Another weekend, another house guest. It has been commented that some hotels don't have as many guests as we do. I don't know how accurate that is, but we do have quite a few people stay over. One of Carrie's college friends came to stay with us for a couple days this weekend. It is one of the great things about having a house with space. It does, however, mean a little more work and inevitably time away from things that should get done. We now have a couple weeks respite from guests before my sister comes at the first of July.
I am starting preparations for my Winona trip. I have to create a route and do a little coordination with people. I also would like to have a different bike ready. Currently, there are half the parts in a box, and some that I don't even have. I feel like I am at just the right place as far as being ready is concerned. I would hate to be set too far in advance.
We had a nice slow ride yesterday. The weather was about as nice as can be. Unfortunately, there were only two of us that rode from the shop. We headed to the Grand Ole Creamery for some pre-dinner dessert. Then over to Sweeney's to give them their yearly shot at being an acceptable bar (their patio is sooo nice!). I was pleasantly surprised with them. Then a lovely ride home. Fabulous Sunday!!
Monday, June 16, 2008
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Workin Weekend
I worked mechanical support for the MS 150 this past weekend. I have a little different take on it as my wife has been going with me for a few years to help out on both the 150 and TRAM. It always reminds me of how fortunate I am that we can, and like, to work together. She is not into bikes like I am, but she gets in there and does what she can, which is quite a lot.
We had the usual flat tyres, broken spokes, squeaks and noises that are always present. I did have one repair that was interesting. A rider had snapped his derailleur hanger off right across the dropout. The chain was twisted, I'm pretty sure the derailleur cage was bent, but surprisingly, his wheel was in good shape. I ended up using a Look cleat washer under his quick release nut, and using it to clamp the two pieces of hanger together. Put everything back together and gently test rode it. It was fine when cranking on the pedals, and it even shifted a couple gears. The only thing I did wrong was not getting his contact info, so I don't know if it held for the remaining 24 miles he had to ride. I ordered up an emergency hanger this week.
I also had my parents in town for a few days. It was really nice for them to come out, as they don't get out this way much. We had some nice dinners, did some shopping they don't have access to, and just hung out. A nice way to finish off the long weekend.
A big downer was the news of my stepfather's detection of Lymphoma. It seems to be early stage, but it still is scary. There is definitely a difference in the air, and people's moods are a little different now. A hard thing to have to deal with. Always reminds you to make sure you live your life on your terms while you can.
We had the usual flat tyres, broken spokes, squeaks and noises that are always present. I did have one repair that was interesting. A rider had snapped his derailleur hanger off right across the dropout. The chain was twisted, I'm pretty sure the derailleur cage was bent, but surprisingly, his wheel was in good shape. I ended up using a Look cleat washer under his quick release nut, and using it to clamp the two pieces of hanger together. Put everything back together and gently test rode it. It was fine when cranking on the pedals, and it even shifted a couple gears. The only thing I did wrong was not getting his contact info, so I don't know if it held for the remaining 24 miles he had to ride. I ordered up an emergency hanger this week.
I also had my parents in town for a few days. It was really nice for them to come out, as they don't get out this way much. We had some nice dinners, did some shopping they don't have access to, and just hung out. A nice way to finish off the long weekend.
A big downer was the news of my stepfather's detection of Lymphoma. It seems to be early stage, but it still is scary. There is definitely a difference in the air, and people's moods are a little different now. A hard thing to have to deal with. Always reminds you to make sure you live your life on your terms while you can.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Catch up to June
Been busy trying to cram a bunch of stuff into a short time. I always have a number of bike projects going on with my own fleet, one of them being to be able to ride all the bikes I own at least once to work during the month of July. That's coming up fast. I also have taken on a couple of projects for some family and friends. I love doing this, but I always have the deadline looming in my head. People say they are not in a hurry and I hope they mean it for these bikes because they are taking way longer than I think they should. One of them is for my mom. She lives in a very small town, and she doesn't have a bike (I don't know how she has gone this long). I am painting it John Deere green and with a brush for the first time. If it turns out good, I might throw up a pic.
