On the day after Christmas 2024, Bryant Drive outside of Albany fairly invites a bike ride.
Just yesterday, on Christmas Day, I complained that the Oregon weather in December made riding a bike more difficult. And today proved me wrong.
Here’s the proof from this afternoon, on Dec. 26:
You will have noticed that except for fields, pastures, hazelnut orchards, and the occasional house, there’s not much to see on this 2.5-mile road from Riverside Drive to Bryant Park.
But there’s tranquility, and that’s the main attraction.
The road is also flat, which this old guy on a bike likes very much. (hh)
What from afar looked like a heron was standing on a nesting platform between Bryant Drive and the Calapooia River.
Bryant Drive – Bryant Way is a really nice getaway from the city boundary into a really nice rural area. When I worked at the U.S. Bureau of Mines I would run that loop occasionally during lunch which was something I looked forward to.
I grew up my entire life in Albany and have watched it grow to overtake many of these really nice rural settings that once were common. Hopefully this area will be protected. Even though it’s a short bicycle ride it’s always a joy to ride through this stretch of farmland. There’s a calmness from all the city noise. I so appreciate your short videos that bring up good memories of the past.
For what it’s worth when riding a bike along this stretch I avoid coming back into town on Riverside Dr. that eventually turns into Queen Ave. as vehicles coming in from Oakville Road are traveling highway speeds and they don’t begin to slow down until they cross the Calapooia River bridge. But if you start by going down Queen Ave. and turning on Riverside Dr. to get to Bryant Dr. it seems to be much safer as the traffic heading out of town is going much slower and seem to be more aware of bicyclists.
Hasso thank you for the memories. In my running days before my knees went, I loved running this section. Such beauty. I picked pole beans in some of the fields along this stretch as a youngster. I would also include Bryant Park in the run. Great memories. Great times. Thank you.
Hasso, I enjoyed your video very much. Keep after it brother!