I’m somewhat pleased with myself that I’ve been able to get out for a winter ride three out of the first five days of the New Year. Yesterday was a nice sunny day and quite pleasant to ride. Today unfortunately, was damp and cloudy. That first picture below was taken today. As you can see, … Continue reading "My First Polygon"
Is two enough to qualify as a collection? I considered getting my own two thumbs into the picture too, but was too lazy to set up the camera for a timed shot. So, just imagine mine are there too. They’re there because there’s cause to celebrate! But you’ll have to read further here to understand what … Continue reading "A collection of thumbs"
One last submission for the Collection challenge: a file of mailboxes, on Sasabe Road. Sorry there’s no snow crowning them – that would be perfect for the season – but sadly, all we got was this almost hot sunny day. Darn.
I thought I was done with this month’s collection challenge, but this cute little clump of hedgehog cacti was just too adorable to not share. Sorry, no bicycles, but they’re not allowed on the trails of Saguaro National Park. And besides, it seemed like this site was getting overburdened by a blizzard of snow posts … Continue reading "A clump of cacti / a heap of hedgehogs"
Rocky’s interest sure is. She can hardly wait for this month to be over so I’ll quit holding us up at some stupid spot on the road for a photo I can wrap a post around. She requests that someone, anyone, please come up with a theme for next month so we don’t have to … Continue reading "Is your interest in collections Flagging?"
Much of the San Francisco Bay Area went under lockdown / stay-at-home / shelter-in-place orders weeks ago. Santa Rosa and Sonoma County followed suit shortly afterward. As of this morning, the entire Bay Area joins the bulk of the state under strict isolation rules. Nevertheless, I decided it was essential for me to get out … Continue reading "Golden Gate December"
Last winter, we headed south for a few months to escape the worst of the cold weather. We had planned to do the same this year. After much discussion though, Marilyn and I decided that given the pandemic and the dire predictions of what the next few months might bring, we just weren’t up for … Continue reading "Winter Preparations"
I intended to undertake an early ride from our rental cabin on the Klamath River up to our son’s ranch in Montague, then return to the cabin by bike later in the day following familial festivities. However, overnight a thick fog formed in the river valley and the temperature dropped to almost 20° F. When … Continue reading "Klamath"
This doesn’t qualify as a challenge post, since there’s nothing empty about the featured image. Quite the opposite, in fact. I just thought I’d pass on our encounter with a googol of snow geese at a refuge not far from Chico – one of the most memorable bird sightings of our lives. You might especially … Continue reading "A googol of geese"
I’m not sure why this challenge has been harder for me. I leave home on a ride empty-headed with the best intentions, but return empty-handed. All of the photos seem to have something in them – flowers, trees, birds, the usual riffraff that keep hogging the stage – but finally a suitable image showed up. … Continue reading "An empty wharf"
Since 1984 I’ve hiked through Sugarloaf Ridge State Park many, many times. I pedal the park occasionally, but not as often as hiking it, because few trails are designated for bikes, and they tend to be too steep. Today, however, Sugarloaf deserved a visit on two wheels. Read more at Bill Bikes: Sugarloaf, Part 1 … Continue reading "Sugarloaf"
Former NBA star and noted recreational cyclist Bill Walton is hosting his Bike for Humanity “Halloween Ride” on Saturday, 31 October. Riders can ride any distance, any location, while physically distancing. Participation is free, but donations are accepted for charities to benefit firefighters, their families, and fire victims, especially related to this year’s wildfires. More … Continue reading "Bill Walton’s Halloween charity ride"
Those who have followed my rides (and who wouldn’t want to waste a great deal of time doing exactly that?) know I haven’t been out and about exploring new locales as much as usual over the last nine months or so. That’s because of—surprise, surprise—virus, fires, and family obligations. Naturally, I’ve been itching to pedal … Continue reading "Big River"
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. It seems like every locale where I pedal a bicycle in California eventually burns down. From Redding to Venado to Berryessa to Bizz Johnson and more, I’ve lost track of the number of places I’ve pedaled that have subsequently been consumed by fire. Of course, that probably has little to do with me. The … Continue reading "Glass Fire Burn Zone"
