Still Goin' 'round

Dealing with a slight case of burn out. It'll pass. Over the years I've found that getting off the bike is not the best way for me to handle it. I just try to look more at where I'm riding and put less importance on my computer. That being said .... 27/16.6

Easy Monday

Doing the easy thing tonight. 21/15.8
Minnehaha Creek at Lake Hiawatha

Pretty Good

Got out with Amy for a nice Sunday ride up into Baker (our usual Sunday route). Rain was pretty much over when we left and the roads were dry about half way into the ride.
Just talkin' and enjoying the scenery. A wonderful way to spend a Sunday morning. 51/17.0

Saw all the grandlumps tonight. Here's a picture of Aubrey.

100 Miles Of Thoughts

Decided yesterday to go solo today. Had plenty of miles in me, but not an over abundance of speed. It was a gorgeous day. Here's some of what I saw. 100/19.0

Day Off

Carbing up for a long one tomorrow.

Cooler

Tough week of riding, just wasn't feeling it. Here's to a day off and a new week of riding. 21/16.7

Drove around this evening with the windows down, which I haven't done for awhile. I like it.

Downtown Minneapolis From Lake of the Isles

One More

Got my annual bee sting in on tonight's ride. Nailed me in my bicep. Nice to add some mass to the old hairy bicep without the usual weight lifting effort. 32/17.0

Clouds Looked Cool Tonight

Uh Oh

Put on some miles with my daughter, Gabrielle, tonight. She's gotten better. I'm starting to worry a little. 29/16.3

A Little Riding

Ahhhh, that Monday hangover. No, it's not from too much drinking; rather, it's from too much riding. I can't ride like a 21 year old anymore. What's really sad is I can't even ride like I'm 50 anymore.

Yeah, you figured it out - another Monday recovery ride. Not very far into the future I see all my rides being recovery rides. 25/16.7

Sunday At The Races

Rode over to the Southside Sprints to watch my daughter, Gabrielle, participate in her first bike race ever. I'll be honest, not only was I proud, but I was also a little nervous, even the starting gun made me jump.
Her big sister, Britney, and her nephew Elijah got there and were cheering, from the side, for their favorite racer in pink. It was a blast to watch her, with Brit and Elijah.
After Gabrielle raced I rode solo out to Wayzata and back. I think I'm starting to feel a little of the season in the old hairy legs. 52/17.8

At The Starting Line

All Smiles At The End With Her Big Sister Brit And Nephew Elijah

Negative

Sometimes you have one of those rides where something is just off; it's not smooth, rhythmic or in sync. Today was one of those rides. I think we were put off by a rain delayed start, then with less than a mile into the ride there's a flat, and, of course, another flat later on. The roads were wet. The wind wasn't acting as predicted. I was with my friends though, which is always great, and it was our favorite route, but today won't go down as a great, or even good ride. 81/19.5

It Was Ugly Out There

Friday Night Pics

Day off the bike.
Sunset At Isles.

Over The Mississippi

Another solid week of riding. Tonight 21/16.4

On The Mighty Miss

Heir Apparent

Did the Birchwood Team hill ride tonight with Gabrielle. I see lots of improvement. She's gonna be kicking my ass pretty soon. 41/16.3

Another One Over 90

Put the helmet on the old hairless head, and little flakes of salt started falling from the chin-strap. Yeah, it's been warm. 27/16.7

It's Not Normal

98 degrees. Scary warm, man....scary warm. I stayed in the shade as much as possible. 24/17.0
Along Minnehaha Creek

Still Hot

Just Amy and me today. That's never a complaint. Enjoyed an easy to moderate pace just talking and enjoying the scenery. Life is good.

Temps Are Too High Though

Playtime In The Heat

Good group of guys showed up today. Amy's not feeling on top of things so she rode with us to Excelsior and then went home. Plenty of heat and humidity, and we were drinking water constantly. I downed four or five bottles, with 56 oz of Gatorade during the ride.
Not much between us and the sun. Clouds were scarce. As long as we were moving we stayed pretty cool, but keeping the fluids flowing was real important. 86/20.3

Here are a couple of pictures and a video from today's ride.

Day Off

Yeah, I know, the posts have been lacking lately. I'll kick it up a notch or two. I promise.

Cranking Forward

Another fine day on the bike. 21/16.8

Liking It

Feeling pretty good for mid-summer, but then, I've always been a believer in keeping expectations low. 34/17.6

Crank Turning

Just another Tuesday night ride. Weather is nice. Humidity is low. 27/16.5
Along The Mississippi

Enjoyment

A pleasant evening ride. 25/17.1

Reunion

Oh, the old hairy quads were very unhappy today. The slightest incline brought on serious rebellion and complaining. Out of necessity Amy and I kept the ride nice, easy and simple. Yesterday’s effort still lingers.
Just the two of us rode up into Baker on some of our favorite and most familiar roads. On our way back, in Wayzata, we happened to come up on Ron. Just incredibly good to see him. He and I rode together often in pre-Birchwood days, and he's met many of the Birchwood team. 46/17.3

Ron

This Is Livin'

Actually felt a little cool as I rode to meet "the gang" for our ride out to the St. Croix River. Nine o'clock rolled around and there were eight of us willing to take on an absolutely gorgeous July day.
When it comes to scenery this ride is hard to beat, but it's a deceptive route, with lots of rollers. It's not hard to be lulled into thinking it's an easy ride because of its pastoral nature. All I can say is you've been warned. Good friends, good scenery, cooler temps, all sun, fun conversation all add up to a very nice day in the saddle. 90/19.4
This Is Livin'

Day Off The Bike

Tour was hard to watch with all the crashes. Sagan looks like the real deal. If he can climb....Oh Man.

Good Week

Hottest week of the year, and I put on the most miles, in a week, of the year. I never claimed to be the smartest guy on the planet. Tonight 21/16.5

Enjoyed the fireworks last night.

Free To Ride

Made it an early ride. The heat was building fast. As we finished up the bank sign, in Hopkins, displayed 100 and the dew point was already 73 at 11:30 AM. Pretty damn hot. This weather's more than just a little scary.
Despite the heat lots of riders showed up for an Independence Day ride to Lake Independence. I love the scenery up there - rolling hills, lakes, farms and low traffic roads. Very nice.
My daughter Gabrielle was on the ride, of course Amy was there, I can't really ride my bike without her. Just a nice ride, albeit hot. It's always great to ride with friends. 59/17.7

Mid Summer

"B" bike is back to smooth and quiet. More hot miles tonight. 27/17.0
Hazy Summer Sunset

Plenty Hot

Some like it hot. I'm a little more of the Goldilocks persuasion. I like it just right. Wouldn't categorize today as just right. 99 degree air temp when I was out riding, with the dew point near 70.
I guess I'll take this over an air temp of 0. Takes a little less time to get layered up when it's 99 out.
24/16.5

Serene Sunday

Nice weekend of riding. Opted for a solo effort today. It's hot, but with plenty of water, and not pushing it too much, it's more than doable.
5401 miles for the first 6 months of 2012
Just enjoyed the scenery and serenity that comes from getting out away from the city. 56/18.0