Saturday, December 4, 2021

Solitary Ride on The Heart of Iowa Nature Trail


December.  As usual this time of year starting about the end of August, I am bored with local rides.  Been everywhere more than once.  Motivation to get out and ride fades away.  And most of my time to ride is a solo effort which further kills my motivation.  Sadly, the best way for me to get rolling is to put the bike into the car and drive somewhere different.  Effort.  Then I remembered the Heart of Iowa Nature Trail.  Crushed limestone surface that is often smoother than the paved trails in my metro.  Have not been there in 2021 and my one adventure there in 2020 was as significant portion of a century ride.  I loaded up the same bicycle, my Verenti Substance adventure/gravel bike aka heavy roadie, and drove to Huxley, Iowa.

When dry such trail surfaces are often better than cracked asphalt trails.  NOTE TO SELF: ride this trail next October/November for the beauty of autumn leaves.

Soon to be gone with the wind.  Eastern outskirts of Huxley.

It took me years to appreciate unpaved trails.  Dirty and dusty and the need to avoid them when they are wet.  But they have a certain charm and the possibility of running into the Lance Armstrong wannabe crowd is nil.  Personally, having great winter memories of night rides in December on the Great western Trail before it was paved, such trails are better with snow and ice than their paved counterparts.  Solitude.  I've been told that I could find this same sense of peace on gravel roads but I am not a fan, rougher, cars and trucks and farm implement, dogs, harsh surface and dustier.  I do enough destruction on my bicycles without seriously going out to destroy them on certain roads.  I am just not hip enough for gravel.

December 3rd was a day that reached 55*F and sunny with a light wind from the north.  Perfect for autumn pedaling.  Long sleeve jersey and jacket, ear warmer and light gloves plus tights.  For the bike I brought a lock, tire repair and one bottle none of which I used but that's what happens when one carries insurance.

My Verenti Substance.  Verenti was the house brand of Wiggle, a European sports retailer that is now owned by SIGNA.  Now Vitus is their main brand and also sells this bike as a Vitus.  I purchased it because of the Shimano Tiagra groupo at a great price and that it is named after a New Order and Joy Division compilation LPs.  Verenti also released two other New Order named bicycles, the Technique road bike and the Movement singlespeed mountain bike.

Once the bike was unloaded I headed east on the trail and enjoyed an empty 5 miles of pavement before the rock surface began.  Cambridge was the first town but I rolled on by remembering the shaker bar that was present when The Ragbrai included this town on the Century Loop and the time Mary and I rode here from Madrid and nearly died from the heat.

This must be the winter surface of the bridge over Indian Creek.  For snowmobiles I guess.  Never seen this done before.  Good idea.

I wonder if the senior citizens of Maxwell chucked these pumpkins into Indian Creek west of Maxwell?  Missing is the pumpkin that landed in a tree.

Seems the Patton tank is the most popular static display tank in Iowa.  Almost every small town has one as a memorial to those that serve.  Maxwell, Iowa.

Maxwell was the last town I rode to before turning around.  I took Highway 210 in on its shoulder since the trail disappeared after the bridge.  A stop at the park next but I should have visited Logsdon Grocery for a drink and sandwich.  Apparently, I was in the ride 25 miles without consuming mode.

Once back in Huxely and some tooling along the bike was packed in the car and a my next stop was at Casey's for cold water.  Some people were attempting to pay for their pizza with their toy, iPhone Apple Pay, but failed so I paid for it myself.  Hate to see pizza go to waste and three people's dinner plans ruined.  It is almost Christmas and I'd waste $13 on something less noble.

It is a Friday afternoon, shame this place had yet to open.  A winery would be open.  Notice that my vehicle is reflecting in the window?

Great ride!  Beautiful trail and I will return.


All the best..