Monday

Did my recovery thing today. I was definitely feeling Saturday and Sunday. 20/15.4

Minnehaha Creek (my favorite spot)

Near Center City Today (while working)

Sunny Sunday Seventy

Not the usual Sunday ride. It was more like a Saturday ride. Five of us hooked up and rode to Rockford and Delano. Things got a little frisky out there, with hills becoming a bit of a competition. I'm afraid I will be paying for this for the next couple of days. I sure had fun though. 71/18.2

I Like Rain Rides

One of those rides that makes me remember my frailty.
Started with Amy and Gabrielle, both of which had to cut it short, but it was great to see them.
It was sprinkling, but warm. I got to Excelsior, about 15 miles and was on my own. I had a jacket with me, but even though I was already soaked through, it wasn't needed.
The trees and sumac appeared to appreciate the water, they seemed to be reaching up, kind of stretching their limbs to get more. Dry dust had been washed away and the colors of fall were freed.
Rain picked up, and so did the wind...still plenty comfortable.
A little after St Bonni, so quickly I was a bit startled, the temp dropped and the wind changed direction. Hands were the first to notice the difference. I decided to pick up the pace a bit to keep the body temp up.
Mayer was only a few miles west and the wind wouldn't be in my face. Rain was still comin' down pretty good.
Watertown was the planned stop, but I wasn't hungry, and I feared the stop would chill me. There's a bit of a hill coming out of Watertown, but I wasn't warmer at its crest. Decided the jacket was needed, the temp had dropped a lot and I had a tail wind...the old hairy body wasn't staying warm on its own. Jacket was perfect.
With the tail wind I could hear the hum of the tires. My speed must have been matching the wind speed.
Stayed warm for the entire ride and was grateful that I was prepared. Cycling has always made me aware of how vulnerable I am to changing conditions. This brings about a gratitude for the simple things like a jacket. Cycling is an amazing teacher. 72/18.1

Fifteen Easy Miles

Rain tomorrow may shorten up my Saturday ride, so I put in some easy miles on my day off. 15/14.0
I sure have been enjoying my point-and-shoot. Great little camera.

Sail Boats On Harriet

Summery

Into the 80s today, but that didn't stop the leaves from changing. The dry summer is muting the colors, but it's still beautiful. 21/16.2

Lake Harriet

Along The Mississippi From The Ford Bridge

Lovin' It

Another beautiful fall evening ride. 20/15.8

WOW

More spectacular weather, and the colors are ramping up. 20/16.2

Along the Mississippi

Near Minnehaha Creek

Start Again

Got the requisite recovery ride miles in this evening. Remember, the whole week is for recovery now. Fall is nice. 20/15.9

First Day Of Fall

A cool, colorful morning ride. Afternoon exploring with Elijah along the Minnesota River. 49/16.5

Practice

Makes Perfect

The River Has So Much Stuff 10 Year Old Boys Love

Great

Pretty spectacular out there today. Seven of us braved a start temp in the 40's. Just rode for the miles and they were beautiful. Yellow and gold are taking over the landscape, the sumac is red, the green of the farm fields is fading, fall is gently taking hold.
At Delano Amy's shifter quit working. We did what we could, which wound up being nothing, so she rode the last 30 miles with only two gears, 39/12 and 53/12...didn't slow her down any.

The ride was easy for all of us and there was lots of talking...wonderful to be with good friends, on a crisp fall day, riding my bike. 79/18.7

Rest Day

A Friday well placed and needed. No ride, but looking forward to 80 miles tomorrow.

Long

This week seemed long. Glad tomorrow is Friday.
Storms with thunder, lightning, and winds around 50mph this morning. I got to drive in it. Everything cleared up tonight for a delightfully slow ride. 20/15.3

Still Summer

Some humidity snuck back in today. Fall equinox is Sunday so the warm humid days are numbered. Saw a little color starting to emerge while riding along the Mississippi and Minnehaha Creek. 20/16.2

Along The Mississippi

Over The Creek

Through The Woods

In The Family

Met up with Gabrielle (my 25 year old daughter) and got a few miles in with her this evening. Very nice, except I had to keep on reminding her how old I was so she'd slow down. 24/15.5

Lovely Day

All sun with high in the 60's.
The cool and short lit days of fall have arrived, a time of year when my rides are greatly enjoyed. I love the long shadows and how the sun light illuminates some leaves and others remain in the dark. 20/16.0

Along Minnehaha Creek

Good End

Rode with Amy this morning. Sure was nice. 50/16.5
Amy raced Chequamegon Fat Tire race in Cable Wisconsin yesterday. She took 12th overall out of 250 women, in the short and fat, and was second in her age group.

Guys Night Out with the grandsons and my son, Ethan, tonight. We took Bryson and Elijah to Sever's Corn Maze in Shakopee. All sorts of stuff going on, then we went out to dinner at Champps. Real good night.

Here are some pics from the corn maze

Solo Belle Plaine

Every now and then, instead of sleeping, my night is full of lying in bed without the benefit of my eyes closing. It was about 3:30AM when sleep was finally able to settle my imagination. I Needed to be up at 7 to be riding by 8 so I could be ready for an appointment at 3pm...yes I may have gotten 3 hours of sleep last night. But I made my appointment and got an 85 mile solo ride in to Belle Plaine.
TV, beer and pizza was all I could muster this evening, I'll be in bed by 8:30 on a Saturday night.
I love the route I took today, and even at my pace, slowed by lack of sleep, it was still great. First long-sleeved jersey and knicker ride of the fall. Great conversation, although I did look over my shoulder a few times to make sure, out in the middle of nowhere, nobody saw that I was talking to myself. Just for the record, I'm pretty good company, and can carry on very interesting discussions on a wide range of topics. 83/17.9

Harvest Time Is Close

Into The Minnesota River Valley

70 Degrees

Just too beautiful to be off. Nary a cloud or breeze so I jumped on the All City and soft pedaled a few lakes. 10/13.1

Cool Ride

Hey! A little brisk on the old hairy arms and legs tonight. Low 70's upper 60's are welcome any time. 20/15.5

Same Old

Not too much to report except I woke up this morning and found I can still turn the cranks. 23/15.5

Predictable

I sure am comfortable in a rut. 23/15.7

Lake Harriet Tonight

Day Made

Just mindin' my own business gettin' my Monday recovery ride in and who's comin' the other way...? Ms. Hammerburg. Sure was nice to see her. Made my day. 24/15.2

A Little More Perfection

Saw all the kids this weekend, that always makes it a good one. Saw Brit, had dinner with Ethan and rode with Gabrielle today. Cool kids, man, really cool! 50/17.3