Dawson Cabin Campout

The journey begins.  Leaving work.

So we had one more fall ride in us.  One more time to load the baggers and ride to distant locales and enjoy ourselves.  Joe Hildreth invited me.  The plan had been in the works for months.  I believe he had been desiring this for a few years.  Simple plan.  Load up our bikes, cut out of work early and ride the Raccoon River Valley Trail to Sportsmans Park near Dawson and rent a cabin or two with a group of friends.  But as plans go somethings don't quite work out.  Nobody except for me could ride out there.  And that was ok because my loaded touring bicycle is slower than answered prayers.  The important thing is that this ride secured my goal of 1000 miles for October.  More importantly, such a ride would place me in Waukee on Saturday where my daughter, Dora, was competing in the Waukee Invitational marching Band Competition and later that evening the State competition.

I packed the bike the night before.  Tent, sleeping bag, blanket, all sorts of clothing since it was cold and I did not trust the forecast of warmer weather, chair, cooler and empty growler.  Joe was not quite sure about the sleeping arrangements.  Be prepared.

I was able to leave work about a half hour early.  First stop was in Waukee at the Hy Vee.  I needed provisions aka beer.  After sampling their wares I had a growler filled with Dead Irish Poets by Finnegans Inc from Minneapolis.  The barkeep said that they are a non-profit brewery and a certain percentage of their Iowa sales goes to the Food Bank of Iowa.  Extra justification for the purchase of this smokey dry Irish stout.  I noted that this was the first time I had a growler filled with a stout and the barkeep did not complain or warn me about such beer in a growler.  To complete the beer run I picked up a 6 of Beerito, labeled as a Mexican beer but actually a Vienna lager, by Oskar Blues and a 6 pack of Squatters Hop Rising Imperial IPA.  The lager was for mixing with the stout for a "arf n arf" and the double IPA was for something strong and hoppy.  Both were in cans whick are safer on bicycle rides.  Sure, that was a lot of beer but when I sleep in a place that is not my own away from the One I Love and the protection of my dog plus the possible uncomfort of sleeping in a tent, I need to be properly sedated.  That and I could always share or take home.  Nothing worse than running out of beer when camping.

Good place for a doughnut!

I took the short cut to Dawson by turning up the "new" connection from  Waukee to Perry.  Because of time I did not stop in Dallas Center or Minburn.  The funny thing about Minburn was that for the life of me I could not remember its name.  I remembered the name of the bar but not the town.  There are many "M-towns" on the trails and roads that I ride.  Milo, Mingo, Menlo ect.  Both Mudders and the establishment at the depot looked as if they were doing well on a Friday evening but I had to press on.  I did, however stop at the recumbent sculpture that serves as a memorial for a rider about was about my age when he passed away.  I had a food break, a doughnut that a co-worker gave me before I left work.  She gave me three.  Food for the journey.

Harvest time in Iowa.

As for the ride on this stretch, I enjoyed a tailwind, a full moon over my shoulder and nature.  Many deer running through the fields and along side the trail.  Also saw a skunk, startled it and saw the tail go up fortunately not in my direction.  It was also harvest time and farmers were a plenty collecting their crops.

In Perry I stopped for more food at the Kum & Go.  I also needed batteries for my headlamp and more ice.  I like my beer cold and it was dark.  5 more miles to go.  Text Mary to let her know I was safe and almost there.

Sportsman Park is about 5 miles from Perry or 1/2 mile east of Dawson.  There is a sign on the trail and access from the trail to the gravel road that leads to the park.  Another sign says that it is 1200 feet from the trail.  At night it looked like good gravel but it was a bit rough.  Having ridden my share of gravel this year on bikes of various tire sizes, 700x23, 700x25 (tandem) and this bike with 700x35 on Ragbrai I thought my new 700x37s would plow right through like a Tiger tank.  Wrongo boyo!  I had to find the line that everyone else's tracks indicated.  My camping partners rode to Tojo's in Jamaica for dinner while I was still on the trail.  Once I spotted the entrance I gently made a course correction and cut across the road.

WHAM!!!  I was laying on my left side!  Left hand a tad bit bitten by gravel.  My head actually hit the rocks as well and for once I was glad I had a helmet on because I'd be pulling rocks and dust out of my noggin.  There is an abrasion on my left arm despite having a tough and thick long sleeve shirt on.  My left thigh seemed to take the lion's share of the impact noted by a visible bruise and soreness even at this moment 36 hours later.  The bike was OK.  Nothing fell off.  Nothing broke.  the rear pannier got a bit messy from the cooler's condensation (actually a non-insulated beer chiller).  All the lights still on.  Brushed myself off and picked it up and walked the remaining 6' to the driveway before re-saddling and continue toward the campsite.  Deploy kickstand and grabbed a Squatter for the healing powers of hops.  Oh yes, sent a text to Mary to let her know I was safe at the destination.  45 miles from my start at home, 33 miles from my place of employment.  A good day of riding.

