Thursday, December 30, 2010

100 miles in December - total for the year is 2905 miles

28 miles - Commute x 3 - 12/26 - 27 and 12/29/10

28 miles

GF Tassahara Winterbike

Took the trail for these rides....the trail conditions were awesome with a sheen of dry snow and no ice. Today it warmed up and has been raining all day and the temps are going to drop to 15 tonight....its gonna get messy. The trail conditions are going to get wrecked and there will be black ice everywhere. Snow this weekend so then we have snow over a thick layer of ice. All this equals shittay!!

10 miles - commute - 12/23/10

10 miles

GF Winterbike

Took trail on the way home...

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

30 miles - Commute x 3 - 12/17, 12/18, and 12/19/10

30 miles

Gary Fisher (GF) Tassahara winter bike

Wow....what a winter!!! I thought I could get 200 miles in December. Hardly possible with below 10 degree temps and seven snowfalls in the past 6 weeks. Calling for more snow on Friday. I guess I will have to settle for around 2900 miles. Better luck next year I guess...

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

16 miles - Commute x 2 - 12/7 - 12/8/10

16 miles

Commute x 2

GF Tassahara winter bike

Friday, December 3, 2010

13 miles - Commute x 1.5 - 12/2 - 12/3/10

13 miles

GF Tassahara winter bike

Only made it to work...too much snow to get home. There was about 4 inches on the ground and I made it about 1/4 miles down Cedar Lake Rd and decided to turn around and ask Tony for a ride home.

Monday, November 29, 2010

26 miles - commute x 3 - 11/25/ - 11/28/10

26 miles

GF Tassahara winter bike

Icey wet and snow....I think I may be geared a bit too high with a 50t front chainring. So I am going to install a 46t chainring that I have laying around. I like the top end, but with my left knee in a bit of pain from pushing a big gear and snowy conditions may be better with a different - higher RPM and lower overall speed.
Oh yeah...I finally got that damn front fender to stop rubbing...that is, until I bump it or something.
The getting-used-to curve is over for the winter bike. Now tyhe slower speeds and weird handling is just familiar again. I better get used to it. It's going to my only ride for another 4 months.

Saturday, November 20, 2010

8 miles - commute - 11/20/10

8 miles

GF Tassahara winter bike

Brrrr...20ish degrees....

Friday, November 12, 2010

14 miles - Commute/Cedar Lake Extension - 11/12/10

14 miles

GF Tassahara SS (winter bike)

I missed riding this crappy ol' bike since last year. I just wish I had a narrower set of tires for this thing.

Thursday, November 11, 2010

18.1 miles - Greenway to Mississippi River and Back - 11/11/10

18.1 miles
18.0 avg
24.6 max
1:00:17

Madone

Hell wind coming from the west...tired, feeling shitty. Hope this crappy ride isn't the last on the Madone for the winter.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

10 miles - Beer run - 11/10/10

10 miles

Winter bike

Went to get some beer and stop at the shop to chat. Actually enjoyed riding the winter bike tonight. I think I will turn it into my Luce Line bike next summer with some hybrid tires and maybe a summertime wheel set. I have been wanting to build something up just to ride on the crushed limestone trails...might as well keep it going in the summer.

Monday, November 8, 2010

35.7 miles - Minnetonka Route (www.mapmyride.com) - 11/8/10

Click here to see the route: null

35.7 miles
19.0 avg
35.2 max
1:52:07

Madone

I don't live at the U, so I started from home in St. Louis Park. I decided to ride the route clockwise. I rode strsight up Minnetonka Blvd. I followed the route pretty well until Shorline Dr, where I missed Tonkawa Rd and instead stayed on Shoreline Dr until Ferndale Rd.

It was exciting to ride new roads, plus the whole idea of having a map and having to use tat map to find my location and route took me back to my 4 Day Solo Tour from August of this year. Apparently I love the feeling of having to find my way and chart a new course.

It was fun ride. I just wish I had more time to do longer routes. Its November anyway....

22.4 miles - night ride - 11/4/10

22.4 miles
15.4 avg
22.9 max
1:27:03

Trek 520

Friday, October 29, 2010

7.7 miles - commute - 10/28/10

7.7 miles
16.6 avg
27.8 max
0:27:47

Trek 520

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

8 miles - commute - 10/26/10

8 miles

Winter bike (GF Tassahara SS)

First ride for the winter bike this season...gettin' the bugs out of this machine that moves like a snail....

Friday, October 22, 2010

17.6 miles - Exelsion/Baker/Cedar Lake/Wayzata Blvd/Minnetonka Blvd/Greenway - night ride - 10/22/10

17.6 miles
17.5 avg
29.1 max
1:00:08

Madone....maybe the last ride on the Madone for the season??? Hope not!!!
I still need 365 miles in the next 2 months to break my minimum annual goal of 3000 miles. Hope I can find the time to do it....

14.4 miles - Exelsior/Williston/Baker/Exelsior - night ride - 10/21/10

14.4 miles
18.0 avg
33.1 max
0:47:43

Madone

Thursday, October 21, 2010

22.9 miles - commutex2 w/ Williston Extension - 10/20/10

22.9 miles
17.7 avg
36.3 max (Williston)
1:17:32

Madone

Crazy winds...feeling shitty...tired, etc....

