This jacket was one of the first purchases I made as I started cycling again in 2011.  I later bought the pants following my first tour of Trace the Mitten when I realized the perils of cycling in a downpour. At that time REI was naming their gear Novarra.  It was recommended to me by the store employees and I am glad that I trusted their advice.

I do not know exactly how many times I wore this jacket on rides over the last  twelve years, but I will say hundreds and maybe close to one thousand.  I would say that durability might be the first thing that comes to mind. The water and wind resistance are still effective.

The temps were in the mid forties and it was breezy with a light drizzle. After sitting and walking outside for hours I was still dry.  I wore long johns on the legs.  I do not like the fabric rubbing my bare skin.  On the top I wore a fleece to help keep my core warm.  I was pleased with my choice.

On this tour we had a full day of rain.  This was a September and my temperature was comfy while riding. My head gear is a motel shower cap.  It always gets a laugh, but my skull cap stays dry.

I used this coat on many winter rides.  I used to ride in all temperatures. The coat kept me warm.  The feet and hands are the hardest part to keep warm on winter rides.  The wind rating is stated to 60 mph.  I can believe it! I never felt the wind cutting through the fabric.  Only at the coldest temperatures would I zip the pits shut.  The pits were the only place to vent your heat build up and I found that comfortable.

This photo shows my hydration on my back.  This was a good way to get my hydration during the temperatures which would freeze my water bottle.  The backpack against the fabric would stifle the air flow through the jacket and this would result in my back getting wet with perspiration.  When I would stop for a little break, I would take the pack off and usually that would be enough to allow evaporation.  You will need to manage that aspect and keep from chilling.

This month had many days in the 50s and 60s and I decided to use this jacket.  I liked it because it was very visible and I wanted to very obvious because not many riders were out.  I also wanted extra wind protection. Whenever I felt things warming up, I would unzip the front a bit..  I never felt uncomfortable. 

What jacket do you like to use in different  conditions?

 The weather is bringing me inside on a daily basis now and I will continue posting segments to finish the on  Atlantic Coast Route.  My blog segment  for this virtual trip began on March 12, 2023 and my last post was on June 13, 2023.  The mileage log that I keep tells me that 1,508.2 miles have been detailed through route maps and photos. Once I got outside for longer periods during the warmer months I get away from the blogs.

Getting out a major metropolitan area is rough on the bike.  You will need to allow for time because you will spend time waiting at lights, pedestrians, and traffic.  You will need to be extra vigilant. Philadelphia has over 1.5 million and that does not include the suburbs.  The bike infrastructure is improving, but you must be careful.  This segment is very exhausting.

Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park Trail or the D & R Canal. This is a 77 mile trail comprised of three segments. It is part if the East Coast Greenway. The surface is crushed stone.

This river is the border for Pennsylvania and New Jersey.  This is the Delaware River which is a major river in the Eastern US.  In fact, it is the longest free flowing river in the East at 282 miles long.  The indigenous people in this region were the Lenape and commonly referred to by the Europeans as the Delaware.

Lambertville has long been a ferry spot and the name kept changing when the proprietors of the ferry changed.  In 1810 the town was named after John Lambert, a resident who served as senator and later acting governor. A town now of 3400 and a good place to spend the night.

My wife made a good point as I was ready to post this when she said, "You did not continue with your post on Cycling the Erie Canal?"  She explained that it would be confusing to my readers.  I apologize. She is right! 

​On July 22nd soon after I got back from the tour I did my first post.  On July 25th I did my last post.  Now I will continue and finish recording about the Erie Canal eight day tour.  Once I complete those I will move on from Lambertville going North.

Yesterday, I participated in the local walk to support food insecurity needs. Money raised by this event will be used to support local and world efforts.

I did the two mile loop and that was long enough for me. There was also a 5 mile option.

The Fed Up Ministry travels to several places around the Ann Arbor or Ypsilanti area to offer free meals.

I tried their wild rice and mushroom soup.  It was very good. My glass was used for the lemonade the had a hint of lavender.  It was very tasty.  I look forward to doing it next year.

