Great Weekend

Kids, grand kids, rides, friends, with some restin' and relaxin', made this a great weekend, and oh yeah, the weather was perfect!
Hooked up with some people I didn't know for some moderate miles today. Wound up having a blast. New friends! Cool! 60/17.0

Watched The Sunset Last Night

After Today's 60 Miles I Headed Over To Thomas Beach And Did Some People Watching

SSR With Friends

A few friends, fine weather and bikes. Hard to beat.
We got pulled over by a cop, lights and everything. We even got the slow saunter strut. He wanted to warn us that since there was a shoulder we were not to ride in the road, or impede traffic. It was obvious as he walked back to his car he had something up his butt, but we were all nodding our heads in the affirmative and doing the requisite sucking-up. I'm a big fan of holding cyclists accountable for following the rules of the road, but this bordered on harassment. We were doing nothing wrong. I'm glad the cops are out there keeping us safe. They've got a tough job. We were very respectful.
Amy's back already, having no problems with today's pace. 53/18.6

I Warned You

Dogs, Burgers, Slaw, Beans, Potato Salad And Root Beer Were The Fare For The Night.
Some Challenging Hand Eye Coordination Games

Root Beer Floats

Orange Crush Floats

My Addiction

Time with my kids and grand kids...I am the luckiest guy on the planet.

Summer Ride

The Fast Good Lookin' Bike was a bit upset today. I think she still had an attitude about getting rained on last week. Lots of clatter from the headset. I'd cleaned her up pretty good, but didn't clean inside the headset. About halfway into the ride she settled down, and the clatter stopped. Headset got a good cleaning out when I got home.

Started out with Amy, but about 20 miles into it (for her) she was losing steam. Healing takes up a lot of energy. She was kind enough to let me go on solo, and I did, but I felt bad about it. We were at Excelsior (still in the burbs), when she needed to slow it down.

Beautiful day. The sky was a deep blue, indicative of low humidity, but the heat was on. Summer is here! Kept to the moderate effort and enjoyed the scenery; newborn calfs, some buffalo, and tons of green. The fields are all planted and green sprouts are appearing in perfectly parallel rows, amid rolling hills, barns and silos. 85/18.8

I'm seeing the grand kids in about an hour, there maybe pictures posted later.

Easy Friday

Got my four lake ride in tonight. Just enjoying the scenery. 15/11.6
Throttling back a bit for tomorrow, planning a moderate 75 mile effort.

Watched the movie "The Road" tonight. It's a story that I absolutely love. It's a terribly dark movie, which shouldn't be a surprise coming from Cormac McCarthy. The book is fantastic too. Let me know what you think.
The love of a Dad....

Rut's Deeper

Just some miles tonight. Got to see Amy. She's doing OK...movin' just a little slow. She'll heal up fast. 33/17.1

Saw this on fixedgear.com
The guy raced it on the track and took 2nd.

We're Close

Feeling a little tired tonight. I'm sure I'm just burned out from all the bike maintenance lately. 33/17.4
Amy crashed hard tonight on a ride out in Independence. I wasn't there. A rider in front of her went down because of road debris (a 2x4). Amy saw it before he did and moved out away from it, but when he hit it he went into Amy. Amy is at home with some pretty good road rash on her hip and elbow, fingers are ground up a bit too. Nothing appears to be broken, and she expects to be at work tomorrow, albeit stiff and sore. As always her helmet protected her head. It needs to be replaced because of cracks and scrapes. Her Diva also sustained some pretty good cracks. It looks like she'll have to replace it, but she managed to get back to Eriks in Minnetonka on it, where the ride originated. The guy that crashed into her is in much worse shape and got to ride in an ambulance. Every indication is that Amy will be fine, just has to be stiff and sore and let the road rash heal. Be careful out there.

New Career?

Storms blew in tonight and hopefully will blow the heat and humidity out of here. A little thunder and lightning going on right now. Only got up to 87 today. We get this kind of heat here, but it's unusual for May. Got my usual weekday city ride in. 33/17.4

Walking around Lake Calhoun last night I saw this photo shoot taking place. So I thought what the heck and shot a few of my own. How does Harry Legge's Fashion Photography sound?

Dang Stinkin' Hot

Temp reached 95 with a dew point of 65. Mighty warm out there. Took it easy and had lots of water on board tonight. 33/17.1

Took these images last night.

Way Too Much Bike Maintenance

Topped off the tires with air before heading out on my ride, and POW the rear tire blows. I wasn't able to find the hole in my tire yesterday when I got the flat. I was careful to make sure nothing was in the tire that would make it go flat again, and obviously it worked, because I got home on my repair. The psi in the tire was about 60 when I filled it this morning, and I typically run 110. Looking over the tire again this morning, trying to find why it blew, I found the one answer to both flats on the sidewall just above the rim. I'm lucky I got home on this yesterday, because I didn't see it then. I figure the psi was low enough yesterday to keep the tube from blowing out. The 110 psi this morning was just too much.
Finally got out and with 5 miles on the road I hear sproink! then I felt a wobble in the wheel.