I’ve been really impressed with all the arches everyone has been able to find. I’m really becoming convinced that here in New England (or at least my little corner of it), builders are much more into angles than curves. On my ride yesterday, I looked carefully at every house I passed, and there was nary … Continue reading "More looking for arches"
Coyote Hills is relatively close to the Berkeley home of John, with whom I’ve pedaled in San Francisco and in Santa Rosa. He agreed to accompany me. (You’d think he would have learned better by now!) We met at the Don Edwards Wildlife Refuge parking lot, where my heart momentarily sank when I realized the … Continue reading "Coyote Hills"
A deep marine layer swept in this morning, blew away the smoke, blotted out the sun, dropped the temperature, and provided the first real taste of fresh, sweet, cool air in days. I hopped on the Ogre and headed out the Greenway. Read more at Bill Bikes
When Scott put forth this month’s Arch challenge my first thought was, “This should be easy!”, but as I’ve looked around the last few days, there seems to be a lot fewer arches in our local architecture than I thought. So, maybe not so easy. Today is a rainy day. It rained quite heavily all … Continue reading "In Search of an Arch"
The “LNU” mega-fire complex in the North Bay includes several big burns—some separate, some merged—like the Walbridge Fire and Hennessy Fire. These roared through sparsely populated areas, but threatened multiple towns and cities, such as Santa Rosa. The populated areas have mostly been saved after more than a week of strenuous effort. But some communities … Continue reading "Ashes"
This morning the AQI (air quality index) looked reasonably decent at “moderate.” Not having been out on two wheels in more than two weeks due to heat, fire, and smoke, I decided to cruise out the Greenway in order to determine if my legs still function. Smoke-filtered sunlight cast a hazy, yellowy pall over the … Continue reading "Smoke City"
Back a few weeks ago, I headed over to New York State to watch over my son’s house and cat while he was away. It was great to get away (despite being without power for two days), but there was a downside. According to Vermont’s current travel restrictions, when visiting a county in a neighboring … Continue reading "Finally back out and about"
It didn’t take me long to say yes when Nancy asked if I could find a day to do another virtual tour during August. We settled on Tuesday, which at the time was supposed to be dry. The night before that changed to thunderstorms at 1 and 4. I think it was Mark Twain who … Continue reading "Cycling with Nancy #2 — McNeely Lake Metro Park"
Siskiyou County (that’s “sis – kew”) is larger than the state of Connecticut but with a population of only about 45,000 spread across its 6,347 square miles. The county stretches from the Oregon border in the north to majestic Mount Shasta (14,179 feet in elevation) and points south, from Lava Beds National Monument in the … Continue reading "Little Shasta"
Yesterday my ace support crew and I drove up to Siskiyou County on the far northern edge of California—adjacent to southern Oregon—to spend a few days inspecting our new granddaughter. Naturally, Old Grumble-Face found it necessary to bring along the Ogre, and today I managed to slip away for a short ride in and around the … Continue reading "Moon over Montague"
Up the road in Yreka important family business was in progress, but in Santa Rosa there wasn’t much I could do about it except maybe boil some water. To pass the time, I drove out to the crossroads known as Two Rock and parked at the church. From there I pedaled toward the coast to … Continue reading "Sonomarin"
Last week I drove over to Winters in Yolo County to pedal through the far western edge of the Central Valley and up into the foothills of the range separating Yolo from Napa County. Today I drove to Lake Berryessa in Napa County on the opposite side of those hills. From the lake, I wanted to pedal … Continue reading "Heat, snakes, ticks, and poison oak"
The Central Valley of California, larger than nine US states, produces more than half of the fruits, vegetables, and nuts grown in the United States. It’s divided geographically into the Sacramento Valley to the north (drained by the Sacramento River) and the San Joaquin Valley to the south (drained by the San Joaquin River). Today I decided … Continue reading "The Big Valley"
