New Area of Bike Path

Yesterday and today were both absolutely incredibly beautiful days...perhaps a little windy in the view of a bicyclist...but truly wonderful. Yesterday was 82 degrees, and Mary and I rode 20 miles. Carol's fighting a sore throat/cold so she has taken a few days off.

Today Mary had other plans...and it was just too nice to stay home. It was 80+ degrees with winds out of the south at 16, gusting to 26. Oh well...still nice!

Hutchinson has two bike paths. One runs from about 22nd and Hendricks south down through Carey Park at the south end of Main Street. It's about a 12 miles loop and a nice path that gets a lot of use.

A couple of year ago a new path was started at about 38th and Plum, going east and south to Lorraine; crossing Lorraine and heading south to 30th. I've ridden it many, many times. Recently they added more to that path. It now continues on south of 30th down past 23rd, then east out to Halstead Street. The newest part is very "big city park-like." It twists and turns and is incredibly smooth and wide. Lots of prairie dogs along the edges and down in the drainage ditch. They really barked and chattered when I rode through that area. So long as they don't start chasing bicycles I'm good with them. Cute little critters....until they invade MY yard...then they'll become "RODENTS," and I'll want them gone!

With a fairly strong south wind riding the bike path is probably better than riding the roads. On the path I'd go east for a while, then south into the wind, then back east again. And coming back was just pretty great...tailwind! I only got in a little over 12 miles...I could have done more but just needed a little outing and 12 miles was fine. Maybe again tomorrow??? We'll see.

Count your blessings...and be sure to get outside and enjoy some of this wonderful weather we're having. I heard it was 80 degrees in Chicago today...first time in 22 years that it's gotten into the 80's in March. Hello, Chicago!! :) (Some of you understand that!)