Spring Fever

I have been enjoying the warmer weather that we have been blessed with as of late by riding the fixed gear every night after work.  Last night I rode what I call the Little Bigger Circle Ride.  It is a 15.5 mile loop with low traffic and some little rollers.

This is a bar that is a little further on down the road from our house called The  Look Out.  I used to spend a lot of time in this place back in the day.  I can not remember the last time I have been in the place...nothing against the owners, in fact they seem very nice...I just try to avoid bars.  We do order food to go once in a while, but either Janice or our son makes the run to pick it up. 

This is how it gets its name...The Look Out.  It looks out over Lake Gordon, or as the locals call The Gordon Flowage.  I noticed the panfish must be biting because there seems to be a lot activity at one of the lakes hot spots we can see in this picture.

The county road we live on comes to an end at a Douglas County park about a mile past the Look Out.  In the winter time, the last mile of the road is closed to vehicle traffic and used as part of a snowmobile trail.

I have noticed the deer have been coming out near the roads this past couple of weeks.  I have saw a lot of them this past week.  On last nights ride, I would say in I seen about 15. 

There is very little traffic this time of year.  Last night I saw a school bus, one pickup and one car. 

This area of the road is not bad because you can go around the ice, but there are several places where the road is still completely covered with ice.  It gets better every day though.  I bear witness.

Nice

Nice...That would be my way of explaining the weather we have had the last couple weeks.  The high temps have been in the 35 to 40ish range with lots of sunshine.  I have been out on the bicycle the last few nights and it is amazing how much the weather changes the road conditions daily.  When a person rides the same route a few days in a row during this time of the year in this area, you really notice the difference.  There still are some areas of ice on the roads, but it is breaking up.  We can't be complacent, as we will be getting more snow...could be a lot, but...Spring is on the way. 

We went to The American Birkebeiner, which is an annual cross country ski race from Cable WI to Hayward WI.  There were participants this year from 47 states and also several countries were represented.  We know a couple people that do the Birkie every year.  One of them skied the classical this year and finished 143 overall, and I think he has done over 30 of them...Good job Mark.  Another fellow we know finished 3594 on the skate side of the track.  I'm not sure if it was his 35th or 36th Birkie and that would be out of only 37 that have taken place...Very Nice.

Main street, downtown Hayward.

This was everyone's goal today...The finish line, which makes the skating side of the track 50k and the classical side 54k.  We hope The Old Bag crossed here today.

This was the overall winner of the skate division. He was the first to cross the line and he was none other than, Fabio Santus from Milano Italy with a new course record of a 1:56:58.6 total elasped time for the 50k.  Last year it was a photo finish.  No need this year.  He won by 8 seconds.

The leaders had an escort.

Evening Ski

A new ride on the way for one of the Ladies in our family! ! 

Well, it's another week flying by again.  Monday and Tuesday was spent in the garage working on our son Michaels truck.  For what it's worth, I do not like working on vehicles.  I'm really not that good at it either.  Last night was an hour on the trainer and I would much rather ride the trainer than work on vehicles, if that says anything.  So tonight when I went for a nice 3.5 mile ski with the snow perfect for my set up...well you get the idea. 

We Plunged

Our niece Sarah and I did the Polar Plunge for Special Olympics Saturday.  We helped raise over $100,000.00 for the cause.  Here are some of the pictures.

Yes...No...Maybe So

We wore the biking attire as we are doing the MS150 bicycle ride in June.  150 miles for another good cause and more fun! !

No turning back now! ! !

Freezin for a reason

Safety people were there just in case we didn't pop back up like we were suppose to.

Upright and catching our breath.

See the guy wearing the tennies...that is the only thing I would do different...no tennies...it would be flip flops.  Other than it taking your breath away for a little while, it was the feet that got cold.  The tennies held the water in and when you were out of the water, the feet knew it was cold.

As you can see, we weren't the only ones...LOL and Fun

Go Jump in the Lake

Before I left work, a good friend told me to go jump in the lake.  I chose this one.  OK, just kidding...I already had planned on jumping in the lake before he told me to.  My niece Sarah and I will be doing the Polar Plunge to benefit Special Olympics.  Pictures to follow.

Lake Superior is, by surface area, the world's largest freshwater lake.


The surface area of Lake Superior (31,700 square miles or 82,170 square kilometers) is greater than the combined areas of Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New Hampshire.


Lake Superior contains as much water as all the other Great Lakes combined, even throwing in two extra Lake Eries.


Lake Superior contains 10% of all the earth's fresh surface water.


There is enough water in Lake Superior (3,000,000,000,000,000--or 3 quadrillion-- gallons) to flood all of North and South America to a depth of one foot.


The deepest point in Lake Superior (about 40 miles north of Munising, Michigan) is 1,300 feet (400 meters) below the surface.


Over 300 streams and rivers empty into Lake Superior.


The average elevation of Lake Superior is about 602 feet above sea level.


The Lake Superior watershed region ranges in size from 160 miles inland near Wabakimi Provincial Park to only 5 miles inland from Pictured Rocks National Seashore.


The Lake Superior shoreline, if straightened out, could connect Duluth and the Bahama Islands.


The average underwater visibility of Lake Superior is 27 feet, making it easily the cleanest and clearest of the Great Lakes. Underwater visibility in places reaches 100 feet. Lake Superior has been described as "the most oligotrophic lake in the world."


The lake is about 350 miles (563 km) in length and 160 miles (257 km) in width.

In the summer, the sun sets more than 35 minutes later on the western shore of Lake Superior than at its southeastern edge.

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!!