13.11 miles - Commute/Shady Oak Extension - 5/30/08

13.11 miles
avg 18.0
max 31.8
cal 495.3
0.43.33
Poprad

Great ride both ways....

8.07 miles - Commute - 5/29/08

8.07 miles
avg 16.6
max 30.5
cal 294.5
0.29.01
Poprad

Nice ride home in the rain....unbelievably, I had to replace my rear brake pads already, after only a few hundred miles...

20.18 miles - Commute/Williston Extension - 5/28/08

20.18 miles
avg 17.2
max 38.4
cal 728.3
1.10.06
Poprad

Williston Rd going north to south is awesome indeed - and fast. Hill climbing is getting easier for me, which is fantastic - it means my fitness level has improved. It is also cool that my total miles has exceeded 1000 this year so far. I am hoping to surpass my goal of 2500 miles and hit the 3000 mark....we shall see!!

1015 total miles (approximate) - 350 commuter miles (approximate)

13.13 miles -Commute/Shady Oak Extension - 5/27/08

13.13 miles
avg 17.3
max 32.7
cal 468.5
0.45.22
Trek Commuter

Great ride home at dusk...

15.41 miles - Errands - 5/26/08

15.41 miles
avg 12.9
max 22.8
cal 400.8
1.11.29
Greenpeace with ride-a-long

Rode down around Lake Calhoun and back to Trader Joe's for some dinner stuff....later a very short ride around the 'hood with Liam...

9.63 miles - Punch Pizza/Cruizin' with kids - 5/24/08

9.63 miles

avg 9.5

max 19.7

cal 164.5

1.00.42

Greenpeace with ride-a-long

Went with the fam to Punch Pizza in Calhoun Vilage via the SW Corridor....came home and later cruised the 'hood with my kids in the late evening...

23.81 miles - Errands - 5/23/08

23.81 miles
avg 13.4
max 35.0
cal 610.2
1.45.59
Greenpeace with ride-a-long

Liam and I hooked up the ride-a-long and ran all of our errands. First we went to the hardware store in Hopkins. We then went to the park on McGinty Rd, where Liam bossed around some younger kids and sold me some movie tickets at the "ticket booth." Then we went to eat at Ridgedale Subway - footlong meatball and vinegar chips of course. Then we went to Penn Cycle to grab my paycheck, pick up the heart rate monitor that Al sold me and get Liam a new "Incredibell" because he broke his old one. Liam also got a ride on Doug's motor scooter - very cool! Then we went to Trader Joe's to pick up some dinner, took a detour around Bass Lake and home....

19.68 miles - Commute/Errands/Lake Calhoun - 5/22/08

19.68 miles
avg 17.6
max 27.4
cal 692.6
1.06.58
Poprad

On yesterday's post I noted how these foolish testosterone idiots keep passing me and then slowing down in front of me because they expend all their energy catching me, while I am simply pacing myself and enjoying my ride...well, today, some out-of-shape dick (I hope I can say that on the Internet) on a yellow Kestrel tri-bike, with a yellow jersey and yellow cycling shoes was tailing me while I didn't now it...here I am riding along the trail between Lake Calhoun and Lake of the Isles and I think I here a chain that needs lubed behind me...I don't pay any mind for a while, then I look back and there is this dick right on my back wheel...so I swerve quickly and yell "just go around" and he slowly proceeds around me....why do people do that crap???

Other than that it was a cool ride home from work, around the lake and home again, with a stop at Trader Joes first....

36.84 miles - Greenway/Cedar Lake/ SW Coriidor - 5/21/08

36.84 miles
avg 17.3
max 31.1
cal 1288.2
2.07.31
Poprad

If you ever take the Greenway east and you have time, it is worth a stop at The Birchwood Cafe on 25th st in South Minneapolis. When you come off the Greenway, go north a couple of blocks on the River Parkway and turn left onto 25th st. Birchwood is only a couple of blocks west.

I make it a point every time I take a ride that way to stop at Birchwood. The food is fantastic and you get bottomless cups of java...

It was a very nice day for a ride...I have to tell ya that I am a bit tired of foolish dudes who think they are hot shit and catch me and then, since they exhausted themselves catching me, proceed to slow in front of me and then I end up passing them again....quite annoying...

13.11 miles - Commute/Shady Oak Extension - 5/21/08

13.11 miles
avg 16.4
max 32.3
cal 433.4
0.47.44
Trek Commuter

Advice....stretch regularly...every pedal stroke on my way to work was agonizing...I stretched at work and had a great ride home in the dark.

8.06 miles - Commute - 5/19/08

8.06 miles
avg 16.8
max 29.5
cal 287.6
0.28.41
Trek Commuter

Totally free of incident...

10 miles (approx) MTB - Murphy Hanrehan Park

10 miles

Kona Manomano

(stock photo from http://www.threeriversparkdistrict.org/parks/murphy-hanrehan.cfm where you download a PDF of the trail)

I got up early and christened my full-suspension Kona Manomano at Murphy-Hanrehan Park. There is nothing like jamming full speed on tight single track...now I know what it is like on a decent mountain bike....anyway, I flatted within the first mile or so and learned how to use my CO2 pump the hard way. All I had with me was a superlite tube, so I was on pins and needles the rest of the ride, hoping that I wouldn't flat again. I ended up taking an obstacle that I never would normally take - by accident!! It was a step obstacle that sprang up around a bend on a downhill. I ended up pretty much not using my brakes and just hanging on to the bike. I was shaken up for about 10 minutes afterward, but it was cool...

I did, however, wipe out - about .2 miles from the end of the trail. There were some knuclenuts standing with their back wheels on the trail chatting and in an effort to avoid them, I scraped a small berm and end up being thrown off my bike and sliding past them on the dusty trail.

Great time!

8 miles - Commute - 5/21/08

8 miles
Bianchi SS

22 miles total - Commute/YMCA - 5/16/08

14 miles
Greenpeace with ride-a-long

Took Liam to the gym after stopping for donuts and coffee at Dunn Bros in Minnetonka Mills...on the way home at the intersection of Hopkins Crossroads and the 394 frontage rd, a community police volunteer stopped us and gave Liam a certificate for a free ice cream cone at Dairy Queen - all because he was wearing his helmet - he thought it was the coolest thing ever...we had an awesome ride today...

