Hooterville Mayor

I Can't Believe I've Pedaled That Much!

2011-08-24T10:43:00.002-05:00

I was entering the latest couple of rides in Bike Journal when I saw my "lifetime miles".

It all started when my Doctor recommended that I get off my ass and get some exercise. We discussed walking, (boring) treadmill, (sure Doc, you gonna hold the shotgun to my head?) and finally, biking. Hmm, thought I. Used to ride my bike wherever I needed to go when I was a kid.

How hard could it be?

So, I went to a local bike shop and started looking at bikes. You must bear in mind, I grew up in the country, on gravel roads, riding the original fat tire bikes! So when I went into the bike shop they tried to sell me one of those fancy English Racer type bikes with the silly droopy handlebars!

Hell NO! Sez I.

"Well, what type of riding are you going to do?" asked the salesman.

"I dunno, probably on the bike trail" I responded.

"Well, then you probably want a comfort bike" he responded.

"Of course I want a comfortable bike!" I exclaimed.

So I decided on a Raleigh Venture, with a padded saddle, pretty upright profile, and 26X2" tires.

Me, "what do you mean it doesn't come with a kickstand?"

Shop, "that's extra".

Me, "what about fenders, they extra too?"

Shop, "yes".

Me, "well, put them on. I'm not riding a bike without a kickstand and fenders."

Shop, "you want a computer on it too?"

Me, "a computer? What the hell do I need a computer on a bike for?!"

Shop, "it keeps track of how fast you're going, and the miles you've ridden, and stuff like that."

Me, "OK, cool. Sure put one on."

So the next day I picked up my new bike, and went directly to the bike trail for a ride. I rode

over 4 and a half miles that day!!! And, I had the biggest darn grin on my face that you could imagine. I had fun!!!! So I went back on the trail the next day, and the next, and back to the bike shop to ask about bike shorts since someone mentioned you need them.

Shop, "what are you wearing now?"

Me, "cut offs"

Shop, "you mean cut off blue jeans?!?"

Me, "Umm, ya. Why?"

Shop, "don't you get sore 'down there'?"

Me, "ya, a little"

Shop, "you need some cycling shorts, the chamois helps prevent chaffing and saddle sores"

So, I bought a cheap pair of shorts, and a cheap jersey. It really did make a difference.

That was back in the mid summer months of 2007 and I have learned a lot since then.

Good quality shorts are worth every penny you pay for them. Jerseys are cool, in more ways than one. Merino wool is the best. Period.

I now have 5 bikes that I ride. Some more than others of course, but I still have that first bike I bought and I call him "Number One". I have ridden on gravel, on pavement, through grass covered trails with tree limbs crisscrossing the way. I've ridden by myself in solitude and reflection. I've ridden with friends, known and unknown, chatting and laughing and sometimes crying.

But most of all, I've ridden, and enjoyed nearly every mile. (let's face it, sometimes the wind and rain take some of the fun out of it!)

Now, I don't log every mile in Bike Journal, but I do log most of them. Still and all, I was astonished to see this morning as I logged my last couple of rides that my "lifetime" miles from just a month after I started riding again in 2007 up until today is;

TEN THOUSAND

ONE HUNDRED

AND

TWO !!!

How can that be possible?? An overweight, Papa like me riding 10,102 miles????

I dunno. I guess I just kept pedaling. As I will tonight, adding another 25 miles. :)

Disparate Sentencing?!?!?!?

2011-07-21T07:15:00.005-05:00

Can someone PLEASE explain this to me?

Is life worth less when you are on a bicycle?

Last August David Bendt was driving DUI in his pickup and "blacked out" with the resultant crash killing Kevin Rogers whom was riding his bike on the opposite side of the road on the shoulder, in the city limits.

Earlier this month the Argus reported that his lawyer plea bargained the vehicular homicide and 2 counts of DUI down to DUI first offense, and will serve "less than a year" in jail.

Today the Argus reports that Tammy Kvasnicka was just sentenced to 70 years (with 10 years suspended) for killing Michael Xayavong and severely injuring Tony Chounramany while she was driving DUI on the interstate.
Why the 69 year difference in sentences?

Tour de Kota Wrapup

2011-06-13T08:20:00.004-05:00

Well, another tour has come and gone. The weather was everything I expected. Hotter than hell, cold as a brisk fall day, windy as all get out, and wet. I did all six days, but not every mile as some shortcuts were just too good to pass up. Especially on the day I earned my "Windy Day" patch!

The tour was not without its problems again this year. On the road to Freeman my seat frame broke. I mean, it broke in two! The only thing holding it together was the mesh. I asked around upon arriving in Freeman and found out the only place that could weld aluminum was Wildcat Manufacturing. They make BIG things, not repair bicycle parts, so when I arrived with broken seat frame in hand they looked kind of skeptical at me until I explained what I needed and why. Luke fixed me right up. I mean, he insterted a couple of sleeves for strength, then drilled a couple of holes and bolted the thing together, and then welded it. And then painted it to match. My hero! He saved the rest of the tour for me, and for that I will be eternally grateful!

Then, my front fender exploded. Craig said he expected to turn around and see me lying on the road with a broken fork the noise was so horrible! I'm still not sure just exactly what happened, but the end result was a wooden fender in about 6 pieces, and the stainless steel support rod wrapped around the front hub between the fork and brake disc. Scared the shit outta me!!!!!

And I have to complain about Brookings. People, if you don't want the Tour in your town just say so, since the way things were set up Sunday was making all of us feel unwelcome. The college dorm rooms were not air conditioned, and not clean!!! The food vendors on campus, weren't. That's right, if you wanted something to eat, you had to find it on your own. And, for a college famous for its ice cream, there was none. No entertainment, either. They did provide free shuttle service which was very welcome, since there was nothing on campus!!! All in all I would suggest to the Argus to skip Brookings altogether. They just don't get it. Hell, even the pass through towns had more to offer than Brookings. There, I'm done ranting now.

Well, this past week was very busy for me. I left for Omaha on Tuesday morning to help CJ with the POS upgrades in two of his stores. I didn't get back home until Friday night after about 4 and a half hours of sleep after working for 15 straight hours. Sleeping in hotels during the day is not conducive to rest, let me tell ya! So today (Sunday) I will finish the yard work, and then nap awhile. Get up and eat, and then nap again.
A day of rest.

Here is the two part Tour De Kota 2011 thingy,

PART ONE
PART TWO

2011-05-24T09:34:00.002-05:00

Here is what I'm doing this weekend. This is the 3rd year for this ride, but will be the first time I have ridden it. It's just a week before the TdK, and I skipped it the last two years thinking it was too close to the TdK to be out doing a long ride and camping. Well, due to the lack of real spring weather around here, I am taking all the training opportunities I can get!!!

Speaking of training, the weather forecast for Saturday in Yankton is for NNW winds at 18 gusting to 32 MPH. So that will be a challenge.

The forecast for Sunday is for E winds at 16 gusting to 27 MPH. So, pretty much headwind all the way back! Don'tcha just love a challenge?? To all those people that live in mountainous states and revel at how strong they climb, try riding out here on the prairie, where 20-30 MPH headwinds for a metric century can make a grown man cry! :)

</div><div><a href="http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/35255192">2 Rivers Ride 2011</a><br/></div><div><a href="http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/?location=Niobrara, NE">Find more Cycling Routes / Bike Rides in Niobrara, NE</a></div><div>

Ride of Silence

2011-05-19T20:11:00.002-05:00

I did a quick count and came up with 70 riders. It was a wonderful turn out, no doubt helped by the actual nice weather. The death of James McInnessIII just four days prior no doubt contributed to awareness of the ride as well. I thought, and hoped, that the death of Kevin Rogers last year would be the last ghost bike I would see in our fine city but I was unfortunately wrong.

Both cyclists were killed by people under the influence of prescription drugs.

So, I think we all had that on our minds as we did our Ride of Silence.
RIP Kevin, and "Tommy". You will be represented as long as I can ride my bike, and I will have company every year I'm sure.

HERE is a thingy I made.

2011-05-11T18:30:00.000-05:00

Back in May of '83 I bought my favorite guitar, a Yamaha SHB-400, for $270.63 which was a good chunk of change back then. I recently had it appraised at right around a thousand dollars, but I wouldn't sell it for twice that. It's been a wonderful guitar, lasted me through 3 different bands, and countless hours of solo time.

The only problem was that it's not a Gibson Les Paul. I did, at one time, own a genuine Gibson SG, but was buying it on the time plan, and the band folded, so I brought the guitar back. I still wanted a LP, just couldn't afford one. I've looked at used ones, and various copies including the Epiphones, but I still could just not justify spending the cash on something that would be a toy for all intents and purposes.

