1st outside ride of 2025

I loaded up Albert and headed to Holland for my orthodontist appointment. Roads were clear and it wasn't snowing at all. After my teeth were wrenched on I headed out to Riley Trails. 

Beginning of the ride.

It was pretty early, but the parking lot only contained a handful of cars, along with a few inches of snow. In hindsight, I wish I had brought my GoPro with me. This short ride was a bit more adventurous than I imagined. 

At the end of the ride.

A few people heading out when I finished.

It did start snowing when I was out on my ride. There were times that all I could do was smile and question my decisions. It was just good to be outside and actually riding versus plugging away on the trainer. 

Most of the trail had a few inches of fluffy snow and a thin ribbon like what is shown in the pictures. Because the snow isnt super deep and there wasn't much of a base it was good riding. I just found a comfortable pace (slow) and plodded along through the woods. 

These pictures don't show the whole story. There were times when it was clear, followed by times that I was questioning whether I was on the trail or not. The snow would get so heavy that it was like riding in a dense fog. At one point a guy passed me. He snuck up on me because it was so quiet out there. I had no idea he was behind me, and just as quick he was around the next corner and gone.

At my speed this wasn't scary.

At one point I scared the bejezus out of a woman. She was working on setting up for ring light for the perfect shot when I came out of nowhere and she jumped. lol. Not my intention. I don't think she realized there was a trail so close to where she was setting up. 

I mustered three laps before I decided to head home. It was around 4:30 when I finished. I easily could have gotten another lap before dark, but the snow was falling so hard that I called it a day. A solid 13 miles hauling around Albert in the snow. It was a fun ride overall and I imagine I will have plenty more in the future. It was a nice change of pace to be off the trainer and actually feeling the ride with my whole body instead of just my legs. 

Albert in its natural environment.

My buddy Tom has some new property and we will hopefully have a nice trail there to ride. This will be close to home and short for some fun. I am going to try and get out this weekend again. The season will be here before we know it, and I need to do all the work I can.