Making the Best.

 It's a mess out there.  Thursday we were on the bottom line of getting more snow or not. 3-5" was predicted.  I went back and forth on which bike and type of ride I should do.  Cutthroat and gravel or studded fat bike and gravel or winter loops?  I opted for the fat bike and winter loops.  I wasn't sure on the coming snow.  Even with lights it gets sketchy on the open roads (even gravel) if cars can't see.

I started out doing some laps on the Race Track (Talahi Woods).  From there I moved down County Road 8 to Hidden Island Park.  It's kind of a weird park, not much of anything there, but I'm always able to squeeze in a bit of riding.

Both the Race Track and Hidden Island Park are along the Mississippi River.

Unfortunately I have to back track to get to my next location.  I do take some side loops to avoid too much of the same route.  Next up was Sand Prairie. All was good except the back SE corner, Bumpity Bump.  Every year there is remnants of trail that I can beat in.  Not this year.  Totally over grown with no indication of where the trail was.  I went by memory, what looked the best, and deer trails.  The first lap was painfully slow and hard.  The next two laps got progressively easier.  

Lot's of this.

The DNR puts in and maintains the trails throughout the management area.  A long time ago they had a trail (sort of) around the perimeter of Bumpity Bump, but no more.  Maybe it's too far out for most walkers?  Oh well, once we get more snow (that will last) I'll need to head out with the snowshoes and put in some solid time.

After Sand Prairie I headed up the Prison Hill to Friedrich Park.  The MTB trails are currently closed, given our current conditions.  After a lap and half I headed home.

The Ride.

Not my typical Thursday.  I'm not used to how much time it takes to cover distance on the fat bike, especially if it involves bushwhacking.  It was fun but I'm was also still having fun on the gravel roads.  I still feel this snow will melt.

The snow we were slotted for yesterday never really materialized.  It did snow on and off a bunch, making the streets wet.  Thus I'm taking the studded fat bike out again this morning. This time, however, I will do a gravel loop up to Gillman.  Or maybe not all the way.  I'll have to pay attention to time, not distance.

Have a great weekend.