There were about 8 of us.  Joe and Nick were there and the only ones I really knew.  At 51 years of age I was the kid.  We sat around a fire pit and drank until it was time for bed.  Music and laughs.  I finished the other two doughnuts and the other half of the sandwich I purchased in Perry.  Nick brought two bottles of Captain Morgan's Cannon Blast and a 12 pack of Sprite, a drink I introduced to him during Ragbrai, but I abstained from that.  As for all the beer I brought, I think I drank half of the growler and 3 of the canned beer.  Yeah, too much beer hauled.

As close to a group shot I got.  Joe in red.  Nick in chair facing the camera.

We had both cabins.  They were nice!  2 or 3 bunk beds each, shower, sink, fridge and what I needed, many electrical sockets.  First order of business was to charge my light and then the phone.  Although I brought my battery charger I like to save that power for situations where I am off grid.  Saturday night I may need my lights.  I was able to get a bottom bunk which was really a couch with a sheet covering the mattress.  I used my sleeping bag as a pillow and needed only my blanket to keep me warm.  For more information on Sportsman Park click HERE

The strong south wind kept us warm and dry, no dew.  In the morning I merely packed the bike, finished my mug of stout and brushed my teeth.  Decided that a fresh coat of deodorant would suffice and did not change my clothing.  Seemed like a hassle to change threads.  We departed in separate ways.  Everyone but me headed east to Perry for breakfast.  I wanted to complete the loop and headed west.  I also had to be in Waukee by 1 pm to watch my daughter perform in the marching band competition.  My breakfast would be much later in Panora if all went well.

The trail.

At Dawson, one mile from the campsite, I stopped and dropped the long sleeve shirt I wore over my jersey.  Not necessary.  I also purchased a trail permit and the trailhead.  Next year I will obtain the annual permit.  despite the overcast it was a beautiful day.  I noted the now amber waves of grain to my right and the cleared field to the left.  I also thought about how the glaciers made this part of Iowa so flat and that one spots towns by the grain elevators that stand out the distance like castles.  Water towers and grain bins.  In the northeast part of the state it is hilly and has a lot more trees and church steeples betray the location of the villages.  There were two time trail bikes heading east and two women on road bikes that passed me heading toward Jefferson.  Really, an empty trail.

Amber waves of grain.  Corn before harvest.

Corn after harvest.

Dawson

Yale

I turned south at Herndon instead of going north to Jefferson.  That's when I felt the full force of the wind.  My average speed dropped 5 mph and I knew I would not make it to Waukee in time.   Nevertheless I pushed on at best possible speed.  Yale and then Panora I kept rolling  looking for grain elevators.

Just before Linden I saw the white Dallas County truck on the trail running the leaf blower from its bed.  I wet of to the side in the intersection to let him through.  Sure enough, the park ranger stopped and rolled down the window and offered me a map and started talking.  "Yes sir I have a permit.  Got it at #9 in Dawson."  "Thank you for supporting the trail," he replied.  We talked for about 5 minutes about the trail and its amenities and improvements.  He also queried about my ride.  Of note is that he related his experience with a certain rider that has done the loop 41 times this year.  Damn, that's a lot!!

As for the trail, I have been riding on this trail since 1991.  I have seen it expand, first from Yale to Jefferson, the connection from the Clive Greenbelt which connects to to the Des Moines metro trail system that comes within a half mile of my home,  and more recently form Waukee to Perry and then Perry to Herndon.  Several of the gravel intersections have been paved by the generous donations of others.  Several sections of this trail have been repaired and resurfaced throughout the years.  It has always held a special place in my heart and often I consider it my favorite trail.

I finally stopped in Redfield.  I had to get something to eat I had gone 30 miles sustained on a beer and a coffee.  Casey's is where I finally used the chair I packed, sitting outside and consuming two slices of pizza a a 32oz Coke.  Folks here wanted to talk about the trail and bicycles.  I also purchased a bag of ice for the 9 remaining beers.  I may need them.  Mary and I exchanged text.  I would not make it in time.  Please ride west on the trail to join me afterwards and we'll ride back together.  The morning's micro mist was picking up.  It was time to ride east.  The crosswind was relief for the headwind.  My speed improved.  Mary and I met between Ortonville and Waukee.  I should have left an hour earlier.  The late performance would be the one that I would watch.

