On May 16, 1998 Outwoods hosted a bike trip to one of our favorite trails, the Red Cedar trail in Menominee Wisconsin. This is one of the most pleasant trails as it is a very flat crushed limestone path with a rushing river to one side and alternating lowland vistas on the other. It was one of the early trips in the year, however, we have been very fortunate with weather this year and the day was perfect for biking.

The ride consisted of 6 riders. The group consisted of some "old timers" like me and some "newbies" to Outwoods. We tended to chat as we biked; this did tend to make the day go a bit faster than some of us would have liked. The end of the trail was a railway bridge over the Red Cedar River and this is where we stopped to rest and snack. We sat on a sand bar, skipped stones and enjoyed the outdoors. The trail extends now all the way to Chippewa Falls, but that will be another ride.

Biking back the anticipation of the stop at the Creamery made us rush a bit. Downsville boasts a fine café and is the halfway point in the trail so true to a time honored Outwoods tradition we stopped for deserts. I personally have a picture of a group in the same room from 1993. Sated we spent the last leg of the ride watching for birds. We saw a flock of Pelicans, a Bald Eagle, and a Red Tailed Hawk. We were not experts in birding as some other members are so we named the birds we could and just enjoyed the rest.

This, as with other rides, left me planning the next time I could lead another group on another of my favorite routes. A great time was had by all. I for one left feeling as if I had just made some new friends.

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On May 20, 1998 a group of seven helmeted adventurers gathered to peddle the trails in Battle Creek Park. We managed to find several up hills and some nice screamin' down hills too. Next time we will form 2 groups (the speed racers and the fat tireds) BEFORE we get separated in the woods. There were several deer who came to check out the strange wheezing (fat tireds on up hills) and whooshing (speed racers everywhere) sounds emanating from our group.

We managed the holy trinity of mountain biking:

• 1 - mud: How did Ellen and Chris find and ride through the ONLY puddle on the trail?
• 2 - blood: OK, so Mr. slapped a skeeter filled to the brim, it still counts!
• 3 - bruises: Brian just had to check his drive train on the biggest downhill of the night.

Though I make it sound scary and dangerous, it was a nice ride and the single tracks through the wooded areas were beautiful, as well as, great fun.

You need not be a fantastic technical rider to enjoy mt biking. A mt bike, helmet, sense of adventure and good health insurance are all it takes. ...Oops, I wasn't supposed to say the part about insurance...

Note to all you other phenologists out there: Kelly can identify flora and fauna while flying past it.

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