It’s been a fast year so far on the bike. Morning rides are spent sprinting to get to work on time (punctuality has never been a strong suit). Weekend rides are spent logging miles at a good pace to get in shape for the Fulton Gran Fondo. It isn’t often that I can get on a bike to relax. **Disclaimer: I’m eating a donut right … Continue reading Pastries > Pace
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
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
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
Minnesota is known for a few things. We invented waterskis. Conversely, we also invented the snowmobile. It’s duck, duck, gray duck. The Mississippi River begins in Lake Itasca, in the NW part of the state. The Norway pine is our state tree and the walleye is our state fish. Some call us the North Star State. We go fishing all year–even on ice. And ride … Continue reading Fat Bike Demo and Race
Kind of. Slick Minneapolis winter roads are keeping me inside. While I was laid up, I bought a couple things to bide my time and prepare for being active outdoors once again. One item was a new fly fishing rod and reel, the other was a trainer. The doctor told me to “take it easy for 4-6 weeks,” which sounds more like a death sentence … Continue reading Back In The Saddle
If you’ve wondered why I haven’t been posting much lately, it’s because I came down with pneumonia a couple weeks ago. It knocked me on my ass. Literally. During the worst of it, two weeks ago, I had a fever of 103F for four days and energy was at an all-time low. While at the doctor, the simple task of holding my arms above my head … Continue reading An Outdoorsman (Me) with Pneumonia
When I think Iowa, I think cornfields and Hawkeyes. Neither of which are very appetizing. Decorah, Iowa has neither of those things. And it is wonderful. The town sits on the Upper Iowa River and is nestled in its steep valley walls. If you’re there in the fall, like I was, you’ll see fluorescent sugar maples atop limestone bluffs circled by flocks of eagles. (At … Continue reading Hike Decorah
Birch & Flannel 