Cut It Short

Just not up to snuff today. No energy. Hmmm 17/16.2

20 Degrees Of Separation

Not a whole lot of sweating going on today, with temps 20 degrees lower than Sunday. If this were March I'd have been sweating. 33/16.5

Wussy Boy Strikes Again

Wind and temps below 60...I'm a total wuss, but I did feel pretty shitty all day. I did venture out on the balcony for a couple of shots. 0/0

The Colors Are Coming

Got up early today so I could get a ride in before I go to my granddaughter's church performance. She's singing with other little kids at their service today. Then I'll hang with my grandson this afternoon. Hard to beat a day like this.
A combination of wind and mad quads (whose idea was it to do those extra hills yesterday?) relegated today's ride to just enjoying the scenery. That's not a complaint, especially this time of year. 46/17.1

A Group Of Two

A cool hint in the morning air and a light touch of fog started us out. We had a quick group discussion about doing some short but steep stuff to start with, but after some thoughtful consideration that proposal was voted down.
We moved through Excelsior, Victoria and out to Waconia at a pretty good clip, enjoying the early fall air and colors. Fields of corn and soybeans, laid flat beneath a perfectly blue sky, and dominated, with gold, the earth bound foliage. Every now and then a blue, white or gray silo would erupt into the sky, or an almost yellow leaved tree would try to reach up and free itself from it's rooted captivity.
Mayer and Watertown were next on our itinerary. After a quick stop in Watertown the group decided that a few extra miles might be in order. So we went north up into Baker and along the east side of Lake Independence finding some delightful rollers. It was not lost on the group that the short steep stuff had sneaked back into the ride despite the democratic attempt to avoid them earlier.
Heading south to Lake Minnetonka and Wayzata, we were pestered by a slight headwind. We eased along the lake and back home to end yet another perfect ride. Good group today. Thanks Amy. 85/19.4

Off The Bike

But couldn't leave the camera alone.

Isles

Keepin' On Keepin' On

Just ridin' and enjoying. It's all good. 33/17.0

Mid Week

Felt a little slow tonight...no explanation. 33/16.4

Calm

Nary a breeze on Nokomis. 33/16.8

Last Day of Summer

A little something out of the ordinary while doing my usual Monday ride...it was overcast. 33/16.4

Sunday 60

Wayzata and Lake Independence were the destinations of the day. It seems a little trivial to complain about a 10 mile an hour breeze, but since the weather has been perfect for almost a month now, it's all I've got.
The broken record continues. Great friends, great scenery, great conversation, great weather. Lots of fun.
I hit and killed a chipmunk, which set a bit of sadness over the group. They are very cute. RIP Alvin. 58/18.0

Sunny And 80

Another glorious late summer day for the five of us to mount our two wheeled steeds. County Road 10 should be renamed to "It Doesn't Get Any Better Than This Road". That same name could be given to County Road 40. I don't think there'd be a problem because they are in different counties. I wish I was better at describing how beautiful the places we rode are. The various colors that are brought on by fall, bring a depth that highlight fields, trees and lakes which words and even pictures can't reveal.

We played hard several times, but basically kept things at a bearable pace. There were a couple of short quick hills before we got into Jordan, where things got a little frisky, but the fun came after we left Jordan and had to come out of the Minnesota River Valley and then again in Carver.
Not a whole lot of smilin' goin' on after those two hills, except on Amy's face.

Such great people to ride with, and such a perfect day. 81/19.8

Me, Amy and Edgar.
Thanks to StevenCX for taking this photo.

Friday Night Ride Pics

It's been awhile, but felt like doing the Friday night ride pics again. Saw Owen and rode with him around Lake Harriet. He bought a new house and showed it to me...just a few blocks from the lake. Very nice! About 12/??

Thought This Was So True
Along Isles

Too Much Fun

I don't think you can ever have too much fun. Played like it was mid-season tonight. Just pushed it a little on the flats. 33/18.2
Yesterday I saw a cyclist laid out on the Sabo bridge. He was being attended to and I saw the EMT's arriving. Sounds like he may have broken a clavicle. Amy reported today, that she just missed getting squished by a city bus. Be careful out there.

It's Just Nice To Be Out

Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy. It's just a nice time of year...just riding for the fun of it...no expectations. 33/16.8

Endless Summer

From Harriet tonight. 33/16.7

Ease

SWR 33/16.6

Sun Day

Just incredible weather, but like any Minnesota life-er, in the back of my mind, I'm wondering when we'll be paying for this. Could it come with 20 foot drifts this winter, or one month of temps never climbing above zero? Don't worry, I'll be out in either.
Rode for a little with Tim, but he was on call and got the call, so he had to cut it short. Met up with Talib and Meg in Wayzata, and then we rode up into Baker and then down around Lake Minnetonka. Spectacular, just spectacular, and really nice people to ride with. 50/16.4


Out for a walk around Lake of The Isles yesterday, I got a shot of this Monarch Butterfly.