I found a bike club website with directions for a ride to the Grizzly Island Wildlife Area in the Delta. It noted the route could be extended to the far side of the island for riders willing to grind gravel. I combed through the California Department of Fish and Wildlife website and the Grizzly Island … Continue reading "Grizzly Island"
I try to pedal from Sonoma to Napa at least once each year, but it’s been a while. Time to ride. The winding route through the Carneros wine region is for the most part flanked on both sides by vineyards. I sometimes think of it as the Grape Road. I had no reason to think … Continue reading "Lost in the Sloughs"
I’ve been busy with lumber and power tools on a DIY project for a few days, but my ace support crew allowed me off leash today, so I headed up to Lake Ilsanjo in Annadel State Park. Read more at Bill Bikes
I’ve come to the end of my “Travels on a Bicycle” archive of photographs. I’ll finish with some of my favourite photographs. Not all taken while on a bike ride, but all related to cycling. Malaysia I really like the composition of this one. The shot was taken by a photographer for Cycling Malaysia magazine … Continue reading "Virtual Tour 45: That’s a Wrap"
After retiring a few years ago, I’ve made it a point to get away every two or three months for at least a couple of days of bicycling in parts unknown. The lockdown followed soon after I returned from riding in Nevada in February, and that caused me to cancel a couple of expeditions. Since then, … Continue reading "Blue Skies at Tolay"
Out the Greenway and then via gravel to the wastewater pond where Santa Rosa Creek meets the Laguna de Santa Rosa. The gate—usually locked—was open today, allowing me to venture past the “No Trespassing” signs near the water treatment facility. More at Bill Bikes
Houston was home from 2008 to 2010. Zulfa and I lived in this building on Main Street. You can’t get more downtown than that. Commerce Towers is marked by the red dot in the centre of the map below. I started cycling in Houston as a painless way to exercise following ACL replacement surgery. My … Continue reading "Virtual Tour 40: Downtown Houston"
I had mentioned in an earlier post that I had a bit of a break from cycling earlier this year, so I’m still in the process of ramping back up to my pre-break mileage. Today’s ride was exciting, since it’s my first ride over 30 miles since sometime late last fall. The ride goes north … Continue reading "Building up the miles"
George Floyd / “I can’t breathe” / Black Lives Matter demonstrators have marched through Santa Rosa every day for at least a week. For the most part the marchers have been peaceful, but on some nights the composition of the crowd alters noticeably. A few of those individuals with a different agenda have been responsible … Continue reading "BLM"
My entry into the Trike category of the June Challenge. Actually one of the few pictures I have of my early days. 61 years later, I’ve made it to two wheels. Who knows, maybe I’ll be back to three someday. Tried to get the same pose, but didn’t quite make it.
Team Hess coming to life early in the morning on Day 2. Some of us were still digesting the excellent barbecue dinner served out of this monster. Adios La Grange. It is usually pretty chilly as we roll over the Day 2 start line. This gentleman never fails to lift the spirits. He occupies the … Continue reading "Virtual Tour 19: The BP MS150 Day 2"
The MS 150 is a two-day ride of between 150 mi / 240 km and 180 mi / 290 km, depending on which of the three starting points you choose in Houston. Day One ends at the Fayette County Fairgrounds in La Grange. The final destination is the Texas State Capitol in Austin. It is … Continue reading "Virtual Tour 18: The BP MS150 Day 1"
The prospects appeared excellent for a drive down to San Rafael today and a little two-wheeled excursion. And so it was. Warm weather. Some familiar scenery. Some terra incognita. I parked by the local Target and puttered around San Rafael. Crossed the big bridge to the East Bay and back. Pedaled through the tunnel to … Continue reading "Bay Heat"
We’ve had two nights of “I can’t breathe” protests and some property destruction downtown. Nevertheless, I was surprised today to discover, as I was riding my usual route westbound on Sonoma Avenue, the street ahead was being blocked by a mass of protesters coming in my direction. Read more at Bill Bikes
In late 1982 or early 1983, a camera-wielding friend photographed me and my Roberts in the driveway of the house where I lived in Illinois. Later she surprised me with a poster-size print of one of the photos. I happened to run across it — rolled up for almost 40 years — the other day … Continue reading "The more things change…."