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Saturday, October 16, 2010

36.8 miles - Commute/Theo Wirth/W Parky/Minnehaha Pkwy extension - 10/16/10

36.8 miles
17.2 avg
29.9 max
2:07:59

Madone

Sensor batteries must be low in my computer b/c I had to tape the monitor onto the headtube to get it down nearer to the sensor...worked..got the numbers above.

Friday, October 15, 2010

12.9 miles - Burley-pullin' - 10/15/10

12.9 miles
13.1 avg
19.5 max
0:59:19

Black Trek w/ Burley

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

18.3 miles - Greenway to River and back - 10/10/10

18.3 miles
20.1 avg
27.7 max
0:54:33

Madone....FASTEST RIDE OF THE YEAR SO FAR....ABOVE 20 MPH AVG...

13.3 miles - Ridgedale YMCA - 10/9/10

13.3 miles
17.3 avg
0:46:10

Trek 520

To Ridgedale and back...

Friday, October 8, 2010

11.9 miles - Commute/Ridgedale YMCA - 8/10/10

11.9 miles
16.2 avg
28.8 max
0:44:19

Trek 520

25.4 miles - 2 days of Burley-pullin' - 10/7 -10/8/10


25.4 miles
13.2 avg
18.2 max
1:50:25

Black Trek w/ Burley

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

(410 Miles on The Madone so far)

The guys at work think I am crazy for riding my other bikes as much as I ride the Madone. Of the rides on the Madone, most are longer than the trips on the other bikes. So I am riding the Madone, according to the numbers, on longer planned rides and for the short commutes and utilitarian rides I am using the other bikes. Totally makes sense.

12.2 miles - Night ride/Baker Rd Loop - 6/10/10

12.2 miles
17.3 avg
0:42:05

Black Trek

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

21.1 miles - commute/Williston Extension - 10/5/10


21.1 miles

18.4 avg

36.2 max

1:08:23


Madone


New headlight is great! Its the MiNewt 250 cordless



19.4 miles - Commute/Williston Extension - 10/3/10

19.4 miles
1:04:10
18.2 avg
35.7 max (Williston)

Madone

Saturday, October 2, 2010

12 miles - Commute/Baker Extension - 10/2/10

12 miles
16.9 avg
31.0 max (Baker Rd)
0:42:36

Black Trek

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

17.9 miles - YMCA w/Burley - 9/29/10

17.9 miles
12.1 avg
30.3 max (Hopkins Crossroads)
1:28:09

Black Trek w/Burley

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Monday, September 27, 2010

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Monday, September 13, 2010

14.3 miles - Commute/Ridgedale Y - 9/13/10

14.3 miles
15.9 avg
23.2 max
0:53:36

Trek 520

Sunday, September 12, 2010

21.9 miles - commute/Williston Extension both ways - 9/12/10

21.9 miles
19.0 avg
37.4 max
1:08:42

Madone

Some beautiful early fall/late summer weather...hope it continues.

7.8 miles - commute - 9/11/10

7.8 miles
16.5 avg
27.5 max
0:28:26

Black Trek

Friday, September 10, 2010

16.4 miles - Burley pullin' to the YMCA - 9/9/10

16.4 miles
13.4 avg
30.6 max
1:12:43

Black Trek w/ Burley

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

15.1 miles - Pullin' the Burley to the gym and home - 9/8/10

15.1 miles
13.3 avg
31.6 max
1:07:35

Black Trek w/ Burley attached. I decided to utilize the Black Trek as my Burley puller until I decide what would work better. Tonight I reattached the Bontrager quick release fenders - which rule - and put on some RaceLite Hardcase 700 x 25 tires that I had laying around, cleaned and adjusted the bike. It really is a beaut. I should post some recent pics.

30.13 miles - BNurley pullin' - 9/9/10

30.13 miles
10.0 avg
22.5 max
549.5 cal
2:59:25

Trek 790
Black Trek

I have decided that I am probably going to let go of the 790 due to the fact that it is too small for me, even though I have manipulated it to work. I am still not totally comfy on the bike and probably never will be...we'll see... its been a great steed to have. I just wish it was one size bigger....

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Sunday, September 5, 2010

22.7 miles - commute/Greenway/Cedar Lake/Glenwood via Bryn Mar/Cedar Lake Tr/Minnetonka Blvd - 9/4/10

22.7 miles
18.6 avg
31.3 max
1:13:06

Madone

Just think on my ride about how I feel SRAM road group seems to be a superior product over Shimano - not in quality, which is on par, but with user-friendliness.

7.8 miles - commute - 9/4/10

7.8 miles
17.1 avg
31.4 max
0:27:18

Black Trek

7.5 miles - commute - 9/3/10

7.5 miles
15.6 avg
25.9 max
0:29:09

Trek 520

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

535 miles in August 2010 = 2130 for the year so far

32.7 miles - Greenway/Ford Bridge/W River Pkwy/Minnehaha Trail/Lakes/Greenway - 8/31/10

32.7 miles
18.4 avg
28.4 max
1:46:14

Madone

It was nice to get out for more than an hour...felt good and a nice day....love that view from the Ford Bridge....also I have concluded that Hammer Gel and GU carb packs work the best for sustaining energy for me.

