And We’re Off

Tuesday, May 3, 2022
Council Bluffs to Avoca, IA: 46 miles, I rode 25.

It’s hard to say it’s fun when one’s cold.
When fingers get stiff and they don’t fold. 
That time on my bike,
Is not what I like.
Yet, after I thaw-out, I’m still sold.

No rain today!
Nine a.m. start, forty three degrees, wind …
No RAIN!

Three miles out, totally unmarked construction 
Deep ditch, very muddy surroundings, blocked trail.

Some determined riders explored possibility of 
Walking bikes around end.

​Oh, Wow!  Mud, and more mud!
Those intrepid explorers ending up with
Mud in brakes, coating tires, filling cleats,
Covering shoes, mud-tracks clear up on jackets.
Unhappy folks.

COLD riding today; high temp of 48 with wind.
All riders layered with variety of bike gear & jackets.
Not enough for comfort, it turned out.

We rode LOTS of hills.
Those swoop-down and crank-up kind.
Seems that the “swoop-down” 
Never enough to cover the “crank-up” required.

At 25 miles, Nancy declared her knees 
Could not take any more hills.
She would call to be picked up.
I was happy with that
Being nearly bone-cold, and getting tired.

Those 25 miles were satisfying.
Some beautiful countryside.
Some landscape that included blooming trees and flowers.

I am glad to be on the ride.

Hugs,
Lin

P.S. Leave a comment below—I read them and will respond!

**Photo at top: Tall, tall statue looking at sky alongside Missouri River