While taking a break at the trailhead in Waukee we decided to ride home and grab the car instead of loitering in Waukee for 5 hours.  I needed a shower and the mist was threatening to become a drizzle, not the shower I wanted.  Mary discovered that the work on Walnut Creek was rideable which eliminated the need for a dangerous and time consuming detour.  When I got home I checked the Cateye, 66 miles for the day.  111 for both days.  A great weekend of riding especially on a heavy bike.

When we returned hours later we found out that a serious downpour hit Waukee and soaked the people participating and watching the marching bands.  We arrived in time to see my high school perform and many performances of various schools including Dora's Lincoln HS.  The rain never returned but our butts we wet from the bleachers.  Yes, we need stadium seats.

What the Hell Happened on Ashworth Rd Last Night?

Brake part laying next to my ATM on Westown Pkwy.  A remindered that the streets are littered with parts.  I think it was smiling and laughing at me!

I'm beginning to think that THEY do not want me to ride a bicycle to work anymore.  First an irreplaceable and unsafe-to-detour section of trail is closed for a week or so forcing me to find alternative routes.  Now I find one of my alternatives a literal battleground for cars.  Ashworth Rd from 8th St to well past 16th.

I took this road to avoid the Dowling 5 am gang and the hill.  Ashworth to 28th is what I rode.  Done it many times at 5 am when traffic is nill.  But as soon as I made that left turn onto it I knew something had happened.  For 10+ blocks my lane was litter with bits and pieces of cars.  Plastic bumper parts, headlight assembly, chunks of tire with wire beads sticking out, glass ect.  Even where a lane was closed off for construction this dross was strewn all over the road.  There was a continue stain of some automotive fluid in the lane and upon closer inspection fresh grooves cut into the asphalt surface from something dragged or pushed.

I was glad I rode my touring bike with its beefy flat resistant tires.  Any lessor tire probably would be missing air.

I was glad to turn right onto 28th and make my way across I-235 to Westown Pkwy.  Away from the rolling battle.  But near my final stretch on Westown I discovered that road construction took out several lanes.  Damn, I should have taken the trail!

Mississippi Gold: Riding The Great River Trail

Some pieces of gold are hidden in plain sight.  I am blessed as a cyclist to live in Des Moines, Iowa.  I am a half a mile from a major trail system that leads in all four directions to destinations far away.  I am also within driving distance to many trails some in other states.  Here we hear of the Katy Trail in Missouri, the Root River Trail just north of Iowa and many others in Iowa itself.  But until this year I never heard of the Great River Trail which spans the 60 miles between the Quad Cities to Savanna, Illinois, along the Mississippi River.

The carlisle Group.  Front row left to right Dennis, Steve, Steve, John. Back row left to right Donnie, Nick, joe, Chris, Mary Mary, Lori

The idea to have an autumn ride emerged from Team Kum & Go.  Do something special, create a memory that will last forever.  Have everyone meet at Victor and Jody's home in Milan. IL.  It was a 15 minute drive to Sunset Park, the trailhead.  Most of us met at Steve and Lori's home in Carlisle, Iowa, where the bus was loaded.  Others drove in from the Chicago area to meet the bus in Milan.

The trail is essentially 60 miles long.  Detours and exploring towns adds a few more miles.  It is paved and flat 99% of the time.  Most of it is trail, sometimes in woodlands and praries and other times along a highway and a wee bit of streets.  The southern end starts out in Sunset Park and quickly turns into an urban riverfront trail.  On a nice Saturday or Sunday it could be very crowded in some sections that are along the river.  Then it turns into an industrial/post industrial trail as factories and water treatment and transportation warehouses ect.  Eventually it leaves the city and winds through several small and old river towns.  This is where the charm and magic of the trail lies.  Interactive map showing everything one needs

Towns are spaced out nicely.  Sometimes it is only 3 to 5 miles in between communities.  Other times it is closer to 8.  There are two 10 mile stretches including the final.  Between the towns are scenic vistas, parks, wildlife refuges, beautiful houses along the Mississippi, fishing shacks, campgrounds and woods.

Donnie and his and my bike on the bank of the Mississippi in the Quad City.

