Saturday Tow Path to Grand Rapids Breakfast Ride

"9 snow ninjas showed up for yesterday's mild temperature (34 degree average while we rode) Tow Path ride.  Friday night's light snow and brisk wind made for treacherous conditions as we had to deal with deep drifts several times.  The drifts resulted in 7 unintentional snow angels in the deep soft snow and more than a few chuckles.  The Tow Path was rideable only as far as the boat launch.  We then rode into Waterville for an enjoyable breakfast at Koral... " -Rick Metcalf

I suck!  I have no power and got dropped at every hill.

That said, Hubert and Dirk were kind enough to ride with me.  While the Tow Path was challenging, I had a good time.  We encountered lots of ice under the snow in route to River Road which itself was clear.  Most of the Tow Path was covered in light snow and many areas as deep as 3 or more inches deep.  I quickly realized that I was better off breaking trail than following someone else's track.  But alas I too fell to the risk of this winter madness resulting in my first "snow angle."  Rode with Jimmie, Chris, Hubert, Rick, Matt, Dirk, Todd, and one other.  We ended the ride pushing Matt and his truck out of the deep snow where he had parked on the side of Jerome Rd where he met up with us for the ride.

Weather Conditions: 0901 hours. Cold, overcast and some partial cloudiness with strong winds from 9.2 to 17.3 mph mostly from the west. Wet road spray.
Min: 30 Max: 32 ºF

MXS: 23.9 mph.

Ride from Sidecut Park to Grand Rapids

Jimmie and I rode to the Stitts/Jerome hills, unto Sidecut Park following with Waterville, then 64 south to 65 west to Grand Rapids, then north to the Wabash Cannonball South Fork and home.

What began as a cloudy very cool afternoon turned into sunny comfortable ride to Grand Rapids. The hills along the way on 65 were fun but at times very challenging for this weak cyclist. Jimmie was kind in not to dropping me to far back. Found myself belly breathing often but riding to Grand Rapids was too cool.
Hitting a small town with good eats can be very rewarding. Hitting these kinds of towns during a ride across a state would make the ride more enjoyable.

Finally, two other issues. The HRM was squirrely again at the beginning of our ride. Also, I forgot to start the lap on the Garmin when leaving Grand Rapids; should add about 2 more miles.

MXS: 28.0 mph.

Weather Conditions: Cool and cloudy, later, sunny. Wind mostly out of the north at 10.4 to 11.5 mph with gusts of 18.4 mph.  Min: 61 Avg: 61 Max: 63 ºF.