Today’s Topic – Tougher Than You

Mitchell Dailey Republic
Published August 25 2009
Ethan man first to finish grueling bicycle race from Minn. to Wyo.

ETHAN, SD — It took Karl Krueger fewer than 93 hours to complete the “Hell & Back,” a bicycle race that takes its participants from the Minnesota border to the Wyoming border and back.

As he crossed the finish line, the 62-year-old from rural Ethan became the first person in the race’s history to complete it.

Even the event’s organizers say the race is only “for the truly sadistic.” Krueger, however, said the trip was anything but.

“It was a lot of fun,” Krueger, 62, of rural Ethan, said. “Nobody had done the Hell & Back, so I thought I would give it a shot.”

The event was part of the Gut Check 212, a cycling race that ranges in categories from the traditional race, where riders have 48 hours to travel the 412 miles from the South Dakota/Wyoming border to the South Dakota/Minnesota border, to the Hell & Back. All of the races are designed to raise money for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America.

Krueger was one of two people to attempt the more intense version of the race this year. The other, a 51-year-old from Wyoming, did not finish.

Armed with his recumbent bike, which offers riders more ergonomic and aerodynamic travels, and a variety of supplies, Krueger said the trip was made substantially easier by cooler-than-usual August weather conditions.

“The weather was ideal,” Krueger said. “In a normal August, it might not be possible.”

Some undertake the races with support from traveling motor vehicles that haul a cyclist’s supplies, but Krueger chose to make the trip unassisted. He hauled food, water, spare parts, sunscreen and other items on his bike.

While the ideal weather and monster cookies from his wife helped make the trip a success, Krueger said he did encounter some automobile drivers whose careless driving caused him to occasionally bail off his bike.

“A couple of people would pass … where there is not a shoulder and you basically have to jump off the road,” Krueger said. “It’s not a good feeling.”

But the active cyclist is all smiles when he reflects on his early August accomplishment.

He intends to continue cycling in the area, whether it’s with an informal group that meets at 6 p.m. every Tuesday and Wednesday at Twin City Fan, or the South Dakota Senior Games, where he has received three gold and three silver medals.

“I imagine I won’t be able to keep this level up forever (but) it’s just a good physical feeling.” he said. “So far, so good.”


Ride On.

Friday Afternoon Grab Bag

Fun with legos.

Jeans fail.

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Today’s Topic – Fixin’ The Trail

The City has started a repaving project on the multi use trail ringing my fair city. Only a small part touches my commute. However, I see potential conflict.

My commute takes me mostly on city streets. On one (1) part I hop a curb, ride about seventy (70) feet on grass, and pick up the trail. This enables me to get off a busy street which effectively loses its big, wide shoulder when it crosses the Big Sioux River. A bottle neck coupled with speeding cars is not my idea of a pleasant commute. So, I hop on the trail.

My trail riding carries about one half (1/2) of a mile to Maple St where I ride across a bridge, exit the trail, ride Maple, and then North on Westport. This is exactly where the resurfacing is beginning.

Today I needed to ride around one (1) set of barricades, and then sort of over the second (2nd) set. I feel some at the City still don’t get people commute by bike. While I very much appreciate the resurfacing, closing down a river crossing, unnecessarily, is not the best planning.

I’ll continue bypassing barricades. I’d much rather stop, get off my bike, and even walk a small section, than brave the cage holes on a fast street at a bottle neck.

My, and other advocates, work educating some is not yet complete.



Ride On.

Today's Topic - Bike Camping Of Another Sort

While surfing the internets I came upon this contraption.



Now that's bike camping of a different sort! You can see more pics and read and shit HERE.


Ride On.

THIS JUST IN!

There has been a great scientific discovery! Forget blogger, forget facebook, forget twitter!

Check THIS out!

It will change the world forever!


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Friday Afternoon Grab Bag

I'm off today so here's the Afternoon Grab Bag early. Or, depending on what time zone you're in, right on time for a change.

Slow mo egg whack.

Revenge from lernert Engelberts on Vimeo.

A request for this band.

WE ARE THE TIDE: blind pilot's west coast bike tour (trailer) from IAVIDEO on Vimeo.

Ride On.

Today’s Topic – Convos With Motor-sicklers

I’ve been commuting on my Surly Big Dummy most all of the summer.



The bike is a joy to ride. I run Schwalbe Big Apple tryres and have a Brooks Flyer saddle. As the cliché says – “It rides like a Cadillac.” Not to mention how easy it is to haul stuff. I put my backpack with my work clothes and lunch on one (1) side and I have a converted smallish fishing tackle box on the other. In the tackle box I keep a spare tube, tire levers, a small pump, some bungees, a multi tool, and what-not in it. Though, when asked, “What’s in the box?” I like to answer, “Condoms, drugs, and firearms.”

