April Rides

[north woods gal]

Glad to hear you dog is on the mend, Emily. My husband and I would be lost without our two dogs.

Rebecca, I've often toyed with the idea of getting a fixie or single speed. Not that I need another bike, of course, but the idea of the simplicity and durability appeals to me. Would love to hear more about these bikes if anyone cares to share their experiences.

As for me, I've been on ice patrol on our trails for the last three days, breaking up ice with a sledgehammer, then shoveling it off the trails. Fortunately, my trails are about 90% dirt, now, but back in the shade on sections where I packed the snow down hard with my winter riding, very thick 3-4" ice formed when the melting began. Would take another two weeks of warm weather to melt those ice sections, so I decided to take matter into my own hands. Crazy, for sure, as it is very hard labor, but all the trails I rode in the winter are now ice free and, even though muddy, I have been riding them.

As for my summer, only, trails - trails that I could not practically keep open with a snowblower (about a fourth of my trails) - they are still buried under the snow, but parts of them are peeking through. Can't wait to ride them, again, since thy are the trickiest to ride.

Temps got into the 50s, the other day and I rode with shorts. Yipee! First time since last fall. Felt great, after a long winter of wearing heavy leggings. Of course, 50s would feel horribly cold wearing shorts after a summer of riding, but I'm still very winter acclimated, so it it was very comfy.