Harry Legge's Cycling Blog

Day Off

2012-01-27T17:42:00.000-06:00

Every indication is that I'll be out on the trails and roads through the end of the month. If that happens, it'll be the first time, since I've been riding year 'round, that I will have spent every ride day in January outside. No gym this month at all. Cool! Or maybe I should say, warm!

Sunset Coloring The Clouds Tonight

Not Just Good For The Body

2012-01-26T22:11:00.000-06:00

Left some exasperations out on the road this evening. I don't know what I'd do without a bevy full of bikes. 20/15.0
Lots of stars out tonight. Venus was hanging out just below the moon.
http://earthsky.org/tonight/moon-and-venus-low-in-west-at-dusk-on-january-25

March?

2012-01-25T21:46:00.000-06:00

Trails got the all clear today with the Wicked Witch of Winter melting away...at least for now. A little fog was left loitering, and gave Minneapolis a Brigadoon sort of feel. 20/14.2

Just Me And Evil

2012-01-24T21:57:00.000-06:00

20/13.7

White Ride

2012-01-23T23:37:00.000-06:00

Rode in more white today than any other time this season, and may be there's 3 inches on the ground.
Evil was more than up to the task of getting through the trails. All were plowed, but the wind kicked up and some had drifted over a bit. 20/12.9

Good Weekend

2012-01-22T16:45:00.000-06:00

MONSTER TRUCK JAM last night with Bryson, Elijah and my son Ethan, kept me up way past my bedtime. I got home about midnight.
Had a blast watching the kids in total awe of these trucks and the noise...oh the noise.
It's Bryson's 5th birthday today. Everybody's coming over and there will be cake!

Hard ride, for me. Amy seemed totally fine, so it was my turn to have an off day. I think pushin' the fat studs yesterday really took it out of me.

It was warmer, but we rode in freezing rain. Wasn't accumulating much on the roads, at least they stayed mostly wet, but ice was all over everything else.

I was really glad to get home and have a nice cup of hot chocolate. 35/13.6
Good weekend; kids, grandkids and bike rides, with Amy.

Winter Shminter

2012-01-21T14:13:00.000-06:00

Started without any temp, but it was really pretty out. Fresh white and bright sun. If it's going to be winter it might as well be pretty.
Amy wasn't on top of her game today (it happens to us all), so some route modifications were made. The smoothness of the asphalt replaced the rough and bumps of the trail. I, on the other hand, am still feeling the vibration of the Winter Beast's studs and knobbies an hour after I walked in the door.
We finally broke into the double digits around noon. Hands and toes never went numb, but I'm not convinced that wouldn't have been better than the constant tingle and sting that crept in through felt lined boots, two pairs of wool socks and chemical toe warmers.
It was a good winter ride. I pushed studded 26ers and the Winter Beast around for 50 miles, with 1 very quick stop to de-snot, and wipe the frost from my glasses. Almost 4 hours of uninterrupted saddle time, in the middle of January. Damn Good! 50/13.3

Day Off

2012-01-20T22:42:00.000-06:00

Off the bike today. Playing with negative numbers tomorrow.

That's All I Got

2012-01-19T21:30:00.000-06:00

Definitely winter in Minnesota. I used all the below zero gear I've got, because it was below zero. Not a lot of wind, which was nice, but still plenty cold. Evil is a pretty incredible bike, handling whatever is thrown at him. 20/14.1

A Little Frost Build Up On The Old Hairy Gills

Moderation

2012-01-18T19:02:00.000-06:00

Warmed up enough for me to hit the trails without my hand and toe warmers. Even lightened up on the layers a bit. Moderating temps seemed to have raised my average speed a bit. Hey, I'll take what I'm given. 20/14.7

My daughter-in-law took this picture, of my grand daughter, Aubrey. She also made the hat.

Kim enjoys taking images of weddings, families and children.
http://www.kimrussellphotography.com/

Fun With Layers

2012-01-17T20:52:00.000-06:00

Even though I haven't done it a lot this winter, I think I got this layering thing down. Temp of 13 wind chill at -3, arrived home with all the appendages I left with. 20/13.7

Easy Monday

2012-01-16T22:34:00.000-06:00

Wind was kind of nasty today, an omen of what's coming. 20/13.6

Typical For Me

2012-01-15T14:50:00.001-06:00

I've heard that there are people who sleep in on Sunday, lazily get up and read the paper with a slow cup of coffee, then, maybe, take in brunch.
Lots more sun, wind and temperature today. Just Amy and me (that's not a complaint), doing our usual Sunday morning ride. The 1/2 inch of snow we got was already melting, and the sun's warmth felt great on our backs. Lake Minnetonka looked fresh and clean with the new dusting of snow on its thin ice. We disappeared from city life on the LRT trail gently weaving along the tree lined path. It was smooth, quiet and newly white. I did break out the studs, for Evil, but can't say that's what made me confess to Amy that I was tired. Nice comfortable ride, very nice. No better way to spend a Sunday morning. 41/14.6

Anniversary

2012-01-14T16:13:00.002-06:00

I was out solo. My cycling buddies Ron and Gordy were not into winter riding. They were creating rivers of sweat in their basements; while I was trying not to freeze off anything too important. Temps were starting out the New Year low, I suppose saving something for the eventual ramp-up that would come in March. The year, 2007, looked promising. I was finally feeling recovered from shoulder surgery (broken clavicle), my youngest daughter would graduate from high school, child support payments would end, my dream of a semi-retired life style would become reality, but little did I know that this particular day was going to lead to something that I never planned on, or, for that matter, even imagined.

I was on Evil’s predecessor, which was stolen. The Evil you now know looks identical to his forerunner. Up ahead of me on the snow covered street were three cyclists. One of them had a bike that looked just like mine. As I passed them I cordially said, “nice bike”. No response, but one of the cyclists suddenly asked, “do you know how to get to Wayzata”?

It took me a second or two, but I could’ve sworn that was a girl’s voice. All those heat retaining layers had hidden facts that I’m usually quite adept at noticing. I had to think fast. Three girls, one guy, and they were going to Wayzata. I even impressed myself with how quick and sure my response was. Uuuuh, yeah.

