Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Two Bridges Ride


What a beautiful day for a ride. I took out early headed southbound and down. The Southwind Trail lived up to its name as usual. I managed to start before the winds became too strong though. My goal was to ride to Humboldt and then head west across the bridge and out in to the wide openness of the Allen County gravel roads. I hoped to touch the Woodson County line and then head back north and take gravel back as far as I could towards Iola then hop on the highway and head home.
 

      Southwind Trail

The ride to Humboldt was wonderful. It was great riding the trail again. About half way to Humboldt, I encountered three foxes (real foxes not cute girls) playing around in the trail ahead of me. I managed to get a picture of one of them but they did not let me get to close. As I began to approach the one in the photo, he took off and ran ahead of me for quite some time. He stayed out ahead by about fifty yards or so and eventually jumped in to the woods and I lost sight of him.

                         Fox in the Distance
 
 
                                                                Another Shot of the Fox


In Humboldt, I stopped at the Neosho River Park for a little break to stretch the legs a bit. As I pulled in to the park, I noticed a gentleman who would later introduce himself as Wayne Smith and his wife Peggy. Wayne is on the board that manages the park and he and Peggy were out picking up fallen limbs and some trash that others had left behind. I always appreciate people like Wayne and Peggy for their dedication to taking care of the things we have been so blessed with here. Wayne and I had a great conversation. I believe he said that he was 83 years young. He was also in the Navy during the Korean War. Thanks for your service Wayne both then and now.


                                                                                                      Neosho River in Humboldt

After finishing my conversation with Wayne, I headed west out of town. I turned north on 900 Rd. and then headed back west on Hawaii Road. I then headed out Hawaii to 600 and headed north to Iowa I think. Whether it was Iowa or not, I headed west again to Yarrow and then north. I came back east on something and then took 400 north all the way to Nebraska Road. 400 is a fun gravel road to ride with some great little down hills. Don’t forget though that in mountain biking, what goes down must come up. Once I hit Nebraska road, I headed back east to the rock house road and then north to the highway.
                                                                                 County Roads
Once I hit the highway it was eastbound and down to the Neosho River Park in Iola where I stopped for my PBJ and Hershey’s almond bar refresher. I took a slight detour back to Riverside park before heading home. While at the park, I met Carl who is a 73 year old bicycle rider who had nothing but great things to say about the Prairie Spirit and the Southwind Trails. He rides a couple times per week and enjoys both trails. He said that he is looking forward to the connection to the trail from town that is coming soon as well. He also said that although he could probably not ride the new mountain bike trail that is being constructed, he is looking forward to walking it.

 
                       Neosho River Park in Iola

I always enjoy the ride. I enjoy discovering nature, viewing wildlife and the freedom of getting lost on county roads in the middle of nowhere. But the people that you meet on the way are some of the most joyous gems to be discovered. I was able to meet some great people today. Should I make it to 73 years of age, and no longer be able to ride the mountain bike trails, I hope I may still be found once or twice a week peddling somewhere between here and Humboldt or Carlyle. And should I reach 83 years of age I hope I am given the time of day by some young rider who finds me picking up trash in a park that I might share with them the adventures that I once had on the same hills that lay before them.

 Enjoy the Ride

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