MY EXPERIENCE: DAY ONE  RIVER ON MY LEFT

It was a glorified drizzle when we woke up Saturday morning in Milan (pronounced My Lawn). Most of our bicycles were attached to the roof of the bus,  I was glad that I took the time to lube the chains of my bike and the bicycle belonging to my wife.  Victor gladly gave me some shop towels to give to people for the purpose of drying our saddles.  Swamp Butt is now way to start two 60 mile days of bicycling.  By the time we unloaded and mounted up in Sunset Park it appeared that the precipitation was over.  Schwiebert Riverfront Park in Rock Island was our first stop.  Photo op.

The Ladies!

Milltown Coffee Shop was our second stop and I enjoyed a nice Americano.  The rain resumed once we started rolling again but I was warm and caffeinated!  Our next stop would be in Rapids City, not to be confused with Rapid City, SD, where we had breakfast at 1245 pm. Brothers family Restaurant was the place.  They held the private room for us, our number 17 including bus driver.  Most people opted for breakfast food.  Nick and I had the Rapids City Burger (a big cheeseburger with mushrooms and mayo).  It was here that I decided that I should always order the item named after the town.  They put their name on it, has to be good, right?  It was.  the bus was here so those that need to could swap stuff out or get what they needed ect.  This meal would last us until dinner in Savanna almost 8 hours later.  We did have snacks on the bus that we had an opportunity to enjoy in Albany and there were opportunities to stop at gas stations and other dining establishments if needed.  I did not need to refuel.  For that matter, I did not even finish my water bottle as it was a cool day of riding in the overcast.

Albany was the last place where we would see the bus before we reached our destination.  This town has a resturant with pie and also is located near Native American burial/ceremonial mounds.  Unfortunately, we left that unexplored as we rode past.  We met at the park for a rest.  Being too lazy to go inside the bus for anything other than a refreshment I decided to leave the group early to escape the mosquitoes.  I should have grabbed my DEET and waited for the others.  There's a special hybrid of those blood suckers here and they were vicious.  My second mistake.  The first was not to bring rain gear but Dennis loaned me his spare which I decided to leave behind in the bus at Sunset Park.  I'm in serious need for new rain gear anyway.  It's on my list.

The third mistake was not sticking with the people who call this trail their training ground.  Victor and Jody use this trail for their long distance training.  Living in Milan, it is their only trail of length.  But we soon discovered that their knowledge of the path was essential.  The biggest issue we had was how poorly marked it is.  True, we were given a map.  True, if one kept the river on their left they would make it to Savanna.  but the map was rather general and lacked the precision required to truly feel comfortable in unfamiliar territory.  There were signs and arrows but there were also detours and long stretches of trail or road between those signs.  Sometimes the signs were only available for people riding the other direction.  Because we relied on the expertise of those that ridden the trail before we were not accustomed to looking for the signs in the first place.

Mosquito Gazebo Albany, IL

Four of us broke away from the group.  No make that 7.  Steve, John and Dennis took off first then Mary, Donnie, Nick and myself left Albany.  Something about a hill then a short stretch of gravel sounding more menacing than it really was.  Then the Mississippi swallowed the trail but the detour pointed to the right.  We found the trail again but soon a decision had to be made.  Continue forward or turn right and cross the highway and ride the trail as marked.  But the sign said DO NOT ENTER.  it was going east and we wanted to go north.  Maybe it was oxygen deficit but we obeyed the DNE sign and continued north into Fulton.  Fulton was on the map.  The river was still on our left and we were heading north.  It felt right.

Fulton, IL

Once in town we stopped at the windmill.  Built out of African wood for its resistance to insects and rain it originally stood in the Netherlands until it was dismantled, every board numbered and reassembled in America.  We could have taken the guided tour.  Back on the bikes we discovered the mistake.  the north route was a tourist trap.  Had we been intelligent enough to realize that the DNE sign was for cars and trucks we would have cut off our two mile tour of the the city and saved a lot of time.  Everyone passed us.  We were the sweepers.  Later on we were told that the other trio of splitters made the same mistake.  But we got to see this huge wind mill.

The sky ahead of us was getting dark and we knew rain would fall on us soon.  One of us had a warning on their Fitbit that their heart rate was too high so we rested near the Thomson Sand Prairie for a bit.  I looked at the map and then fired up Google Maps on my mobile to get a better grasp on our ride.  Thomson would leave us with the final 10 miles.  The trail would give way to county roads.  we would roll by a federal prison and a potato farm and then a road lined with homes and views of the ever encroaching Mississippi.  It was ironic to see irrigation equipment while the river was flooding and that it was raining.  Eventually at forest park emerges and shortly we found ourselves in Savanna.  We called Joe to guide us in since we had no clue where the Savanna Inn was located.  true to almost every multi-day ride I've ridden, my shower and bed was at the other side of town on top of a hill!