The other day I was commuting home and was stopping at a red light. Next to me was a dude on a Harley. His Indiana plates and tee-shirt from the Sturgis Rally gave away where he’d been.

He turned off his engine and proceeded to quiz me about my bike. I gave him the story. He thought the bike was pretty cool. The light turned green, he started his motor sickle, and away he went.

I find cross country, and even local, Harley riders want to chat with me when I’m on this bike. Especially when I’m out of town and riding loaded to or from somewhere. One (1) dude and his bitch were coming out of a convenience store as I was heading in. The dude remarked he liked my rig and asked what sort of mileage I got. I replied about fifty (50) miles to the burrito. He and his bitch laughed and laughed and laughed.



Ride On.

Today’s Topic – Good Weather

What’s your preferred commuting weather? Mine is what we’ve been having lately. I like the mornings to be between fifty (50) degrees Fahrenheit and sixty (60) degrees Fahrenheit. Warm enough to not need long sleeves or a jacket and cool enough to not sweat much at all.

I usually don’t care about the ride home. I’m going home (duh) and normally have time, and the facilities, for a shower – if needed.

And, this time of the year with the good temperatures and lower humidity also have ample daylight for my time of the day. I do like late summer commutes.

So, what’s your favorite time of the year to roll to and from work? What’s that? You don’t roll to and from work? What in thee hell is the matter with you??? (Insert lame excuse here.)



Ride On.

Today’s Topic – Moron Nation?

Perusing around the internets I was catching up on the blogs. Over at Clusterfuck Nation, Kunstler thinks we’re a nation of morons.

All we can do now is give cars away, or give US citizens free money to buy them -- which we are obviously already doing with "Cash for Clunkers" -- which is additionally hilarious in the same nation that is deeply paranoid about the government giving anybody free health care. What a nation of morons we have become.

Perhaps he’s onto something, there.



Ride On.

Today’s Topic – Pub Crawl Recap

A whole herd of rollers pub crawled on Friday night. After starting at Monk’s we went to Tim’s. Tim has got a wonderful beer fridge in his garage. FIVE (5!) tap handles to choose from! The boy can brew.

From there we went to Eastway Bowl. Enduring the smoke we chugged one (1) down. From there we went to the even more smokey Upper Cut where several of us waited outside it was so smokey. Smoking ban, where are you when we need you most?

Then off to Club David for some outside seating and then back to Monk’s. I think we were sixteen (16) strong at the highest head count of the evening. We were joined at Monk’s by Mary and Andrew and finally rolled home at the wee hours of the morning.

And this final thought on the pub crawl:

If you can remember the pub crawl, then you’re not Dirk.



Ride On.

Friday Afternoon Grab Bag

Vehicle differentials explained well.

Performance.

Ride On.

Today’s Topic – Riding Loaded

Tonight I’ll be leading the pub crawl. Maybe it’s time to start figuring out the route, eh? Maybe a rough draft will be fine. That will allow for rider input and suggestion and keep things spontaneous.

We’ll start at Monk’s, head to Tim’s, then a bar, then another bar, then one (1) more bar, and then back to Monk’s. How many spots is that? Six (6)? Plus, we’ll probably carry “roadies” along. That should make for some loaded riding.

Saturday will be a different kind of loaded riding. We’ll be loading the bikes up with gear and venturing south to Union Grove State Park for another installment of bike camping. We’re getting this bike camping thing down pretty well. Next year we’ll be well prepared for some touring.

I do know I plan to add a rack to the front of the Big Dummy. I think a little better weight distribution will be a good thing. Also, we’ll be upgrading some gear over the winter. For example, right now we have “roll ‘em up” sleeping bags. We’ll be getting some “stuff them into the size of a coffee can” style. Also, we’ll either try smaller, thinner blow up mattress or foam pads. This will cut the weight and space required.

I’m tossing a few touring tour rides around in my head for next year. I’d like to get back to Colorado and do the other San Juan Hut to Hut route. I’m thinking of putting on a Faces (Mt. Rushmore) to the Falls (Falls Park, Sioux Falls) ride next summer. That would be a week-long extravaganza. And, next year will be the first (1st) installment of “Vision Quest.” This will be three-hundred-twenty (320) mile out and back ride on a Saturday and Sunday. I’m thinking it will be Sioux Falls to Mitchell to Oacoma (just over the Missouri River from Chamberlain) on Saturday, and then ride ‘er back on Sunday. That should be enough miles to create delirium induced visions of the bikey kind.