Monday, August 30, 2010

16.5 miles - exelsior blvd/shady oak rd/mcginty rd/minnetonka blvd/hutch spur - 8/31/10

16.5 miles
17.9 avg
29.9 max
0:55:01

Madone

Quick ride...was hoping for a nice long ride, but ran out of time....also feeling a bit like I lost my endurance...

Saturday, August 28, 2010

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

22.8 miles - Exelsior/101/McGinty/Cedar Lake Rd/Shop - 8/24/10

22.8 miles
18.3 avg
37.8 max
1:15:00

Madone 6.5

Saw 9 wild turkeys on McGinty Rd. Nice ride.

Friday, August 20, 2010

282.5 miles - St. Croix River 4-Day Tour - 8/16-8/20/10

282.5 miles
18:43:36
38.0 max
15.0 avg

Loaded Trek 520

Details soon....

Sunday, August 15, 2010

7.9 miles - commute - 8/15/10

7.9 miles
15.4 avg
28.8 max
0:30:50

Loaded Trek 520 - handles really well with a boatload of weight...we'll see how she does on my trip.

8.2 miles commute - 8/13/10

8.2 miles
0:31:12
25.9 max
15.7 avg

Loaded Trek 520

Testing the bags for my trip.

8 miles - commute - 8/13/10

8 miles
avg 14.5
24.2 max
0:33:15

Trek 520

Thursday, August 12, 2010

12 miles - Mini Hops/Carlson Pkwy/494 frontage trail/McGinty Rd/Loop Trail/Carlson Pkwy - 8/12/10

12 miles
50 minutes non-stop

Trek 790 w Burley trailer

Rode for an hour while Liam was at gymnastics...forgot my cycle computer, but feel pretty good about the mileage guess.

7.9 miles - Commute - 8/10/10

7.9 miles
0:28:21
27.8 max
16.8 avg

Blck Trek

15.9 miles - commute/Lake Calhoun/Trader Joe's - 8/9/10

15.9 miles
26.9 max
1:07:40
17.9 avg

Trek 520

Monday, August 9, 2010

St. Croix River Mini-Tour

Getting ready for my three day trip next week. It is a lot of prep for a short trip. I am borrowing the Axiom Monsoon panniers from Kate. It was the set I was going to purchase. I can test them before I buy them.
I took a trip to REI tonight to seek out a coffeemaker, nice blanket, cooking pot, bowls and a lightweight camp stove. I ended up with the WhisperLite Pocket Rocket and two cannisters, a Therma Rest blanket, a java press and some cookware. I will give details after the ride on how well they worked.
I am currently working out the itinerary, but I know I will be staying at Interstate State Park, St. Croix State Park and if I can get an extra night, Wild River State Park. The mileage is 65, 65, and 110 or 65, 65, 65, and 65.

35.3 miles - Commute/Greenway/Ford Bridge/Franlin ave Bridge/Greenway/Trader Joes - 8/9/10

35.3 miles
18.5 avg
29.2 max
1:54:16

Madone 6.5

Whoa...it was hot....over 100 degrees, but a really nice ride...

Sunday, August 8, 2010

22.6 miles - Commute x 2 - 8/6 - 8/7/10

22.6 miles
16.2 avg
1:23:22
24.3 max

Trek 520

Thursday, August 5, 2010

14.8 miles - Commute/Williston Extension - 8/4/10

14.8 miles
0:47:15
35.9 max
18.7 avg

Madone 6.5 Pro

16.4 miles - Commute x 2 - 8/2 - 8/3/10

16.4 miles
16.4 avg
25.7 max
1:00:16

Trek 520

Saturday, July 31, 2010

370 miles in July 2010 - 1595 so far this year

119.34 miles - One month of Burley pullin' - July


119.34 miles
10.4 avg
28.1 max
2319.0 cal
11:21:49

Trek 790 w/ Burley

I just left the computer on the bike this month instead of posting individual rides. Mostly the rides were utilitarian, but a few were for pleasure. Kian really loves riding in the Burley trailer.

Sunday, July 25, 2010

15.4 miles - Commute/ Williston Extension 7/24/10

15.4 miles
18.8 avg
37.0 max
0:49:18

Madone

Tired....hungry....

8.3 miles - Commute - 7/23/10

8.3 miles
15.7 avg
26.1 max
0:31:53

Trek 520

Thursday, July 22, 2010

26.6 miles - Greenway/Franklin Bridge/E River Pkwy/Ford Bridge/W River Pkwy/Greenway - 7/20/10

26.6 miles
1:22:31
26.9 max
19.3 avg

Madone

Ride moderately hard for my fitness level, bnut di not do anything for recovery and bit it later that night. I need to eat a PBJ or something when I get home...otherwise a great ride.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

22.9 miles - Commute/Lake Calhoun and Hariet - 7/19/10

22.9 miles
1:11:21
26.4 max
19.2 avg

Madone

Great short ride on my way home from work...the lakes can get annoying, but today there weren't a ton of people strolling at 3:30 in the afternoon. Started out wanting just a slow casual ride and something about theat Madone just wants to go fast....

