New Years Eve Ride

A short but sweet ride to end the year. 9/11.1

13,082 Total miles for 2008

Precarious

I've been feeling kind of run down for a few weeks now. Cut back on time and intensity of my work outs to see if I can beat whatever it is. Several friends went down on ice today while walking around. The new snowfall has hidden the ice, but it's still there. So today I just kept things easy and safe at the gym. 0/0

The Rut Continues

Worked out at the gym again today. 0/0

Off The Ice

Stayed off the ice laden trails again today, so worked out at the gym. On a walk with Lynne, later on in the day, we saw three cyclists navigating the ice patches around Lake Calhoun. Maybe the ice will be gone in a few more days and I'll feel comfortable riding again, but for now I'm not interested. I don't know what it is, but I want to keep my face off the road.

This Totally Blows

Major thaw yesterday left all the trails and paths glazed with ice today now that the temps are below freezing. I thought I'd drive to the trail head of the Excelsior LRT, with hopes that the ice wouldn't be bad on the crushed limestone part of the trail. No such luck. I'm heading over to the gym now. Sucks big time. We'll see how long I can last on the elliptical.

Back from the gym and it wasn't too bad, but then my expectations weren't too high either.
2hrs on the elliptical 1/2 hr on the bike.

Off

Another day off the bike.

A Wonderful Christmas Ride

This was perfect winter riding today; not a cloud in the sky, temps starting out in the single digits, only a slight breeze, great company and a nice hard snow pack for the studs to grip into. Everybody Lynne and I came across were smiling and friendly, enjoying the crisp winter air and the bright laser beam sunlight. 25/10.9

Minnehaha Falls

And To All A Good Ride!

Hey! I Want To Go Out And Play

The evil one was feeling a little left out. Apparently it likes to play in the snow too. So I took it out for almost 2 hours. Freshly plowed trails, after a new 3 inches of snow, and temps in the low 20's made for one very happy bike.

20/11.9

Sore Quads

I guess plowing through 4 inches of snow on Saturday, and below zero temps on Sunday put a little more stress on the old muscles than I thought it would.
Wrong time of year for hurting quads, so I went over to the gym, and worked hard at not breaking a sweat. 0/0/0

A Little Brisk This Morning

Old Blue and I started the ride with the actual temp at 12 below 0. Windchill was at 30 below 0. I kept my route very close to home. I'm stupid enough to go out on a day like today, but not so stupid that I'd get stranded too far from shelter. I stayed warm as I passed dog walkers and joggers. We all would nod in each other's direction as we passed acknowledging the very exclusive club we belonged to.

I was patting my self on the back noticing that I was the only cyclist out. That is until I was crossing the canal between Calhoun and Isles. Was it? Could it be...a Birchie? Damn! It was Todd Sample. He looked happy! He was wearing about half the amount of clothing I was! The worst of it...he was heading to Excelsior, which meant he'd be riding farther, much farther than I was.

I was only able to last for two hours. Nothing on my body was colder than anything else, but the cold was really taking a toll. At about 16 miles I passed my place and was fading fast. It was so hard not to turn in and call it a day, but if I went two more miles and then turned around and came back, I'd have put in a nice round even 20 miles. So being the mileage hound I am I kept on turning the crank. I'm pretty sure I set a personal best today for the longest shower. 20/10.9

Oh What Fun It Is To Ride!

What a blast! Four of us took off from the band shell on our snow machines and played and played and played. We rode along the creek, lakes and greenway. Probably about 4 inches had fallen by the time I got home. Some of the trails had been cleared, but that didn't last long. After some hot chocolate at Caribou (they don't make it like I do) with Taylor, I took off on my own and rode the Hopkins loop. A plow hadn't even come close to it. Just kept on turnin' the cranks and plowin' my own path. 35/9.8


Snow Machine Cedar Lake Trail Along 169
Old Blue With a Little Caked On Snow

Minnehaha Creek

Friday Pictures

Off the bike today - play in the snow tomorrow. 0/0/-1

Last Time

Stayed inside for my work out again, so I could go see my granddaughters Christmas concert. It was so delightful to watch her. Big smiles...she'd wave at us from up on the risers. She was so happy to be being watched. I'll take tomorrow off and then hit the trails Saturday. A lot of snow is predicted in the next few days, but I just can't bear staying inside anymore. 0/0/0

That's It!

