Strong wind out of the north, but the tail wind coming south along the Mississippi from Camden, through downtown and all the way to the Ford Bridge, was really fun.
Harriet and Isles are open. Calhoun's got a little more to go. Calhoun's south beaches were piled with ice, as the wind pushed it on to shore.
The Mississippi is scary it is so full. Going across the Stone Arch bridge today, I could feel the power of the river in the bridge, and was amazed that St. Anthony Falls could hold it all back. Nice to be back on the Orbea. 40/16.6
Monday, April 6, 2009
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Shot
Quads weren't screaming, but they were grumbling when I woke up. Yesterday took it's toll.
Looked pretty sloppy out there this morning, so I got out the winter gear, which I'd hoped I wouldn't see again until November, pumped up the tires on the Evil One, with full fenders, and took off on the SSR+ Baker. Quads and lungs were not happy with my choice of bikes, and complained often about how much more the Evil One weighs than Orbea.
I probably could've gotten away with riding the Salsa, as about half way through the ride, the snow ended and the roads started to dry. That was about when the winds started to pick up, but I got lucky, because I had just turned south, with the wind at my back.
I stopped in Excelsior for a quick hot chocolate, probably the last until November. In Excelsior I came to a four way stop about the same time as a Mercedes pulled up to an opposing sign. THE GUY WAVED ME THROUGH! It's nice to know there are some nice ones. 50/16.0 (remember, I was on the Axis, and shot)
Some Left Jersey Pocket Photos From Today's Ride
Looked pretty sloppy out there this morning, so I got out the winter gear, which I'd hoped I wouldn't see again until November, pumped up the tires on the Evil One, with full fenders, and took off on the SSR+ Baker. Quads and lungs were not happy with my choice of bikes, and complained often about how much more the Evil One weighs than Orbea.
I probably could've gotten away with riding the Salsa, as about half way through the ride, the snow ended and the roads started to dry. That was about when the winds started to pick up, but I got lucky, because I had just turned south, with the wind at my back.
I stopped in Excelsior for a quick hot chocolate, probably the last until November. In Excelsior I came to a four way stop about the same time as a Mercedes pulled up to an opposing sign. THE GUY WAVED ME THROUGH! It's nice to know there are some nice ones. 50/16.0 (remember, I was on the Axis, and shot)
Some Left Jersey Pocket Photos From Today's Ride
Saturday, April 4, 2009
98..99..100
Got back in front of my place with 98 miles. Instead of a reasoned approach, I just couldn't be that close to 100 miles and not get it, so I added a small loop over to Belt Line. Well, that brought the total up to 99 and a little change. Three lookin'-silly laps around the parking lot topped me off at the first century of the season, and it was hard!
Lot of people showed up for this...maybe 15.
We rode through the U of M past the State Fair Grounds (I'm still craving cheese curds), up by Como Park and Lake Phalen, and then turned east with our sites on Stillwater.
Once we got out of the city, and away from most of the stop lights, we were able to establish a rhythm and a pace line. The shared effort got us to Stillwater quick.
We stopped at a coffee shop called the Bikery. The Star Tribune did a write up on this coffee shop yesterday claiming, they have the best pastries in the state. I confirm what the Strib wrote. There's also a serious bike shop in the back, so a couple of guys were able to take care of some minor maintenance issues. Very cool place. I highly recommended it.
The area we rode today is just one long set of rollers...rollers beyond rollers, and it only gets worse north of Stillwater, which is where we were heading. By the time we got to Marine on St. Croix, heads were hanging, shoulders were slumped, not a word was being spoken and we still had to climb out of the valley on Nason hill.
Nason wound up being the last nail in the coffin for just about everyone...not a whole lot of smiles, or sounds, except maybe a whimper or two. It took a while, and a cross word or two, for us all to regroup, but we finally all got back together.
The slight tailwind and a few less rollers made the last 35 miles a little less painful, but there was still plenty of hurting going on.