Monday, July 19, 2010

15.2 miles - Lake Hariet and Calhoun - 7/18/10

15.2 miles
0:54:18
24.6 max
16.8 avg

Black Trek

Blew a tube at dusk on the north side of Lake Calhoun. I heard my front brake rub and thought I popped a spoke or bent the rim, so I reached down and released the quick release, which didn't help (it was dark). Then I heard a huge POW!!! It was like a gunshot blast and one of the four girls on cruiser bikes 50 feet in front of me screamed bloody murder. I pulled over and changed the tube while getting sucked dry of my blood from those little flying creatures.
It was an interesting ride. Glad I didn't take the Madone tonight, especially around the Lakes.

29.4 miles - Commute x 2 - 7/17 - 7/18/10

29.4 miles (10.4 miles on Black Trek, 19 miles on Madone)
1:36:21
34.9 max
18.2 avg

Black Trek, Madone

Went the long way to work and back on Saturday and started 45 minutes early on Sunday morning w/ the Madone.

Friday, July 16, 2010

10.9 miles - Commute/394 frontage extension - 7/16/10

10.9 miles
16.4 avg
29.5 max
0:39:59

Trek 520

I just wanted to keep going tonight, but the little dudes keep me heading towards home...

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

8 miles - commute - 7/14/10

8 miles
16.5 avg
25.9 max
0:29:17

Trek 520

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

10.7 miles - commute - 7/13/10

10.7 miles
0:38:37
26.4 max
16.6 avg

Black Trek

To Dunn Bros to pick up a breakfast sandwich, 2 apple fritters and some coffee and off to work...beautiful morning to ride to work and stay there for 12 hours....

Monday, July 12, 2010

21.7 miles - Comnmute/Mitch's - 7/11 - 7/12/10

21.7 miles
13.1 avg
32.6 max
1:39:27

Trek 520

Rode Thatcher over to Mitch's and today I rode to work...

Thursday, July 8, 2010

56.7 miles - 3 Rides on North Shore - 7/6 - 7/7 - 7/8/10






56.7 miles
17.1 avg
41.1 max
3:18:20

Black Trek
20 miles on the first morning of our short stay at the Cascade Lodge (http://www.cascadelodgemn.com/) was great. Warm weather and hardly a breeze. 10 miles on the second day because there was a fog that spattered my glasses, I forgot my water bottle and I was very achy for some reason. 27 miles on the last day. I set a very small goal which was to climb the Gunflint Trail from Grand Marais to the top of the hill - 3 miles on a steady and steep incline. It was fun and nice to feel a burn from climbing for a change. There are no hills in the Twin Cities worthy of calling a challenge. Great rides, although short. The pics are of a cool strange bike and of a view from mid hill on the Gunflint of Grand Marais.

Saturday, July 3, 2010

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

320 miles in June 2010 = 1225 so far this year

13.3 miles - Ridgedale YMCA - 6/30/10

13.3 miles
0:45:59
31.1 max
17.3 avg

Black Trek

Poor sleep and little food throughut the day equals a very sluggish short ride and a weak workout...beautiful summer day though and I had a fun little cruise with Liam and Kian earlier in the day...

15.05 miles - Burley-pillin' - 6/30/10

15.05 miles
9.9 avg
20.2 max
294.3 cal
1:30:27

Trek 790 w/ Burley

Monday, June 28, 2010

26.8 miles - Greenway/Franklin Ave Bridge/E R%iver Pkwy/Ford Bridge/W River Pkwy/Greenway - 6/28/10

26.8 miles
1:27:07
29.3 max
18.4 avg

Madone

I went out with the intention of keeping the avg speed nice ad easy. It was difficult with the wind at my back, but on the way home up the Greenway the wind was blowing (according to www.wunderground.com) at a nice 20-30MPH in my face, so it slowed the avg speed down. I was feeling tired and sluggish due to poor sleep and too little sleep. I love crossing the brdges over the river though.

22.5 miles - Greenway/Kenwood/Cedar Lake/Minnetonka Blvd/McGinty Rd/494 trail/Cedar Lake Rd - 6/27/10

22.5 MILES
19.8 AVG
30.0 MAX
1:08:45

Madone

Great ride...feeling good despite bad sleep/moderate to agressive pace. Love the Madone...it climbs real great.

Saturday, June 26, 2010

12 miles - FIRST RIDE ON MADONE 6.5 - Whew it was sweeeeett!!!



12 miles
Madone
First ride was a short one but wow....that bike is everything it is wraped up to be. I should've laid down for one of these years ago....

7.4 miles - Commute - 6/23/10

7.4 miles
0:25:49
17.2 avg
29.3 max

Black Trek

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

22.37 miles - Noodles and Co/ Ridgedale YMCA - 619/10 and 6/22/10

22.37 miles
10.7 avg
28.9 max
443.1 cal
2:04:28

Trek 790 w/ Burley trailer....uuuugh!