Tomorrow is the last day in the gym. I just can't take it any more. 0/0/0

Positive

Above zero, but still in the gym. 0/0/0

No Temp Today

Never got above zero today. Guess where I spent two hours. 0/0/0

Ice Cakes

I've been caught in some tough weather conditions before, four inches of snow that had the texture of sand, lightning and thunder so loud it hurt my ears and made me duck, downpours so intense the rain hurt when it hit me, and tornado sirens sounding.
Today Amy and I started our ride in a little drizzle and temps in the upper 30's. About an hour or so into the ride we noticed a wind shift. Our bikes and clothes were wet, glasses covered with water drops, when in less than 10 minutes the water turned to ice. It seemed instantly that my bike had a layer of ice form on it about an 1/8 of an inch thick. My rear derailleur would not move because it became encased in ice. Amy's brakes froze and wouldn't close on her rims.
We were on paths and had mostly stayed off the roads. The paths took a little longer to freeze and we were able to navigate with little problem, but that didn't last. With about 5 miles to home it was a skating rink. Amy had turned off to go home and I was on the Greenway. I kept low to the bike slow, steady, straight with an even pace. Ice was building up on the inside of my fenders and made a crunching swishing sound. I got home upright and safe. I noticed when I got off my bike my footing became very precarious, and I wished I was back on my studded tires. Got in and to my garage without going down. This turned into a memorable (epic) ride for me.

The evil one was worth it's weight in gold today, and it weighs a lot. 36/13.1/0

Winter Riding At It's Best

Started out with 3 other cyclists. We all had various plans for riding so we rode for about 10-15 miles together and then peeled off on our own. With temps in the upper 30's I was tempted again to never come home. I knew better and resisted that, but did go up into Baker and Medina, a little farther than my original plan.

51/14.6/0

Downtown Bikes

Working in downtown Minneapolis today I saw some loyal, two wheeled, steeds waiting patiently for the return of their riders.

Took the day off the bike, but like a true love, I couldn't keep bikes out of my mind. 0/0/-2

Festive Workout

Listened to Christmas music by Trans Siberian Orchestra and Brian Setzer while gliding along on the elliptical this evening. Two hours went by pretty quick. 0/0/-1

Nasium Smasium

Same old two hours at the gym today. No Suspense. Basically uneventful. 0/0/-1

Snow Machine

Couldn't resist the sun (Lynne was right), so with re-inflated tires on the Cannondale to 60 psi, the R.E.D Frequency sitting straight on my head, I set out on a freshly plowed greenway. A staccato hum of three rows of carbide studs played on the patches of pavement left bare by the plow, and fell silent where the snow refused to be moved. Not all the paths and trails had been cleared, but old blue was up to the challenge. The most senior bike in my arsenal, it's the one I rely on to get me across the more torturous terrain.

Clouds absent from their usual overhead position, and fresh white everywhere lit the late afternoon, but produced only the image of warmth.

The last three rides I've been on have been the coldest of this season. No aches in my face during these rides may be leaving me excuse-less. 22/12.2/-1

Butt Cracks and Panty Lines

I walked into the gym and was greeted with an "aren't those shorts a little cold out there"? My response was simple "hairy legs". Apparently he didn't know they don't just win races for you, they even have some functionality.
There was a lot of suspense in Lycra Land this afternoon. Would the tights on the woman in front of me stay on? It was so close so many times, but just as I was certain the next obstacle was her knees, she'd pull them back up recovering the bare facts. It was only two hours today, it just seemed so much longer. 0/0/0

Cold Ride Warm Friends

I love being out, but the cold is so hard on this old body. I'm just worn out from two days of riding totaling 80 miles, and averaging under 13mph. Still both rides were so enjoyable, and riding with great company today made it hard to come home, even though my body was screaming at me to get my butt on the couch. My best friend today is Advil. 34/12.9

It's Hard To See, But It Was Cold Out There!

