Spring or confused reptiles & amphibians?

It was hard to believe the weather forecast several days ago, but I guess it was right.  Yesterday was better than 60 degrees and today the same.  Sunny skies and warm weather, it seems like spring.

After being down and out with another cold I was looking for an excuse for a ride this afternoon.  The weather along was a good reason for a ride but I needed a destination.  I had a cycling magazine for Ryan so I decided to ride it to him, like an aluminum framed pony express rural delivery.

Across Valley and into the swamps I rode, turning on Messner.  As I started onto the long straight away with low lying swampy water on both sides of the road I confirmed KT's prediction.  She thought the warm weather these past two days combined with the overnight rain may bring some frogs out of hibernation.  She was right.

Is it spring or is this frog confused?

I spotted a leopard frog hopping across the road and halted his advance so I could take a picture.  (Full disclosure... I had no idea what kind of frog it was before KT told me after seeing the picture.)

Back on the bike, time to get rolling... ooooh, there's another frog and it's slimy black!

Ditched the bike and dropped to the

road for another froggy picture.

My ride continued and I pedaled the magazine to Ryan's house for delivery.  After visiting with him and Rylen for a little bit it was time to head back home with a tail wind.  I had been mostly into the wind on the way over.

I made my way back over to Messner to ride through the swamps again, wondering how many squished frogs I would find on the road.  In nearly the same place I encountered the frogs earlier I spotted a slow moving bump in the chip and seal.

A slow road crossing.

A turtle!  I used to have a turtle like this as a pet when I was a kid.  My bike was tossed into the ditch for the third time today while I snapped a few turtle pics.  I couldn't just leave him there to get thumped so I expedited his desire to be on the other side of the road.  It was quite a creature filled ride today.

You better pull back inside.  I hope you

have some mittens and a hat in there!

Is spring here?  No way, it's Ohio.  I'm sure there is some more snow to come.

Beavers Spotted

It was a nice afternoon to head out for a ride beneath sunny skies.  I rode west into the wind and headed across the Funk bottoms.

Abandoned house on Funk Road.

There's nothing like some good 'ol sunshine to make cool temperatures feel more comfortable.  It's not the effect of the sun heating you up, it just seems easier to be out in the cold with the sun shining down.

Sun behind, Amish haystacks ahead.

It's been a while since I rode across the Funk bottoms on Wilderness Road.  Sporting the cross bike and cross tires it was a good day to check out this dirty gravel road.  There was the ever present peat bog farming operations taking place alongside the road, and I noticed a new "pond" up ahead.

The water was frozen over, but I spotted a couple creatures out on the ice.  I reached for my camera with one hand while squeezing a brake lever with the other. Unfortunately my brake honked and two beavers wasted no time diving into a hole in the ice!  They were within 75 yards of where I stopped.  That would have been a cool picture.  Oh well, it was neat to see them fairly close.

Wilderness Road, pre-beaver sighting.

Hyperwarm in a Blizzard

Lately I've been tempted to buy some new cold weather clothing.  Perhaps something with the word "thermo" in the name of it, like a ThermoShield jacket or ThermoTec bib tights.  This morning KT and I had a chance to get out without the kids, thanks Grandma and Grandpa, so amongst other stops we visited a sporting goods store.  After trying on no less than six shirts I settled on a Nike Pro Combat Compression Hyperwarm shirt.  I figured "hyperwarm" was at least equivalent if not superior to "thermo".

Pro Combat?  Who comes up with this stuff?

Driving to Mohican in the afternoon, with my new shirt installed, the skies were mostly sunny and it was around freezing.  Closing in on Loudonville I looked to the west and spotted a mass of dark clouds.  For a few moments I wondered if it was going to rain before realizing it would snow at this temperature.  No worries over a few flurries I figured.

On the first, uphill mile at Mohican it's usually not challenging to stay warm and I certainly did today.  By mile two I was adjusting my outer wind layer to let in some breeze.  I guess I was feeling hyperwarm, the new base layer was getting the job done well.

Frozen ground.

Between miles six and seven I met the only person I would see on the trail today.  He was also riding a singlespeed and had ridden out before turning back to ride the opening miles in reverse.  We chatted a few minutes and headed off our separate ways.  Within ten minutes of our parting it started to snow a little as I started up the climb overlooking the gorge.  Next thing I knew it was a whiteout.