So, when I found this beauty on Ebay and did some digging, I just HAD to bid on it, and by cracky, I WON THE BID!!! The photos just don't do it justice, and it will be a while before you get to hear the gorgeous sound this baby puts out. (after all, it's cycling season!) You'll just have to take my word for it, the sound is incredible for the amount of money I paid for it. This guitar was made in April 2000, and I don't know how the lady I bought it from came about it, or why it never got sold and played before now, but I'm sure glad it came to live with me!

Now I need another guitar strap, and a decent case for it. Here are some pics, and you might recognize the "models" since they insist on helping me with pretty much everything I do. :)

FAB Spring Kickoff Ride

2011-05-08T09:46:00.002-05:00

Beautiful sunshine greeted all the rollers for the 2011 FAB spring kickoff ride yesterday.
Sure, it was just a touch breezy, but this is South Dakota in the spring. Yes Spring! Springtime weather finally arrived here and a lot of rollers took advantage of it with the ride. I didn't count, but it sure looked like 50 or 60 rollers showed up and rode with us on our little 22 mile ride.
Going South with the wind was great! I was averaging 22 mph and riding at 27 and 28 to catch groups to "picherize" them! Of course on the return trip the wind slowed me some, but still I managed to average 16.4 which is my fastest ride to date. Weather has been so bad here I hardly have any miles in. Less than 200 for the year!!!

Well here's hoping for better weather so I can get in shape for the Tour de Kota!!!

Finally, A Nice Day To Ride

2011-05-04T04:33:00.008-05:00

This spring has been non-existent. Everyone around these parts has been saying the same thing.
"When is spring going to get here?"
"When is it going to warm up?"

Well, we have had a couple of warm days, but they were usually heralded by excessive winds. I'm not talking about 15-20 MPH winds mind you. More like 25-35 with gusts to 50 MPH. I don't know about you, but I am not fanatic enough to try and ride in that kind of maelstrom!!! So when the forecast for Tuesday calling for nearly 60 degrees with winds of less than 10 miles an hour materialized I was ecstatic! Got home from work, changed into riding clothes and started pedaling.

I did the Wandering Wednesday Rowena route since I wanted to see if that route was feasible anymore with the building of the big Casino right on the Iowa boarder, just off the road we ride on. I was pretty happy to see the road in the same shape it was in last year. No doubt there will be an increase in traffic on highway 42, but our sleepy little boarder line road should remain so with any luck. The Casino itself is set back from the road, and not quite as large as I first anticipated;Of course, I wasn't the only one out and about. Saw a couple of other cyclists, and stopped by the side of the road for a little chat with Jeanne M. and Gregg J., and the farmers were out in the fields.

When I got home, I found out that my little brothers brain surgery went well. Both leading neurosurgeons agreed that whatever they removed (in it's entirety) was not a tumor, and not cancer. Thank God!

Ride Long and Prosper

Friday Funny

2011-04-08T08:33:00.000-05:00

Hooterville Mayor Makes The Front Page!!!

2011-03-28T08:42:00.005-05:00

Of the Argus Leader. OK, it was just a teaser photo, but it was on the front page. Then, if you turned to the Life section, there was the old fat Mayor in all his glory!!! Doreen Weinstein did an article on recumbents and called the bike shops to ask them whom to talk to. They all said the same thing, "You need to talk to the Mayor". We had a nice chat on the phone, as she is a very nice lady. She asked a few pointed questions, and then pretty much let me ramble on, about biking in general, and recumbents in particular. Then my old friend from many Tour de Kotas' and special biking events, Elisha Page from the Argus Leader, came out to take a couple of photographs for the article. I hope that maybe, just maybe, someone that likes to ride, or is thinking about riding again will be inspired to at least try a recumbent bike instead of not riding at all. After all, recumbent riders are cool!!!

(either that or they just don't give a damn what people think,
they're having too much fun!!!)

Click here to go to the Argus Leader website to read the article.

On another note, all of the parts for DooBee's spring tune up have arrived, and now I need to get started so if and when it warms up I can get out on the road and try and get ready for this years Tour de Kota!

Ride Long and Prosper

Still Here.

2011-03-26T16:34:00.002-05:00

I realize it's been awhile since I wrote anything down in this blog. I have been adding tidbits here and there on Facebook, so you can look there if you wish.

Anyway, this winter has been hard on me. Physically and mentally.

Health issues cropped up and added to my misery of another protracted winter. Then came the bills. Even after insurance the bill for that CT scan was over $850, and Doc nailed me for another $350 for telling me that he didn't really know why I had a headache for over a month, but it would probably go away, and look on the bright side, the CT scan revealed no problems. Long story short, the health problems have sorted themselves out with pharmacological help, and it's really starting to look like it might be springtime around here. Most all the snow is gone, but everything is still a dreary brown, albeit with flecks of green thrown in.

I attended Snakebites' Bike Swap, chatted with some old friends, met some new ones, and generally talked of things bikie, and had a good time. The next weekend I went to Spoke-n-Sport
for the Tour de Kota registration party. Now, with all the medical bills coming in I really had my doubts as to my participation in this years tour. I went to the registration party, and decided to bite the bullet and use the damn credit card and get registered, since time was running out to get the cheaper, early registration in. I also put my name in the drawing box for a freebie. Jersey, day or the entire week free to the lucky winner.
I was a lucky winner.
I WON THE ENTIRE TOUR, FOR FREE!!!!!!

To say that winning gave me a boost that I so desperately needed would be right on the money.
Things are finally looking up, and I am getting excited to get back on the bike and put in some (s)miles!!!!!!
Like my friend Patrick always says, "I'll see you out there"

Damn blogs!

2011-02-19T20:39:00.002-06:00

I was upset with Blogger so I went to Word Press.
Well, I actually dislike WP more than Blogger so I am back with Blogger.
The only problem is, I can't figure out how to delete my WP blog.
Their help section must have been written by dyslexic Chinamen after a pipefull of opium.
Maybe I'll just let it lie there until it rots.
I just really don't have time to monkey around with this crap, let alone twice.

Hmm, I may be just a bit crabby tonight. Ya think? Sez everyone???
Bloodsugar got danger low this afternoon, and of course, I brought it up too high, too fast.
Also, for some reason, my left kneecap is all puffy and hot. Don't know if I banged it when working on the snowblower for this next beautiful ice storm/snowfall thats on the way or what.
It doesn't hurt, but, it's just another example of how I am falling apart.

I need some summertime!!!!

February Serendipity Ride

2011-02-13T19:59:00.002-06:00

Marilyn thought that since it was going to be 60 degrees warmer than the same time last weekend that we should go for a ride. Well, she was right! So we did. And had Tammy, Chris, Kirk, Rick, Paul, Kevin, and Joyce join us. We only rode about 15 miles, but in the 40 degree temps, it felt a little like heaven!!!
Here's a thingy I made;

February Serendipity Ride from Hooterville Mayor on Vimeo.

So, Are You Going On The Ride Tomorrow??

2011-02-11T06:13:00.001-06:00

Click here for details.

Changed My Mind

2011-02-05T14:31:00.003-06:00

Although I don't think there was anything wrong with the one I had, I changed it anyway.
I will stick with Blogger for awhile longer.
Guess what I did yesterday?

Installed a new antenna. This one is for 10 meters. (28 - 29 Megahertz)

New link, new blog, same old same old.

2011-01-19T19:29:00.002-06:00

To all you silly folks that link to my blog from yours,
please change the link to hootervillemayor.net/blog

I am getting rid of this blogger and going to Wordpress.
Thank you for your attention.
We now return you to your more important stuff.
:)

Time To Say Goodbye

2011-01-18T06:25:00.002-06:00

To Blogger.
It became worthless to me when it stopped accepting my "thingie" uploads.
I even deleted a years worth of blog thinking I had maybe reached the maximum amount of space, but that didn't help either. Youtube is pissing me off as well. How is it that millions of users can upload shit with a music background, but everytime I try, I get the music stripped and a notice from Youtube spouting copyright violation???
It's a freakin' conspiracy.
For more explanation, here is the reply to Brimans' question;

Tried uploading my "thingy" from the winter meeting, 4 times. It will not upload. I cannot get any kind of video to upload any more. I've tried to contact Blogger support, but there ISN'T any blogger support. I'm not the only one experiencing this problem either. Blogger just doesn't seem to care.

I tried to upload it to Youtube as well, but Youtube keeps stripping the background music from it whining about copyright violations.

So, I give up. No more "thingies" since no one but me can seem them anyway.

I have tried, Now, I have given up.

2011-01-16T17:41:00.001-06:00

Fat and Lazy, Nearly Crazy.

2011-01-11T18:34:00.006-06:00

That is me! I have hardly ridden my bike so far this winter, which certainly doesn't bode well for the coming summer cycling season. There are still the die hard commuters posting about their winter cycling adventures, and that makes me just a tiny bit jealous but I have no one but myself to blame. I haven't even put the studded snow tires on the mountain bike yet!