8 miles
Bianchi SS

Rode to work on my Bianchi....very fun bike to ride, but I may have to replace the flip flop hub in the rear because it is making some creepy noises....

29.51 miles - Commute/errands/locked myself out of the house - 5/15/08

29.51 miles
avg 16.8
max 30.1
cal 992.3
1.45.07
Trek Commuter

Beautiful day to get home from work and notice that I can see my keys hanging next to the back door through the window...so I called my wife and went to trader Joes and fetched some dinner stuff - I took the long way to Trader Joes - around Lake Calhoun....great day, great ride!!

Vintage Trek Commuter

I purchased this frame from a friend for a six pack of brew.

I built it from the frame up...piece-by-piece.

It has:

• Bontrager Race Lite wheels


• Continental Gator Skins tires


• Bontrager saddle


• Bontrager Select handlebar - 44cm


• Shimano bar end shifter - 9 speed


• KHS removeable fenders


• Bontrager Race Lite cranks and BB


• carbon fiber seat post


• Shimano 105 rear derailleur


• Salsa Cromoto quill stem

I originally had a straight bar with an LX shifter but I wanted more reach so I installed the drop bars.

Now this is a great and confortable bike that is a true pleasure to commute with....

Kona Manomano - full suspension mountain bike

Here is my Manomano. I bought (an awesome deal - at 200 bucks) this used with very few miles.

The lady I bought it off of had it from new ad didn't ride it because it was too big for her, and she was going into the military and had to unload it quick.

It had a finagled crank setup. So I had to replace the bottom bracket, chainrings and crank.

I installed a used LX crank that is perfectly fine.

It's got an XT rear derailleur, LX shifters, Continental Supersonic foldable tires, Fox Vanilla Float rear shock, and a Marzochi Bomber front fork.

40.29 miles - Greenway/U of MN/Cedar Lake - 5/14/08

40.29 miles
avg 18.0
max 30.2
cal 1444.1
2.14.14
Poprad

Great day for a ride....just air conditioning...like the title says I took the Greenway to the U of MN and back across the river on Franklin (I think) and stopped for coffee and a cookie at Birchwood Cafe... took the parkway south to Lake Nokomis and then the Minnehaha Parkway to Lake Hariet and then past Lake Calhoun to the Cedar Lake Trail to Excelsior and home on the SW Corridor...not one rude driver today....everyone was very courteous - both on bikes and in cars...
The Poprad is doing very well with the Bontrager X Lite road tires. I will keep them on for awhile...I don't think I want to ride any nice bikes so early in the spring any longer. I am hearing the grinding noise from sand in the drive train. I tried cleaning and lube, but I may have to get more extensive in cleaning the Poprad and trying to be a bit more careful with road sand....

13 Miles - Commute/Shady Oak Extension - 5/12/08

13 miles
Bianchi SS

Maiden voyage on the Bianchi single speed...I rode it to work as a fixed gear, and rode it home as a single speed...although riding fixed gear is a really interesting and cool experience, I feel like I don't have much control and prefer the single speed version.

So now the Bianchi is set up with 39 tooth ring in the front and a 16 tooth freewheel in the rear.

Bianchi Single Speed

I finally picked myself up a decent vintage road frame for my flip flop wheel set. I came across this Bianchi road bike at a yard sale in the Fern Hill Neighborhood. The guy had it originally priced at 120 bucks, but I got it for 80 bucks.

Once it came home I stripped it down and installed the new wheel set. I replaced the brake levers, handlebar tape, saddle, cables and housing.

I still have to install the 14 tooth freewheel and take off the large chain ring....

The top photo is the most recent and the bottom three are during the strip down process...

13.19 miles - Commute/Shady Oak Extension - 5/12/08

13.19 miles
avg 16.7
max 29.1
cal 446.9
0.47.25
Trek Commuter

My old Trek is working great...Doug indexed the bar end shifter (which I could've done, but he is a great dude)...
It was pretty windy for the ride home, but it was a nice, warm and sunny day. Gonna take my new (old) Bianchi single speed to work tomorrow to get the freewheel 14 tooth cog attached (I have the wrong tool) and take off one of the front chain rings (I need a spacer set)...then I will be in action with a cool beater bike...

12.00 miles - Commute - 5/9/08

12.00 miles
avg 16.7
max 31.9
cal 435.9
0.42.59

Trek Commuter

12.20 miles - Cedar Lake quick loop - 5/7/08

12.20 miles
avg 18.5
max 23.0
cal 434.3
0.39.29
Poprad

Beautiful day for a ride. The leaves are starting to emerge on the deciduous trees and you can actually smell the chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides being sprayed on peoples lawns....its spring in the suburbs...
There were a few recreational riders on the trails....mostly just gramma's and grandpa's our strolling on their upright hybrid and cruiser bikes...which is cool anyway. I only wish I had more time to ride longer!!

720 total miles (approximate) - 250 commuting miles (approximate)

17.12 miles - Errands - 5/6/08

17.12 miles
avg 17.5
max 30.7
cal 625.0
0.58.38
Trek Commuter

Maiden voyage of my new and improved vintage Trek Commuter. I decided to give it a try and see how my upgrades work...turns out just fine!!
I took the SW Corridor to Excelsior Blvd to Shady Oak rd. Then I went onto Minnetonka Blvd and up Plymouth Rd to the library....then off to Office Max next to Home Depot in St. Louis Park via the 394 frontage road. Then back to Louisiana Ave and home...
Nice ride...

8.08 miles - Commute - 5/6/08

8.08 miles
avg 16.0
max 31.6
cal 274.0
0.30.10
Poprad

22.97 miles - Errands/Commute - 5/5/08

14.91 miles
max 36.7
Greenpeace with ride-a-long

8.06 miles
avg 16.2
max 31.5
cal 264.6
0.29.44
Trek Commuter

Rode on Greenpeace pulling Liam to lunch at Bruggers Bagels and then to the YMCA and back home just in time to go to work.

