Still Here

It has been a long time since this blog thing has been updated, so I thought I would give it a go today. Thank You to all those that come by to check it out and some even comment.  I do appreciate it. 

We have been quite busy in the last month.  Not important stuff.  Well now that I think about it, yeah it is important stuff... vacation and spending time at the cabin.  That is important!! I have been riding though.  Today marked the 3rd ride of 5 rides in the last week that it was over 90°F with one at 98° and another at 99°.  I should ride early in the morning all the time instead of just now and then.  Slow learner.  Although, despite the warm temps, all the rides have been good.  After all, it's weather.  It is what it is.

The end of Douglas County Y.  Straight ahead 7 Mile Dam County Park, left fork is Hill Rd and hard left is snowmobile/ATV trail 41.

A local golf course I frequent, Gordon Pines.

This is another shot of Trail 41.  I am not kidding when I tell you I live in sand country.  Riding the mountain bike on here with 2.1" tires is a good work out, but not advised on the weekend.  

More road.

This is our local store, Stop a Sec.  Groceries, Liquor store, Hardware, Bait Shop, Game registration, Hunting/Fishing licences, Post Office, Laundromat, dry cleaning drop, Gas, Diesel, Propane, DMV stuff, books and magazines including local authors, movie rental and well you get the idea.  Important things one may need while out in the bush. Oh and now serving, soup and pizza.  Come by here in the morning to see the local coffee clutch meeting.  I haven't been to one, but have witnessed it a time or two.

Todays ride was 25 miles with the last 4.5 into the wind.  I stopped here and rested a bit before hammering it home.  See the helmet?  IMO, good idea to wear one. 

Lets get outdoors and have some fun!!

Goal Zero

My apologies for the lack of input on my part.  We have been...well...busy...vacation busy. :-)  After the Diabetes ride we left for a vacation to South Dakota/Wyoming.  I do enjoy the Black Hills area.  We have been there many times and for us, it just doesn't get old.  On this trip we spent most of it off the beaten path...gravel roads, rut roads, biking the George Mickelson trail  and hiking some hiking trails.  I had said in a previous post I would go over some of the gear I use.  The picture above is of the Goal Zero solar charger.  This model is the Guide 10 Plus.  It comes with a Nomad 7 solar panel, a USB cable, a 12 volt cable and a battery pack with 4 AA rechargeable batteries.  I have used it bicycle touring, camping and will use it on the river when we are out for days.  It is a very rugged, durable solar charger.  It is also suppose to be water proof, although I have not tested that, nor do I intend to.  It charges cell phones, cameras, MP3 players, GPS'r, I-Pads, Kindles and lots of stuff.  I use it for my cell phone, camera and Garmin.  It will not charge a lap top.  A person can charge right from the panel itself or use the panel to charge the battery pack and then charge the unit of your choice from the battery pack.  I choose to use the battery pack.  It has loops sewn on the panel and I tie it open to something during the daylight and charge from the pack in the evening.  

Sorry for the crappy photos, but it measures 6" x 9" x 1" when not in use folded and 17" x 9" when unfolded.  It weighs in at a very light at 0.8lbs. They say the charge time for the battery pack is 2-4 hours, but I have never timed it.  There are several configurations the Goal Zero out there and it is my understanding that one must be careful with which one you purchase.  After researching I purchased the Goal Zero 19007 Adventure kit as I thought it met my needs the best.  That model runs approximately $120.00.  I am of the opinion it is worth every penny.  A GREAT unit!!

My apologies this time in advance as there is some mighty nice looking weather coming up...and I plan to take advantage of it...so no computer for days again.  I do miss reading the great blogs on my blog roll and think about them often, but adventure and the outdoors pull me away.

Lets get outdoors and have some fun!!

Diabetes Ride

 Last Saturday was the Tour de Cure diabetes ride in Minneapolis MN.  First off...A big Thank YOU for all that supported us and me in particular in this event.  The above picture is of our group...The Gitchigumi Gear Mashers.  We have been riding as a group doing charity rides for a few years now.  It was my first year riding this event and I believe they do a very good job.  The rest stops were well spaced, very well stocked, and in scenic locations along the route.  The route itself shined also.  Mostly bike paths and trails.  And, of the roads we did ride, most had bicycle lanes painted in. I can now easily see why the Twin Cities rate so high in numerous bicycle friendly studies.  I will be back to leisurely ride more of these trails.  Their trail system is fantastic.

 This unit must have been part of the event as I saw at two different locations.

 The Mississippi River near downtown Minneapolis was really moving.  Some of the people riding said they had never seen it this lively.  It was my first time viewing it, so I couldn't compare it, but it was impressive.  While stopped on the bridge the spray was wetting us down.

 This is a trail bridge heading into downtown Minneapolis.