I was surprised by how nice this ride wound up being. Just took my time enjoying some winter scenery along the LRT to Victoria and Carver Park Reserve. Yeah, it was windy! I saw Pugsley tracks, but never actually came across one. The evil one handled the conditions like a pro. Rumor has it the women canceled their ride for today. 45/12.5

Day Off

Took the day off the bike and from the gym, but put a studded rear tire on the evil one. I should be adequately weighted down for tomorrow's ride, and am better prepared to keep the carbide side down. 0/0/-2

Gym Sucks

It's official, I'm tired of working out at the gym. I'll be off the bike and the elliptical Friday, but will be back in the saddle on Saturday. 0/0/-1

The Wimp Report

Elliptical 2hrs 0/0/-2

30's last month's 40's

Blood is getting thicker. Nice to get out...might be a few days before I'm riding outside again though. The weather is predicted to be cold and windy through the rest of the week.
In years past the cold wasn't too much of a deterrent to me getting out on the bike. However, as the temps have decreased this year, I've noticed the cold is pretty hard on my face. The bones that were broken in my crash ache in the colder temps, which hasn't been an issue in past years. My face didn't hurt today. It seems like temps in the 20's and lower cause the pain. I may just still be recovering a little, or my age is catching up with me. I'll get tired of being inside and venture out eventually, but am just not going to push it. 30/15.2/-4

The Season Of Fattness Ends

Today I started a regimen to lose weight. I'll concentrate on how much I eat, or in other words, count calories. Two hours on the elliptical for my work out today. 0/0/0

One More Color

Lake Minnetonka looked pretty cold today. Dark charcoal grey water, with ice forming around the shore. The north wind pushing the water into small swells of crushed ice, which made a grinding cracking rhythmic sound. Clouds would have kept it a brown and grey two color day, but overnight about an inch of white was added.

Plowed along the LRT on the evil one to Excelsior and decided to stop at my favorite port-a-pody. IT WAS LOCKED! Who locks a port-a-pody at a park, with a padlock? Come on! I'm old! Decided to tough it out and not stop again. Made it home without incident.

Temps in the mid 20's with a north breeze. I was pretty comfortable. I even had to open the vents on my R.E.D Frequency. 35/14.0

Hard To Come Home Again

It was so tempting to keep on riding. Another beautiful late fall day. Temps in the low 40's, light winds, and a couple of great guys to ride with...hard to beat. 65/16.4

A Didn't Want To Come Home Ride

With tempting temps touching the 40's, a cloudless sky, and whisper winds, even the groggy feeling from the food fest yesterday couldn't dull my appetite for a ride. It was obvious that the day was only going to get better as it progressed. Ron had a little time in the afternoon so we placed a perfect plan together, and rode some obscure roads with great views of Lake Minnetonka. 39/16.8

A Part Of The Day But Not The Ride

Red Sky At Night Rider's Delight

Later At Lake Calhoun

Downtown Minneapolis Reflecting Off Of Lake Calhoun

Thanksgiving Ride

Didn't see any wild turkeys on the ride today, but had a very nice time with Lynne, Amy and Steve.
We rode along the River into Downtown Minneapolis, and continued along the river to St. Anthony Parkway, then over into Theodore Wirth.
Great conversation, fun company, and a nice easy pace made this a delightful ride.
Hopefully I'll be able to fit in my cycling shorts tomorrow. 33/15.0