I released the rear brake, which allowed the wheel to turn freely again, and returned home. Got another wheel, took the tire off the old wheel (which I'd already done once this morning and twice in the last 24 hrs, now three times), and on to the new one. Also transferred the cassette to the new wheel. I'd rather ride than do bike maintenance any day.

It was a muggy ride, nothing like mrbill has to put up with though. Fortunately the rest of my ride required no more tools or greasy hands. This just wasn't my weekend for riding. Salvaged a 56/18.1 today.

But I had a great Thai dinner and a wonderful conversation with Gabrielle on Friday, and Brit on Thursday....nothing can be bad after that.

Man! Did They Get That Wrong

Slathered on the sunscreen, pumped up the fast bike tires and I was off, for a solo century on a hot, muggy Minnesota Saturday. BUT! I was not alone DUNT...DUNT....Duuunnnn.

Heading east out to Afton I had a noticeable cross/headwind, and was looking forward to the 35 mile mark and the reprieve that awaited once I turned north. I followed the Mississippi with its bluffs, buoys, barges, bridges, and bins of grain, as it flowed alongside railroad tracks and highways.
At Woodbury I left its banks, climbed out of the valley its been carving for eons and concentrated on my left turn at Afton, which was a good 20 miles of headwind and rollers away. I still had no idea I was being followed.
The wind wasn't the only reason I was looking forward to the Afton turn. I also got to enjoy a screaming descent into the St. Croix River valley. It's always fun to go fast without pedaling. With the last roller not so quickly ascended, I made my long awaited turn and noticed, out of the corner of my eye, that I'd been followed and what it was that had been lurking behind me for the last hour and a half....clouds and they were dark. WTF! the weather guy, just 2 hours ago, made no mention of rain, let alone storms! I tried to talk myself into thinking that it would miss me, maybe skirt off just west and north of my planned route. No such luck. Shortly after the climb out of Afton (yes, all screaming descents have attached to them a requisite screaming quad ascent) the first rain drop hit. It was one of those large ones, that splat with a thud when they hit. The roads started to shine with rain fast and I was at the 45 mile mark of what I wanted to be 100. Just didn't seem wise to chance 100 miles in this so I turned for home, which was 30 miles into where the storm had just come from.
All the fun stuff that comes from riding in the rain I got to enjoy, including my favorite road grit up the butt. But I got lucky, there was even more fun ahead , for me... lightning. Being prepared for this stuff is one thing, but I was out there, shorts and jersey, no fenders, no jacket and the poor fast bike has never been rained on before. Oh! you think I'm whining now? It gets even better. Yep, that sound every cyclist loves to hear, Pssssssst...I got to dodge lightning bolts while I was changing a flat.
Those bolts are kind of sneaky. You don't hear them until after they've struck, so you get to jump twice.
Riding in the rain you're able to stay warm 'cause you're generating some heat, but standing still getting pelted...changing a flat is unpleasant when it's sunny and warm...body shakes from the cold don't help get that tire off any faster, that's for sure.
I got home and I'm safe and warm. The fast bike needs a good cleaning now, but I've had at least one chocolate chip cookie, I've vented here on my blog and I'm already thinking about tomorrow's ride.
It would have been nice if those weather guys could've indicated the chance of rain was 100%, then I could've stuffed a jacket in my jersey pocket and left the fast bike home, but.... 75/18.3

I probably should have applied to the EPA for an environmental hazard permit before showering this off the old hairy legs. The combination of sunscreen, road grit and road spray all matted in my fur...well let's just say it took more than one pass with a soapy wash rag to get it off. I really needed a jack-hammer. Oh yeah, those socks used to be white.

Friday Night Ride Pics

Got out on the Winter Beast tonight. Well, it's not so beastly any more, no studs or fenders, and it has big small-8-block tires on it to handle those sketchy paved paths around the lakes. 14/11.1

Some images I've taken over the last 2 weeks.

Heading To Synagogue To Conclude The Sabbath

Showing The Kids Around Lake Calhoun

A Barn For Rest

Sunset On Harriet Tonight

Fortunate

That summertime haze is back, where the air looks thick, almost grainy. Feels like there's a storm lurking close by.
It's been a delightful week of riding. 33/17.2

I consider myself fortunate, but when I'm with my kids no one is richer than me. Two hours with Brit today....

Just Another Day In Paradise

Me and the rest of the Twin Cities population were out tonight. 33/17.3

Heavenly Days

Doesn't get any better than this.
Met up with Eric and Amy and rode around with no particular place to go. 36/17.8

It Just Is

Just like every Monday...nice easy recovery. Weather was perfect. Sunset Beautiful. 33/17.2

I know I warned of grand kid pictures, but I was enjoying talking with my kids and playing with the grand kids so much that I never pulled out the old camera. Not wanting to waste a good opportunity to show them off...