 At about mile 22 a tremendously loud noise came from behind.  It was louder than most gun shots.  It ended up to be a tube blow out on one of our team members ride.  The tube had about a 4" split plus a large chunk went missing somewhere along the way. SAG came along and helped.  Like I said before, well organized.

 After riding Minneapolis, we headed to St. Paul.  Here we rode by the Excel Energy Center, plus many other landmarks. By this time, my picture taking was getting to a minimum.  All these photos were taken with the cell phone...As I forgot the camera!  Must come with age I tell ya.  

 The above is a pic of the event grounds.  There they had diabetes information along with a lot of swag items.  They even had an area to test your A1C score.

The event supplied us with free lunch along with free Schells beer, 1919 Root Beer and free music.  we holed up near the beer truck and music.

Back home and loaded this post up and back out again soon.  It seems like I am spending a lot of time interent challenged these days.  I am fortunate to have an understanding spouse and also children at home for the summer to keep things in check. 

Lets get outdoors and have some fun!!

2012 Tour de Cure

Team Gitchigumi Gear Mashers are at it again.  We will be in Minneapolis MN this weekend for the Tour de Cure.  It is a charity bicycle ride for diabetes.  Although riding for a good cause in an event like this is in itself reason enough to participate, the company provides an excellent bonus.  We will have the same size group this year, but Janice will not be riding and Brandon's wife Rebekah will be.  The above picture was from a multiple sclerosis we had ridden. Although the MS ride is a lot of fun, and I have personal friends that suffer from it, diabetes has family connection.  My mother suffers from diabetes as well as her six sisters.  During this event, any person that rides and also suffers from diabetes is referred to as a Red Rider.  The girl pictured above in the pink jersey has diabetes.  She is the captain of our team and I am proud to be riding with a Red Rider.

Lets get outdoors and have some fun!!

Headed home

 Sorry for the delay getting this last segment in about the camping trip.  We have spent the last several days at the cabin which translates to no computer connection.  For that matter, very sporadic cell service, 1 or possibly 2 TV stations and that is sporadic also.  It's not necessarily a bad thing, but I do miss not being able to keep up on the blogs and other stuff.  Not the TV though.  The on button was was not pressed even one time in the days we were there.

It's a great place to press the reset button of life.

On the last morning of the bicycle camping trip, I awoke at Wisconsin Pattison Falls State Park with the weather threatening.  As I was packing up the Park Ranger stopped by.  "Where you off to?" he says.   When I told him I was heading to Gordon, his eyes rolled upward.  "In this? We are supposed to get some weather you know," was his reply.  I told him I had rain gear.  "Well, good luck with that," and off he drove.  He had a good demeanor, was fun to talk with and was only letting me know what was on the way.  After all, the weather service was calling for rain and thundershowers.  I didn't take many pictures that day because of the rain, but I had to load one up anyhow.  In the 6 hours it took me to get home, I only had rain a couple times.  I could see the heavy stuff coming, so it was then I suited up.  I would no sooner get suited up and it would quit.  It seemed as though I was on the edge of the showers all the way home.  I really couldn't complain about the amount of rain I experienced on the whole trip.   Couple times, but nothing torrential.  It was a great trip and fun to get out.   Next post will be on some gear.

Lets get outdoors and have some fun!!

Bicycle Camping

 Day three was an easy day.  I headed from Amnicon Falls State Park to Pattison Falls State Park.  It was only a 20 mile ride.  It did feature many dump trucks though.  They were blacktopping one of the highways I would eventually end up riding.  I am guessing when I say I encountered near 30 of them. Out of the 30, only one driver didn't give me much room, even though he had room to give.  I don't know why people have to be that way, but some are.  Oh well.

 It is a pretty good climb up out of the Lake Superior basin.  Duluth, MN is the far ridge in the above picture.

 I walked the nature trails and picked up two geocaches while there.  There are two major falls here in Pattison Park.  The above is just what it says...Little Manitou Falls.  These falls are on the Black River.

 The above is a pic of the Big Mantiou Falls.  This is the largest waterfall in the state of Wisconsin.  The weather was great today.  There are more than 50 campsites at this park and there were an unbelievable 2 others campers than myself.    

Lets get outdoors and have some fun!!

More Bicycle Camping

 I didn't sleep well the first night out.  The thunder was crashing until about midnight, although we didn't get any storms creating damage.  I had listened to the forecast before I went to bed and it said the wind was to be very strong from the WNW...my direction of travel for the next day.  I awoke at 4AM with the wind howling, the tent making noise and I was waiting the the sun to rise.  I was up at 5:30, had a bite to eat, packed and on the road a little after 6AM hoping to cheat some of the wind.  Didn't work. :-)  lol  Mile 18 today had me sitting in Iron River having breakfast, coffee and chatting with the locals.

