I took a nice gentle ride early yesterday evening along Spring Creek Trail to Spring Creek Park. There is lots of natural beauty along this trail, so I hope to be able to show more photos as I ride this trail. This photo was taken shortly before the sun set around 6:55 pm. I am gathering with a few high school classmates today for an ‘end of summer’ picnic at 11:00 am. It looks like we will have plenty of sunshine and I assume more than enough food. I am taking a crockpot of barbecue pulled chicken for making sliders and a roll of Tums. I hope you enjoy your weekend!
I sit up on my porch to journal as the sun and a blue sky of scattered clouds give way to predominate gray clouds. Then… a trash truck picks up one of the dumpsters and loudly shakes its contents into its hungry jaws; a dog barks it’s lonely plea for attention but their pleas are ignored, so it barks louder; a car engine starts up then is quickly overpowered by the blast of an earth shattering stereo, silence seems impossible; a screaming ambulance rushes by as it hurries to the aid of someone in need, maybe it’s silence they need; a demon possessed leaf blower starts up, eager to join in on the noise pollution parade. I find myself annoyed. I let out a silent sigh and begin taking much needed breaths. Eventually, a moment of external silence arrives, the gray clouds move on and in this silence words begin to flow. Then…
It’s been a quiet Labor Day for me and hope you have enjoyed your day. I began the day with an Old Town Mocha and wonderful conversation with Jeff at Mugs. About mid morning I took a nice ride along Spring Creek Trail and Poudre Trail. I rode 23.4 miles and returned with tender buttocks. The trails were busy as people were out enjoying the weather before the cooler fall temperatures move in over the next few weeks. This image is one of 5 small ponds along the Spring Creek Trail on the east side of town and part of the Cattail Chorus Natural Area. Just behind these trees is the Poudre River and the 12.3 miles of hard-surface trail which follows the Poudre River from North Overland Trail to East Drake Road and connects to CSU Environmental Learning Center. About a half mile from this location I connect up with the Poudre Trail. After the ride I treated myself with a Turtle Pecan Cluster Blizzard at Dairy Queen. After all, it was on the way.
So I purchased some new wheels, a Class 1 electric bicycle. I have been thinking about one for a while but never seriously did anything about it, allowing it to remain a fantasy. It has been a part of the idea of simplifying my life and reducing my carbon footprint. I was also highly influenced by a book titled Curbing Traffic that was recommended to me by one of the baristas at a coffee shop. Over the past few years I have driven my car less , using the city’s mass transit and walking. I primarily use my car as an escape from the city, bulky groceries, traveling longer distances or when cold, or inclimate weather convinces me to take the car.
On the advice of a friend and since I had never ridden one, I decided I would take one out for a test ride. Fortunately or unfortunately, it was love at first ride. I handed them my credit card when I got back. I even liked the color! 😁 I made the purchase on August 9th and have already ridden over 200 miles with it. Hopefully, over the next few weeks I’ll share with you information about how it’s working out for me and what I’m learning. So far everything is positive, almost feeling like a kid again. Even though I’ve ridden bicycles throughout my life, this is turning out to be a new experience. I’m 74 years old and wondered if I was too old for this; primarily my strength, balance and reaction time. I am also discovering that an e-bike rides differently, so there are plenty of lessons to learn. Pedaling on….
