First Ride - 2 March 2013

Unseasonably warm weather coupled with light winds made for the perfect opportunity to get out to stretch my legs and clear the winter dust from my underworked lungs.  Following a quick change in tires on the Surly Monkey (from Schwalbe Hurricanes to Maxxis Aspens), I headed out a little past noon in the direction of Fort Lincoln State Park.

It was nice to see most of the ice cleared from the the Missouri river.  Perhaps a sign that spring isn't too far away!

Upon reaching the park, winter's ice still had a strong hold on the Heart River.  The photograph below shows the confluence of the Heart and Missouri rivers.

Passing by the Veteran's Memorial and onto 46th St., I meandered south to 138A and then west past the Miniature Horse Rescue Ranch.  Based on the amount of traffic along the road, there must have been an afternoon sale.  Once past, the road was open and free of traffic.

With the intent of keeping the mileage modest, I turned north and followed 24th then 23rd Ave. past the USDA-ARS Area IV SCD Research Farm.  The 382 acres managed by staff at the Northern Great Plains Research Laboratory are partitioned among four quarter sections, referred to fields F, G, H, and I.

(Field H)

(Field F)

(Field G)

Approximately 40 miles later, I arrived home.  It was a good first ride, and all the more satisfying now that the ground is covered with a thick blanket of wet snow.