I have worked on the snow blower though. Had to buy a new drive belt, and thanks to my buddy Mr. Scott for giving me the tip, found one at O'Reilly auto parts for only $26 shipped to the store next day!!! I have to stop at Campbell Supply and get some more sheer bolts for the auger part, since I have gone through three of them already!

On another note, I have once again become radio active.
The sunspot activity is finally starting to pick up and Yaesu came out with a new model of their little FT-450 radio which meant they discounted the old model. So, I bought one of the old models. Brand new in the box of course, and saved about $450 over the original retail cost. I also sprang for a new Ameritron AL 811H amplifier so I am putting about 700-800 watts into the homemade G5RV antenna hanging off the tower. So far I have been getting very good reports on that setup. I also have a 1/4 wave ground plane vertical on the little tower for ten meters, and worked a California station on 12 meters with it for over 20 minutes the other day on it by going through the internal tuner on the 450. Here is a picture of my little Hooterville Ham Shack;

The amplifier is on the left, antenna tuner in the middle, and radio on the right.

Nothing much else going on here besides moving snow around with the help of my sweet baby puppies.

So after the last snowfall, and wind the next day, comes the cold front. Gee, thanks Canada!!! Lows in the single digits below zero only so far!!!

That's all for now, stay safe, healthy, and WARM!!!

Falls Park Lighting Ceremony

2010-11-21T13:40:00.004-06:00

It was chilly.
Darn near cold. OK, it really wasn't that bad but I mean it was just a couple of weeks ago that is was near 60 degrees, so the 25 or so with that 15 mile an hour wind felt kinda chilly. That didn't stop Chris and his daughter Abigail and fiance Shannon and of course, Jeanne and me, from riding to the ceremony on our lighted bikes.

We got there probably about 15 minutes or so before the official lighting, so of course we did a few "laps" around the park on our bikes, much to the delight of children and folks of good cheer!
We had our picture taken a few times, and even had children posing by our bikes. You really should have been there, it was FUN!

Abigail was such a trooper, keeping up with the adults on her awesome Cruiser Bike!!
After the ceremony was over, we pedaled downtown for a little bit and then stopped at the Diner for some hot chocolate, being joined by Jeanne's husband and daughter. Even Mayor Mike was there, and just like everyone else, waited in line to be served. I like the new mayor. Remeber, he is the one that showed up to the pancake feed on Ride Your Bike To Work Day, by riding his bike!!!

Anyway, I make a short thingy of the festivities, and you can view it HERE.

Music by Mannheim Steamroller. They have some incredibly beautiful Christmas music.
Remember, the third Friday of the month is the Starlight Ride. Last year Santa was on the December ride on his lighted bike. Will he be there this year?
Show up and find out!!!

Peace.

Last Ride Without Thermal Underwear??

2010-11-15T06:07:00.002-06:00

This was of course not the last weekend but the weekend before that when we helped celebrate Denise's birthday by riding to Canton and back. The weather was very nice, and I was happy that I decided to take my short finger gloves along because on the ride back I swapped them out for the long fingered gloves I started with. Chucked my ear warmer thingy too.

There were ten of us including Tammy and Rick, Larry, Denise and Joyce and Kirk and David, Gyle, Paul, and me. While ordering lunch at Luckies Cafe we were joined by Rick LaBrie, which is cool, because Kirk and David bailed on us and pedaled back early.

Rick routed us a little differently on the way back to take advantage of a newly blacktopped road, and that was wonderful! No one enjoys a newly blacktopped road more than a cyclist! I finally did get a thingy made.

You can watch it here.

Ride Long and Prosper.

Nothing to see here, Move On. ha ha ha ha

2010-11-03T20:33:00.002-05:00

It seems as though I cannot upload any of my "thingies" since I upgraded to Windows 7.
All queries to the Blogger people have been ignored. I guess I can't blame the Blogger people, I mean after all, I don't pay anything for the service.
Don't pay, don't expect much.

Kinda like the reverse of our federal government for the last 6 years.

Oktoberfest 2010

2010-09-26T13:21:00.002-05:00

Woe unto you that decided to sleep in yesterday and skip this ride.
You really missed a fantastic ride!

It was cool and very dark when I loaded up and drove to Harlans' Bike and Tour for the ride down to Okoboji Iowa, home of beautiful Lake Okoboji and the Oktoberfest Ride. Just a couple of minutes after I arrived it started sprinkling, and then, raining. I was having second thoughts, as the weekend before I rode sweep with Chuck Wentler on the Breast Cancer ride, and got good and soaked, not to mention chilled, on that ride. Would this ride be any different? Evidently a lot of others that signed up to ride with us thought so and canceled. Jana, Marilyn, Kevin (driving) and I did not and were rewarded with an absolutely beautiful ride around the lakes, and joining us once at the ride were Paul Fuller and Joyce Johnson whom drove down from Sioux Falls as well.

The Biking Gods were indeed smiling down on us yesterday. The "Harlans' Van Crew" got there about a half an hour before the start so we trudged in the rain to the local McDonalds for coffee and a bite to eat. By the time we got back, most of the riders had departed in the rain.
We unloaded our bikes from the trailer, and Lo And Behold, the rain stopped!!!
Sure, it was a little wet at first because it was still overcast, but that cleared up, literally, about a half an hour into the ride. Some of the trees were already in their fall colors and were just gorgeous, so of course, Marilyn and I had to frequently stop and do some picherizen, while Joyce happily waited, or posed, for us. Us three were about the last ones in of course, but as Marilyn says, "It's always more fun to ride in the back" and we got some nice photos to prove it.

Indeed, it is a beautiful day out there right now as I type this, but for some reason my knee is a little sore, and of course, I have chores to do so I am hoping that my biking family that missed out on yesterdays ride is out riding right now!!!

Ride long and prosper.

And watch my "thingy" if you want. It's about 8.5 minutes and has nearly every picture in it that I took yesterday...

Margarita Ride IX

2010-09-12T05:10:00.002-05:00

Wow, the Margarita Ride was just wonderful again this year, but it still made me just a little sad.

Why?

'Cuz that means that summer is nearly over. Drove to Harlans' Bike and Tour and left with 8 of us in the van by 0610 for the drive to Vermillion. The Barking Dog Cycling Club hosted with great success once again, and the margaritas and tacos at the Eagles Club was superb again this year.

I hooked up with Joyce and her son Paul Jr. and we very wisely decided to do the 30 mile route, followed up by the 15 mile route, or as I call it, the scenic route. I mean, there is a 45 and 75 mile route, but if you combine the 30 and 15 you get to ride in the prettiest parts of the country down there in Vermillion and get to see the Missouri river to boot!

It was downright chilly at the start of the ride, something like 52 degrees, but warmed up to the low 70's at the end, so I was wearing arm and knee warmers. We set a very relaxed pace of about 13 mph and rode along talking and having fun. At the first rest area as we were consuming our bananas, Gene Noble pedaled up on his brand new, fire engine red, Tommasini. Wow, what a beautiful bike. For all of you out there that think carbon fiber is the be all, end all, look at the pics of Genes' ride in the video. Steel is not only real, it's real damn pretty too!

So, since his crash/injury in the Tour de Kota, (and subsequent retiring of his old Tommasini) and the fact that he just got his new one put together yesterday, this was Genes' first ride in a very long time and he wanted to take it easy for awhile. (hint, Gene taking it easy is still a 15 mph average) So, we took our time getting back to Vermillion, collecting Cassie (Rocket) and Christine (future DIL of Rocket) and off we pedaled to see the Missouri river before consuming our tacos and margaritas.

I have been driving so much for work, and being out of town for nearly a month, it felt really really good to get on the bike again!! Add loving to ride my bike, with loving to ride my bike with wonderful friends, and great scenery and food and it really was a beautiful ride.

Can't wait until next years ride!

Did you get to ride? No?
To watch the "thingy" I made, click here.

Onabike 2010

2010-08-29T21:49:00.003-05:00

I have always ridden the Tour de Corn at this time of year but this year I decided to ride the Onabike ride in Onawa Iowa. There are two routes, and 30 and a 63 mile and Gregg and I decided to ride the 30 mile route. The wind was from the south at around 20 gusting to 30 mph.

I got up Friday morning at 0500 and got my stuff loaded back into the MonsterVan for the trip home. You see, I was in Rapid City. Stopped by the shop and finished up with my time card and expense reports and dropped them off at UPS. Drove home and spread the love to the wife and animals and proceeded to load the car for the trip down to Onawa. I thought I had remember to pack everything but realized about the time I picked Gregg up at his apartment that I didn't bring my water bottles. Well, I wanted another Podium Chill bottle, so why not stop at Two Wheeler Dealer and buy two?!

