Nice

Got out for a spin with Penny. 25/15.4

It Happens

Bit of a spill tonight. Maybe going 8 mph. Just some bruises, a little blood and not a scratch on the bike. Probably be a little sore tomorrow. 35/16.1

Winding Down

Ah, summer is closing out, kids are going back to school, State Fair is in full swing, and cx season is starting. Went over and watched TNC with Penny tonight.
Got a ride in a little early today, as work is tailing off some, which is another sign of summer's end. 27/16.4
Steve Hirsh Playing In The Dirt Like He's 7

BK

Sprint Finish

Riding Partners

Ride with Amy tonight turned into more of a scavenger hunt, and we came up empty. 24/15.3

Sweet Sunday

It was beautiful out there today. A little fog early, then the sun broke out, and brought a warm summer day. Sounds like we're in for another week of hot.
I rode solo and this is a little of what I saw. 62/17.9

Not feeling like it, but there are some early signs of fall.

Hung out with Elijah this afternoon. We spent a little time at Minnehaha Falls.

One Of Those All Around Good Days

75 miles with good friends. With rain threatening, when we got to Jordan, we decided to cut the Belle Plaine route short and head for home. Five minutes after walking in the door the rain started. We timed it well.
Five of us today. Dry roads. Pretty much the usual suspects. 77/19.4

Went to Kelsey's baptism after my ride. In her church members aren't baptized until the age of 8. It was great seeing my kids and grandkids. Taylor sat on my lap for part of the service.

Got out this evening and spent some time with my camera. We haven't see each other much, lately.
The sunset at Isles didn't let us down.

When I Was A Little Kid

Usually I was sitting in the car. The glossy vinyl bench seat was huge (my feet didn’t make it to the end of the seat, let alone the floor) and without any safety belts, going through even the slightest of curves, the Ford Country Squire would send me sliding in the opposite direction of our planned route. ‘CCO was on, but I wasn’t paying any attention. What was flying by the rolled down window, or reflecting back to me in the side view mirror was far more interesting.

It really was expected, because he did it so often, but that didn’t change the sudden straightening of my back, and stretching of my neck. I was now focused, there was a position that needed to be stood for, and I was the only one there to do it. What did my dad say? His statement was concise, definitive, and absolute. He simply said, “Oh, no it isn’t”. I only had to think for a couple of seconds. I knew what had to be said. Nothing was more important than the defense of my position. I respond with all the assurance a 5 year old could muster. My statement?  “Oh, yes it is”.

It wasn’t over; he would come back with a response. He loved the debate as much as I did. Only seconds passed, but this time, even though his position was the same, his statement was different. He held the “oh” for a good 30 seconds, with the remaining three words “no it isn’t”, lasting a little less than a half of a second.

This trick was a typical tactic of his, and I was way too smart to fall for it. I stayed firm, resolute, didn’t even blink. Quick, not wavering, I made my position clear once again, “oh, yes it is”. The slightest of smiles slipped across his face, but I wasn’t intimidated.

“Oh, no it isn’t”. “Oh, yes it is”. “Oh, no it isn’t”. “Oh, yes it is”. We could go on for a long time like this and usually did, and then he’d pause. With his hands still on the huge steering wheel, he’d look over at me. Deliberately, confidently and slowly he made a new statement. He enunciated the words. His enjoyment was obvious even to me, a 5 year old boy, as he said, “oh, yes it is”. I froze! Thoughts raced through my curly red-haired head. What? Wait a minute. What am I gonna do? That’s my position! But I can’t agree with him. There’s no way I’m going to agree with him. But that’s my position. I looked down. It was obvious. There was only one thing I could do. I made my stand and said, “oh, no it isn’t”.  He was always so pleased with that response.

Last Sunday I was over at my son’s home. I was talking to my granddaughter, Taylor. She’s the one with the bone disorder and is three years old. As we talked she answered a question of mine with “no”. I said, “yes”. She said, “no”. Yes, no, yes, no, yes, no, back and forth. She was smiling and enjoying the game, when I tried a trick I learned so many years ago, and I said, “no”. Barely hesitating at all, and with a look that reminded me of my dad, she said, “yes”. A laugh of pure joy came out of me, while a look of total satisfaction was on her face.

On And On

Another easy ride...kind of the way it's been lately. "B" bike was noisy, after riding through the rain yesterday. I hate having to clean my bike, but I hate it noisy more. I guess I'll be cleaning her up tomorrow.
Bought new road tires. I like the Continental 4000s, but man are they expensive. They cost as much as my car tires and are only good for about 3000 miles while my car tires will get over 80,000 miles. Hmmmm. 21/16.7

Got 'er Done

Whoa, it actually rained here today. Not much fell, but it did get the roads and trails wet. I waited a little to get out...let everything dry off a little. Nice. 33/16.7

Icing

Another beautiful evening for doing anything. I was lucky enough to go for a bike ride with my daughter, Gabrielle. 28/16.0

Delightful

The weather's been wonderful during August, making up for July. Sure has been nice for being on the bike. 25/16.7

Day With My Kids And Grandkids

Ended a really nice weekend in a most spectacular way. Rode the Birchwood coffee ride with Gabrielle this morning, saw Brit this afternoon, hung out with Elijah and went and saw Kelsey, Bryson, Taylor and Aubrey tonight, and talked with Ethan. When I dropped off Elijah I saw Makenna for a couple of minutes. Closed the night out having dinner with Penny. Perfect! 50/16.3

Trying To Let Go

What a perfect day, light winds, cool enough for a long-sleeved base layer, and lots of sun, with a few clouds popped in there for some variety. I rode out to Waconia and then headed north to Mayer, Watertown and, of course, Delano.
The old hairy legs didn't have much in them, and I'm lacking a good excuse. The pedal strokes just came hard today. Shortly before Delano I felt a little bonky and figured some Gatorade and a ginormus Rice Crispy treat would fix that. It didn't, but it sure tasted good. So I just sat back on the fast good-lookin' bike and enjoyed the rural scenery. 86/18.5

Listening To The Hum

Lake Waconia

I Love The Farm Field Vistas

Seems Like They Go On Forever

More Off

Walked over to Tin Fish, with Penny, had a grilled walleye sandwich for dinner, and watched the sunset.
That's a nice Friday night.