7.7 miles - Commute - 6/22/10

7.7 miles
0:26:25
30.3 max
17.6 avg

Black Trek

Monday, June 21, 2010

The Force is with me!!

My SAM group is here!!! Now its time to install it.....

8 miles - commute - 6/20/10

8 miles

Black Trek

Friday, June 18, 2010

11.1 miles - commute - 6/18/10

11.1 miles
0:37:20
31.4 max
17.7 avg

Black Trek

7.9 miles - commute - 6/17/10

7.9 miles
15.5 avg
26.1 max
0:30:47

Trek 520

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

17.6 miles - Greenway/Kenwood/Cedar Lake Trail/Cedar Lake Rd/Minnetonka Mills/Minnetonka Blvd - 6/16/10

17.6 miles
19.3 avg
30.8 max
0:54:31

Black Trek

Started out slow, but ended up strong on my quick ride...kept my avg speed up to over 19....felt good about that.

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Madone will be on the road next week!!!

I ordered the SRAM Force group with 175mm compact cranks. I can't freakin wait!!!

18.3 miles - Greenway to River and back - 6/15/10

18.3 miles
18.8 avg
26.1 max
0:58:15

Black Trek

Although it was a short ride and the same old, same old, it was an awesome ride. I don't know if it was the two good beers before I left or the fact that my legs just felt strong as hell. Either way it was great!!

24.3 miles - Commute x 3 - 6/11 - 6/13/10

24.3 miles
16.2 avg
27.1 max
1:29:59

Trek 520

Rode the 520 b/c it rained the whole friggin' weekend....

Monday, June 7, 2010

19 miles - Grenway to river and back - 6/7/10

19 miles
18.9 avg

Black Trek

Somehow my computer freaked out after I took it off the mount and the miles and avg speed are all I remember...nice and strong ride with beautiful weather!

30.1 miles - Commute x 2/Williston extension/Cedar Lake extension - 6/5 - 6/6/10

30.1 miles
15.5 avg
37.6 max
1:55:27

Black Trek

Installed Origin8 stem adapter from threaded to threadless so that I could change stem whenever I want...its great and works well...so I shortened the stem a bit and rose it to close to the same height as my seat...nice comfy ride.

8.4 miles - Commute - 6/4/10

8.4 miles
15.5 avg
27.4 max
0:32:22

Trek 520

Thursday, June 3, 2010

14.3 miles - Rodgedale Y/Cub Foods - 6/3/10

14.3 miles
15.4 avg
32.8 max
0:55:47

Trek 520

I have come to grips with the fact that the 520 is NOT ever going to be fast. I am going to have to learn to ride steady and not concern myself with speed - a revelation.

11.4 miles - Burley pullin' to Treader Joes and with Thatcher/Kian - 6/1/10 and 6/3/10

11.4 miles
avg 9.6
17.0 max
191.4 cal
1:11:03

Trek 790 w/ Burley

Sometimes Kian will go over to the shed and bang on the shed door trying to tell me he wants to go for a Burley ride. It was nice riding with Thatcher and pulling Kian the other evening. We cruised down the Greenway and around Bass Lake. It was slow and Thatcher talked to whole time - something we don't get much time to do.
Today I weighted down the Burley with Kian, 3 bags of groceries, 3 bottles of wine and a gallon of milk. It rode pretty stiff, but held up well. I decided today that I want an ExtraCycle....

27.2 miles - Greeway/Theo Wirth/Cedar Lake Tr/Hopkins/Williston/Minnetonka Blvd - 6/2/10

27.2 miles
18.0 avg
34.0 max
1:30:14

Black Trek

I am hating my Bontrager shoes...need new ones soon or find an insole or something...otherwise a great ride.

275 miles in May 2010 = 905 total so far this year

17.1 miles - Minnetonka Blvd/McGinty Rd/494 path (newly paved)/Hopkins - 5/26/10

17.1 miles
18.2 avg
33.7 max
0:56:24

Black Trek

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

25.84 miles - Burley pulling around the lakes x2 - 5/25- 5/26/10

25.84 miles
10.8 avg
17.1 max
498.4 cal
2:23:29

Trek 790 w/ Burley

Monday, May 24, 2010

Thursday, May 20, 2010

26.3 miles - Greenway/W River PKWY/Minnehaha Cr Pkwy/Greenway - 5/20/10

26.3 miles
1:26:39
26.6 max
18.2 avg

Black Trek

Felt pretty strong today for working in the garden for 4 hours and not getting much, or good, sleep last night. FYI, riding on popular shared-use trails - like Lake Calhoun, etc... - suck ass because people are basically idiots!!!

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

20.5 miles - Aquila School/Bean Good Cafe/Greenway to River and Back - 5/19/10

20.5 miles
1:10:03
24.9 max
17.5 avg

Black Trek

First longer ride with the Bontrager Race shoes and Shimano 105 road pedals. Like the road, but up in the air about the shoes. They are obviously different the ones I have been riding for the past four years, so I need to give them some time. I had to adjust my left cleat as usual. My knee was in someintense pain and the left part of my left foot was feeling stressed. The cleat adjustment alleviated that. We'll see how the new road setup goes in the next few weeks. Hopefully by then I can get my Madone up and running!!!!

