An Unexpected Surprise...

Sunset along the aqueduct...
Hi all,
Once again, a planned route turns into an unexpected pleasure. This evening, as Kathy was headed off shopping with a neighbor, I was inspired to take a quick evening spin. It was a lovely outside, not too warm, not chilly, and the usually ever-present Antelope Valley wind machine was taking a break. So, off I went for what was supposedly a quick neighborhood spin.

My Surly Long Haul Trucker...
The Barcroft Virginia GT is non-op, awaiting a new rear tire, so I took the Surly LHT. I have the bike configured with lights, so if it got past twilight I would be reasonably safe riding home. I headed west towards Highland High School to revisit some of the roads we had walked last Sunday up towards the Joshua Ranch Trailhead. While we had been hiking last Sunday, I noticed a short, VERY steep little hill off to the north. As I rode near this hill, I was inspired to try and ride up it, and see what was up there.

The road follows the aqueduct for miles! I started my ride in the lower-right corner, near the High School...
Well, after 200 yards of gasping, wheezing, down- shifting, and minor swearing, I discovered a lovely surprise; The California Aqueduct. Now, I am sure that some of you are pondering why I would be so overjoyed at a man-made river, lined with concrete. It wasn’t the Aqueduct, it was the beautiful smooth road that followed it, disappearing into the distance! So, for 200 yards of gasping, I was rewarded with miles upon miles of perfectly smooth, unpopulated, quiet, peaceful riding.

Just look at that beautiful road to ride...
Suffice to say, I rode home in the dark! What a pleasant surprise, going out for a routine spin, and discovering new road, and a safe place to ride. One never knows what to expect from the seat of one’s bike!
More news later this weekend,
Jim