Tuesday, December 29, 2009

8 miles - Commute - 17 degrees/13 degrees - 12/29/09

8 miles

Pugsley Jr. (i.e., GF winterbike)

I renamed it Pugsley Jr. because of the extremely fat tires I am running...pics soon...

Monday, December 28, 2009

9 miles - Commute - 19 degrees - 12/26/09

9 miles

GF Tassahara winter bike

Sketchy ride the day after the X-max storm....took the trails witrh a lot of icey stuff just under the light covering of snow.

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

8 miles - Commute - 23 degrees - 12/23/09

8 miles

GF Tassahara winterbike

Delivered a exercise owners ,maual on the way home...enjoyed the bike trail, but I had to get home. I would have loved to take an extended ride otherwise.

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

8 miles - Commute - 23/27 degrees - 12/22/09

8 miles

GF Tassahara winterbike

I am a slushologist...

Monday, December 21, 2009

8 miles - Commute - 12/21/09

8 miles

Gary Fisher Tassahara winterbike

Sunday, December 20, 2009

16 miles - Commute x 2 - 12/19 - 12/20/09

16 miles

Gary Fisher Tassahara winter bike

The "new" tires really suck. I have come to the conclusion that wider tires are not very good in the snowy conditions. My cyclocross tires performed much better on last years' bike. I am thinking about building up a road bike for the winter and selling the Tasshara - even though it performed well with the Bontrager H2 hybrid tires I had on it previously. They just did not do well in the wintery weather.

Friday, December 18, 2009

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

8 miles - Commute - +1/-1 degrees - 12/15/09

8 miles

Gary fisher Tassahara winterbike

Chilly, but interesting....put new fatty tires on...felt like riding a Pugsley...performed much better them the hybrid tires I had on earlier!!!

Friday, December 11, 2009

Some cool bikes I have owned in the past few years.




































































































































































































































































































































































































8 miles - Commute - 3 degrees - 11/8/09

8 miles

Gary Fisher winterbike

This called for the ski helmet and goggles. I did better than my bike, which totally slowed down. It was like pulling a fully loaded Burley the last two miles to and fro...

Monday, December 7, 2009

20 miles - Commute x 2 - 16/18 degrees - 12/5-12/06/09

20 miles

Gary Fisher winterbike

Yes...its here....the eyeball aching cold and cracked hands of a winter commuting season.

Monday, November 30, 2009

13 miles - commute - 35 degrees - 11/29/09

13 miles

Trek 520

Was going to do Williston Rd hills before work but a still link due to a dented link cut that short. Some guy who used to own a local bike shop named "Service Bikes"(?) stopped to help. He said he never saw a chain with a defect like mine. I decided to ride the flats on the way to work instead. So I went back through Hopkins and took Minnetonka Blvd to Plymouth Rd and then hit Cedar Lake Rd and then work. I replaced the chain with a SRAM 830 chain with a quick-link. It shifted perfect on the way home - and was quiet. A crappier morning got crappier with my bike issue.

Saturday, November 28, 2009

23.5 miles - Commute x 2/Williston Extension - 11/28 - 30-47 degrees - 11/29/09

23.5 miles
1:21:08
34.9 max
17.3 avg

Vintage Trek (black)

It is MUCH more fun to ride Willston north to south than south to north. I need some tights - both long and short. The material is transparent where my manhood sits and the thighs are worn into various holes on my long tights. The shit is so expensive though.

On my ride home tonight I had 2 or 3 mother&*%kers honk their horns at me. What a bunch of jackasses! I truly despize motorists these days. Chill out and share the road....

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

8 miles - Commute - 11/26/09

8 miles

Tassahara Winterbike

It felt fuckin' great to be on a bike....any bike, even for just a short short ride to work. I rode the winterbike today because it was dripping rain and windy when I left. Also, I had to stop and get some brew and hoiday wine on the way home and needed the panniers.

About a half-hour after I git home I realized I had somehow gained a flat on my winterbike...interested in what caused it. The tires only have 50 or so mile on them....

Happy T-Day!! I hope to get in a ride tomorrow before the turkey....

Friday, November 20, 2009

15 miles - Commute/Williston Extension - 11/20/09

15 miles

Trek 520

This great November weather is really nice. Around 50 degrees today with the sun shining. The 520 needed a bit of a lube and rear derailleur adjustment. If I wouldn't have worked, I could've gotten a nice ride in. Comsidering that next week will be cold and rainy, I should've gone all-out today!! Oh well...

Thursday, November 19, 2009

8 miles - Commute - 11/19/09

8 miles

Trek 520

18.0 miles - Birchwood Cafe via Greenway - 11/19/09

18.0 miles
1:01:03
25.4 max
17.7 avg

Vintage Trek

Had lunch with my wife at Birchwood cafe on 25 st. in S. Minneapolis. If you haven't been, you must go! I had a delicious black bean burger that kept my tummy occupied until late in the evening.
www.birchwoodcafe.com

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

26.7 miles - Commute - Greenway/Miss. River/Back - 11/17/09

26.7 miles
1:30:40
26.1 max
17.6 avg

Vintage Trek

Had a nice, but chilly ride down to the river and back this morning. Decent ride to and from work...nothing exciting, however, it was quite nice to get out this morning and get a few unfettered miles in.
I am not a fan of the Pearl Izumi AmFib toe covers. They do NOT stay in place and want to slide front, thus covering up the cleat with the rubber sole. I am trying to find a solution, but to no avail.

Sunday, November 15, 2009

16 miles - Commute/Baker Rd Extension/Menards - 11/1509

16 miles

Trek 520

Its gettin' chilly out there. I got a closer look at the tracks I wiped out on last week. I was right. They are at the same level as the road surface and the angle and speed I was taking them was ripe for the rear wheel to slide out from under me. I look at them differently now!!!

Saturday, November 14, 2009

28.15 miles - errands/Burley pulling - 11/09

28.15 miles
11.9 avg
25.8 max
638.0 cal

Trek 790 hybrid w/ Burley

The little guy is getting used to it....

