riding into June and the beginning of summer

[north woods gal]

We don't have lemon trees, up here, but I've been carefully watching some wild blueberry and strawberry patches along a couple my bike routes, waiting for them to ripen. Will trade you some berries for some lemons.

[emily_in_nc]

Glorious photos, rebecca! And one of my very fave desserts ever. Lucky, lucky you!

[north woods gal]

Did a 42 mile loop, today. Saw a Ruffed Grouse sitting by the road, right on the side of the road, so circled back for a better look. Got very close and saw it was a hen with chicks, so I carefully backed away and just enjoyed the view.

Half mile down the road from that very spot, saw something big and black moving though the brush making its way out onto the road. Sure enough, big black bear. It crossed the road about 50 yards in front of me and went on its way. Don't think it even saw me. Nevertheless, I waited a bit than pedaled VERY quickly past the spot.

No camera, of course. Still, made a great ride all that much better. Life is good in my north woods.

[Skierchickie2]

Sweet! I love seeing bears when I ride!

[emily_in_nc]

Cool wildlife sightings, NWG! I have never seen a bear in the flesh before. I would have pedaled fast too!

Today we rode from the state park campground where we're staying into the charming little town of Weston, MO. We then did some riding on a rolling county road before heading back into town for a tasting at the local distillery. They give two tastes (max per day) for a quarter each! Of course, it's good business as they know most people will buy something, and we did, of course. Nothing like a shot of liquor before heading three miles in strong headwinds and high heat up big hills requiring tacking -- oy!

16 miles at a very slow pace but a lovely, hilly ride.

[rebeccaC]

NWG thankfully it wasn’t like (this) encounter last week in the Sierra Nevada’s captured on a go pro. It came out in a shady spot.
Come out for a insect free ride and we'll load you up with lemons to take back

I’ve seen black bears on the road in the San Gabriel mountains here on a couple of rides. A ranger told me all the bears in the S.G.’s are descendants of some bears sent to the region decades ago (eta 1933) after getting kicked out of Yosemite for being trouble makers. I also see it as a good excuse for a threshold sprint interval !!....i did come across a cougar going across the road in the santa monica mountains once. THAT made me nervous enough that i immediately turned around and did my fastest descent ever on that section of road.

Nothing like a shot of liquor before heading three miles in strong headwinds and high heat up big hills requiring tacking -- oy!

!!!!!.....there's some inspiration in there some where

[Crankin]

I have not seen a bear, but the last time I went mountain biking, up in the north woods of Maine, a moose jumped across the gravel road I was on....

[north woods gal]

We do have moose and also wolves in the area, but have yet to see those while biking. Also some reports of cougars in the state, now, too. A lot of folks, up here, carry guns in the woods for protection against animals, but even though we do have guns (we are target shooters, only, not hunters.), I just wont can't carry a gun while biking or hiking. Just seems to ruin the whole spirit of the thing and, besides, the odds of having any issues are less than getting hit by lightning. Doubt I could kill anything, anyway. Do have some bear spray, though. That might be an option. No offense to anyone who does choose to carry a gun, though. Very much a personal choice. Hope I don't upset anyone with this comment. What does everyone else do on this issue?

On a more positive note, my husband accompanied me for a few miles on my ride, today. He is very much a newbie and has some disabilities - back and foot problems - but it was great having company. I do get lonely sometimes, riding for hours on these remote roads.

By the way, I always carry a cell phone and we do have cell phone service in our remote areas.