At this time of year I never know how many days I will get to ride outside.  Several conditions will cause me not to ride during this season.  Some days I am too busy and the daylight is less.  I can always find some time each day to exercise inside, Sunset is at 7:00 P.M. today and we have a couple of minutes  less sunlight each day.  The temperatures are the biggest determining factor for me.  I have set 50 degrees fahrenheit as my low temperature to stay inside to ride.  We have been having rain and I would rather not ride in the rain.

I rode this in July and only got part of the way before I was stopped by a train across the path. Another rider with me said that this usually takes a long time and there is no quick way around to pick up the trail. 

I turned around and explored the Lower Huron Metro Park to fill my ride time.  This time I was hoping to get all the way through all three and then do the section to the city of Flat Rock.  On the drive to the park I was stopped by a train on the access road.  Luckily my mapping app gave me a suggest for driving around and I made it into the park.

These parks require a day or yearly pass.  They are open year round to residents and non-residents. I get the senior rate.  A yearly pass pays for itself after only 3 visits.  Most activities are during the summer with the outdoor pool being a big draw.  During my three hours along the trail I saw cyclists, runners and walkers.  Most of the time I was by myself.

This park was as quiet as the first park.

I will try to come back when the leaves turn color.

At this point the path changed to a path through the city and many stop lights.  I decided to save this for another day since I needed to allow time to retrace my path to get to my car.  Going on from here will be a good summer ride because it leads to the water and to neighboring cities through the green way.

In the park I also found this bear statue and next to it was a plaque that explained the significance.  I appreciate the tribute to the indigenous people who once inhabited this part of Michigan.

I was ready for a change. All summer I have enjoyed the same dirt road going through the farmland just outside my town.  I looked at the detailed roads map.  This map has allowed me to determine a route and I make an old fashion small paper  map to remind me where to turn.  Of course, I can look at my phone.  Old habits die hard.

This road had more up and downs than my regular route.  I did fine and I will do this loop again.

I got nervous taking this photo because the dog started barking.  I get uneasy when the dog barks.  I was in the public road so I felt a little safer.

The properties were well taken care of along the way.  I saw several equestrian farms.  The weather was beautiful: clear sky with a few clouds and very calm.

You never know what these dirt roads will be like.  Our weather has been dry and that helps.  The gravel quickly mixes into the dirt.  I felt that the condition were plenty fast.

The tires are knobby and 2.1" wide.  The front shock smooths the bumps.  I have a suspension seat post and that takes some of the bouncing.  I added the rack this year and it is good to hold the jacket after it warms up.

This section had been on my to bike list  all season.  There was a threat of rain, but it looked slight and the predicted accumulation was 0.01" and I was not too worried.  I really wanted to get this ride in.  Earlier in the summer there was a big natural gas line re-do in progress and I figured that the project would be done by now.

You see my jacket strapped on the rack.  I always carry a poncho in my brown bag.  You cannot beat a compact $1 plastic emergency poncho. The temperature was 60 degrees and I was hoping that my thin merino base layer would be sufficient and it was.  You always warm up after you get moving.

This segment winds through woods and is in two state recreation areas that are divided by the state highway 52. There are some parts that travel along the highway, but there is a good space of separation.  It is a pretty ride.

I rode 16.4 miles total and there was 764' elevation gain.  I took advantage of the norm mode on the e-bike.  The downhills gave me some good quick runs.  I love the downhill runs!

From the trail you may cross the highway and get to these mountain bike routes.  There are three options of routes for the beginner, intermediate and advanced skill level.  I have only tried the  beginner level and that is hard enough for me.  I stopped by today and these trails do not allow an e-bike. Without the motor I would need to make some stops during my loop ride due to the elevation gains.

These routes go through the wooded areas.  They are well marked and maintained.  

There are wider spots throughout that allow you to get around others .  There is a gate to the parking lot that closes access during muddy times.  

This seems interesting to see this along a walkway.  This photo is from last year.  I noticed that this sign is down now.  I do not know why it is gone.  I hope there is a no longer a threat.

Several side roads are along the trail.  In future rides I will do more side exploring.  The air was full of tiny water droplets and it quickly soaked you.  I was ready to stop and headed back to the trail head. What an enjoyable ride.