At Poopy's Sunday morning.  Steve Murga photo credit.  Steve D, Joe, Dennis, Lori, Mary, Nick, Chris, Killian, Jody, Victor, Donnie, Joe, Mary Laura and Bob


After a shower and a change of clothes we took the shuttle to a biker (Harley Davidson and chopper bikers) establishment called Poopy's.  many of the guests at the Inn were on motorcycles.  Savanna is covered with "START SEEING MOTORCYCLES" signs.  Poopy's has a sign declaring itself "Illinois #1 biker destination."  When the shuttle pulled up and a woman fell out of the front and got up exclaiming that she was alright I thought we were in for a very memorable night.  The strong odor of booze lingering in the vehicle after the previous patrons exited it only reinforced my anticipation.  But it was a mellow off season Saturday night with a prime rib special.  Others had pizza, brgers and even chicken fingers.  Joe and I had the special.  It was good.  The place was decorated with custom choppers too uncomfortable for any serious riding and the usual orange and black uniform of the subculture.  Classic rock played overhead and beer was only available in cans.  Mary and I had PBR's.  For those so inclined, camping is available with showers and beers then would only be $1.  After dinner everyone headed straight to their rooms and collasped.  Mary and I rode 66 miles that day.  We were all tuckered out.

Earlier that evening I missed a step on the stairs and my left foot landed full force on the wrong step sending the blunt of the impact to my heel.  I forgotten about this until 430 am when it screamed at me and cancelled further sleep.  Mary went with me out the Inn and down the hill, there's always a hill isn't there, to the convenience store for Vitamin I--ibuprofen and something to swallow them with.  We grabbed some awful breakfast sandwiches at the Mc Donalds and ate them while watching Seinfeld while my heel rested on a bag of ice.  I had three hours to heal my heel or ride the bus in shame.

DAY TWO: RIVER ON THE RIGHT

At the Savanna Inn before leaving Sunday morning. On bench left John, bench right Dennis, Bac row left to right Donnie, Nick, Chris, Mary, Joe, Mary, Killian, Lori, Steve, Jody, Victor, Laura, Bob and Ben (bus driver).  One of the Steve's is missing.

She even showed me her odometer.  6400 miles on that bike!!  What's that, 40 miles a day?

It was painful to clip in and each pedal stroke was a reminder that I failed to walk down stairs properly but eventually the pain subsided and pedaling was not an event and my limping stopped. Still hated clipping in and out but I had little choice.  I think we first stopped in a forest park and met a woman on a city bike with a basket in front.  No dog in the basket but she seemed glad to talk to someone and tell a few jokes.  Eventually she said she had over 6400 miles for the year, had a huge number of miles the year before and put up big numbers the year before that.  While everyone could barely comprehend what 6K+ of miles by October truly meant I handed my phone to Mary for a photo.  I regret that I did not give it to someone else for if I had then there would exist of photo of three people who have ridden over 6400 miles in the 9 months of 2016.  Tomorrow, good Lord willing, I will pass the 7000th mile mark.  Instead I thought only of myself and and Mary was excluded.  Enough regret.

Das Cake

In Albany we stopped at the park again.  This would be our last opportunity to see the bus.  We finally got to enjoy the cake decorated for this occasion since we were too tired Friday night and Saturday evening.  The last I checked there was only one piece left.

Fulton was our next stop.  We took the route proper and cooled off at a gas station.  I drank a Smirnoff Ice, Electric Blue, that in its plastic bottle looked not unlike a sports drink.  Resuming our southern journey we were serenaded by a small orchestra on the trail, probably taking a photo but they played while the 16 of us rolled right through them!

Donnie fixin' a flat!

All of us watching Donnie fixin' a flat!

The rest of us watching Donnie fixin' a flat!  I should have done one panoramic shot here.

The only mechanical issue of the weekend occurred next.  Donnie had a flat tire.  Piece of glass in his tire.  He had a new tube and pump and we all had an opportunity to rest while he fixed the flat.  This was on the Riverview Rd, a residential area with ZERO traffic.

Riley's in Cordova, IL

Unlike the previous day we stopped at an establishment in Cordova, IL, for rest and relaxation and a chance to look at NFL on tv.  Once rested we rolled to Port Byron for lunch at Harrington's.  We were given a private room with a view of the street and river.  Only craft beer was available on tap and the food was delicious and in huge portions.