Good Ride

Felt good so I put on a couple more miles. The temps didn't hurt any either. Even mixed it up with a Nature Valley guy. 33/16.9

More Sun Less Wind

Nice ride relatively speaking. I still much prefer 80 and sunny, with the sun setting at 9PM instead of 4:30. 30/16.2

Another Long Shower

God, that wind was cold. Nice to be on the Orbea though. 30/15.7

Stud Season Already

The quads and hams are burning a little. I was pushing studded tires today. As it turned out I only needed them for about the first 1/2 hour of the ride. Wound up being a beautiful day, with temps in the low 40's. I was in such a hurry to get to the band shell this morning, that I forgot my helmet. Everyone was more than willing to stop at my place and insure the security of my brain. Rode with four other team members out to Excelsior. Got the requisite coffee stop in. They turned and went back, with Amy vowing to get on her road bike and ride some more. She's just trying to get more miles in than me. She's sneaky that way.
I continued from Excelsior solo and rode around Lake Minnetonka to the Luce Line trail. The lake was a battleship grey, calm as it reflected the cloudy skies. Shockingly white patches of snow covered ice interrupted the still lake. Low flying White Sea Gulls and Egrets maneuvered just above the water, their white down in stark contrast to the still grey just inches below them. The clouds weren't really defined, but blurry with the sun peering through, sometimes almost naked as you could only see it's round shape filtered by the misty clouds.
On the Luce Line I saw pheasants, deer, and even a few canines out walking their humans. 43/15.1

A Little Snow

I was looking forward to being back on my road bike today, but around 2 AM a quarter of an inch of snow was sifted on to the roads, and my Orbea spent the day inside. The evil one and I took off with Amy and rode the LRT to Excelsior, then hopped onto some wet and snowy roads to enjoy hot chocolate in Wayzata. The temp never got above freezing, but we stayed comfortable moving along at a cautious clip.
It felt great to be out. The sun even made an appearance or two. A nice ride (despite not being on my road bike) all around. 60/15.2

Ooooh Ahhhh New Stuff

Took today off the bike. Went to Hoigaards to get some toe warmers for tomorrow's ride. Look at what else I came home with. Toasty!

Test ride tomorrow.

Rut

Gym again. 2 hours on the elliptical.

Nothing Too Exciting

Just did the gym thing. 2 Hours on the elliptical and some core work, of 200 crunches, 3 reps of 10 50 lbs bench presses, and obliques.

Getting Used To It.

It might be just because I was in the gym yesterday, but it felt pretty good to be out today, even with temps in the low 30's.

Took my cracked rear wheel in to get repaired tonight. Looks like Mavic will be slow, but replace it for free. The mechanic at the shop seemed to be having girl friend problems. I over heard him say, "I can't call anyone on my phone (cell) because she is always calling me", then the store phone rang. The mechanic said, "that's her", so another employee answered the phone, and told the caller, "he's with a customer (me) I'll have him call you". Off the phone he said, "she sounded pissed". The mechanic, with more than a bit of a smirk said, "hey, I was helping a customer". I said, "I'm glad I could help out". Us guys gotta stick together. 30/16.2

I'm Tired

Went to the gym tonight, just couldn't face the cold and wind. Two hours on the elliptical, 200 crunches, 3 reps of 10 at 50 lbs on the bench press, also did some oblique work.

Cold SSR

Wanted to keep riding yesterday. Not today.
The cold had a way of seeping all the way through me today. Even though the sun peeked out about half way through the ride, I just didn't really get warm.
Four of us did our Standard Sunday Route, with the required coffee stop in Wayzata. 46/16.6

What A Great Ride!

