Mixing it up

I have been mixing it up with the cardio lately. Tonight I did 20 minutes on the trainer, 20 minutes on the elliptical and finished up with 20 more minutes back on the trainer.

I used no towel for sweat either...must not have been a work out. I held a good strong heart rate for me for quite some time...in the 150 to 160 range for about 15 minutes of each of those and the verdict is...none to very little sweat. I ride sometimes with a guy who sweats like no other I have seen. I would think it would be better to sweat...at least some. Why is that? Good...Bad???

Mini Brick?

Decided to mix it up a little tonight. Did 30 min at a good pace on the elliptical and then got on the trainer for another 30 minutes. The elliptical program I ran had intervals and on the trainer I tried to keep the cadence above 90 and up to 100, except for a 2 minute cool down. Now....Is this considered a brick, at least a mini brick? Or maybe a pebble? How about a cube, one of those little chocolate ones...ice cube. How bout it coach, a mini brick???

On another note, I am already looking forward to more of this in the spring. If anyone else is interested in doing some weekend rides in WI and MN...let us know.

Trapped indoors...so another 50 minutes of 1 x 3 intervals this morn before the wood stove kicked into high.

Nice day...but

Very nice day today...temps in the low 40's...but with the deer hunt going on was forced to do the trainer. I rode 50 minutes of 1 x 3 intervals. We have not burned wood since 1982. This year we installed a new wood stove and that will be our main heat source this year. I discovered quickly in the beginning of winter, that wood heat and the trainer do not mix well. When we heated with the gas, it was turned down during the day while we were at work...so...when I got home from work, the first thing I would do is the trainer while it was still relatively cool. It could be a good thing as it may force me to do more winter riding.

Look Ma....no hands

Into the intervals

House Riding

There is no biking this week...outdoors that is. The nine day rifle deer hunt is in full swing. A rational person would think, it shouldn't keep us indoors because we don't look like deer, right???? Wrong, R O N G wrong. We live in an area that has a lot of public land and to go outdoors on a walk, run or bicycle would be putting your life at risk. There are a lot of morons right now carrying...and firing rifles. I should make myself clear. It is like anything else, it is just a few that ruin it for everybody else and give it a black eye.

On another note...Eight more good union men got the lay off notice at work

Economic woes

Cyclocross Jealously

All the talk lately of the Cycle Cross and such that is now finishing up, has brought thoughts in de brain full circle. I have been known to make the statement that this year was the last year for such foolishness as mnt bike racing. All the races I have entered have been fun...even the Ore 2 Shore...now that is sick, or at least some may think so. The Chequamegon is fun and I had a very good ride going there this year before I flatted out...that along with being ill prepared. That in it self, not finishing that is, has left a hole. Although for me, any of the races I enter have to be for the fun of it...as I am O L D DD. That being said, it should relieve me of all pressure for any future events I may enter. It is now written...and for ever shall be.

Politician's

One hour's riding

In one hour, a person can put a lot of miles on riding a bicycle. It seems to me, when people ask "Where did you ride tonight?" or "Where did ride today?"...many times when you tell them where you rode, its like they can't believe you rode that far. I guess when I think about it, most of the people that think that are not bicyclist.

Then, when you start talking about 30 to 40 miles is just a good ride and 50, 60 and 70 are better rides, it's like some of them think you are nuts and that is not to mention the centuries.

People have different hobbies whether it be biking, golf, bowling, fishing, baseball, motorcycling, working in the yard or what ever the hell else might turn an individuals crank. The important thing is to be able comprehend that concept. You spent how much on a bicycle...well...you spent how much on one golf club, one baseball bat, and how much for that big ass fishing boat or that motorcycle.

For some, the bicycle is a way of life...some a necessity...some a hobby...some to make a statement. There are obviously many different reasons for riding.

That is only one little drip from the drool and spittle that can come from my pie hole.

Put an hour in on the mtn bike tonight riding rut trails and some forest road. It was 23 degrees and I didn't do a good job of dressing tonight. It probably would have been alright for road riding, but riding the mnt bike through the hills and back roads, I was over dressed. I had thought the sandy areas would be froze, but I was roong . The majority of what I rode was fine, but the deep sand was still soft.

In the sand, I noticed black bear tracks and also gray wolf tracks (timber wolf). The bear have to be very tired about now I would think...and the wolfs hungry.

But the fact still remains...It was FUN. For me, riding the trails are the best.

Sure felt good to be on the Anthem again.

