Spring, Winter, Spring Confusion in Chicagoland

Last week's weather was spectacular! Every day started out cool, but rapidly warmed up into the 60 degree range. I even got my first sunburn of the year, not a bad one, turned to tan by Friday! Weather peops said big change a'comin' by Saturday, great glory osky, woke up this morning and it was snowing! It's gonna stop tonight, tomorrow will be mid 40's, Monday will be mid 50's. Today's snow broke 5 straight days of riding for me - tired legs, but the spirit feels fine! Maybe tomorrow, if it does clear up and go into the 40's I can get in my first 30 mile ride! Won't that be special?

Changes to the Centennial Trail

Our "almost perfect" bike trail is about to change! The Centennial Trail runs between the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal and the DesPlaines River and connects at Rte. 83 with the North leg of the Illinois and Michigan Canal Trail. Both trails are paved, offering 38 miles of scenic trail with very few grade crossings where we are exposed to vehicular traffic - like three or four exposures total in 38 miles. Amazing! Flat and fast! And loaded with wildlife. In the summer, we regularly see blue heron (and greats, too), egrets, osprey, deer, hawks, other 'boids', and snakes, to name just a few.

The problem is the Sanitary and Ship Canal. It connects to the Illinois River, which connects to the Mississippi River, and both are infested with Asian Carp, an invasive species. The S&S Canal also connects to the Great Lakes, which are Asian Carp free. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers installed an electric barrier which, so far, has stopped the relentless Northward march of the carp, but, since the S&S C. is next to the DesPlaines River, which like all rivers, tends to overflow it's banks from time to time, a flood which would link the DesPlaines and the S&S C. would provide an unobstructed path for the carp to reach the Great Lakes. Supposedly, this would be catastrophic to the 'native' fish population. Once upon a time, 'our lake', Michigan, was infested with Alewives, a small, non-native fish that, after spawning, would die and wash up on Chicago's (and other Lake Michigan bordering beaches) and stink up things to high heaven. In their infinite wisdom, the DNR's decided to 'control' the aldwife population by introducing several species of non-native fish - salmon. So, we have great salmon fishing, or at least we did, until alewife population dropped. Genius!

Back to carp - they were introduced into the U.S. to control algae, and they do a great job of it, at the risk of everything else that depends on algae being somewhere in the food chain.

Back to the Centennial Trail - the Corps of Engineers has a brilliant plan to put up a 'fence' of sorts along the DesPlaines River to keep the carp from swimming from the S&S Canal to the DesPlaines in flood conditions. Brillaint! Have you ever seen a river clean, pristine river? Thought not! They are few and far between. Most drainages are filled with organic matter such as leaves, branches, trees. Most drainages are also filled with human trash - won't list that, you know what it is. The problem is when a river tops it's banks, it will flow nicely through the fence with little resistance, but then, the trash will begin to build up on the fence and block the free flow of water. Soon, the irresistable pressure of the water will push over the fence, and along with the water, will come the carp. So, $10,000,000 to put up a fence that will keep the carp out as long as there isn't a flood, and the trash that comes along with the flood.

Brilliant!

The more we think we know, the dumber we prove ourselves to be! Such is mankind!

Terracycle bits and pieces

It arrived Friday afternoon from the Hostel Shoppe, along with two fenders for the electric trike. It was installed by Friday evening! I suppose I could have simply rebuilt the bearings in the stock idler, but the lure of having my first Terracycle item on the trike with a titanium cog and ceramic bearings was just too powerful a lure. And it is 'purty', even though it is hidden away from admiring eyes, under the seat. Well, I know it is there, and I know there will be an immense improvement in pedaling efficiency . . . . just as soon as I am able to try it out! Rained all day yesterday, even a little this morning, and now, the wind is blowing just a bit. Well, there's always tomorrow.

Weather breaks

Low 50's yesterday, mid 50's today, then the rain came, but I got in 17 miles. Streets could use a good washing down, plus, it will melt whatever sonw and ice remain on the trails.

This Saturday, March 13 is the Oak Forest (Illinois) Fleadh (Flah) and they are going to have an Open Street from 9 - 10:30 a.m. - Cicero Avenue will be closed to all cars and trucks for 1 1/2 hours for use only by bikes, roller bladers, runners, walkers, stroller pushers. A parade follows, food and drink will be available, too. Should be fun, if the weather cooperates - 40's expected.

Riding - Finally!

I've managed four straight days of riding! Yes, the weather is breaking just enough to go out and ride, the snow is melting and it feels so good! Anybody that says that hiking is as good an exercise - well, maybe for them, but not for me! I keep thinking that maybe there is something wrong with the Scorp, but, no, it's just out-of-shape legs and cardio that are making me struggle to maintain an 8-9 mph average. That is just pitiful! Or, maybe I can blame it on being almost 62? Nah! Out-of-shape, fat, old - all together make for a slow ride. I'll ride Friday in the morning, take in a movie in the afternoon, go hiking Saturday with the group at Midewin and then, ride with Bob on Sunday and go to breakfast.

Think positive - can Spring be far away?