Gotta Ride

Those aren't my tracks. Sealing the bike paths is a good thing, and I'm all for it, but I wish access wasn't sacrificed. Maybe I snuck around the barricades, maybe I didn't. 21/16.2

A Nice Evening Ride

 33/16.2

Detour

Had to stay off the midtown greenway today. It's getting a new coat of sealer. I don't like it being closed. 28/16.5

It's Monday

Just a slow recovery ride tonight. 25/15.7

Saturday night I was out with Penny. We went to the Twins game. Waiting at a stop light I saw this reflection of the old Milwaukee Road railroad station in downtown Minneapolis. I thought it looked really cool so I snapped a photo of it. For some reason I really like it.

A Solo Sunday Soaking

I guess it really wasn't a soaking, but the fender and rain jacket were needed. It also would've been nice to have something to get the sore out of my quads. Yesterday's effort still lingered, and if the past is any indication, it will be lingering 'til about Thursday.
I like rain rides. I don't know what it is. As long as I'm not cold, I find riding in the rain relaxing. Maybe that's because I don't take the ride too seriously - I'm just glad to be out. And everything really does look different, when it's wet. It's all nice, clean, fresh, and it even glistens a bit.
An enjoyable ride today. 51/16.2

I Also Enjoyed Making This Caribou Coffee Cake Disappear

Futile

Words and pics won't do it justice today. Here are a few futile photos and words.
One of the nicer rides of the year- temps were perfect, little to no wind, scenery that I've always loved (I've been doing versions of this route for 15 years), and delightful riding companions.
Understanding how to ride in group is an art. Today's ride was artful.
Only 4 of us, but it was one big 85 mile smile. 86/20.3

Fuel Stop In Belle Plaine

Brian Likes It Flat and Smooth

Amy and Brian Leading Us Out Of Jordan

Paul, Amy and Brian Enjoying Some Countryside

Off

Just off. No riding, no pics.
Looks like an outstanding day for riding long tomorrow.

Pleasant

The green color of the trees is fading. It's not that vibrant green of early Spring. It has more of a worn out look...there's a little yellowing. This isn't Fall colors, just a less intense green, like it's ramping down a little.
Ride was nice. Big puffy clouds.Temps are pleasant. 21/17.0

Minnehaha Creek

Wet And Dry

A little psycho weather tonight. Roads were dry, wet, then wet, dry and that didn't seem in sync with whether rain was falling out of the sky or not. Oh well!

Nice ride. I felt good and the bike felt good. 33/17.5

In And Out

Weaving light and dark, in and out of the sun, along the wooded Mississippi River bluffs in Fort Snelling State Park. 29/17.0

Tonight's Sunset at Isles

Extra Credit

Got out and got my usual Monday recovery ride in, then I stopped over at Penny's and we hit the trails, for a few more miles. Weather sure has improved. 37/16.5

Trying To Keep Up With Her On This Climb

I Like Sundays

Hey, it was a little on the cool side this morning. It even had me thinking about a long-sleeved base layer. The sky had that royal blue, instead of hazy humid, look to it, and it was invigorating!
A solo effort, but it was just a glorious day. 48/17.0

Long Lake

Weeping Willows

Elijah and I spent the afternoon putting rocks back in the Minnesota River

Won't Stop

Still dealing with the remnants of a summer cold, but, with the help of some good friends, I got a very nice Saturday ride in. Bottom line is I felt better today than I have all week. I feel good that, even with a cold, I've gotten in my typical miles for a week.
Wind was a little more of an issue than I expected, but the temps were perfect. I mentioned to Amy how rare it's been to pass by a bank sign that showed a temp in the 60s. It felt great.
Lots of cyclists out today as we were on part of the Tour de Tonka route. We were heading in the opposite direction, so it wasn't too big of a problem. We did get cheered on by some high school cheerleaders, and even had some cops wave us through a couple of intersections. I could use more of that on all of my rides.
Good friends, good ride. Great to ride with Amy, like always. 88/18.9

Art Fair Friday

Actually got on my bike on a Friday...it's been awhile. Still fightin' that stupid summer cold, but wanted to get out and do a quick tour of the Uptown Art Fair. I'll be over there again tomorrow with Penny. 2/??

It's All About The Art

It Makes You Feel Better

Cold is getting juicy. Yeah, I know you wanted to know that. I still got out for a good ride, though. It was nice out, with very little wind. Good week of riding, got in some good miles, but felt like crap all week. Just for the record, I'd of felt even worse if I hadn't gotten out on the bike. 25/17.7

Moon Is 99% Full Tonight

Good News Bad News

The good news; I'm not burned out.
The bad news; I'm sick.
Woke up this morning with a sore throat. Actually, in a weird way, I consider being sick better news than being burned out.
Not feeling so bad that I can't ride, which is more good news. Sleep and fluids. 32/17.0