Not much was said, after that, but they all fell in line and I tried to look as cool as possible. I think we mentioned names, but even then I was no good at remembering anything. Their plan was to stop in Wayzata and then head back home. I had planned on 60 miles, and before I met them, a stop in Wayzata was not on the itinerary, but this was just too good to pass up. I ordered a cup of hot chocolate and placed my helmet and gloves at the table they were sitting at.

Balaclavas, gloves, hats and helmets all came off, they started talking and I just sat there kind of nodding my head. I found out they all rode for a team called Birchwood, which I soon discovered had a very strong womens team. I was intrigued. There were even more women out there?

One of the women at the table was very quiet, with short blonde hair, and she wore a unique earring. She looked all of 23. I had kids older than her. I mentioned that I was going to continue to head west, none of them seemed too interested in continuing on and the blonde said, she could only do it if we slowed down. I thought about them as I rode out of Wayzata, especially the blonde, something connected.

I was looking for a team to ride with. I had raced unattached. Gordy and Ron both had gone through life changing events that would not only keep them from racing, but from riding regularly. I needed some new people to ride with. Maybe Birchwood would be a fit and I could get to know this blonde a little more.

I rode with that blonde again today, not quite as quiet as she was that first time we met, but it was once again a cold, snowy Saturday in January only five years later. What a great friendship. Amy still insists she was most definitely not the one who asked how to get to Wayzata.

Today 60/15.2 We rode through Wayzata, and continued west not stopping any time during the ride, and nobody suggested that we slow down.

All A Tingle

2012-01-12T19:05:00.000-06:00

Coldest ride of the season required warmest clothes. Lots of thick layers, including two pairs of gloves on each hairy hand. I even fired up the toe and hand warmers. Gore is some of the best stuff out there to keep the cold out.

Needed to keep the old hairless head warm too.

Perfect end to a cold ride is a bowl of soup. I made some cauliflower soup to help restore the warmth, after riding in a below zero wind chill.
I crock potted a half a cauliflower head, with onion, salt, garlic, carrots, celery, and red bell peppers, along with some home made turkey stock, on high for two hours.

Then roasted that for about 30 minutes at 400 degrees.

Set aside some of the vegetables (I like my soup chunky)

Pureed the rest

And poured that into a bowl with the vegetables.

Really, really good. Now I've just got to remember the proportions so I can make this again.
Temp 13 degrees with a wind chill of -3. 20/14.3 for about an hour and a half with Evil in the cold. Had the trails to myself.

A Reminder

2012-01-11T19:56:00.000-06:00

Not quite as pleasant as the last few days. Wind and cold combined to remind that it is still Minnesota in January. Additional layers weren't as helpful as I had hoped, and that tingle crept back into the toes and fingers. Needed Evil. 20/14.2

Made cereal from scratch the other day. It turned out really good.
This is what I included:
1 very ripe banana
1 cup oats
1/4 cup oat bran
1/4 cup wheat flour
1/4 cup rice flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 cup brown sugar (optional)

Mix up, spread very thin on parchment paper, and cook at 375.
I cooked it for 15 minutes, then tore it into small pieces, about the size of a nickel. I put the pieces back into the oven for another 5 minutes, checked on it, not wanting it to burn, and then returned it to the oven for yet another 5 minutes.
It turned out very good and crunchy. I let it cool completely and then put it in an air tight container. After a day or two it had become even crunchier. I also found that it stayed crunchy in milk. I suspect that this would stay good for a couple of weeks, if stored air tight. A mason jar works very well, even with previously used lids.
I also figure this would be a pretty good snack to take along on rides, just store it in a ziplock bag.

Still Not Sure

2012-01-10T22:21:00.000-06:00

Sitting at the stop light at 50th and Minnehaha Parkway I began to daydream. I wasn't cold, there was a couple waiting at the crosswalk who didn't have jackets on, I couldn't see my breath, I was on my road bike...for a moment I was in April. Light changed and about halfway across the intersection I remembered it was January, and I just kind of laughed. 24/16.8

Where Am I?

2012-01-09T18:37:00.000-06:00

A very nice ride on a beautiful Spring day, on January 9th, in Minnesota. Temp hit 50 degrees. 20/15.9

Nice Sunday

2012-01-08T22:27:00.000-06:00

Another amazingly warm winter day. This is typically the coldest time of the year, in Minnesota and I was out, riding with friends, in 40 degree temps, on road bikes. Thank You!
Five of us today. Just Heaven. 42/16.3

A little exploring with Elijah this afternoon around Normandale Lake.

Then we met up with Ethan (my son) and his son Bryson for some "guy time";
football, pizza, Matchbox cars, and some serious rambunctiousness.

Remarkable

2012-01-07T20:32:00.002-06:00

Really all that needs to be said is, 4 cyclists, 64 miles, road bikes, January 7th, and I'm tired.
Just amazing to be out on this kind of a ride in January. And, just for the record, we deserve it. 64/17.2

Pretty cool looking sky out there tonight. Lots of stars. Orion is easily spotted in the southern sky. Venus is as bright as it gets, and the moon is spectacular. I'm getting closer to understanding the awe that the ancients found in the night sky, and the travels of the planets, stars and moon. I find it easy to sit, ponder and watch, wondering about these bodies, their movements and imagining the meaning that is added to my existence, by the regularity of their appearance, in my upward gaze.

Day Off The Bike

2012-01-06T22:43:00.000-06:00

A little work, a walk around isles, and beer with cycling friends. That's a pretty good day.

The Answer

2012-01-05T22:26:00.000-06:00

I regularly get asked how many bikes I own. When I respond by answering "10", if I'm not asked directly, the look on the questioners face always asks why.
Over the last 6 days of rides I've used 4 different bikes. Minnesota weather requires adaptation from a cyclist, if she or he wants to ride all year around. Today was a studless Evil. 20/15.3

Lake Harriet As I was Closing Out My Ride (point and shoot)

From My Balcony Just After I Walked In The Door (SLR)

Bit Of A Thaw

2012-01-04T20:16:00.000-06:00

Snow and ice is slowly melting. Temp made it to almost 40 degrees today. Where the sun was shinning the snow and ice didn't have much of a chance. The winter biking challenge hasn't been too intense, so far, this season, and today seemed pretty typical for this winter. Old Blue, with his noisy crank and yellow fenders, was my companion today. 20/13.6

Still Plenty Of Ice On The Trail Where The Sun Got To A Little Late.

