Week of Favorites

It seemed a lot colder out there today, than yesterday, and yet the temps were the same, and the sun was out both days. Nice ride, but I am feeling mighty tired, slept for 11 hours last night. Don't know what that's about. Today 21/12.7

At the end of each year I post my 10 favorite photos, along with a variety of other trivia regarding my rides. This year I couldn't even limit my favorite photos to 10 categories, let alone 10 images. So the solution is show them all just over a whole week. Sorry you gotta put up with this self indulgence.
You've already seen my favorite sunsets for 2010 (put to music). Here are my favorite winter shots from 2010.

Solo Sunday

One of the nicer winter rides this year. I started out heading for Excelsior on the LRT, but once through Hopkins the trail went unplowed. In younger days I would've taken it on, but...I need some Amy toughness and youth.
The city trails are in great shape, so I stayed on them. Beautifully, brilliant, bright sunshine, made the 20 degree temps seem so much warmer. I love Old Blue, but it was nice to be on the Axis and sort of get a little road feel.
Trails were snow packed, but very navigable. Lots of people out. I even saw a few cyclists. It's fun seeing the different looks from people I pass them on the trails. Of course I get the, what are you doing on my trail look. There is also the scared look like, who is that masked man and is he going to run me over? Inevitably I startle someone, almost to the point of heart attack, when I call out, "passing on your left". But my favorite look is the person who looks me in the eyes, and you can see an expression on their face that says, that's cool, I'm going to try that.
A little over 3 hours. Very Nice! 40/12.6

The Day Started Out Cold And Icy

Minnehaha Falls Frozen Flow
The Look From Right Above The Falls (that's a long way down)
Winter Sunset Through A Bare Weeping Willow

And A Sky Full Of Color To Close The Day

Season Of Peace Love and Joy

One of the great Christmases of all time, and, of course, I forget my camera.
At the appointed time we all arrived to a potluck brunch. Kim and Ethan brought an egg-bake, Brit and Gabrielle, cooked up pancakes, sausage, and ham steaks. I brought fresh made cinnamon rolls with cream cheese frosting. The never ending eating frenzy began. We did exercise our multi tasking abilities and began to open presents, while still eating. The grand kids scored big. I kept on asking, "were they really this good?"
After some dark days a decade ago, my resilient children have made an incredible recovery. Their lives have the usual challenges, but are full of Peace, Love and Joy. They are all excited about their futures. There is appreciation, respect, and admiration for each other, with the appropriate amount of sibling competition. Sorry, but I...gush with pride. I couldn't be happier.
Totally stuffed with fantastic food, and having shared our presents with each other, I waddled to my car and drove home. The clouds and snow couldn't hide my delight in having been with my kids and grand kids. I am a lucky, lucky man.
Old Blue may have let out a bit of a groan as I climbed on the saddle. The trails, even along the creek, were in very good winter condition. Thank you plow drivers. Didn't see any other cyclists, but there were a good number of joggers and walkers out enjoying the city lakes, creek and river on a snow filled Christmas day late afternoon. 21/12.2

Settling down now, after a delightful day, with some hot chocolate, whipped cream (aka whupped cream) and a little Christmas spirit.

Taking It Easy

Stayed off the bike, but still needed to get out and breathe some real air, so a very brief walk along Minnehaha Creek seemed like a good way to satisfy that need.

Lost?
Lots of Snow But It's Really Pretty
We broke a record here in the Twin Cities for total snow in December, and even better news, more is on the way. The last time we had this much snow was 1969...I was here for that too.

Merry Christmas Everybody!
I sure enjoy writing about my riding, taking pictures, showing off my grand kids, and giving Amy a hard time. Thanks for letting me share all of it with you. It means a lot to me.

Got Out...

...before the snow for a few miles with Amy. Nice, easy, fun conversation, and pretty comfortable temps were all a part of our ride. Amy's tough. She'd been out cross country skiing before we met up. Me? I got my grocery shopping done in the morning. Good day today. 25/13.4

Peace On Earth, Goodwill Toward All

Loose

No toe or hand warmers today. Temps near freezing felt great. Trails and paths were loose, slushy, and in some places a little rutty. The greenway was clear. It was great to get up a little speed over the bare asphalt stretches. Nice ride. 21/13.6

Hit 12,500 miles for the year today. No where near a personal best, but 1000 miles better than 2009. My 2010 goal was simply to ride more miles than I did in 2009. About half way through 2010 it looked like I had a shot at bettering my 2009 effort by quite a bit, so I adjusted my goal to 12,500 miles, or 1000 miles more than 2009. Feels good.

More Off And On

The trails were in very good shape until I got to the falls. Again the plowing was sporadic, looking like the plow would lift his blade at a whim, making this another off and on cx ride. Lake Harriet was pretty bumpy. Calhoun was in very good shape, which was a surprise, because it was in the worst condition last time I rode this route.
I wasn't feeling it today. Just didn't have the umpf. Old Blue was looking at me like, "what's the matter?" I even started feelin' a bit of a bonk coming on. 21/11.0

I've been putting some of my favorite 2010 images together. Sunsets were a frequent subject for me. I've been wanting to put some of my photos to music. Last night I was playing around with my computer, trying to figure out if I could do it and embed it in my blog.

Guess I can!