Sat. 7/12/08

*** Offical Steve Sighting! ***


Yes, it's offical, Steve has returned. He and 8 other riders were there for the Saturday ride from Dunn Brothers South.

We headed for Salem Corners (Jeff won the sign, I think), then south to Rock Dell (??? for the town sign). From there we headed west to cty 9 and then north towards Dodge Center. The group worked nicely into the headcross all the way to cty 14. When we got to old 14, we turned west again and then north. We stayed on this road for only a short time, then we turned east and headed for Mantorville. Terry had to get back so he headed for Rochester as we rolled into Mantorville (BTW, Steve took the town sign, thx Tim). The rest of us stopped at the convience store for water and snacks. Then it was off to the north again, east on 16 for just a short time, then north on cty 11. We turned east again on cty 22. Finally a tailwind. South on cty 5, then east on cty 14 and down Genoa hill (were the pace picked up until after the town sign). I think Trevor held off a hard charging Dr/ Tim for the win. We turned south at Douglas (I was too far back to see who won) and Jeff and I cruised back to Rochester on cty 4, while the others headed south on 104.

I finished with almost 72 miles averaging 19 mph. Great ride guys (Terry, Al, Tim, Dr. Tim, Jeff, Jim T., Trevor, and Steve).

BTW, Steve did pretty good for the new guy...

Wed. 7/09/08

There were 16 riders to start the Wednesday night ride. Marty had another douzy of a route pre-mapped and we only ended up altering it a little bit. We headed north on the trail. Before Douglas, we notice this cloud of dust up ahead on one of the gravel roads. The group had to slow down in case it was a car or a Mack truck, but instead it turned out to be Jeff S. giving his brand new frame a taste of the CX life. We (all 17 of us) rolled through Douglas and headed for cty 3. Here we met up with Big Jim. So the gang was all together and the fun could begin. We headed east to Oronoco, past Tillies (Todd's local watering hole). And then across hwy 52, and then north on cty 11. Here the wind and the hills started to seperate the group a bit. But we all stopped and got water in Mazeppa. We headed east out of Mazeppa and then east/southeast on cty 7. With the tailwind the pace picked up to the 25 mph range and everyone was taking turns at the front. Then we hit Chef-tel hill. I hung out behind Jeff S. (no, not because of the scenary), cause he was setting a nice tempo up the first part of the climb. Several guys had launched an early surge on the hill, but I knew there was plenty of climbing to come. Jeff and I moved up nicely through the group when we caught Big Jim. He was pinned in behind a couple of guys who were fading. Next we came up to Marty, I figured now was the time for my patented KOM move. I mentioned to Marty the Big Jim wanted to ask him something and then I told Jeff that his new frame was dirty. Both tactics gave me the seconds I needed, I was off for the top. By the time Big Jim got unstuck, and Jeff and Marty had realized my deception, it was too late. I was able to barely hold them off for the grand prize. From there the rest of the ride was a blur. I was still replaying the spectacular climb over and over in my head. Anyway, we waited for everyone at the hwy 63 corner, then we headed south for town. Kristi was going to make a move for the county sign, but was too much a lady and let those meanies at the front have it (she could have taken it easily). Then it was Todd's turn to make everyone suffer a bit, he got out front and rode like a man posessed. I don't know who got the town sign (I was too far back), but I know Marty was up there. I turned east on East Circle Drive and headed for home, while the rest of the group headed west for the shop. Great ride everyone (Marty, Steve, Jeff S., Big Jim, Todd, Al, Paul, Pat, Kristi, Tim, Jim, New Jim, Jeff G., Hewey, Dewey, Lewey, and Chris).

OK, I forgot a few names (did I mention that I replayed the dramatic climb over and over in my head on the ride home)...

Mon. 7/07/08

Did the 20 mile out and back. Had a 20+ mph tailwind on the out portion and a 20+ mph head wind on the back protion (I think the wind picked up a bit on me). Passed one other rider out there, otherwise just a pleasant ride.

Wed. 7/2/08

There were 8 riders for the Erik's Wednesday ride. Marty had the route pre-mapped (even though we did change the beginning and end abit). After some delay, we headed north on the trail.

At Douglas, we came up on a group for 6 or so cyclists (maybe the Recyclers???). Instead of heading east at Douglas, we continued north on the trail (and out of the wind) to cty 3. There we turned east and continued to Oronoco on cty 12. Once across hwy 52, we got back on Marty's mapped route and headed north into and out of Oronoco. This stretch was hilly and into the wind, but a great route.

Just before Mazeppa, I noticed my front tire was losing air. Dang! So we stopped while I did my mechanic thing. Marty finally got to see what a "real" bike feels like in his hands. After I wrestled my bike back from Marty, we were off to PI. Again, a beautiful stretch of road. Steve actually went around Kristi to take the PI sign. Man, talk about dirty looks(from Marty I mean).

We headed south out of PI on cty 3 and back to Douglas. As expected the pace picked up for the Douglas sign. Marty and I were out front pulling, when Steve came by. I noticed no one on his wheel, so I jumped to catch him. I did notice a shadow, so I knew someone had come with me. I caught Steve, but instead of sitting back, I kept going around Steve(bad move). Steve jumped on my wheel and used my draft to come around and get me right at the sign. So, the overall sprinter of the night award has to go to Steve.