Sunday, November 8, 2009

15 miles - Commute/Williston Extension - 11/9/09

15 miles

Trek 520

Crashed!!!! Otherwise a nice ride, but painful, before work.

Road rash!

I got bitten by the railroad tracks at the Exelsior Blvd and The Depot Coffeehouse intersection in Hopkins this morning on my way to work.

I didn't get caught in the rut, but I slid on the smooth steel rail.

The bike was nearly OK. Fortunately, it only scratched what I was planning on replacing anyway. NOT ONE SCRATCH ON THE FRAME!!!

I was on my 1993 Trek 520 touring bike.



Saturday, November 7, 2009

Friday, October 30, 2009

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Fu@%ing ticket for blowing through a stop sign on the SW Corridor Trail

Three Rivers Park District cops are now sitting in an SUV by the intersection at Wooddale and SW Corridor Trail and chasing violators of blowing through the trail stop sign.

How this came about:
Some dude and his buddy were riding their bikes drunk late at night a few weeks ago. They were going home to St. Paul from drinking in Hopkins and blew through the stop sign in the dark and one of the guys ran into the side of a lady's car and died.

Now because this ignorant biker got killed through stupidity, we all have to pay for his ignorance and of course the ignorance of the St. Louis Park PD because they probably pushed Three Rivers into ticketing, and for Three Rivers because they are assanine enough to follow through.

Why am I upset. Not because I recieved a ticket, but because I am a commuter who was riding in misty rain running an errand to Uptown, dressed properly with safety gear, a blinky light in the front and a blinky light in the rear fully fulfilling my personal standards of safety.

In this process I was keeping a car off the busy streets at a busy time of the day. There were no cars coming in either direction in my line of full sight in both directions when i blew through the stop sign.

This is a problem, because of:
1. MOMENTUM - There is a reason bikes don't fully stop at stop signs. Momentum is the key. Lazy auto drivers can simply push their foot down slightly on an accelerator and off they go. We have to utulize our full energy potential to speedily get ourselves and our bikes back up to cruising speed. Every time I stop I have to utilize vital energy to get myself going again. It is time consuming and frustrating.
2. FREEDOM - I ride my bike to feel the freedom of the road at full potential. I ride so that I do not have to deal with bullshit speeding tickets, road rage, stoplight/signs, etc... Biking is a very free way to get around, in more ways than one. After the ticket, I felt Big Brother breathing down my neck - I was looking around at every intersection, looking behind me incessantly, and I felt the rage I have experienced many many times at the wheel of a car.

Ticketing bikes interferes with the good kharma of riding a bike. If I have to worry about tickets
and rage, I might as well park my lazy stupid ignorant American ass behind the wheel of my Saturn wagon permenantly!

12 miles - Fu%#ing stop sign ticket!!!! Errand/Rainbow Foods Uptown - 10/28/09

12 miles

Gary Fisher winterbike

Monday, October 26, 2009

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Thursday, October 22, 2009

8 miles - Commute - 10/22/09

8 miles

1997 Trek 520

First ride on the "new" 520. I like the ride and the STI shifters - I wish my 1993 520 had them, but this one is unfortunately on the chopping block. I don't need two nearly identical bikes.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

35.7 miles - Ridgedale Mall/Taste of India/Dunn Bros in Loring Park/U of MN/Greenway/Trader Joe's - 10/19/09

35.7 miles
17.1 avg
30.6 max
2:05:06
Vintage Trek road bike

I took the old Trek out of winter storage and installed the pedals from the Burley puller to go for this ride today. The Poprad needs a new chain and cassette, so I didn't ride it. It was a good ride in spite of the older bike. It may be geometry that slows me down in the old Trek vs. the Poprad. It could've been the windy conditions, knee pain and tiredness also....good ride though.
PS: Although I thoroughly enjoyed the Indian buffet, I don't recommend it before a 2 hour ride.

Monday, October 19, 2009

23.2 miles - Commute/HW101/Minnetonka Blvd Extension - 45/60 degrees - 10/18/09

23.2 miles
1:19:33
27.9 max
17.5 avg
Poprad

Sluggish and winnndy - knees hurt, especially the left one. But overall a pleasant ride. I have close to 3000 miles on thee Poprad and finally the gears are starting to get skippy. I am going to swap the sweet 10 speed ones on the old Trek. I may just swap wheelsets. Then the Popard would have Race Lite's instead of Race.

Saturday, October 17, 2009

24 miles - Commute/DowntownMPLS/UofMN/Greenway/Trader Joe's - 47 degrees - 10/17/09

24 miles

1993 Trek 520

Felt good to get something in over 20 miles and get on the bike for an hour or so...its been very bad weather lately and the kids have been need. At least I rounded 2700 miles so far this year. Underr 300 more to hit my yearly goal. Last year I nearly hit 3400, but I didn't have a baby either. Still lovin' the 520. I decied I am going to invest in a Salsa Cromoto stem that is a bit shorter. Down the road the 520 is going to have to get a bar with less reach to the drops. I can really only ride this one on tthe hoods or top. If I raise the stem I will be too high on top, but with reachable drops. One step at a time.

Friday, October 16, 2009

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

13 miles - Commute/Errand - 10/13/09

5 miles
Gary Fisher Winterbike
Took a wintery ride to Trader Joe's....

8 miles
Trek 520
Commute to work.

Saturday, October 10, 2009

8 miles - Commute - 10/9/09

8 miles
Poprad

Very tired for some reason....

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Miles to the new twins Stadium

6.5 miles exactly from my doorstep to the Twins Stadium doorstep taking only paved bike trails.

27.7 miles - Greenway/Kenwood Tr/Downtown/UofMN/Ford Bridge/W River Pkway/Greenway - 45 degrees/sunny/variable winds - 10/07/09

27.7 miles
27.1 max
18.4 avg
1:30:07
Poprad

It was nice to get back on the Poprad for a decent, albeit quick, ride....felt good, but every late fall ride keeps you thinking it may be the last decent ride until spring....
Toes were chilly and had my usual layers and was prretty comfy and snug...

