Y West

The recent ride has been just short of the The Y West ride.

I have been riding the road we live on, County Highway Y west of Gordon, the last couple times out.  I used to ride this road a lot when we first moved out here.  For quite some time it was the only option we had if we wanted to ride on blacktop.  Although hwy Y is scenic with what many would consider low traffic, it has some...ok, a lot of rough spots.  They say because it is a dead-end highway with few residents it doesn't warrant fixing.  Personally, I think Douglas County must have that opinion of most of their roads...because most Douglas County Highway roads SUCK!!!  The township roads are for the most part, much nicer to bicycle.  A few years after we moved here, the town of Wascott laid blacktop to a road that borders our property.  When that was done, it opened miles and miles of nice township roads featuring smooth riding right out the end of our driveway.  We do feel fortunate to have such good roads to ride. 

The locals call highway Y, The River Road because it follows the along the St. Croix River.  It ends 7 miles out of Gordon where a dam forms Lake Gordon, or as many refer to as The Gordon Flowage.

I have been riding Y because the town roads have a layer of slush at the present time.  Y is a mix of blacktop showing and ice.

A lot of years Trumpeter Swans stay on the river.  They were not close to the road on this ride, so they may be hard to see in the picture.  

If you would like to buy a house or a cabin, there a few for sale out this way.

This is the river just before coming into the townsite of Gordon.

Road Trip

We will be heading southeast tomorrow for the bike swap in Blaine MN.  It is a fun event in which we have attended the last few years.  We didn't buy much last year, probably won't buy much this year either, but we have a shopping list.  It's just fun to go.  See you there.

A Little Ride

I went out for a little ride tonight and even though it was little...10.4 miles...it was a sufferfest.  Did you know if you look up sufferfest on the Google, the results are basically all bicycling related?  The roads tonight were just plain difficult.  A thin layer of sugar like substance coated them.  It was still good and much better than the last few days on the trainer.  No complaints here.

A Superior Ski

Saturday morning I took my dad to a vintage snowmobile show, so ended up getting a late start for my plans of the day.  I had wanted to ski the outer loop of the Superior Forest Ski Trail.  I knew when I left the house to drive up there, it would be close for me to complete the loop before darkness set in...after thought, should have brought along headlight.  Actually, I knew before we went to the show it would be close, but I also knew Dad would enjoy it, and that was much more important than skiing.  We had a good time. 

The trail head I started from shares the parking lot with The  Millennium Trail on 28th street in Superior WI.  The Millennium allows ATV's and snowmobiles.  The ski trail also has short sections on the Millennium.

I will say that the trail is very scenic...now for the bad.  It was poorly marked and some sections were not groomed for classical skiing.  If I had not spent so much time trying to figure out where I was at and which way to turn, I may have had the time to complete my goal.  That, and as I am standing at an intersection on the trail with map in hand, a very wise man who once said "Well, the first thing one needs to do is send in the money, and then, you are in" in regards to doing the Birkie stopped.  He showed me where I was on the map and we shot the breeze for a while.  As far as the grooming is concerned, it was perfect for skating and most everybody there was skating.  I only saw one other person doing the classical. 

The trails near the trail head were groomed well for classical style, but the farther one went from the trail head..... 

All told, I did get all but the bottom loop in for a total of a little over 10 miles of classical skiing.  I will try to keep track of the tracking conditions and make another attempt of the outer most loop.  As I was driving home watching it get dark, I was thinking I could have had the time, that is if I didn't get lost.  I now know where to go next time...I think.

Baby Circle Ride

After skiing the last couple days, I got the fixie out for a ride last night.  Good time for sure.  The county road that I was on for 1.7 miles was like riding on a slushie, and then it was on to town roads that alternated bare ice with ruts to a light layer of snow.  It is roads like these that make me happy with my choice of studded tires.  When I purchased tires for the fixie last year, I debated on which Nokian's to buy...the Hakkapeliitta W240 or Hakkapeliitta W106.  The W240's are better for roads with ruts (our roads out here in the sticks) because the studs wrap around the edge of the tire.  The last few times have proven that was a good choice for me.  If we lived where the roads were better, I would have gone with the 106's.  I rode a little circle +10miles and I met or was passed by 0.00 vehicles.  It is rare, but I like it when that happens.

