The Fairfield Loop Trail is busy this October. Brown and black woolly caterpillars are diligently crossing the trail to get to the other side, and squirrels are combing the woods for nuts and seeds, pausing to gaze up at me, sometimes a black walnut clenched in their mouths as I cruise by on my bicycle. This week I've taken three rides that have included all or most of the Loop Trail, and fall colors are increasing, the reds of wild sumac beginning to blaze beneath the cooling autumn sun.
The Loop Trail is sixteen miles long, encircling Fairfield, Iowa, mostly composed of lime chip and gravel but including some cement pathways as it passes through town. On Thursday, my ride was eighteen miles, the extra two miles of riding consisting of a couple of errands, a bank deposit and some grocery shopping that I included on the ride. Friday's ride was twenty-one miles that included some road riding north of town and on the Libertyville Road. On Saturday, my twenty-three mile ride consisted of a twelve and a half mile ride on pavement northwest of town out to Libertyville, missing the industrial cement paths of the trail, and catching the Cedar View Trail at the 223rd Street trailhead off the Libertyville Road and then continuing back north of town on the Loop Trail.
Note: the maximum speed was downhill on pavement, not the trail
All three rides were enjoyable on my new e-bike, which I bought this summer--an Aventon Level 2. As I've said before, and I'll say it again, e-bikes get rid of all hills and headwinds. Electric-assisted bicycle riding both giveth and taketh away. Riding my e-bike allows me to take longer rides more quickly with less strain, yet the electric assist also provides less conditioning opportunity. As our local bike guy says, "Electric bikes help you get in shape if you're out of shape, but if you're in shape, they make you lazy." I'm trying to ride that narrow trail between the good and bad, so my first two rides this week I stayed in the lowest assist level on the e-bike ("1" out of five levels) and consciously geared a little high on some of the longer inclines on the trail so that my legs had to work a bit more, Realistically, though, riding longer distances is what provides the exercise on the e-bike. For someone who doesn't ride much, the 18-23 mile distances I rode this week might seem like a lot, but really are pretty easy to knock off. The biggest challenge of three days of riding is getting my rear end toughened up! Today, any exercising I'll do will be chores and perhaps some working out with light weights.
Lamson Woods at the Mint Blvd. trailhead
Yes, the Fairfield Loop Trail is now fully open! The last closure was the section of Lamson Woods that led to the underpass at Glasgow Road. Quite a bit of work was accomplished there, with a new cement trail laid beneath the new bridge, and plenty of erosion-control stone added beneath the bridge to keep the area safe during flooding conditions. The area has been closed for so long that I had forgotten what a nice stretch of woods that little section of Lamson Woods includes. For most of the summer, I was able to ride the wetlands section of Lamson Woods and then detour on Glasgow Road up to Chautauqua Park to catch the trail again. For part of the summer, parts of the trail were also closed temporarily as the trail and environs were spot-sprayed for invasive plant species. Now, though, the entire sixteen-mile route is open; however, be aware that because of the August and September lack of rain, there are cracks in the trail surface that can catch a tire, and there are also sections of the trail where the gravel is loose and a tire can slide out if you're not careful.
Even though the Aventon e-bike can zip right along at higher assist levels, I'm careful on the trail to not go too fast--for several reasons. One is that I don't want to crash and hurt myself. "Road rash" burns, and I have no desire to pick gravel out of my skinned knees and elbows, even though I carry a small first-aid kit. Loose gravel, cracks in the trail from the summer drought, animals skittering in front of you, and unexpected and perhaps leaf-covered tree roots on the trail can provide dangers for the bike rider, whether the bicycle is electrified or not.
My trusty brass bell
A second reason I don't speed is that of politeness. When I'm around hikers on the trail, I always reduce my speed so I don't rudely and recklessly blast past them as they stroll along. I've bought a nice brass bicycle bell from Fairfield's bike shop, The Ride, so that when I come up on hikers from the rear, I can pleasantly let them know I'm approaching. Quite often, a single merry chime of the bell will result in the person being startled because they were listening to music with headphones or just drifting down the trail, not paying attention. The bell chime is better, though, that suddenly blasting (or even cruising) past the hiker, making them feel afraid they might be run over. As I pass a hiker after ringing my bike bell, I usually wave and say, "Didn't want to frighten you!" Any bicyclist can startle someone hiking the trail, but e-bikers have to be even more careful, I think, because people can unfairly think riders on e-bikes are a bunch of thoughtless speed demons, which in my opinion is inaccurate.
Cedar Creek on the Cedar View Trail
A third reason for not speeding on the trail, even if I'm completely alone as is often the case in the more remote sections of the trail that skirt the freeway, is that riding the trail is not only good exercise but is also good for our mental health. Sometimes I ride just for the exercise, and if I focus on my cadence and if I ride early on a weekday when I'm alone, I can ride the loop in a little less than an hour and a half. Usually, though, I complete the loop in around two hours, which allows me time to stop and snack, take some photographs, and sometimes to even get off and push to bike to savor special sections of the trail. A favorite section of the trail for me has been the wetlands section of Lamson Woods. The wildflowers, yellow and lavender; the honking of geese, the calling of the field birds; and the rich perfume of the wetland green-growing earth; blue water reflecting the blues of the sky--all this life in accord with nature is a balm to the soul, a reminder that there are larger rhythms of life which provide a stabilizing perspective to our daily challenges. Stopping to smell the flowers isn't just a cliche; it's a wellness intervention that tips my attitude in the direction of hope and regeneration.
the wetlands reservoir across the road from Walton Lake
We are so fortunate to live in our town and have the Loop Trail nearby. Riding my e-bike on the trail lets me ride the complete loop in the morning and to still have the time and energy to get on with my day. I plan to incorporate into my weekly schedule at least one trail ride per week with my standard, non-electric bike to provide myself with more exercise and also to remember the experience of riding completely self-sufficient on my own power and strength. I bought the e-bike this year because after a year of coming out of retirement and teaching full-time, I felt an e-bike would get me out riding more often and for longer distances. Who knows, though? I might over time, as I slide more fully into my second retirement, enjoy taking the entire morning and spending two and a half or three hours on the trail--just me, my own muscles, and nature. Right now, though, having the ability to exercise and ride the trail in a short enough time that allows for other activities during the day has been a good addition to my routine. Mostly, though, whether on my e-bike or non-electric bike, I've been enjoying getting out and away on the Fairfield Loop Trail and adjoining trails. There's a lot of beauty surrounding us, and taking the time to appreciate the beauty of nature is a healthy endeavor. Get out and enjoy the Fairfield Loop Trail, enjoy our city and county parks. There's a great deal of local beauty, even in our backyards, if only we will stop and notice.
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