Then off to work with a quick switch of bikes....would've been an awesome night for a night-ride, but the wifey wanted me home ASAP....

Thatcher's Varsity coming along...

In this pic Thatcher is cleaning the bike. We have all the cables pulled off. Today I will pick up his tires and we can begin replacing all the cables, housing, brake pads, bar tape, and tires.

20.43 miles - Errands - 5/4/08

20.43 miles
max 27.7
Greenpeace with ride-a-long

Picked up Thatcher from archery at the Westwood Nature Center. Then rode with him over to the Jones' house. Liam and I stopped at Target on the way home to pick up some marshmallows for toasting...a fun Sunday of riding with the boys...

8.10 miles - Commute - 5/2/08

8.10 miles
avg 17.3
max 32.2
cal 300.7
0.28.04
Poprad

Very tired...steady downpour all the way home...cold and stinging face...but fun!

12.44 miles - Commute/Shady Oak Extension/Got Flipped Off for No Reason - 5/1/08

Note: This is an actual picture of Bush giving the finger. You can see the video here.

12.44 miles

avg 17.8

max 31.1

cal 476.4

0.41.58

Poprad

I way overdressed for this ride...I was roasting. I thought it was going to rain.

On my way in to work I was going north on Shady Oak Rd on my way to Minnetonka Blvd and as I was going down a hill there was a mail truck parked on the road. The lady moving up beside me slowed down to let me go...I waved my appreciation and she kind;y waved back in acknowledgement. I felt really great about that. 15 seconds later as I rode over the next hill and down the other side a truck with a small trailer stopped at the stop sign. The gray haired clean cut guy behind the wheel reached out of his winder and FLIPPED ME OFF. I totally and intentionally failed to react, because that is what he wanted me to do. He is obviously a coward and knows that as he has to do is push down on his pedal and I cannot catch him. He is obviously a dickhead and a bully and I am not going to give him the rise that he was looking for with his gesture.

Within 20 seconds I saw both sides of the coin and was a microcosm of the up and downs of respect and commuting to and from work.

Thatcher's new ride - before picture

A couple of days ago Thatcher, Liam and I drove to St. Paul to pick up Thatcher's new ride - Its a vintage kids road bike. We have researched it and found out that it is likely a 1977 (August) Youth Varsity. It has 24 inch wheels. Tonight Thatcher, Liam and I pulled all the, reflectors, cables and brake pads off. We are going to replace pads, cables/housing, bar tape, and tires and tubes. Then we will polish, lube and adjust it.

Thatcher wants to leave it the way it is. I offered to strip and repaint it, but he likes the "uniqueness" of it just the way it is. He's ecstatic!!!!

I will post pics as things progress with this bike....

14.43 miles - Cedar Lake quick route - 4/30/08

14.43 miles

avg 18.6

max 26.3

cal 523.8

0.46.29

Poprad

Dropped a couple of Redbox movies off at Byerly's and headed over for a swurvy loop around Bass Lake. Then I went down the SW Corridor and headed over to Cedar Lake Trail and back by way of the Hutchinson Spur Trail. On my way back a young and pretty lady pulled out just behind me and followed me for about a mile and proceeded to pass me. We were obviously going in the same direction so I stayed behind her. I wanted to pass many times, but I thought it may be a bit sexist or pushy to pass her. She eventually slowed down intentionally so I could pass. I didn't want to freak her out, I was hoping I was being courteous by not passing. Its like when someone you don't know begins walking next to you at the same pace - you are forced to slow down or speed up - it feels awkward to keep the same pace. Did I brake some trail/biking etiquette? Should I have passed her and played a passing game?

13.67 - Commute/errands - 4/29/08

13.67 miles

25.4 max

Greenpeace (partly w/ ride-a-long)

Take Liam to preschool, lock up the ride-a-long, then off to work, then back to pick up ride-a-long, then home....
Great nighttime ride....I only wish I had more time....

8.12 - Commute - 3/28/08

8.12 miles

avg 16.8

max 31.3

cal 290.4

0.28.52

Poprad

Nice commute...no frills ride...

50.83 miles - Ironman - 4/27/08

50.83 miles

13.4 avg

34.6 max

cal 1556.0

3.46.03

Poprad

Unfortunately, I didn't remember my camera to take pictures of the Ironman Bike Ride with Thatcher and myself. Thatcher rode with me for the first 12.5 miles and I did the rest on my own - which, turned out to be a crazy day.

I signed up for the 62 mile ride. Like I said, I did the first 12.5 with my son. Then my wife picked Thatcher and his bike up (pics to come later of him and his bike). I proceeded to go from that point on to Panama Ave, where I mistakenly took the wrong turn (yes, it was clearly marked as I found out later) and ended up about 10, or so, miles north of my route ( I saw signs for New Prague). So I decided, of course, to head back to the first rest stop at 28 miles in Lonsdale - my mile 50. Right as I pulled in the American Legion parking lot it started to drizzle. After my hot dog I went outside to icy, rainy, snowy mix. On my right was the direction out of the lot, on my left was a warm bus with a trailer for taking bikes back to start. I chose the bus. I am glad I did, because when I got back to Lakeville High School and rode my bike the 1/2 mile to my car I was shivering from the rainy cold. If I would have stayed on route I would have had 35 miles of icy cold rain and no rain gear in 35 degrees. I think I made a smart move.

It was an interesting experience. The highlight was having a great discussion with my son and spending some quality time with him on the first 12.5 miles....thanks Thatcher for making my day!!!!

PS: The pics are of my Poprad with my Bontrager road tires...looks great!!! Rides great too!!!

12.72 miles - Commute Shady Oak Extension - 4/25/08

12.72 miles

avg 16.6

max 27.3

cal 437.4

0.45.58

Poprad

Rainy nighttime commute home....took the long way along Shady Oak Rd to Excelsior Blvd. It was around 35 degrees and raining steadily. Not too cold though. The danger was the rain on my glasses being reflected by oncoming car lights and not being able to keep the proper path on the road and trying to avoid potholes....but I made it home fine. It was very enjoyable watching the rain splashing up in front of me and reflecting through the headlight. I love rain!!!

