First Outdoor Ride of 2015

After 92 trainer sessions in the basement this year, it was great to finally ride outside.  The backyard is finally almost dried out and we were able to get to the canal path without getting too muddy.  Friday it was 55 degrees with 30 MPH winds, so that probably helped to dry things out a bit.

We took the bikes with fenders, but the towpath was in good shape except for the normal spring ruts and divots from foot, cycle and heavy equipment traffic when the trail was wet and soft.

Zelma on "The Bench"

We rode west to "the bench" which is just over six miles from home and is a normal stopping point to rehydrate since neither of us drinks while riding.   I can't swallow, and Zelma is not comfortable drinking on the bike unless using a Camelbak.

Just west of the Bench is the Sweden-Walker Road bridge.

Don't know if the canal is filling yet or not, but it is still very low.  You can see the normal level where the stones change color on the far bank.

Adam's Basin Lift Bridge

Usually there is very little clearance under the lift bridges.

Trimmer Road bridge on the left.

When the canal is full this whole area is flooded, as you can see in the Google Earth view below.




We were standing by the tree which you can see about midway between the two "Erie Canal Heritage Trail" markings in the satellite image from summer.

Though some bulbs have started to sprout, everything else around here is still mostly brown and gray.  Hopefully it will only get better from now on.

Keep Moving