On the Skiis

I have been on the cross country skiis the last 2 nights.  It was 5k each night at a good pace for a person of my ability.  I pushed hard and it got me to thinking how hard it would be to do the Birkie. The Old Bag is doing it this year and we will be cheering her on.  Anyone doing the Birkie has to be in very good shape.  54K to ski it...50K to skate and both of the Kortelopet's are 23K each.  My friend CAD could do these with ease, but I know for a fact that I would have to struggle through, but I would make it even with my limited ability.

Back

It's been awhile since anything has been put up on here. Lazy, simply lazy. I have been doing the inside thing almost every day...running on the elliptical and riding the trainer. I will be getting outside again very soon. I have been doing some research on some organized tours. I have a few questions about doing a tour...mainly would they have a problem with Janice following along with our camper. Not the same route as the ride, but meeting me in the stay over towns. She could find plenty to do while I am riding and we could meet up in the evenings. It is in this way that we can still have a vacation together...and not be to close, lol lol lol. If anybody has had experience with this, please let us know.  

I may or may not have a new gadget to play with. I am a sucker for gadgets.

Light rain fell most of yesterday with 2 to 3 inches of wet snow this morning...still snowing too.  That put me back on the trainer for an hour this morning.  Whoooopie.  Next year though, it may be a custom made bike similar to a Surly Pugsley that this fellow is riding.  We will see.  It isn't bad to be outside today.  I have been out to shovel the deck, feed the birds, cleaned some snow from the garage roof and then had to plow it out of the way before it froze.  It isn't bad once you pry the butt from the comfy chair.  Speaking of sitting in the chair, I would imagine a lot of people will be doing just that, watching the football.  I will not be watching, and no I am not a Vikings fan, although I have many friends that are, so go Vikes. 

I was strong this morning. I kept looking in the mirror, but no one caught me. 

Sunday Snowshoe/Ski

Janice, our daughter Lisa, our niece Sarah and I went for a snowshoe/ski on Sunday. We parked on the West Mail Road. We headed east across the Moose River and then up an old trail alongside the St Croix River. Approximately a mile up river sits the Gibson cabin. It is a unique old log cabin. I have heard it was built between 1914 and 1916. When the Wild River Act was inacted by congress in 1968, all properties within 1/4 mile on each side of the rivers bank were eventually controlled by the National Park service. The Gibson Cabin was included. I remember well when the River Act went in and the consquences at the time. We knew people whose properties were effected by this. I think looking back now 40+ years, it has been a good thing.

I took these photos with my phone as our regular camera was left in the vehicle. It took me...finally had to ask son...until today to get them off the phone.

These are the type of trees the cabin is made from...Cedar

These are the lovely ladies I had the pleasure of snowshoeing with.

I could live here. No electricity, although the Gibsons had a generator.

It is a nice peaceful setting on the St. Croix Rivers edge.

Nice rock fireplace

There are two bedrooms downstairs and the open area upstairs I understand was more sleeping quarters

A Tease

I did the inside mini brick thingee last night...trainer and elliptical. Tonight on the other hand, the weather was much too nice to stay inside. It was +28 when I left the house on the bicycle just before dark, which is very warm for this time of the year at our location. The roads were showing a reflection of glare ice, but the studs work nicely.

We are starting to organize our team, Gitchigumi Gear Mashers, for the 2010 MS150 in MN. Anyone interested in joining up with us, please feel free to sign up. We really would like to grow our team this year, so if you are interested, now is the time. Join in. We are doing this for a good cause and a good time. We will put some info up later.

Feels Good

I tried to talk Janice into riding with me Sunday morning. I have two of the steeds rolling studs, but no way would she ride. I ended up doing a 14 mile loop by myself. It was a cool 12.4 degrees when I left with a strong SW wind. I had debated on whether or not to wear my booties as they are heavy. I did not. Extra layer of socks. No toe room. Toesy were cold. I should have worn booties. I nailed the rest though. Nuf said...lesson learned.

As Ben Franklin said "The doors of wisdom are never shut."

Brisk...Sat...No Work...Excellent

Did it get cold out last night...Yes, yes it did. We had -28.8F this morning. I did a nice 30 minutes on the elliptical early. It warmed up in the afternoon, so Janice and I went for a ski on the trails we have made. Tomorrow, it's going to be fixie time. The condition of our back roads could not get much better for winter bicycling.

 

One hour 45 minutes this afternoon.

The sun was shining bright.

Just a little opening...Maybe a pond some day.

I have been packing the trails with a snowmobile. It works nice on days like today when there was about an inch of fresh powder on them.

Fox tracks.