Hooked up with Ron and rode up to Lake Independence. The weather guys got it wrong and it was a spectacular day to ride, even if the temps didn't get much above 30. I guess after 2 weeks of gray, rain, and drizzle, a cloudless sky made everything feel 10 degrees warmer. We were well layered and kept plenty warm. We're in the two color season, but with the sun out everything looked alive and took on a variety of tints.
Heading south on 201 by Baker, we came up on a deer just strolling along the road. He took a look at us tilting his head a little to consider what kind of animals we might be. Deciding Ron was a serious threat, he pointed his white tail straight up and sprinted across the road hurdling a fence with about 6 feet of clearance to spare. Just gorgeous!
Sun, scenery, wildlife and great company made this a great, warm 30 degree ride. 56/17.5

Friday Night Ride Pictures

Minneapolis Sky Scape From Lake of The Isles.

5/??

A Few Less Clothes

Took the angry one out tonight. Just my winter route. Came around Calhoun at Thomas Beach...the skyline looked cool. Temps in the 40's. 30/15.4

It Works

Ride outside when it's in the 20's and the 30's feel pretty good. Nice ride tonight on the cx. 30/14.9

Not Too Long Of A Shower

Wussy boy went to the gym tonight. Two hours on the elliptical, 150 crunches, 3 reps of 10 at 50lbs on the bench press.

21 and 20

Temps in the high 20's again. The cold really drains the energy out of me. I kept on trying to shift from my 21 to an easier gear, but 21 is as high as my cassette goes. I may have been in my 20 for a total of 5 minutes tonight. The rest of my ride was spent grinding away on my 21. Slow, slow, slow. 30/16.0

Cold and Gray Again

Rode to Wayzata with Geoff and Steve. It's cold! Started the ride at about 20 degrees and finished at about 26 degrees, with wind chills in the teens. In a month or so this will seem warm, but considering a week ago it was in the 70's, this is a bit of a change.
All in all it was a good ride. Geoff and Steve rode over from St. Paul, so they had plenty of miles on already and turned around at Wayzata. I continued on and rode up into Baker and then around Lake Minnetonka. I was on the Orbea, and stayed warm finishing the ride with all the important body parts still operating normally...well normally for me anyways. 52/16.4



Not Bike Related Political Commentary Offensive Word Warning

Contrasts

Only a few weeks back rides were unhindered by warmth retaining layers, and full of color and sun.
Today...no sun, wet roads and a cold relentless northwest wind. Colors? just brown and gray.

A few of us took our cross bikes out and ventured along the LRT trail to Victoria. The advantage to this was plenty of shelter from the onslaught out of the northwest of an incessant wanna be winter wind. Even in just two colors the trail surroundings are beautiful. I noticed on the way back how all the tall trees had lost their leaves. The scrub tress however not only had their leaves, but they were still green, trying to capture some of the sun light that the taller trees had monopolized all summer long. It's interesting how we humans imitate our surroundings. And yet we think we are so superior to all other life.
Now that I spent an hour in a hot shower I can honestly say, it was a good ride. 47/16.2

You Been Outside?

Took the day off the bike. I did put the fenders back on the evil one. I'll be out on it tomorrow.

A Little Bit Of Everything

Clouds, wind, rain, wet leaves, damp pavement, it all kept the ride interesting tonight. Don't get me wrong, my favorite riding weather is 80 degrees, sunny, and no wind. Winter brings a whole nother element to being on the bike though. Nothing like not being able to see because your glasses don't have windshield wipers. And not only do you have to worry about cars, but you also need to watch out for wind gusts that will put you down. Wind is real easy to see too. Of course, there is always that one slippery wet leaf, with your name on it. I kept the rubber on the road tonight. 33/16.4

A Precursor

A cloudy and dreary ride, with a few drops of rain sprinkled in. A smattering of people out walking or running the lakes trying to get in, at least, one more comfortable fall day. Looks like the next few days will be pay back, for the spectacular weather of the last several weeks. 33/16.2

Hope

Nice sunset this evening. 33/16.6

I'm A Lucky Dog

I've had a small crack in my Ksyrium rear rim for awhile. My last three rides have been noisier than I prefer, so that wheel is now off and the noisy culprit will be on it's way to the warranty department at Mavic. I have four sets of Ksyrium wheels. They've all cracked at one time or another. As long as the crack happens with in a year of purchase I get a new rim put on by Mavic. They've been pretty good about it. This will be my 3rd free rim replacement.

