Seg #5 Summerset Trail 9.6/26 sm

Start	Indianola, IA	N41.35532 W93.529615	N-S miles  9.6*
End	Carlisle, IA	N 41.494194 W93:48711	Trail lgth 13mi Ride26mi

 

 *Miles that count



Alex in full concentration

Most of my rides in the Midwest will be combined with meetings, family and friend visits or mini-trips to art, antique, museums, etc. Segment #5 was a grandpa assistance deal. Granddaughter Alex had a big project for school so GPa threw on his bike, drove down to Runnells and did what he could to help. As you can see,   Alex has a wonderful imagination and is becoming quite the artist. GPa was the paint mixer, holder and general nuisance. But by all accounts the day long project got rave reviews from her teacher and classmates. AND, I loved working with Alex! Even though we had some disagreements as to the way to do something, I think she will get an A+ J.

After the project was done and after I helped Chris change a blown tire on the freeway, it was time for me to hit a trail that would get me some LATITUDE. Maybe I should rename this bike trip “It’s All About Latitude”. That was an advantage for riding the  Summerset and McVay Trail. It gave me over nine miles of latitude.

 

The trails were asphalt or paving.
A smooth fast ride.

  It was hard finding the trail in Indianola, home of Simpson College. Simpson is an excellent liberal arts college. George Washington Carver first attended college at Simpson to study art and piano but he was smitten by science and agriculture. The mulitude of products and inventions Carver developed made him one of the most respected scientists to have educational roots in Iowa.  

Middle River
Bridges of Madison County
was filmed in Winterset,
Iowa 30 miles up  river.
 

The midpoint of the trail was bisected by Middle River, a dry Middle River at that. Those of you that have read “Bridges of Madison County” or saw the Clint Eastwood and Merle Streep movie will recognize this river. Unfortunately the drought in the midwest, sucked 75% of the water from its banks. Iowa is a pretty state and this ride was especially scenic with the leaves of fall showing their colors. Another treat was minimal wind, sunny skies and low humidity. It would be wounderful if all my rides were as pleasant and beautiful.