505 miles total (approximate) - 185 commuting miles (approximate)

12.64 miles - Cedar Lake Quick Route - 4/24/08

12.64 miles

avg 17.1

max 22.1

cal 404.7

0.44.21

Poprad

Rain, rain, go away...steady rain for the whole ride...I only had time (like usual) for a "quick route." But it was a great ride....riding in warm rain is the best....

13.44 miles - Errands Running - 4/23/08

13.44 miles

max 25.0

Greenpeace and Ride-a-long

I ran errands to the store, pick up Liam from school and take Thatcher to yoga....a pleasant way to run errands on my very smooth and comfy bike Greenpeace....

8.94 miles - Commute - 4/22/08

8.94 miles

avg 16.0

max 25.0

cal 288.7

0.33.21

Poprad

31.51 miles - Greenway, Downtown, U of M, Cedar Lake, Lake Calhoun ride - 4/21/08

31.51 miles

avg 16.2

max 36.4

cal 984.3

1.56.27

Poprad

Title says it all about the ride...I was a little freaked out when the Minneapolis Police came flying down the trail between Lake Calhoun and Lake of the Isles without a warning...the squad car was probably doing about 50 mph....very stupid and very dangerous. I didn't know the car was coming until it was about 10 feet behind me.

Otherwise I am confident of having a fun ride at the Ironman next Sunday....

It was a beautiful day!!!

16.08 miles - Commute wiith Cedar Lake Extension - 4/20/08

Note To Self: Get different handlebars for Trek Commuter.

16.08 miles

avg 16.6

max 30.4

cal 513.2

0.58.01

Trek Commuter

Nice ride this morning...stopped at the Harvest Moon for a cup of Joe. Went back down the SW Corridor to the Kenwood Trail and took that to the Cedar Lake Trail all the way to Virginia and onto Cedar Lake Rd and to Penn Cycle. Return home was straight home...

I felt kinda like I need an alteration to the Trek Commuter. I have a titanium straight bar on there now and I may look at the bars on the Trek Soho as an option. My hands get really numb for lack of proper position along with maybe a better grip.

New Edition to the Bike Family - Sears 3 Speed

SOLD IT ON 5/2/08
I don't really know why. A young lady had been looking at a bike from me previously - a 1963 Schwinn Typhoon. She called back asking if I had anything else. I showed her this one. She liked it. I gave her a good price and she bought it...I miss it already...but I picked up an early black Schwinn Racer single speed...so we'll see how that goes...


These pictures are right off the car rack when I brought it home. There is something that draws me to these bikes, and I am not sure of what that might be.














I am thinking it might be the graphics and overall English 3 speed look. It would be cool to try and figure out what the graphics mean.





I'm not sure of the age, but I think I may just keep her for awhile. I paid 35 bucks from the original owner who lives across from the Armatage Park in South Minneapolis. He said it is mechanically sound, so a good cleaning and once-over might do the trick. I will probably outfit her with some new tread and black cable housing...














Here is a picture of my Sears fixie with similar graphics, but the symbol on the top tube is different...

12.69 miles - Commute Shady Oak Extension - 4/19/08

12.69 miles

avg 16.7

max 31.5

cal 422.7

0.45.39

Poprad

Rain smelled like fish this morning...wanted to get up and go for a pre-work ride, but overslept...

7.81 miles - Commute - 4/18/08

7.81 miles

avg 16.0

max 29.8

cal 256.3

0.29.13

Poprad

Standard commute...rainy going, dry coming home...

Big Dummy??

http://www.surlybikes.com/bigdummy.html

Next year I am going to be in the market for a new bike....and I am thinking UTILITY. The Surly Big Dummy seems to be the obvious choice. However, I see that Kona has a utility bike called the Ute.

The Kona Ute has 700c wheels that are more acceptable for touring (unless you are this guy: http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/bikearthride but he is another story) and it also accepts panniers. I also like the idea of a 3-case-of-beer carrier!!! Hmmm, can it handle a keg???

The Big Dummy is a collaborative effort between ExtraCycle and Surly Bikes, so it accepts the trimmings of an ExtraCycle ( www.xtracycle.com/ ). The Big Dummy is only sold as a frame set, so you have to build the bike around the frame, which can get expensive, unless you have a bike laying around that you can move components from.

10 miles - Ride-a-long with Liam - 4/17/08

10 miles

Ride-a-long Rig/Greenpeace

A day for cruising with my boy Liam. First we went to Aquila Primary Center to do our Picture Person Art presentation and then we went to The Depot, which had no seating due to a private party....so we decided to hit the Harvest Moon Coffeehouse (see my other blog: http://tccoffeeshopcritic.blogspot.com/ for details), where Liam had a grilled cheese and I had the luscious Reuben sandwich and a coffee. I then pulled Liam to school....on the way I noticed that my chain was very close to breakage...made it home and decided to get a new chain...

I also hit my record for last year by weighing in at 208.0 pounds, and it is only mid-April...hopefully I can get to my goal of 195.0 lbs by my birthday - September 23rd!!!!

11.57 miles - Sprint down Excelsior - 4/16/08

11.57 miles

avg 17.3

max 33.4

cal 442.1

0.40.01

Poprad

Extreme westerly headwinds going down Minnetonka Blvd...however, the few mile sprint going east on Excelsior was freakin' awesome!!! The wind was blowing at my back and I maintained a speed from 28 to 33mph for miles because I hit every light....

Typical day when you have less than 45 minutes to get a ride in...

11.09 miles - Commute - 3/15/08

11.09 miles

avg 15.6

max 28.7

cal 352.5

0.42.36

Poprad

Freakin' crazy headwinds today...but overall nice and warm. It was a little chilly when I was pulling Liam around this morning....

15.86 miles - Ride-a-long pull - 3/14, 3/15/08

15.86 miles

max 25.8

Greenpeace w/ ride-a-long

Two days of puling the ride-a-long with Liam. Yesterday we went to The Depot and today we rode down to Dunn Bros on Hennepin Ave and then around Lake Calhoun...a good time....

