It's snowing in St. Cloud.
11/30/07
11/29/07
snOH YEAH BABY!
Tonight Slight Chc Snow Lo 1°F
Friday Sunny Hi 21°F
Friday Night Increasing Clouds Lo 5°F
Saturday Snow Hi 20°F
Saturday Night Snow Lo 15°F
Sunday Slight Chc Snow Hi 18°F
This weekend, the Southwest storm will take aim on the Midwest. A stripe of 6-inch-or-greater snow could fall from east-central South Dakota to Upper Michigan, including Minneapolis and Green Bay, Saturday into Sunday.
Friday Sunny Hi 21°F
Friday Night Increasing Clouds Lo 5°F
Saturday Snow Hi 20°F
Saturday Night Snow Lo 15°F
Sunday Slight Chc Snow Hi 18°F
This weekend, the Southwest storm will take aim on the Midwest. A stripe of 6-inch-or-greater snow could fall from east-central South Dakota to Upper Michigan, including Minneapolis and Green Bay, Saturday into Sunday.
11/28/07
11/27/07
4 for 4, in a bad way
That picture to the right is me riding my Cyclo-cross (CX) bike at the Pork Chop CX race in September. I bought the bike, a Salsa Las Cruces, this fall to do a couple CX races and use it for winter riding. Basically it is a beefed up road bike with larger knobby tires but is not a mountain bike, I need to remember this.
I have ridden the bike 4 times now (longer than 10 minutes) and have crashed 4 times.
Ride #1 - Pork Chop CX, Crash #1 - notice my left knee in the picture. I crashed hard trying, and failing, to unclip from my pedal going into a barrier.
Ride #2 - Milaca CX, no crashes, good ride.
Ride #3 - Monticello MTB trail, Crashes #2 & #3, with my MTB in the shop awaiting a new frame I took the CX bike, both crashes I stopped dead and flew over the bars once by a log I thought I could roll over (like I could do on a MTB) and once a stick got caught in my spokes and threw me.
Ride #4 - Not wanting to miss the weekly night ride at the north loop I thought I would ride the CX bike, again over the bars on a steep switch-back down hill. I got a 10 from the crowd on my dismount. A little skin off the right knee this time but a still not deturred and I will try again.
Mike offered me his Scalpel to use until mine is fixed, I may have to take him up on that before I hurt myself.
It is fun though!
I have ridden the bike 4 times now (longer than 10 minutes) and have crashed 4 times.
Ride #1 - Pork Chop CX, Crash #1 - notice my left knee in the picture. I crashed hard trying, and failing, to unclip from my pedal going into a barrier.
Ride #2 - Milaca CX, no crashes, good ride.
Ride #3 - Monticello MTB trail, Crashes #2 & #3, with my MTB in the shop awaiting a new frame I took the CX bike, both crashes I stopped dead and flew over the bars once by a log I thought I could roll over (like I could do on a MTB) and once a stick got caught in my spokes and threw me.
Ride #4 - Not wanting to miss the weekly night ride at the north loop I thought I would ride the CX bike, again over the bars on a steep switch-back down hill. I got a 10 from the crowd on my dismount. A little skin off the right knee this time but a still not deturred and I will try again.
Mike offered me his Scalpel to use until mine is fixed, I may have to take him up on that before I hurt myself.
It is fun though!
11/26/07
A sharper Scalpel
I got the news from Ben at the shop this morning that Cannondale is going to replace my cracked mountain bike frame with a new 2008 version. He told me Cannondale has a great warranty and they really came through.
11/25/07
Mighty Mouse Update
Last weekend I did kind of figure out my mouse mystery. There is a cut out in the back and bottom of the cabinet to allow room for a vent pipe coming up from the basement. I took the toe-kick off at bottom of the cabinet and found the trap with a little bit of mouse flesh stuck in it and the mouse dead a few inches away. I am still not sure if the mouse drug the trap across the cabinet down the hole and then managed to work himself free just before he died. Or did he have an accomplice? I may never know.
Leftover Turkey?
Turkey day was good we had a small gathering and an unpoprtionally small turkey. There was plenty to eat but not much for leftovers, a couple sandwiches and it pretty much gone.
Friday was pretty mellow Tami did here traditional shopping and I hung out with the kids and played checkers, twister, toilet tag and jump rope. In the evening I was cleaning up my mountain bike and I found a crack in the chainstay right behind the bottom bracket. I was so bummed, I have been doing alot of mountain biking lately and planned to go saturday morning.