8.2 miles - commute - 5/18/10

8.2 miles

Black Trek

Monday, May 17, 2010

12.8 miles - commute/YMCA - 5/17/10

12.8 miles
0:43:10
30.3 max
17.8 avg

Black Trek

If I get some time I want to install my new pedals, cleats and shoes...wooooeee!

Saturday, May 15, 2010

24.19 - Burley pullin' to the skatepark x 2 - 5/15/10

24.19 miles
8.8 avg
22.5 max
417.6 cal
2:43:43

Trek 790 w/ Burley

Liam was kickin' ass riding to the skate park twice and a bit of extra riding. We also hit Trader Joe's and the Redbox at McDonoalds on Exelsior. It was a pleasant day of hanging with my two younger boys. Liam did NOT whine, until 9PM and he finally got hungry, but he was cool about it. The weather was great and very few bugs!

Friday, May 14, 2010

7.5 miles - Commute - 5/11/10

7.5 miles
15.7 avg
24.1 max
0:28:39

Trek 520

Love this bike but oh so slow!

24.2 miles - Greenway/Downtwon/Theo Wirth/Cedar Lake Bike HWY/Louisianna Ave - 5/13/10

24.2 miles
1:28:23
27.6 max
16.4 avg

Black Trek

Good old Trek hit a really muddy patch on the Cedar Lake Bike HWY and is doused in mud...gotta clean her up tomorrow. I felt very sluggish b/c I haven't been on the bike much this spring even though the weather has been awesome. I had a hard time pulling small hils and fighting the wind....hopefully I can get my fitness/cardio level back up to where it needs to be.

Sunday, May 2, 2010

39.9 miles - A few commutes - 5/1/10-5/11/10

39.9 miles
17.4 avg
32.8 max
2:17:13

Black Trek

Too windy to want to take the long way home on the 1rst...very rainy the next week. Unfortunately my computer has been down for 6 days so I haven't been able to keep up with the blog posts.

235 miles in April 2010 = 630 total for 2010 thus far

7.5 miles - commute - 4/31/10

7.5 miles
14.7 avg
30.1 max
0:30:45

Trek 520

Chilly, drizzly and I have a cold...

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

11.5 miles - Cedar Lake Trail quick route - 4/27/10

11.5 miles
0:36:27
26.1 max
19.0 avg

Black Trek

Had time for a quickie and I am catching a cold, which will most certainly put a damper on an already slow start to putting on some miles this spring....oh well!! At least my average speed hit 19.0 for the first time this year, although the ride was only 11 miles. That is a little more difficult to accomplish on the old Trek...

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

20 miles - Grenway to River and back/Walgreens for Redbox movie - 4/26/10

20.0 miles
18.3 avg
27.5 max
1:05:18

Black Trek

It was chilly.....

15.64 miles - Coffee Run/Ben and Jerry's - 4/26/10

15.64 miles
10.0 avg
max 19.0
1:32:54

Trek 790 w/ Burley

I took Kian for a bag of coffee at Dunn Bros in Uptown the other day and on the 26th I took the kids down to Ben and Jerry's to get some ice cream...

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

19.83 miles - Errands (picture person/shop/Trader Joe's) - 4/21/10

19.83 miles
13.1 avg
22.2 max
459.1 Cal
1:30:43

Trek 790 w/ Burley

Used the Burley the other day to get some groceries. Today I used it to get Kian and me to Picture Person art presentations at the Aquila School and to go to the shop and check my schedule.

18 miles - MTB ride to Theo Wirth (x1) - 4/20/10

18 miles
24.3 max
1:22:50

Greenpeace

The first time I have been on the mountain bike for about a year and a half. I installed the new-in-box XT 8 speed shifters, cassette, Race Lite grips, Bontrager Crowbar handlebar, Bontrager Jones tires, new Deore front wheel, LX/Mavic SUP rear wheel, Avid brake levers and a new chain sometime last year. The next thing to do is install a new fork. For the amount of off-road riding I do there is no need for me to buy a new bike.

It was a great ride. I rode around Brownie lake on my way home. It was really enjoyable.

I am going to create a very small MTB trail around South Oak Lake in my 'hood for Liam to ride around.

Monday, April 19, 2010

13.3 miles - Commute/Ridgedale library - 4/16/10

13.3 miles
18.0 avg
34.2 max
0:44:06

Black Trek


Went ot the library before work. Overpumped my front tire and almost had it come off the bead and blow. I stopped and let out some air. By the time I got out of the library it had reseated itself. What a friggin' beautiful day outside!!!!!

8.4 miles - Commute - 4/16/10

8.4 miles
17.3 avg
31.9 max
0:29:07

Black Trek

Thursday, April 15, 2010

7.8 miles - Commute - 4/16/10

7.8 miles
16.9 avg
29.3 max
0:27:44

Black Trek

Crazy strong headwing going to work today....easier going home but chilly...

