Riding In November

We had a gorgeous weather weekend.  Mild temps and sunny skies were abundant plus we did the annual fall retreat from Daylight Savings Time and had a whole extra hour added to the weekend to do with whatever we pleased. 

I got out for a ride on Saturday to one of my favorite places, Kensington Metro Park with a 10 mile ride around the lake and a bit of side exploring.  On Sunday afternoon I rode 9 miles of the Border to Border trail in and around the Ann Arbor area.  The portion of the trail I rode wandered through the arborteum, Gallup Park, and the Parker Mill.  The entire route was along the banks of the Huron River.  This major river plays a role in many of the trails in both Washtenaw and Livingston County.  Kent lake at Kensington is a lake that this river system passes through and Island lake to the south has a lot of their trail running alongside this body of water.  The two locations are about 25 miles apart.  The Lakelands trail in Hamburg runs along side it in places and around lakes that this river wanders through.  The same can be said for the town of Dexter and the Hudson Mills metro park, located about 10 miles to the southwest of Hamburg. 

A link to a map of the river system can be found here and this link has some interesting information, the river, in total wanders through several counties in southeastern Michigan and is some 125 miles long.

In most cases many trees have dropped their leaves, however those trees that have golden yellow leaves and dark reddish brown leaves are still clinging to them and against a bright blue autumn sky the color combo was stunning.  What a glorious weekend to be outdoors!

Still Riding!

It's November 4th and I am still riding, what a great thing to be thankful for.  I am practicing using the month of November to be 30 days of thanksgiving and find something to be thankful for each day.  What a mood booster!

I have not posted on bike rides in a very long time, nor have I been tracking my weekly mileage here in several weeks so this post is going to be filled with stats.  The last week of posting mileage was week #27 that ended on 10/7/11. 

Week #28 53.5
Week #29 11.48 (rained nearly all week)
Week #30 32.49
Week #31 42.81 (this week ended today)

Week #28 had the Tour de Livingston in it.  I finished the month of October with 151.47 miles for the month which was considerabley less than the summer months where I was riding 180 to 220 miles a week.  Considering the weather in the fall can be wet and very windy, I'm not complaining and also grateful that I am still able to get out.  Last year my last day of riding was November 13th.  I am not a cold weather or winter rider.  So glancing at the calendar it looks like I may have another week of riding if all goes well.  If I get any days past this next week I will consider myself very lucky. 

There are days when it has been brisk and I had to really motivate myself to get out, however those have been some of the greatest rides because of how invigorating they are.  Afterward I am so happy that I went that it makes it far easier to get out the next time the temps are less than ideal.  The deep blue skies of October are enough to warm your heart even if the temps chill your hands and cheeks.  Add in the woodland smells this time of year and it makes for one of the best times of all the year to ride in. 

Autumn is glorious in Michigan and I am lucky to be well and out in it.

Autumn!

Yesterday I ushered in the fall season with a peaceful ride to Kensington Metro Park, pictured above was a resting stop lakeside at Maple Beach to enjoy the stillness of the lake.

Today I was back and this photo is from a brief stop trailside, enjoying the scents and sounds of the woodlands, trailside in the park. Autumn has such unique smells, it's like the culmination of the fullness of summer.

A bit further up the trail I spotted a foursome of sandhill cranes, by the time I stopped and got my camera out of my gear bag, only one was left.

Day 88

October 22, 2010 Found a new way to get to Island Lake State Park, there is a new mall up the road a few miles and if you go all the way to the back of it the rail road runs behind it, it's a half mile of rugged trail with really big chunky rock and slag, once you get past that it enters the State Park, rode the length of it to Kensington Metro Park and a bit into Kensington. Round trip today was 17.56 miles. Great ride and nice weather.

Had a little equipment malfunction and my chain came off down a big hill, I struggled with it for about 10 minutes and a couple of very nice bikers came by and helped me out with it, I was pretty greasy but back on the road again, thanks to their help.

My knee was barking on the way back from the steep climbs and some of them I walked my bike up part way. I was happy to see the water tower at the mall and then a little further up I was so glad to see my car again. Great timing as it was just before dark.

I'm thinking more and more strongly about getting my other knee replaced and just have it over with. I've strenghtened myself up enough to have an easier recovery. It'll be off to the doc soon.

Day 81

October 14, 2010 9.25 miles today on yet again another new path. Well it's new to me anyway - Kensington Metropark. When you mention bike paths around here everyone always asks if you've been to Kensington. Well now I have I know what the fuss is all about. It's one of the most gorgeous places to bike. I have not been to Kensington since I was a kid and there was no bike/hiking path back in the day.

Autumn must be the most spectacular time to be there. God has been busy with His paintbrush - rounding one corner after another with my breath taken away by the beauty.

Path rated hilly. It was. Photo is a stock photo from the parks website, not me or anyone I know.

Total mileage for WEEK 12 = 69.45 Miles

Day 59

September 21, 2010 12 mile ride tonight, roughly the same ride as yesterday sans the commute. Most days I never ride the same route two days in a row but it's a fun ride and it was a great last day of summer. Weather had been cooler and summer went out with a big bang as the temps rose up into the mid 80's again, a little freaky after the cool spell we've had but who's knocking a great day.

Came home from an errand tonight and my little frog was pasted to the window again, only he's not so little anymore. When he first showed up he was barley the size of a nickle (back on Day 7), now he's the size of a chicken egg. His photo is here but because it's dark there is a bright light in the glass from the flash. He's still cute.

Day 50

September 12, 2010 Lakelands Trail with my niece Lisa plus a side trip detour on the way back for an even 12 miles. Beautiful fall day, temps a bit warmer than in the last week, feels good.

Day 47

September 9, 2010 8 miles up and down the lake today. Weather has taken a decidely autumn turn. Love this time of year. Finished Week 7 with 58 miles for the week. It was nice to have the long holiday weekend to get some longer rides in.