Every year the county parks department offers moonlight bike rides along the Rail Trail. Tonight’s was the first one of the season. After planning to go, then calling it off due to someone’s homework responsibilities, we decided 90 minutes before the start to go. That meant a harried hour of putting together the full bike rack and checking over the bikes, so Mrs. Biker could join Henergy-on-Wheels™ and I on the trip.
While doing this I kept an eye on the sky. Clouds that were 50 shades of grey and looking like a cow just before milking (the things we learn living in dairy country) started passing overhead. The radar showed all clear. So I continued prepping for the ride.
It was still dry as we left JolliBee Acres, but we were heading right into the Christian and Anastasia clouds.
By the time we made it to Hanover Junction it was dark. Very dark. Fifty shades darker. We were expecting moonlight after all. But at least it was dry.
These rides are typically well attended by families and slow moving. Not so much tonight. Most likely because of Passover and Easter. The goal was to get to Howard Tunnel and turn around. We made it. But it had been all downhill.
Henergy and I were concerned, because Mrs. Biker hadn’t been on a ride in maybe a year and it was all uphill on the way back. Well, it was about a 0.75% grade. Technically that’s uphill. But there’s nothing like a cold rain to move those pedals.
We weren’t soaked, just wet by the time we got back. And oh so proud of Mrs. Biker for completing the trek with neither a huff nor a puff. After a bit of socializing we headed home. That was when the full moon broke through the clouds. But by that point we were in the car and “Freed” from worry of rain anyway.
Pedal on!
Wish the atmosphere had been clearer, because it is quite a view. On a clear day, we would have seen Three Mile Island. But what really matters is just spending time on bikes with Henergy-on-Wheels™.