8 mmiles - Commute - 40 degrees/rainy - 10/06/09

8 miles

Gary Fisher Winterbike

Chilly and rainy, but fun...

8 mmiles - Commute - 40 degrees/rainy - 10/06/09

Monday, October 5, 2009

8 miles - Commute - 45 degrees/rain - 5/10/09

8 Miles

Gary Fisher Winterbike

Cyclops Niterider light worked fantastic. It was a rainy ride in both directions...so far so good on the winterbike...

Sunday, October 4, 2009

19 miles - Commute/Ridgedale YMCA/Groceries - 10/4/09

19 miles

Gary Fisher Tassahara Winterbike

Changed the rear cog over to an 18t last night and viola, we have a bike that can climb hills - with some effort - and can descend at a reasonable speed. Most of all I can actually get a workout....weee!

12 miles - Commute/Baker Rd Extension - 10/03/09












12 miles

Fisher Tassahara Winter Bike
First ride on the winterbike....

This bike was a combination of new parts, parts laying around, garage sale finds and Craigslist finds. It turned out great in my opinion. The single speed is set at 50/20 for this ride. I am trying out 50/18 for the next ride. The 50/20 really spun out and I had a hard time descending hills without much top end. The bike originally cost $50 at a yard sale. I installed new chain tensioner, tires, tubes, and it needed a bottom bracket. I also went the extra mile and stuck a new seat and seat post on the bike.
The great finds were the yard sale fenders (brand new) for $3 and the Craigslist lighting system, which is a NiteRider Cyclops for $20....
...very excited for a fun winter bike that rides well, is a single speed and has a low center of gravity...I reinstalled the rack today with better hardware, changed the rear cog to a 18t, installed the new seat post and dropped the handlebars about 1.5"...

Saturday, September 26, 2009

18 miles - Commute/Cedar Lake/Lake Calhoun/Trader Joe's - 9/26/09

18 miles

Trek 520

Maybe the last nice day of the year....I am hoping for an Indian Summer...

Friday, September 25, 2009

10.71 miles - Cedar Lake Loop - 9/25/09

10.71 miles
13.2 avg
21.9 max
246.3 cal
0:48:30

Trek 790 pulling the Burley

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Monday, September 21, 2009

18.2 miles - Green to Miss River and back - 9/21/09

18.2 miles
0:58:31
23.6 max
18.6 avg
Poprad

Felt very strong today. Had a pervasive SE wind that slowed me on the way east, but coming west it gave me a nice boost. Not looking forward to next weeks chilly weather consdiering we are on the cusp of a Minnesota winter....

12 miles - Pulling Burley with kids - 9/20/09
















12 miles










Trek 790 w/Burley

11 miles - commute - 9/19/09

11 miles

Trek 520

Thursday, September 17, 2009

15.91 miles - YMCA and home - 9/17/09

15.91 miles
13.2 avg
25.4 max
373.4 cal
1:12:00
Trek 790 Burley puller

Baby Kian is getting used to riding longer in the Burley....nice ride...I flet strong pulling that thing up the hills...really want an Xtracycle...

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

7.7 miles - commute - 9/16/09

7.7 miles
0:25:41
30.1 max
18.1 avg
Vintage Black Trek

Monday, September 14, 2009

18.2 miles - Greenway to Miss. River and back - 9/14/09

18.2 miles
0:59:05
24.5 max
18.5 avg
Black Vintage Trek

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Friday, September 11, 2009

10.7 miles - Penn Cycle - 9/10/09

10.7 miles
0:36:05
30.8 max
17.7 avg
Poprad

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

35.5 miles - Greenway/Ford Bridge/UofMN/Downtown/TheoWirth/Lake Calhoun - 9/9/09

35.5 miles
17.3 avg
30.1 max
2:02:25
Poprad

13.0 miles - commute/Baker Rd Extension - 9/8/09

13.0 miles
17.8 avg
32.9 max
0:43:24
Poprad

What a night for a ride and I am feeling stronger with my flu-like symptoms disspating....put a shorter stem on the Poprad - 100mm to a 90mm - and noticed it as soon as I got oon the bike....I may go down to an 80mm though.

Friday, September 4, 2009

12 miles - Commute/Baker Rd extension - 9/4/09

12 miles

First ride on the 1992 Trek 520...freakin' awesome bike....now I know why thgey left it along for 2 decades....

15.41 miles - Hutch-Spur/Cedar Lake/Harvest Moon - 9/3/09

15.41 miles
avg 11.1
max 18.6
cal 316.1
1:22:48
Trek 790 Burley puller

Still feeling ill...Kian was not liking his Burley ride....but I stopped to talk to him then he fell asleep. He was OK on the way home from Harvest Moon....

Thursday, September 3, 2009

18.7 miles - Commute/Whole Foods - 9/1/09

18.7 miles
17.0 avg
30.3 max
1:05:58
Old Trek Ultegra

Saturday, August 29, 2009

18.4 miles - Greenway to River and back - 65 degrees - 8/29/09

18.4 miles
0:59:12
27.8 max
18.6 avg
Poprad

First solo ride for awhile...had to fit one in and of course, got chewed out by the wifey....it was a nice ride though... a bit chilly for late August....

27.81 miles - Riding with the boys/pulling the Burley - 2 days

27.81 miles
avg 8.4
24.4 max
443.2 cal
3:17:43

Trek 790 Burley puller/Trail-a-bike/Burley

We had a fun few days. One days I rode with the whole crew about twelve miles through Hopkins and around through SLP, hence the extremely slow avg speed!!

11.2 miles - Commute - 8/26/09

11.2 miles
0:38:52
17.3 avg
31.1 max
Poprad

10 miles - commute/ride w/ boys to and from the Jones' - 8/25/09

10 miles
1978 Trek touring bike

It was a blast riding the 4 miles home with the boys in the dark!