Port Byron

The final 15 miles back to the bus were uneventful.  The trail was pretty empty on this sleepy overcast Sunday.  The closer we got to Sunset Park the more water we saw in the streets and trail.  Some cars were driving where they should not have been given the flooding from the rain not the Mississippi.  But we made it to the bus, loaded up and drove to an ice cream shop for a much deserved reward.

FINAL ASSESSMENT

I cannot wait to return to this trail.  We barely scratched the surface.  There is so much to do on it.  there are boats that will take you and your bike across the river to Iowa.  Breweries are nearby as well  I'd really like to take a touring bike and spend 4 days on the river.

The Girl That Kicked the Opossum's Nest

Thursday October 6, 2016.  Clive Greenbelt Nature Trail.  Less than a half mile from the 3 mile marker from the east.  Mary is riding her road bike.  I am about 1.5 meters behind her.  It is 545 am and still dark.

We cross the bridge that the gentleman from Great Britain failed to cross and plummeted to his death.  Now we are curving to the left as the trail makes a U shaped jaunt to remain creek side and not cut through a playground area.  And there she was.  A dark grey opossum cross the trail moving slowly.

Mary got over to the right the best she could but bicycle and marsupial collide.  No sound is made.  Mary's bike stays upright and does not even wiggle.  She lost no speed and successfully makes the next curve.

I watch her as all this unfolds, hoping that she does not crash.  But in the bottom of my eye I see the opossum appear to explode.  It stopped and turned 90 degrees but a black and white fireball erupts over the woodland creature, debris going two feet into the air.

My first thought was "what a dirty bastard!"  My brain was telling me that it was leaves and sticks flying off our forest friend. But then I realized it was her babies abandoning ship or getting knocked off.  No sound, no cries or shrieks.  No blood on the trail or opossum or Mary or the bike's tires.

If this was a horror movie all that debris would have turned into thousands ov evil bats and consumed us.    But it was not.

I hope Mama and her pups are ok.  I am sure that the jogger approaching us shortly afterwards and the walker behind us would have stopped to helped them.

BTW, Mary hit a raccoon on Monday.  It stopped and hissed at her.

Waiting for the New Store

One of the issues about using a bicycle for 99% of my transportation needs is purchasing of groceries.  I have the ability to haul a significant amount of goods on the bike with or without using a trailer.  Hauling groceries is not the issue.  Finding a convenient store is.  I use the neighborhood stores as much as possible.  B&B Supermarket is great for meat and a few other items as well as sandwiches.  Graziano's has everything I need Italian especially sausage (much cheaper at the source people).  But both lack fresh vegetables, expensive dog food and wine.

B&B meat run.

Graziano's

Of the major supermarkets in the Des Moines metro I find them difficult to frequent.  The closest Hy Vee is a mere 2 miles away but getting there is difficult.  There is a long slow hill and traffic.  And a stretch of false flat, looks flat but it is actually uphill or gravitational pull is stronger here than elsewhere.  Cars are parked on the street so the possibility of getting doored or hit from behind is greater.  Crossing SE 14th (highway 69) is a dangerous affair in cars let alone on a bicycle.

Empty parking lot at SW 22nd Fareway  445 pm

Fareway on SW 22nd is a 6 mile round trip from my home.  Most of this is on a nice trail.  The only buzzkill about riding here is that is the baseball and soccer field which increase traffic.  But my major beef with this store is their refusal to install a bicycle rack.  Easy to ride to, difficult to park the bike.  I've spoken to the manager about this.  He said that there is not enough room in the parking lot.  So today I did a quick count of cars at 445 pm, Friday.  Less than 30 cars in the lot.  Any other store would be packed at this time.

Another Fareway is located in west Des Moines on Grand Ave.  New and modern and puts the SW 22nd store to shame.  It has bicycle parking.  It is also on my way home from work.  But to get there I must cross 63rd St (highway 28).  I don't care if it has signals, it is a dangerous intersection and I feel uncomfortable crossing it every time.

The store i frequent the most is the Hy Vee in Windsor Heights.  Essentially right off the trail and a mere 8.5 miles from home.  I like this store.  but once again I need to cross a busy street to get there, University Ave.  Despite Windsor Height's campaign to make their village more bicycle friendly, University is a 25 mph freeway and crossing that road is dangerous.  But for now it my main supplier of groceries.  I recommend their Market Grill.