Anyway, the trip down to Onawa was uneventful until a couple of Sheriffs cars went screaming past us on the interstate and then we were re-routed off the interstate to a county road, which surprisingly enough brought us right into Onawa. (thanks for the navigating skills Gregg!) We got to the KOA campground on the lake and got set up, and drove back into Onawa to the truck stop for supper. Meat loaf. Enough to feed two men on each of our plates! Back to the campground and read the local paper, Gregg did all the soduku and crossword puzzles he could find, and after getting up at 0500 and driving 570 miles I called it a night. Yup, from Rapid to Sioux Falls, to Hooterville, back to Sioux Falls, and then on to Onawa is about 570 to 580 miles.

I slept pretty well until about 0400 or so when the wind woke me up. (that's pretty much when I decided to ride the shorter route)
After a breakfast at the same truck stop, with the same ginormous proportions, we drive into town and got checked in and ready to roll. Saw thE kErnEl, and Dirk Diggler, and Rhonda, and Kathy, and then a couple hundred other friends that I have yet to meet. All in all it was a good time. If Onabike and Tour de Corn don't conflict next year I shall ride them both!!

In the mean time, here's a thingy like I do;

The Bloom Is Off the Rose

2010-08-20T23:16:00.004-05:00

Or, an alternate title; "You are a bartender in Sioux Falls SD, get over yourselves,
ya rude bastards"

I've always tipped you.
Even when I thought your service was not worth tipping I did so anyway thinking perhaps I would get better service.
Nope.
It wasn't even busy tonight and still I was ignored. Not once, not twice, but three times?! Well fine and dandy. If you don't want my business then I will surely take it elsewhere. And that goes for my recommendations to anyone else looking for a nice bar to have a good beer as well.
Your bar isn't the only one in town, nor the only one downtown.

Love the things you do for the community Jerry, but until you get rid of those two guys you have "working" behind the bar I am not coming back, nor recommending your establishment.
Service is not dead in this town, just seemingly in your bar with those two "working. "

Find a couple more like Tessa and your business will improve.
Guaranteed.

Until then, Monks is dead to me.

"I only had one beer"

2010-08-20T07:15:00.002-05:00

That's what the scum that killed Kevin Rogers said to the police.
Of course, he was also on "numerous prescription medications" including one to curve alcohol cravings. Kevin Rogers was just out for a bike ride, and lost his life. David Bendt, the murdering drug addled douche bag that killed him will lose his freedom for awhile. 15 years for vehicular homicide is the max and he damn well better get it too.

Nearly 200 souls were on hand for the Ghost Bike ceremony last night. It was a very encouraging sight, perhaps the public is finally showing just how much we will NOT tolerate this kind of aberrant behavior any longer. You get behind the wheel while incapacitated on alcohol and/or drugs and it should be the last time you are able to. You kill someone in the process, the rest of your life should be forfeit as well.

Watch the thingy I made of the ceremony.

I guess I am Alive After All . . .

2010-08-16T21:26:00.002-05:00

Besides the unbearable heat and humidity, and the never ending rain, and my 4 days of suffering with yet another bout of food poisoning, I just had a wonderful ride.
With friends.

Let me whine for a bit....

We are something like 8 to 10 inches of rain over the norm for this time of year, and I have been struggling to keep up with just mowing the yard for the last month. I have been busy at work, traveling some, and with all the rain, not getting much riding in. Sometimes I had even bowed out of rides, because, I had to do the yard work. OK, I bought the land, I love the land, it's only an acre, but for crying out loud, enough with the rain?!?!!!! Then, the food poisoning. This time I believe it was the chicken broth I used to make stuffing. I won't mention the name brand of the broth that came in a soup sized can, because I can't be sure that was what did it, but I guaran-damn -tee that something did it.
And for four days.
I did not miss one day of work, but it was all I could do to get through those days, and get home, eat a little something, (very little) and sleep until the next morning. I did get the grass cut during this sick time because I thought I was actually feeling a bit better, but extending myself that far fixed that in a big hurry.
Did I see my Doctor?
Hell no. For what reason?
(the visitation at the doctors office may have went like this;)

DOC "so, how long has this been going on?"
ME "umm, a couple days"
DOC "well, drink plenty of clear fluids, and get some rest"
ME "but I have to work!"
DOC "then why did you come whining to me???"
ME "I guess I just had the $30 co-pay money burning a hole in my pocket"

No, I am not serious, my Doctor is a very good one and I obviously trust him with my life or he would NOT be my Doctor, but I mean, really, what could he do???

------------ Back to Present Day -------------------

The Kernels' Recovery Ride is one of my favorite rides, because it runs through Brandon, has some really nice rolling hills, is very close to 25 miles, and has a speed limit (while pedaling) of 15 MPH. It really is meant to be a recovery ride. Nice, fairly smooth, fairly car free route so there is plenty of time to chat up your riding neighbors. Well, the kErnEl turned up for the ride in civvies, explaining that he had a long first day at school (teacher, ya know) and that he couldn't ride.
And then he utters the fateful words; You Are In Charge.
Dammit, he was looking right at me!!!

--- TO BE CONTINUED ---

NOW HEAR THIS!!!!!

2010-07-19T13:48:00.003-05:00

There is a very important meeting coming up tomorrow at 1600 hours.
(that's 4PM)
We need your support, and I mean IN PERSON for this important meeting.
Here is what Chris wrote about it;

Rollers,

I surely hope you’re planning on attending the Parks and Recreation Board meeting tomorrow, July 20th. The meeting begins at 4 PM at the Kenny Anderson Community Center, 3701 E 3^rd St.

A quick recap – during the meeting I will be representing FAST, Inc. and speaking on FAST’s behalf. I will have ten minutes to present our position on why having singletrack within the Sioux Falls city limits is a great idea.

In my presentation I’ll mention what great support there is for this project. However, saying it will not have nearly the impact as showing it. Here’s where you come in. Please plan on attending this meeting. We need to demonstrate the overwhelming support for singletrack in Sioux Falls. It would be very cool if the room were overflowing with supporters for this project.

As long as I’m in the asking mode, I’ll ask for one more thing. Please cheer loudly and enthusiastically at the end of my portion right after I’ve said “thank you.” This will leave no doubt as to who is supporting this proposal and will leave no doubt as to the number of people in support.

Once again, the meeting begins at 4 PM at the Kenny Anderson Community Center, 3701 E 3^rd St tomorrow, July 20th. Please pass this along to everyone you know. We really do need a HUGE number of supporters at this meeting. Nothing is a done deal. I’d like to leave nothing to chance.

Thanks!

Chris Pierson

President, FAST Inc.

Saturday just plane rocked!!!

2010-07-11T20:01:00.004-05:00

Ya, I know I misspelled the third word in the title, NOT!
Saturday was anything but plain.

My friend Angie from Vermillion brought her friend MariLou from Huron out to Hooterville to ride with Joyce, Marilyn and me on the new bike that MariLou just bought from Harlans'. I was so flattered that Angie thought to ask me to put together a ride for MariLou on her first road ride, with her new bike even! Angie asked that we keep the mileage down around 20 miles with a break in between, so I thought we would do half the WW route.

Then I saw a post by my lil' bro's MIL about Larchwood Family Days and that immediately became our destination. Smooth roads, light traffic, and only about 26 miles round trip. We had a wonderful ride to Larchwood, and MariLou did a fantastic job keeping up, holding a steady line, and just doing pretty much everything right.

Proud of you MariLou!!!

So of course the Fly In and Pork Feed was going on at Zangger Field and I coaxed everyone into riding out there, since it was only a mile or two out of our way. Long story short, we all ended up being "bombardiers" on the flour drop and had just a wonderful time doing so.
Watch the videos, it can explain it better than I can, except for WOO HOO, can't wait to do it again next year!!!!

RR tracks and Rain = crash!

2010-07-05T21:08:00.004-05:00

Paul, Joyce, and Kirk rode out to Hooterville, Marilyn drove, and we started off on a wonderful ride this morning. We stopped in Garretson for lunch (Annies' wasn't open so we had subs at the convenience store) before riding towards Sherman and onwards to Dell Rapids where we stopped at the DQ for ice cream, and the coldest water from their soda pop dispenser. That water was as delicious as the ice cream!!

We got back on the road, very little wind, overcast, and about 80 so it was just a perfect day for a ride. The rain did finally catch us, and as I barreled down Yogi Bear hill at 40.4 mph, the rain really stung as it hit me! We parted ways with Paul and Joyce at Rice street, and as we turned and got onto Rice St. we had to cross the RR tracks. Ya, those badass ones that go crookwards across the road, and Kirk went down, hard. He was disoriented a bit, and a lady in a minivan stopped and put her flashers on until we could get Kirk out of the road and move his bike. Bottom line, Kirk is going helmet shopping tomorrow, but is OK. Found out later that Joyce also went down on RR tracks on Rice St. just a little further down. Damn RR tracks and rain are hazardous to a cyclists health!