Anyway, I’m tossing these ride ideas around, sort of soliciting comments and / or feedback. Once I have things figured out and decided upon, I’ll likely shout it out and ask for probably dates to run them – if I haven’t figured this out on my own.


Ride On.

Today's Topic - The Dude Makes Some Good Points

Read all about it HERE.


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Today’s Topic – What’s Next

Yesterday was attendance to Sioux Falls Next. This is a listening post function by the local newspaper, The Argus Leader, to gather ideas, from local readers, on what they’d like our fair city to look like in the future.

This guy


was running the show. Some might say he looks dapper.

Sioux Falls preeminent bicycle advocacy organization, Thee Spoke League Velo Society, was represented and it’s opinions expressed. An invitation from the above pictured dapper lad was extended to have Thee League’s comments printed in the newspaper.

In tow was that crazy MinusCar fellow. He also expressed opinions and appeared on camera for a sound bite or two (2).

Post opinion laying down, that crazy MinusCar fellow and I rode toward downtown. Me, in search of home, him in search of ride, some food, and then off to his second meeting.

In other noise, pub crawl this Friday night, 7 PM, starting at Monk’s. And Saturday another bike camping installment. Email to me for details regarding either.


Ride On.

Today’s Topic – Weekends

This past weekend was pretty non-descript. There was some riding and stuff, but, nothing of great import to report about.

However, next weekend – well, next weekend is bike camping! And, you’re invited! Here’s the poop. I have a site reserved at Union Grove State Park, just South of Beresford, for Saturday night. If you want in, Google South Dakota State Parks, and get yourself a reservation. I have site #7 – not that it makes any difference.

If you’re in, get your site and then email me. We’ll pick a rally point and work out the travel details. This is a BYOB event.

What? Not enough notice for your ass? Well, no worries. I’ve got another bike camping weekend lined up for September 19th. However, this time it’s at Lake Herman State Park near Madison, SD. I’ve got camping cabin #2 lined up. You’ll need a site near there. Again, if you’re in, get a site, let me know. We’ll plan from there.



Ride On.

Weekend Nonsense

Ride On.

Friday Afternoon Grab Bag

Can’t stay, gotta roll.

Rube Goldberg nut kick machine. Really.

Ride On.

Today’s Topic – Why Rollers Are The Best People On Earth (And Several Other Planets)

Earlier in the week I’d done a post on the MS Bike Ride recap and about Amy Thee Good. In the post I’d mentioned Amy was dealing with some personal things but was still trying to do the MS Ride. She was having little time for donation getting.

At that time, she needed about one hundred dollars ($100) in donations to get her to the minimum. Thanks to several of you, she’s had two-hundred-seventy-five dollars ($275) in donations! Including a big one (1) from Elizabeth M Barry. I don’t think I know Elizabeth, but whoever you are, thanks for your support of Amy and the M.S. Society.

Rollers get it and understand the “two (2) birds with one (1) stone” thing. Rollers both pushed Amy’s donation levels to where they needed to be and also boosted the efforts of the M.S. Society. Good on you!

Once again, thanks! Now, have a great weekend and don’t let your meat loaf.


Ride On.

Today’s Topic – Minutes

The monthly meeting of Thee Spoke League Velo Society was held recently.

The meeting was called to order and beers passed around. Roll call called, all present. Treasurer’s report reported. Old business – none. New business – discussion of pending section of bike trail closure and closure of bridge over 41st St. Possible courses of action presented, action tabled. Discussion of attendance of "Sioux Falls Next" ensued. Motion to attend presented. Motion passed. Attendance personnel and date set.

All stop for beer break.

Meeting resumes. Presentation on blindfolded tire changing techniques presented. Much “ooo -ing’ and “ahh -ing.”




Motion to adjourn presented. Motion shot down. Motion for another beer presented. Motion carried. Beers consumed. Motion to adjourn re-presented. Motion carried.

Next meeting at an undisclosed location and undisclosed date.


Ride On.

Today’s Topic – Climate Change. Remember That?

Do you remember the discussion pertaining to the world’s climate is changing and not in a good way? Do you remember the reason it is changing is because of the excessive carbon emitting actions of the earth’s inhabitants?

Some of you might say, “There’s no climate change due to human activity.”

And others might say, “Yes there is climate change due to human activity.”

“No there’s not!”

“Yes there is!”

“No there’s not!”

“Yes there is!”

Let’s examine the repercussions of each side of the argument. Better yet, why don’t you read a blog entry by No Impact Man on exactly this? He’s got a blog entry of what he’d say to people if he were wrong about climate change. Here are a few with a link to the blog entry:

• I am glad we created 5 million or more new jobs here in the United States in the fields of energy efficiency and renewable generation.
• I am glad we created a culture that relies less on foreign oil, so that our children can live secure lives, knowing that the energy rug can't be pulled out from under them.
• I am glad we have found a way to save people and industry billions upon billions of dollars by making the use of energy more efficient.