This is one of the many deer stands that we have. This particular one our youngest son put in.

Bike Tour?

Thinking I should do a Bike tour this year. Not a long one. Maybe a week or so. Going to start looking into that.  

Inside=(

A brick or not a brick?

Back indoors for a little, but hopefully not for long. Run for 30 min and then another 40 on the trainer. I have noticed that I do not mind the first few times doing the silly indoor stuff.

PS...Please check out our friends at Up North Cabin Decor ...also a link on the top right side of blog page...Thanks

Cabin Time

We wish you all a belated Happy New Year. We want to thank who ever may read this thing. We want to especially send a thanks to those who make a comment now and then. That is always nice.

We have had some family time at our family cabin these last few days. Our son Michael caught a nice Northern. We added some Crappies and had a nice dinner for the nine of us that were staying at the cabin. It is rare we have a freshly caught fish dinner. We only keep the fish we are going to eat and do not believe in the practice of putting fish in the freezer. 

And speaking of a freezer...Negative 30 degrees fahrenheit this morning...Ain't that great!!

 

Young'ens Havin Fun

The six youngsters of our family took in the Packers game this last weekend. I must say that I am not a fan of football, but if I were, this would be the team I would follow.  If for any reason at all, it would be because it is a small town football team, rich in history and hardcore fans. Now, on to the IMO part. There is something about the attitude of most professional athletes that rub me the wrong way. The running around holding the number one finger up thinking that said one is the greatest thing ever conceived is nothing I care to watch...or listen to. I am sure there are many things I do that other people do not care for, so I try to hold a "What ever turns your crank" attitude. The half dozen from the north had a goooood time...and that is what it is all about. 

Four of the amigos

A good time was had

These two make a good pair. They have a good time in whatever it is they are up to...maybe MS150 in 2010.

Final score...Packers 48...Seattle 10

I went for a nice cross country ski. We have some new trails cleared on our property and I think they are going to work out nice. Most of the skiing on these trails will be at night after work with head lamps, but this ski was daylight. I was out for an hour and I had forgotten what a nice workout those ski's can be. Oh, and this was the real Cross Country, not speed v'ing. 

Inside again

We hope you all had a good Christmas and are looking forward to some swell things for the new year in 2010. For Christmas this year, we went to Janice's family gathering which started at noon. All the fixin's were there...Turkey, Ham, Taters, stuffing and too many others to mention them all. Colleen and family...if you are reading...you were missed. Can't blame you though with the way the roads have been. From there we headed to my side of the family for the Christmas gathering. Turkey, Ham, Taters, stuffing and too many others to mention them all...you get the idea. All of that put me on this contraption today. 

First time doing the inside thing this season. I haven't gotten the trainer tire on the bike for the trainer, so it was just the elliptical today. Just like a rat in a wheel...run, run and run.

Merry Christmas

MERRY CHRISTMAS

A Merry Christmas from our house to yours.

We are getting hammered with some snow and even a little rain. These pictures were taken about 10:00 PM last night. It had rained a little and turned back to snow over night and back to rain this morning. As of this morning we have gotten about 12 inches of snow with the last 5 inches being very heavy wet stuff. We had plowed and shoveled 7 inches yesterday and we are debating when to do the next clean up. I would rather clean up more than once during a storm, such as this one that is lasting 2 or 4!!! days, then having to take care of many inches at one time.

We have spent the few days at our family cabin doing the ice fishing, eating and family time thing. It was a very good time. I think many people do not know what they are missing by not spending time with their family and friends. Or, maybe they just don't care....wrappped up in their own thing. The fact is, that they can not know what they are missing, or they would be spending time with said people while they are here on earth, as we know it. Could haves and should haves doesn't mean a hell of a lot. Any one of us...here today, gone tomorrow so lets enjoy our life to the fullest boys and girls.

The roads have been what I would call greasy. On my fixed gear ride, I saw two places that had skid marks, tree bark missing and pieces of plastic strewn in the woods. As my dad would say, "Good ol plastic."

Memorial ride

We had a friend of ours tragically pass away this past Monday morning. He, his wife and two children are neighbors of ours. Very good neighbors. About ten years ago, they moved in the next place down the road from us. We would be walking our trails, biking, cutting firewood, any where he happened to see us, it was good and interesting conversation time. Sometimes I would be miles from home knocking out a ride after work and we would meet each other on the road. The brake lights would come on and it was time to talk. We would be BS'ing and it was always like, "Well I got to get going." But between the two us, it was always much later before the going was gotten. Sometimes when we would split, I was riding home in the near dark. This proved to be a good thing, because it forced me to put the hammer down and try to get home before dark.

