2009

TOTAL MILES RIDDEN:
11,481

FAVORITE BOOKS:
City Of Thieves (1)
The Double Bind (2)
The Piano Tuner (3)

FAVORITE MOVIE:
Star Trek

FAVORITE POST:
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Easter Services
We set out on our two wheeled pews, not quite at sunrise, but devoted, nevertheless, to showing our reverence, appreciation and respect. Only two of us were in attendance, but our sanctuary was filled to overflowing with southeast breezes, rolling hills, lakes, trees, horses, barns and bright glorious sunshine. The service was oriented more around discourse and discussion of doctrine, rather than the ritual ordinances of intervals, sprints, pacelines or hill repeats. We remembered with the sacrament by partaking of the Gatorade and Powerbar, and enjoyed the hymns sung by the choir of tires and asphalt. Our worship never ends and is not limited to one day a week. We worship six days a week and rest one. Our love is undeniable, our sacrifice complete. We are true disciples of the one and only. 53/17.6

MEMORABLE RIDES: (take a look at my blog archives for these)
Saturday February 21, 2009
Wednesday, July 8, 2009

FAVORITE RIDE:
Saturday, April 11, 2009

TEN FAVORITE RIDE PICS: (no particular order)

MOST MEMORABLE EVENT:

April 29, 2009 The Day My Mom Died.

A whole new perspective was brought to my life by her death. All I can say is, life is very different when you have no parents, even when you're as old as I am.

I was close to my siblings already, but am amazed at how close we've become since her death.

The out pouring of thoughts, love, kindness and wishes from those who knew her was awe inspiring.

I need to thank Amy, for how kind, supportive, encouraging and helpful she was after my mom's death.

MOST PROMISING EVENT:

Meeting Emily

With all the amazing things that have happened to me in 2009, there is still no greater joy that I receive, than from my children Ethan, Britney and Gabrielle.

Last Ride Of The Decade

Doubt I'll be in the saddle tomorrow.
It seems like there should be a little more fanfare than this, and you'd figure I'd have a photo or something, but no, just a 21 mile ride on a cold December evening.

Better

Felt a little better today, but decided to keep it indoors again, just to be on the safe side. I'm pretty sure I'll be out tomorrow. Hour and a half again today.

Stayed In

Really beautiful out, but not feeling too good today. Little achy, sore throat, and a cough kept me inside. I did make it over to the gym for an hour and a half of some elliptical action.

ICE Ride The Sequel

About a 3 hr ride with Ron. He was sporting his Roger, with 40cm Nokians and a single speed. A little over 30 ice covered miles. Today's effort called for some of Tom's hot chocolate.

From The Bluffs of The Mississippi
Got home and hurried to hang with Elijah, my 7 year old grandson. We worked on some Lego he got for Christmas.

This
And This
Makes This
Winding down now, after an absolutely wonderful Christmas weekend, enjoying a little quiet time and seeing what my camera sees.

ICE

Started raining about noon yesterday. Turned back to snow around 8pm, and then everything froze. There was 1/4 to a 1/2 inch of ice on the roads and trails. I have to admit, I was pretty nervous as I started. I rode to the LRT trail head in Hopkins and then started down the trail, but it was so bumpy with solid-ice foot prints and ruts that, for me and my lack of technical skills, I just turned around. Still plenty of solid-ice ruts and foot prints on the paved trails, but they seemed more manageable, for whatever reason. As I continued to ride I got more and more comfortable. The Winter Beast really showed it's stuff today. Wound up being out for 4 hrs.
99% of the ride was on ice. Never went down. Only time I slipped was when I was off the bike. Nokians are worth their weight in gold, and they are heavy. 44/??

Icy Path
It Was Beautiful Out But Dangerous
Minnehaha Creek Not The Trail

Happy Christmas To All

Gave the bikes a day off since it's Christmas.
Over the river and through the woods to Grandpa's house they came. I served up my world famous wild rice soup, and rolls, with a pumpkin and french silk pie for dessert. And YES! I made them all and from scratch, no less. Unfortunately there isn't a ride long enough to burn off all these calories.

Taylor, the newest grandchild sporting her Mrs. Claus outfit.

The other three Elijah, Kelsey and Bryson playing the recorders Grandpa gave them for Christmas. Don't worry, that wasn't all they got from me.

It was wonderful to be with my kids and grandkids. We have great memories, and are building more. I get no greater joy, than from my kids and grandkids. In all honesty though, the recorders were starting to get a little hard to take, but then, they're being played at their houses now, and their parents are dealing with them. I got kind of a two-for, didn't I.