Still Light In The Sky Around 5PM

Making Do

2012-01-03T21:56:00.000-06:00

Don't tell anyone, but I'm kind of enjoying this winter riding; something different, a little technical, a bit of a challenge, nice change of pace. On the Winter Beast again. He's pretty amazing on the ice, makes me look like I know what I'm doing. 20/11.4

Caught this with my point and shoot.
Good Lookin' Sunset Over Lake Nokomis

A little Fun On The Ice And Snow

2012-01-02T22:28:00.000-06:00

Old Blue needs the bb replaced so I threw Nokian Extremes on the Winter Beast and hit the icy trails. Met up with Amy and we got 15 miles in together. She needed to shorten things up a little, but it was nice to start the new year riding with her. I was able to get in a few more miles on a sunny, cold, windy and icy January day, in Minnesota. Very nice ride. I was very impressed with the Winter Beast's performance. 28/11.5

What A Difference A Day Can Make

2012-01-01T22:42:00.000-06:00

Ended 2011 on the road with a 60 miler. Started 2012 with all the studs I've got on a tire. Ice everywhere. Called on Old Blue for the first ride of the new year. Managed 20 miles at a 12.4 mile an hour clip. Hello winter.

What a nice weekend off the bike. Friday, Saturday and Sunday were filled with everything I like including food, friends, parties and bike rides, and I spent the end of 2011 and the beginning of 2012 in some very nice company.

Well It Certainly Will Be A Year Not Soon Forgotten.

2011-12-31T17:20:00.002-06:00

Miles For 2011: 11361
Hardest Ride: Saturday, June 11th, "Little Extra Time On My Hands".
This was the first ride after breaking my ribs and wrist. I was pretty scared.
Favorite Ride: Saturday, June 25th, "PARTY!"
80 miles with a ton of friends for Amy's Birthday ride and then her party that night.
Favorite Post: Sunday, June 19th, "A Memory Of Me And My Dad".
Tenth anniversary of his death and ten years to the day of my most prestigious race win.
Images That Received The Most Comments:

My Favorite Image:

Other New And Exciting Experiences For 2011:
Started a new business by buying a foreclosed home, fixing it up, and renting it out.
Almost lost my Abstracting business, as the economy took its toll on the real estate market. Had a pretty remarkable come back in the last half of the year.
Met Penny and have had a wonderful time getting to know her. We are becoming very close and our relationship seems to have a longevity possibility that is scary and very exciting all at the same time. I'll have to tell you the story of how we met, and we didn't even know it, in an upcoming post.

I'm a very lucky man. This blog and the comments that come to me from it are a source of enjoyment for me. Thank you all for your cyber-friendships.

I'm fortunate to have friends that are willing to ride with me, and make my time on the bike so much more enjoyable.

Of course Amy, and our addiction to long Saturday rides...it's hard to imagine life without her friendship (this doesn't adequately describe my feelings and appreciation for her).

But nothing comes anywhere near the love and joy I receive from my children and grandchildren. I am rich beyond my wildest imaginations because of them, and my heart overflows with pride, amazement, and gratitude for the people they are, and the meaning they bring to my life.

Wishing all who read this a wonderful and happy new year.

Day Off The Bike

2011-12-30T23:17:00.000-06:00

Did get in a nice walk around Isles this afternoon.

Here are the last of my favorite pics from 2011. I think I did pretty good this year, keeping the number of favorite pics to less than 20.

Favorites

2011-12-29T18:51:00.000-06:00

Good ride. Felt better today on the bike than I have for several weeks. 20/15.8
End of the year means favorites and recaps.

Some Of My Favorite Images From 2011

This Is Great!

2011-12-28T23:38:00.000-06:00

Rides have been simple, and I'm just amazed that I'm still on a road bike. Temp made it to 40 again. Hoards of people walking the lakes. No snow anywhere and no complaints here. 20/16.0

A Nice Afternoon Ride With Amy

2011-12-27T22:39:00.000-06:00

25/15.5

No Complaints

2011-12-26T21:46:00.000-06:00

Lots of warm out there today, along with plenty of wind and sun. Road bike, vest and 52 record breaking degrees...I'm lovin' this! 25/16.0

Christmas Day Ride

2011-12-25T14:18:00.000-06:00

Santa brought me a very nice Christmas Day ride. Incredibly rare, I don't think I've ever done it before, but I was on a road bike, on Christmas Day, wearing a vest. When I rode through Excelsior at noon, the bank sign displayed 42 degrees as the current temp. 41/15.8

Lake Minnetonka

Christmas Lake

Christmas Eve

2011-12-24T22:10:00.002-06:00

Not been feeling too hot lately. A little upper respiratory something going on, so I opted for a solo ride, on Evil, along the LRT trail to Excelsior. Wind wasn't blowing too hard, but seemed gale force to me. It wore me down fast.
I decided that I'd get to Strawberry Lane, and stop and wish Ron a merry Christmas. His wife Laurie and their whole family was there. We talked for...I bet ya 20 minutes. Great family - good people.
Just got back on the trail and headed for home. A little easier with the tail wind, but something's suckin' the energy out of me. 40/14.4

Got home to some hot chocolate and made some last preparations for the Christmas Eve festivities at my Ex's. Everybody was there. It was fantastic to have all my kids and grandkids around. Nothing better.
I was wearing a sweater I got from Penny. I walked in the door and Brit says, "hey dad, nice sweater, did Penny give that to you?" Now, why would Brit assume that? It didn't take long and Nate and I noticed we were wearing similar sweaters, both given to us by our girlfriends....
I scored some major swag, and have wonderful kids and grandkids.

My Food Contribution To The Night's Festivities

Lots Of Love And Presents

Taylor Is Making The Best Of Her Circumstances

Elijah Getting To Know His Newest Cousin

Oh Tannenbaum

2011-12-23T21:33:00.000-06:00

Friday Night Pics

Fuller

2011-12-22T22:29:00.000-06:00

Inside again today. Got home with about a half hour of daylight, so I used that as an excuse to work out at the gym.
Finished up all the Christmas shopping tonight and got all the presents wrapped. DONE!