Saturday morning the Amo's and I went to Monticello for a lap. Since my Scalpel was wounded I had brought my cyclo-cross bike, which was a challange on the technical sections but was really fast on the open stuff. Jim, Stone, Sam and others were out working on the new sections, which are going to great. We came across a deer that had tried to cross the lake on the ice and had fallen through. It was in the middle of the lake struggling to get back up on the ice but kept slipping or breaking through. After watching for a few minutes we moved on as there was nothing we could do for it.
Now it is Sunday, man time flies. I am doing this while playing Candyland with Grace. She just won and I am not even half way! I think she cheated. I'll have to kick her but in toilet tag later!
Friday was pretty mellow Tami did here traditional shopping and I hung out with the kids and played checkers, twister, toilet tag and jump rope. In the evening I was cleaning up my mountain bike and I found a crack in the chainstay right behind the bottom bracket. I was so bummed, I have been doing alot of mountain biking lately and planned to go saturday morning.
Saturday morning the Amo's and I went to Monticello for a lap. Since my Scalpel was wounded I had brought my cyclo-cross bike, which was a challange on the technical sections but was really fast on the open stuff. Jim, Stone, Sam and others were out working on the new sections, which are going to great. We came across a deer that had tried to cross the lake on the ice and had fallen through. It was in the middle of the lake struggling to get back up on the ice but kept slipping or breaking through. After watching for a few minutes we moved on as there was nothing we could do for it.
Now it is Sunday, man time flies. I am doing this while playing Candyland with Grace. She just won and I am not even half way! I think she cheated. I'll have to kick her but in toilet tag later!
11/22/07
Thanksgiving already
This week went fast!
Sunday night was the first games in our hockey league, that's right games, I am on two teams in the same league so most Sundays I will play two games (except when both teams play each other).
Monday was nights MTB ride had a little twist we rode Riverside and Talahi then crossed the brdge and rode down the Beaver Islands and Plum Creek trail. I managed to slide out on one of the corners and go down and catch a stick in my right eye lid.
Tuesday night... I can't remember.
Wednesday afternoon I went to the shop and sized skis and boots. Rossi Delta's and X-9 boots, should do the trick, not sure about poles yet I may just carry my hockey sick around on the trails.
This morning I went on a MTB ride with Jim, Matt, Tom, Ben, Kern, Schlik, Ted and Paul. A good sized group for 8 am on Thanksgiving morning. Now to make a turkey and have a few Golden Draft Lattés, as Matt would say.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Sunday night was the first games in our hockey league, that's right games, I am on two teams in the same league so most Sundays I will play two games (except when both teams play each other).
Monday was nights MTB ride had a little twist we rode Riverside and Talahi then crossed the brdge and rode down the Beaver Islands and Plum Creek trail. I managed to slide out on one of the corners and go down and catch a stick in my right eye lid.
Tuesday night... I can't remember.
Wednesday afternoon I went to the shop and sized skis and boots. Rossi Delta's and X-9 boots, should do the trick, not sure about poles yet I may just carry my hockey sick around on the trails.
This morning I went on a MTB ride with Jim, Matt, Tom, Ben, Kern, Schlik, Ted and Paul. A good sized group for 8 am on Thanksgiving morning. Now to make a turkey and have a few Golden Draft Lattés, as Matt would say.
Happy Thanksgiving!
11/18/07
2 Monti's
Yesterday the Amo's, Amanda and I went down to Monticello and rode a lap on the trail there. I really like that trail. We tried a section of the new alternate route but got lost so decided to stick with the loop we knew. We rode almost 2 hours and were surprised to see about 6 or 8 other cars parked at the trail head when we returned.
I tried to watch the Vikings game today but during the second quarter I got bored and started flipping through the HD channels and found Monty Pithon's meaning of life on, so I watched that. Good Stuff! It was over in time for me to flip back to see the Vikes try to lose but fail. They did win.
Now I am finally going to put my System Six up on e-bay. I have been trying to do it for a week now but just couldn't get to it. I need to sell it to buy skis. If anyone out there is interested let me know, for $2,500 it is yours. Full Dura Ace, 60 cm.
I tried to watch the Vikings game today but during the second quarter I got bored and started flipping through the HD channels and found Monty Pithon's meaning of life on, so I watched that. Good Stuff! It was over in time for me to flip back to see the Vikes try to lose but fail. They did win.
Now I am finally going to put my System Six up on e-bay. I have been trying to do it for a week now but just couldn't get to it. I need to sell it to buy skis. If anyone out there is interested let me know, for $2,500 it is yours. Full Dura Ace, 60 cm.
11/17/07
Mighty Mouse
Tami found some mouse droppings in one of our cabnets thursday. She left me a note to set a mouse trap, so I did. When I came home for lunch on Friday I went to check the trap and it was gone, no mouse, no trap! I figured Tami found the trap with a caught mouse and threw it away, although highly unlikely, it was the only explanation.