I haven't been doing a lot of extra riding and it sure showed on Sat. My good friend Ken and I headed out EARLY Sat. morning. It was absolutely gorgeous. Saw the sun come up. Picked up some cheese. Had a great time. I just seem to hit a slump around 75 miles and it usually lasts until mile 100. That's a long time to be miserable. I try to be as pleasant as possible when I am with someone and try not to slow them down too much. It's good to ride with stronger riders than yourself. Hopefully it gives you something to aim for.
So now with a back-to-back century ride looming at the end of the month, I am needing to keep my weekly mileage up to make it as easy as possible. I am looking forward to it as it is part of a change of my normal riding season. I am trying to do more social riding (that is, ride with people) than I have in years past. I got away from this and I think has kept me from riding as much as I used to. I still like riding on my own. This year I have been reminded that finding people to ride with, can be extremely rewarding.
I haven't been doing a lot of extra riding and it sure showed on Sat. My good friend Ken and I headed out EARLY Sat. morning. It was absolutely gorgeous. Saw the sun come up. Picked up some cheese. Had a great time. I just seem to hit a slump around 75 miles and it usually lasts until mile 100. That's a long time to be miserable. I try to be as pleasant as possible when I am with someone and try not to slow them down too much. It's good to ride with stronger riders than yourself. Hopefully it gives you something to aim for.
So now with a back-to-back century ride looming at the end of the month, I am needing to keep my weekly mileage up to make it as easy as possible. I am looking forward to it as it is part of a change of my normal riding season. I am trying to do more social riding (that is, ride with people) than I have in years past. I got away from this and I think has kept me from riding as much as I used to. I still like riding on my own. This year I have been reminded that finding people to ride with, can be extremely rewarding.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Mtn Biking Again
After what felt like a long week of having my brother-in-law stay with us for a few days. And then my cousin for a night, I enjoyed a couple of very nice days.
Saturday morning Carrie and I had a nice breakfast at Keys Cafe. We talked about how the day was to play out and my eating habits. Off to Linders for some plants for the backyard. That place really is something. I am not a gardener at all. I am the grunt of the household when it comes to that. Tell me exactly what to do, and that is all I have the talent for. We then swung around and stopped at Sibley Bike Depot. It is amazing that they have a replica of my basement on a larger scale. It is a wonderful place and I am trying to arrange my schedule so I can volunteer there on a regular basis. We then spent most of the afternoon preparing some of our yard for the plants we purchased.
Saturday evening we went to a graduation party for one of our broomball players. It was quite enjoyable as I met a couple of people who partake in events of similar interest as myself. I am usually not much of a socializer in the party environment, but I felt good about my interaction with people.
Sunday Ken and I went down to Lebenon Hills for some early morning riding. It felt really good to be back riding off road. I didn't have time to put my 1X1 together so I ended up riding my old Bridgestone XO-2 that I converted into a mountainish type ride. As I haven't been mtn biking for a while, I was thinking early on about the notion that if you don't crash, you're not riding hard enough. Sometimes I shouldn't listen to myself. I caught my shoulder on a tree during a descent and tore a little off my shoulder. I have a good knot on my knee also. This is what I miss about mtn biking?
We had dinner with some of my family Sunday night and tried out Dave's hookah that I gave him for Christmas. It was exquisite. It took us a while to make sure everything worked properly, but once going, is very smooth and tasty. We built a fire and sat around passing the pipe in their back yard. A great way to finish off the weekend.