Met my 5th grandchild this afternoon only a half hour after she was born. Unbelievably small. Her name is Aubrey.

Whimpy Attack

2011-12-21T21:09:00.001-06:00

Lots of year end work and a dusting of snow, made me head to the gym.

Getting the last minute Christmas gifts for the grandlumps. Made another foray tonight. I just about got it put together. Each gets a book, a musical instrument, and, of course, some toys. From right to left: The newest granddaughter, which will be born tomorrow, gets diapers, then Elijah, Kelsey, Taylor and Bryson. I've still got a little work to do with Taylor. Gonna start some wrapping right now.

If You Didn't Plan On It, Count On It.

2011-12-20T20:25:00.000-06:00

A nice simple ride today. Vest and a road bike again! I just can't get over it. The prediction is no snow through the first of the year. Hard to imagine but it looks like a road bike ride on Christmas and New Years. 20/16.5

My granddaughter, Taylor, slipped on some juice in her kitchen this morning. This is what happened to her femur.

Just before I left the hospital she kept on saying, "stuck". She is safe, comfortable and in good spirits, but this is going to be a long six weeks for all of them. Taylor's mom is due to have another baby any day. Can you say Merry Christmas.

Caught the setting December sun just as I got home from my ride. Daylight is on the increase starting tomorrow.

This Is My Kind Of Winter

2011-12-19T21:54:00.000-06:00

Another December ride on my road bike. I may just be riding a road bike on Christmas Day. 20/15.5

Mentioned in yesterday's post that my chain broke during our Sunday ride, and we fixed it on the road. Replaced it today, and found that there was a lot of other damage. I'm not sure if it was just a bad chain, or what. I've never had problems with Shimano chains before. I think they're great. The other thing is this chain was relatively new, with less than 1000 miles. Maybe the derailleur sprockets caused the problem. As the picture shows below they're showin' a little wear. Whatever the cause, the chain and sprockets are all spankin' bran' new.

As Good As It Gets

2011-12-18T14:48:00.001-06:00

Delightful December Day with temps in the 40's, road bikes, great friends, and Amy calling me names on the ascents....just doesn't get any better than that. Only one problem, my chain broke. Fortunately, Steven had a chain tool, and with Greg's help we had it fixed and rideable in short order. There are significant advantages to riding with talented, knowledgeable, safe and just plain nice cyclists. 46/17.1

The Smiles Say It All

A Bit Of Trail and A Bit Of Road

2011-12-17T17:57:00.001-06:00

Was thinking it would be a nice day for a road ride until I woke up and saw someone had powdered the roads during the night. Opted for Evil. Amy, Steven and I pedaled our way to the LRT and Excelsior. Twelve miles into the ride I hit the 11,000 mile mark for the year. The celebration was brief, remaining on our bikes and not stopping. We did stop in Excelsior at Dunn Bros where I had a delicious cinnamon roll. They warmed it up for me, which made the butter cream frosting on top melt down into the cinnamon crevasses. It got a little gooy...had to lick my fingers.
Back on our bikes we were now traveling on asphalt. The 1/4 inch of snow had, for the most part, disappeared. Lots of talking, now that the wind was at our backs, and delighting in the fact that we were out, on the tar, we made our way to Wayzata. Amy even seemed happy. I couldn't let this last, so, once back into the city limits I directed the train up to Mt Curve, just above the Cedar Lake Trail and Lake of The Isles. At the summit of this very short, but rather steep ascent the volcano erupted and violence was perpetrated on my right arm by the said, Ms. Hanenburg. There were witnesses.
Satisfied with what I had accomplished, we made the descent down to and then around Lake of The Isles, and finally to the flatness of the greenway. I rode with Amy and Steven to Portland Ave, then made my way to the creek and home back along the lakes. A very nice mid-December ride. 55/15.5

Winter is being a little schizophrenic, and can't decided if it wants the lakes frozen or not.

But As The Sun Set It Dusted The Harriet Ice With A Little Gold

Then Turned It All To Gold

Day Off

2011-12-16T23:55:00.001-06:00

Morning started with this view.

Day ended with Penny. Very nice.

What Could've Been?

2011-12-15T22:04:00.000-06:00

32 years ago today.

Looked promising, huh?
One piece will always be missing now, but as I said to my daughter, Britney, tonight, "we've got it really good".

I'm only 10 miles or so from 11,000 for the year. The wind convinced me to wait until Saturday to hit that mileage marker. It was the gym again for me today.

Just Fine With Me

2011-12-14T22:02:00.001-06:00

Rained all day. I thought about it, but finally decided to go over to the gym and get wet sweating, instead of rained on. I'd be just fine if we didn't get any more snow this season. Sorry snow lovers.

I Could Get Use To This

2011-12-13T20:19:00.000-06:00

I don’t know this is pretty nice. I don’t even mind the brown or the dull and grey. Just some light layers and a vest. Felt mighty good. Evil seemed to enjoy a livelier cadence, brought on by only rubber tires. 20/14.8

December?

2011-12-12T22:09:00.000-06:00

40 degrees. Grey, wet and a little sloppy out there, but it sure felt good. Looks like another day or two like this. 20/14.0

Felt Great

2011-12-11T22:45:00.001-06:00

Vest, road bike, temps close to 40. Need I say more. Delightful December ride. It's been many years since I was on a road ride in December. Got a little time in with Amy and Mark. Rode with Steve for the entire ride. 41/15.6

Out And Back Saturday

2011-12-10T15:35:00.001-06:00

Pretty typical Minnesota winter day, except we don't have much snow, which is just fine with me. Last year I got about 5 years worth of my fill of snow.
Day started out cold. The temp was only a few degrees above zero, but a fairly vigorous south wind had temps in the 20's when I got home. Blue was all over the sky and seemed to dominate what water was still open on the lakes. Even the snow seemed extra white with the bluing added by the sky.
Wanted to get a trail ride in so I climbed on Evil and rode the LRT to Victoria. Didn't need the extra weight of the studs, trail was down to the limestone in most places, but had it anyways. I like this trail a lot. It gets plowed, and runs through some very pretty country. The other thing that's nice about it is there's a total of 236 feet of climbing one way. Just did an out and back solo effort. Apparently I'm not as concerned about freezing my ass off as others are. 46 miles for almost 3 1/2 hours, and I was pretty shot at the end. I didn't stop and take on any fuel though, that may have had something to do with it. 46/13.9

This Is What It Looked Like Out There

Day Off

2011-12-09T23:50:00.000-06:00

No pics, no ride. Geesh, why even have a blog?

