Neglectful

I haven't been getting to my blog like I have in the past. I'm working right now and just needed a bit of a break. It is 9:45pm. Taylor, my granddaughter with the bone disorder, is back in the hospital...she already has a cast on her left leg, but went in yesterday for surgery unrelated to bones. They had to drain the glands in her neck, because they had become infected with staph. Yeah, I know, pretty gross.
Sorry to complain on the blog here, but I just wanted you to understand why my posts have become sporadic.
Don't think for a moment though that I miss any rides. I get them in every day and am still on my record of riding outside every, Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday since January 1, 2012.
Today 20/15.9

Nice Day!

Got out with Gabrielle, just her and me, for 3 hours this morning. I gotta admit that is hard to beat. Talked and rode...pretty damn cool. 43/15.5
Then this afternoon my old racing buddy, Gordy, came by with his girlfriend, Jo. Penny and I did a nice easy 20 miles with them, had some hot chocolate and treats afterwards.
That's a nice Sunday. 20/13.6

At Minnehaha Falls Park

Sunny Saturday

It was a cool one, but the sun was all that was in the sky. Good friends and a conversation pace made 70 miles in 30 degree temps delightful. Sorry no pics, but thicker gloves and the trusty camera under my jacket makes pics a little more sketchy. Trust me, it was beautiful and we had fun. I particularly enjoyed the weeping willows as their leaves are turning yellow. 71/16.6

Home On A Friday Night

Settled in for a Friday night at home. Organizing and cleaning were the goals and they were met. It'll probably take two weeks to get that nice fresh cleaning smell out of here. That's what happens when it's a day off they bike.

Change Has Come

Yeah, it even snowed today....good ol' Minnesota. Looks to be pretty cool for the next little while. 20/14.9 on Evil.

Cold And Wet

A cold wet one tonight. Evil just needed the tires inflated and he was ready and anxious to go. The post ride shower was long, and the made from scratch tomato soup was hot. Perfect. I could get use to this cold weather riding. 20/ 14.4

Slick

Wet leaves on the trails, made this a bit of an uneasy ride. I guess it's good practice for when there's snow and ice on the trails. 20/15.7

A Good Day

A nice weekend of riding. Got out with 5 friends today, and my daughter Gabrielle. 46/16.3

Also got in some more rock throwing into the Minnesota River with Elijah.

Bad Blogger

Two misses this week. Need to HTFU and blog like a pro.
Nice ride with good friends Amy, Greg and Steven today. Started out foggy, cold and damp. Really got chilled after our stop in Belle Plaine where it took a good fifteen minutes of riding to get rid of the shivers. The sun started to break through, but it wasn't until we were back in the cities, before we could really feel its warmth.
The hot chocolate post ride really hit the spot, and this ham, basil, red bell pepper and gorgonzola sandwich was the perfect finish to a nice day on the bike. 85/17.8

Hanging On

Even this late we still have some color. Cloudy and cold today, but it was a good day for a ride. It's always a good day for a ride. 20/15.8

Short Return To Summer

Warm ride. Saw tons of people out there. Heard lots of "hi Toms". 24/16.7

I think I neglected to post yesterday. God! I really am getting old.

Solo Sabbath

Started out as a solo Sunday, but came across a friend along the way. It was nice to see him and catch up on the latest. We rode together for 25 miles.
Before I set out I had to drain some of yesterday's ride out of my wheels and tires. 43/17.6

Spotted On Today's Ride

Mike Stensrud

Always A Pleasure

Two of the best riding partners you'll ever find started out, on what was suppose to be a rain filled day, with dry roads and relatively warm temps. A bit of a rush at our good fortune had us chatting and catching up on all the gossip and happenings of the past week. Well that didn't last long. My rain jacket works well, when I bring it the rain stays in the clouds. Amy's rain jacket doesn't work so well. When she brings it the rain sneaks up on you and catches you at your furthest point from home.