11.4 miles - commute/Sprint store -

11.4 miles
15.4 avg
29.3 max
0:44:25

Trek 520

Chose to work the morning instead of taking a ride...now I have a sore back and can't run at the gym.

Sunday, April 11, 2010

22.2 miles - Commute/ Williston Extension both ways - 4/11/10

22.2 miles
17.8 avg
37.6 max
1:14:20

Black Trek

The "Hilliston" hills don't seem to hit me that hard this year. Maybe it is from running two miles every other day. I think that running improves cardio for biking. At least I feel that my running routine seems to help my biking. Anyway, those hills were easy and not so strenuous.

I am NOT digging my Louis Garneau gloves that I just purchased. The mesh on the palms is very slippery on the inside and my hands feel like they are slipping off of the hood constantly. I'll keep an eye on it and do a full review later in the season.

Saturday, April 10, 2010

13.0 miles - Commute/Noodles & Co - 4/10/10

13 miles
17.9 avg
28.6 max
0:43:26

Black Trek

It was nice being able to ride something under 32 lbs. The 520 is a tank - but I still love it. The new chain and cassette (11-23) is now functioning fine. Guse and Doug diagnosed my shifting dilemma as not adjusting the tension for the switch from 27 to 23 big gear on the cog. Now it shifts gggggreat!!

Friday, April 9, 2010

19.71 miles - Burley pullin'/Errands - misc days

19.71 miles
9.7 avg
22.0 max
381.7 cal
2:01:03

Trek 790 w/ Burley

Mostly ridfing with the kiids around the 'hood and a trip on the 9th to pick up my paycheck at work.

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Portland knocked out of #1 spot for bike-friendly cities - slide show included

Portland knocked out of #1 spot for bike-friendly cities - slide show included

Posted using ShareThis

7.6 miles - Commute - 4/7/10

7.6 miles
15.3 avg
29.0 max
0:29:58

Trek 520

The 520 weighs in at 32 pounds unloaded...its a virtual tank. Brought home my Black Trek and the wheels and handlebars from the Madone...gotta get that sweet beast roling sooner rather than later! I also baought a sram 10 speed chain and a Rival 11/23 cassette for the Black Trek today. We'll see how that changes the sloppiness in the shifting. I still have to work on getting the fit right on the Black Trek.

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

14.3 miles - YMCA - 4/5/10

14.3 miles
16.0 avg
31.2 max
0:53:46

Trek 520

Chilly ride to Ridgedale Y and home....went close to 4 days without using my car!!!!!

Monday, April 5, 2010

22.6 miles - Greenway/River/MPLS/Cedar Lake/Hutch-Spur - 4/4/10

22.6 miles
16.7 avg
26.6 max
1:21:27

Trek 520

Love riding the 520. I had a 19.1 avg speed with the wind at my back when I hit the river. I am hoping that I can keep my avg speed up to nearly 20+MPH for these short rides when I get my Madone put together. Beautiful day. Maybe its my age, but I seem to see the scenery and the people differently lately. I don't know why and I can't quite put my finger on it.

Sunday, April 4, 2010

290 miles in January and February 2010 = 395 miles total thus far for 2010

17.6 miles - commuite x 2 - 3/29/10 and 4/2/10

17.6 miles
14.4 avg
28.9 max
1:13:18

Trek 520

Low avg speed because I had - not a flat - but a blowout on Louisianna Ave on my way home friday, and I had to walk the bike for about 1.5 miles.

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Thursday, March 25, 2010

8 miles - commute - 3/25/10

8 miles

Black Trek going to work.

Trek 520 coming home.

23.5 miles - Greenway/River pakwy/Minnehaha Prkwy/Lake Hariet/Wooddale - 3/23/10

23.5 miles
27.1 max
17.5 avg
1:20.11

Black Trek

Adjusted cleat during ride...need to readjust b/c the left shoe is pulling my foot in - very painful to my knee and uncomfortable to the ankle. Nice day and a good, albeit short, ride.

Sunday, March 21, 2010

11.1 miles - Commute/Minnetonka Mills - 3/21/10

11.1 miles
17.4 avg
0:38:01

Black Trek

Having some issues with the fit on the black Trek. I think I simply need a shorter stem. I have been waiting for the Salsa CroMoto quill stem to come off of recall. I may just have to go another route....

34 miles - commute x 2/Greenway to River - 3/19 - 3/2- - 3/21/10

34 miles total

29.9 miles
17.0 avg
27.7 max
1:45:05

Trek 400 SS = 30 miles
Black Trek = 4 miles

I have some issues with the single speed that I need to address such as narrow handlebars, short 170mm cranks and saddle.

I have been experiencing some left knee pain, which I believe is due to my femur break when I was 13. I am going to try and reposition my cleat slight on the left pedal and see what results I get.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Trek 400 single speed




Surly hub laced into the original Rigida rim with 27 x 1 1/4 Conty Ultra Sport tires.






I wanted to keep it looking like a classic-looking road bike, so I stripped all drivetrain, except for the cranks (170mm) and the brakes and replaced the hub and front chainring. I added the Bontrager Select lightweight fenders for spring riding.

She's a wee bit dirty right now, but really shines up nice!!!