Right or Left ? ? ?

I left just as the sun was setting

and got back home with the moon shining bright.

Good riding

I didn't have the mountain bike today, but as I rode along I noticed all the sand rut trails seemed to have a hard crust on top. That makes for some very nice mountain biking in sand country. When the sand has a frozen top...it is fun time. I almost went back to get it, but it looks like the next couple weeks will allow for nice trail riding. Then, will come the whitetail deer rifle hunt. I do not have nuts big enough to ride around home when that is going on...although I guess a night ride could be possible...even then you would have to stay alert.

Loaded this up for our daughter Lisa, she thinks I don't bicycle enough....she is right.

Getting some riding in...but not enough.

Finishing up

With daylights saving time in effect, it called for a night ride. It was really dark already at 6:30 when I left for the ride. I rode 14 miles of nice back country blacktop roads. It was a good thing I only met one car and was passed by none, as half way into the ride me blinkie batteries died. There were a lot of stars shining bright and a sliver of moon which made for a great ride. It helps that I nailed the clothing... 41 degrees. Any time you get the clothing right, it is a bonus. With the work on the home finishing up, there will be more riding now.Two truck loads of wood today and no more...it is the last of the wood we are putting up for the winter. We have 10.5 rows at 14 feet long, about 18 inches wide and 4 to 5 feet high.

Saturday just before dark, we finished up the siding on the home. We have done a lot of work on the house in the last six weeks. I told Janice when the Chequamegon Fat Tire was done this year, I was giving up the bike for a while to get the house in shape. We put on a new roof, new soffits and fascia, new wood stove, new chimney's, new siding, two windows, two storm doors..one to install as it has yet to arrive and a new door...a lot of new things going in there. There will also be something new in the bike barn this spring. I am thinking it will be a Surly Long Haul Trucker. I want a better ride for towing the B.O.B. trailer. I have been using my aluminum road bike and know that there are better options out there. If any one out there has an opinion on this, please share.


And...speaking of all the new things going in the house...I sure will be glad when this election bullshit is history...and somebody new living in the white house.

Happy Birthday to the wife

Its Janice's birthday today. I could go on in length to what she means to me, like how when I was in my party days..hard party days...or what a total asshole I can be at times...or how there are things more important to do, but I ride my bike instead...or how I decided this year we would do some bicycle camping trips and she went for it, no complaining...or when I decided to do mtn bike racing and she comes along to help me with the whole scene...not to mention the three wonderful children we have, OK now I am bragging and I am going to keep it short, way way way short. I can assure you that the people that know us, know that I am very lucky. I love her dearly.

Too long left..or is right

How's Your Balance?

The biking has been slim lately, but the work on the home is nearing completion so it will not be long and back at it. I have never rode on a lake during the early ice season...this year it is a go. Anybody out there that has done that and what is it like? I would have to think that it would be FUN!!!!
On a side note...Congratulations to the Lunatic on their wedding anniversary...also hope for a speedy recovery.

RIP Uncle Ken

Rest in peace Uncle Ken.

We have a funeral today for my Uncle Ken. He is my dad's brother who married my mom's twin sister. He was almost 76 years and will be missed. I can not remember one time that he called me by my real name. He always called me Pete. The memories are many. We did a lot of things together from hunting, fishing, canoeing, cooking and drinking. In the first photo, he was helping us when we build our home. In the second photo, he is holding my oldest son, Brian. I could write for a long time remembering our times together, but I will keep it short. With Love, Pete

Time to get the winter ride ready

Not trying to hurry it along...but it is getting that time of the year. I will have to find time to get the Timberlin ready for the winter riding. I took the studded tires off this summer so my daughter could use it for single tracking. Now I will switch back to the studs, lube the cables good and what ever else I see that needs attention. People around where we live...kinda in the sticks, by that I mean not near a city...look at a person funny when you ride in the winter. I do not know why they should. I am the only one winter riding in our area that I am aware of. If anyone out there knows of people that ride in this area or are interested in winter riding, please let me know. It is really a lot of fun and the studs work great.
How can this not look like fun?

The cross scene

The cross season is in full swing and I think someday I would like to try that. I do believe that purposely dismounting during a ride may be a welcome change rather that being unwillingly and randomly thrashed violently to the hardened earth...been there several times this year.

I have never attended one and there are none in our area that I am aware of...and...I do not know how competitive the groups are that run these...or...if they would allow an old slow guy in...but in it just for fun may be fun.

Would that mean I would have to buy another ride?