No view into the gorge, just white.  It almost

looked foggy in the distance. 

The snow flakes were big, wet, and numerous.  The view into the gorge was filled with snow, nothing could be seen.  In very little time the ground was covered and it was not letting up.  I decided to turn back under the assumption riding was going to be slow and dicey.  It was.

Deciding to turn back now.

With my tire treads packed with snow it was hard to crank the singlespeed uphill and keep traction.  After  spinning out a few times and putting a foot down my cleats packed with snow too.  Now it was difficult to clip into the pedals and I spent some time banging my feet against a tree to knock the snow pack loose from my shoe soles.  Otherwise, it was really scenic riding in a suddenly changed woods.  A white blanket had been laid down.

On the way out (top).  On the way back (bottom).

For the longest time I didn't see any tracks from the guy I had talked to just before the snow hit.  The snow had been so steady it filled in his tracks.  Eventually I started to see his tread pattern in the snow.  The white stuff had stopped after depositing a couple inches.

Following a track.

Arriving back to the car I was ready for some food.  It hadn't been a long distance ride but I put in the time, especially with slower riding in the snow.  It was a good test of my new shirt and it did well!

Recovery chocolate.

...


I pulled into the garage and took some gear into the house.  A surprise met me when I came back to get the bike off the rack... I guess that's frozen road spray from the drive home.

Chunky looking wheel.

Oh this is going to be fun to clean.

Opposite Direction

The weather was expected to bring warmer temperatures today and wind from the north.  I mapped out a ride heading north and back for several hours of riding this afternoon.  On the way home from church I noticed the occasional flag pole we drove by showed wind from the south / southeast; time for a change of route.

Can you girls check the weather on that thing?

 Ryan and I headed down to Millbrook Road and worked our way southeast toward Shreve.  The temperature was warm, mid 40's, and the wind was in our face.

Shreve Lake was frozen.

 

The skies were overcast.

 

We road south into Holmes County and found some township roads to pedal eastward.  The chip and seal surface frequently changed to gravel and mud.  I thought we were on a good streak of gravel when my map and the road in front of us did not agree.

But my map shows an outlet.

 A slight reroute brought us back north and we rode around Shreve again before taking a few gravel roads through the swamps.  We made a few detours on the way back home to maximize ride time.  Nice day to be out!

Only a few hills on the ride today.

 

After Ryan headed for home Daniel asked if we could go for a bike ride.  Of course!  I finished spraying off the road spray, wiped the bike down, and Daniel and I rode some laps up and down the road.

Making the red bike go!

Warm Woods, Cold Road

Went down to Mohican for a ride this afternoon.  It has been a while since riding a mountain bike and I chose the Karate Monkey for this ride.  I thought an eight mile out and back would be a good ride and would fit within the family schedule of the afternoon.

The temperature was right around freezing and it was windy, but I figured it wouldn't be too hard to stay comfortable in the woods.  I put on some layers, loaded the bike onto the back of the car, and headed to the trail head.

I was soon rolling out of the parking lot and into the woods.  Oh yes, the first left hand corner to start the ride... wham!  I managed to drastically oversteer myself onto my face and crash within the first 45 seconds of the ride.  Maybe I forgot how nimble the monkey rides.  I jumped back on and pretended nothing happened.

Leaves down but no snow today.

About 3 miles in I stopped and let some air out of my tires.  Ahhh... so much better.  I was getting bounced around and knew I had a few too many pounds of pressure.  About 8 miles in I reached the road and was supposed to turn back.  Instead, I talked myself into a quick descent to the covered bridge and climb up Mount Doom.  Seemed like a good idea at the time.

The downhill to the covered bridge was cold!  With no pedaling and a constant wind in my face I was chilled by the time I reached the bottom.  No worries, the climbing will heat me up.  And it did.  Two times I stalled the singlespeed on uphill corners.  I guess my legs were not ready for it but it was a good workout.

Before long I reached the second trail head and scooted over to SR97 for a ride back to the car.  I then learned what cold really felt like.  Despite zipping up and tightening wrist cuffs and hunkering down, I was frozen by the time I reached the car.  The fast downhills on the road took their toll.

Blasting the heat on the drive home and a hot McD's coffee brought me back to comfortable.  It was a good ride for this time of year, especially on the singlespeed.  I think I will feel this one tomorow.

