She's A Climber

Last week I posted a photo from this same location. The sides of the trail were still covered with snow and the post in the middle of the trail was completely submerged. That post is about 3 feet high. It got up to 65 degrees. I got all hot, sweaty and out of breath with the fast goodlookin' bike today. Planning a trip to Red Wing on Saturday, with the team, and figured I better make sure she's ready. She is. 33/17.9

Aerodynamics My @$$

In the past, I have received requests for warnings of when I will be riding with the old hairy legs exposed. It was a spur of the moment decision today so no warning was issued. I'm proud to report, no mothers averting their childrens eyes, no college co-eds saying, eeewwww, and no guys declaring, dude, cover those things up. I honestly don't understand the fuss. I just gotta ask ya, have you ever seen a more handsome pair of legs? Temps near 60, all sun, mild breeze = Mighty fine ride today! 33/18.2

A Beautiful Spring Day

Minnehaha Falls Today 33/17.1

Blustery Monday

Windy. Gusts up to 30mph. Just let the old hairy legs do what they felt like today. 33/16.2

Took this about 3 weeks ago near Le Center, Minnesota.

My dad would've been 90 today. They were really good parents.

AfterGlow

A pretty spectacular weekend for me. When I say, it doesn't get any better than this, I truly mean it. Friday night I had dinner with my daughter and her boyfriend. After that I had drinks with my old biking buddy Gordy (now retired from cycling). We talked for a couple of hours, and, of course, our racing days came up. We get faster every time the stories are retold. Saturday was a delightful bike ride with Amy and teammates from Birchwood. Saturday evening was filled with my kids and grandkids at a semi family reunion. My sister Marlene was there and friends that I have literally known all my life. Today a nice recovery ride with Amy...delightful weather, fun conversation and a great friend. I am a very fortunate man! 48/17.2

Taylor Last Night At The Family Get Together (the other kids were around and would periodically emerge from the basement, which was filled with cousins, out of breath and needing a drink of water, but that's all I saw of them)

Great!

I've gotta admit, last Saturday was a little demoralizing. Only one way to fix that, and that is to go do it again, only this time better. Same roads, same rollers, same bike, same old hairy legs. We did add one pretty good hill and about 3 more rollers by Lake Independence. I think about 9 people showed up. As we came into Wayzata we came up on Joe from Mellow Velo http://www.mellovelotours.com/ . He rode with us for about 10 miles. The wind was pretty much in our face all the way into Watertown (30 miles). Not too far from Watertown, but definitely in the middle of nowhere Steven got a flat on his sew-up (tubular for you young people). The puncture must have been too big, because the slime didn't seal. He was screwed, no spare. Called his girlfriend and was only able to leave a message. Rumor has it he got Freewheel Bike and their mobile shop to come and rescue him, but I'm pretty sure I saw vultures circling not too long after we abandoned him to evolutionary fate. That only left 4 of us to try and make it to Delano. YES! Delano was achieved. Amy Got Her Cheesy Crackers Ben Lightened His Layer Load Taylor Expertly Mixed His Banned Substances

And I Had HoHos and Lime Gatorade In Delano (Lisa, this is very nutritious)

Well, leaving Delano meant climbing out of the Crow River valley and enduring many painful rollers, of course, with a smile not a grimace. Fortunately we had some help from that wind that was slapping our faces all the way into Watertown. Now it was gently patting our backs with encouragement. There was a little.....activity on these ascents and rollers. I suppose it could be called frisky friendly competition. This activity left the old hairy legs with an ache I hadn't felt for months. I hate to say it, but....it was sort of nice to feel it again. I guess I've got a little masochist in me.

Once out of Baker and into Orono we came up on Paula. She rode with us all the way back to my place, and continued on with Amy.

Simply put, this was a really good early spring ride. Very good effort. We showed that route who's boss and Amy and I redeemed ourselves from the ugliness of last Saturday. 75/18.9

Fun Day Off

Day off the bike, but working hard on the carbo loading. Met my daughter and her boyfriend Joe for dinner at Chino Latino. It's a pretty hip place in Uptown. I asked them as we walked in, "do they allow old people like me in here?" A wonderful time. It's means so much to see your kids happy.