I wish I had grabbed a picture of one of my bike trips from earlier this year, when the ground was still covered in snow and it was dipping into the single digits… But this is a good second: the first rail trail ride of 2011.  I rode from my house in Big Rapids to Reed City on the White Pine rail trail (about 13 miles each way).

In related news, I have heard that the bulk of the remaining unpaved White Pine trail between Reed City and Cadillac is slated to be paved this summer!  In other news, I may be working with the Evart Local Development Finance Authority to help extend the paved portion of the Pere Marquette rail trail from Clare to Evart, where it currently goes at least to Reed City (not sure how far after that is paved, but at least a little bit).

So lots of cool cycling stuff is happening this year.

Anyway, the ride today was my longest yet this year (26 miles), and the trail was fairly good, though there were spots with either lots of debris (rocks, sand, etc) or snow patches.  However, the latter managed to melt pretty well during the couple hours I spent relaxing in Reed City, making the return trip much easier.  My advice: enjoy this improving weather with whatever outdoor sport you like best–just get up and do something!

View from White Pine rail trail; just North of Paris; camera phone panoramic

My next big ride: to Mecosta and back: 34 miles round-trip. Need to visit the Russell Kirk Center and train on some good hills!