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

16.3 miles - Commute/back to work to get cell - 8/18/09

16.3 miles
0:54:53
17.7 avg
28.9 avg
Poprad

Cleaned the chain and cassette today after work....really need to replace them....they have about 2500 miles or more on them....

19.9 miles - Hub Bike Coop via the Greenway - 8/17/09

19.9 miles
17.2 avg
25.1 max
1:09:07
Poprad

Monday, August 17, 2009

Thursday, August 13, 2009

32.9 miles - yard sailing Hopkins/Edina/Richfield - 8/13/09

32.9 miles
2:06:21
30.1 max
15.5 avg
Poprad

Yard sailed through Hopkins, Edina and Richfield. Bought a bike, a bouncy chair for Kian, and a chainsaw. It was hot as shit and even though I was yard sailing I got a good workout!

9.98 miles - Dinner at Noodles w/ Liam/Lake Calhoun/Trader Joe's - 8/12/09

9.98 miles
avg 11.4
max 17.9
cal 205.3
0:52:09
Trek 790 w/ ride-a-long

Pulled Liam (he's 6 years old now) for the first time this year on our Adam's trail-a-bike. Last year we put many many miles on that thing and this year it is just not cool anymore. All that aside, we had a great time on the floating pier on Lake Calhoun and at Noodles for dinner. I really enjoyed some quality time with my middle child!!!

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

33.0 miles - Minnetonka Blvd/Plymouth/101/Mntka Blvd/Exelsior Blvd/Mtka Blvd/Hopkins - 8/12/09

33.0 miles
1:54:20
34.8 max
17.2 avg
Poprad

Very warm ride...had high hopes of a 50 plus day way out into the western burbs, but got bogged down with the family in the morning (no regrest of course) and got started late. I sort of zig-zagged everywhere and learned a few new routes...overall a good ride!

20.8 miles - Commute x2 - 8/10 - 8/11/09

20.8 miles
1:12:03
17.3 avg
32.0 max
Poprad

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

40.43 miles - Loretto/Baker Park Loop/19-Independence Rd loop - Noodles/Dunn Bros/Whole Foods/Lake Calhoun - 8/4/09

40.43 total miles for the day

21.5 miles
18.6 avg
30.1 max
1:08:58
Poprad

Wonderful ride around Lake Independence. Independence Rd is a great and very quiet place to ride. I saw a Bald Eagle perched on a dead tree by the road. I was about 20 feet from him/her. It just was checking me out. It was kind of scraggly - maybe a young bird or diseased, but still majestic and beautiful!

18.93
avg 11.8
max 18.3
cal 392.5
1:35:29
Trek 790 Burley Puller

Took Kian to dinner at Noodles & Co., Whole Foods and the Dunn Bros on Hennepin tonight. He had a decent ride....he typically dozed off a few times. But I think he had a good time. It was great spending time with him. I miss spending time with the other boys when they were this age. They all have different qualities and personalities - even at this early age.

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

19.3 miles - Baker Park Reserve/Baker Park loop/loop around Lake Independence - 8/4/09

19.3 miles
18.2 avg
34.6 max
1:033:26
Poprad

Sluggish (i.e., not in the mood) start with the wind in my face and then got into the rythmn and felt good. Warning: Jackass alert around the 6.2 mile Baker Park Loop. Look out for inline skaters riding on the qwrong side of the trail!!!

Monday, August 3, 2009

18.0 miles - Loretto to Lake Indendence 6 mile loop twice/back to Loretto - 8/3/09

18.0 miles
0:55:47
30.3 max
19.3 avg
Stealth Trek

Maybe being out in the country brings the average speed up, but I was totally flying the whole trip...I will doing the Loretto area rides this week while my kids and wife are at Camp Iduhapi...

Sunday, August 2, 2009

24.8 miles - Commute/Chipotle/Minnetonka Mills - 8/1/09

24.8 miles
1:26:51
33.0 max
17.0 avg
Stealth Trek

String headwinds were annoying on my morning commute....

Friday, July 31, 2009

Monday, July 27, 2009

7.9 miles - Commute - 7/27/09

7.9 miles
0:25:13
31.9 max
18.8 avg
Vintage Trek Commuter

Sunday, July 26, 2009

25.6 miles Commute/French Park Reserve/Trader Joe's - 7/26/09





25.6 miles
1:29:49
34.6 max
17.0 avg


Vintage Trek Commmuter
w/ Burley on the way home from work.

Bought a Burley today...was going to buy a used Solo, but the people stood me and weren't home...so I said F%#@ it and bought a new Honey Bee at work. The discount on the HB was close to the price of the used SOLO...so I went with it and took Kian out a for a jaunt around the 'hood tonight and he loved it. I got the baby snuggler to fit him in there really nice. I am very excited to get him out and ctuise around with him.

Saturday, July 25, 2009

18 miles - Commute x 2 - 7/24/09 - 7/25/09

18 miles
Poprad
Vintage Trek 400

First ride on the "new" Trek 400 that I bought from an older guy in Minnetonka. His son worked for Now Sports in yesteryear and he was very attached to this bike. He felt confident that I would take care of it....I will for that particular guy. It rides nice. The wheels are tight and smooth and very strong for how old they are in age. Its going to be a very cool bike when I am done. Pics soon I hope!

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

45.0 miles - Greenway/Ford Bridge/E Lake Parkwy/Hariet Island St. Paul/home - 7/22/09

45.0 miles
17.5 avg
33.5 max
2:33:03
Poprad

Really fun ride...first time to Hariet Island - love St. Paul. The winding paved trails through the river bottom was very cool and even surreal at points for some reason - must be the peyote, I don't know.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

13 miles - Commute - 7/21/09

13 miles
Gary Fisher MTB Commuter

Monday, July 20, 2009

8 miles - commute - 7/20/09

8 miles
Poprad

15.6 miles - Greenway to Sabo Bridge and home - 80 degrees - 7/19/09

15.6 miles
0:48:48
26.0 max
19.2 avg
Poprad

Faster fun quick ride....the trails were packed with Sunday riders, which was annoying but still had a good ride.