Now that we're back to standard time getting a ride in, before the sun goes down, can be a little difficult. I was able to get out at about 2:30, so for my entire 2hr ride I was enjoying sunshine. Apparently that makes me a fortunate canine. 33/17.7

Oh Man!

This was so perfect. Six or seven of us just enjoying the comfortable temps, sun all over the place, cruising at scenery speed, and laughing it up. Majorly delightful, but damn, Amy got more miles in than me. 50/16.8

That Was Nice.

Four of us started out shivering towards Afton. Let me just say that rollers into the wind don't bring a smile to your face, but it gets rid of the shivers. There was a guy who rode with us on his cx, and he kept up! Scary to think what he'd do to us on a road bike.
Heading back to the cities smiles started cracking, bagels kicked in, and jerseys got unzipped. Amy helped me with my intimidation issues and kept her miles about the same as mine. 77/18.2

Friday Night Ride

Oh Man! This weather is so nice. Temps up in the 60's. As a native Minnesotan, I know that means we should be very afraid.
Appropriately for Halloween, I took the evil one out around Cedar, Calhoun and Lake Harriet. 14/14.5

Not Bike Related Scary Picture Warning

Grandpa and Grandson

Like Grandpa Like Grandson

It's Not Hair It's Fur Grrrrrrr!

Higher Temps, Higher Miles, Higher Speed

71 degrees and feeling fine! Did my Bloomington hill ride, and a few extra miles, just 'cause it was so nice out. Lots of smiling faces out there today. 36/17.5

Another Turkey Sighting

Saw three wild turkeys along Minnehaha Parkway again tonight. Just like the last time I saw them they were right by Nicollet Ave bridge. I hope they're careful, it's getting close to Thanksgiving. 33/16.5

33 Again

Nice ride...nothing serious, with temps in the upper 40's, just my usual recovery route. 33/17.0

Took the day off the bike, just not feeling very good.

That Was A Long Shower

Got up expecting it to be cloudy, windy and snowing, but it was sunny! I couldn't see a cloud. Yes! The weather guy got it wrong. No! The weather guy got it right. By the time I was on the bike the clouds had moved in. About half way to Wayzata the sleet started, with a mixture of rain and snow to keep it interesting. Actually the ride out to Wayzata was pretty good. The wind was tough, but we weren't really trying to beat it, so we just took what we could get. We were working so we stayed warm. The snow was a little rough on the face, but really it wasn't bad.
The ride home was different. Because we had the wind at our backs, we weren't working as hard and we didn't stay as warm, but the real issue for me was the rain. We got wet and at 40 degrees it got pretty unpleasant. Shoes got soaked through as did the gloves, so the hands and feet were pretty cold. A nice long shower and a little tomato soup, once home, melted all the cold away. It's unlikely I will get off the couch, or far from the warm glow of the TV for the remainder of the day.
Rode with fellow addicts, Amy and Chris. For the second day in a row Amy logged in more miles than me. I think I'm getting intimidated. 31/16.3

Clouds to Sun

Pretty gloomy at the start of the ride. Just Amy and I headed west undaunted by the clouds and wind. By the time we got to Excelsior the Sun had erased the grey to reveal a royal blue sky. Apparently the wind was in on it too, increasing it's intensity to insure that there wasn't a cloud to be found, and satisfying it's fetish for a spic and span sky. Trees out of habit hopelessly held leaves that were soon flying free flopping aimlessly through an intense and naked sky. A few of the hold outs still had leaves with pale yellows and transparent oranges, but their days, if not hours, were numbered by the relentless wind. Rivers once crowded by trees overburdened with leaves and life, now seemed lonely as the stark paths they sojourned were revealed.
Our objective was to make it to Watertown where the wind would no longer be our master, but our servant, aiding our adventure by adding speed and power to our backs and legs. The ease and delight of an almost effortless flight was a deserved reward.
Wonderful conversation with deep breathes of real air, warming sun on our backs, and wheels singing insures that the adventure will be revisited. 78/18.5

Friday Evening Ride

Took the evil one out this evening, and rode around Calhoun and Cedar Lake, for a little less than an hour, while I was waiting for my made-from-scratch bread to complete the second rise.
Still and cool kept the ride pleasant and welcomed.

