Reflections And Changes (?)

As the one (1) or two (2) of you who read this drivel are keenly aware, the biggest accomplishment of 2011 was the Leaders Park singletrack project. Through many months of blood, sweat, and beers, a small army of volunteers equipped with only hand tools carved three point one (3.1) miles of singletrack trail. I'm proud of being part of the entire process.

Also in 2011 I did manage to get to Fruita, CO for thee annual fat tire festival. I attended the fat tire festival in Rapid City at the end of May as well. I was able to manage the Dakota Five-O mountain bike race which highlighted my inability to train though that race is always the definition of epic, regardless.

As I look forward into 2012 I’m mulling many things over. Perhaps the first (1st) I might mention is my thought I might kill this blog. Now I’m not phishing for requests, pleas, or suggestions to keep this alive – please don’t bother me with that. I am thinking about how to do things in such a way as to bring the most satisfaction to me.

Keeping this going is no burden, really. Maybe if it were gone it would force me, and you, to keep track of each other an old fashioned way – by conversing. I am NOT considering killing my email address. I’m not going to go “full caveman,” but perhaps more of an “old school” direction. Maybe. Nothing is decided yet.

2012 will bring much more traveling, doing, going, riding, adventuring, etc. I’m putting together a list of things to do in 2012 and will then sort it in categories such as “must,” “maybe/probably,” and “if there’s time.” Money is not infinite and neither is vacation time. Priorities will be prioritized.

I’m thinking about, and working on, some other changes for 2012. I’m not even to 2012 yet and it already looks like it is going to be quite a year. Would you care to know what’s going on with me in 2012? If this (blog) is dead, then contact me. You know, the personal touch. That is how I plan to keep up with what’s going on with you – personally. Think first-hand knowledge gained by email, phone calls, or even face-to-face conversation.

How’s that?

Ride On.

Coolness With Bike Wheels

Ride on.

The Perils Of Reading

A few weeks ago, while perusing the shelves of my local library, I happened upon a book I’ve been meaning to read. Endurance: The Greatest Adventure Story Ever Told is a book by Alfred Lansing. It is an account of Ernest Shackleton’s Antarctic mis-adventure.

I’ll not get into the plot of this book other than to say it is an actual account of twenty-eight (28) men who went to explore Antarctica, had their ship stuck in the ice, had their ship crushed by the ice, lived down there for more than one (1) year, and escaped alive. If this book is not the greatest adventure ever told, it sure is close.

On a date-not-too-far-from-the-first-date, I found a book in the library on the “new non fiction” bookshelf. I grabbed Turn Right at Machu Picchu by Mark Adams.

In this book the author retraces the steps of Hiram Bingham in his re-discovery of Machu Picchu. This was another book I could not put down.

“So, where’s the peril?” you might ask. Well, these are non fiction adventure books. While they entertained me greatly, they also stoked my desire for adventure. Imagine that.

Yesterday biker friend Buckshot was passing through town. He text me and asked if I was up for lunch. You bet! We rendezvoused at a local eatery. The conversation turned to upcoming bike stuff. Again, my desire for adventure was stoked. Crap!

Thankfully I’m heading out of town at the end of next month. In the mean time, I’m going to start a list of possible adventures for this coming year. I do like to have a game plan. Some of those plans might involve making reservations for this or that.

In my quest to avoid a boring life (as in avoid like the Plague), I endeavor to seek happiness through adventure. Adventure does not have to be “Epic” to qualify. It just has to be. With the singletrack trails now dug, I’m SO looking forward to 2012 and getting back to adventure – whatever it might be – big or small. After all, this satisfies another activity I love to do – accumulate gear!

Ride On.

Marry X-Moose

Ride on.

Best One Yet?

"NEWT GINGRICH" — a Bad Lip Reading Soundbite - watch more funny videos

Ride on.

Looks Like Portland

A post or two (2) ago, I eluded I’m considering taking a Wilderness First Responder training class. My first (1st) choice was to go earlier in January to Boulder, CO. I snoozed, I losed – it filled.

Looking at other options it appeared there were openings for the one (1) in Denver. Nope. Filled.

OK, let’s dig a bit deeper. Scouting the other January locations I noticed a session in Portland, OR. Nice! Point, click, point click. Six-hundred-ninety-five dollars ($695.00) later and the tuition was paid. I’m going to Portland.

The class begins on January 20th and runs through the 29th. I now need to make flight and hotel reservations. Also, I’ll need to consider getting a loaner bike. The fine folks at Clever Cycles should be able to help me out in that department.

