September 23 rides?

[mary9761]

This morning the weather was an iffy prospect. There were possible severe storms forcast for later in the day. I watched the radar until it was time for me to leave at 5:30am. It appeared it was staying to the south of Indy so I took the chance of heading out for the ride.
It was dark and I knew I was going to be riding in the dark for a good portion of my ride. I put my new helmet light on and put a blinker on the back of the helmet along with my head light and and blinking tail light on the bike. I get to town and head north. It's still very dark by the time I hit the MONON in Broad Ripple. I've never ridden the MONON through here in the dark this is going to be a test for my headlamp. The trail was a NIGHTMARE! There are runners, joggers and walkers out there with NO LIGHTS at all. The clothing they wore had very little reflective quality and I often didn't see them until I was quite literally on top of them. The people I came upon head on were the worst. They had NO reflection on the fronts of them at all and I was trying to stay to the center of the path best as possible as I had limited view myself and I knew there were steep sides at certain points along the trail.
I kept riding and trying to avoid an accident and trying to deal with the light rain that had started to fall. The wind was already picking up. I had no idea for sure if there would be a ride at this point after I rode all the way up to the start point. The sky finally started to lighten by the time I reached 116th St.
I get to the start point and thankfully see several of the other riders gathering. We have a very small group today, I guess some people who live even closer to the ride decided not to risk the trip. Well at least the rain has stopped again. We get started and the winds pick up even more. This day seems like no matter what direction we go, we have killer head winds. It's going to be a long rough ride. Several of us semi stick together going to breakfast and do the best we can to battle the winds, holding steady near 18 mph at this point. We get to breakfast and decide since the storms have held off, we'll head to Cicero for the full ride.
I regret this move as I know I will have 40 miles or so of the increasing headwinds to get back to town Too late now gotta just keep pedalling. My legs are screaming and the winds just keep getting stronger. Getting back to the park and start point is a hard journey.
Upon arriving, the skies appear they could open at any point. I've been informed that there is a birthday party at 3pm, I get back to the park at 1pm. I start for the MONON and the threatening skies break loose. The wind is gusting upwards of 28-36 mph and it's all I can do to stay upright at times. I have no opportunity for shelter and I have to get back to the nearest bus stop which is still 15 miles or so away. The rain stings like needles as it is blown sideways with the terrible gusts. I'm drenched to the bone but all I can do is keep going. I finally arrive at 86th St and shivering pray there is a bus soon. Thankfully the worst of the rain has let up by now. By the time I get the bus I have 77 miles. I ride downtown, thankful of the warm dry bus. Unfortunately I have to transfer to another bus to get the rest of the way home and I'm shivering even worse waiting for it. The winds are still blustery and although I thought it was supposed to be warm today, it is NOT. I finally make it home and that's a whole different NIGHTMARE getting to the birthday party.

[mimitabby]

ah, the wonderful weather is back. we drove 2 hours to get to Leavenworth, a little bavarian town in the northern cascades.
We left the hotel at 9am and rode 40 miles. Up a mountain pass, and back down along the wenatchee river. it was beautiful, the weather was perfect. you cannot beat this area of eastern washington for scenery.
in the river were hundreds of LARGE 3-5 foot long salmon. they were resting because they had just swam UPSTREAM and were almost to the area where they spawn. They were incredible, this big mass of fish in the river. dh, the captain of our tandem kept looking at the river instead of the road. We met not a single rude motorist.
It was wonderful.
At the end of the ride we went to an oldfashioned hamburger joint (not a chain) and had a bad lunch but good malted milkshakes.