Bread

Man, did it get cold out last night...but when a friend gives you bread, that will warm you up. I would like to get outside to ride, but will probably have to hit the trainer today.

And it is goooood stuff.

Little Circle

When I got home from work this afternoon, the temperature was plus 46 and that means no trainer tonight. I rode the Little Circle ride...and I hate to sound like a broken record...but it was awesome. The deer were really out this evening. I must have seen about 20 of them. I stopped twice to get pictures, but I was too slow. First off I would ride by them, then squeak the brakes stopping, then get the camera out of the back and finally try to sneak back up the road to get a pic. After twice of this routine, I didn't bother anymore. I could say I wised up...but I know better. Behind those trees there are Whitetails...believe me...or not

Got the bird tonight.

Birkie

Welllll....I made to the finish line of the Birkie this year...as a spectator. I had the camera on the dining room table to bring along and shoot some photos. I remembered right where I had left it just before we got into Hayward...on the table, duh. I can see now where the skate skiing is way easier that the classical. It would be similar to riding a mountain bike with big ol fat tires in a road race. They are both hard, but a person skate skiing can cover ground much faster. Seeing all those people out there giving it gave me the itch to get out...so when we got home I rode the Person Lake ride. We had gotten about an inch of snow last night, so it made the ride really nice. It was plus 19 degrees when I returned home...just nice to be outside.

Toast

Janice, our niece Sarah, and I took our daughter up for a surgical procedure at the St. Marys hospital in Duluth today. Things went well and preliminary results are also looking well. As she was recovering in her room, they first brought her water and apple juice. Then they came in with toast. I told them "Yeah Toast." They looked at me like I was a crazy...they know me well. I asked them if they had ever heard the Yeah Toast thing by Heywood Banks. It goes something like this..."All around the country coast to coast, people always say what do you like most, I don't wanna brag I don't wanna boast, I always tell 'em I like toast." None of them had heard it, so I told I would look it up. Here it is. This isn't Heywood Banks, but it is his song.

Trainer

One hour on the trainer, slowly pushing a high gear. I can feel the burn already. If I do not have any knee issues arise, I will do a few more of those. Just one little knee pain though, it would be back to spinning.

Person Lake Ride

I told a friend at work today that I was going home and riding the trainer at a nice pace for at least an hour, maybe longer...I Lied. When I got home the temp was +37 and no wind. It was 2, to, two and too nice not to get outside and ride...and outside is gooood. Some of the roads looked like this...some were free of ice and snow and some were completely covered.


This was a snowmobile trail I went by. I know it will be covered again, but spring is getting closer. They are talking some snow in the next couple days.

Bubar Island

I debated if I should go for a long walk today or go for a ride on the OCR. I decided on the walk. The roads around here are in tough condition for me to bike now. I checked some of them out yesterday. The sunny spots are clear of any ice...but the shaded spots are iced over. I don't like riding the studded tires because of all the blacktop showing and on the other hand, not enough blacktop showing for the regular tires. I have the Innova brand studded tires rather than the more expensive Nokian's. If I had the Nokian's, it would not be an issue because they have carbide studs...mine are made of carbon. If one were to ride the Black Bear route today, about 8 of the 32 miles would be covered with ice...and to add insult, the first 4 would be right out the end of the driveway. So...a nice, brisk three hour walk on Bubar Island it was.

The first 2 hours, I pretty much walked right on top of the snow. During the last hour, I started to break through, with made things a little more difficult...still good though.
This is one of the places that a friend of ours called home for a least one summer. Each summer he came to our little town from I do not know where, found a secluded place and called it home for the summer. At this place, his mode of transportation...canoe.

This is a spring I came by.


K O N K ! ! ! When we would find these in our youth, we would break these off, give them a throw at each other...and in a timely fashion yell...K O N K

Doing the inside

Not much to tell lately. Janice and I both have riding indoors. I have been doing the elliptical and the trainer...30 minutes each. Last night I just rode the trainer. I rode a nice easy pace for about 1 hour 15 minutes...then off the trainer and to the chair for an immediate nap. That happens some times, no explanation for it, but it happens. It seems I sit down...relax a little and soon can hardly keep me eyes open. When I nap, I could actually be getting more exercise...because as Mark Twain said "I have never taken any exercise except sleeping and resting." Tonight, I went back to doing the brick. Should get back outside this weekend.

Black Bear Ride

I rode what I call the Black Bear Ride today...31.5 miles and it took three hours. I call it that because it goes by the Black Bear Golf and Tennis club. The roads were a little soft in spots today, as it was fairly warm when I left. I would say about the last 4 miles, it was freezing up again, as it was 29 when I got home. If this link works, it will take you to the route I rode. Pretty slow riding today,as the tires were breaking thru most of the time. Some of the roads by Minong had a lot of black top showing though.
Took a picture of this Porcupine. It was just lying up on the branch...I still don't know if it was alive...or not.

There is a deer in there somewhere. I saw a lot of critters today. I also saw some squirrels, an eagle, crows and a turkey...plus a bunch of little birdies.

There sure are a lot of dorks driving these back roads. I know why they litter the beer cans, as they do not want to get caught with an open container, still doesn't make it right...but a coffee cup. It isn't like they are going to get busted for that or set it on their car and drove off. The nearest convenience store from this cup is 6 miles. Another thing that is common are fast food bags...at least another 30 miles away. While you bicycle at a slower pace then roaring down the road in an automobile, you notice these thing more. If you can explain to me what the hell goes thru their pee sized brain when they litter, please enlighten me.

Another 12+

I rode the same route as last night. I saw some fresh Gray Wolf tracks, but the camera doesn't to them justice with just snow for a back ground. Finished up just as the sun was going down. The roads are starting to break up a little, so one must watch out for the holes because you do know...A hole is nothing at all, but you can break your neck in it.

Outside!!!

Back to the back roads. Did a nice 12 plus miles. After the last three nights of doing the bricks, just getting out and riding was great. I have noticed one positive thing about the trainer...it pushes me to get outdoors and that, is a good thing.

During the week, any exercise I get has to be in the afternoon or evening, as I work the day shift. Some exercise in the morning...and I have heard them say...I have to exercise in the morning before my brain figures out what I'm doing. What does that say about me? Are they calling me names?

Inside again

Guess what we were up tonight.

Hitting the Brick

It was 5 above when I got home, so I decided to do the inside brick tonight. I did the elliptical and the trainer. It is not as much fun, but it is something...and I need to get at it. I have noticed the dial on the scale going higher lately.

Maintenance and Ice Cream

When you ride in the winter, maintenance is a must. I cleaned and lubed the chain, cables, derailleurs, and idlers. I believe there should be a reward for such things...so...homemade ice cream it is.
Here is the maker, just need some horsepower for the crank.

Looks good.

And it was good. Maybe I will put some time in on the elliptical to offset it...maybe.