Sonoma County gradually emerges from lockdown. Since the beginning of March, I’ve only undertaken one bike ride that didn’t involve starting at my front door and returning to the same spot. I was about ready to return to some rides requiring a drive to the trailhead, but that was slow to get going. We had … Continue reading "Emerging"
So, I’ve been following along here on cycle365 for awhile, but decided it’s about time that I leap into posting. It’s been a little while since I’ve used WordPress, so bear with me while I get my feet wet. Let me start out with a little bit of an introduction. My name’s Bob, and my … Continue reading "13 Mile Daily Loop"
I had one more stop after Chico before I flew home. Los Gatos, in Silicon Valley, to visit a college friend. It was an easy drive from Chico to Los Gatos by way of the Rapha Cycle Club San Francisco. My friend mentioned the trail that runs through Los Gatos. A quick look at Google … Continue reading "Virtual Tour 8: Los Gatos Creek Trail"
I went to university in Chico, California, many years ago. In 2016 I was in the United States to participate in the BP MS150 ride from Houston to Austin. On the way back to Malaysia after the BP MS150, I drove from San Francisco to Chico to visit old friends. My flight into SFO arrived … Continue reading "Virtual Tour 7: American River Bike Trail"
Day 4. My legs were sore from the cumulative effects of climbing every day. I wasn’t thrilled at the prospect of 1,100m / 3,608ft of elevation over the course of the next 80km / 50mi. 35km / 22mi into the ride we rode onto the Mayhoffer Singletree Trail. The Mayhoffer turned into the Meadowlark Trail. t … Continue reading "Virtual Tour 6: Around Boulder Part 2"
In 2015 I went on a cycling vacation in and around Boulder organised by Cognoscenti. A week of riding, dining, and spectating. We stayed at the excellent St. Julien Hotel. The view from the patio was a sampler of things to come. What was described as the Day 1 “acclimatization spin” was a 57.5km / … Continue reading "Virtual Tour 5: Around Boulder Part 1"
I will post one link a day until I run out. I have seven years of blog posts to choose from 😄. In May 2013 I was in Manhattan for the TD Five Boro Bike Tour. It was and still is America’s largest cycling event, with participation capped at 32,000 riders. The 40-mile / 64-kilometre … Continue reading "Virtual Tour 2: Nyack"
My friends and I are very happy to be back on our bikes again. The ‘new normal’ does have a silver lining. Falling behind other riders no longer counts as being dropped. Now it is social distancing 🤣 We still have a restriction on interstate travel so extended bike tours have to wait. In the … Continue reading "Virtual Tour 1: Golden"
With Annadel State Park reopened—for those who can reach it by foot or bike—I hopped on the Ogre and headed up on a lovely Monday afternoon. A few hikers and bikers on the trails, but not many. Within one minute of arriving at Ilsanjo, I noticed two figures approaching on foot from the other direction. … Continue reading "Ilsanjo"
After more than a month, Sonoma County’s lockdown has been slightly relaxed. Can you tell I’m smiling about being back on the Greenway? Read more at Bill Bikes Musical accompaniment. I’ve lost track, but I think no one has used this one.
