Squalls.

As mentioned in the previous post I opted to take the Seven mtb out for a spin on Wednesday morning.  Man was that fun.  Just putzing along.  I went up the east side of the Mississippi a bit past Sauk Rapids.  Turned around and came back on the west side all the way down to Plum Creek and the River Bluffs.  The River Bluff trails were in great shape.  I even hit up Field of Dreams, which is usually just a winter thing.  I was surprised I didn't get absolutely soaked.  I also checked out parts of Plum Creek.  It's super close to being ready!  The trails really didn't open till end of May last year.

River Bluffs and the Mississippi.

From the south trails I headed back over to the east side and hit up the Race Track and attempted Fred Park but it was way too wet.  Back home with 30 miles and plenty of time to get to work.

Thursday the weather changed.  I woke up to a snow squall.  The snow was sticking to the grass but not the roads.  I waited a bit till the roads dried up.  I wanted to be out riding by 8 but 9:30 was the start time.  Not messing around the wind was already in full force out of the NW.  I made my way over to the River Road.  About 40 minutes into my ride another snow squall hit.  It was so bad I found a spot to pull over and wait it out.  I could barely see, thus, even with lights, cars would have a hard time seeing me.

You can see I'm pretty well covered.  The snow again wasn't really sticking to the road but melting.  So I was getting sprayed.

The spray turned to ice on my bike.

I continued on after the squall had passed.  I hadn't shifted gears for sometime and when I did nothing happened.  Everything was frozen!  Including my fingers with my toes soon to follow.  By the time I got to Rice I was seriously considering heading back home not the other side of the Mississippi.  I told myself I'd make it to the gravel and decided after that.  I was riding with my fingers pulled inside my gloves, making a fist to stay warm.  The water from the road had been making its way into my boots.  They are waterproof but the water was running down my legs into the top of the boot.  Since they are waterproof they water couldn't get out.  Squishy!  

I did get my gears to finally start working and the sun sporadically came out.  It's amazing how much of a warming effect the sun has this time of years, even if for a few minutes.  I pushed on.  The gravel was actually really good.  But the wind was relentless. The going was not fast.  Finally my fingers were warm enough to function once again and my frozen toes were no longer stinging.  

Once I finally made my turn towards home the sweet reward of the tailwind was amazing.  Zoom.  I've mentioned it before but for whatever reason when I'm out this way, heading back home, I always end up in Holdingford.  All roads lead to Holdingford.  Determined not to be stuck in the same route I made a serious effort to head more south than east.  It seemed to be working!  Making my way east I kept coming to intersections if I went straight the road would wind back North and to, yep, Holdingford.  WTH?!  Screw it.  I went south all the way to the Wobegon Trail.  Not a huge fan of trails but today I felt I earned it.  

Ride details.

I'll be heading out in few for an easy spin on Country Road 8.  Guessing I'll be on the Cutthroat. The Evergreen is a bit beat up from yesterday.  My other bikes have road pedals.  At 22 degrees my feet need a bit more for warmth than road shoes.

Happy Weekend and Easter.