Here's a shot of me and Kels 5 or 6 years ago. And Elijah

Solo Standard Sunday Ride

I don't know if it can get much more beautiful than this. It's unlikely anyone was inside today.
I started out at 9 and followed my usual (creature of habit) route out to Wayzata and then up into Baker and down around Lake Minnetonka. I love the area and never grow tired of it.
Felt pretty good considering yesterday's effort, but was definitely ready to park the Fast Bike, and do a whole lot of nothing at rides end. 50/18.2

I'll be seeing all the grand kids a little later. I thought I ought to put the warning out there, 'cause that means there'll be positively-perfect-grand kid pictures posted soon.

OK Then!

It sure was nice to trade in the rain gear for some sunscreen.
There was a little somethin' extra going on today. I wasn't feelin' particularly frisky, or even strong, for that matter, but I wanted to turn in a good hard effort today. If you've been following my blog for more than a year, you know that last year was a tough one. Of course it made me wonder, if I was losing ability. I had definitely lost some drive.
This year and particularly today I noticed some of that old drive creepin' back in.

About 7 of us showed up and we took off on the same route that Amy and I did a couple of weeks ago. This time, thankfully, there was no wind which needed to be dealt with.
I'm lucky. It is rare that a squirrely or inexperienced rider shows up on one of my rides. Today was no exception to that - all of them, excellent cyclists.
The ride itself was pretty uneventful, except we were riding hard and fast. I've been stopping at the same gas station in Belle Plaine for 13 years. Today - IT'S CLOSED! They didn't even ask me if that would be OK. So we've got to go traipsing around Belle Plaine trying to find a place that has the food I'm accustomed to. Finally we found a grocery store that had warm Gatorade. I couldn't find Rice Krispie treats, but they did have some Ho Ho's - they're just as good and tasted....well let's just say they may be the new refueling food. We were getting looks. Small town, shiney bikes, really wierd shoes and Lycra - yeah, I guess we deserved it. There was a flat tire later on, but that's just a part of riding.
The second half of the ride was the hardest. Three pretty good climbs, for Minnesota, with 55, 65 and 70 miles on the old hairy legs. It hurt! But like I said, I wanted it today... just put the head down and turned those cranks.
I call these rides Hammer Hundreds. That means 100 miles at a 20mph average pace or better. Yeah, 100 miles in under 5 hours. Years past I'd turn in 6 maybe 8 of them in a season. Last year I only turned 1 in. So far this year......3. 97/20.5

Thanks Amy, thanks a lot.

What?

Not a cloud in the sky, temp at 70 and I don't get on the bike, not even for a quick spin around the lake or Friday Night Pics.
I did spend three hours talking to a friend, over a couple of beers (she had wine), some sweet potato fries and nachos, at my favorite bar, The Herkimer. I haven't seen her in almost a year.
Very Nice.

Hard effort ahead for tomorrow. I hope tonight's fries and nachos do the trick. I think she sneaked a few, so I may not have gotten all the carbs I need...already workin' the excuses.

Less Is More

Showed some leg tonight, was lookin' cool with the sunglasses on, wore a few less layers and even took the "A" bike out. Still got rained on, and still got cold, BUT I did see the sun. Rumor has it there's more sun comin'. 33/17.7 (looks like my speeds for the week ARE accurate after all)

Here's a little photo montage of the evening.

Weather Hasn't Changed

Shoes were still wet from yesterday's ride. Didn't really matter because it's still wet and cold outside too. It's been tights, long-sleeved jerseys, and a jacket all week. However, the weekend looks promising. Evil One again. 32/17.3
Full Disclosure: I think my displayed average speeds are a little high. The computer on the Evil One has a larger wheel circumference logged in, than I'm riding right now. Let's just keep that between you and me, though. I like it when people think I'm fast.

Rode With Some Old Companions

Yeah, I met up with, dangling droplet of rain, cold wet toes, and flat tire, on my ride tonight. It's amazing how mesmerizing watching that little drop hang on to the brim of my cap can be.
I'm making it sound a little rougher than it was. My toes did get a little cold. I mean I noticed them, but I really was quite comfortable for the entire ride. And the flat? Yeah, I had to change it, but I got it about a block from a bike shop - walked there and changed it indoors.
Even with my not so welcome companions, the ride beat the pants off the trainer or the gym. And you know, that's why I have so many bikes, and all the right gear, 'cause I'd rather be out than in. Full fendered Evil One tonight. 32/17.6

It Looked Worse Than It Was

Just sprinkles. I really didn't need the full fenders of the Evil One. I think the Evil One has been sitting around getting lazy. It was complaining a bit. When I'd get out of the saddle it would creak and groan. Sounds like a new bottom bracket and maybe some grease for the pedal threads are needed. 33/17.0

My big (only) sister turned 61 today. This is her and I when she was a freshman in college. I think I was 9 or 10. She was and still is a fantastic sister.