Crazy Intersection at Excelsior Blvd and SW Corridor in Hopkins

Note: it doesn't show it on the map, but the SW Corridor Bike Trail runs parallel to the Soo Line train tracks.

As you may be able to see through the photo and map this intersection is on a very busy boulevard that has a railroad track running through it, a bike trail crossing, and a major on/off ramp to a major metro traffic artery.

This intersection, with HW169, Excelsior Blvd, the railway and the bike trail all conglomerate at one point.

Not only is it dangerous for an adult rider to be able to maneuver through the traffic and trust the traffic, but my kids are forced to ride parallel to the railroad tracks, while oncoming traffic is less than five feet from them.

What happens when one of my kids strays into oncoming traffic, or his wheel gets stuck in one of the rail ruts and he flies off his bike and into traffic???


This intersection is only going to get worse when Cargill the infamous corporate genetics/eugenicists open up their mega office building across the street. The traffic is going to get worse and the danger to bikers, commuters and pedestrians will only get worse. It needs addressed!!

365 miles total (approximate) - 135 commuter miles (approximate)

22.18 miles - Commute/Williston/394 frontage rd - 3/9/08

22.18 miles

avg 15.8

max 38.3

cal 713.7

1.23.41

Poprad

I decided to take Excelsior to Williston Road to the 494 frontage "path" to McGinty to Minnetonka Mills across the dirt Minnetonka Loop to Cedar Lake Rd to the shop. Pretty good ride but tired for some reason.

When I got to work I was informed, and thus shocked, that Lemond is being dissolved immediately from Trek due to advertising disputes I am told (hope to blog with link shorty on the subject).

I decided to take the 394 frontage road home...it was a nice night, but the evil snow is coming back tomorrow to torture us again!!!!! This winter never ends.......

10.94 miles - Commute/Target Stop - 3/8/08

10.94 miles
avg 15.8
max 28.7
cal 350.8
0.41.29
Poprad
Chilly day going to work had to stop at Target on the way home....not a whole lot to tell...

29.40 miles - Downtown MPLS/Lower Grande Rounds - 4/7/08

29.40 miles

avg 16.2

max 28.1

cal 929.6

1.48.32

Poprad

It was in the mid-30's today. I decided to ride into Downtown MPLS via SW Corridor/Kenwood Trail/Cedar Lake Trail so that I could research a commuter route for my wife LeeAnn. The Cedar Lake Trail ends abruptly Downtown near the Target Center. I decided to take any-ol'-street and ended up near the Convention Center. Strangely enough, there are center lane bike lane that end suddenly leaving you wondering where to go and there are bike lanes located very inconveniently between parked cars and traffic (watch those car doors). Downtown Minneapolis is NOT very bike friendly. Luckily, from my personal experience, Downtown MPLS is not very congested or else we would have a sick scenario on our hands, but from my experiences it is not a bike friendly or bike structured city center. I was not successful at finding a good route for my wife.

I decided to take Nicolette Ave out of Downtown and back towards the Uptown area so I could get on the Midtown Greenway and head east to the River and get on the lower half of Grande Rounds, which took me and my cold feet back home via the Minnehaha Parkway, Lake Hariet, Lake Calhoun and the SW Corridor.

Truly the highlight of my trip was the hawk (I believe a Cooper's Hawk) that swooped down in front of me and flew next to me for ten to 15 feet before perching on a fence behind Northland Products on the SW Corridor...what a beautiful bird!!!

20.28 miles - Commute/Williston Extension/Ottowa Ped Bridge Ext - 4/6/08

20.28 miles

avg 15.8

max 35.4

cal 656.0

1.16.42

Poprad

Rainy, rainy day! Slept in because the weather people said it was going to rain all morning...woke up dry and decided to go for an extra commute ride on Williston and also went up along US494 on the windy and fast side trail. Started to rain on Willistion and pour when I was coming down McGinty Rd...so I stopped at Dunn Bros in Minnetonka Mills for an apple fritter and a coffee. It was really pouring and chilly when I left the coffee shop. I was drenched and took a shower at work.

The ride home in the rain was awesome....the rain was warm, so I took Minnetonka Blvd to the Ottawa Ped Bridge over HW7 and took the SW Corridor home. I LOVE the rain!!! I put a seat post rear fender on the Poprad (that Doug gave me) and it worked great. I also put the Zefel quick fender on my down tube, which doesn't work so hot. The water runs off the fender and into my shoes...maybe I'll try another front fender setup...it was a short, but fun ride in the wet Minnesota spring!

4.84 miles - 1/2 Commute - 4/5/08

4.84 miles

avg 15.2

max 23.5

cal 151.7

0.19.03

Trek Commuter

Got picked up at work by my wife to eat at the Lone Spur and go to the Science Museum with the kids....

12.74 miles - Commute/Shady Oak Extension - 4/4/08

12.74 miles

avg 16.0

max 29.2

cal 414.9

0.47.34

Poprad

Rode with the kids in the afternoon....commuted to work and took the long way home...nice warm day and night...got caught by a couple of nasty potholes on Excelsior....glad I had the Poprad!

First 2008 Ride With the Boys!!! - 04/04/08

What a great day for a ride to the Depot Coffeehouse in Hopkins with Liam and Thatcher. The temp was close to 50 degrees and it was sunny - as you can see in the pics.

Liam started off better than he ended last year. He was a bit frustrated at first, but I successfully showed him how to stop and start properly. He is a speed freak once he gets going!!! He loves to blast down the trail!!! That is Liam way ahead in the top picture.

We played Tony Hawke on the PlayStation for a half-hour at the Depot and then headed home....I will be blogging later about the horrific intersection on Excelsior near the Depot...


Thatcher and I went rode down to Calhoun Village for lunch at Punch Pizza after Liam went to his buddies house. It was great hanging with Thatcher...he was really curious how the shifters work and figured out that if you reach down and pull the cable on the top tube the derailleur will shift without using the shifters....smart kid!!! I love his busyness and curiosity!!! We had a good time. His endorphins must have been at an all-time high because he was about 10 times more energetic than usual for the rest of the day. He also kept saying things like, "I wish I could do this all day every day!"