We parted ways with Kirk at Madison St. and 6 mile road, and Marilyn and I pedaled back to Hooterville in the rain. Sometimes pouring, sometimes fairly light.

We felt like kids again!

Riding in the rain, when it's fairly warm, even at the end of a 70+ mile ride, is fun!!!
It really was a great ride, thanks you guys. Looking forward to the next one, minus crashes!

Garmin Data

TdK 2010 - A few thoughts...

2010-06-13T18:20:00.003-05:00

I hardly took any photos on this years tour. Partly out of not wanting to get my camera wet, and partly out of malaise. I don't think my heart was entirely in this one. Oh, the excitement of the months leading to the tour were great, and I had a wonderful time on the live chat with others, but when it came right down to it, the actual tour itself seemed to let me down.

I know it's early June in South Dakota, but why is it that the week of the tour seems to be jinxed? I also know that the last day (which I did not attend) had beautiful weather. So what? One day out of six does not a pleasant time make. Day five was so damn miserable that I sagged, and went home. Day five, where the "rest areas" were a couple of porta potties in a field, and no hot food, nor shelter from the wind and rain. After 33 miles Craig and I got to the one and only business establishment in the little town of Crocker (after climbing Crocker hills) and that's where we stayed until the lovely Mrs. Brady rode to our rescue in the Great and Powerful Steve. I am not really one to give up, but what the hell, enough is enough. I signed up for fun, and was not having any.

There were more than one rest area that was not even ready when we pulled through. We started at the official starting time and averaged about 15 mph, and still they were not ready. We need to let those folks know that some ladies and gents can average 20 mph on their bikes, and some average around 10, and they have to be ready to accommodate all of them! Again, on to the rest areas that aren't.

Porta potties are essential on the tour through some of the rural areas. But, since we can't count on calm winds, and blue skies, a place out of the wind and rain to sit down is just as essential!!!!! If the route doesn't take us through enough towns that can accommodate us, then change the damn route! And one more rant while I am on it, if the roads on the route are so damn rough that it turns your butt into hamburger, change the damn route! Seriously, my fork cracked because the roads were so rough!!!

All in all I had a good time. The riders were great, the "townies" were great, and the route had some beautiful scenery for sure. But, there still seems to be a learning curve for this tour.

Will I ride it again? Heck yes! Will there be wind and rain? More than likely. Will there be real "rest" areas that are set up when I arrive, and smoother, shorter routes?
I hope so.

It's Here, It's Here!!!

2010-06-05T08:07:00.002-05:00

The 6th annual Tour de Kota is here!

It even looks like the weather will cooperate this year vis a vis rain. Sunday afternoon we will have a nice headwind of 20 or so, but you know, it's springtime in Dakota-land and to be expected. This years route is 478 miles from Elk Point to Sisseton, with a little side trip into Iowa and North Dakota. (if you opt for the 100 mile option on the LAST DAY!) The jury is still out on whether I will ride the Century option on Friday, as the weather forecast is for 86 degrees and 30% chance of thunderstorms. So, that = muggy. We'll see, although since day one is 88 miles, I might just ride an extra 12 miles to get a Genuine Imperial Century.

The overnight towns this year are really going all out. One of coolest things, Arlington is offering concierge service, wash and fold your clothes for 7 bucks! Plus they are providing free golf cart taxi service, movies, and a beer garden in the park where we will be camping. Way to go Arlington! The other overnight towns are puttin' on the Ritz as well, I just don't remember exactly what, where, and how.... The towns appreciate us, all 8 or 9 hundred of us descending upon them to consume everything in sight!

So, I probably won't blog from the road, but you never know for sure, so stay tuned and wish me luck!!!!

I Mist It?

2010-06-01T16:06:00.002-05:00

Memorial Day.

I did remember, and trust me, I did more than grill out, drink beer and watch Nascar. Not that there is anything wrong with any of those options mind you, I'm happy for Kurt, but I hope his little spoiled brat brother gets black flagged, and soon. I had a delicious Leinenkugel Summer Shandy, and grilled hamburgers plus the company of my better half, my sweet baby puppies, the LFK, various birds, Miss Turkey, and those pesky gnats.

And my memories.. Besides the overwhelming memories of family and friends that no longer live among us, I relived memories of the Tour De Kota in past years.

I was kind of "off my feed" or, "under the weather" yesterday. I don't know if the beautiful weather threw me off, or I am developing allergies, or more allergies, in my old(er) age, but I was just a big fat lethargic blob. This year has been dramatically different from last as far as bike riding miles goes. As in, I haven't hardly ridden at all. To date I have ridden just under 480 miles. Last year at this time (besides working out at the fitness center) I had ridden 785 miles. I am not worried about my ability to finish the TdK, I am just worried about my ability to enjoy the windy days of the TdK, and those occasional, light hearted sprints, that spring up on ya.

Now don't get me wrong, and I apologize in advance if this sounds like whining, but us recumbent riders already have a stigma attached to us, and if we show up for a ride overweight, and slower than all the 20 somethings on their 17 pound bikes, we hear about it. "Got back problems?" You can't ride a real bike anymore?" "hey, that's cheating" "recliner on wheels" or the one that amuses me the most, is the glance of disdain from the "Lance WannaBees" (see, I can name call too) that would never even deign to speak to a recumbent rider. So listen up kiddies, make fun of me and my bike all you want, but you damn well better STAY THE HELL OUT OF MY WAY DOWNHILL!!! Was I wandering all over the road while you passed my on the uphill climb? Hell No!

Seriously, "ON YOUR LEFT" is a pretty common warning, and as a cyclist, you should recognize that fact. If not, well, you're in trouble. "CAR BACK" same thing! I have actual mirrors on my "weird bike" and use them, so when you hear me say that, and you use that sneaky little "glance behind me and swerve to the left" maneuver and don't notice the motor vehicle that is 20X or more of your mass, well, I warned you. Chances are THAT vehicle saw me, then you, and reacted, and now they are pissed because YOU didn't. Thanks. You Pissed Off Another MVO and they will remember that the next time they see a rider out on "their" road.

You have to remember, we don't own the road anymore than all the Motor Vehicle Operators that are using them at the same time we are do.
But, and here is a really big hint for some of you, the motor vehicles are much bigger and have a tremendously larger mass than us on our bikes, and they are just as inattentive as we are at times!

So, for all of us, let's engage our craniums BEFORE we engage our autos or bicycles, and be safe together!

Ride Long And Prosper

Yes, I am still alive

2010-05-25T20:31:00.005-05:00

I have been very busy, both at work and at play. Our Ride of Silence was a great success with about 40 riders. The Bike to work day plans worked out smoothly again, with about 140 rollers pedaling in for their free pancakes and sausages, and just a little bit ago I got back from pedaling into Sioux Falls to the Oak View branch library, where James Borchert (Librarian) set up a bike registration dealio, with Falls Area Bicyclists donating 25 bike locks purchased at a very small cost from 2 Wheeler Dealer. Also, Don't Thump Your Melon provided and "installed" 25 new childrens' helmets. It has been very busy, but a happy kind of busy.

20 of us took a nice bike ride last Sunday from Brandon to Garretson to Luverne and back, but I forgot to bring my camera. Can you believe that?!?!?! The Mayor couldn't picherize at all on that beautiful metric century ride... bummer.

I haven't eaten yet tonight so I am only going to post a couple of pictures here. I posted a lot of them on my Facebook page so you can go there for more if you wish.

One more thing, the "official" memorial day is fast approaching. As I age, I tend to think of most every day as a memorial day of sorts. I sincerely hope that when I pass at least some will remember me as a "bicycle advocate guy", or "the guy that road that weird bike" or, Alex, Rachel, Tara, Paige, and Luciens' grandpa.

That's fame enough for me.

From the Ride of Silence.

Hooterville Mayor with the new mayor of Sioux Falls, Mike Huether at Bike To Work Day.
(yes, he rode his bike!)

From todays bike registration/lock/helmet give away.

Ride Long and Prosper.

Where Has I Been and Stuff And Things?!?

2010-05-05T23:28:00.003-05:00

I have been quite busy at work. Things are getting tense, budgets being cut, overtime is a past tense statement. Do more with less, and then cut that in half seems to be the watchword.
The division I work in has just been cut from 152 souls down to 58. I thank the Lord that I am one of the 58 !
I have been through this downsizing bullshit before and I sure hope I won't go through it again!

With that being said, my bike rides are what keep me somewhat balanced. My bike rides with friends, are, well, priceless.

Ride long and prosper my friends.

Here is a little thingy from the Harlans' Bike and Tour customer appreciation ride.