Friday, July 17, 2009

23.7 miles - Greenway Minehaha Pkwy loop - 60 degrees - 7/17/09

23.7 miles
1:16:52
29.9 max
18.5 avg
Vintage black Trek

Very chilly and in a rush of course...

7.7 miles - Commute - 7/16/09

7.7 miles
17.3 avg
33.0 max
0:26:45
Vintage Black Trek

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

18.11 - Commute/Williston Extension/movie in Hopkins w/ride to Minnetonka Blvd - 7/14/09

18.11 MILES
AVG 16.3
34.9 MAX
CAL 622.0
1:06:20
Winter Bike (Alfresco)

Took the winter bike due to rain and badly wamped wheel that needed trued at work...wheel turned out to have a bad ding and flat spot...looking for replacement wheelset...love riding in the warm rain!!!

32.5 miles - Commute/Errands (gym/Trader Joe's/bank/etc...) - 7/15/09

32.5 miles
1:56:12
33.5 max
16.7 avg
Poprad

Feeling sluggish, strong west winds and still recovering from bad cold....but outdoors is very lovely.

Sunday, July 12, 2009

10.80 miles - Hopkins to Mann Thatre/Minnetonka Blvd - 6/12/09

10.80 miles
avg 16.1
28.2 max
0:40:02
Gary Fisher Alfresco winter bike

Nice leisurely ride on a very slow bike....

14.6 miles - Cedar Lake/Theo Wirth/Cedar Lake/Dakota Park Quick route - 6/11/09

14.6 miles
0:48:15
27.1 max
18.1 avg
Poprad

Felt pretty strong for recovering from bronchitis/major cold for the past six days...hoefully I can work on getting some more miles in/time on the bike soon.

Saturday, July 4, 2009

Thursday, July 2, 2009

38.6 miles - Hutch-Spur/Cedar Lake TR/Downtown/Greenway/Williston/Minnetonka Blvd/Shop - 68 degrees - 7/1/09

38.6 miles
2:05:44
33.4 max
18.3 avg
Poprad

Haven't had a ride that gave me that feeling in awhile. Not as rushed or scheduled. Felt strong and rested.

Monday, June 22, 2009

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

29 miles - Commute x 2/ Williston Extension - 6/16 - 6/17/09

29 miles
78 Trek Touring Bike

First rides on the old Trek...just getting her dialed in...more later...

Monday, June 15, 2009

35.1 miles - commute/Theo Wirth/Cedar Lake Tr/Shady Oak/Cedar Lake/Punch Pizza/Lake Calhoun/Home

35.1 miles
18.1 avg
30.1 max
1:55:54
Vintage Trek

Great day for a ride....before work ride and a trip to Punch Pizza after wirk to meet my family (minus Thatcher) for dinner and then a stroll around Lake Calhoun. After this ride I felt fantastic at work - in comparison to feeling like a total zombie on Saturday!

Sunday, June 14, 2009

7.8 miles - Commute - 6/13/09

7.8 miles
0:26:55
31.0 max
17.4 avg
Vintage Trek

Friday, June 12, 2009

15.2 miles - Greenway/Around Sabo Bridge/home - 6/11/09

15.2 miles
0:46:57
25.7 max
19.4 avg
Vintage Trek

Squeezed in a very quick ride, thus upsetting my wife...but it was worth it!!

34.0 miles

34.0 miles
Poprad

I forgot to post this one and had to erase it to start another ride. No time to get out there lately...baby has been keeping me anchored...

Friday, June 5, 2009

7.8 miles - Commute - 6/4/09

7.8 miles
0:26:33
31.8 max
17.7 avg
Vintage Trek

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

29.9 miles - Penn/Cedar Lake/Loring/Stone Arch/River Pkwy/Greenway - 70 degrees - 6/3/09

29.9 miles
1:47:52
30.1 max
16.6 avg
Vintage Trek

First ride with the Ultegra STI shifters, Ultegra front derailleur/ SRAM 10 speed chain and cassette installed...having a little difficulty getting it to shift properly. May be due to something with the shifter...I had Josh at the shop take a look at it today. I will have Doug check it out Friday or something. Other than that if is freakin' cool!!

Thursday, May 28, 2009

34.2 miles - Exelsior/101/Wayzata/New Trail to St. Boni from Wayzata - 75 degrees - 5/28/09

34.2 miles
avg 18.0
29.8 max
1:53:16
Poprad

Tried out the new trail that connects Wayzata with St. Bonifacious...its nice, but judging by the wealth along the trails, it made me well aware of how monetarily poor I really am. Great day for a ride...got a sunburn. Skipped lunch so I was very tired and ran out of energy on this relatively short ride....dah!

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

18.2 miles - Greenway Quick Route - 55 degrees - 5/27/09

18.2miles
0:58:28
27.7 max
18.7 avg
Poprad

Quick ride to the river and back...

17 miles - commute - 5/26/09

17 miles
Gary Fisher Burley puller

Rode to work and then off to Dinkytown to pick up my car...an absolutely beautiful night in Minnapolis...

Sunday, May 24, 2009

31.7 miles - Commute/Williston Extension/Shady Oak Extension - 5/24/09

31.7 miles
1:45:41
30.3 max
17.9 avg
Poprad

Rebuilt rear wheel with a step up in rim to the Bontrager Race Lite....built by Doug...great ride and great wheel build!!

7.8 miles - commute - 5/23/09

7.8 mils
0:26:59
32.4 max
17.4 avg

Vintage Trek

Friday, May 22, 2009

42 miles - Errand - Greenway/UMN/Ford Bridge/Minnehaha/SW Corridor - 68 degrees - 5/22/09

42 miles total

3.5 miles
Fisher Burley Puller
Trip to Trader Joe's

38.4 miles
2:15:18
30.5 max
avg 17.0
Vintage Trek

Greeeaaat ride...put the bar end shifter in friction mode and it shifted perfectly. Stopped twice to readjust my new saddle...still haven't hit the sweet spot, but soon. It was a great time...the River Parkway is quite beautiful...