Only The Plowed Paths

A lull in the storm and some eager plow operators got me out on the Winter Beast, for a delightful Christmas Eve Day ride. Plenty of folks out. Those in their cars were having a hard time of it. Feet, skis, snowshoes, and of course studded bike tires provided the best transport today. If the trails hadn't been plowed my ride would've been much shorter. 24/

This Is What I Got To See

It Has Started

Got out on the Winter Beast again. It was snowing a little, but nothing was really happening. Well, the wind had picked up some and there was a little drifting on the southwest side of Calhoun by Thomas Beach. 21/??
I'm inclined to hunker down for this one. The idea of staying inside until it's all over seems wise to me. Getting old sucks. Maybe I'll feel different in the morning.
I finished the book City Of Thieves last night, so I needed a replacement. Walked over to the bookstore tonight, in the storm. Now that was cool. If I don't ride tomorrow, I'll be out walking around in it for sure.

Typical Winter Ride

Pretty much a carbon copy of yesterday. (You gotta be old to know what "carbon copy" refers to) I did take out the Winter Beast, giving the Evil One a bit of a rest. Storm's comin'. 21/??

Monochrome

Mostly grey out there today, but comfortable. I still have tired all over me. Trails were hard packed, just the way I like them. Evil One today, I'm heading to the garage now to give it a bath. Days start getting longer now. 21/12.7

Just A Little

The half inch of snow that fell over night, gave me the excuse to take out the winter beast. Pretty tired from yesterday, so a short, snowy, solo Sunday romp seemed satisfactory. 26/??

Along Minnehaha Creek
Red And Green The Colors Of The Season

Nice

Just nice. What more can I say? Came across the Loon State boys again, and had fun mixing it up with them.
Part of the trail wasn't plowed, which is a little iffy in a group. Plus, I seriously lack any technical abilities on the bike. Through the rough patches I got out of the way, let them all come around, and then trudged along through the loose 1-2 inches of snow. Amy schooled us all on bike handling skills. Nobody waited for me, and I didn't expect them to, but once the trail was no longer an issue, for me, I quickly caught up. The winter beast would have been wonderful through that bad stretch. I might take it out tomorrow as an inch or two is predicted over night. 50/15.3

This photo has nothing to do with today's ride. I took it from my balcony when I got home.
No filter, just a telephoto lens, and the fastest shutter speed my camera can produce.

Friday Off The Bike

A hazy sky made it a beautiful sunset from my balcony tonight.

Plus 10

Ten degrees sure makes a difference. Yesterday 12 today 24. None of that cold air sneaking in the balaclava along the neck and down the back to make a ride invigorating. Fortunately none of that today. Hand and toes stayed warm and the sun was even out. 21/13.9

Double Digits

Double Digits and bright sun got me out on the Evil One. I don't listen to music when I ride and I didn't see another cyclist, after all it only got up to 12 degrees, but the time just flies by, while outside, compared to the gym. It's amazing to see birds, rabbits, and squirrels out. I mean, they don't have toe warmers, or an additional 4 layers to keep warm.
The sunset tonight was beautiful, as they all seem to be this time of year. I captured this shot a good 20 minutes after the sun dropped below the horizon. 21/13.7

Wuss Fever Continues

Hard to be inside today. It was so beautiful out there. Kind of deceptive. Opted for the gym once again. Yeah, I'm beatin' the hell out of that elliptical machine. The plan is to be outside Wednesday and Thursday and, of course, the weekend.

Wuss Attack

Yeah, the gym. Hour and a half on the elliptical.

I Did It Again

Same route as yesterday, although, no extra credit today. Temp was 11 at the start and has climbed all the way to 13 now. A crisp blue sky and north wind were my companions.
After riding the asphalt for the last 9 months, it takes a little, for me, to get use to trail riding again. Felt a little more comfortable today. The Evil One was good to me. 36/14.9

Groomed Trail To Excelsior
Nature Is A Pretty Good Artist (Lake Minnetonka)

Lonely Slips On Lake Minnetonka

Not As Cold As I Thought

I expected temps maybe 10 degrees colder when we started, but was pleasantly surprised and over dressed. This was a really good ride. I'll bet 10-12 riders showed. We kind of divided up into two groups, those on cross bikes and those on mountain bikes. Took off on the limestone LRT trail to Excelsior. Just did an out and back. The pictures I took at Dunn Bros. in Excelsior didn't turn out too good because the camera was all fogged up, which gives an idea of how warm I was.
Got back into town and did my winter loop for some extra credit. The Evil One rode well. 52/14.5

Harriet Isn't Completely Frozen Over Yet

Fire And Ice

Day off today. Dancin' on the pedals tomorrow.

Looks Hot But It's Not