Sun. 11/30/08

Big Jim and I headed out from the start of the Douglas Trail. With the light NW winds it was a good direction to head out of town. We warmed up on the trail, then hit the CX trail for some fun. We took the snow-covered blacktop sections where ever the CX trail was really rough. I can't wait for enough snow to smooth out the CX trail. Then we hit the CX protions where they were more fun to ride. At Pine Island, we turned around and were just starting back, when we spotted anothe bike rider heading toward us. It was Big Bruce back for another round. He apparently was waiting at the condos and spotted us going by. He wasn't ready, so he honked his horn, but Jim and I didn't hear it. So he played catchup the whole way to PI. Anyway, the three of us headed back, hitting a few CX sections and stayed on the trail for other sections. I dressed a bit too warm and by now the sweat was starting to make me feel the cold. So after we said goodbye to Bruce, Jim headed for home and I continued to the trailhead and to the car.

What a fun day to ride in the nice light snow. Now, bring on the heavy stuff...

Sat. 11/29/08

Big Jim, Bruce, Jim T., and myself headed out from Dunn Brothers South on avery nice Saturday. Big Jim had sent out the note indicating a CX ride on the gravel roads SW of town, so we headed towards Salem Corners. We turned south on 104, when all of sudden Big Jeff showed up. He had a flat on his way to the starting point and decided to chase us down after he fixed it up. So we all continued south on gravel crossing over hwy 30 and then after a few more miles we turned west. Then we crossed over cty 3 and another mile or so, we turned north. Back across hwy 30, we continued north, then we made a jog west, then north again, and finally back east. Eventually we turned north again where we headed down into a nice little valley and up out the other side. Then we hit the blacktop where we turned east and headed back to Salem Corners and then on into Rochester.

Man, I was shot by the time I got home. I sure hope I'm not getting out of shape (as if I every was in shape).

Sat. 11/22/08

Big Jeff, Big Jim, Chris, and myself hit the CX path next to the Douglas trail on Saturday morning. Just a bit of snow, but ice. Jim came prepared with the dual-suspension mountain bike. Several sections were way worse than any washboard stuff. If I wouldn't have been clipped in, I'm sure I would have flown off the bike a couple of times.

The pace was nice a steady with Jim and Jeff doing most of the pace setting. At PI we turned back and headed for home. With the south winds the open sections were a bit cool. We all made it back, but not before Chris pulled out of his cleats. All that bouncing around must have loosen things up and all of sudden his egg-beater cleat wasn't attached to the bottom of his shoe. Luckily, he came prepared with a multi-tool and got the cleat out and re-attached, so he could ride home.

Can't wait for the white stuff to pad the trail a bit more...

VeloCX 11/08/08

With the cold and the rainy wet weather, I stayed indoors on Saturday, but it seems that a few brave souls went out to play.

Jeff looks like he's having fun...



So does Marty...



Even Big Steve got into the act...



Someday I'll "grow a pair" and make it out to one of these.