Saturday morning Carrie and I had a nice breakfast at Keys Cafe. We talked about how the day was to play out and my eating habits. Off to Linders for some plants for the backyard. That place really is something. I am not a gardener at all. I am the grunt of the household when it comes to that. Tell me exactly what to do, and that is all I have the talent for. We then swung around and stopped at Sibley Bike Depot. It is amazing that they have a replica of my basement on a larger scale. It is a wonderful place and I am trying to arrange my schedule so I can volunteer there on a regular basis. We then spent most of the afternoon preparing some of our yard for the plants we purchased.
Saturday evening we went to a graduation party for one of our broomball players. It was quite enjoyable as I met a couple of people who partake in events of similar interest as myself. I am usually not much of a socializer in the party environment, but I felt good about my interaction with people.
Sunday Ken and I went down to Lebenon Hills for some early morning riding. It felt really good to be back riding off road. I didn't have time to put my 1X1 together so I ended up riding my old Bridgestone XO-2 that I converted into a mountainish type ride. As I haven't been mtn biking for a while, I was thinking early on about the notion that if you don't crash, you're not riding hard enough. Sometimes I shouldn't listen to myself. I caught my shoulder on a tree during a descent and tore a little off my shoulder. I have a good knot on my knee also. This is what I miss about mtn biking?
We had dinner with some of my family Sunday night and tried out Dave's hookah that I gave him for Christmas. It was exquisite. It took us a while to make sure everything worked properly, but once going, is very smooth and tasty. We built a fire and sat around passing the pipe in their back yard. A great way to finish off the weekend.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Officially Old
There are several reasons why I call myself old. Most of them have to do with my general day-to-day activities. My wife and I had spent Sunday afternoon in the back yard trying to prepare it for the spring planting. We cleaned up, ate a little dinner and I sat down to call my mom. She chatted with me for a minute and then mentioned the party she was having. That ended the conversation right there. I was dissed by my mom. I am putting up clothes lines and pulling weeds. She's playing. I am old.
I am building up a bike for a friend. I really like doing this kind of stuff as it makes me think about my fleet and all the repairs and upgrades I should be doing. I have started a written list to make sure that things get done this year. I am very close on a number of bike projects. I unfortunately have the habit of being distracted quite easily. I am hoping if I have the list, start in on one bike and go all the way through it to the finish before moving on to the next, that I will have all the bikes ready by July.
The bike shop folk have made a pledge that during the month of July, we have to make sure to ride each bike we own to the shop once, and we cannot ride the same bike to work two days in a row. I am out of town for a week during July so it makes it difficult to have enough days to ride all my bikes. I may have to ride up there on a day off or two.
We have some company coming into town this weekend. Just to make sure I don't feel as if I have everything under control, I add extra house cleaning to the list. Maybe I will shave the cats to keep things a little nicer.
Would an old person consider shaving his cats?
This one is.
I am building up a bike for a friend. I really like doing this kind of stuff as it makes me think about my fleet and all the repairs and upgrades I should be doing. I have started a written list to make sure that things get done this year. I am very close on a number of bike projects. I unfortunately have the habit of being distracted quite easily. I am hoping if I have the list, start in on one bike and go all the way through it to the finish before moving on to the next, that I will have all the bikes ready by July.
The bike shop folk have made a pledge that during the month of July, we have to make sure to ride each bike we own to the shop once, and we cannot ride the same bike to work two days in a row. I am out of town for a week during July so it makes it difficult to have enough days to ride all my bikes. I may have to ride up there on a day off or two.
We have some company coming into town this weekend. Just to make sure I don't feel as if I have everything under control, I add extra house cleaning to the list. Maybe I will shave the cats to keep things a little nicer.
Would an old person consider shaving his cats?
This one is.
Friday, May 9, 2008
A Day Off
I have been working a little extra this week. Roseville High School has started a bike section of their Physical Education class and I have been volunteering to keep their bikes working safely. It means a few extra hours during the week, which this time of year, makes for some long days.
Being so busy, I have been neglecting my home life. Chores around the house don't get finished, my pets don't get the attention they are used to, my personal bikes feel neglected, and I become distant from my wife. None of these things are acceptable. Getting wrapped up, "in the moment" can be a very bad thing. Time to take a step back. Make sure I am concentrating on what is important. That's what today is all about.