March was a good month, and I'm definitely getting stronger, with a couple of 80 mile rides well over 19mph. Gotta work the centuries now through April and get them up into the high 19mph average, which will have me ready for the Hammer Hundred season start in May. Don't ya just love it? Hard, hard ride today...oh yeah, it was cold out there too! 100/18.8
Lot of people showed up for this...maybe 15.
We rode through the U of M past the State Fair Grounds (I'm still craving cheese curds), up by Como Park and Lake Phalen, and then turned east with our sites on Stillwater.
Once we got out of the city, and away from most of the stop lights, we were able to establish a rhythm and a pace line. The shared effort got us to Stillwater quick.
We stopped at a coffee shop called the Bikery. The Star Tribune did a write up on this coffee shop yesterday claiming, they have the best pastries in the state. I confirm what the Strib wrote. There's also a serious bike shop in the back, so a couple of guys were able to take care of some minor maintenance issues. Very cool place. I highly recommended it.
The area we rode today is just one long set of rollers...rollers beyond rollers, and it only gets worse north of Stillwater, which is where we were heading. By the time we got to Marine on St. Croix, heads were hanging, shoulders were slumped, not a word was being spoken and we still had to climb out of the valley on Nason hill.
Nason wound up being the last nail in the coffin for just about everyone...not a whole lot of smiles, or sounds, except maybe a whimper or two. It took a while, and a cross word or two, for us all to regroup, but we finally all got back together.
The slight tailwind and a few less rollers made the last 35 miles a little less painful, but there was still plenty of hurting going on.
March was a good month, and I'm definitely getting stronger, with a couple of 80 mile rides well over 19mph. Gotta work the centuries now through April and get them up into the high 19mph average, which will have me ready for the Hammer Hundred season start in May. Don't ya just love it? Hard, hard ride today...oh yeah, it was cold out there too! 100/18.8
Friday, April 3, 2009
First Friday Ride Pics Of The Season
You can never have too many bikes.
Broke out the Schwinn single speed for it's maiden voyage of the season, and showed off one of the hairy leg twins. You can tell them a part, because one has a tattoo.
45 degrees in April is like summer when it's Minnesota. Little kids out riding their bikes, with moms trying to keep them in line, young people holding hands, cyclists, joggers, bird watchers...they were all out soaking in the sun. 17/slow
Ice Is 90 Percent Out On Cedar Lake
About 80 Percent Of Calhoun's Ice Is Still Staying Tough
Gull Flying Over Calhoun
Another Sort Of Bird Flying Over Calhoun
Broke out the Schwinn single speed for it's maiden voyage of the season, and showed off one of the hairy leg twins. You can tell them a part, because one has a tattoo.
45 degrees in April is like summer when it's Minnesota. Little kids out riding their bikes, with moms trying to keep them in line, young people holding hands, cyclists, joggers, bird watchers...they were all out soaking in the sun. 17/slow
Ice Is 90 Percent Out On Cedar Lake
About 80 Percent Of Calhoun's Ice Is Still Staying Tough
Gull Flying Over Calhoun
Another Sort Of Bird Flying Over Calhoun
Just Thought You'd Like To Know What's Happening Concerning Wednesday's Incident
Todd and Don,
Since I am away...please take a look at Tim's e-mail below concerning an attempt assult.....thanks.
Lt. M. Sullivan
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Tim Springer
Sent: Fri 4/3/2009 12:22 PM
To: Nate Kerr; Michael.Sullivan@ci.minneapolis.mn.us; David Hayhoe
Cc:
Subject: Greenway attempted assault
Hi Lts. Sullivan and Hayhoe,
See below an event that happened yesterday near the border of P3/P5. This is unfortunate news. Please share this account with your patrols. Thank you.
Tim Springer
Executive Director
Midtown Greenway Coalition
2834 10th Avenue South
Greenway Level Suite 2
Minneapolis, MN 55407
612-879-0105
tim@midtowngreenway.org
Begin forwarded message:
From: "T R" <>
Date: April 2, 2009 9:32:03 AM CDT
To:
Tim,
I've been asked by cycling friends to pass this along to you.
