So Bicycling Magazine has this contest where you create a 60 sec. video and tell them why you should win a new bike and if you’re the winner you’ll get to pick a new bike from there annual Buyers Guide. Well I made a video and it did not get into the top ten but it should have and of course I think it should have won. Don’t you agree? Here’s the video and the blooper video.
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So it’s been a while since updating my bikeblog but hopefully that will change as the days go by. I want to do more blogging since so much has been going on in the world of cycling. That is my little world.
Riding through winter was great, it only became hard in February and March when I was wishing for warmer weather. I think I drove my car, maybe, 5 times during the winter months when I could have rode bike.
It’s been spring now for a few weeks and I’m trying to squeeze in more riding on the weekends instead of just commuting during the week. It’s so great to get out and ride when the weather is so nice, it’s so therapeutic.
This past Sunday, Mother’s Day, I rode 50 miles to honor mothers in general. The ride started out in Merrimac, WI and ended in Sun Prairie, WI. The first 15 miles are the best; it’s some of the prettiest back roads in Wisconsin. It even takes your mind off how hilly it is until you hit the town of Portage and then it was a fast jaunt over the levee. After that the roads we’re rolling through farm country which can be a struggle if there are high winds.
This ends up being the third time I’ve done this route on Mother’s Day. It’s becoming a tradition. I get dropped off in the Merrimac area after a visit with my Mother-in-law and I ride home as my wife, Gail, stays overnight with her mom.
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Just returned from working in warm Vegas to a weather forecast of a winter storm here in southern Wisconsin. I was actually looking forward to it because we were expecting over 14 inches of snow and we ended up with 17 inches. I don’t mind the snow early in December but once January arrives, as far as I’m concerned, it can be 80 degree again. But for now the snow is fun and after clearing the snow from 4 driveways I rode over to my friend Brian’s house and we went for a ride around town to see how many streets had been plowed. So far our street had not been plowed and it was hard to maneuver my bike through the deep snow. Pictures below and a video for viewing the fun.
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The SAW ride was attempted but after 40 miles of wet, freezing cold and possible snow I hung it up after the first day. The trails were so mushy in places that I sunk into the trail as if I were riding in beach sand. Top speed in those areas was 8 mph and I was riding hard. I was sweating so much that when I finally could ride at a good clip of 14 mph I froze to death from the cold. I concluded after 40 miles and being 15 miles from my first available camping site and only a half hour of day light left I realized that I picked the wrong time of year to attempt this trip. I will try again next year but most likely in July or August. I was hoping for a beautiful fall day with all the colors but instead a murky grey cold day. Here are some pics from the ride.
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2009 SAW ride is the Solo Across Wisconsin ride. I will be riding across the state of Wisconsin going west to east using the Rails to Trails system as much as possible. This is a solo ride because, first, I couldn’t find anyone else to go and second this is a self supported ride. I will be bringing camping gear and food with me as I intend not to use any support other than in an emergency. At this time I have two routes planned and pretty much will choose one over the other just days before leaving. The only difference between the two routes is 24 miles. There are reasons why I would take the shorter route but I won’t get into that now. Based on a quick MapMyRide.com routing I will be traveling 250+ miles in three days. The first day will be a century+, second day around 80 miles and then roughly 50 miles on the third day. Each stopping point is planned around available campgrounds to stay at.
I have had friends already ask why I would do such a thing. The best way to explain it is “I ride therefore I am…happy”. After saying that I have seen the puzzlement on their face so in light of this I have also decided to support the Lymphoma Research Foundation. This is something a little more solid for people to grasp and understand why I would do such a thing. The reason I chose LRF is because my father died of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma several years ago. I guess this is my way of keeping his spirit alive and to help me remember him. I don’t expect anyone reading this to jump to action and donate to LRF. I understand that we all have different causes that we support and don’t need another one but if you have been affected by this cancer in one way or another please consider donating. It is very simple now days. I have a link to my team page to the LRF website in the upper right hand. Ok that is all I will say about that, no pressure.
This will be a short three day journey and I will be sharing the ride as I go along via Facebook and Twitter. If you would like to follow along throughout the day just follow me on Twitter by clicking on the link below. Thanks and “Ride On”
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