Over the past couple of weeks, we have had more than our share of sunny days and blue skies here in Michiganderburgh. I have no idea why, but I’ll take it. Granted we’ve yet to see temperatures above 60˚, but bright sun and blue sky at least 95% of the time is pretty sweet for this transplant who was raised on Joe DeNardo predicted Western Pennsylvania “partly cloudy skies with a chance of showers.” However, today was NOT one of those days. It was damp and chilly and everything–and I mean EVERYTHING–was various shades of fecal matter brown, baby vomit, and slate gray.
When I woke up to let Jake (the dog) out for his early morning wee, the sun was just starting to peak out into what looked like was becoming a clear blue sky. As I mindlessly shuffled, mumbled and farted my way back upstairs for more blessed pain-free sleep (the dry socket is getting better), I was stoked at the prospect of a dirt road ride under blue sky and sun. Sadly, when I woke up an hour or so later the sun and clear skies were gone and the things were looking pretty depressing. But, with B and Wifey going down to GR for the day with some friends, I knew a ride was on the table.
After bouncing around on the web and taking a few pics of some backyard wildlife, I FINALLY kitted up and got my wide ass out for a ride. I was probably a bit optimistic to sport the knee warmers again, but I did it anyway, just ’cause. Things were crisp indeed, but at this point I am just stoked to be getting miles in and not having to deal with ice and snow and will with the temps as needed.
The dirt roads were a bit muddier than I anticipated and I’m not sure why; we had a dusting of wet snow the other day, but I didn’t think it was all that. Maybe it’s just some continued melt going on, OR God’s way of saying he hates me?
As per usual, the flatter sections (like Denver Road seen just above) were less than perfect. Denver also has some long stretches of flat that makes me want to just lay down and rock back and forth whilst crying out to the cycling gods to deliver me back to the hills of Pennsylvania. The only thing that got me through some of these head in a noose sections of Denver was thoughts of this year’s Gent-Wevelgem race that had less than ideal conditions, gray skies and winds that were blowing the dainty little racer boys into ditches. While today’s north winds could have in no way moved my fat ass into any ditch, I still decided to put my head down and pedal on, as I waited and hoped for a hill or at LEAST a false flat to come upon me.
Big ol’ silo birds. Turkeys? Guineafowl? Probably Turkey Vultures.
As much as I love riding on snow and ice-free roads, that time between the last of the winter snows and the first warm days in Michigan always seems to last forever. One good note today was that the frogs could be heard chirping, barking or whatever it is that frogs do, along the marshy areas. That is always a sure sign that spring has indeed sprung, and sooner or later the temperatures will warm up.
As with most of my rides, today was nothing special; just a ride to get outside, roll some dirt and burn some calories. How I manage to turn such crap rides into blog posts is beyond me. It’s just what I do… ’cause I got fuck all else to do.
Today was one of those mud spackler rides.
Upon getting home, it was clear that today’s ride was one of those rides where the dirt roads decide to become a passenger on my bike… my skin… clothes, face, etc., etc, etc.,…
I won’t complain about getting outside and enjoying 30+ miles of Michigan dirt roads and crap pavement, but I will say that I am becoming sort of desperate to see some color. I mean shit brown and baby puke yellow is nice and all, but at the end of the day it’s still shit and puke.
Despite all those fecal brown colors and un-spring like temps I am hoping for more miles in the coming days. ‘Cause that’s what I do. I ride junk miles, I take a few shit photo and I write some crap ass blog post about it. And I sort of like that.
Later.