A little mid-day gravel grinder

I got an early start this morning, with much computer work accomplished, and this afternoon was 19C (66F) so that meant one thing. Gravel!

I road a few access roads out of town, and then hit up the canal path. Over the winter the county has been installing a new liner in the canal. It'll make it more efficient with less water loss, but it also means that a lot of the path has been closed while the heavy equipment is doing their thing.
As I approached the canal I didn't see any dust in the distance, or hear the machines working, so I figured it'd be a safe bet to ride down for a few miles and see what was going on.
They are really tearing it up, and the path along the canal is incredibly rough in places. Almost unridable. No work was being done today, so I ignored the road closed signs and kept the cranks spinning.

While they're installing the new liner, they're also upgrading the pedestrian bridges over the canal. This will be nice when they're done, but in the mean time, it means that my route was cut off half way, and I ended up just doubling back and retracing my path.
This was the first decent gravel ride I've had this year in shorts and a t-shirt, and man was it nice. Birds are back singing, gofers running all over and we're even starting to get bugs back! It's weird to be excited about the bugs, but after riding today, I'm so glad for the changing of seasons. It's more than welcome after the winter that we've had.

First bike ride since my elbow fracture

Today was planned to be a busy day. Mostly cleaning up our rental house in Rockyford in preparation for new tenants moving in this coming week. Seeing as most of the day would be spent cleaning, fixing and doing tasks that generally are not that exciting, I figured I'd better get out for a nice early morning ride. Have something like this to go on can make the day much better.

This was the first time I'd tried riding since my little incident on the snowmobile. Oddly, I ended up having quite a bit of wrist pain after the ride, while my elbow was fine. Not enough to worry about though. With a mild(er) temp of -4C (25F) I'm really looking forward to spring coming on. Fought a strong headwind on the way back, but that just adds to workout. A great hour and a bit of snow-gravel goodness.

Right before taking this last shot, the large sheet of ice I was standing on broke free. Mad scramble, but just managed to get off without dipping my feet. That would have made for a miserable ride back home. I guess I need to be more mindful of these things this time of year.

Eagle Lake

This morning I got back into the early morning routine again. After a few days in Montana, and then a Joe McNally 2day photography seminar, it was time to get back to work. 4:30am, down to the computer to work on pictures.

This morning all the cylinders were firing at 100% and I was able to bang out a whole lot of my to-do list before most people were even out of bed. As a reward, I gave myself a nice mid morning 10 mile bike ride. Being mid November, and the fact that we have no snow yet, I figured I had better get out there and enjoy the warm weather while it lasts. And by 'while it lasts', I mean today. We have a winter storm warning for tonight. Up to 10cm of snow expected.

I decided to head out on a ride that I hand't done in full for a year or so. Eagle Lake. There is a great little double track gravel path all the way, and, it crosses over the river too. I did a fashion shoot on the other side of the lake this summer, and wanted to kind of figure out the geography of the entire lake. I went as far as the crossing and then turned around. Here are some pictures of the trip.

Rode the bike paths out of town

found this location that might be good for a photo-shoot

the start of the path to eagle lake

all along the trail there are picnic tables. kind of nice

rear fender on for the mud. I was surprised how much of a difference this made

here is where the trail crosses the lake

even 5 miles out with no vehicle access, punks do their thing

I rode about a 1/4 of the way across, just to check it out

a thin layer of ice has started to form

go anywhere do anything friend

On the way back there was a fork in the road, this way dead ended

back on the right path, on the way home

Mid morning rides area always sweet. Somehow it feel like I'm getting away with something.

Cheers.

get outside and notice the un-noticed

It's good for the mind, body and soul.

Breakfast

1 part gravel, 1 part Karate Monkey, I part sunrise.

Spin cranks furiously for 1hr. Serve and Enjoy.