Hot Cross Action

I am happy to report that due to last year's cyclocross race success, this year there will be a series. I'm happier to report that I'm not ram-rodding them but appearing in a supporting role and / or racing.

Here's the poster with all the info:

Ride on.

Weekend Recap

The weekend started with a memorial ride for Kevin Rogers. Kevin was killed about one (1) month ago by a driver under the influence of drugs and alcohol. Even though the day started with rain and it was cool, many rollers showed anyway for the memorial ride and safety classes immediately afterward.

Saturday evening Falls Area SingleTrack unveiled their snazzy new long-sleeved tee shirts and there approval celebration at Monk's. Snakebite Productions sponsored the keg, there were movies, bullshitting discussion, and a late night.

The next morning I received an email from Atom indicating his new Salsa Fargo had been stolen. That was quite a nice bike, wood chipper bars and all. But, he won't be missing it at all. It was recovered later on Sunday.

Ride On.

ELEVEN!!!

Ride on.

Called Due To Weather

I got ready to head to western North Dakota and packed my food. (Click any / all / none of the pictures for big.)



I crossed the border



in search of I-94. I had plenty of water to cache



and lots of crap in the back of the car. And, as you can see, it's quite serious business.



I arrived at the south end of the trail to stash my first cache.



To digress, the day before I left I checked the internets for weather. The internets told me SNOW in Medora. By the time I got there, there wasn’t much left around except for the snowman



with the shrunken head. These North Dakotans were into some funky stuff.

I spent that day and into the evening caching water, getting lost, and looking for a place to get a hotel room. It was raining that evening and I didn’t want to get the tent out if I really didn’t have to.

In Watford City – no rooms. Well, I was closer to Williston than about anywhere else so off I went in that direction. After a complete canvassing of the town – no rooms. It seems every single hotel room in the area was occupied by oil workers. Evidently, there’s a boom up there. I did see a huge amount of wells.



Feeling tired, I opened up the Thermarest and sleeping bag and slept that evening in the back of the car. The next morning I made my way south and to the start of the trail. When I arrived at the turnoff for the CCC camp (and the north end of the trail) I noticed the entrance was blocked off due to road construction. No worries, plan “B.”



I drove a bit farther south to Bennett trailhead and camp. I figured I skip the Little Missouri crossing just south of CCC and begin my riding at Bennett. My game plan was to ride north to the Teddy Roosevelt National Park border and then ride back. I was going to camp overnight and then start my southward trek on Monday morning.

Unfortunately, the trail was still too muddy from the snow and rain to ride. Bummed, I set up camp and was going to wait until morning to ride. I decided I’d give it another try in the morning. If the trail was going to still be wet from the previous moisture, I planned to drive south to Buffalo Gap campground and ride some down there.

It was windy as I went to sleep. Quite windy, in fact. I got up in the middle of the night to pee and it was still blowing hard. When the morning came around the wind was gone. Evidently the mist and light rain scared it off. Crap.

I decided it was going to be too wet to ride even if it stopped raining immediately for several days. I didn’t relish the thought of being holed up in my tent waiting for something. I decided I’d done enough recon for next summer and packed up and headed back.

I took an alternate route home. I took me through Lemmon, SD and this:



Further on I crossed the Missouri River near Mobridge, SD.





Now I’m back, still on vacation, and deciding what to do next. The bike still has mud on it and it needs to be cleaned. Other than that I’m disappointed the riding conditions were not better. I do see how that trail would be a ton of fun. In 2011 I’ll make another run at it in the summer. I’m not going to go unless I know the weather has been precipitation free for a week and none is even remotely in the forecast. It’s a long-ass drive out there and don’t want to do it again if I can’t bring my intended purpose to fruition.

Ride On.

Here I Go

The crap is packed and the bike readied. I’m departing later this afternoon for western North Dakota and the Maah Daah Hey trail. I actually think everything is falling into place.

I checked the ten (10) day weather forecast for the ride location. It’s looking like partly clouded at worst and mostly sunny at best. The chance for precipitation is quite low. The forecast is for highs in the lower sixties (60’s) and lows in the lower forties (40’s) or upper thirties (30’s). Nice!

If I don’t get stomped by a buffalo or a series of rattlesnake bites, this should be quite good. I’m excited to get the driving done and the riding started. I’m going to take a couple (2) of books and am looking forward to the solitude.

In the odd chance I get cell reception I’ll post pictures on here. Otherwise, consider me gone and on vacation until next week.

For those in my neck of the woods, don’t forget the Falls Area SingleTrack (FAST) celebration beginning at 7:30 PM, Saturday September 25th at Monk’s. The first keg is on me. I opted for Rogue “Dead Guy” if that makes a difference to you. Find me – we’ll talk singletrack, have a beer, and I’ll sign you up to help us dig trail.