Fall's Foliage Fades On Cedar Lake Trail

A Little Variety

It was nice to be out again, after being inside yesterday. I'd gotten a little chilled earlier in the day, so I was intent on being warm during my ride. I actually was a little worried about over-doing the layer count, but came home feeling just right, even with the hooded jersey on. I got a little adventurous tonight despite doing the same 33 miles that I've been doing lately. I did them in the opposite direction. I know, I'm a wild man. 33/16.6

NOT BIKE RELATED WARNING:
Many are entranced by an economic worldview in which endless growth is not only possible, but also desirable. This ignores or denies the fundamental ecological reality that the Earth is an essentially closed system with limits to growth. Much of our activity seems ecologically destructive, and we disagree about what should be done to fix the problems we have created. Many of us think our own plan of action is the solution, but it seems possible that excessive human activity-in and of itself-is the basic problem.
The Earth needs to heal, and we cannot make it happen; frequently our efforts only deepen the wounds. But if we can relax our demand for material goods and reduce our rate of reproduction, the Earth might be able to heal herself. Perhaps we can find fulfillment in nonmaterial terms and learn what we seek we have always had.
Our culture is so focused on progress that we frequently don't experience our own lives just as they are here and now. But the world will always be exactly as it is in each moment. It's astonishing how much time and energy we expend in trying to deny this simple fact.
This doesn't imply passivity. Our visions and ideals are also part of this moment. Everything changes, no matter how slowly, and we can act to alleviate suffering. Yet if plans for the future are not balanced with acceptance and joy in this moment, just as it is, our lives go unlived. The challenge is to work with our lives as they are rather than imagine that things are different. If we can learn to soften our aversions and desires, our lives might become less frantic and more spacious.
One fundamental difficulty is that we do not directly perceive ourselves to be biological beings in a living world. The nonhuman world has become a sort of inanimate backdrop to our human affairs. Theoretically, we know we depend on the physical and biological systems of Earth, but experientially we are alienated from those systems. We treat the Earth as a stranger we should protect for pragmatic or ethical reasons, but until we individually begin to actually experience nonhuman creatures as family and the Earth as our home, we are unlikely to relax our demands for comfort and security or make the changes necessary for our survival, joy, and sense of belonging.
The felt experience of belonging to the ecosphere is psychologically and spiritually healing and may have profound implications for changing our destructive patterns of behavior.
-Robert Kull

No Coasting

Ironic! Today was the first day I could be on a bike that moves since my crash. So to celebrate I'm inside on the elliptical, after spending the last five weeks outside on bikes that move. Just too wet and cold. Wet I can handle and cold I've got no problem with, but combine the two and I start looking for excuses. Two hours and no coasting down hills, that's a bit of a work out. The scenery sucked...no cassettes worth mentioning.

Tights

A cool SE wind made tonight's ride a bit more of a workout. I was wearing more clothes than I have since April. 33/16.5

A Ton Of Sun

It's almost gotten trite, but it was another glorious day to ride. 33/16.7

Color

Lynne and I took our cross bikes out on the LRT trail to Victoria. Some of what we saw...

We stopped and harrassed Ron and Laurie, got some hot chocolate, and both admitted we didn't want to stop riding. Scenery, great company, seeing friends, sharing conversation, blue skies, warm temps and a tail wind home....nothing is better. 50/15.1