I was riding east on the greenway at 4:30pm today (4-1-09), and came to the crossing at 5th Ave by Ace Refrigeration.
Two kids were sitting on the stone wall on the east side of 5th. A third was a little closer to the Portland bridge. As I crossed 5th, the third kid started running toward the bridge, away from me. When he got to the bridge supports he stopped and bent down to pick up something, and in one motion looked back at me and started to run back out on to the greenway. I think he misjudged my speed, and found himself about even with me when he had started back out on to the greenway. He had a stick in one hand, about the size of a 1x1 maybe a foot long. He also had a piece of cement, in his other hand, about the size of a softball. He made an effort to run into me, and I had to swerve to my left to avoid hitting him. He was not able to catch me, or touch me, but it was mostly because he had misjudged my speed. He was close enough to me that I could hear him kind of grunt as he tried to catch me. I thought he might try to throw the cement or stick at me, but that didn't happen. I was reacting to what I saw and trying to avoid hitting him. It didn't cross my mind, until after the incident, that there had been an attempt to attack me.
These kids that I saw were probably 15-16 years old. They had black hair. The one that tried to attack me had a flat top. All three had an olive colored complexion. The two that were sitting on the wall were just talking, and looked very unassuming.
I'm very sure I didn't read more into this incident, than actually occurred.
It is so sad that circumstance exist, where people feel, for whatever reason, that they need, or want to hurt others. I really don't understand, why I was chosen as victim of the day, and what could motivate these three boys to want to physically hurt someone else.
Please be careful. Unfortunately there are those that want to hurt and steal from others, for whatever reason.
Please, please be very careful out there.
Since I am away...please take a look at Tim's e-mail below concerning an attempt assult.....thanks.
Lt. M. Sullivan
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Tim Springer
Sent: Fri 4/3/2009 12:22 PM
To: Nate Kerr; Michael.Sullivan@ci.minneapolis.mn.us; David Hayhoe
Cc:
Subject: Greenway attempted assault
Hi Lts. Sullivan and Hayhoe,
See below an event that happened yesterday near the border of P3/P5. This is unfortunate news. Please share this account with your patrols. Thank you.
Tim Springer
Executive Director
Midtown Greenway Coalition
2834 10th Avenue South
Greenway Level Suite 2
Minneapolis, MN 55407
612-879-0105
tim@midtowngreenway.org
Begin forwarded message:
From: "T R" <>
Date: April 2, 2009 9:32:03 AM CDT
To:
Tim,
I've been asked by cycling friends to pass this along to you.
I was riding east on the greenway at 4:30pm today (4-1-09), and came to the crossing at 5th Ave by Ace Refrigeration.
Two kids were sitting on the stone wall on the east side of 5th. A third was a little closer to the Portland bridge. As I crossed 5th, the third kid started running toward the bridge, away from me. When he got to the bridge supports he stopped and bent down to pick up something, and in one motion looked back at me and started to run back out on to the greenway. I think he misjudged my speed, and found himself about even with me when he had started back out on to the greenway. He had a stick in one hand, about the size of a 1x1 maybe a foot long. He also had a piece of cement, in his other hand, about the size of a softball. He made an effort to run into me, and I had to swerve to my left to avoid hitting him. He was not able to catch me, or touch me, but it was mostly because he had misjudged my speed. He was close enough to me that I could hear him kind of grunt as he tried to catch me. I thought he might try to throw the cement or stick at me, but that didn't happen. I was reacting to what I saw and trying to avoid hitting him. It didn't cross my mind, until after the incident, that there had been an attempt to attack me.
These kids that I saw were probably 15-16 years old. They had black hair. The one that tried to attack me had a flat top. All three had an olive colored complexion. The two that were sitting on the wall were just talking, and looked very unassuming.
I'm very sure I didn't read more into this incident, than actually occurred.