It’s been a few years since I’ve been to Portland. I’m excited to be going back. I’m equally excited for the class. With all that being said, I’m not opposed to splitting some costs if someone else is interested in attending this class. You know how to find / reach me.

Ride On.

How About Some Vertigo?

This is sort of making its way around all the internets. But, in case you’ve missed it, here you go:

I saw this over on Bike Carson. I don’t know what you think, but I think this looks like a very cool, adrenaline infused, ride. It doesn't look very technical, just VERY unforgiving of mistakes.

Ride On.

Plus Fifty (+50)

Sunday the temperatures topped out at fifty-three (53) degrees. I spent some time in Leaders Park on the singletrack trails. I was not the only one (1).

I saw many familiar faces riding trail. I saw several hikers I did not know. I met a dude from Yankton that declared the trail “fucking awesome!”

If you did not get a chance to be outside playing yesterday, well, it sucks to be you. You missed it.

In other noise, my Moonlander has landed in town. It’s currently at the bike shop getting final assembly. The rear rack (nice rack!) is coming in on Tuesday. Also, the front wheel was dinged up during shipping. My local bike shop is getting that remedied as well. Pictures and shake-down cruise report coming.

Ride On.

Hilarious

I didn't make this one. It is too funny not to post.

Ride on.

Dark Times

I usually swing a leg over the bike and depart for work just before 7:00 AM. I get off work at 5:00 PM. At 5:00 PM I then change into biking garb and head for the shed.

When I leave for work the sun’s not up. When I head home it’s just set. I spend all the work day indoors and my riding time is before or after sundown. Dark times indeed.

I don’t mind so much in the morning. Traffic is light. However, in the evening, cage holes are heading home at the same time I am. I am sporting bright blinkers fore and aft now. But, I think I’ll add a highly reflective highway construction worker type vest.

Ride On.

Combating Boredom

When winter arrives I find myself slowly creeping into a state of cabin fever. I like to stay active and / or engaged and don’t do well when I’m not.

A couple of winters ago I became bored. This was the winter I decided to push the local singletrack project. So, it’s not like I’m sitting around doing nothing. But, there are only so many books I can read in a row and T.V. sucks. I find myself needing something to plan for and do.

Some of my travels and adventures take me, and others, to fairly remote locations doing somewhat dangerous activities. I sometimes find myself deep into areas which have zero (0) cell phone service. What if someone, or I, were to become seriously injured?

I’ve decided to take a Wilderness First Responder class. From the website:

Essential for anyone who spends significant time in remote places or who has a professional career in the outdoors, the Wilderness First Responder (WFR) course will prepare you to make difficult medical decisions. This course is fast-paced and engaging. You'll spend half your time outside of the classroom doing hands-on skills and realistic scenarios. In addition to scenarios, you'll participate in a full-scale night mock rescue. WMI's curriculum encompasses a wide range of topics including long-term patient care, wound management, straightening angulated fractures, reducing dislocations, litter packaging and administering medications. You'll complete this course with the tools and confidence to manage patients in the backcountry for multiple days. The intensive 80-hour curriculum is nationally recognized and supported by the Wilderness Medicine Institute's Medical Advisory Panel. You'll be taught by dynamic educators who have practiced both wilderness and urban medicine. This 10-day course is ideal for all professionals operating in remote environments. Heartsaver Adult CPR certification is included.

It looks like this is a ten (10) day long event. I’m looking to go sometime in January. I’m trying to work out my schedule now. This class is offered in Spearfish in March. However, that’s when work starts to get hectic and we’re short-handed as it is. I’m looking at the January offerings. This will serve well to get me through the winter and not be gone from work at inopportune times.

Ride On.

Weekend Recap

Saturday morning six (6) hearty rollers showed for the Coffee and Donut ride. After a brief discussion regarding keeping parts of your person warm during winter riding, we headed out.

Our first (1st) stop was at the new damn dam at the confluence of Skunk Creek and the Big Sioux River. The consensus of the Sioux Falls biking community is the non water control gates – the gates keeping rollers and / or pedestrians from using the damn dam to traverse the river – should be opened to let this be used to cross.

During construction of the damn dam, there was a temporary bridge in place near the damn dam. This would make a wonderful connector to allow non-motorized traffic from the east side of I-29 to the west side of I-29 and vice-versa.

What we’re hearing from certain City employee types is, essentially, the general public should consider themselves damn lucky to get within spitting distance of the adjacent country clubs. The gist, the country clubbers will never agree to allow such a useful bridge placement to occur. I’m trying hard to not let myself regress into a profanity laced rant railing against the country clubbers and the City type enablers.

