Ride Photos 20

This is what the new bikeway signs look like. You can find them scattered all over the Oklahoma City area, wherever these established trails exists. More trails are in the works, and at least one new trail is always under construction somewhere. The city has decided to invest a surprisingly large amount into the project of improving bike routes and walking routes. This specimen stands on the Stanley Draper Lake Trail.

This field has been used for cattle, but only during warmer months. It gets grazed down, and then looks almost like it’s been mowed over the winter months. The creek is nothing special, but it looks rather nice running across the property. In the heat of summer, I often encounter the cows hugging the shady areas in midday.

Not too far away is this even nicer scene. I’ve seen horses on this property from time to time, but not consistently. I recall the little bridge under construction a few years ago. It was previously just a couple of planks. I don’t get out this way too often any more.

County and federal funds were awarded to smaller communities that built bike paths, like this one in Harrah, OK. Of course, the city was supposed to handle the maintenance, but I can tell you they’ve spent very little on that. Large stretches of this path are crossed by tree root swells that make it very rough riding. In a couple of years, the asphalt will crumble off the tops of the roots and it will smooth out just a little. Then a few years after that, large craters will appear as the roots continue breaking the surface. That’s how it works in these small towns.

A mile or so north of Harrah is this row of sturdy Sycamores. Last year someone decided to trim the lower branches on them. I stop here whenever I’m in the area; it’s one of my favorite prayer chapels, and a dandy picnic spot on those long rides. The camera angle doesn’t show all of them, as they aren’t quite lined up neatly.