Gravel & Mud Along the Rail Trail

With cross bike on the car rack I met Ryan in Fredericksburg for a ride.  The forecast for today called for temperatures approaching 60 degrees.  Choosing clothes was a challenge, it just didn't seem right to head out with so few layers in January.

Ellen tests out my clothing choices.

We jumped on the rail trail and headed south.  At a road crossing after Holmesville we left the trail behind in search of some quality Holmes County township roads, from the point of view of a cyclocross tire.

Not so much a gravel road,

it was more so a muddy road.

 

The roads zigged, the roads zagged, and our bikes were getting dirty.  Perfect.  We linked together some previously unknown roads and made our way into Millersburg.  The run into town ended up being on a state route as one of the township roads we intended to use was a road no more.  I guess the map needs updated.

A good road for fenders.

We rode our way back to the rail trail and headed north.  Along the way we had both shed some layers, it was feeling warm.  In Holmesville we once again detoured from the trail trail, but this time to the west instead of east, in search of more unpaved roads.  I think the sloppiest road of the ride was discovered in the final few miles, and this road made a post ride hose-down of the bike necessary.  We found some good ones.

Enjoying the cross bikes.

Motivated or Not?

Hey, I should head out for a ride when the kids take their nap this afternoon.  It looks sunny out there, but I bet it's cold.  What's the temperature? Oh yeah, the thermometer in the back window quit working.  What does Weather.com say?

Sunny, 30 degrees, 11 mph wind, feels like 20.

Aw, that's colder than I thought it would be.  Maybe I'll just pass on a ride, I've been to the gym at lunch the past three days in a row anyhow.

But... if I layered up good I should be able to stay warm.  I've done it before.  I could ride down onto the gravel roads in the swamps again, that would be scenic with the snow on the ground and ice around.  It's really bright out, but I could swap my glasses over to the grey, polarized lenses.

I know it's muzzleloader hunting weekend and there will probably be a bunch of hunters down in the swamps.  Maybe it's better not to go, and it's nice and warm in here.

The kids are in bed for naps.  Quick to the basement, there's no bad weather only bad clothing choices!

Heavy socks, heavy tights, shoes, over boots, base layer t-shirt, base layer long sleeve shirt, wool jersey, wind jacket, heavy hat, heavy gloves, pump the tires, swap the sunglass lenses... I'm getting hot in here.  Water bottle filled, snacks and cell phone packed.  Should I take the camera?  Sure, I will probably only pull it out if something looks interested, don't want frozen fingers.

Roll out!

About 35 pictures later... here are some highlights:

Nice sky.  Get moving to stay warm.

 Snow covered and icy in the swamps.

 It's a bit nippy out, but I'm warm.

 The roads are clear, just full of cinders.

 Heading back into the swamp,

having more fun than I look.

 Slippery fun.  I was never too cold.

Post ride hot chocolate and snack after a

great ride.  Why did I try to talk myself out of it?

Under the Weather, Under the House

Yippee, another cold for me.  The only riding I've been doing is on the trainer in the basement.  The past couple days I have done 45 minute sessions of mild spinning and it seems to have helped my head cold.  The recommendation I frequently read is if your symptoms are above your neck mild exercise is okay.  Below your neck, better not.  I have also read mild exercise can help reduce the duration of a cold as it brings in additional oxygen to promote healing.  Let's see what happens.

Ellen put on my helmet all by herself.

She even buckled the buckle.

Merry Christmas 2012!

And, Happy Birthday to Our Savior Jesus!

New Bike Smell in the Dark

Yesterday Ryan received a Christmas surprise with two wheels and a shiny green frame!  Santa Claus (his wife) delivered early.  Tonight we set out for a night ride to give it a maiden roll.

Ryan's new Raleigh cross bike!

It seemed a little unfair to be out on your first ride of a brand new bike in the dark as you are not able to look down and actually see the new bike.  I guess you could say it adds to the mystery or builds suspense.  This scenario does let you focus on the feel of the bike, which Ryan quickly noted was smoother and more dampened on the chunked up roads we traveled.

Stop sign road crossing in the dark.

We dressed for temperatures just above freezing and rode south then east.  It felt later than it was in the dark country side.  Early in the ride we encountered some unexpected traffic and realized some people were probably still driving home from work.  It was only 6:30 but dark as midnight out.

