On Monday, October 30, 2023 at 9:59:04 PM UTC-7 Kim H. wrote:
This afternoon, I decided to go on my second adventure to find out exactly where the end of the railroad rails were pulled up about a month ago ended for a future bicycle/pedestrian/equestrian trail near my home. It is within fifteen minutes from my house. It was a very sunny day about 56 degrees. I took my Clem and set off by myself.
I rode on a trail along the Nisqually River as far as I could. I found a steep very short trail that lead up to the railroad bed and ties. It took awhile for me to maneuver myself with my Clem up this steep small incline, applying my brakes in slow steps. I made it alright.
I did not feel safe enough to ride my bike along side of the old railroad bed, because the ground was uneven and to the right of me the ground dropped off below me. I walked my bike all the way to the railroad bridge taking in all the wonderful colored golden fallen maple leaves on the ground. There was no one else around. I must have walked about more than a quarter of a mile and then some.
The railroad bridge finally came into my view. It has been many years since I was back here on foot. There had been a chain-link fence across the entrance of the bridge crossing to not allow people to cross it. However, this time, there was no fence on my side nor there was none across on the other side. It was all open to my surprise. In fulfilling my curiosity, the railroad rails ended to the entrance of the railroad bridge.
My phone rang. My wife was asking me, if I was alright. I replied, "Yes". I told her that I would call her, when I was heading back.
I maneuvered my Clem in and around several railroad ties in preparation to walk across the railroad bridge. This will be an exciting memory I told myself. I was very cautious in walking my Clem over and onto each railroad tie to reach the other side. I paused occasionally to take pictures, holding my cellphone very carefully not to drop it down through the cracks of the railroad ties into the river. Each time after taking a picture, I would carefully place my phone back into my vest pocket and zip it up not to lose it.
About half way, I scared an adult blue heron into flight swooping out over my head, as he called out. After that, I decided to take a 180 degree video with great care. I proceeded on and make it to the other side into the next county. From there, my eyes noticed that the railroad rails and ties continued on through the forest. I paused and took more pictures looking back and the river below me. The sun was slowly going down behind the trees. It was most definitely time to head back in this late afternoon.
I made it safely back across the railroad bridge. It was a long walk back to the spot, where I had came up from that steep embankment down to the trail, where I could ride my Clem back home. At some point, whilst I was walking, I almost twisted my left angle under soft soil. Thank goodness that I did not.
I made it home safe and happy in going out on my personal adventure in the sunny fall weather. Soon after arriving home, I very quickly, I felt my hips and muscles hurting from my journey. I took some acetaminophen to help reduce the pain. I am not as young as I used to be. However, my heart remains younger than my body in riding my bicycle and going on adventures.
Kim Hetzel.
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On Friday, October 27, 2023 at 11:34:12 PM UTC-7 Kim H. wrote:
@Richard,
That
Potawatomi MTB trail in Pinkney, Michigan looks pretty gnarly. I am glad that tried out your Gus on that trail as an introduction to mountain biking. I'm looking forward to your upcoming upgrades to your Gus and ride reports, as well.
I went out on a fairly long bike ride today. It was mostly pavement on a bike/pedestrian trail near my home. Towards the end, I decided to venture off road along a very long stretch of newly pulled RR rails with RR ties left from the excavation to see how far down the hired company pulled the ties. I decided to go all the way to the RR bridge that goes over the Nisqually River perhaps another time. The future plan is in the making of extending the bicycle/pedestrian trail over the river into a town called Roy. This is apart of a greater plan to connect to other trails in the next county.
The next phase will be for the city to hire a company to clean up the RR ties.
I had fun going off road with my Clem. It is more adventurous and handles very well.
Kim Hetzel.
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This pic is from the Potawatomi MTB trail in Pinkney, Michigan - The “Poto” for short. This is the quintessential SE Michigan trail, and a place that has shaped my life as a cyclist. I don’t recommend it but this place was my introduction to mountain biking. Some of the very best times I’ve had on a bike happened here. This particular ride was my first time giving it a go on the Gus. It was pretty great but is also the reason I am currently working on cockpit changes & installing a rapid rise rear derailleur.:)
It’s a destination type trail & every trip there is like visiting an old friend.
Sent from my iPhone
One of my (and probably many of you) main motivations for riding my bikes is to get to a special place. This may be a place of natural beauty, a quiet place to get away from the hustle of daily life or a place that has special meaning to us. Post a picture of a special place your bike has taken you, and why this place is special.
This is my Appaloosa at the mouth of the Huron River in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The Huron Islands are visible in Lake Superior. This place is remote feeling and beautiful, and I was there recently many years after my first visit.