29 miles - Errands by bike - 52 degrees - 3/15/10

29.0 mjiles
17.0 avg
1:42:26
Trek 400 SS

Breakfast at The Original Pancake House in Watzata. Then shoe shopping for Liam at Ridgedale. Next to WellsFargo in SLP. Then a quick trip down to the Lakes and back.
Great weather!!!

12 miles - Commute/extended version - 3/14/10

12 miles

Trek 400 SS

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Friday, March 12, 2010

8 miles - Commute - 40 degrees/rainy - 3/12/10

8 miles

Trek 520 to work

Maiden voyage of the 1983 Trek 400 Single Speed on the way home.

The 400 was nice, but much bumpier than the 520 and the narrow handlebars are difficult to get used to. The ratio I have on the drivetrain is pretty good - details and pics later....

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Saturday, March 6, 2010

17.2 miles - Exelsior/101/Minnetonka Blvd - 45 degrees - 3/5/10





17.2 miles
16.4 avg
26.4 max
1:03:13

Trek 520
First "ride" of the season....very short and very slow. I need to work the winter out of my bones. Plus I haven't really spent much time on the trainer - most of the exercise has been running and strength training.
Needless to say, the 520 is finished and in commuting mode...LOKING FORWARD TO A GREAT YEAR!!!!

8 miles - commute - 3/4/10

8 miles

Commute

520

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

13 miles - Commute/YMCA - 3/2/10

13 miles

Rode to the Y and back to work....a lot of clothes to carry along...changed 4 times in about an hour.

I need to get the new bars, brake levers and tires on the 520. It is going to be my spring bike this year. I may have to get some full fenders for extra protection. The Bontrager Satellites just won't cut it in the large puddles and horrible amounts of leftover sand and salt from the winter...

Monday, March 1, 2010

31 miles - Commute x3/Gorshe Auto - 30 degrees - 2/27 - 2/28/10, 3/1/10

31 miles

Gary Fisher Winter Bike

Dropped the car off in Dinkytown today and then rode to work...ice on the roads and trails was not too bad....the "new" bike lanes in MPLS really f&#kin' suck ass!!! That is another blog post....

Saturday, February 27, 2010

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Friday, February 12, 2010

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Rare gesture on the road!!!

Even though it was snowing I decided to ride the long way home from work this afternoon. I am glad I did because as I pulled up to the stoplight at Baker and Exelsior and a car pulled next to me and rolled their window down. I was expecting the same "F&%K YOU A$$HOLE get off the road." However, the gentlemen said, "I a...ppreciate you on the road." And the lady in passenger seat yelled "it's your right!!!"

I was waiting for the yang of someone trying to run me off the road, but it never happened and it was a great ride home!! Cyclists don't hate cars (necessarily), and we do deserve some respect. I don't know if they heard my thank you, but I hope they did!!!

20 miles - Commute x 2 - 25 degrees and snow - 2/6 and 2/7/10

20 miles

GF winter bike

It was great getting out in the "warm" weather!!

Sunday, January 31, 2010

105 miles in January 2010

105 miles for January 2010...very surprized I even hit 100 considering I hurt my back, the temps were crazily frigid and the roads/trails have been covered with un-uniform ice. We'll see what February holds with vacation and weather.

16 miles - Commute x 2 - 7-12 degrees - 1/29-1/30/10

16 miles

GF Winter Bike

Got my Madone 6.5 Pro yesterday....stripped it down today....morer later!!

Friday, January 29, 2010

15 miles - commute/Dinkytown - 7 degrees - 1/29/10

15 miles

Gary Fisher winter bike

Had to ride to Gorshe Auto in Dinkytown after work to pick up my wife LeeAnn's Passat. The longest ride under 10 degrees in awhile. I had to stuff a t-shirt down my pants on Cedar Lake trail because my manhod was going numb. The Stone Arch Bridge was a sheet of ice and Cedar Lake Trail was sketchy in spots, but overall it wasn't a bad ride. Oh yeah....I wore my ski hemet and my ski goggles tended to fog up a lot.

Thursday, January 21, 2010

47 miles - commute x 4 - 1/16 - 1/19/10



47 miles

GF Tassahara winter bike
Within those 47 commuter miles I took a trip to Trader Joe's and ventured onto the Minnetonka Mills trail following the Minnehaha Creek from Minnetonka Blvd to Cedar Lake Rd. The trail is all snow covered with no ice. Lots of footprints so it was bumpy. The weather has been warmer so it has been easier to venture a few extra miles before the toes get too cold. The pics are on the SW Corridoor just west of Wooddle Ave around 6PM on saturday the 16th.

Friday, January 15, 2010

16 miles - Commute x 2 - 1/11 and 1/15/10

16 miles

GF Tassahara winterbike.

The ice has been really bad the past couple of weeks, so I didn't feel dsafe on the roads. Since we are having a warm spell some of that ice is melting away. It was nice to ride a bike that moves again. I finally got a nice pair of JonesXC tires from Josh at work, thus I finally found the right tire for the weather. Less rolling resistance and better traction....yahooo!!!

Maybe I will enjoy the commute again...