Major Wuss Outbreak

2011-12-08T18:42:00.000-06:00

I bailed on riding. Nineteen degrees and a five degree windchill had me heading for the gym. Achieved some serious sweating for an hour on the elliptical along with another half hour on the stationary bike. Listened to Christmas music - a little Brian Setzer and Trans Siberian Orchestra. Felt pretty good. I think I got a pretty good work out in. Started going to a new gym. My old one, Bally's, closed. It's LA Fitness. Nice.
Looks like this will be the coldest night of the season, so far. I think I'll just hunker down and enjoy the warming glow from my TV.

Better

2011-12-07T19:53:00.000-06:00

Amazing what 10 degrees can do. Almost no snow and ice on the trails, very little wind and temps in the upper 20's....down right balmy. It was a very pretty evening ride. I wished I'd had my big camera, but I still caught a little of the beauty with my point and shoot. 20/13.7

Just Trying To Stay Warm

2011-12-06T21:22:00.002-06:00

Another day with less than 20 degrees on the old hairy thermometer. Acclimation can't come soon enough, however, the riding on snow and ice comfort level is coming along nicely. 20/13.7

Cold St Paul Morning (it's just steam)

Baby It's Cold Outside

2011-12-05T18:49:00.002-06:00

A little more ice on the trails than I expected, but Evil was up for the challenge. And damn! it was cold! High today was 20, with wind chills in the single digits. Longest post-ride shower of the season. 20/12.7

Delightful Day

2011-12-04T23:00:00.006-06:00

The plan was to play where the plows had passed, and so we did. Last evening changed the color theme from golden brown to white for the foreseeable future, along with our tires weight and girth. Clatter replaced hum, and the lean into our turns is much more perpendicular. More of layers, less of speed, time has become more important than miles. Winter riding is back. 35/13.5
My Granddaughters birthdays were celebrated tonight.
Taylor Enjoyed Her New Jewelry

Kelsey Loved Her New Clothes

Beat The Snow

2011-12-03T16:19:00.003-06:00

I didn't want to do it. I thought it was a mistake to take the road bikes out with a winter storm so close. But Amy was insistently confident. And, as much as it hurts to say this, she was right. What a nice ride. We were on a few of our favorite roads, and never noticed the 30 degree temps, even when we had to stop to fix Amy's flat. Those tires don't like coming off when it's cold out. But we just road around with no particular place to go, just chatting and enjoying an almost winter landscape. 61/16.5 Amy put on over 70 miles.

Canal Between Isles and Cedar Lake

Day Off

2011-12-02T23:45:00.002-06:00

Logged in some OK mileage this week, considering it's December. Stayed off the bike today. Gonna try to sneak in a road ride, before the snow flies, tomorrow with Amy.

Not Too Bad For December First

2011-12-01T20:10:00.004-06:00

Put some teeth into it this afternoon. Might have been a little over kill, but I opted for a more cautious approach on my ride with Evil. And for the record there was some ice and snow on the trails. 20/14.4
Those Silly Turkeys Playing On The Tracks Again

Lots of Tired

2011-11-30T21:49:00.004-06:00

I sure have been tired lately. No giddy-up at all. Youth is a terrible thing to waste on the young. Penny thinks I need more vitamin D. 20/14.5 (and that was on a road bike)

On a happier note: I've been on jury duty for the last week and a half. Got discharged today!

Saw these Trumpeters while working today. There were a dozen of them out on this frozen lake near North Oaks. These two were with the flock, and non-chalantly started to walk away. At about 20 feet away they start to do some head-bobbing, and before you know it they were running along the ice and skimming just above it. The others didn't even seem to notice. Very fun to watch.

Different

2011-11-29T20:56:00.002-06:00

Was inspired to ride the LRT to Excelsior this afternoon, with Evil. Nice change of pace. A lot less city. 30/14.4
Watched Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer tonight. It's the best one.

Winter Riding?

2011-11-28T22:31:00.003-06:00

Kind of cool for a road bike, but with no snow or ice Evil stays home. 20/16.7

It's Been A Very Good Weekend

2011-11-27T21:45:00.004-06:00

Four of us ridin' road bikes at the end of November. It was cold, but I can't complain. Out to Wayzata, along Long Lake and back home to the warmth of some of Tom's special winter recovery drink. 41/16.6

Elijah Relaxin' On Grandpa's Couch This Afternoon.
Met Some Friends For Drinks Well After The Sun Went Down.

Just The Stuff I Enjoy

2011-11-26T20:16:00.003-06:00

Another good day. Started off with some sleepin' in, which is one of my favorite things to do. Met up with Amy and rode in the drizzly, cold and windy November weather. The glasses weren't doin' a whole lot of good, and needed to be cleared off regularly. The drizzle finally let up as we entered the city limits of Wayzata. Evil steed seemed to like the cold and wind. He likes it sloppy too.
Got home and made my favorite recovery drink, then went over to Amy's and did a little bike maintenance for her. After that I even managed to get a little Christmas shopping done at a small business. Finished the book "The Origin of Satan", by Elaine Pagels. She's a religious historian and has won the National Book Award for "The Gnostic Gospels". Yeah, I'm into that stuff, what can I say.
Enjoying the warm glow of the TV now. 45/15.7

Saw this red view of Minneapolis on my way home from shopping.

Nice Day

2011-11-25T19:48:00.002-06:00

Amazing what you can do with a day off. First and foremost I slept in. All that eating yesterday required some major effort on my part, and some extra sleep to help recover. I had notions of a ride around a lake or two, just 'cause it was so nice and warm out, 50's again today. Amy, in her very sneaky way, coaxed me into 30+ miles. Why I listen to her?....you'd think I'd learn by now. 33/?? (battery died)
Got some laundry done, kitchen floor all spic and span, even got a little work done, and I got my Christmas lights and tree up. Lookin' pretty spiffy around here now.