Afton

Nice comfortable solo effort to Afton and Stillwater. Can't argue with this type of weather in September, and there wasn't even a breeze to complain about. OK so I will state one more time that I hate Bailey Hill, but I went down the Afton Coulee, so it got kind of worked out.
The haze in the air didn't keep me from being able to see forever. 90/18.4

Golden Soybean Fields West Of Afton State Park

Heading Out Of Afton

Gnats Didn't Stand A Chance Against My Biceps of Steel

(That's Fur Grrrrr!)

Congratulations to StevenCX and Amy. They did the Henderson TT and averaged 24.6 mph for 15 miles.

9/11

Never Know Who's Watching

Saw Matt, or should I say he saw me. Notice the light is green, I'm 100% in the crosswalk and the pedestrian light is on. I am soooo well behaved. Just did my SWR. 33/16.6

Easy Does It

A year ago today I was enjoying my stay in the ER having road picked out of my face. The nurse was trying so hard to be gentle. She had to scrub pretty hard. There's still some of Minnetonka Blvd just below my eye along my cheek bone. I wasn't sure how seriously I was hurt, but started to realize that it could be bad, when the different doctors and nurses would cringe when they saw me. My teeth and gums are still tender, even though a year has passed.
I came away from that so thankful for great friends, loving kids, and remarkable strangers all who helped me so much.

Today's ride was completely different. 33/16.0

Along Cedar Lake Trail

35W Bridge Replacement Over Minnehaha Creek

Slow And Easy

Took it very easy tonight. It will most likely be like this for a month or so...we'll see. 33/15.9

Summer's End

Of course I don't want it to end, but if it's going to, this is the way it should close out. The Labor Day weekend was filled with perfect rides, ideal weather and friends. This afternoon Amy and I wound it all down and rode along the river, greenway, falls and lakes. 38/16.3

Some Negativity

Despite the bright sunshine and perfect temps, about 6 or 7 of us decided to venture out for a ride up around Lake Independence. This wound up not being one of the more flawless rides I've embarked on. I found out that Tamarack Rd does not go all the way to Hamel Rd...had to back track a little, and Steve H was bent on taking out the entire group and almost succeeded twice, fortunately nobody went down and nobody got hurt.

Not counting those flaws the ride was beautiful and fun with lots of chatter...Ok there was some complaining about a high number of rollers, and the trail into Wayzata was pretty crowded.

StevenCX was nice enough to bring me a birthday cake, with a candle. He even was able to light it, and I'm pretty sure Happy Birthday was sung on key. Even better than that, some still think I'm only 50...pretty cool when you get to ride with a bunch of people that are so thoughtful. 58/17.9

Oh The Monotony

Once again Amy, Steve and I meet and head off with a cloudless sky over us. Temps in the low 60's and all the flags at ease.
I commented, "I guess we're the only ones crazy enough to do this". In unison they responded, "they're nuts for staying home". With that we turned left out of Punch and began our journey to Belle Plaine.
We leave from the city, and it's always an effort to work through the stop signs, cross walks, lights, cars and pedestrians that come with city life. Within 15 miles there's a noticeable easing of this urban tension. Some open space, a farm field, fewer cars and suddenly a relaxing freedom falls from over the shoulders, down the back and through the legs. A deep breath and the renewal starts.
There was a bit of a haze in the air that gave a unique depth to today's scenery. We came over a rise and immensity exploded before us. Golden soybean fields, hinted colored forested bluffs, red barns, neatly manicured corn rows and in the further hazy distance lay the grey bluffs, of the Minnesota River, just below the pale blue sky. It wasn't the effort that took away our breath today.
As if feeling jealous of the beauty displayed by the landscapes a fox, a pair of eagles soaring over the river, the sluffed off skin of a snake, and a little horse promiscuity livened, even more, the beauty before our bikes.
Combine all of this with good friends....there aren't words, but it does explain why. 98/19.7

Friday Get Fat At The Fair Day

Rode to the Fair with Lynne. Spent the day getting fatter and people watching. Gotta work on the Evil One. It was making a lot of noise. 20/14.8

Perspective

Another perfect weather day. Leaves are loosing that luscious ripe green and are teasing that more colors are about to be uncovered. The sun is setting too soon and has a lower trajectory. Completed a half century and a year today. Life's different on this side. 33/17.0

Harriet Sail Boat Reflecting It's Colors

Late Summer

Just perfect for riding. I love the long shadows. 33/17.5

Takin' It Easy

While I was out being not so Tuff, I saw Steven, Joe and Amy being Tuff. More perfect weather tonight. Got a shout out from Dan S. over on E River Rd. 33/16.8