Back in Motion

I replaced my demolished bicycle a couple months ago, and have been bike commuting to work again. I've also been working in some longer rides: to Whole Foods and back now and then to resupply coffee, around town to meet friends for beers and coffee and just generally cruising around. It's good to be rolling with the earth again, struggling up hills and sweating my cute little Bavarian ass off. I like the rapid succession of scenery, and the sensation of packing mile after mile into these old legs.

I went on a couple of rides over Memorial Day weekend, one short (about 5.5 miles) with my boys on Sunday, and a longer one (about 30 miles) by myself on Monday. The boys had a great time on Sunday. Below is a stop for apples and rest at roughly the halfway point.

I rode downtown the next day, then explored the technically closed road past Freedom Park to the Anchor Inn. The whole area is federal flood control land now, with no trespassing signs periodically posted. The Anchor Inn and stage are a total loss from the 2011 flooding, and all the old cabins and trailers sit empty, windows broken out and sides gutted for potential copper. As I rode down and back out, I was glad it was the middle of the day and not twilight. Quiet except for the calls of red-winged blackbirds and the hum of spring insects, the wrecked, abandoned buildings and piles of sandbags seemed like things out of a horror flick. Dim the lights and drain the color, and those yawning openings are where the zombies or cannibals would lie in wait. A couple of turkey vultures circled high overhead and, crazily, followed my progress along the degraded old road.


Freedom Park

...and the Anchor Inn and stage. I leaned in through a broken window to take the inside pics. I remember seeing the Wailers on that stage several years back. Now it's slowly folding down into the river.

...a few more from the trek into federal flood control...

I ended up riding all the way around the back of the airport on Lindbergh Plaza ...

... then back on the Riverfront Trail past Carter Lake and back through downtown before turning west for home. I did stop for an iced cuppa at the 16th Street Starbucks. Obligatory self portrait, with helmet hair, and a little the worse for wear:

much peace,

tjb