F.A.S.T. Group Cleans Up City Park

2010-04-24T18:44:00.007-05:00

Some volunteers from the Falls Area Single Track group showed up at Leaders Park today. There were 17 of us there under the direction of the birthday boy himself, Mr. Minus Car, and we picked up more debris than could fit into the available pickup trucks. The Owner volunteered to get his trailer to haul the rest, what a great guy!

There was a lot of garbage to pick up, and there is still some left to get, maybe you can come out the next time and help out? I met some new friends, you know those weird people that don't ride their bikes on the road, but in the woods and such! Ha ha ha, just kidding, a wonderful bunch of folks for sure!

DW and I said hello to one of the neighborhood couples, and they just glared at us. They must disapprove of volunteers cleaning up THEIR park???!! I really don't understand some of the locals' opposition to having a single track in that park. The darn park is huge, nearly the size of Hooterville, and yet only about 3 or 4 hundred square feet is utilized for a community garden, the rest is rolling hills that are mowed, or a hilly, thickly wooded area that is, not coincidentally, just perfect for a single track bicycle path or two.

I guess they would rather leave it vacant so more of this;

can get dumped there???????

People can be "funny" sometimes. Change can be scary, even if it is good, healthy change.
I hope this project does indeed come to fruition. It is good for the community, it is good for Sioux Falls, and it is good for the local "fat kids" the sitting Presidents' wife is talking about.

Ride Long and Prosper.

My Heart Nearly Exploded, But No, I Live On

2010-04-22T20:29:00.003-05:00

After working a 11 hour and 200 miles of driving type day, I got in a 40 mile ride today with Tammy, and she tried to kill me.

Really she didn't and I could have said, "Um, no. Lets not go that way" But I didn't so we did.
Go that way.

The locals call it Yogi Bear Hill. Probably because it is adjacent to the Yogi Bear Campground by the Big Sioux River. It's not really that tall, or that long, or that intimidating, IF you are a little dynamo like Tammy. If you're an old fat Mayor however, that 10% grade looks like a death star in ribbon form.

Of course the rest of the route was pool table flat. Not! We enjoyed some nice rollers, and my heart rate got up to 170-ish quite a few times. I am not sure what the limit for exploding hearts for an old fat Mayor is, but I believe it is just over 170-something, so you see I WAS flirting with death!!!

DooBee the Cannonball Express worked just wonderfully, but my solar cell charger stopped charging the Garmin for some reason, so I still have some kinks to work out with that setup. All in all it was a beautiful day, and a glorious ride with a lovely dynamo of a friend! Now the rain is coming and I will enjoy that too, after all it is springtime in the Dakotas. That means either rain, or snow, and I much prefer rain at this time of year!!!

Ride Long and Prosper.

Tour de Kota

2010-04-21T19:32:00.005-05:00

This years tour starts in Elk Point and ends up in Sisseton. I have been to Elk Point, but never Sisseton. Until last years TdK I had never even been to our state capitol either! Day one is advertised as 88 miles, although when I ran it through Map My Ride it came out closer to 83 miles.

After leaving Elk Point we just miss the village of Westfield, and head NNE to Akron, Iowa. Akron is a nice little town right on the river, so when we leave the Akron city limits we will have to climb a bit. Heading mostly North again we jog over to Big Springs (which, if I'm not mistaken is even smaller than Hooterville!) on our way to Alcester, SD. Now, I have driven through Alcester before but never had the opportunity to stop, so I can't give you much info on this town.

Leaving Alcester and heading North again we pedal through Norway Center. Norway center is smaller than Hooterville, but take notice of the house on the NE corner while you stop at the stop sign. It used to be a grocery store, or gas station, or both, but the folks than own it now have it fixed up really nice, and are often sitting out on their porch enjoying their little corner of Gods' Country.

After Norway Center comes Newton Hills State Park, and you can bet your sweet bippy that you will be riding through some beautiful territory! And some rolling hills. Just before we roll into Canton we pass by Beloit, another village smaller than Hooterville. I think. Never investigated Beloit but it sure is in a beautiful area!

Canton, has everything you could want, unless you're looking for a SuperStore or something of that ilk. Their new court house is beautiful, I hope we get a chance to ride by it! Then we continue West with a slight jog to the North and back West again to ride through Worthing on our way to Lennox. I have very little experience with either town, but once again, you can bet your sweet bippy that there are friendly folk aplenty there!

We end up in Tea, and word is that Tea is very excited to have a bunch of weird cyclists enjoy their hospitality! So, there you have it. I have made a route map of what I think is the official route, but don't hold me to it.

Ride Long And Prosper.

How Many Flats Are Too Many?

2010-04-12T07:43:00.004-05:00

I took Trek out for a spin on Friday to check out alternate routes from the bike trail where they are doing construction work. I had a wonderful ride for 1 point 5 miles and then my rear tire exploded. Literally, the tube split at the seam. (back tire, of course) So I installed my spare (patched) tube and started out again. 1 mile later, the rear tire was flatted again! I gave up and cross trained (walked) back to the MonsterVan and drove to 2 Wheeler Dealer and bought 3 new tubes and 2 new CO2 cylinders. The second flat was just a very small hole I later discovered.

Well with that behind me I put the word out for a nice relaxed pace ride from Hooterville to Garretson, Corson, and Brandon for Saturday. Tammy and Marilyn drove out to ride with me, and DW (SD Pedal Power) rode out from Sioux Falls. We left just shortly after noon and had a wonderful ride to Annies' where we enjoyed a sammich to refuel for the rest of our journey.

Highway 11 from Garretson to Brandon has a very wide shoulder and is designated as a bike route. It really is too bad they had to ruin it by chip sealing it. It's even sadder that they haven't been out to sweep the shoulder of debris. No kidding, that shoulder had more crap on it that you could believe! Unfortunately for Marilyn and me, our rear tires found some of that crap to include the kind that will puncture your tire and tube. Yup, I had another flat, just after Marilyn did, not a half mile later actually. All I can say is, it's nice that fixing them was relatively painless, with much moral support from the peanut gallery! Of course, when Marilyn was fixing her flat (yes, she did fix it herself) Darren found and empty beer can, and I searched for and found one to0 for the photo op!

So of course, when I had my flat, Tammy found another empty beer can and posed for her photo op. What's sauce for the Goose is sauce for the Gander, right?!

The guy in the yellow is Steve. (I think, having a senior moment here) He pedaled up as I was laying DooBee down to repair my flat, and hung around and rode with us to Brandon.

Even with the flats, it was a wonderful ride! The weather was great, the fellowship was great, and the sammiches at Annies' were great too! I really enjoy those kind of rides where the main goal is to converse and have fun while riding at a nice, relaxed pace. It is too early in the season to be pushing it for sure!!!

I made a little slideshow of some of my picherizin' while we rode;

DooBees' Shakedown Cruise

2010-04-05T19:11:00.003-05:00

Was less than stellar. 2 miles into the ride my knees were hurting, and it finally dawned on me that I was hyper extending my legs. I stopped and moved the seat forward nearly a half inch, and that took care of that. The RD is being fussy again. I will attempt to adjust it myself for no more than an hour, and if it still refuses to play nice, into the LBS he goes!

The weather wasn't the best either, completely overcast and about 55 degrees, yet somewhat humid making a crappy combination that kept my solar panels from working well. At least, I hope that was the problem. The two home made mounts worked very well, and if I can get these things to work as I want them to it will be great for TdK to not have to worry about find an electrical outlet to charge the Edge 305 and cell phone. (note to those that pooh pooh the idea of taking a phone on tour, pffffffft! I like to keep in contact with the world!)

I had a nice little visit with my Mom, and then headed back home. Even putting the bar end shifter in friction mode didn't help a lot with the RD shifting problem, so I think I may have the cable tension screwed up or something. I did have a couple of revelations on this ride.

1. I am fat and out of shape!

2. I saw myself in my right mirror climbing a hill and was startled to see John Goodman in there! No shit, my face is so fat I look just like him. I really really really need to buckle down and lose some weight, and I mean pronto!

3. I need to get my HR transmitter battery replaced so I can see when my heart is actually going to explode instead of just wondering how close I am to it!

Well, that's enough whining for now. I took a cellphone pic of my solar panels and mounts while at Moms house, here ya go;

DooBee the Cannonball Express is Ready To Roll!!!

2010-03-29T10:04:00.004-05:00

So, with the help of my pal and sweet baby puppy Buddy, (Justice was napping in the sun off camera) I put the final finishing touches on Doobee for his premier ride tonight during the kErnEls' ReCoVerY RiDe (test run). click here for more info

Sharp eyed readers might catch the hOOtRbIllY decals, but did you see the way cool skull and crossbones on the mirrors? How about on the fork to help hide where the caliper brake posts used to be on the carbon fiber cyclocross fork? How do you like the wooden fenders? Yup, they are made of wenge wood and maple laminated together by Woody's Custom Cycling Fenders

That's right folks, DooBee is the only Bacchetta Giro of his kind. In fact, the only thing that is stock, original, is the frame, seat, and handlebars. Everything else has been changed, just because I like to tinker, not because there was something wrong with the original setup. Bacchetta makes the finest recumbent bikes of their kind on the market. Period. There are some wicked cool low riders out there but if you are in the market for a LWB or SWB (Long Wheel Base and Short Wheel Base) recumbent then you need look no further than Bacchetta.