This really didn't dampen our spirits much. Our bikes and gear served us well. We stayed warm enough, and once the rain started, we just kept on riding non-stop pleased that even a rainy day couldn't keep us from enjoying the company, scenery, conversation and pleasure that we've come to expect every Saturday morning at 9AM.

Once we got to Mayer we turned onto the Dakota Rail Trail and rode that all the way into Wayzata. I was surprised to still see fall colors hanging over the trail creating, at times, tunnels of muted wet golds, reds and yellows. Very nice. 75/17.8 (Amy put in almost 90 miles)

Just North Of Mayer

It's All Good

My netwrok, smartphone, internet, app, 4G, wireless savvy son came over tonight and .... well basically he just laughed at me, but while he was laughing, he set up a wireless hotspot for me. Apparently what this means is, not only can I get the internet on my new smartphone, which he helped me buy, but now, because of the 5 minutes he spent hitting the keys of my new laptop, I can now also take my laptop anywhere and get internet access. COOL!
Took him out for a burger afterwards and had a great time just talkin'. I got cool kids.
Nice way to spend a day off the bike.

Gettin' By

Life has been hectic lately. It's not something that I particularly like, but I do have to tolerate it. It mostly has to do with work. I'm back to full-time after a 5 year semi-retired lifestyle. I keep on telling Penny, I'll stay with it through the end of the year. It didn't take me long to remember why I originally went from full-time to part-time work.  I always make time for the bike. A cold north wind on this evening's ride. 20/16.1

Still Riding

I just keep on turning those cranks. 20/15.9

Still a few spots of color.

I know the third rail is bad, but what about the fourth?

Whoa

Geez, it got cold fast today. Just another easy 20 in today.
This is the time fall colors are usually peaking. I think this year they peaked about two weeks ago. Still some color out there, but a lot of it is on the ground now. 20/15.6

Easy

Even with the fewer miles and reduced speeds this weekend, my body still responds to Mondays like it needs to recover. Who am I to argue with consistency? Took it easy. 21/15.9

Sun Makes a Huge Difference

Stopped by and watched the Twin Cities Marathon, with Penny, as the runners went by Lake Calhoun, then I headed west on my bike. The morning started quite cool, with temps in the mid 20's. I actually wore lighter clothes today, as the sun was blazing bright...felt warm on my back.
Just around Lake Minnetonka via Excelsior to Wayzata. 43/16.3

Still A Little Color Out There

Cool Time

Four of us got a cold one in today. There's always that acclimation process on the first couple of cold rides. I got the clothes just right, but I figure in the spring, with these temps, I'd have a lot less layers on. Temps started at just above freezing and only added about 10 degrees by the time we got home from Delano. Kind of an unpleasant ride because of the temps and winds, but I was with good friends. 68/17.5

Friday Off

In a stay at home mood. Made some soup, bread sticks, all from scratch, and even got some pumpkin bread out of the oven. Ventured out for about a half hour....just wanted to be home.

Change

Broke out the old hairy crockpot and made me some split pea soup. Mighty good.  That smell still lingers in the old hairy dwelling. The advent of cold weather does have its perks. Also broke out the hooded base layer and windstopper jacket...gusts up to 35 mph and temps didn't make it out of the 40's. 20/15.7

The color caught my eye, but I think I like this image better in black and white. What do you think?
Minnehaha Creek Near Nicollet

More Pretty

Lots of folks out on the trails and paths tonight, enjoying the 77 degree temp. I don't think there will be as many tomorrow. I'll be out there, though.
Another beautiful fall evening. The evening sun angle really accents the leaves.
Saw Brian McDonald and we rode together for 15 miles. Great to talk...always makes the ride go quicker. 23/16.2

Lake Of The Isles This Evening

A Little Summery

A fall ride that felt like summer. Lately I've been getting out on the bike when the shadows are long, and the late evening sunlight tinges the fall leaves with gold. I sometimes forget to pedal because of what I'm seeing. It'll soon be over, but for now I'm enjoying it. 21/16.0

Catchin' Up

Nice ride with Amy, this afternoon. 21/16.0