It was 51, I think, degrees F at the beginning of the ride (8:53 am), 73 at the end, with no clouds nor wind (app said “SW 0 mph”)
Looked forward all day yesterday to a (car) trip today to Loda Prairie this morning, but plans changed and the trip was postponed till tomorrow. It was harder than I expected to change gears, especially so “late” in the morning and decide on a route, though was glad to be getting in a bike ride. So made a list of possible options and did Setubandha Sarvangasana on two bolsters for five minutes, after which decided to ride west on Windsor and get a couple of Pandamonium doughnuts while the selection was still good then wander west/south as far as I felt inspired to go.
First stop was for the Amanita mushrooms under the Race Street spruces. They were a modest presence, but was glad to see them.
Then my son on his way to work happened to greet me at the stoplight on Race and Windsor, which was a nice lift for the day.
The tree leaves were at the beginning of turning; orange and red were common but still surrounded with plenty of green.
Got two orange-pistachio donuts (yes!) and took Windsor to Staley Road south, then west on Curtis and south again on Rising Road. Saw a lovely old cottonwood in front of a farm house and spontaneity made up a song: “Cottonwood tree on Rising Road, no politics, no politics, just a cottonwood on Rising Road.” Then, “Woolly worm crossing Rising Road, no politics…”
Thought about the sorry attempt at exchanging ideas at last night’s debate and the comic relief of the fly (I saw it take off!) on Pence’s head.
The corn and bean crops were either pale and crunchy dry or harvested.
Along Old Church Road saw a dead coyote.
Stopped at the Prairie View Cemetery,
a place with old grave markers,
as did a desperate monarch butterfly. Rode Old Church to Race then home.
The distance of the ride was a satisfying 21 miles.
Velo du Jour 