What a great day with my boys!!!!

12.84 miles - Commute/Shady Oak Extension - 4/2/08

12.84 miles

avg 15.6

max 31.8

cal 416.1

0.49.12

Poprad

A truck honked at me for no particular reason and startled me on Louisiana Ave. Also, on my way to work a couple of punks yelled out the window at me. The first guy I gave the finger to and the punks I gave the thumbs up. I think I may take the high road from now on with these ignorant acts, because just like bullies they want to get a rise out of the cyclist. If we rise above them, maybe it will take the thrill out of it....we shall see!!!

Policy and Innovation #1 - Segregated Cycling Facilities

This is the first sentence in the description of Segregated (separated) Cycling Facilities in Wikipedia:

"Segregated cycling facilities are roads, tracks, paths or marked lanes which are designated for the preferential or exclusive use of cyclists."

It seems like a decent description for an introduction to the topic. I am going to continue reading about this topic and will edit/re-post/addendum this thread as I learn more on the subject.

In the meantime, I found a You Tube clip on Portland High Tech bike signals. Take a look:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwNJYtmlyqw&feature=related

(picture courtesy of http://www.midtowngreenway.org/ )

14.81 miles - Commute-western burb's extension ride - 3/30/08

14.81 miles

avg 15.9

max 33.7

cal 478.3

0.55.45

Poprad

I took a weird ride through Hopkins and Minnetonka this morning before work b/c I had to deliver a book to the Ridgedale Library. The morning was great for a ride, but my body wasn't in the mood....it was warm (35 degrees) and a sunny...sometimes it sucks when you don't feel up to it, but...that's life!!!

15.96 miles - extended Commute-Shady Oak/Traders 3/29/08

15.96 miles

avg 15.8

max 29.1

cal 489.9

1.00.37

Poprad

FIRST ROBIN!!!! Nice chilly ride to work via Shady Oak Rd...nice but windy commute home via Trader Joe's....pleasant day...

12.41 miles - Commute - 3/28/08

12.41 miles

avg 16.2

max 27.7

cal 399.5

0.45.47

Trek Commuter

Nice day for a commute...the nighttime ride, although near 40 degrees, seemed extra chilly.

205 total miles thus far in 2008 (on the road)

15.17 miles - Williston Quick Route - 3/27/08

15.17 miles

avg 16.1

max 31.7

cal 495.5

0.56.26

Poprad

I cannot climb a friggin' hill!!! I need to work on my hill climbing. So I am going to start picking routes based on hills - few and far between, but I am convinced I can do it. The Williston Rd Quick Route is basically the same as the Shady Oak Quick Route, but extends the trip by a few miles and Williston Rd, between Excelsior Blvd and HW7 has a few big hills.

Also, a word to the wise....always keep the chain and cassette clean and lubed! I didn't have a chance to clean and lube the Poprad from yesterdays "Grande Rounds" ride and it was squeaking the whole trip. Very embarrassing, considering that squeaks are a pet peeve of mine and I always complain about other peoples' lack of bike care and maintenance. Luckily, I didn't bump into anyone I knew while I was riding....

Great day, with little to no headwinds, but cold in the mid 30's....

11.59 miles - Commute - 3/25/08 (daily total - 36.87 miles)

11.59 miles

avg 15.9

mx 26.5

cal 372.9

0.43.41

Afterwork trip to Trader Joe's for some 3 buck chuck....wonderful night for a ride...!!!

25.28 miles - Lower Grand Rounds Route - 3/25/08

25.28 miles

avg 15.7

max 24.2

cal 760.06

1.36.10

The lower half of the Grands Rounds Scenic Byway ( http://www.minneapolisparks.org/grandrounds/home.htm ) is my route where the Midtown Greenway cuts the byway in half (basically). I take the SW Corridor out of my 'hood and go east where it turns into the Midtown Greenway after the Chain of Lakes. Follow the Greenway to the River Parkway, which strolls along the Mississippi River. Go south on the parkway for a coupe of miles and follow Grand Rounds around Lake Nokomis and then follow the Minnehaha Creek (Parkway) to Lake Hariet and then Lake Calhoun and back onto the SW Corridor west.

This is a great ride in the early morning when the trails are free of people. The big annoyance today was the dogs on long retractable leashes. It was a nice ride despite the wet and exttttrrreeemely cold feet....I need some cycling boots!!!

8.08 miles - Commute - 3/24/08

8.08 miles

avg 15.6

mx 28.1

cal 264.9

0.31.09

Commute to and from work on Trek Commuter....potholes = BAD!! Getting warmer out there, despite the snow...

"Policy's and Innovation"

Here is an article by John Pucher regarding what is it takes to propel your community into a biking friendly community....
http://www.momentumplanet.ca/john-pucher-bicycle-scholar

Quote from the article:
The key policies and innovations used in Dutch, Danish, and German cities to promote safe and convenient cycling focus on:
- Extensive networks of separated cycling facilities
- Intersection modifications and priority traffic signals
- Traffic calming
- Traffic education and training
- Bike parking
- Co-ordination with public transport
- Traffic laws

I would like to research these bulletpoints more extensively. If you have any suggestions as where to start (other than Google), please let me know at vote4democracy@yahoo.com .....and, thanks!!!

8.33 miles - Commute - 3/24/08

8.33 miles

avg 14.1

max 32.5

cal 274.2

0.35.28

Commute to and from work on the Trek Commuter. I added a new CroMoto quill stem today with a 90 degree angle and 110mm in length. The old stem was 75 degree bend and 85mm long. A much improvement in that the vintage road bike geometry is odd in that the top tube is shorter and the rear wheel sits back farther and the stem offset is short. So the vintage frame requires some finagling to get correct....I will post some photos of the transformation of my Vintage Trek frame into a superb fair weather commuter soon!!!

12.81 miles - Easter Grocery Getaway - 3/23/08

12.81 miles

avg spd 15.3

max 22.5

cal 360.8

0.50.04 min

I took my Poprad on a trip to Whole Foods to get a few Easter dinner things....extended it a bit around lake Calhoun. Cold day...some snow on trail here and there...a little ice...around 35 degrees. Its a bit over 3 miles to Whole Foods in Calhoun Village. The SW Corridor Trail takes me right there. No roads, just a few crossovers.