Ride On.

Revelation

If I’m planning an expedition or trip somewhere I tend to research the crap out of it and then plan the crap out of it. Along the way I usually come up with a “Plan B” in case something goes to hell.

My pending trip to ride the Maah Daah Hey trail is no exception. I’ve researched, sent emails, read books, read internets stuff, and asked for first hand information. This is good and bad.

I have decided I’m going to ride this North to South and maybe South to North if there’s time. This works out well for my water caching. I’ll arrive pretty much as the South end via I-94. As I work my way North, I’ll cache water. So far, this planning shit is to my benefit.

But, it is also to my detriment. Given I’ve had much time in between “plan hatch” to “riding the plan”, I’ve plenty of time to gather lots of equipment and food. As I start to pack, I’m going to TRY to only pack the food I’ll NEED. But, I know, “just one (1) extra this, and just one (1) extra that” will be packed, too.

I think my tool list enables me to rebuild hubs if so needed. Again, I’m going to TRY to take what is prudent. We’ll see how that goes.

Clothes – another weight adder. This time of the year makes for cooler evenings and mornings so I’ll need SOME colder weather gear. However, the predicted highs will likely have me stripped down to just shorts and a short-sleeved jersey during mid-day. But, I’ll have the colder weather gear to drag along.

I wonder what the difference in my gear would be if I woke up one (1) morning and decided I’m going to do a week-long trip leaving that night. I wonder if I’d have more weight or less.

All this typing about the amount of crap I’m taking reminds me I need to pick up a small vice grip and some water socks and maybe some duct tape.

Ride On.

Starting To Pack

Departure for North Dakota and the Maah Daah Hey trail is this coming Friday as soon as I can escape work for the day. Last night I pulled the fenders off the Long Haul Trucker and put on the knobbies. Now it’s time to start packing up stuff.

Since this is going to be at least five (5) days of riding I’ll need to carry lots of food. I’m planning on caching water on my drive from I-94 to the North end. I’ll have camping gear and clothes.

I made a stop at REI last weekend and picked up a big variety of freeze dried food. In addition, I’m bringing dried apples and Grandma’s Cookies brand cookies. I’ll have the Jet Boil along to boil water, a Melitta coffee system, filters, and coffee.

For clothes I’m thinking one set of non riding clothes, two sets of riding clothes, and some colder weather gear. I’ll toss in a rain jacket for its intended purpose but also to keep heat in if it gets colder than wool jersey weather.

The only thing that makes me nervous is the weather. If it rains, I’m screwed. The trail will be unrideable. I guess I won’t be entirely screwed. The screwed part amounts to not being able to complete the trail length. I can always bail on a gravel road to the highway and back to the car.

I’m not entirely sure what to expect on this expedition. I’ll have everything I need along. I intend to take many pictures. I’m not expecting my cell phone to work except perhaps at the far North end and maybe near Medora. I wonder if I’ll see another person.

Ride On.

Poster

Weekend Away

Finally an opportunity to get out of town. This past weekend was spent in the greater Minneapolis and St. Paul area. Though it was going to be a leisure weekend, it seemed overly full with stuff. Not bad stuff, just lots of it.

The weekend started Saturday with a visit to Hiawatha Cyclery and the famous H.C. Saturday morning ride. Misjudging how long it was going to take me to get from downtown to H.C., I was there quite early (7:15 AM). It was getting very, very close to 8:00 AM before other rollers began to arrive. I was nervous for a bit. Did they discontinue the ride? Did the time move back?

Not the case. Several showed including Jim with all three (3) kids in tow. He pulled out an Xtracycled tandem with a trailer contraption. One (1) kid pedaled, one (1) rode the snapdeck, and one (1) blissfully rode in the trailer.

We went this way and that finally stopping at Common Root on Lyndale. The food was outstanding. From there we meandered back. On the way, the group splintered to their respective obligations. I rolled all the way back to the shop and then back to the hotel.

After a walk around town and feeding it was time to get ready for the Special H.C. ride. The game plan was to meet at H.C. ready to roll at 7:30 PM. From there an exploration of a St. Paul trail.

I think there were ten (10) rollers for the evening jaunt. Seemingly, no street of St. Paul was left unexplored. Yes, that is an exaggeration. The ride was a ton of fun. We explored neighborhoods I’ve never seen including some of the very oldest houses in the State. At about 9:00 PM, we stopped for refreshments.

We didn’t stop there. More rolling. We passed nonchalantly through the U of M campus. Students were out en masse. Most didn’t pay us much attention except one (1) chick suggested we ride harder.

