HIgh Trestle Trail

Last weekend I ventured to the High Trestle Trail and Bridge. It's a relatively flat trail,  but I was still waiting for a calm day since there wouldn't be a lot of protection from the wind. I started in Slater and road the 10 miles to the bridge.

It was a beautiful day, and I could see for miles.

The bridge is a half mile long and is 13 stories high.

The view to the north.

The view to the west.

The view to the south.

Took a selfie as proof that I really made it.

View of the bridge from an observation deck looking southeast.

And then I needed to head back to Slater.

View to the east.

Very busy parking lot in Madrid. The trail from Madrid west to the bridge was quite busy and had walkers and riders.

Bike Ride Sights

I've been on several rides in the past month. A few things I've seen.... 

I got caught in the rain on this one.

The Clive Greenbelt is closed right past the interstate so I had to turn around and go back.

But not before getting a shot of the river under the bridge.

This was my first venture down to Gray's Lake.

And since then I've ridden down there three more times. Always lots of people enjoying the lake and park.

 

Saw two deer on another ride right up close to the trail. I also saw two cardinals and an indigo bunting on this ride, but they fly away too quick to get a picture.

And I think the best thing yet...a field of lilies. And this is only about half of them.

 

 Ranking high up there with the field of lilies is the open country view back home.  

And last but not least, the ice cream truck at Water Works Park.

 

West Bend Biking

I was home last weekend and took my bike with me. 

My first ride was a short trip thru town and then out around the section. Those few miles were definitely harder than what I've been doing on the trails. No wind protection and the legs really get a workout. You can see forever out there though.

My second trip was also out around the section. I went further east on one leg and then when I got back to town I went north. Got about eight miles in.

Walnut Creek Trail

Today's ride took me on the Walnut Creek Trail and eventually to the Bill Riley Trail. It's in the opposite direction of yesterday's ride from the parking lot.

 It was the hottest day of the year so far so I headed out earlier than yesterday and took extra water. 

 This trail was fairly flat but a bit more in the sun than yesterday's ride. Still a good ride though. This was a busier trail too. I asked another biker if it was fairly flat before going too far. And he said it was so I kept going.

 I rode down to Water Works Park and came to this bridge. I still can't believe I rode that far. Of course, the flat terrain helped...and the beautiful scenery. And it seems so much further when you're driving thru town to get to it.

 I especially liked the sign on it.

 This was on the other side of the wooden bridge.  It was getting hotter by the minute so I turned around here. 

 This is 63rd and Grand on my way back north. Hard to believe that a few weeks ago it was under water...the trail and the road.

The long concrete beam by these pillars was almost under water just yesterday.

Another good ride even though it was so hot. I was afraid I had sweated off my sunscreen and would have a horrible burn but it held up. Almost 15 miles today.  

Clive Greenbelt Trail

Usually I ride my bike on a trail a few blocks from my house. Today I decided to venture out to see some new sights. I loaded my bike in the car (not an easy task) and headed to the Clive Greenbelt Trail. 

We got some rain overnight so parts of the trail were still wet and a bit sloppy. It seemed to have quite a bit of mud in places also, but since I hadn't been on the trail before I don't know if that's typical or not. It could also be left over from the 3-5" rains we got a week or so ago when many metro trails were closed. 

I knew that I would eventually come to 100th Street, but beyond that I wasn't sure where it would take me. So I kept going and came out by the Clive Aquatic Center (above) on 114th. And this is where I decided I better turnaround and head back.

Walnut Creek was full and moving swiftly.

This part of the trail at 86th Street was completely under water when I went thru the first time, but by the time I got back it had started to recede. I sure ended up with a muddy bike and clothes this time.

Once I got back to my car, I took the Walnut Creek Trail that headed the other direction just to see where it would take me. I came to 63rd Street and this sign. I will definitely be trying some of these out in the future.

The Clive Greenbelt was a great trail for my venture away from home. It wasn't too hilly and there were lots of trees to help block the wind. I got a little over 10 miles in.