In particular, the thing I like most about this blog post is the ending.

And now, to turn the question back on those who say that either there is no climate change or that it is not a serious problem: What would they feel if we did nothing about climate change and they turned out to be wrong? What would they feel if we buried our heads in the sand, ignored the problem, and then irreversibly damaged the planetary habitat that we depend upon for our health, happiness and security?

From No Impact Man



Park or sell that car. Ride your bike. Be healthier and happier because of it. This isn’t rocket surgery.


Ride On.

Today’s Topic – Livable Cities

There was an article in Monday’s edition of our local newspaper, The Argus Leader. The story was by the head of the City of Sioux Falls’ planning office, Mike Cooper. He’s soliciting input, from the public, on the direction of our city for the next twenty-five (25) years.

I guess my utopian city would be devoid of cars and every need within walking distance for everyone. Since that won’t happen, perhaps I’ll attend one (1) of the meetings and point out ways, methods, and reasons why at least moving in that direction would be best for everyone.

Americans, as a whole, are fat and lazy. My fair city is no exception. However, I’ll do my part in convincing “the powers that be” making a city more sustainable, more walkable, and alternative, human powered, transportation friendly is good on so many levels.

As I’ve always said, not everyone HAS to walk or bike, but not providing the infrastructure and mechanisms such that people can do this safely is extremely short-sighted. Forcing people to drive to get their consumer consumables is akin to taxing them needlessly by forcing them to own and operate (i.e. spend money to buy gasoline) a vehicle.


Ride On.

Today’s Topic – MS Bike Ride Recap Or How We Tried To Kill Amy

The S.O. and I rode the MS bike ride – Pedal The Plains – this past weekend. Through a little finagling, we were able to get all around good gal, Amy, into this years running. More on Amy later.

The morning of the ride we were up early loading the bikes and getting ready to ride to the ride. We took off in search of an ATM and then good coffee. Getting cash, no problem, getting coffee, again, no problem. It was at this point the S.O. points out she forgot her helmet at home.

We pealed for home, retrieved said helmet, and journeyed to the start just as the first riders were pulling out. Whew! Made it!

Several phone calls and a few text messages later we learned Amy had also forgotten her helmet, ran home to retrieve it, and was hammering trying to catch up with us. We made contact at the first (1st) rest stop.

The ride South was very uneventful. The route was mostly flat, we had a tailwind mostly, and made pretty good time. Once we had our requisite seventy-five (75) miles in, I cajoled the other two (2) into doing the extra loop to make it an even one-hundred (100) for the day.

Now, back to Amy. Amy’s a nice person. She’s a fairly avid bike rider. However, this year’s been different for her. She’s a family member who’s having some health issues and that has taken up a lot of her training time plus added some mental stress. She nearly didn’t ride this ride because she’s actually a bit short on fund raising. The MS folk are fairly insistent each rider raise at least two hundred dollars ($200). Through some shrewed negotiations we got her in with the promise we get her donation raising up.

For you, if you’d like to help a roller who’s a very nice person, that is having some tough times with her ailing family member, and could use a bit of help. Please visit THIS link to make a small donation to the MS Society. She was able to raise half the minimum through cash donations and we’re looking to get her the rest by September 1st. Please help a roller out.

Back to the ride and nearly killing poor Amy. Amy has not had that much time to train as aforementioned. I distinctly recall letting her, and the S.O., know the extra loop is a lot of climbing to the turn around, aided by the tailwinds, and a lot of decending back to town hampered by headwinds.

Poor Amy’s legs were onto our plan to kill her off and notified Amy’s noggin’ it was time to catch a ride in the SAG wagon back. Curses! Foiled again!

After the ride we showered and dressed for the banquet. The banquet was banquetty and was followed by the short two (2) block walk to Dairy Queen for some ice cream and then back to the dorms for some sleep.

Thee Bike Gods were smiling upon us this past weekend as the winds shifted overnight to provide tailwinds for the ride back to Sioux Falls! How sweet is that?!? We rolled happily along making it back in good time.

Once back we dined, loaded up the Big Dummy with our luggage, and pedaled home for a shower and earned beer followed by ribeyes on the grill. We were in bed by 7:30 PM last night.

We had a great MS ride this year. The weather was very nice and the route not too challenging. Thanks to the MS Society for putting on another great ride and thanks to the Lane Hogs / Team Roadkill for their help in hosting all of us in Vermillion.


Ride On.