Another locked down day, another cruise around a nearby neighborhood, just a couple of blocks over (and slightly uphill) from home. Read more at Bill Bikes
My ace support crew insisted she needed to take a drive today to visit an old friend of ours. It wasn’t exactly essential travel, but I decided not to debate. Instead I said, sure, you can drop me and the Ogre along the way and we’ll find our way home. Read more at Bill Bikes … Continue reading "Tour de Livestock"
Seems I’ve been gone so long that I can’t figure out how to make a post!! Let’s hope I figure this out so my iPad doesn’t end up against the wall…..this is my third attempt. We (mostly me) have been riding north more. They are trying to keep folks off the trail. Today we made … Continue reading "Hello From Monterey Happy Earth Day"
After several dreary days, it feels like the weather pattern has shifted. It must be spring. That means I need to slip out of lockdown and push pedals. With parks and paths still closed, the only route east requires riding along the shoulder of Highway 12. I usually take the back way, but it’s blocked. … Continue reading "Tour de Fleur"
What is it with this month and the damn dogs, anyway? Is this what Eliot meant when he said April is the cruelest month? Are we in the dreaded dog days of April that everyone talks about? Being chased by three dogs today really does seem unfair, considering. No bites at least, but it’s enough … Continue reading "Three dog day"
Greetings from Lockdown Day 31 and Counting. Due to all the closed parks and bike paths, I need to be creative in order to find safe routes and interesting destinations. Today I worked my way through traffic and pedaled north on Santa Rosa’s main drag, then kept going into the countryside. I swear the streets … Continue reading "Town and Country"
Wandering routes seldom or never visited on two wheels, I stopped by the old, boarded up hospital on the hill. Perfect setting for a horror film. For real horror, I spied this along the street: Read more at Bill Bikes
We had almost zero rain prior to the lockdown. Now that we’re under orders to stay at home, we’ve had several rainy days, which actually seems like reasonable timing. Back to sunny weather today. I was itching to get out for a ride, but our lockdown has been extended and some additional bike paths and … Continue reading "Tour de Murals"
When all my favorite bike routes are blockaded due to self-isolation stay at home quarantine lockdown shelter in place shutdowns, there’s one loop that’s always available. Today I dressed up for the ride and chose my musical accompaniment with care.
All the parks in Sonoma County where I regularly hike and bike are closed as part of our pandemic lockdown. I decided to take a look at a couple of the nearest parks. I knew I couldn’t get into them, but I wanted to investigate, trying various entrances. Here’s what I found. It must be … Continue reading "Parks Closed: Tour d’Apocalypse"
Yesterday Sonoma County ordered all parks to close due to an excess of congregating by self-isolated, locked down, sheltered in place, stay at home folks. When closing parks, that meant every state park, county park, regional park, city park, etc, plus every open space, schoolyard, playground, and multi-use path in the county. Wait. What? Paths? … Continue reading "Closed: Tour de Lockdown"
After taking two days off the saddle to keep pressure off her injured elbow, Rocky was ready to roll. We drove out to Sauvie Island to join the masses, surprised to find that we didn’t have the whole island to ourselves. I’ve never seen so many hikers and bikers out there, as everyone is looking … Continue reading "Rocky returns"
Rachael’s fortunately doing fine after her brush with disaster. She slept poorly last night because she couldn’t lie comfortably, but today she doesn’t have any signs of injury other than the scrapes she walked off with yesterday. She took the day off her bike while her abrasions heal up and went for a 12 mile … Continue reading "Date night"
I pedaled out the Greenway and back this morning. Saw quite a few people along the path. This guy is usually very good about social distancing, but it looks like everyone is taking extra precautions.
