Some People

Took it easy today. Felt as good as I have in a week. Rode with Amy, Gabrielle and Collin. I got in 55 miles.
With about 10 miles to go we came to an intersection with a stop light. I moved along the right side of the cars that were waiting at the light. As I pulled near to the light it turned green. The car next to me, which had buzzed us about 100 yards back, and could plainly see me now (I was about even with his front wheel), turned into me, and we were not at the intersection. It is my feeling that it was on purpose due to his previous actions. I leaned into the car to avoid going down. He continued to drive and I stayed up as his doors, door handles, and fenders slid along my left side. When the entire car passed me I went down, because I was leaning into the car to avoid being pushed over and off the road, and now there was nothing to lean against. I was only slightly bruised on my elbow and hip, bike is ok, no ripped clothing, but I do have a little road rash. I tried to get a plate number, but it was to far away. Gabrielle tried to chase the car down on her bike.
It still amazes me that getting somewhere is so important to some that they do not regard the damage that could be done to others. 55/15.7 and a little stiff and sore.

Easy

Went to lunch with my son, Ethan. Did a small amount of organizing around the abode. Didn't want to over-do, you know I'm sick. Really can't say I did much of anything else. I thought there might be some wisdom in just taking it easy.
The plan for tomorrow is a nice easy ride with Amy, Gabrielle and friends. I am looking forward to that. A nice day off.

Thanksgiving Day

This cold is really kicking my ass. Slept for 10 hours last night. When I woke up I felt like I could have slept for another 10. I didn't do Thanksgiving with anyone because I'm sick and didn't want to pass what I got to everybody. Don't feel sorry for me. I rode with Gabrielle this morning and Amy. They were more than happy to go easy on me. It was really a nice ride too.
Watched a little football, had a turkey sandwich, napped, watched some more football, ate some homemade pumpkin pie and whupped cream. I even managed to get out and take a photo or two. I'll be in bed early again tonight and try to get another 10 hours of sound slumber and lose this cold.
I have a ton to be thankful for.
40/15.4

Light & Dark

It's 9 o'clock at night and I'm going to hit the hay. This cold is nailing me good. 20/??

Light from tonight's dark ride.

Double Cold

Darkness is my friend. I'm dealing with my second cold in like a month....sucks! I'm exhausted.
One of those rides tonight when you're all warm and comfortable and you unzip and pull down the balaclava, and in 5 seconds you're all zipped up again. Layers Work! 20/??

I might not get hat hair, but I still have issues to deal with.

Nocturnal

Might need to start calling myself the Dark Knight. My weekdays rides are all now starting and ending in the dark. Should I be worried that I'm comfortable with that? Good light (750 lumens is all I need) and great bike (Evil) seem to be making it work. 20/??

Sunday Cool

Just Gabrielle and me today. The temp was twice as warm when we left as it was yesterday. The south wind got the temp up to 16 degrees, but made us feel our cadences. Bright sun and wonderful company made this another delightful ride, despite the slow leak in my front tire at about 20 miles. I didn't want to stop in the cold, we were on our road bikes, so I nursed the leak all the way home...didn't have to stop.
As Gabrielle and I were talking about dealing with and dressing for the cold, I told her, "I really didn't teach you how to race and ride, I just taught you to suffer more." She laughed at that, but didn't disagree, and I think I even noticed a nod of the head in agreement.
Low miles this weekend, but good ride time for how cold it was. 36/15.8

Elijah's birthday celebration tonight. He's 11. Great seeing all the grandlumps.

Cold Joy

Gotta admit I was a little nervous about the ride. It's been awhile since I rode in wind chills below zero. Decided the best thing to do was hit the limestone trail to Victoria. This called for Evil.
Four of us were sure outside was better than inside, even if it was 6 degrees outside and 70 in.
I climbed into all the layers I could find and pulled out the hand and toe warmers.
The wind was somewhat abated by the tree lined trail, and that was just fine by me. Sun was bright and the company was great. Wound up being a really fun and nice ride. 50/15.1

Ryan Sportin' An Ice Beard

Gabrielle, Amy and Ryan

Me and Amy

End

A rough end to the week. Scrambled to salvage. Have to wait and see if all the scrambling will save it.
No riding today, but it appears tomorrow's ride will be with out temperature.