Thursday, May 21, 2009

11.9 miles Commute/Trader Joes - 95 degrees - 5/19/09

11.9 miles
avg 17.1
0:41:28
28.8 max
Poprad

Whewww...hot!!

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

35 miles - Greenway/Minnehaha Loop - Eve trip to Minnetonka - 5/18/09

35 miles total for today

25.0 miles
1:20:16
18.7 avg
26.6 max
Poprad

10 miles
Fisher Burley Puller

Sunday, May 17, 2009

15.0 miles - Williston Rd Quick route - 65 degrees - 5/17/09

15 miles
35.4 max
18.3 avg
0:49:05
Poprad

Kept my average above 18...getting a little better...

Thursday, May 14, 2009

7.8 miles - Commute - 5/14/09

7.8 miles
avg 17.5
31.3 max
0:26:35
Poprad

Josh straightened out my reaer rim as best as he could...there are 3 dings and a flat spot on the rim...looks like I need a new rim. Maybe upgrade to a Race Light? Why not!

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

20.2 miles - Commute to Richfield Penn - 65 degrees - 5/14/09

20.2 miles
1:11:38
31.3 max
16.9 avg
Poprad

Got a flat by Lake Hariet on my way to work. It is really an eightish mile commute, but I must've somehow aded an extra 4 miles on my way to work. Penn Ave sucks as a cycling route. Chilly ride home.

18.2 miles - Green way to River and back - 5/12/09

18.2 miles
Poprad

I erased the rest of my computer results today before my trip to work. I remember that on this ride I noticed that close to half of the cyclists were women...interesting.

Monday, May 11, 2009

19.2 miles - Commute/Williston Extension/Trader Joes/Target - 48 degrees - 5/10/09

19.2 miles
1:03:37
33.4 max
18.1 avg
Poprad

Did Williston Rd for some hilly cardio...felt stronger on the ride home...

Saturday, May 9, 2009

13.18 miles - Commute/Shady Oak Extension - 45 degrees - 5/9/09

13.18 miles
avg 18.1
max 29.8
0:43:41
Trek 330 SS

8.90 miles - Commute - 5/8/09

8.9 mles
avg 16.4
28.3 max
0:32:38
Trek 330 SS

Rainy ride hime...I took Minnetonka Blvd....

Monday, May 4, 2009

13.8 miles - Commute/Cedar Lake Extension - 77 degrees - 5/4/09

13.8 miles
0:47:44
28.7 max
17.3 avg

Vintage Trek

Time to start finishing what I started with this old Trek and build it properly. Going to start with a front derailleur and hopefully a new set of brakes (Cane Creek is on my wish list) and a chain and cassette. It rides like a dream...now I want it to perform.

Sunday, May 3, 2009

9.8 miles - Commute - 65 degrees - 4/3/09

9.8 miles
avg 18.4
32.1 max
0:31:53

Vintage Trek

12.3 miles - Commute - 4/2/09

12.3 miles
0:41:16
17.8 avg
33.4 max
Poprad

Friday, May 1, 2009

28.2 miles - Minnehaha Prkwy/Downtown/Whole Foods - 61 degrees - 5/1/09

28.2 miles
1:38:50
28.5 max
17.0 avg
Poprad

Beautiful, but chilly day. I really smelled the roses today...probably because I have not been out this whole week. I stopped for a burrito and then at Dunn Bros in Loring Park for a cookie and coffee on the way home.

April 2009 = 255 miles - 892 total (2009)

That sucks!!! I need to get it in gear...

Friday, April 24, 2009

20.6 miles - Commute/Errands - 65 degrees - 4/24/09

20.6 miles
avg 17.8
28.4 max
1:09:00
Poprad

Was going to take the Old Trek Commuter today, but I am having trouble getting it to shift properly due to a bad mesh of parts. I am going to get a new crank set, chain, cassette and front derailleur for it and then it should be quite a sweeeet ride!

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

7.9 miles - Commute - 4/21/09 - 45 degrees

7.9 miles
avg 17.2
max 31.9
0:27:30
Poprad

17.45 - Commute x2 - 4/18 - 4/19/09

17.45 miles
avg 16.4
max 32.0
cal 593.9
1:03:41
Winter Commuter (i.e., Swamp Monster)

Friday, April 17, 2009

23.8 miles - Hutch-Spur/Cedar Lake/Noodles and Co/Lk-o-the-Isles/Lake Calhoun/Trader Joes - 73 degrees - 4/17/09

23.8 miles
17.7 avg
26.3 max
1:20:32
Poprad

Great beautiful day....BUT THERE ARE SO MANY FRIGGIN' IDIOTS ON THE TRAIL THIS TIME OF THE YEAR...

Monday, April 13, 2009

50.4 miles - CRC/Fort Snelling/E River Pkwy/UMN/Theo Wirth/Penn Cycle/Fern Hill/Minnetonka Blvd - 55 degrees - 4/13/09

50.4 miles
17.6 avg
31.0 max
2:51:16
Poprad

What a great ride....I must've had tons of energy from Easter candy and Easter meal stored up from the day before....I didn't bonk from lack of food until 4 miles from home...I need to make a note to self that anything over 35 miles I need some provisions...

Saturday, April 11, 2009

12 miles - Lake Calhoun/SW Corridor - 4/12/09

12 miles
45 minutes
Fisher Burley Puller with ride-a-long

Attached the ride-a-long today and Liam and I went for a cruise down to Lake Calhoun...I forgot how much I love pulling Liam around....and it is a good workout.