Wednesday was mostly an errand day for me, as we started preparing to break camp and move on to The Dalles, our next temporary home. This is such a strange and unnerving time, and the first time I’ve had any misgivings about not having our own home. It might be nice to be sheltering in … Continue reading "A near miss for the missus"
We didn’t buy anything, because the Butteville Store is closed for the season or the duration. I haven’t included a song, because I don’t know how to upload one. How are folks doing this? How-to instructions would be welcome. So, our ride through French Prairie is not a challenge ride of any kind. Still though, … Continue reading "French Prairie"
Today’s cold ride to Powell Butte surprises me by having just enough snow to craft a small snowman at its summit. I’ve checked with the Rules Committee, and they’ve assured me that it’s fine to post another snowman for Greg. With it so cold today, it might as well still be February anyway. Also, I … Continue reading "Powell Butte"
We’re a third of the way through March and I still haven’t come up with that perfect tune yet. And I can’t claim any coffeeneuring credit for today’s short ride either, Since I didn’t have time to stop for coffee or buy anything. And I hardly did any biking to speak of, so today’s tree … Continue reading "Unchallenged in March"
As much as I enjoy Tolay Lake Regional Park, it takes at least 45 minutes to drive there. That means I don’t get there too often because when heading for a park I usually opt for something closer. Also, Tolay—with practically no shade—tends to be very hot in the summer and—with dirt ranch “roads”—tends to … Continue reading "Tour de Tolay"
Lately I’ve been doing a preponderance of comparatively short off-pavement rides. Steep, rough trails make up for distance. Today I decided I wanted to stretch out the mileage a little on pavement. I haven’t been up toward Shiloh Ranch Regional Park or Foothill Regional Park since the wildfires in that area last year. Must be … Continue reading "Yellow"
I’ve pedaled past Helen Putnam Regional Park without stopping. I’ve pedaled into the parking lot and utilized the restrooms. But never have I bicycled through HPRP. It’s a relatively small, busy park on the edge of Petaluma, known mostly for hiking rather than biking. But I decided to give it a try today in more … Continue reading "HPRP"
Okay, one more musical oldie while warming up for the March Challenge before I actually accomplish something new for this month’s challenge. This was my commute to campus nearly every morning before I retired, but in the dark for almost half the year. Looking back, I think the music (live performance of “Bicycle” by Livingston … Continue reading "Bill Bikes to Work"
I won’t claim this for the Challenge of the Month, because the ride is a couple of years old, but I couldn’t resist jumping on Greg’s challenge for March. Note that in this one I don’t sing or dance. Yet…. The ride The music (on YouTube)
What luck – with our long month this year, I’ve got time to squeeze one last rust photo, from my latest Heritage Tree Quest outing. Here, Rodriguez is leaning against one of a trio of rusting steel pillars bearing sculptures by Native American artists. Besides the usual assortment of fine trees today’s run netted a … Continue reading "Leaping out of February"
I thought I was done with February, but these brilliant cycling days just keep coming in Portland. If I could share some of them with you, I would. Yesterday on our ride to Gresham we crossed a new but already nicely rusting steel bridge; saw six bunnies; and to top things off, saw another shady … Continue reading "Saving the best rust for last"
In 2017, I met John from Berkeley when the Mad Marauders terrorized San Francisco. Earlier this year he spotted me while we were both riding the new bike lane on the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge. Since then we’ve been trying to get together for a ride, and it finally worked out today. Read more at Bill … Continue reading "Mad Marauders mini-reunion"
Not sure if advertising on side of beer delivery truck counts as a mural. Can we get a ruling from the judges? Little-known fact: Earlier in his life, Old Grumble-Face was sometimes known as the Emaciated Rasputin. Read more at Bill Bikes
I confess. I’m having trouble keeping track of the personal themes this month, and who chose each theme. I think I already screwed it up. Now I’ve probably done it again. But I pedaled today and photographed rusty farm equipment and a duplex Little Free Library. Maybe I got something right. Read more at Bill … Continue reading "Thematically confused"
Once when my ace support crew and I visited our son and his family in Yreka in far northern California, they drove us over the mountains to Scotts Valley via a quiet road that turned into dirt. It seemed like it would make a great bicycling route. Now, every time we’re in Yreka I try … Continue reading "Greenhorn Road"
What did I have to do for Greg? My ace support crew and I had to drive 300 miles north to visit our son and his family. I had to pedal the Ogre into the mountains, up a steep road that turned into dirt. I had to search desperately in the shady ditches near the … Continue reading "The things I do for Greg"
Well, with February fast drawing to a close I’d about given up on finding a silly snowman for Greg. We got lucky though on our ride to Chinook Landing yesterday. Doubly lucky too – this one looks right up Greg’s alley, with a goofy grin that makes him look like his alter ego G-2. Perfect! … Continue reading "Snowman!"