When I came home from work on Friday she was a little upset with me and asked why I didn't set a trap like she asked! After expaining that I did we realized we were dealing with no ordinary mouse. I wonder if there is a mouse running around somewhere with a trap latched onto it's tail. So the search begins for the mouse that steals traps.
When I came home from work on Friday she was a little upset with me and asked why I didn't set a trap like she asked! After expaining that I did we realized we were dealing with no ordinary mouse. I wonder if there is a mouse running around somewhere with a trap latched onto it's tail. So the search begins for the mouse that steals traps.
11/14/07
Dogs and bike races don't mix!
If you have a dog and want to take him to a bike race and you don't have a leash, call me I will send you one, and I don't even have a dog.
K-9 Tour de France Fan
Which got the worst of this?
A) the dog
B) the rider
C) the bike (it hurts just watching that front wheel taco)
D) the dogs owner
K-9 Tour de France Fan
Which got the worst of this?
A) the dog
B) the rider
C) the bike (it hurts just watching that front wheel taco)
D) the dogs owner
At least your not this guy!
I always wondered what I would do if I won a Bike race and had a little time to celebrate. It would probably go something like this...Winning Celebration?
11/13/07
Monday Night ride
I rode the monday night ride at the north loop last night. still getting a good turnout with 8 guys showing up. Kern, Ben, Josh, Darren, Brian M, Bryan P, Mr. Anderson and Myself. We all did 1 lap then all left except for Kern, Brian M and myself. We did it again.
It gets pretty late before I get to bed after the monday rides by the time I ride home, eat a little, take a hot shower (it was alittle cold last night on the ride home at 10:30) and settle in so I am a little tired and crabby today.
Tonight Madelyn has her last riding lesson until after Christmas so I am taking her to that so Tami can go to a school meeting. I think I got the better of that deal.
Well I just finished lunch a need to get back to work now.
It gets pretty late before I get to bed after the monday rides by the time I ride home, eat a little, take a hot shower (it was alittle cold last night on the ride home at 10:30) and settle in so I am a little tired and crabby today.
Tonight Madelyn has her last riding lesson until after Christmas so I am taking her to that so Tami can go to a school meeting. I think I got the better of that deal.
Well I just finished lunch a need to get back to work now.
11/11/07
Spirit (Rum) River CX
I did my fourth Cyclocross race ever today in Milaca. Great event and great weather. Although it was the fourth time I raced the barriers it was the first time outside of Riverside park in St Cloud. I wasn't expecting to do very well as the last four weeks I haven't been riding much, been eating way to much and been drinking too much Beer.
I may be on to something. I finished 8th out of 48 in the C race. Yeah that's far from stellar but my best result this year in a race with more than 10 riders in my class. Next Saturday is the State CX race and I hadn't planned on going but I am having second thoughts now.
After the race I did a lap on the mountain bike trails with Bryan from work. The trails are in great shape and the weather was perfect, hard to believe it is November.
I may be on to something. I finished 8th out of 48 in the C race. Yeah that's far from stellar but my best result this year in a race with more than 10 riders in my class. Next Saturday is the State CX race and I hadn't planned on going but I am having second thoughts now.
After the race I did a lap on the mountain bike trails with Bryan from work. The trails are in great shape and the weather was perfect, hard to believe it is November.
11/9/07
Under the lights
Jim and I went out for a night ride last night. It is kind of weird having to turn on the lights by 5:30 already, but it's that time of year. We did a lap at the North Loop and met up with Kern and Ted and did another. Ted forgot his light so that must have been a challange but he did fine without it. Tami had Pilates at 7 so I had to head home before the rest.
After I got home and ate I started looking at the owners manual for our new Garage door opener we had installed this week. I didn't know they had so many options on them. Of coarse it comes with the two wireless controlers but other features include: Wireless entry keypad, lazer parking control (Tami's favorite), a motion sensor that turns on the light, keychain controler, a remote display that tells you if the door is open or closed and an outlet switch that is activated by the keychain controler to turn on lights or TV or whatever before you get in your house. WOW! So Saturday I will be setting that up.
After I got home and ate I started looking at the owners manual for our new Garage door opener we had installed this week. I didn't know they had so many options on them. Of coarse it comes with the two wireless controlers but other features include: Wireless entry keypad, lazer parking control (Tami's favorite), a motion sensor that turns on the light, keychain controler, a remote display that tells you if the door is open or closed and an outlet switch that is activated by the keychain controler to turn on lights or TV or whatever before you get in your house. WOW! So Saturday I will be setting that up.