Anyway, don’t be surprised if a concerned group of residents mount a campaign to get a bridge approved, designed, installed, and put into use. Like-minded individuals maybe should think about sliding me their contact information for once the meetings and strategizing begins. Word.

But, I digress…..

After we’d checked out the damn dam, the ride continued in search of new bike friendly infrastructure of sorts. I showed the group the new dedicated bike lane on West Avenue. This summer crews reconstructed that road in the vicinity of the convention center. Bike lanes were part of this.

Leaving West Avenue we rolled east on the sharrowed 10th Street. Again, summer reconstruction made this a much smoother surface and sharrows were painted.

The ride ended up at Queen City Bakery. We warmed ourselves, inside and out, and then used the bike trail to get back to O’Gorman High School. Good times.

Ride On.

Americana

Click for bigger.

Ride on.

Real And Spoofs

Actual

Spoof #1

Spoof #2

Yes, that first one was an actual political ad. Does anyone else think it sure would be nice of there were some VIABLE candidates – for anything???

Ride On.

If You're From Here.....

Rollers,

This Saturday is the second Saturday of the month and this can only mean one thing – Thee Coffee & Donut Ryde!!!

Meet at O’Gorman High School ready to roll out at 8 AM. Bring some money to cover your caffeine and pastry fix. Dress warm. Wear a helmet. Any bike will do. This is a social, ride as fast as the slowest rider, ride. We’re pretty much “on pavement” for most all of this ride. Yes, we did get off in the woods once, but, I’m pretty sure that was an isolated incident.

We’ll meander about town for about an hour, stop for goodies, and have you back at the start location about 10 AM. You’ll still have the better part of the day to do whatever unless you freeze your person and need to get in an endurance contest with your hot water heater in the shower. It happens.

For those not in the know, we run this sucker every second and forth Saturday of the month. And when I say every, I mean we don’t let up just because it’s getting cold out. This is a year ‘rounder ride.

This is a great opportunity to get some fresh air, yak with other rollers, AND get buzzed up on caffeine. I wouldn’t want anyone to miss out so please pass this along to all your friends, neighbors, and co-workers.

Hope to see you Saturday!

~Snakebite~

Ride on.

Bare Naked Bears

Just the bear facts.

One (1) reason why I'm a bit nervous when I contemplate a Canadian Rocky unsupported bike adventure.

Ride on.

Fridays Gone By

The Friday after Thanksgiving I went for a gravel grinder of sorts. I hopped on the Karate Monkey for a little exploration on the roads near the parental unit’s place. I ran into signs suggesting less than conditions and roads that ended submerged.











In addition to riding my bike I spent a little time frolicking with my brother’s new pooch. My brother and his family (wife, twins, and younger dude) named the new canine, “Dixie.” I bet you’re thinking what I was thinking – LAME. After much deliberation I came to the conclusion the dog needed to be renamed “Sausage.”



My thoughts are Sausage will grow into her enormous paws and long tail. This should be a pretty good-sized dog (think not cat or ankle biter sized). The mother (my parents dog) is a Golden Retriever and the father is a Yellow Lab. This pup seems to have the best attributes from both breeds.

This past Friday night I suggested an evening bike ride culminating at Monk’s House of Ale Repute. Double G Gregg thought the same and joined me. We headed south on the bike trail exiting at Madison St. We took Madison east toward downtown ending at Monk’s.

It was a great evening for a ride. Not too cold, no snow, and no signs of ice. Too bad if you’re a local type and didn’t show. You snooze, you lose.

Ride On.

Additional Gear

On the advice of Doug and Vito, I’ve purchased a set of pogies



that will go on the Moonlander's handlebars. They’ve suggested these should do wonders to keep the digits warm during the colder commuting months. I’m going to give these a go and not purchase the really expensive mittens just yet.

I’ve also ordered a set of Sorrel Intrepid Explorer boots.



The Sorrel website says these are good to minus 100 (-100) degrees. Even if they’re good for half (-50) that, these should go a long way toward keeping the toes warm.

I also have obtained a warmer head covering.



This coupled with a face mask and ski goggles should keep the head / face area warm. I haven’t bought yet, but plan to buy, a different type helmet.

I’ll give all this new crap a go and see if it does what I hope it will. I know we’ll have some really cold weather this winter for a respectable test. I think I’ve got most everything else I need covered. We’ll see. I can always add this and / or that if I need to.

Ride On.