Wind and rain

May can throw all sorts of weather conditions at us. Is it feeling like spring or more like winter? The second ride of the season had wind and sprinkles and sideways rain. By the time we parted ways there were even some snowflakes in the mix. But it also had clear trails, some bike lanes, and great company!

This past Wednesday eight riders met at Westchester Lagoon and started up the Chester Creek Trail. With the wind and cold the trails were not as busy as on the weekends or sunny evenings. We rode through Russian Jack Springs Park which was recently swept but sill has lots of cracks in the pavement. We took Pine Street bike lane to Mountain View, then made our way to the Ship Creek Trail where wind and rain started to pick up.

Taking a break out of the wind near the end of the Ship
Creek Trail; photo by Heather Scobie

 

By the time we got onto the Coastal Trail, the wind was blowing the rain sideways and we could see whitecaps on the silty water of the inlet. Some of us took a short reprieve in the tunnel under the railroad tracks before finally returning to Westchester.

Diane, Rae, and Jo-Ann getting out of the rain.

I'll admit that even as I was getting drenched I was thinking of the brownies Rae brought for after the ride. And of a warm fire in the woodstove when I returned home! I was also thinking that if this is the worst storm of our riding season then it will be a great summer!

Next week is our Spring Fling. Let's hope the wind and rain retreat for our annual dress-up ride!

If you want maps of the paths, bike lanes, and bikeways in the Anchorage area, check out the Bike Anchorage page.