple, cheese, crackers, energy bar, and water. Layered up with my clothes. I was ready to go!
The first quarter of the trail was unchanged, the section from my home along the city's two small lakes, past a golf course, and down a hill to a city park. One of the nice things about a familiar ride is those old, friendly sights, but also the pleasure of new sights is real, of noticing the small details and changes, such as how the fall season had carpeted portions of the trail with leaves and how the county had added a new prairie and walking trail to abut the loop trail.
It always takes me a while on a day ride to get out of my head and to settle into the routine of just being with my body and its physical motion. I'm thinking about this and thinking about that, and then after a while, I just settle into the physical routine and allow my attention to be on the ride, the sights and smells and sounds. I didn't stop at the quarter mark at Chautauqua Park but continued on through the Lamson Woods State Preserve section of the trail, which had been shut down with drainage construction. It was rehabilitated, although there were sections along the road where trees had been removed and new grass planted to cover where drain pipes had been buried. Most of the area was untouched, though, included the ponds used during waterfowl migration.
Stopping for a couple of times for water, I engaged the section of the trail that skirted Interstate Highway 34, a series of long hills with some fun downhill runs and uphill slogs. This is probably the noisiest section of the trail because of the interstate noise, but in some ways it is the most remote part of the trail, even with the traffic, which is busy speeding along, fenced off with a tall steel fence to keep the deer away from the traffic. I go my way and the cars and trucks go theirs. This is the most open section of the trail with more sky and fewer trees, and in the spring there are quite a few wildflowers that decorate the path of the trail.
Witham Woods |
The last segment of the trip home wanders through more city vistas--business and residential areas--and ends with a rails-to-trails segment that passes along the south section of the subdivision where I live. There I meet a neighbor who is walking his dog. He's impressed that I've ridden the entire loop, and I make a point of not mentioning my less-than-tiptop physical condition. After all, it was an easy ride, even if I could be in better shape. I walk with my neighbor for a while, chatting about this and that, and then I hop back on the bike and make my way home.
It was a good ride, and I am reminded of why I take my folding bike along when I camp with my trailer. Bicycling is a good complement to hiking. Hiking takes me to places that I cannot reach on a bicycle either because the trail is not conducive or because bicycles (and usually also horses and snowmobiles) are not allowed on certain trails. Bicycling, though, allows me to travel longer distances more quickly, and it also allows me to include roads as a part of my daily travel and exercise.
Montague Allston folding bicycle from an earlier trip |
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What I enjoyed in this article is how you get out of the house and get with nature. Being in my 70's I appreciate people who get with it rather then being a couch potato. Everyone retired should look for activities that involve nature.
ReplyDeleteMy wife and I are lucky to have hiking and bike riding trails that route right by our subdivision. The world has much beauty. Thanks for commenting, and I wish you health and many walks this upcoming new year.
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