Trek Soho Single Speed????

http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/2008/urban/soho/sohos/

After yesterday's morning commute through the snow and afternoon commute back home through the salty slush, I have been thinking hard about thinking ahead and getting for next winter's commuting. I plan to commute through the winter....no easy task.

After my salty ride home yesterday on my Lemond Poprad, I had to clean the salty mess off my bike...it was incredible how nasty and corrosive the salt is. In the five hours from the time I parked the bike to cleaning it, it had already started rusting the chain and rear cassette. I couldn't believe it....so it may look like the purchase of a new winter single speed.

Any other suggestions????

8 miles - Commute - 3/20/08

8 miles commute through the snow on my Poprad. Snow very stingy on the face in the morning due to the wetness of the snow... great fun!!!

12.31 miles - Commute - Shady Oak Route

12.31 miles

avg 15.5

mx 30.8

cal 381.7

0.47.29 min

Trek Commuter

29.27 miles - 101 to Cedar Lake Route

29.27 miles

max 31.8

Poprad

SW Corridor west to Excelsior Blvd west to HWY101 north to Minnetonka Blvd east to Virginia Ave to Hutchinson Spur Trail east to Cedar Lake south to Kenilwood Trail connects back to SW Corridor west back to the South Oak Hill Neighborhood.

Warm ride in the mid 40's today. I made the mistake of taking a segment of the unpaved SW Corridor past Shady Oak Lake - it was muddy, icy and messy. I got all mucked up and feet got really cold. I tried the cut plastic bag trick, but the water seeped down into my shoes anyway. I had to stop at Dunn Bros in Minnetonka Mills to warm my feet and have a tea.

The Poprad will get a thorough cleaning and lube tonight...it was squeaking by the end of the ride....overall a nice ride with the exception of cold toes. I may look into swapping out the tires on my Poprad, but I am going to think on it a bit more....I am going to need to swap out to street tires for the Ironman Ride on April 27....looking for suggestions????

SKS Race Blade Road Bike Fender Set

I got these fenders from a friend and am sold. I have them on my Trek Commuter and put them to the test. They are lightweight, extremely easy to install and remove, are adjustable and provide just enough coverage.

They retail for around $45.oo

PS: You can undo the rubber straps and zip-tie them to your bike if you want semi-permenant fenders.

1/18/08 - Commute - 13.86 miles - Shady Oak Loop

13.86 miles

max 29.8

Rode the Trek Commuter the long way home for an extra few miles. I went west from Penn Cycle on Cedar Lake Road to Ridgedale Dr and then onto Minnetonka Blvd, then left onto Shady Oak road and then another left onto Excelsior Blvd ad the left onto Louisiana and then home. The "Shady Oak Loop."

Homemade Chain Guide for My 1x9 Trek Vintage Frame Commuter

On the Hokey Meter this might score a 9 out of 10 - 10 being the hokiest, but I am sure that my contraption will work as intended. I have the same issue on both of my commuter bikes , which are set up the same way...1x9 and 1x 7 ... by taking the two smaller chain rings off of the cranks.

Who needs all those gears in Minnesota anyway .......there's no hills.

Both bikes have the same issue - the chains pop off of the chain ring. For my Marin mountain bike conversion commuter I have a guide that retails for about 13 dollars. It guides the inner side of the chain ring...so what happens is that the chain then pops off of the outside?

One solution is to use a chain guide and a bash guard, however, consider the other option - using a derailleur to guide the chain. Or you could take a cable housing guide, attach some strong metal and bend it creatively into a homemade chain guide. Observe the video and pics and tell me what you think.

3/14/08 Commute - 11 miles

- 11 miles exactly

- avg speed 15.9

- max speed 26.6 mph

- cal 349.3

-(odo 591.6)

Rode the Bullit, which was weighted down to the max. First ride across the Ottawa Ave pedestrian/bike bridge. I was creeped out thinking about the guy who died by falling off the bridge while in construction...anyway, it is a great addition to the city. The problem is that we need more, and not just in the elitist sections of town.

Minneapolis Ranks 2nd in Bike Commuting (as of 2007)

This may be old news, but it is encouraging...

Minneapolis Ranks High Among Bicycle Commuters, Public Transit and Walking

Published January 16, 2007 by MyFox Twin Cities

MINNEAPOLIS -- Minneapolis is full of green commuters, according to new U.S. Census numbers. The city is a national leader in the percentage of people who walk, bike and take public transit to work.

Among the 50 largest U.S. cities, Minneapolis ranks second to Portland, Ore. with 2.5 percent of commuters getting to work by bike -- a slight increase from 2005. The national average for bicycle commuters in the U.S. is only 0.4 percent.

The number of people walking to work increased from 5.8 percent in 2005 to 7.1 percent in 2006. Minneapolis holds the No. 8 ranking of walking cities in the country and ranked eleventh in the nation for rate of people taking public transit to work. In 2006, 13.2 percent of people reported they took transit to work, which is an increase over the 12.5 percent rate from 2005.
Minneapolis city leaders hope to maintain the city’s status as a bikeable and walkable city by expanding the number of new bikeways and walking trails each year. The city says more than two dozen new projects are in the works that will provide new trails, lanes and other improvements for cyclists and pedestrians.

The Non-Motorized Transportation Pilot Project has recently awarded $7 million in federal money for bicycling and walking projects in Minneapolis and other Twin Cities communities. Only four cities in the country were selected to receive the grant money, and with these funds, Minneapolis plans to increase the miles of bikeways in the city and eventually double the amount of bicycle riding in the city.

Image attribution: www.stlbikefed.org/Portals/2/Bikerbetty.jpg

3/13/08 - 10 miles - Quick route - West Loop

The second outdoor ride of the season (I ride 45 minutes to an hour indoors nearly every day at the Ridgedale YMCA). I took the quick West Loop - west on the SW Corridor into Hopkins, then swing north on the Hutchinson Spur trail, which turns east to Cedar Lake in Minneapolis and back onto the SW Corridor and home.