Dicey

Freezing drizzle, fog, snow, ice and darkness. I'm not a big fan of lateral movement when I'm on the bike. Tried to keep it to a minimum tonight. 20/??

Artificial Light

Just gets darker and darker. I gotta admit I like my light. It keeps me from going bump in the dark. Just keep on tallying my weekday 20's. Looks like I'll break 10,000 miles for the year after Thanksgiving. 20/??

While Working Today Near Bethel Minnesota

Only Darker

Still navigating through the darkness with Evil. 20/??

Felt Like A Monday

Pretty tired from the weekend, but it's always nice to get out on the bike. 20/??

Good Sunday

Got beat up by the youngin's this weekend. Today it was my daughter. I need to consider riding only with people my age. 45/16.1
A total delight to be ride with Gabrielle. Hung out with all the grandlumps tonight. Perfect!

Even got a little camera time in this afternoon.

Along The Mississippi at the Ford Bridge.

Soggy Saturday

Was never cold or even uncomfortable. Most of the ride I was on the too warm side. Rain started hard, and stayed that way, for the last 20 miles. Glad to be warm. Wet all the way through.

I've got two chest of drawers full of bike clothes, one closet is all bike jackets and 10 bikes are scattered through my 1 bedroom apartment. Today was the answer to why. 73/18.0

It Ain't Always Pretty

Tempting

Day off the bike, but it was a beauty... 56 delightful degrees!

Ahhh

More dark warmth. Man 52 degrees today. This is acceptable. 20/??

Warmth

Twice as much temperature today as yesterday. Wow that felt nice. Even took out the road bike. Should be able to do it again tomorrow. 20/??

Dark, Cold, Evil

Bundled up like it was January. Stayed warm that's what counts. 20/??

Winter Gear?

Man I'm tired! Got nothin' in the tank.
Temp didn't make it out of the 20's. Windchill was 11 when I left.
Decided to take the limestone out and back to Excelsior...keep somewhat protected from the wind. Just Evil and me. 30/13.9

Kind Of Early For This Stuff

Always Something Beautiful To See

Slow Solo Sunday

It was one of those days when you'd swear the wind was in your face for the entire ride. Serious lack of giddy-up.
Another solo effort. 47/15.8

Solo Saturday

The old hairy body started complaining right away. Somebody had to, Amy wasn't there. Don't tell her, but I missed her.
Windy as hell. Wasn't pushin' it, just took what the legs would give. Thirty-five miles head-on into it. Winds were averaging 20mph. Me? about 15mph, so basically I was going backwards.
In these kind of conditions I just concentrate on form, nice consistent pedal strokes, elbows in, knees in, stay low. Paying attention to that stuff keeps my mind off the wind.
Finally made it to Mayer and turned North. I had to lean West. Once to Watertown, and after a Snickers Bar, I could hear the tires on the asphalt....I love that sound.

Cold, windy, gray day, with the beautiful Fall colors all gone, only lead, copper and brown remain.
It's that time of year when any road ride is a good ride. 73/16.8

Off The Bike

Busy week off the bike, but a good one.

November Nights

Still riding in the dark, with Evil. I actually find it somewhat invigorating, hmmm. Even with a good light, I've got to be a little more attentive. 20/??

Darkness Prevails

Still riding in the dark with Evil, but today I had a fully charged light battery...makes all the difference. Snow started just as I finished up. 20/??

Dark Ride

Didn't get ridin' until the sun had set. Rain had stopped, but there was still plenty of wet on the roads and trail, so I took Evil. Light battery went out with about 8 miles to go. It was dark! 20/??

Leafs

It's been a good weekend finished off by a nice Sunday. Rode with Gabrielle this morning. It is so wonderful to ride with her. Got some camera time in this afternoon then spent the evening with Elijah, and I guess I better admit that I did some work tonight...I know on a weekend? No rest for the wicked. 40/16.5

A few leafs are still on the trees after today's wind, but most are on the ground now. All in all it's been a pretty good fall for color this year.

Today Near Lake of the Isles

Good Saturday

A beautiful day for a ride. Great to be with Amy and friends. 73/17.5

Greg and Amy

 Greg, Amy and Steve

It's Harvest Time

Flats Suck

Long Week

A needed day off. Goodnight!