Changing Rural Landscape

All photos taken on August 7, 2022 on our 33 km (20 1/2 mile) cycle to the East.

Good news! We now have a bike shop complete with bike mechanic in Beaumont. Our bikes were supposed to be checked for tightness and lubrication after the first 100 km. (62 miles) of riding. Trouble is, we can’t seem to stop cycling about long enough to get this done. After today’s cycle, I have almost 400 km. (248 1/2. miles) on my bike.

Last Thursday, we rode up to Radstyle Cycle and Pro Shop to book an appointment. Seems kind of fitting the bike shop has Rad in the name. We take them in on August 9 and will hopefully have them by August 11, ready for more fun and adventure.

Being a nice sunny Sunday, we opted to ride out East on what I call the Prairie Pothole tour. It was a glorious day to be out and about.

Riding out 50th Avenue to TR 505.

On TR 505

rural scenery

We were following a couple of road bikes and every time we came to an uphill stretch, we gained on them. We turned off into Amarillo Estates to avoid embarrassing ourselves and the Spandex crowd.

On SH 625, the only piece of 100 k/h (62 1/2 m/h) road we would be on. It was a bit busier and some folks still don’t know they are supposed to give us a 1.5 meter buffer when passing. I can imagine them shouting D%&? F@#%^&! Bicyclists, as they tried to blow us off the road.

Now safely on TR 234, we took our time riding through the rural scenery, pausing at this small sheep farm, complete with a lazy llama.

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an old farm seed drill languishes by the gate into the property

The crops are ripening early this year, just like my garden.

We paused by this barley field for a few artsy beard shots

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A little further up the road, I spotted some glimmering foxtail and could not resist another photo stop.

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At our Prairie Pothole, where there was so much birdlife last year, we found it mostly vacant with scant water remaining.

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We cycled back to Airport Road (TR 502 and headed further East). The bovine herd had moved further afield, to greener grass, so to speak. They looked at us with disdain.

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This next priairie pothole was almost dry as well. Lots of red-winged blackbirds were still there, but no sight of last year’s yellow-headed blackbirds.

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Reaching RR 232, we turned North and met a couple of ATVs rolling down the road. One stopped to ask us if we had seen a dog on the loose. Their description was a German shepherd/Blue heeler/Rottweiler cross, named Silver. We were assured he was friendly, but we were not so sure. Not to worry, we did not spot him.

Pothole #3 still had water, but it looked like you could walk on the algae layer on the surface

Further up the road, the tree leaves were taking on an autumn tinge……hmmmmm

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We rode on past this portal into rural scenery. I was encouraged to turn back for another look.

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Just before SH 625, we stopped at one last pothole, covered in algae. The American Coots were having a feeding field day. There were even a couple of coot chicks, still with their ugly yellow baby fluff. This was late so must be a 2nd brood.

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Back on SH 625, we booked it the 3.25 km (2 miles) back to TR 234. We were cruising along at near 32 k/h (20 m/h), as traffic rolled by at 100 k/h (62.5 m/h).

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Arriving at TR 234, we paused to gather our wits about us, before riding on.

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Back on 505, we were soon in the midst of the traffic from the end of morning church service. It was not your typical Sunday Drive.

This farmer is a bit late with his hay cut this year, but the yield seems good.

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One last stop at the pea field. No blooms left and the vines were yellowing but well appointed with full pods.

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Love the changing rural scenes.