Tom's Turkey Day

2011-11-24T21:54:00.004-06:00

Tied the all time high temperature mark for this date today. Rode with Amy and Greg in the morning, on the fast-goodlookin' bike, with a vest on. The last time I rode a road bike on Thanksgiving, I think, was '98. Just along the river and up into Theodore Wirth Park. We crossed the 45th parallel twice. 35/16.3
Ideal weather, great friends, on bikes...wait, it gets better.

I made Thanksgiving dinner for my kids and the grandlumps; turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, candied yams, corn, gravy, and rolls all made from scratch. Brit and Ethan brought stuff to drink. Gabrielle brought the salad. My ex brought homemade pumpkin pies, one of which was made from fresh pumpkin, and a banana cream pie. She can make pies, oh, man! I also provided a french silk pie.

So, to summarize; wonderful weather, road ride, fantastic friends, delicious dinner, my kids and grandkids...yeah, you're right, that is perfect!

I Like This

2011-11-23T20:42:00.003-06:00

Fast-goodlookin' bike and it's Thanksgiving. Temp near 50 with all sun. Gotta love it! 28/17.0
Rode to the Minnesota River and came back around Bush Lake. Crossed interstate 494 at about 3:30...traffic was slow and go.
Sun is setting around 4:30. Pretty, but way to early. Less than 30 days and the diminishing light trend will end.

2011-11-22T21:16:00.002-06:00

Doesn't take much time inside the gym to get me back outside. Rode Evil this evening. The full fenders were nice. Snow and ice was almost all gone. If it's dry, I'll be on a road bike tomorrow and Thanksgiving. 20/15.0
Frozen Creek
Downtown Minneapolis In The Fog Tonight

That Time Of Year

2011-11-21T20:02:00.001-06:00

Gym. Hour and a half. Elliptical.

Homage

2011-11-20T14:53:00.004-06:00

It was all frozen this morning. The ruts left by yesterday's cyclist were solid and ice. A skating rink is not a good description. A skating rink is flat. Each rut would not give and Old Blue would move laterally, very disconcerting...forward is preferred.
The 2.35ers with studs gripped rutted ice and soon unsure was replaced with confidence.
There was no hum, just a cracking and popping as Old Blue undauntedly rolled over the crevasses with a confidence that only comes with age. Blue's the oldest of my bikes. That means wisdom, experience and a been-there-done-that attitude. Blue's seen it all, and wants more.
Not many bikes could do what Blue did today, from glare ice, to rutted ice, bare limestone and then two inches of snow... just nonchalanted it.
4 1/2 hours yesterday 2 1/2 today. I'll take it. 30/12.1

Accumulations

2011-11-19T14:20:00.003-06:00

Angry cat lady and Steven met me at Punch. We convened a little earlier than usual to try and out smart mother nature's plans for white. Yeah, like that would work.
A fairly pleasant trail ride to Strawberry Lane, where we met up with Ron and his trusty side-kick Roger. Roger could've been a little more cooperative today. A broken fender bracket and flat were how he showed his appreciation about riding with us.
It was great to see Ron. Way too long since I've ridden with him. Nice to catch up. He's got a kid in high school already. Ron took over ride control, and almost immediately things started to deteriorate. First he took us through Carver Park. Very beautiful, but it was closed because of a special hunt, yeah, with real bullets. Ron seemed to think it would be OK to ride around the barriers and through the hunt zone. I suppose my Windstopper jacket didn't make me look too much like a deer.
Having made it through the shooting range, next was a trail? I really never saw a trail...lots of leaves and branches, which got caught in my spokes more than once, and this kick ass hill. At this point Amy was no longer in her happy place, but remained relatively civil, not talking, but civil. You didn't want to look her straight in the eye though. Steven was in his element loving every second we were off any trail.
Now Amy's bike needed to be dealt with. Her front derailleur was not being agreeable. Force was used to persuade it back into position.
A short reprieve, and some very scenic country, then we even got on some asphalt. Short lived, the dirt road we turned on to was a washboard set at an incline. That was it, Amy broke out with a "WHERE THE HELL IS THE TRAIL?" She knew the Luce Line, that it would be flat, smooth and headed home. Ron could only point in the direction of the pending intersection. Oh Yeah, it had started to sleet.
Amy was right and the Luce Line Trail's crushed limestone seemed like newly laid asphalt. Unfortunately we had to split up. The Luce Line is where Roger decided to flat. The weather was worsening, and neither Amy or Steven were dressed to stand around for 10 or 15 minutes. They went on, and Ron changed Roger's rear tire. Ron and I were back up and riding with the sleet now turned to snow. It didn't phase us.
Said goodbye to Ron in Minnetonka, and with about 4 miles to go the lack of a food stop caught up with me and I bonked. Slowed to 11 or 12 miles an hour, but got myself home, and quickly made my favorite winter time post ride recovery drink.
Evil performed very well in the first snow ride of the season.
This ride was actually a blast. We were on the right bikes, with the right clothes, and when that snow started I didn't want to be anywhere near a road. A delightful layer of ice lay just on top of the asphalt.
It was great to ride with Ron again. He can still climb and descends even better now than he used to. This was really fun. I'm looking forward to some more winter rides like this one. Amy took winter's start hard, but I'm sure she'll be back at it like always. 62/14.5
Tire Accumulations
Derailleur Accumulations
Trail Accumulations

Waist Accumulations

Friday Night Pics

2011-11-18T18:25:00.004-06:00

No ride just pics. It was nice just to sit on the waters edge of Lake Harriet and just watch...look. Never saw the sun, but knew it was there.
From Calhoun's Thomas Beach

Up North

2011-11-17T22:13:00.003-06:00

Ice on the creek, dark well before 5, nevertheless, on the road. 20/15.8

Interstate 35W bridge over Minnehaha Parkway

He Did WHAT!?