22.2 miles - Cedar Lake Tr/Bryn Mar/Theo Wirth/Cedar Lake/SW Corridor - 4/10/09

22.2 miles
1:11:48
25.4 max
17.7 avg
Poprad

Nice ride...felt good...finally had an 18.0 average MPH until I hit the neighborhood and stopped to talk to a friend and it dropped while riding slowly to a 17.7...but I felt really good this ride...

13.64 miles - Errands - 4/10/09

13.64 miles
16.8 avg
31.6 max
456.4 cal
0:48:39
Swamp Monster

Rode to "Picture Person" art volunteering at Aquila and Cedar Manor...then to Trader Joe's and home via the Gary Fisher Alfresco winter bike. I took off the cyclocross tires that I used for winter and replaced them with 700x23 Continental Gator Skins...feels much faster now...

Thursday, April 9, 2009

7.9 miles - Commute - 4/8/09

7.9 miles
0:26:42
avg 15.5
31.6 max
Poprad

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

14.6 miles - Commute/Trader Joes - 26/42 degrees - 4/7/09

14.6 miles
0:48:31
18.0 avg
Poprad

Cleaned the Poprad at work tonight...it's that feeling on the bike, which is the same as a car - after the wash everything feels smoother and faster....very quick but an enjoyable ride home from work!!

Friday, April 3, 2009

32.3 miles - Errands/Backwards Minnehaha/River Pkwy/Greenway - 41 degrees - 4/3/09

32.3 miles
1:48:48
32.2 max
16.9 avg
Poprad

I noticed how squeaky people's bikes are and I also noticed that people buy really expensive bikes that don't fit them, or don't have them fitted to them properly. Buy some detergent and some lube people!!! And take your bikes to your local shop and ask them for a fitting!!!

Thursday, April 2, 2009

6 miles - Errands - 41 degrees - 4/2/09

6 miles
Fisher Burley Puller

Thatcher and went for a ride to the Rec Center to pick up a key for the Louisiana Oaks Pavilion. He REALLY loves his new bike - the Trek 7.6fx. I am glad he enjoys it. Then in the evening I rode over to the neighborhood meeting and then returned the Redbox DVD...the newly built Gary Fisher Tassahara Burley puller works great. I am really enjoying riding it. Unfortunately the front derailleur is giving me problems and on the way home the drive-side crank loosened up. I don't think it is chronic, but I am carrying a crank wrench with me anyway...

24.5 miles - SW Corridor/Cedar Lake Tr/Downtown/Riv Pkwy/Greenway - 41 degrees - 4/2/09

24.5 miles
17.0 avg
33.1 max
1:26:16
Poprad

A very tired ride with what seemed like a very strong NW headwind...its nice to ride without a lot of water covering the trails...toes got really cold for some reason...I also drew the conclusion that I do not like Continental Ultra Sport road tires. I much prefer the Gator Skins..they both wear and ride much better. The Ultra Sports seem to be very slow...

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

7.83 miles - Commute - 31 degrees - 3/26/09

7.83 miles
avg 15.6
max 27.2
cal 246.8
0.30.04
Swamp Monster

Crazy strong headwind going to work...made it not fun....

Sunday, March 22, 2009

22.3 miles - Commute/SW Corridor/Bryn Mar/Cedar Lake Rd/Work/Hopkins - 3/22/09

22.3 miles
avg 17.1
27.4 max
1:18:03
Poprad

Strong easterly headwind today...so I rode into the wind and then with the wind to my back on Cedar Lake Rd...very pleasant weather...NOT liking my Pearl Izumi AmPhib shoe covers though...they don't stay in place very well, unlike their Caliente shoe covers...maybe its the user...we'll see...

18.6 miles - Commute/Noodles/Bryn Mar - 3/21/09

18.6 MILES
16.9 AVG
32.4MAX
1:05:52
Poprad

Thursday, March 19, 2009

33.9 miles - Ford Bridge/U of MN loop - 51 degrees - 3/18/09

33.9 miles
avg 16.8
max 32.5
2:00:23
Poprad

I took the SW Corridor east to the Lakes and went by Lake Hariet the on to the Minnehaha Parkway to the River Parkway and onto the Ford Bridge - went across the Mississippi River to the St. Paul side and the E River Parkway and into the University of Minnesota - then went by the new stadium construction and into Dinkytown - the by Dunn Bros across University Ave and down and across the Stone Arch Bridge and back into Minneapolis and the W River Parkway and back up to the Greenway...I stopped at Freewheel bikes on the Greenway to get a coffee and a Cliff Bar then home...
Excellent day for a ride...again, I wish I could've kept going...the Poprad is very sandy and salty, but holding up quite well...with all the crap on the roads from winter I am glad I installed the Conty Gator Skins last year...I have run over some unsightly objects...

Monday, March 16, 2009

15 miles - Bryn Mar quick route - 71 degrees - 3/16/09

15 miles
0:53:49
16.7 avg
26.7 max
Poprad

Not much time, but managed to sneak a ride in....best day yet - warm and sunny - rode in shorts....Sw Corridor/Ceadr Lake/Brymn Mar/Wayzata Blvd/Cedar Lake Rd/Virginia/Louisianna...felt good!

Sunday, March 15, 2009

21.8 miles - Commute/Salsa a la Salsa on Nicolette/Cedar Lake/Wooddale - 54 degrees - 3/15/09

21.8 miles
1:16:10
28.1 max
avg 16.4
Poprad

Went to work and then met the family for authentic Mexican at Salsa A La Salsa on Nicollete Ave in Minneapolis...then rode home on the Blake School/ Walker Art road to Lake of the Isles and by Lake Calhoun and back in through St. Louis Park to home...I also went through Bryn Mar to get to the restaurant...very nice day for a ride - very pleasant. I stopped at the Walker Sculpture Garden on the way home because the were a boatload of starlings flying around in strange formations. There were also tons of them in the trees. One tree down by the parking lot was black with birds. I am not sure what they were doing, but I bet it had something to do with finding a mate and nesting.

