Today was a breeze...

 

Today's weather was hardly inviting and it took some serious determination to get out the door, especially after a brief phone call with my mother, who informed me as to how windy it was. Our house is nestled in it's own little micro climate at the base of a hill, which guards us from the winds that generally sweep through the flat valley, carrying dust and pollen with them.  But we headed out, with the little one wrapped and cozy, ready for a ride and me dreading every second of it. I adjusted my saddle, checked my tire pressure and set off for no set destination. There were only two set in stone requirements for the ride, it had to be over 6 miles and include a stop for a gallon of milk, for which I took my handy new insulating bag that I picked up at the dollar store.

After the first few miles of heading at an incline with the wind at my side it became apparent that going home was going to be a major fight, as the wind was approaching from the southwest and we were heading east. There came a point when I was mentally debating which way I should head, if I continued on my current path I could go to Walla Walla and pick up the brand of milk that we prefer, If I turned around I could loop College Place and it's empty, but now boring streets and then stop and grab milk from the store which is closest to home. To turn around meant heading slightly at a decline, to continue straight meant a sharp hill that I have dreaded since the last time I took it. After an inner battle I decided to head straight, and my dear son must have sensed the hill was intimidating me, because he immediately started chanting "go, go, go", I'm not sure I'd have made it without his help. We stopped shortly after cresting the hill, I recovered my breathing, let my heart return to a normal tempo and drank some water.

 We continued our journey with the solar system for company, a few magpies and a lone robin. The wind was truly horrible and I was dreading heading home. I was glad once again for Jack being sheltered by his canopy, otherwise I'm sure he'd have gotten an ear ache.

I stopped to snap a few pictures here and there along the trail, and found the one below exceptionally endearing. The look of sheer contentment and happiness on Jack's face really sums up how he feels about our bike rides, the highlight of his day.

The Yuba refused to stand in the bike rack and with the rear rocking motion of the stand-alone kickstand it makes it near to impossible to set the wheel between a bike rack and utilize the kickstand at the same time, unless you lift it into place and my back isn't up for a challenge like that. We parked by the cart corral, jetted around the store for a gallon of milk, an orange and a little energy bar for the ride home, then had a picnic in the parking lot.

 Isn't it odd that Jack's bicycle helmet has  "hot wheels" written on it? I think he needs a new one, or at the very least a well placed Yuba sticker to cover the logo.

I shall spare you the story of the way home, suffice it to say, the wind was so strong it required constant peddle pressure to not stop us in our tracks, despite the fact that we can usually coast at about 6 miles an hour on the main stretch home.

Our trip total was just under 7 miles today, the weather forecast predicts continued rainy weather until the weekend. Hopefully it clears up for our group ride I've organized for Saturday!