2011-11-16T15:50:00.004-06:00

I'm not sure what got into me, but last night I developed a hankerin' for some trail riding. Got me on the de-fanged Winter Beast, with some 26 x 2.35ers. Not big enough to have their own names, but massive compared to my usual 23cm.
It was very pretty, but damn cold, and the wind out of the WNW from 15-25 mph didn't warm anything up. Actually I got the layers down just right and was very comfortable, but when I stopped to take a picture, removing my glove, and unzipping the Gore Windstopper, I felt the bite and cold immediately. 35 degrees when I got home with a windchill of 25. My average speed the 1st 15 miles, into the wind, was 13.5.
Nice ride. I'll be doin' it again soon. 30/14.1

The Winter Beast Relaxing Afterwards
Turn Around Point at Oak Lake

Trail Colors

Birch Trees

New Approach?

2011-11-15T19:51:00.002-06:00

Ran into some big wind on the ride back tonight. 20/16.2

Taylor is nonchalanting it as she cruises down the hall at her physical therapy session. I gotta get a black helmet with red flames. So cool!
Photo by her mom Kim Russell. http://www.kimrussellphotography.com/

Spotted this young eagle near the Mendota Bridge today while working. Wind wasn't phasing it.

KNICKERS YEAH BABY!

2011-11-14T23:16:00.003-06:00

Showed a little leg today. Temps roared into the 50's. I'm likin' the asphalt bare. I have no desire to see any white. 20/16.9

In Reverse

2011-11-13T11:21:00.004-06:00

Snicker doodles (homemade)
Hot Chocolate with cream and rum
Ride around Lake Minnetonka with Amy (really nice) 45/16.8

Next:
A quiet afternoon with Gordy, Jo and Penny at a winery. Food, laughter and talk to follow.

That's a good day.

Icing

2011-11-12T18:00:00.002-06:00

Last year we got 8 inches of snow on this day. Today we were de-layering. What a great, fun ride. Riding just fast enough to burn a calorie or two, but not pushing it. Avoidance was the goal of the day; avoid hills, wind, long stretches of oxygen deprivation, muscle complaints, speeds that would prevent idle chatter, and of course cars.
It was just plain spectacular out there, with sun all over the place, way too many layers, and great friends.
There was a stretch where Amy got a little impatient. Even though we were moving along at 20-21 mph she came around and took a pull. We all fell in line and she upped the pace to 25-26 mph. Massive effort! even though we were heading downhill and had a tailwind of about 20 mph.
I sure had a good time today. Really nice ride. Thanks everybody! 72/17.9

Silence

2011-11-11T17:34:00.002-06:00

Courthouses were closed for Veterans Day, so I spent the day getting organized. My storage unit and tools are lookin' good. Got out to the house for a little bit and set up a heat source to keep the pipes from freezing this winter. And a sure sign of winter's approach, I replaced the bb on The Evil One. Took it out afterwards, just to make sure I did it right. Nice and quiet! 6/14.2

Isles at about 5PM (sure gets dark early)

Cerebral

2011-11-10T18:16:00.002-06:00

Didn't even make it out of the 30's, and my apparel showed it. Booties, balaclava and a windstopper jacket. I like that Gore stuff...works pretty well.
It was one of those rides that was more mental than physical. Lots of thinkin' goin' on. Let's see if I can turn that into somethin' good. 20/15.5

Slow Slide

2011-11-09T20:10:00.003-06:00

Sky was clear, sun was out and looked warm, temp was 49. Seemed like the perfect conditions for a vest instead of a jacket. Looks like we're in the last days of vest weather. Arms would've been a little happier tonight, if my vest had sleeves. 20/15.9

Tuesday

2011-11-09T09:28:00.000-06:00

Needed a jacket. 20/16.9

Early Dark

2011-11-07T18:22:00.002-06:00

It's the blinkie time of year.
A controlled burn in progress at Minnehaha Falls Park.

A little bit of a chill tonight. 20/16.0

The Simple Life

2011-11-06T12:27:00.005-06:00

Woke up after the extra hour of sleep last night that fall back brings, with 16 miles to go. Yep, after yesterday's 70 mile trek with Amy and Anthony, I had 16 miles to pedal to get my 10,000 miles in for 2011. Just for reference, professional cyclists will typically ride 20,000 to 25,000 miles a year. That makes 6 years straight of 10,000 miles or more, for me, in the saddle, outside, in all types of weather, from tornado warnings, blizzards (Amy and I were talking yesterday about riding in this storm), 40 mile an hour crosswinds, lightning strikes, 105 degree heat indexes, windchills of 30 below, blinding downpours, hail, ice storms where the rain actually froze to my bike (I had to sit in my house for about 15 minutes and let my jacket thaw before I could get it off), innumerable flat tires and mechanicals repaired on the road, always with less than adequate tools, bee stings, nearly crashing into deer, running over squirrels, sunscreen and sweat in my eyes, frostbite, broken face, ribs, hand, shoulder and tail bone, not to mention all the skin I've left on the asphalt. And don't get me started on the near death experiences with those motorists that aren't paying attention.
I've been very fortunate to share some of these delightful experiences with wonderful friends. The last 4 to 5 years it's almost always been Amy, and the last 3 years it's rare if we're not spotted together on some rural road happily (at least at the end of the ride) tallying up the miles wearing off the rubber on our skinny, over-priced tires, wasting away a Saturday and Sunday.

GOD, I LOVE THIS!

Here's the evidence:
I stopped at the 16 mile mark, and although I didn't give a WOOT WOOT, or do a happy dance, the accomplishment didn't go unnoticed.
The 10,000th Mile Was Here (just north of Excelsior on Cty Rd 19)
After little to no ceremony I resumed doing what I love and seeing, feeling, hearing, smelling, and tasting the joy of simply riding a bike. 44/17.4
Leaves Are Almost All Gone

A Tribute To My Mom. She Would've Been 89 Today.

Let's Call It WIsdom

2011-11-05T23:33:00.003-05:00

Just tried to keep from letting the wind find me. There have been days when it was exciting to take on the wind, or the climb. Today wasn't that day.
Met up with Amy and Anthony and rode the Dakota Trail to Mayer. It's an old abandoned railroad right-of-way, that is flat, and has cover from the wind. Two great people to ride with, lots of fun talking, plenty of sun, and even saw some deer on this the first day of the opener. A nice fun ride, just taking it easy and enjoying the miles with some friends.
70/17.9

Full Day Off

2011-11-04T18:34:00.005-05:00

No ride. The morning started out a little frosty. Had to get a little work done, then lunch with an old friend and his wife. It was great to catch up. Back to work for a bit, then enjoy the sunset and a beautiful half moon. Penny and dinner, homemade wild rice soup, a little wine and a baguette....