It is so sad that circumstance exist, where people feel, for whatever reason, that they need, or want to hurt others. I really don't understand, why I was chosen as victim of the day, and what could motivate these three boys to want to physically hurt someone else.
Please be careful. Unfortunately there are those that want to hurt and steal from others, for whatever reason.
Please, please be very careful out there.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Happily Moving On Without Forgetting
THANK YOU ALL FOR THE GOOD THOUGHTS AND WELL WISHES, via email, comments and posts on the Birchwood Forum.
Early this morning I emailed the greenway coalition and reported what happened.
This afternoon I took off on the Orbea, and rode south to the Minnesota River. My hope was that keeping it in the burbs, all I'd have to worry about was a lunatic Lexus or two. I made sure I indulged myself in some photo therapy, which is akin to stopping and smelling the roses. 35/16.7
Along The Minnesota River
Nine Mile Creek
It's called Nine Mile Creek, because it enters the Minnesota River 9 miles from Fort Snelling.
Early this morning I emailed the greenway coalition and reported what happened.
This afternoon I took off on the Orbea, and rode south to the Minnesota River. My hope was that keeping it in the burbs, all I'd have to worry about was a lunatic Lexus or two. I made sure I indulged myself in some photo therapy, which is akin to stopping and smelling the roses. 35/16.7
Along The Minnesota River
Nine Mile Creek
It's called Nine Mile Creek, because it enters the Minnesota River 9 miles from Fort Snelling.Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Incredibly Sad And A Little Scared
I was riding east on the greenway at 4:30 today, and came to the crossing at 5th Ave by Ace Refrigeration. Two kids were sitting on the stone wall on the east side of 5th. A third was a little closer to the Portland bridge. As I crossed 5th, the third kid started running toward the bridge, away from me. When he got to the bridge supports he stopped and bent down to pick up something, and in one motion looked back at me and started to run back out on to the greenway. I think he misjudged my speed, and found himself about even with me when he had started back out on to the greenway. He had a stick in one hand, about the size of a 1x1 maybe a foot long. He also had a piece of cement, in his other hand, about the size of a softball. He made an effort to run into me, and I had to swerve to my left to avoid hitting him. He was not able to catch me, or touch me, but it was mostly because he had misjudged my speed. He was close enough to me that I could hear him kind of grunt as he tried to catch me. I thought he might try to throw the cement or stick at me, but that didn't happen. I was reacting to what I saw and trying to avoid hitting him. It didn't cross my mind, until after the incident, that there had been an attempt to attack me. These kids that I saw were probably 15-16 years old. They had black hair. The one that tried to attack me had a flat top. All three had an olive colored complexion. The two that were sitting on the wall were just talking, and looked very unassuming. I'm confident I didn't read more into this incident, than actually occurred, especially considering other reports of attacks on the greenway.
It is so sad that circumstance exist, where people feel, for whatever reason, that they need, or want to hurt others. I really don't understand, why I was chosen as victim of the day, and what could motivate these three boys to want to hurt someone else.
Please be careful. Unfortunately there are those that want to hurt and steal from others, for whatever reason.
Please, please be very careful out there.
I will be avoiding the part of the greenway from 35W to Hiawatha from now on.
I met my daughter and her new boy friend for beers tonight. I found myself getting angry that someone would want to hurt her dad, and the grandpa of her son. I didn't want to get hurt, for sure, but it would've hurt them as well. I find that hard to tolerate.
33/17.0
It is so sad that circumstance exist, where people feel, for whatever reason, that they need, or want to hurt others. I really don't understand, why I was chosen as victim of the day, and what could motivate these three boys to want to hurt someone else.
Please be careful. Unfortunately there are those that want to hurt and steal from others, for whatever reason.
Please, please be very careful out there.
I will be avoiding the part of the greenway from 35W to Hiawatha from now on.
I met my daughter and her new boy friend for beers tonight. I found myself getting angry that someone would want to hurt her dad, and the grandpa of her son. I didn't want to get hurt, for sure, but it would've hurt them as well. I find that hard to tolerate.
33/17.0
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