6 bottles of wine from Windsor Heights.  They do have the best cheap wine specials.  Why do I cross the busy road?  To get to the cheap vino!

This is why I am anxious for Hy Vee to open their new location on Court Avenue.  I will be a flat and bicycle friendly mile and half from my home.  I plan to ride home, switch to a grocery getter bike and make that 3 mile round trip.  It is also located near my bank, another perk.

Last Day/Commute of Summer

430 am I open the door and I felt it right away.  Not unlike opening an oven and having a meat loaf slap my face but then again not that bad.  76F with 80% humidity it was almost suffocating.  Going to sweat on this ride.

Crossing the bridge at water Works park we first noticed the fog.  And the deer.  And the walnuts.  All three at once.  Deer everywhere betrayed by the reflection of our lights against their eyes.  Some running across the trail, others hiding in the trees.  Keep eyes moving from the deer to the trail to find a clean line through the black walnuts scattered on the trail.  Nature's IED.

The wind is from the south so we feel zero movement of air and hence the fog off the river.  The river is very high from recent rains and I fear the next rain will send it over the banks and onto the trail.  The last day of summer, late September and I really should be mowing the lawn twice a week.

The worst fog was along Walnut Creek as we rode along the dog park and entered Colby Park.  Fortunately, we stayed on the trail and did not hit anything or anyone.  The trail has been rather empty of humans today.  Just a few people fishing at the beginning near Mullets.  No other bikers or runners.  The usual dog walkers are absent as well.  We may have started early today.

The Greenbelt was actually a relief.  Despite its curvy nature it is more open for airflow and we cool off a bit.  But we are ever alert for other trail users, noticeably absent today.  yesterday a man walking a golden retriever dutifully stepped off the trail and heeled his dog to let us by.  I guess he saw our bright lights from a distance.  They were not there today.  Just rabbits, cats and deer.  The fog was gone as well.

We parted ways at 128th.  Mary headed north, me south into the wind.  But it felt good as it evaporated the sweat and cooled me down.  In a few months it will be much cooler and then miserably cold.  I look forward to bitching about that but will appreciate not overheating.

Fare the well, Summer, we will miss you when you really decide to leave us.

Labor Day Stomped for Vino

Hands in the drops.  Head down.  How far ahead can I see?  10 feet.  Look up every now and then.  Stay next to the white line.  It's a flat straight road.  Smooth, too, which helps more than you think it would.  I'm not worried about cars behind me.  Mary will give the warning.  They can see us.  Ride in a predictable manner and glance up.  The road has been empty.  Estimated mileage from winery to turn is 7 and half.  After 3 and half the Elkhart turn.  We will not be turning.  Hope nobody is on 94th because once again I forgot to to lower the tension on my right SPD and clipping in is a bitch.  Look at the computer.  11.9 mph.  Good.  In the distance is the Principal Tower jutting out into the sky like a far off mountain peak.  Damn, we got to ride south of that.  Nurse that water bottle slow.  It's a long way to Sargent Park in Des Moines, the first place I know of where we can fill the bottles.  Should have taken two.  Keep in mind that you have ridden in worse for longer distances and you are going much faster than those miserable days.  Keep on pushing on.  There is no other way.

After many weekends of slacking bicycle-wise we decided to join the Cellar Ride & Stomp.  The Cellar Winery at White Oak has planned a Labor Day festival of picking grapes and stomping them.  Riders got to choose to begin at Fire Trucker Brewery in Ankeny or Reclaimed Rails in Bondurant.  The distance to winery is 13 miles from either location.  Sounds like fun.  I like beer, bikes and wine.  This would be a great opportunity to take the tandem out and visit a winery we have never been to before and purchase a bottle to bring home.

Mary and picked Reclaimed Rails since it is easier for us to get to from Des Moines (avoids the endless Ankeny traffic).  An easy 5 miles to the Gay Lea Wilson Trail along the newly finished MLK sidepath and bike lanes from our home.  Instead of veering left to the Four Mile Creek Trail we stayed on the GLW and headed to Altoona and took the county roads into Bondurant.  This saved us 2 miles and probably some more time since county roads are faster than trails.  Big thank you to John Dowd to show us how to navigate the residential neighborhoods to get to Reclaimed Rails.

We got to the starting point at 1145 am.  Nobody was there.  Founder's Pub across the street had many bicycles.  but these folks were mainly from Ankeny.  A few gawked at us when we said we roade up from Des Moines.  i don't know if it was that they knew that the wind would kill us on the way home or that we were brave and did not take the trail to Bondurant.  Refilled our bottles and stopped at the the trailhead to study Google Maps and hit the restroom.  When we shoved off Mary said she saw bikes at the brewery.  We really did not have time to participate in the fun and games.  I really just wanted to get a bottle of wine and be home in time to prepared a turkey dinner for our children.