Finally, a rusty object that I can get my bicycle up next to. I found this prize on my latest PHTQ outing, embarrassingly truncated after only finding two new heritage trees. This is my third rust submission for the month, so MISSION ACCOMPLISHED! Still keeping my eyes peeled for those elusive shadowy sheep and snowman … Continue reading "A rusty bucket"
In order to repair the dam, the park maintenance crew drained Lake Ilsanjo in Annadel State Park to a level as low as possible. According to Cap’n Will (he and Jeff often swim the lake) if you tried to swim it right now you’d scrape your chest across rocks on the bottom. I suggested he … Continue reading "Ilsanjo"
I didn’t have any particular aspiration to copy anyone’s personal Challenge this month, but that changed a little today. My buddy Jeff has been almost entirely out of the saddle for months and months after a long series of medical issues. Last time we rode together was when he was rehabbing about ten months ago, … Continue reading "Cloning themes"
Today’s ride has three goals: honor many but not all of our presidents, and support the Holiday Challenge; copycat some of the themes of this month’s choose your own adventure challenge; and visit another set of trees in my Portland Heritage Tree Quest. I think I did quite well: one dead President, (Teddy Roosevelt, shown … Continue reading "Triple challenge on Presidents Day"
I drove to and from Nevada in order to undertake some riding from a temporary base in Las Vegas. In both directions on the drive I made sure I had enough extra time to be able to stop in the desert whenever I spotted something worth exploring. I could pause for a quick photo, or … Continue reading "Desert Highway"
I had three rides planned from my temporary base in Las Vegas. On Friday I bicycled the River Mountains Loop. Yesterday I rode through Red Rock Canyon. Today I intended to ride through Valley of Fire State Park. Unfortunately, by Saturday evening the weather forecast deteriorated considerably. The wind was already blowing like crazy when … Continue reading "Valley of Fire"
Yesterday I rode the River Mountains Loop. For the second ride from my temporary base in Las Vegas, I chose Red Rock Canyon. According to what I read online, that National Conservation Area featured a paved road for cars through a stunningly scenic area. But it was a wide, low-speed, one-way loop with plenty of … Continue reading "Red Rock Canyon"
This past autumn I started scouting around for possible bicycling getaways to have up my sleeve when wintertime rains began to inundate Santa Rosa. One of the destinations that caught my eye? The River Mountains Loop trail outside Las Vegas. Although I had never considered Vegas as a cycling destination, a little more research revealed … Continue reading "River Mountains Loop"
Because I knew I’d have plenty of time to drive across the desert from Mojave to Las Vegas, I kept my eyes open for interesting sites to explore by bike along the way. In addition to my planned ride to Zzyzx, I figured I might find some out-of-the-way, oddball places to spend a little time … Continue reading "Baker"
Definition of rust 1a: the reddish brittle coating formed on iron especially when chemically attacked by moist air and composed essentially of hydrated ferric oxide b: a comparable coating produced on a metal other than iron by corrosion c: something resembling rust : ACCRETION 2: corrosive or injurious influence or effect 3: any of numerous … Continue reading "Challeng of the month: Desert rust"
On my two-day drive to the Las Vegas area for a few days of bicycling, I expected to have plenty of time for some short rides at places of interest en route. In particular, I wanted to explore the Mojave National Preserve, a place I’d never visited. While studying maps, I discovered within the Preserve … Continue reading "Zzyzx"
I should be home tomorrow, so I can finally start catching up on several days of riding, taking photos, and pondering the theme — now chosen, I think — for the month. Meanwhile, here are the last two teases. Valley of Fire and Desert Highway
Actually, I’m surprised that I haven’t come across more rusty relics here in Southern Arizona this month. It seemed like we were biking past agricultural implements rusting away in the basin or mining relics up in the hills every day in late January – it’s why I came up with this theme, thinking I was … Continue reading "Rusty Tucson"