Race Bikes. Catch Trout.
Where there is death, there is new life. That’s what I told myself when I sold my Masi Speciale CX to buy a Salsa El Mariachi. Selling the bike reknewed memories I had atop my black Masi, the best of which was the 2014 Almanzo 100. This is a race in southeastern Minnesota. Aside from the starting line, the course is entirely on gravel roads. … Continue reading Race Bikes. Catch Trout.
New Bike Day 2015
It’s the best day of the year. I’m surprised the federal government doesn’t recognize it. And even more surprised Hallmark doesn’t make a collection of cards celebrating purchases of the two-wheeled variety. You’d by a New Bike Day card for a loved one, right? I’m sitting on a gold mine. This Salsa El Mariachi Single Speed is a bike I’ve been eyeing up for months. … Continue reading New Bike Day 2015
Ice Bikes
Freewheel Bike has been hosting a bike race on the ice of Lake Minnetonka for a few years. They’re a local shop in town. Every year in mid February, they plow a maze-like course in Lake Minnetonka, then invite cyclists to race for the title of fastest ice racer. They usually line up a beer sponsor for onsite suds. Lucid was the brew in 2013 … Continue reading Ice Bikes
Little Oscar’s Makes Everything Better
Another Friday morning began at 9:30 am. The text from Phil read “I’m a little tempted to hit the river this afternoon.” A quick glance at WxUnderground showed the day to be the warmest in the next two weeks. If we were to get in a day on the river before the Wisconsin early season opens, it would have to be now. Temptation also hit … Continue reading Little Oscar’s Makes Everything Better
Dam Busting, Beer and Rock and Roll.
Music. New Belgium beer. Dam busting. Fly fishing. What more do you need? The night was advertised as such. New Belgium is launching their new Slow Ride Session IPA. Friends of the Kinni are in a pivotal time in tearing down two infamous dams on the Kinnickinnic River in River Falls, Wisc. Music by Gabe Douglas needed to be played. Mend Provisions, being the best … Continue reading Dam Busting, Beer and Rock and Roll.
Still #FindingWinter
It has been nearly three months since the good folks at Mountain Hardwear sent me a package of goods and a booklet welcoming me to their #FindingWinter athlete ambassador team. Winter was looking like a certainty when I opened that package. Ski trips were being booked. I had every intention of spending more time outdoors than indoors this winter. Then everything went wrong. Pneumonia sidelined … Continue reading Still #FindingWinter
Fly Fishing. Now With More Brats.
If this trip were a menu, I would order everything. But not that I need a menu to eat. Angry Catfish is now our traditional starting point. They serve up stellar hot caffeinated beverages and sell pastries from Baker’s Wife, a bakery two stores down. Between the two is Buster’s on 28th, a bar that has an extensive tap list. We set off at 7:30 … Continue reading Fly Fishing. Now With More Brats.
Bass Are Biting?
You either have a cabin or know someone who has a cabin. That’s one way to tell if someone is Minnesotan. My parents bought a place on a lake when I was two and have been going up there ever since. The first six years we had the place, it was one of those Memorial-Day-to-Labor-Day deals–pretty frequent for most Minnesotan cabins. Weather up here is … Continue reading Bass Are Biting?
Bunyan Velo: Issue No. 5
The fifth edition of Bunyan Velo has been published and is waiting to delight your eyes. Started in 2012 by Lucas Winzenberg (a rad dude whom I am happy to call a friend), the publication is a collection of essays and photographs of bicycle touring. The stories are worth spending hours reading and the photos are worth as many clicks as your mouse has left. … Continue reading Bunyan Velo: Issue No. 5
A Night of Bikes, Music and Charcuterie
Just down the road from me in south Minneapolis is a bike shop called Angry Catfish. They’ve got a stellar stock of the finest local rides and a few from out of the state. As the sign says, they also serve coffee. It is amazing coffee. I sometimes find myself craving tea from the shop just so I can meander around the bicycles beautiful bicycles. … Continue reading A Night of Bikes, Music and Charcuterie
Birch & Flannel 