Departing campus we picked up speed coming down a nice hill in a residential area. My camera exited its case and decided it wanted to impact the pavement and slide a bit. Miraculously, no cars flattened it. It still turns on, but that’s about it. It’s time for a new camera.

After a trip across the Stone Arch Bridge we spiraled up the funky hill thing near the Guthrie Theater. Pausing a moment we admired the view of the river and downtown. Reversing course we hit the streets of downtown. As we near the hotel, we peeled off arriving in the room at 11:00 PM. A nifty 35 miles over the course of 4 ½ hours. It was scenic, the company friendly and slightly eclectic, and it was again – a ton of fun.

Due to the early morning on Saturday, the late night on Saturday, coupled with an early start to the St Paul Classic – the Classic was missed.

Though I was looking forward to doing the ride, we pretty much rolled all of St. Paul the night before. And, the night before did not provide the crowds I assume were there on Sunday.

It was a great weekend and it was nice to get out of town. The downside to the weekend is I didn’t have opportunity to meet up with some of the usual suspects. What this means is a return trip needs to be planned!

Next up – I depart for western North Dakota right after work on Friday. I’ll get there Saturday and begin my quest to get down and up the Maah Daah Hey trail in 5.3 days. Before that happens I need to switch out the tires on the Long Haul Trucker and remove the fenders. And, I need to get somewhere to replace my camera.

Ride On.

Exercising His Right

We are very fortunate, as U.S. citizens, to have certain rights. Included in those rights are the right to remain silent. I came across THIS absolute gem of a blog post.

It makes me want to travel out of the country more so I could do this, too.

On the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, please remember those who died. Please also remember as a U.S. citizen you have rights. Know them and never let "The Man" take them away from you. ALWAYS question authority especially when something seems like common sense is missing or fear mongering is being brought into play.

Ride On.

Cross Season Approaches

While in Wednesday’s meeting with Parks and Recreation to discuss singletrack, one of the dudes that works there asked me if I’ve received the application for use paperwork he emailed me. Why yes, yes I did.

He then asked me if there was going to be food or other vendors at the proposed events. I said no. He said he didn’t think there’d be any problem approving what I want to do.

What do I want to do? A series of three cyclo cross races this year! Soon it will be time to pick the dates and pick the parks such that I can get the paperwork in.

I’m beginning to think the bike culture here has grown from “infant” to “juvenile delinquent!” Who knew???

Ride On.

Progress, Slow, Party

A group of us met with our local Parks and Recreation department to start talking about the agreement document needed for us to build singletrack. We talked about many things, most of which we’ve touched on at some point along this journey.

Parks and Recreation is going to draft the document and send it to us for review. The neighborhood will also have an opportunity to review the document. In addition, the City Attorney must be involved, too. (sigh)

IF the planets align this can all be done in time for the October Parks and Recreation Board meeting. That organization has final approval say. Once they approve it – either in the October meeting or the November meeting – it goes to the City Council.

I’d really, really like to get this approved such that we could get at least the easy loop complete and open before the weather turns. I’m not optimistic. We have hurdles to hurdle and time is not on our side.

But, I’m going to light a candle rather than curse our darkness. One reason being our darkness isn’t really all that dark. On Saturday September 25th beginning at 7:30 PM we (FAST) is hosting a kick-off, approval celebration party. We’re meeting in the party room at Monk’s. Snakebite Productions is sponsoring the (first) keg.

We’d love to have you stop by and see our plans. We’ll have maps to view. The Officers will be on hand to answer questions or just talk trails, riding, and good beer. We’ll have trail building tools there as well. In addition, we’re having some exceptionally good tee shirts made which we’ll have for sale at a very good price.

If you’re in my neck of the woods, please join us for some free beer. We’ll be taking names and info for those willing to volunteer to help dig. We can’t have too many volunteers. I wish I had a “First Dig Date” to give you, but I don’t. We’ll keep working and plugging along.

Lastly, I’m getting excited for the North Dakota trip to ride the Maah Daah Hey trail. Weather permitting I’m departing the weekend after this coming. I’m going to see how much riding I can get done to make sure I’m back by the party on the 25th.

Ride On.

Yet Another Hurdle Hurdled

Yesterday Atom and I appeared before the ADA Review Board representing FAST. I gave a quick run-down on what we plan to do. I also told them what I’ve learned from IMBA and internets searching regarding singletrack and A.D.A.

The bottom line is we’ve won their approval as well. They made some recommendations regarding language on the trailhead kiosk. They’ve also requested an A.D.A. accessible parking spot and viewing area.

They were very receptive to our project and taking their recommendations into account should not be a problem. It was nice to hear positive comments regarding the singletrack project from yet another group of people.

Ride On.