 One of the snack spots of the day.  More chatting...this time with trout fishermen.

 If as though the wind was just not quite enough of a test, there were also several steep grades today.  Many of these hills come from the numerous rivers, creeks and small streams making their way to Lake Superior.  

 This abandon house sitting in a field really doesn't look that bad.  the roof is still straight anyhow.

 This part of the highway features some very nice farm land and views across Lake Superior.  Today, it also provided room for the wind to gain speed and with it bring the coolness of the big lake.  It was a struggle to maintain any speed, as the wind was doing the talking today.  I could hear it! :-)

Speaking of wind, I stopped here at the Davidson Windmill with 50 miles in and only 5 more to go for the day.  This windmill has been refurbished and maintained by some of the locals.  It was built in 1905 by Finnish immigrant Jacob Davidson.

 The last 3 miles should have been easy with the wind helping, but after over 50 miles of fighting the wind, I really couldn't take advantage of it for some reason.  Have I mentioned how windy it was today?  This was my stop for the day.

 This was my campsite at Amnicon.  The person that checked me in was very helpful.  She suggested this site because it had a tent spot, some grass and as a bonus, it had a lot of firewood.  

 To the great park employee I am thankful, because I needed that firewood by the late afternoon.  The  coolness of Lake Superior was easily reaching this far out.

 There are a lot of picture opportunities at Amnicon Falls State Park.  I can't even begin to think how many images are taken from this park.  I chose these next two because this little falls is missed by many.  It is called Now and Then Falls.  The river is probably over 50 feet wide here where this little ribbon of water breaks off...when the water is plentiful.  The name is chosen because it isn't present all of the time.  Only now and then.

 That little ribbon of water leads to this...The Now and Then Falls.

 I sat many places to take in the view.

IMO, Amnicon Falls is a gem that it is often overlooked...especially by the locals.  And...the park personnel are very knowledgeable and fun to chat with.  I will post up another when I get some time.

Lets get outdoors and have some fun!!

Bicycle Camp

 Last week I headed out for a 4 or 5 day bicycle camping trip.  I really didn't know how long I would stay out and decided to play it by ear.  I waited until the sun got up higher in the sky before I left home, as I knew I was heading east.  I am not fond of riding into the rising or setting of the sun.  It can be dangerous.

 I headed east out of Gordon, WI on Douglas County highway Y towards the Barnes area. I was surprised by the lack of traffic on this road. I had expected it to be busier than it was.  One elderly gentleman that was driving towards me waved me down.  He was excited that he had just seen a newly born Whitetail Deer fawn.  He thought traveling by bicycle was an easy way to spot them. 

 I pulled into Mooney Dam for a midday snack .  Great place to sit and relax.  It is a county park with a few campsites and a boat landing to the Eau Claire lakes chain.

 When I crossed over a channel between two lakes I noticed fish below the bridge.  They appeared to be Large Mouth Bass.  Lots of them!!

 I entered into the Chequamegon National Forest while riding on Bayfield County highway N.  There are some great mountain bike trails in this forest...great road riding too for that matter.

 Highway N

 I had stopped at Drummond and picked up snacks and then headed north on the Delta Drummond road.  Even though it was early in the afternoon, I decided to stay at Perch Lake campground.  It is a National Forest campground that today was in need of some maintenance.  The bear had been in and strewn garbage out through the woods.  The garbage container stunk something fierce.  It's no wonder they were attracted to it. 

I cooked up some dinner, some coffee and headed down to the shore with the journal and a book.  Whether kayaking, walking the bush or whatever, I have found these little lightweight tripod chairs are great to bring along. 

  

 In the evening I watched a pair of loons while we got some rain showers.

All in all...a great day all the way around.  I will post more later.

Lets get outdoors and have some fun!!

Preparing

 It has been a while since I posted up...for a variety of reasons.  I have been riding putting on some miles preparing for some touring this summer.  I am hoping to begin a quick 4 or 5 day trip this coming Monday.  The above shows some of what I will be bringing.  It looks like a lot, but in reality it isn't.  It packs down small. In fact, the BOB trailer has space left. I will try to post up a ride report after the mini trip.

As of late, I have been riding the bike I plan on touring with.  I have made some small trips with it in the past, and it is probably not ideal, but it will do.  I have made some changes to it and it is working well so far.

 With our first grandchild here, I have made a couple rides up to visit.  It is close to 19 miles one way from the house and makes for a great ride.  It is mostly quiet country roads...with a new bridge over the Moose River!

 The bridge is newer than the bike.  Sad, as this is the third bridge put here in my memory.  I guess I should have taken a pic of the complete bridge...maybe next time.

The Moose River from the bridge. 

Lets get outdoors and have some fun!!