Marty had the route going south to cty 4, but the group decided they had enough fun and we hit the trail for home. I stayed on the trail to Valleyhigh and headed to 7th street. Right near the RAC corner, I noticed 3 riders up ahead. I thought maybe it was the RC&F group, but they went past the shop and turned south at the intersection. So I guess it was some Recyclers (or just a group out for a ride).
They must have been worried about me catching them, as they all kept looking over their shoulders. No worries guys, I was in no mood to race.

Anyway, I got home with just over 63 miles. Time for a shower and something to eat (no Schells tonight, maybe over the weekend...).

Great ride Marty, Steve, Kristi, Ben, Pat, Jeff G., and Peter.

P.S. I vote this to be the unofficial default route for the Wednesday rides.

Did I mention it was a great route???

Mon. 6/30/08

I had just enough time to get in my typical 20 mile out and back. Light winds, so no real advantage either direction. At the turn around point, I decided to crank it up a bit. And I felt pretty good by the time I got home.

Sat. 6/28/08

The skies were bright blue, but on the western horizon there was some much darker clouds heading this way. So I headed for Dunn Brothers, just in case there was anyone waiting to ride (there was no chatter on the email). As I rode by, I didn't see anyone standing there. So I kept heading west out past Bamber Valley school and out on cty 8. As I cleared the hill, I could see the rain coming in. I hoped that I could get to the airport turn before it hit, but I didn't make it. So, I rode almost all the way to Simpson in light rain. Then the roads dried up a bit as I turned north on cty 1 and headed home. Not as many miles as I would have liked for a Saturday, but at least I didn't get too soaked.

The rest of the day was spent cleaning the basement...and cleaning my bike.

Wed. 06/25/08

Got out with the group from Erik's last night. We started with 12, quickly added Jeff, and added Bill M. out on the road. There were two routes mapped out, so the group decided to do the south route, primarily because of the wind direction. We headed down the Douglas trail to Valley High, then followed the path south to 19th St. We headed west on 19th until we got to cty 104. We follwed 104 south to Salem Road. We turned west to Salem Corners, where a long sprint took place with Marty claiming the prize (Jeff's new bike has it's first taste of defeat). We turned south towards Rock Dell. We tried to get a paceline going, but there were too many people who were having a hard time figuring out how a paceline should work. So we dropped back into a two-by-two configuration, but not before Jim and Big Jim decided to beat up on each other for a bit. Eventually they slowed and the group was together for the Rock Dell Sprint. Todd took a strong lead, with a group of 4 on his wheel. Out of nowhere comes Big Jim to blow by everyone and take the sign.

Just south of Rock Dell we passed Steve (I think). He waved:

We kept moving south, where we met Bill, who decided to join us for a bit. We continued south across hwy 30 and onto cty 6. From there we turned east for Stewartville and some water. With the tailwind, the pace picked up and everyone took turns at the front. After a quick water stop, the group headed back to High Forest and then back to Rochester on cty 8. I continued east on hwy 30, then north on cty 20 and into Simpson. From there I headed for home. I finished with just over 55 miles and I was a bit tired (and thirsty).

Great ride everyone.

No Schells tonight, but there is always tomorrow...

Mon. 6/23/08

Did the quick 20 mile out and back. Had a slight headwind on the way out and nice tailwind back to home. Passed several others out on the ride. Then I had a nice juicy grilled steak. Yum.

Oh, and a couple of Schells...

Sat. 06/21/08

Got to Dunn Brothers for the traditional Saturday ride. 5 others were there ready to go (Tim B., Jeff G., Big Jim, Dr. Tim, and Jeff S.) Jeff brought his new bike so we all drooled over it for awhile. The winds were out of the west and predicted to pick up and change to the NW. I offered up a route that I had really wanted to do fro some time and everyone seemed to be OK with it so we headed to Salem Corners and on to Byron. From Byron we kept heading west to Kasson and then on to Dodge Center. We stopped at the Kwik Trip for water and at the time Dr. Tim and Jeff G. headed back to Rochester. The 4 of us continued out of town heading west on cty H and then we headed south on cty 5. With the tailwind, we really started to move along (between 22 and 25 mph). We stayed on cty 5 past hwy 30 and all the way to cty 1, where we turned east into Waltham. We continued east to Sargeant and stayed east until we got to cty 10, where we headed north. Cty 10 turns into cty 6 as it heads east to High Forest. We turned north on cty 8, but we were running out of water, so we made a quick stop in Stewartville and then headed back to cty 8 and on into town. Just before Bamber Valley School an oncoming car hit a deer that had jumed out of the north ditch. The impact sent the deer spinning across the road, just ahead of Jim and just behind Tim. We stopped and made sure the elderly couple in the car were OK, called 911, and then proceeded back into town. Just as we got to Salem road, here came a large group of covered wagons, who were heading out of town on cty 8. From there I headed for home. I finished with around 93 miles, tired legs, and a hungry stomach.

Here is the map:



Oh and BTW, Jeff broke in his new bike by showing it how to win 6 out of 6 town sprint signs.

P.S. We all let him win, so the new bike didn't see how slow he really is...

Fri. 6/20/08

Man, it was warm today. I did the 20 mile route and was really soaked by the time I got home. Passed Gary "the G-man" as he was heading back to town and on my way back I passed one other fellow. Sort of windy on the way back, too.