11/7/07
Old Snow
I love snowmobiling. Yes I still do. Over the last few years it has gotten harder to get get into the spirit of of new snow season coming, with not having snow and all. This past January we sold two of our snowmobiles (the kids still have their little XC 120) and at the time I was sure the minute they were gone it was going to snow a ton, but it didn't. Minnesota!
I didn't ride my snowmobile alot the last couple years. In fact in 2006 I put more than 3 times the miles on my bikes than my snowmobile (3,800 vs. 1,200). I did enjoy the time I spent snowmobiling. Much like cycling it is all about getting outside, going and seeing different places and hangin with freinds.
From northern Wisconsin (boy can they drink up there), Michigan's UP (Miles, 800+ in one long weekend), Wyoming (Alpine and the Big Horns only begin to describe the terrain), Idaho (Island Park is even more breathtaking than it sounds), Northern Minnesota (Bemidji, Ely, Cross Lake, Emily, Outing, Remer (insert joke if you like), Elbow Lake, Tofte, Brainerd, Walker, Emmaville, Itasca S.P., Park Rapids, Detroit Lakes, I falls, Black Duck, Crane Lake, Grand Rapids, Gilman (Ricky's New Pro X 2... Where did it go?), Duelm, I could go on...) and Montana.
I have been snowmobiling in West Yellowstone Montana for 13 years, every year for the first seven or eight years then evey other or so after that. There simply is no better place to Snowmobile. Yellowstone National Park with it's many Geysers, it's own Grand Canyon and wild life everywhere is enough in itself. There is also Lion's head, with hills galore to climb. South Plateau area has open meadows one after another. Black Canyon challanges riders to escape anywhere but the south end. Cabin Creek area has the best off trail riding, period. Again I could go on about Lake Hebgen, Red Canyon Creek (a new experiance last trip), Sawtell Peak, Big Springs, Two Top, Ponds and Mesa Falls. Each unique and spectacular.
I still plan to go back in the not to distant future, maybe someday take the kids, and the skis.
Doug Meyer trouble-shooting a Rotochopper from near the top of Sawtell Peak.
I didn't ride my snowmobile alot the last couple years. In fact in 2006 I put more than 3 times the miles on my bikes than my snowmobile (3,800 vs. 1,200). I did enjoy the time I spent snowmobiling. Much like cycling it is all about getting outside, going and seeing different places and hangin with freinds.
From northern Wisconsin (boy can they drink up there), Michigan's UP (Miles, 800+ in one long weekend), Wyoming (Alpine and the Big Horns only begin to describe the terrain), Idaho (Island Park is even more breathtaking than it sounds), Northern Minnesota (Bemidji, Ely, Cross Lake, Emily, Outing, Remer (insert joke if you like), Elbow Lake, Tofte, Brainerd, Walker, Emmaville, Itasca S.P., Park Rapids, Detroit Lakes, I falls, Black Duck, Crane Lake, Grand Rapids, Gilman (Ricky's New Pro X 2... Where did it go?), Duelm, I could go on...) and Montana.
I have been snowmobiling in West Yellowstone Montana for 13 years, every year for the first seven or eight years then evey other or so after that. There simply is no better place to Snowmobile. Yellowstone National Park with it's many Geysers, it's own Grand Canyon and wild life everywhere is enough in itself. There is also Lion's head, with hills galore to climb. South Plateau area has open meadows one after another. Black Canyon challanges riders to escape anywhere but the south end. Cabin Creek area has the best off trail riding, period. Again I could go on about Lake Hebgen, Red Canyon Creek (a new experiance last trip), Sawtell Peak, Big Springs, Two Top, Ponds and Mesa Falls. Each unique and spectacular.
I still plan to go back in the not to distant future, maybe someday take the kids, and the skis.
Doug Meyer trouble-shooting a Rotochopper from near the top of Sawtell Peak.
Morning in the Red Canyon Creek area, February 2007.
Atop Skyline ridge, Cabin Creek area.
11/6/07
It is getting cold!
I rode on the mountain bike group night ride last night. At first it seemed ok but after one half a lap at the North Loop I was getting a little warm and had to stop and shed a layer, too late I was already sweating. It is just as important to be sure you are not over dressed as is it to be dressed warm enough. I was warm enough when working but got cold fast when I stopped. The average temp on my monitor was 34 degrees and the wind was houling.
Even with the cool weather there was still about 10 riders out having a blast in the woods. Kern, Brian M, two guys from out east in town for a couple days, a guy on a Cannondale Rush (can't remember his name), Mike, Ben, Darrin, Josh, Mr Anderson and myself.