With no specific route in mind we ended up riding into Mt. Eaton before turning north.  We stopped for some food and found a grassy bank to ride down on our cross bikes.  It looked like this had been done numerous times before by kids in the neighborhood.  We shared in the fun.

Snack stop at the feed mill... seems appropriate.

East out of Mt. Eaton we rode before turning north.  The roads were quiet and temperatures seemed to be holding steady beneath a partially cloudy sky.  We pedaled through Kidron and back to Ryan's house.  We declared it a successful ride and I'd say Ryan enjoyed his new ride.  Now we need to find some gravel roads...

Gravel Hunting

After a too slow morning I saddled up at lunchtime for a ride.  I was craving some gravel so I pulled the cross bike, which has not seen much action since last winter, and pumped up the tires.  Good thing I hung it up ready to ride.

I'm glad the fenders were still mounted too.

I headed across Valley Road and soon left pavement behind.  There were big puddles to be found on the gravel section of Valley.  I was surprised to find ice puddles alongside the road.  It was 40 degrees with a feels like 36 when I left home.

Crunchy.

For the next hour I rode around the gravel roads of the swamps, waving at deer hunters.  There were vehicles at every pulloff and blaze orange figures everywhere.  I never did see anyone dragging out a deer.  I didn't feel too bad about scaring away potential targets as there were trucks and SUVs passing by pretty often anyhow.

Up out of the valley.

As usual, I liked being out on a cool, overcast day.  It's easy to stay comfortable by zipping up or down a wind layer.  I did get sprinkled by some sparse rain but only for a few minutes.  Nice afternoon for a cross bike ride.

A bridge in the swamps.

Test Piloting

Considerations for a new cyclocross bike are underway for Ryan.  I tagged along on a trip to Century Cycles to check out a Raleigh cross bike.

Ryan rides Raleigh.

The overcast day turned to a drizzle just as we headed out on a test ride.  The sales guy at shop asked me if I was going to ride too and I seized the opportunity to spin a Surly Cross Check.  It was a smooth ride on the steel frame and the down tube shifters were a fun throw back.

Surly and Raleigh.

We rode around on the back side of a shopping plaza.  The Raleigh was looking sharp and Ryan was liking it.  Ryan did not buy the bike today, maybe he is going to ask Santa Claus for it.  Forget the sleigh and reindeer... Santa can ride to Ryan's house on a cross bike, dismount, and hop down the chimney.

The Surly Moonlander.

I couldn't resist a lap around the show room floor on the Moonlander.  It's a fat tired freak show but seems like it would be really fun bouncing down a trail.  I asked Daniel if he would get more for Christmas and he said, "sure!"

The other green bike test ridden.

Cold on the Road

Well, it was not really that cold.  Maybe it was the coldest road ride yet this fall for me, 35 and windy when I left the house.  Thankfully my clothing choice was good and I felt fine after a 10 minute warm up on the road.

I was heading out Heyl Rd, with head down to the wind, and passed three cyclists pedaling in the opposite direction.  They were enjoying a tail wind and probably saw me long before I saw them.  An OCC jersey was in the bunch. 

It was a fine afternoon to be out on the road.  Hardly any traffic along my route and the air was crisp and skies sunny and blue.  I do like colder weather riding!

Back to the sun, and wind, on the way home.

Fall Fell at Mohican

It's been a long dry streak of spinning the cranks on a bike.  A stomach flu that came and went and came and went and came and went has had me out of action.  Today's agenda was to get down to Mohican before the deer gun season lights up and blow out some cobwebs.

Where does the trail go?

The leaves were disguising the trail making for interesting riding.  It was not possible to pick through the terrain, just roll and go.  The air was crisp but it was warm for mid November, just above 40 degrees.  It sure felt good to be out in the woods.

Just before turn around.

I rode out about 6 or 7 miles before turning around.  At this point I was content to get some mild exercise and hopeful to not trigger a relapse of illness.  Just before turning around I came upon a squirrel hunter.  It was the first time I had talked to a squirrel hunter out at Mohican.  We talked about how crazy deer gun season is down here and both agreed it was best to avoid the woods.

Dropping fast.

The sun had dropped below the tree tops but not yet below the hillsides.  I knew It was going to get dark quickly in the woods so I rode steady back to the start glad to have been rolling on two wheels again.