He had worked hard to become successful, which allowed him to spend a lot of time around home. I remember he always told me how lucky he had been in life, that he had traveled the world, and it was HERE where he WANTED to live. That, of course, would make anyone feel good about also living here.

While in high school, he played on state championship hockey teams...loved hockey. Had season tickets to the Minnesota Wild. He died of trauma to head while ice skating in front of their home this last weekend at age 49. I know full well that the last minutes before his accident, he having a GOOD TIME.   

Today I had some vacation to use, so I decided to do a Pat Bouchard Memorial ride. He and I one time knocked this ride out in a little under an hour, riding side by side, bullshitting as much as we could the whole way around. I never will forget what he said when we finished up,"Good time, right?" And...it was a good time. Both in minutes and in company. FYI...it took much longer than an hour today on the fixie with studs. 

Rest in Peace Pat.

It is the last weekend of culling the Whitetail herd by rifle, which means daylight riding will return. For me, it has been waiting for dark to venture out on the bicycle for the last three weeks.


TOB....Good Luck in your Birkie training...and this is fitting because it is an old one, lol...If you are going to try cross-country skiing, start with a small country.

We hope everyone has been avoiding the plague. We have been lucky at our household so far.

 

Getting Out

The weather experts are predicting that our area is going to be hammered with snow the next couple days. They are saying somewhere between 8 and 12 inches. It started snowing here about 2:00 this afternoon. When I headed out for a ride about 5:30, I got some words of encouragement from my son. He says, "What are you doing. Going for a bike ride?" To which I replied "Yeah. Why not." And here is where the words of encouragement come in..."In this??? Jesus." It's refreshing to think he was thinking that highly of me. He wasn't surprised, I am sure.

The ride was a gooood work out. I have been around this area for a long time and the snow tonight was heavy enough to where I didn't know where I was at a lot of the time. It is like this...you do not know where you are until you pass something familiar such as a road or an unusual landmark. Houses and cabin's are pretty much non-existent on this route. The best part was the last 6 miles...right into the wind...a snowy, 20 to 30mph wind...and on the fixed gear. Oh Yeah!!!

Brisk

This is a known, not debatable, fact...6 degrees and snow on the roads mixed with 480 carbide studs makes some sweeeeet music. Some may argue, but get over it because as I said, it is Fact.

So far this year, we have had a dusting or two, but nothing to stick to the roads good. Tonight the roads were snow covered and studded tires were not on the bike. With that being said, when I got home from work, on they went. After they were mounted, I left the house at 7:30 pm and went for an hour long ride. It was a nice night to be out. The temp was at 15 above, snow lightly falling and a 10mph SW wind and I was dressed perfectly. It was also nice to hear the crackle of 480 carbide studs making their mark...most of the time in virgin snow. And then there was the snow flakes sparkling in the headlight. It makes me want to ride more just jotting this down, but I must work tomorrow, so I better not stay out late playing in the snow.

Out of the bosom of the Air, Out of the cloud-folds of her garments shaken, Over the woodlands brown and bare, Over the harvest-fields forsaken, Silent, and soft, and slow Descends the snow.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Big Dance

I have been contemplating whether to apply to the Chequamegon Fat Tire next fall. The Chequamegon is what I would call the Big Dance for me. Some people are better at dancing than others, even so far as having celebrity status. It is only by lottery drawing that I would be admitted...which kind of makes me think if I am admitted, I should be admitted to be committed.

Dancing is wonderful training for girls, it's the first way they learn to guess what a man is going to do before he does it...If he has permission to do it.

Moon Ride

First off, we need send kudos out to CAD. He ran the Gobble Gallop 5k running race in Duluth MN this last Thanksgiving morning, in which part of the proceeds go to the Northern Lakes Food Bank. Not surprising to me, he finished near the top of the list of 972 entrants. Excellent job CAD.

I spent just over an hour on the fixed gear Monday night. The moon was shining so bright...How bright was it?...It was so bright that I did not use a headlight for 59 minutes of that hour. I was only .5 miles from home when the first and only auto I saw came up from behind, so I flipped the headlight on until they got by. I did have my taillight on, you know, for safety. For the most part, I could see quite well.It was 29 degrees when I arrived back home at 7:45 and I nailed the clothing part. I like it when that happens.

Moon shining bright.