The day was a great day for riding, at around 45 degrees with a stiff and steady westerly wind. The trail is in good condition, except for a few shady spots where ice literally covers the trail. Behind Novartis nearing the Cedar Lake trail (which is where I saw 7 deer on the first ride of the season) the trail was literally covered with a couple inches of slick ice. A fellow bikers was out with his ice breaker. I wish him well, but it is only going to freeze over again at night. The thought counts.

The other trail issue is the deep runoff water. About six or sever times I had to unclip and lift my legs so that the water didn't splash up my legs - the water was two to three inches deep in spots and went for 10 to 20 feet. I am going to pick up a set of fenders at work tomorrow....

Fun ride but way to quick...

Disastrous Crank Pull Costs Only Pastrami Burger

I don't know what possessed the makers of that crank set to install the most over engineered and stupid crank on a bike and actually replace XT cranks that came standard equip on my Kona....either way....it was ugly, but it came off with special thanks to Penn Cycle's own Doug the Magician Master Mechanic (DMMM or D3M or Dm3)....and all it will cost me is an overpriced pastrami burger from Crossroads Delicatessin (where you can get the overpriced jingoesque "Freedom Fries") - DMMM's soft spot.

The shell and threads came out remarkably unscathed considering there were cutting (with actual sparks), drilling and hammering involved.

Next step is to install the used 4 bolt LX cranks from craigslist and a fresh bottom bracket (size, yet to be determined). I installed a Bontrager Select saddle (not big deal, but the price was right). I picked up a set of Chunky Fuel ESI grips and I am going to install my Continental Supersonic 1.9 foldable tires - fast, good for singletrack.

The other creepy setback was the broken skewer, which is not just any old skewer, but an "axel skewer" that only Ritchey and a few expensive brands carry. Not a real setback, I'll just use a Deore front wheel off another of my mountain bikes....

After these additions...the Mano Mano will be ready to roll...

Kona Resurection - Part I

The Kona Mano Mano full suspension is a used bike manufactured in 1999. It came equipped with an XT crankset and derailluers, LX shifters and a Vanilla Float Rock Shox rear shock.

Unfortunately the person I bought it from received the bike from a company that she worked for that manufactured crazy, weird, needless and stupid cranks. Of course a "stupid crank" was installed on the Mano Mano. The good thing was that the bike was waaaay too big for her and instead of riding and abusing it, she let it sit in her garage. The bad part is that the crankset that is literally stuck on my bike is heavy and gay - it is designed to be pedaled both backwards and frontwards - I know, I don't get it either. the other good part is that the bike only cost me 200 bucks...

But I was quite serious in that it is literally stuck on the bike. It won't come off. Doug, the ace mechanic at Penn Cycle in Minnetonka, is in the process of cutting it off. It may be that in the process of getting the bottom bracket removed, the housing may get ruined. We have our fingers crossed, however, it doesn't look good. The future of my Mano Mano is in Doug's hands....wish him luck....

FIRST RIDE OF 08!!!!

13 miles - Hopkins/MPLS Lakes Route (approx...no computer yet)

AND FIRST RIDE ON POPRAD!!! What a difference between my old 2100 carbon/aluminum and the Poprad cyclocross bike. As soon as I pulled out of the driveway and climbed the hill (with ease I should offer!) I knew I was going to like the Poprad. It was fast, smooth (probably due to the steel frame) and handled great and I actually preferred riding in the dropouts.

During the ride I had to make an expected seat height adjustment because I was in street sneakers when I was fitted to the bike. I also turned the handlebars down a bit because I preferred to have my hands on the flats of the dropouts. I also could get ahold of the brakes and shifters better with the handlebar angle changed slightly. That adjustment did cause me to be bent over sightly more to where I was less comfy and it changed my breathing/performance. I am going to rethink the adjustment in the next few rides.

I labored in thought over taking my new bike out on a day like today - melting snow, road sand and salt does not make a bike a happy camper. But, since it IS a cyclocross bike that will spend a lot of time in the dirt while in my possession, I thought, "what the hell," and here is the result....

...besides completely frozen toes...it was a short, but sweet ride...a sign of things to come...goal is 2000+ miles in 2008...!!!

CRC (Cars-R-Coffins)

3346 Lyndale Ave. S

Minneapolis, MN 55408

612-822-4130

WiFi

Cuppa Joe $1.35

Latte $2.50

I have visited a lot of coffee shops in the Twin Cities and other parts of the country. Cars-R-Coffins (CRC) is hands down the absolutely most innovative shop in the Twin Cities. Until now my favorite coffeeshop has been Websters Bookstore Cafe in State College, Pennsylvania, because of the quality of the coffee (true shadegrown organic fair trade, handpicked from the forests of Columbia) and because of the melding together of coffee and books (and great variety of used and affordable books). CRC may overtake Websters on my all-time favorite list. CRC melds together bikes and coffee...and does it well!

I was thoroughly impressed by the thoughtfullness and cleanliness of the shop. As a man who would prefer that his bikes sleep in the same room as himself, nothing could feel more natural than to drink a cup of Peace Coffee with an old Schwinn, or a custom road bike, hanging above my head.To top it off, you can purchase yourself a bike as easily as a delicious molasses cookie (gotta have one...just like my Gramma Leese would make).

If you hear a lot of those annoying click-click, or persistent squeaks coming from your derailuer, and your brakes are wearing thin, Hurl (the owner) will tune up your bike for a small fee. Come on! Is that cool or what?

The "garage door" opens up in the summer and some cozy tables are set up on the sidewalk, so you can relax after a jut around the lakes on your bomber, while you sip your latte. After Hurl posts the hours on the front door (thats just standard procedure, or so I thought), there will be no qualms about who has the most inventive coffeeshop in the Cities.

DO NOT feel that you cannot stop if you are not a biker. CRC is a great place to visit. After all, I parked my Saturn/coffin outfront for my delicious black coffee. The only thing better would be to get a good book, have a great cup of coffee and get my vintage Trek commuter tuned up in one trip!

I only regret is not stopping sooner!