Just a Few More Polygons

I’ve gotten out for rides the last couple of days, doing what’s become my standard ride this winter, up and down Route 30 near my house. A little repetitive perhaps, but at least it’s getting outside, and at least it’s riding a bike. I stopped at an old favorite spot, the viewing platform under the I-91 bridge, and noticed lots of polygons. See feature photo above. Polygons in the railing, plus lots of irregular polygons on the platform itself.

Picnic table on the platform, containing these stones, most of which have messages of hope. Kind of appropriate. I’m feeling pretty hopeful today.

Today’s ride started out chilly, but sunny. With about five miles to go, however, the sky suddenly turned dark, the wind kicked up, and a serious snow squall blew in.

By the time I got back to the car, the squall had passed, but you can see the remnants on my fork and handlebars.

Retired guy who likes to ride his bike in Vermont.

12 response to "Just a Few More Polygons"

    • By: BobinVT Posted: January 21, 2021

      Yes, those stones were a nice find. I have no idea what the backstory is, but it definitely made me feel good.

  1. By: gregblood Posted: January 20, 2021

    Like you, I don’t venture too far afield in the cold weather. I might ride 20 miles, but I’m never more than 3 or 4 miles from home. I don’t relish the idea of changing an inner tube with gloves on — or the alternative of freezing my fingers on ice cold steel. So I stay within the distance I think I can walk with a bike on my shoulder.

    Those stones are great. Vermont might have Minnesota beat in that the stones probably would have been stolen within a day here.

    • By: BobinVT Posted: January 21, 2021

      I still carry a pump and tube with me in the winter, but only as a last resort. I also try to stay within walking distance to home or my car. And if that failed, I would probably just call for help. I’m not sure how long those stones would last here in the summer, but at this time of year, that area is pretty sparsely visited. I suspect they will be there all winter.

  2. By: NancyG Posted: January 20, 2021

    I do “standard” routes around home as well. I have scouted out about 5 different routes and none very far from home. Sometimes they get just a little boring, but I would rather be bored on my bike than sitting on the couch at home ;’-). It makes me more excited when I do a new ride somewhere nearby with my friend.

    Nice photos Bob.

    • By: BobinVT Posted: January 21, 2021

      Exactly. In my younger days, I used to run a lot, and was perfectly content to run the same route day after day, early in the morning. I think that conditioned me to be comfortable with a routine. Makes for a great time to think and contemplate the universe.

  3. By: Laura Posted: January 20, 2021

    Good for you! Riding in the cold is for the exercise. I wouldn’t be getting off doing a lot of looking around, so repeating rides makes sense, especially in winter. Like those above, I loved the stones. I feel much more than hopeful today, I’m elated about what I’ve seen so far and it has been less than 24 hours. Nice pictures.

    • By: BobinVT Posted: January 21, 2021

      Yeah, I don’t get many pictures this time of year, because that would involve not only stopping, but taking off my gloves. Yesterday felt hopeful, and I felt even better waking up this morning.

  4. By: Rich-Illinois Posted: January 21, 2021

    Riding the same routes here too, never too far from home, no photos either, how many photos of barren fields can a person stand? 🙂
    All the stone are pretty cool with the messages of hope, for Covid, and (ahem), ‘other issues’ — which thankfully worked out!

    • By: BobinVT Posted: January 22, 2021

      I can appreciate the look of barren landscapes, but the pictures that I take of them never quite capture what I’m seeing.

  5. By: The Navigator Posted: January 22, 2021

    That does look a bit cold – but the colorful stones bring some zing. Glad you made it through the snow squall, that is never a pleasant surprise! But I suppose I would prefer a snow squall, than a rain squall at 42F!

    • By: BobinVT Posted: January 23, 2021

      Normally I wouldn’t have minded the squall, but it’s actually a fairly busy road (albeit with wide shoulders), so the lack of visibility with cars was a little unsettling. Definitely agree that it beats rain though!

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