Saturday, March 14, 2009

21.9 miles - Exlesior.Williston/Minnetonka/Ridgedale Mall/Wayzata Blvd/Virginia - 41 degrees - 3/13/09

21.9 miles
1:17:59
avg 16.8
max 35.8
Poprad

Great ride - picked up my glasses from Ridgedale Mall Len's Crafters.... a bit chilly, but not bad.

Monday, March 9, 2009

24.5 miles - Exelsior Blvd/Williston/Minn Blvd/Cedar Lake Rd/Bryn Mar/Cedar Lake/Whole Foods/Home - 36 degrees - 3/9/09

24.5 miles
avg 16.4
max 32.9
1.29.15
Poprad

I shouldn't be riding the Poprad this time of year...a kid could play in the amount of sand on the road shoulders. It was a nice ride. I was happy that I took the Williston hills no problem (unlike last year when I felt like I would die climbing them), but I was not so happy that my avg speed was in the 16MPH's....hopefully I can start upping that!! It was above freezing but yet felt very cold...probably from the dampness in the fog...

11.34 miles - Commute/Hopkins - 38 degrees - 3/8/08

11.34 miles
avg 15.3
max 31.1
cal 342.1
0.44.19
Swamp Monster

Moved a working Cateye computer over from my MTB...wished I could rode another 20 miles on the way home....it was beautiful!!!

10 miles - Commute - 3/7/09

10 miles
Swamp Monster

Friday, March 6, 2009

23.8 miles - Greenway/Miss Riv Parkwy/ Lk Hariet/Lk Calhoun/SW Corridor - 36 degrees - 3/6/09

23.8 miles
1:25:12
max 28.5
avg 16.7
Poprad

Probably shouldn't have taken the Poprad and probably should've used the fenders - I was totally drenched from the knee down...other than that it was a fun ride..

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

21.2 miles - SW Corridor/MInn Blvd/Ridgedale Lib/HW101/Minn Blvd - 25 degrees - 3/3/09

21.2 miles
1:15:02
max 36.5
avg 16.9
Poprad

First use of the new Trek Incite 9i wireless computer. It has a cool reverse light monitor and a temp guage. Love it so far. I had to cut the ride short because of the very windy cross winds (yaws). My legs and toes got way too cold...oh and I rode for the first time with my new heart rate monitor...very cool...I'll talk about it next time...

Sunday, February 22, 2009

12 miles - Commute/Trader Joe's - 2/22/09

12 miles
Swamp Monster

8 miles - Commute - 15 degrees - 2/21/09

8 miles
Swamp Monster

5 inches of fresh snow...a little slow going but good roads on the ride home...

Friday, February 20, 2009

19.14 miles - SW Corridor/Theo Wirth/Cedar Lake/Calhoun/Trader Joe's - 23 degrees - 2/20/09

19.14 miles
avg 17.1
max 30.9
cal 654.4
1.07.08
Poprad

Not a good idea to ride the Poprad, but I was crazy to ride a real bike that was fast and responsive....although the road salts may compromise the Poprad...it was worth it. I love that bike!! I had to ride slow around a lot of ice and my cardio needs to get back up to par....

8 miles - Commute - 5/16 degrees - 2/20/09

8 miles
Trek "Winter" bike

Thursday, February 19, 2009

36.24 miles - Commute x 2/errands/extensions - 2/14-16/09

36.24 miles
avg 16.4
max 31 9
cal 1215.1
2.13.21
Trek 330 single speed

Everything is frozen and dry, therefore, it makes a great time to use a bike other than the Swamp Monster...I changed the tires on the SS out to Bontrager Race Lite Hardcase tires, which have been fantastic tires for the SS 330...we will see how they hold out throughout the Spring and Summer months...

12.4 miles - Commute - 2/13/09

12.4 miles
15.9 avg
28.4 max
396.1 cal
0.50.31
Swamp Monster
Wish I would've rode the SS...

Monday, February 9, 2009

18 miles - Commute/Mini Hops - 30 degrees - 2/08/09

18 miles
Swamp Monster

Commuted to work...left early to go and see Liam's first gymnastics meet at Mini Hops in Minnetonka/Wayzata....very tired ride...I bailed coming into the neighbohrood on the way home - 4th wipeout on ice this season.

Friday, February 6, 2009

25 miles - Greenway/W River Prkwy/Downtown/Bryn Mar/Cedar Lake/SW Corridor - 37 degrees - 2/06/09






25 Miles
Swamp Monster
1.75 hours

Great ride. but not long enough!! I flatted when I reached the end of the Greenway. Luckily, I am alwaysd prepared with extra gloves, tube, etc... There was a peice of glass about .5 centimeters in width sticking out of my front tire - right down the center line.
I was going to take my Trek 330 single speed, but I am glad I didn't because the ice and slush was very problematic, even for my cyclocross tires on the Monster. I stopped and had dinner at First Wok with my wife, Liam and Kian (the baby) and rode home very chilly from the sweat. I am looking forward to more rides in the next few months...
PS: Saw a lot of commuters in full gear...mostly riding squeaky shitboxes and fixies, but I did see a cool Pugsley all decked out for winter commmuting...

Monday, February 2, 2009

12 miles - Commute - 27/28 degrees - 2/01/09

12 miles
Swamp Monster

Took some extra roads to extend the ride a bit...wiped out on the ice coming out of the neighborhood onto the SW Corridor...

Sunday, February 1, 2009

January 2009 - 90 Miles

....with many horrific hours on the indoor trainer at home and at the gym....

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Friday, January 23, 2009

22 miles - BMX to Depot/Greenway to River/Whole Foods - 24/26 degrees - 1/22/09

Me and bike on SW Corridor...
West River Parkway
"Train" bridge over the Mississippi from the parkway...


SW Corridor looking east...



22 miles

2 miles
BMX
Liam and I rode down to the Depot Coffeehouse in the morning on our BMX bikes...

20 niles
Swamp Monster
To the Mississippi River and back via the Greenway with a stop at Whole Foods on the way home.