30 Days of Biking - Days 26, 27 & 28

Wednesday and Thursday's weather provided low motivation to ride resulting in very short rides both days, to the end of the road I live on and back. On Tuesday the high temp was nearly 70F but on Wednesday the high was half that, 35F, with freezing rain.

On Thursday morning, we awoke to a light dusting of snow on the ground and it didn't get above freezing all day.

Today was better. Mike put wheel covers on his recumbent and in the late afternoon we rode to the end of Airport Road and back.  

30 Days of Biking - Day 25, Fatbike test ride

Today's ride was a test ride of my new Carbon Speed fatbike that Mike just finished building up for me.

I let him talk me into getting this carbon frame. Now, I have to sell my Salsa Mukluk.

Mike accompanied me once again on his recumbent trike. We circumnavigated Hayward, mostly on the bike path.

30 Days of Biking - Days 23 & 24

The weather turned cold again yesterday and by the time I went on my short ride it was down to 35F. I rode to just past the Namakagon River to this property with the red barn, the site of what was once, if I'm not mistaken, an old lumber mill. The property was recently acquired and cleaned up by, I believe, a Mennonite group.

Mike accompanied me on today's ride on his Wind Cheetah trike.

As you can see in the photo below, the recumbent position is very comfortable and relaxing.

30 Days of Biking - Days 21 & 22

Friday was just as nice as last Sunday, weather wise, just a tad cooler but not a cloud in the sky.

We saw more Painted Turtles, about 10 of them on a single log.

We rode a loop we haven't done yet this spring, Company Lake, Chippanazie, and County Hill into town. We stopped at West's Dairy to see if they were open and, to our delight, today was their first day to be open since last fall. Ice cream!

Another glorious day of sunshine for Day 22! More Painted Turtles were sighted on two two different lakes, with 14 sunning themselves on one of the logs.

A ride up Highline to the gazebo near Windigo Lake was our route for today.

I spotted this mailbox along Windigo Lake with a lovely illustration of Cardinals.

After our stop at Windigo, it was once again to... West's Dairy! Like Mike said, Carpe Icecreamem!

30 Days of Biking - Days 17 to 20, Chilly & Damp

It's been chilly, barely above 40F, and/or damp every day since Sunday and, so, I have not been motivated to ride very far each day this week. Monday's ride was short, to the end of the road I live on and back, in the early evening as the sun was setting, after working on my mom's taxes for most of the day.

Tuesday's ride was to town to the bank and to mail the tax forms.

I looked at the radar and chose a time to ride where there was a slight chance I could dodge the rain drops.

Yesterday's ride was to the Namakagon River bridge on Hospital Road and then, just a bit further to Airport Road.

Today, I rode into town and spent some time at Backroads, the local coffee shop, reading the local paper and my book club book for this month.

The Duluth radar showed a wide band of precipitation continuously circling Duluth and environs today so there was no escaping mist and raindrops.

30 Days of Biking - Day 16, Painted Turtles!

Weather-wise, today was the nicest spring day we've had so far, except for some strong, gusty winds at times.

First sighting of Painted Turtles today!

I love Painted Turtles!

Also saw a pair of Canadian Geese and a pair of Hooded Mergansers.

And the peepers are getting louder! A beautiful blue sky day for a ride with big, puffy white clouds.

30 Days of Biking - Days 14 &15, Woolly bears & storms

On Day 14 I decided to ride my mountain bike again, even though my entire ride was on the road. My ride took me to Linden Road where there is a beautiful marsh with lots of waterfowl.

I came across the 2nd woolly bear caterpillar that I've seen this spring and stopped to escort it to safety as it slowly made its way across the pavement.

On Day 15 - A haiku on my ride to the Namakagon River

Wet pavement glistens
After recent heavy rains
Got in ride between the storms

30 Days of Biking - Day 13

Today's ride was to the Bike/Pedestrian Citizens Advisory Committee meeting at the Sawyer County Courthouse.

30 Days of Biking - Day 12

Mike and I took our mountain bikes out for a spin today, riding mostly on pavement, because the trails are closed, but also on an ATV route off of Hospital Road.

The route begins on pavement but then transitions to a narrow dirt road, some of it very sandy and other parts very rocky.

30 Days of Biking - Day 11, Snow in the a.m.

There was about an inch of snow on the ground this morning but by the time I rode in the late afternoon nearly all of it had melted.

The sun was out but it was still fairly cold compared to a couple of days ago so I did one of my favorite short rides, only about 8 miles: Riverside, Hospital Rd to Hwy 63, then back on Hospital to the end of Airport Road where I often see a herd of deer.

The route crosses the Namakagon River and passes by a small, riverside park along the way with a few benches and a picnic table.

30 Days of Biking - Day 10, Rain, sleet, Backroads

In the midst of rain, sleet and plunging temperatures, I set out on my ride today.

On a day like today, my go to ride was to Backroads, the local coffee shop, with my laptop so I could do some CAMBA work and a book, which I intended to read but did not.

I overheated on yesterday's ride but the cold wind gave me an icecream headache today.

30 Days of Biking - Days 8 & 9, The Park & Wooly Bears

Day 8 of 30 Days of Biking was just a short ride to the Park Center, where I volunteer, to make sure things were set up for the evening's show. After watching the exciting finish of the Paris-Roubaix pro bike race this morning, Day 9, we headed out for a ride with friends.

As we rode up Chippewa Trail, I saw a "wooly bear" crossing the road, the first one I've seen this spring.

The day was overcast but at least it wasn't snowing, yet. The high temp yesterday was 73 and today, 68, but tomorrow the predicted high is only 39 with 3-5" of snow in the forecast. Might have to get the fat bike out tomorrow for my ride.