Why don't you dust off your road bike and join us tonight for the ride? It is not too early to start the wind training! :)

First Full Day of Spring, Bike Ride

2010-03-21T19:41:00.004-05:00

Tammy and Rick joined me for a little jaunt to Garretson today. The weather was beautiful, albeit a tad cool in the shade, and going downhill with the wind. I had my handlebar bag with me, so I stuffed my PI jacket in there just in case my LS base layer and LS jersey were not enough. Turns out I didn't need the jacket after all, but all early spring rides can be a challenge to dress for so bringing it along was a wise decision I believe. Full finger gloves, knicks, heavy wool socks, and an ear warmer completed the ensemble for the 32.96 mile ride.

We had a nice tailwind sometimes turning into a quartering wind of about 7 mph for the outbound leg of our journey so we had a nice chat on the way down averaging about 15 or 16 mph. That kind of was one of the stipulations for the ride, easy pace. It is early in the season for us up here in the Great Frozen North! Of course, Rick had already ran 17 miles training for the Boston Marathon early in the morning so he didn't feel like biking at his usual speed.
And that is a GoodThing, cus some of us are still carrying around the winter fat we stored up.
Look at that picture again......
That some of us means, ME! Rick and Tammy are the epitome of healthy, athletic adults, and I am the epitome of a grandpa that likes to eat all the wrong things.....

So, on the return trip into the wind and climbing some of those hills I so enjoyed coasting down on the outbound leg, I slowed our pace quite a bit, but those skinny kids never complained once! It was a very pleasurable ride indeed. And now for the kicker;

I DID IT ON MY 24 YEAR OLD UPRIGHT ROAD BIKE, AND NOT MY RECUMBENT!!!!!!

I do rather wish I would have worn some shorts with a chamois instead of compression shorts and knicks, but I am not nearly as sore as I thought I would be, and I really did have fun, and that, to me, is what it's all about! So for all you folks out there that like to tease me about riding a "real bike", you can now shut'a you mouth! I do ride a real bike. Every one of my bikes is a real bike!
I must admit though, that old Giant Kronos rides like a Cadillac of diamond framed bikes, especially on the super secret, just resurfaced with baby butt smooth asphalt and not yet chip sealed, not gonna tell you where it is,,,, road.

Yup, it was a good day Tater, and I fully expect to wake up with the taste of M&M's in my mouth!

Registration Party at Spoke-N-Sport a HUGE success!

2010-03-20T18:49:00.006-05:00

I had an absolute blast today at the Argus Leader Tour de Kota registration party at Spoke-N-Sport today. It was fun to see folks that I hadn't seen since last years TdK, and meet some new friends signing up for their first tour.

The shop was busy as well, with many people coming in to see the new bikes, and take some for test rides. Shopping for new helmets, gloves, and all the other accoutrements of cycling. With the weather finally starting to warm it brings out the desire to be outdoors, and riding again!
The Lovely And Talented Addie Graham was there to set Hugh and myself up and give us our instructions and the fun began.

Of course many members of FAB came out, and the biLLiEs from Vermillion showed up too, and I wanted to take more photos, but I had so much fun chatting and remembering TdK's past that I only took about six photos. Can you imagine that? The Mayor only shooting 6 photos in two hours?
That must be some kind of record!
Local celebreties and CitY BiLLy nOrTh members kErnel and Briman (B-Billy) were on hand to lend credence to the event. Don't ya just love CCR? ;)

The new TdK jersey was on display, as well as the new fleece jacket that is to die for. The Mayor will have one of each, trust me on this. Also, SOCKS!!! The socks are way cool! Check it out;

If you missed this opportunity to share in the fun, do not despair!! The Argus Leader Tour de Kota Registration Party will continue at Scheels, on April 17th so you will have another opportunity to register, and also register for FREE prizes, including the mac daddy; the entire week, free! Even if you have already registered it's worth it to come out and sign up for the free stuff, we all know how much cyclists love free stuff!!!

All in all it was a very fun day, looking forward to the next one. In the meantime, dust off that bike, take it to your LBS for a spring tune up, and get out and ride!!!!

In the words of my dear friend;
Peace and Bike Love.

Bike Trail Still Flooded, Full Of Debris

2010-03-18T20:48:00.002-05:00

I took another ride on my "grandpa bike" today and tried to find a way around the bike trail.
The flood waters are still around in places, and of course the detritus from earlier flood waters remains. It was still a very nice ride, and I got to stop in to 2 Wheeler Dealer to see what was happening there. (lots of new bikes to choose from, go look!) I really could use another bike, and the Raleigh Cruiser bikes they have there are so reminiscent of the bikes I rode while I was growing up it is uncanny!

Now on to the rant and rave portion.
C'mon Parks Department, do you REALLY have to drive your vehicles on the bike trail?
I mean, seriously. I have seen ya'll doing it. Driving your pickup trucks down the trail for no apparent reason. I am sure there IS a reason for you being there and doing your job, but, do you have to drive that heavy motor vehicle on a bicycle path to do it? The path for the most part, is just as wide as your motor vehicles' track, and when you drive on the bicycle trail your vehicle puts a tremendous amount of pressure on the edges of the path.

Which destroys it.

Most especially in the late winter/early spring time. Like, now.
You Parks Department folks do such a wonderful job of keeping up the parks that I cannot believe that you don't realize what is happening to the bike trail. Please stop it.
If your job requires that you use a motorized vehicle to do your job ON THE BIKE TRAIL, use one of those ATVs' or something, just don't be driving that damn pickup (or larger vehicle) on the bike trail, OK? With all the budget cuts and "remodels" of the levees we really need to keep what is left of the trail, intact.

Thanks, I am done ranting now.

Not Really Sick of Nebraska.

2010-03-11T21:05:00.002-06:00

I made a comment on Facebook about being sick of Nebraska and a couple of folks I know that hail from Nebraska took me to task on it. My bad.

I really wasn't sick of Nebraska. I was sick of the weather in Nebraska, especially considering what I was doing in Nebraska. Installing the lawn and garden registers.
Outside.
In the rain.
In 35F temps.
It's the same thing every year. We got out in ridiculously frigid temps to get ready for the lawn and garden season. Problem is, we live in the midwest, and mother nature can be quite fickle in March. As in, the snowiest month of the year. Last year in Aberdeen I had to shovel a path through the snow to the tent so I could drag in the equipment to set up. (and that was after driving the 220 miles in blizzard conditions on icy roads to get there)
Now, I am not going to rail about global warming, or the newer global climate change BS that is propagating arguments galore. Let me just say this again;
We live in the midwest and Mother Nature can be quite fickle in March!!!!

So now can we maybe, just once, NOT try and beat the competition for the first to sell flowers, and you know, have them freeze and have to buy another truck full to re-stock????

Using My Christmas Present

2010-02-11T15:52:00.002-06:00

My oldest daughter Anna gave me a $50 gift certificate to Musicians Friend for Christmas. Shortly after that they put the Cakewalk product, Guitar Pro 4 on sale from $99.95 to $49.95 and I bought it. GP4 is a program that is basically a multi-track digital recorder that would have cost over $20,000 just 10 or so years ago. It comes with samples, or loops, or different instruments, and of course, you can buy more

Back in the day, I used to record myself doing songs by using two different cassette decks, layering the rhythm and lead parts to get the complete song, and losing sound quality on each recording pass. Not very technical, but within my budget. Things have changed a little, my budget still sucks, but technology has expotentially exploded! I am still learning how to use the software, and the help section isn't that much help since the writers have assumed this is NOT your first attempt at using digital software to make music.

I had to buy a digital interface to connect my guitar(s) to the USB port in my computer. It also will take microphones, but I don't sing anymore so that is a moot point. The software works with the digital interface to bring the guitar sound into the program.

Another program that came with Guitar Pro 4 is Guitar Rig 3 which is an amp modeling program. Amp modeling?? Ya, that's what I said too. You see, when you plug your electric guitar into the interface, you get just that sound, an un-amplified electric guitar. Very droll, very dry, very boring. So, Guitar Rig 3 simulates the sound of many different amplifiers, and many different effects. For this little project (and I won't even tell how many "takes" it took to get to where it is now!) I used an amp model called, "Surf Strat" which was quite fitting, since I was using my Bullet Strat to play the surf type song! I had adjusted the reverb to just where I liked it on my real amp for this type of music, and started recording. I used the included drum sounds, and for the bass guitar parts I used my Yamaha electric (not bass) guitar, but instead of plugging it directly into the digital interface box, I ran it through my Boss PS-5 Super Shifter pedal, and set the controls for one octave down.
Voila! Bass guitar!
I plan on making more of these things, because I like to do it. I am not particularly good at it, but it gives me enjoyment. Since I haven't been on any of my bikes for such a long time, (don't ask) it is part of my Winter Sanity Maintenance Program.