Next week same time, same place.
Even with the cool weather there was still about 10 riders out having a blast in the woods. Kern, Brian M, two guys from out east in town for a couple days, a guy on a Cannondale Rush (can't remember his name), Mike, Ben, Darrin, Josh, Mr Anderson and myself.
Next week same time, same place.
11/5/07
The Cat is out!
That's right many of you know already but I am doing the Birkie this year. It kind of takes the question out of my Blog title but since Doc already announced that I am skiing it I figured I had better come clean.
There is a story behind it that I will share shortly that links Doc to my Birkie decision.
There is a story behind it that I will share shortly that links Doc to my Birkie decision.
I did nothing this weekend, and it wore me out.
It always seem like I don't get anything done on the weekends, this weekend was the same. I even made myself a list of what I wanted to get done and only managed to cross of one thing.
Friday evening Tami took me out for a couple drinks (Yes she Paid!) and then we went over to our freinds house for dinner and Wine.
Saturday Grace had Cheerleading in the morning and then after a couple games of Uno I went out to the North Loop for a couple hours. I really wanted to take it easy but when I started in on the single track I just couldn't help my self but to go hard. Back home for lunch and food inventory to put a shopping list together. Since Tami wasn't feeling to hot yet from the previous evenings activities I volenteered to get the groceries we needed. I stopped at Revolution for a while and scoped out the new Cannondale Super Six road bike, SWEET, then got groceries. We had some other friends and their kids over for dinner.
Sunday was eggs and toast for all of the Barbies in the kingdom, Church, Lunch, Putting away the lawn furnature (X that off the list), another 1 1/2 hours at the North Loop with Jim (I knew that wouldn't be slow), a little TV, Dinner, Baths and bed for the kids and a little relaxing with Tami (very little as I think I was sleeping by 8:45).
Just reading this wore me out (and probably bored you to death, so I'll stop now).
Friday evening Tami took me out for a couple drinks (Yes she Paid!) and then we went over to our freinds house for dinner and Wine.
Saturday Grace had Cheerleading in the morning and then after a couple games of Uno I went out to the North Loop for a couple hours. I really wanted to take it easy but when I started in on the single track I just couldn't help my self but to go hard. Back home for lunch and food inventory to put a shopping list together. Since Tami wasn't feeling to hot yet from the previous evenings activities I volenteered to get the groceries we needed. I stopped at Revolution for a while and scoped out the new Cannondale Super Six road bike, SWEET, then got groceries. We had some other friends and their kids over for dinner.
Sunday was eggs and toast for all of the Barbies in the kingdom, Church, Lunch, Putting away the lawn furnature (X that off the list), another 1 1/2 hours at the North Loop with Jim (I knew that wouldn't be slow), a little TV, Dinner, Baths and bed for the kids and a little relaxing with Tami (very little as I think I was sleeping by 8:45).
Just reading this wore me out (and probably bored you to death, so I'll stop now).
11/4/07
11/2/07
Daylight savings time?
With daylight savings time pushed back a week I thought I should get out for a road ride last night and take advantage of it. Not much there to take advantage of! I only was able to get an hour in after work before it got dark.
What is the reason for moving it a week later in the fall?
The kids went to bed an hour later after trick-or-treating (going out before dark just isn't the same).
My Pocket PC is running on the Eastern time zone because all of my appointment would be off an hour. Yeah I could fix it but I am too lazy and it only a week and I can switch it back.
We now have almost 8 months of "Daylight savings time" and 4 months of not. Does that make any sense?
Anyhow remember to turn your clocks back this weekend, unless you are in Arizona or Hawaii.
What is the reason for moving it a week later in the fall?
The kids went to bed an hour later after trick-or-treating (going out before dark just isn't the same).
My Pocket PC is running on the Eastern time zone because all of my appointment would be off an hour. Yeah I could fix it but I am too lazy and it only a week and I can switch it back.
We now have almost 8 months of "Daylight savings time" and 4 months of not. Does that make any sense?
Anyhow remember to turn your clocks back this weekend, unless you are in Arizona or Hawaii.
11/1/07
One Year ago Today...
Revolution Cycle and Ski opened one year ago today. It is hard to believe it has been a year already. It is more than just a bike shop, it's a great place to just visit. I have spent quite a bit of time in there over the last year and will this fall and winter trying to get up to speed on this Ski thing.
Congrat's Mike, Ben and Harry on the first year and good luck on many more to come.
http://revolutioncycleandski.com/
Congrat's Mike, Ben and Harry on the first year and good luck on many more to come.
http://revolutioncycleandski.com/
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