Unknown territory.  The best thing about riding bicycles in the northern regions is that it is basically flat, paved and organized by a grid.  Head in the direction you want to go and adjust course as needed.  I have no idea how the official riders got to White Oak.  We headed west out of town and then turned north when I got annoyed by traffic.  I've ridden once to Elkhart, the town I used as a waypoint to the winery.  That was with Eric Crabb.  Years ago from Altoona.  He kicked my ass on the way back on that dark drunken night.  I wish he'd start riding again. #fatslobbagger where art thou?  We were looking for 46th but turned up 56th or something.  Then the left on the newly repaved 94th.  This rode lacks shoulders but traffic was life.  Finally the sign for Elkhart, 4 miles to the north.  From there I correctly estimated our destination would be another 4 miles away.  We rolled north to 150 and took a left.  Then we were there.  It was 13 miles from Bondurant since we were now at 30 for the day.

More on the road.  Heading west had us getting hammered by a strong cross wind.  It felt good, however, as Mary remarked it would have been a miserably hot day without it.  On the north runs of 4 then another 4 miles it was a tailwind.  One of those vacuum winds.  You can see the corn and trees move in the wind but there is no breeze on your face unless you stoke it up to at least 30 mph which we did.  Put it in big ring and get into the drops and couple taps on the rear shifter until the perfect balance of speed and cadence is found.  North of Elkhart hills emerge but they proved to be rollers.  Just the roar of the tires.  We did not speak, just pushed the tandem like a well oiled machine.

The Cellar at White Oak

White Oak.  I never knew this was a town.  The address is fro Cambridge, however, residual history exists and created an identity for the people here.  The winery is on the corner.  No signs!  Of course we came in from the road that turns to gravel but still, no fookin' sign.  Well, there was a small chalk board on the side walk behind the wooded fence next to the building.  but Mary said it looked like a winery, large nice looking house, reception area.  Slowing down I asked a local who happened to be next door and he said it was indeed the winery.  U-turn into a gravel driveway parking lot.  Now we could read the chalk board. "<---- Taste Room."  It was in the back part of the building.  Land and park the tandem along the wooden fence.

The friendly folks of the Cellar at White Oak Winery were a bit surprised by our arrival.  They were still setting up for the event.  I think it was barb who told us that the riders left at 12:15 or about a 1/2 hour after we departed Bondurant.  I stated our business clearly, "we are here to sample your products and purchase a bottle."  And we were let in.  we were able to talk to the owners.  John Barber had just harvested 7000 lbs of grapes.  Speaking of which, their grapes are grown locally and focus on those varieties that fare Iowa winters well.  That is the issue in Iowa, short growing season and long harsh winters.  And great soil....

Water was the first thing we needed.  Absentmindedly, we forgot to bring in our bottles for the filling.  we sat at the bar and studied the menu.  I our usual MO, Mary sampled the whites and I the reds.  They Had a Fire Trucker and a Reclaimed Rails brew on tap, Bud Light cans for those who need a high school beer.  Brianna was the runner up, a semi sweet white.  The winner was the SweetHeart which we told them just to give us a warm bottle since it would be warm by the time we got home.

We asked about the road back, 38th, and was told it would take us to 78th or Oralabor Rd.  It was a beautiful ride home with many nice homes.  This took some of the sting of the headwind off us.  But soon we were in the middle of nowhere fighting a 23 to 30 mph wind.  We stopped once under the shade of a large tree and split a Powerbar and a bag of PowerShots, left overs from Ragbrai.  The road led to where they said it would and we took a left on Berwick and intercepted the trail a few miles later.  we ended up on the new section of the Chichaqua trail and then the Four Mile Creek Trail for making the ride a loop.  We ended up with a bit over 57 miles so it was 27 miles from the winery to home.

The tandem was so tired from the wind it literally fell over and took a nap while we rehydrated at Sargent Park in Des Moines along the Four Mile Creek trail.  10 miles from home.

I'd like to do this ride properly sometime.  We did not as tomorrow is a work day and I planned a meal for the kids.  Time, always a question and matter of time.  We do plan to visit the Cellar at White Oak again.  Mary said it would be a great day to hit this one and Snus on the same day.  Just don't make plans for home afterwards!