Today I had the same plan as yesterday: go for a ride in the late afternoon/early evening on my fatty, take my DSLR, ride about 25 miles, and stop to take pics every so often when something interested me. Not the most intense of workouts, but riding twenty-five miles or rolling dirt and gravel roads on a 32 pound fat bike into the wind is still a pretty good workout. More importantly I would have a chance to make up for yesterday’s creative clusterfuck in which I forgot to put the SD card in my camera.
Unlike yesterday, there were some threatening clouds in the area and the winds were blowing a bit stronger today. While the wind can be a mental brain drain, I’ve found that when you ride atop a rolling paperweight like a fatty, and you are “big-boned” compared to most cyclists, the wind doesn’t seem to thwart you as much. I mean what’s the difference between going 12.5 miles per hour and 10 miles an hour? Well, other than 2.5 miles per hour.
I was glad I returned to the dirt roads today, because there were ample opportunities for shots. Some turned out, some didn’t, some were missed completely due to failures on my part (shock). The shots below of a Red Tail Hawk that was flying overhead were two of my favorite.
I only wish I would have had my shutter speed up just a tad more to get the wings a little sharper, especially on the bottom pic, but I will take what I can get.
There was a lot of activity out on the dirt roads today, especially among the Amish folks. Lots of hay being cut, wheat being harvested, and wood being hauled. Personally I have found that the Amish folks out there always have a smile in wave for you. No idea why that surprises me, I guess I expected them to think that anyone dressed in bright, tight colored Lycra should be shunned like a sex crazed, beer swilling, foul-mouthed, heathen.
Amish Levi’s jeans ad shot or just work?
In fact, today I had a funny encounter with some Amish as I rolled down one dirt road. There was a large field where a bunch of Amish boys and men were harvesting wheat [seen above]. A large wagon full of wheat had just pulled out and started down the road when I passed and made a right turn. As I rode by I thought I heard someone yell “Come back!” I assumed there was no way they were talking to me, so I continued on. I was still in their site when I stopped to removed my camera from my bag for some shots. As I fumbled to remove my camera from the DSLR Slinger on my bars, I heard the same voice again from the wagon yell “I WANT ONE OF THOSE!” I looked back and gave a wave which was returned emphatically by one of the Amish guys as the large horses trotted down the road pulling the loaded wagon.
From my experience working at the shop, I know how the Amish dig their bikes, I can only assume he was referring to my fatty. Unless of course he was referring to wanting a Lycra-clad, sex crazed, beer swilling, foul-mouthed heathen. If that was the case, I’m flattered, but a little creeped out. Who knew, fat bikes were on the Amish approved lust list? I sort of regret not riding back to him. Talking fat bikes with him would have been a hoot!
I probably should have done a real ride today, but I wanted to make up for my failed attempt a fat bike ramble yesterday. These aren’t the greatest of rides, but they work out perfect when I am in the mood to haul my better camera along and try to get some shots.
Going to do a fast short ride on the Boone on Wednesday since I promised B-Man that we would either ride at Deerfield or go to the field to kick the footy around at some point.
Later.