I am working the Twin Cities Ride this weekend. I am fortunate enough that Carrie is coming with me to help. We are one of those twisted couples that can work and play together. Often times it's hard to tell if it is work or play. She can turn a wrench pretty well, definitely knows her way around a bike tyre, and is great with people. We should have a great time in the rain.
Being so busy, I have been neglecting my home life. Chores around the house don't get finished, my pets don't get the attention they are used to, my personal bikes feel neglected, and I become distant from my wife. None of these things are acceptable. Getting wrapped up, "in the moment" can be a very bad thing. Time to take a step back. Make sure I am concentrating on what is important. That's what today is all about.
I am working the Twin Cities Ride this weekend. I am fortunate enough that Carrie is coming with me to help. We are one of those twisted couples that can work and play together. Often times it's hard to tell if it is work or play. She can turn a wrench pretty well, definitely knows her way around a bike tyre, and is great with people. We should have a great time in the rain.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Rain, sun and FUN
Friday, a couple of guys from the shop and I were set to go on a sub 24 hour camping ride. This had been planned for a while as there was an anomaly in our schedule and 4 of us had Saturday off. We couldn't let this go to waste.
I think, at one point, had 6 people interested in going. By Friday afternoon, it was down to 3. And all of us had our reservations. With it raining all day, raining when we departed, and forecast of snow and gusty winds, we set off after the shop closed. We decided to make it a shorter ride, just around 25 miles. By the time we stopped for food, we were miserable. Shivering around the table, it took a good 45 minutes for people to start warming up. None of us were really prepared to ride in those conditions.
Camp was just a 5 minute ride from the food. We set up the tents as fast as we could. I need a little practice with my new tent. I climbed in my tent, changed clothes, and started to go through the list of things I forgot to bring in with me. Too late. I wasn't going back out in that. The socializing was kept to a minimum as well.
Turns out no snow that night. The rain stopped around 2 or 3 in the morning. And by the time we found breakfast, the sun had come out. We had a great ride home. A little windy, but the sun shined all day. The perfect thing to erase a wretched evening.
We went on our normal Sunday Slow Ride with 9 riders starting out. We rode to Sean's house for a bar-b-que and wow! He put on a great spread! The food was fantastic, we met up with a few more people on the way, so it totaled about 16 people total. I think it ranks #1 for slow rides. It was wonderful to line up the bikes that our normal slow ride participants were riding and see swept back cruiser bars on all of them. The slow ride is finally coming together.
I think, at one point, had 6 people interested in going. By Friday afternoon, it was down to 3. And all of us had our reservations. With it raining all day, raining when we departed, and forecast of snow and gusty winds, we set off after the shop closed. We decided to make it a shorter ride, just around 25 miles. By the time we stopped for food, we were miserable. Shivering around the table, it took a good 45 minutes for people to start warming up. None of us were really prepared to ride in those conditions.
Camp was just a 5 minute ride from the food. We set up the tents as fast as we could. I need a little practice with my new tent. I climbed in my tent, changed clothes, and started to go through the list of things I forgot to bring in with me. Too late. I wasn't going back out in that. The socializing was kept to a minimum as well.
Turns out no snow that night. The rain stopped around 2 or 3 in the morning. And by the time we found breakfast, the sun had come out. We had a great ride home. A little windy, but the sun shined all day. The perfect thing to erase a wretched evening.
We went on our normal Sunday Slow Ride with 9 riders starting out. We rode to Sean's house for a bar-b-que and wow! He put on a great spread! The food was fantastic, we met up with a few more people on the way, so it totaled about 16 people total. I think it ranks #1 for slow rides. It was wonderful to line up the bikes that our normal slow ride participants were riding and see swept back cruiser bars on all of them. The slow ride is finally coming together.
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