Felt Good

2011-11-03T20:03:00.002-05:00

Very nice weeknight ride: Knickers, fast-goodlookin' bike, and lots of late fall color. 24/16.4

Along The Mississippi

Just A City Street

By Lake Hiawatha

In That Order

2011-11-02T20:07:00.002-05:00

Ride
21/16.0

Sunset

Dinner

More Fun With Fall Colors

2011-11-01T21:36:00.002-05:00

A little something falling out of the clouds during my ride. No problems...it wasn't white. 21/15.7
Yeah, I know, that's slow. I'll have an excuse made up in time for tomorrow's post.

Along East River Road

Sugar Buzz

2011-10-31T22:31:00.002-05:00

Saw Kelsey, Bryson and Taylor on Saturday. They were doing Halloween a little early. Elijah came by Penny's tonight for a little trick-or-treating. Both times I had my camera with me, but forgot to take any pictures. Old! Trust me, though, there were no cuter looking goblins out tonight. Lots of fun seeing the grandkids zoomin' all over the place, and that was before they ate any candy.
Got my ride in before the zombies started to appear. 21/16.9

Sunday Morning

2011-10-30T12:54:00.004-05:00

Amy and I reconvened and made our way to Wayzata and then around Lake Minnetonka for a Sunday recovery ride. The effort was worthy of late October. Good conversation, nice route, great friend...perfect Sunday morning. 45/?? (forgot to zero out)

Nice Colors Around Lake Of The Isles

Werewolf In Minneapolis

Alive

2011-10-29T14:51:00.006-05:00

Layers were thicker as proof of life emanated from between my lips on a nearly November morning. The sun, as it usually does this time of year, was deceiving us. Six wheels turned to two at the 15 mile mark, and so my solo Saturday sojourn had begun.
Spaces widened as the black ribbon shrunk before the spinning wheel, with carbon dutifully falling in line. Fresh, real air fueling lungs, muscles willing, heart accepting the burden, eyes taking in the immediate frontal onslaught, and peripherally the expanse that was to be shortly left behind. The senses were assimilating the cold on bare skin, the intrusion of earth and its open wounds left by farmers blades. I was no longer a part, but had become one with. 78/18.7

Friday Night Pics

2011-10-28T23:36:00.006-05:00

No ride just pics.

Starting Out With A Little Harmony
Nice Pace Line

Reflecting

Primping

Heading Back To Shore

It's All About The Miles

2011-10-27T20:42:00.002-05:00

Picked up a pair of Capo Peloton Bib Tights last night. Tried them out today. Nice and toasty.
Felt good on the bike. 300 miles and I've got my 10,000. Tonight 25/17.4

More Color

2011-10-26T21:21:00.002-05:00

Along the creek there seems to a resurgence of color, but it's really only along the creek, most everywhere else the leaves are down.
Nice ride tonight. 21/16.8

Second Wave

2011-10-25T22:46:00.003-05:00

Penny and I got over and watched the Bulldogs beat the Blackhawks in their first playoff game tonight. Eighteen to six was the final score.
Grandpa won't be watchin' the championship game on Saturday at 11.

The fall colors seemed to resurrect on tonight's ride. 21/16.4
Minnehaha Creek

Just...

2011-10-24T23:14:00.004-05:00

Doing my Monday thaaang. 21/16.1

My city is looking good tonight.
From Lake Harriet
From Parade Stadium

Perspective is pretty fascinating. The buildings in these two photos haven't moved, but from my camera's different vantage points, they look to be in completely different places in relation to each other.

Good

2011-10-23T22:55:00.002-05:00

Sunday morning Roads were wet. Anthony and Amy were there for the recovery attempt. Pretty simple approach; ride slow and avoid hills. We did summit Christmas Lake, but in our small chain rings. Purgatory - we just took our time...well Anthony put a little kick into it at the end, and, like always, I got in trouble. 45/17.1
I had a nice weekend. Lots of time with Penny, rides with Amy and friends, Elijah this afternoon...Pretty Damn Good!

Outstanding

2011-10-22T14:57:00.003-05:00

I wasn't even wishing for 75 degrees. The sun, no wind, and 50 degree temps were ideal. I think I even prefer this. Easily one of the best rides of the season.
Amy, Steven and Steve showed up at Punch, and we just rode. No intent to break any land speed records we were just enjoying a perfect fall day. Quiet roads, with the sound of a leaf blower now and then breaking the silence. Not a whole lot of chatter, I figured everyone was just enthralled with the simple beauty found on a rural bike ride.
In no time at all we were at Hanover waiting at a stop light. Except for Steve's nature break, that was the first time we'd put a foot down, and our Sidis wouldn't touch asphalt again until we refueled in Delano (45 miles). Lime Gatorade and a Rice Krispie treat for me. Amy was all over the Cheesy Crackers. Sitting at Holiday the sun felt good on our backs as we downed our mid-ride nourishment. A nap would have come quite easily. But back on the steeds, following a white line, on a black ribbon, along the Crow River, then through greying, yellow and brown farm fields far past their plump green summer days.
County Road 6 was voted on and approved by Amy as the route home. It gave us the chance to get on Watertown Road and pass by the naked lady, then ease our way just north of Lake Minnetonka back to Wayzata.
Home was close and in younger days my legs would've been asking for more miles. At least today they weren't complaining, just merely content. For me, today's effort seemed much easier than the 80/19.6 results my computer showed.

Friday Off The Bike

2011-10-22T00:10:00.003-05:00

Beautiful day, but work kept me busy with little time for a ride. There's only one day where I'd allow that to happen, and it's Friday, my day of rest.

The Sun Showed Up For My Ride Tonight. Sweet!

2011-10-20T22:46:00.001-05:00

21/17.2

Slow

2011-10-19T21:50:00.003-05:00

Rides continue to slow. Temps are slowly falling. It's that slow slide into winter. 21/16.0