So, all rambling aside, I give you the
Ventures song;
"Walk, Don't Run"

FAB Winter Meeting

2010-01-31T09:36:00.002-06:00

It was a great time! We had Jim Books speak about touring, Mike Dunlap talk about his upcoming RAAM attempt, Micheal Christensen talk about the SD Bicycle Coalition. Then Darren Weisz talked about FABs' mission and goals and Eric Kutscher talked about the upcoming seasons' rides and Bill Soeffing informed us about our financial status.

We had a little over 50 show up, and got quite a few membership renewals (yours truly included) and I think a few new members as well. Kudos to the Keg at 57th and Marion, the chicken lived up to its reputation, and I thoroughly enjoyed my frosted mug of 1919 root beer!

I made a short thingy like I do;

Goodbye Captain 11

2010-01-23T17:48:00.003-06:00

Dave Dedrick passed away last night at 81 years young.

Captain 11 was a popular after-school children's program for 41 years on KELO- TV on channel 11, from 1955-1996.

Each show opened with these words, "One man in each century is given the power to control time. The man chosen to receive this power is carefully selected. He must be kind. He must be fair. He must be brave. You have fulfilled these requirements; and, we of the Outer Galaxies designate to you the wisdom of Solomon and the strength of Atlas. YOU are CAPTAIN 11!"

The show played cartoons and featured the Captain entertaining the children with the treasure chest, (filled with toys and locked by a padlock that had one out of a dozen or so keys to open) and flipping switches to lite up colored "jewels" for his "crew members" He would have his crew members wave one hand, then both hands, then both hands a one foot, and finally both hands and both feet until he'd say "Now FREEZE!" Then he would pick some child to raise in the air in their frozen state. Of course the cartoons were the original Bugs Bunny and Road Runner and Looney Toons and those of that sort that you don't see anymore.

I wonder if KELO will air the anniversary show that they did a few years back, would love to see that again, and remember a simpler time.

Godspeed Captain.

Quick Howdy Do!

2010-01-13T06:42:00.001-06:00

Just a quick howdy do to the two or three of you that actually read this blog.
I have been of late, getting more and more "anonymous" posts extolling the virtues of free software, and the like. I have been keeping up to them and deleting them everyday, but I am getting tired of it. So, I will have to turn on the silly little "type the letters as you see them" box.

I really hate to do that, but I see no other choice.
At least for the time being....

Hey, it is going to be at or above freezing here today for the first time since December 6th! It looks like our clubs Starlight Ride this Friday night won't be as cold as I was dreading, so come out and join us!

23rd Annual Spoke-N-Sport New Years Day ride!

2010-01-01T20:46:00.007-06:00

I got in a nice ice bike ride yesterday, with a police escort even!
It was the 23rd Annual Spoke-N-Sport (local LBS) New Years Day ride, and about 100 folks showed up in the 1F degree weather to ride the 10 miles to free chili and hot chocolate. Wind chill was right at -20F and towards the end my toes were getting a little chilly. Not cold, but chilly. I think for long rides this winter I will invest in some of those little chemical warmer packet thingies...

Hey, we even had two bicycle cops on the ride with us, besides the patrol car stopping traffic for us at the major intersections on the way to Falls Park for which Sioux Falls gets its' name.

A good way to start the New Year.

And before I got a chance to post about this, it was the next day and my friends were commenting on the nice picture of me on the front page of the local paper, the Argus Leader. Well, I had to drive into town (since we had just set a record low of -26F I sure as heck was not going to ride my bike!) to buy a paper to see for myself.
I must admit, Elisha Page of the Argus Leader does his job very well. :)

I of course, had my camera with me and before it froze up I snapped a couple of photos as well.

All in all it was a great time, and I had fun.
And for all you folks out there that think I am crazy, you may be right.
But, I had fun, and I was NOT the only one that did so.

"Holiday Season" Got You Down?

2009-12-19T20:43:00.002-06:00

Ya, me too.
Watch this, and then tell me how insignificant you really are in the grand theme.

A Poem

2009-12-16T21:04:00.000-06:00

Holiday Cheer
By
Fronkytroll Jerkyfoot

Well, oh well, another time of false holiday cheer, is here.
Shit, oh dear, I’m just as happy this year to be here, to hear.
Listen, oh listen, that’s not the cat a pissin’, that sound you’re not missin’?
Might be a tronkyhonk bazooba, or could be a gonging gazunga!
Zounds! Oh the Sounds! Makes my head pound, pound, pound, pound!

Holly and jolly, oh my what great folly to swallow each year as if in good cheer.
Consume your jellied cramboozuls, and swallow your candied crabappuls.
As you wrap yourself in the glorious noise of your tinkle bellizmos,
Partaking of liquids that make you a red nose.

Start wrapping and strapping, the gifts you will give.
Wrap the shiny Bonk Buzzer and the WeeFit Lektron Wiz
In hopes of when unwrapped, you’ll not hear “hey, what gives?”
By snot nosed young Gir bels, and crusty mouthed Boi sives.

Wrap and strap, strap and wrap, cover all that fine crap.
Partake of more liquids, and then take a nap.
The Holiday is here, fake some good cheer!
Split your tired, old face with a grin, ear to ear.

Eat some roasted Horned BigThing, eat some toasted fruit Oh ring.
Let the juices of jellied Roosted slid down your parched throat.
Eat the yellow, rheumy eyeballs of the many toed Groat.
Sniff the oderous stench stinkiness from the rotten Slime Slinkyness.
And go to bed dreaming of things that don’t sing.

No voice in the night to bring you a fright?
No threat, just yet?
To make you cold sweat?

Revel in the knowledge, you genius from college.
You haven’t gotten the bill from this year,,, yet.
The wrapped, strapped, crap that you gave with such fervor
Will accrue interest forever, or ‘til a knock from the server.

You’ll pay off your debt, of that I will bet.
So you can start again next year, like an Alzheimer’d pet.
More buying and wrapping, and oh, much crap strapping
To once again spend your way into Holiday Cheer,
By going deep into debt, without any fear.

Tween income and outgo, you’ll widen that gap!
After all, what’s Holiday Season, without all the crap???

Judy Garland Made Me Cry

2009-12-15T06:16:00.004-06:00

and long for the golden days of past.

I was up here in the "mad scientist room" ( I will tell you that story at another time) working on the coming years schedule of special projects when I decided to listen to some Christmas music. Now, I can't say that I have been in the Christmas Spirit by a long shot, so I thought maybe listening to some music might help. I started out with Twisted Christmas for a laugh, and then I play Pretty Paper with Willy singing.
That brought a tear to my eye.

And then, I played Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas with Judy Garland singing, and the floodgates opened up.

I am such a sentimental old fool, I just couldn't help myself. So, I decided to make a thingy like I do, and show photos of all the lost loved ones that I was thinking of. Gramma Anderson and all three of her boys (Dad, Wilbur, and Clifford). Mom and Dad Jones. Gary Huska and Bob Pollock from the original Model T Cowboy band. (only Hugo and me left now) And one picture of my Dad and his best friend Bill at Christmas time before they both passed away.

My beloved dog Chevvy, undoubtedly the smartest dog EVER. And my best friends little driving companion that just passed away a couple of months ago, Sammy Sue.

Bittersweet memories for sure. So, here they are for my family to reminisce over. To the rest of the world, this little thingy is meaningless and that's OK. You have your own memories to comfort you.

May God Bless Us Everyone.

I was taunted....

2009-11-30T17:34:00.003-06:00

By my sister, among others today. You see, I got up, bathed, shaved, etc... and went to work.
Fired up the computer at work and completed my timecard, and then checked my schedule for the day. And that's when I discovered that I had the day off!!!
Yup, yet another senior moment. The Company had sent an email a couple of weeks ago stating that we had been working so hard and the company had seen such a nice October that they were going to give us Wednesday before Thanksgiving, off. Hurrah! Only problem is, we were so darn busy with keeping everything in the stores running that we couldn't take that day off. So, we had our choice, Today, or this coming Friday. My partner CJ and I flipped a metaphorical coin, and I had today off.

Forgot all about it... ... . . . . .

So, I came back home and reported to Facebook what I had done, but I was going to enjoy my day by playing my guitar and playing with my puppies, and napping.
Then, someone that I haven't even seen in, say, THIRTY years, makes a comment that she hasn't heard me play guitar for so long, I should post ME playing. Ha ha ha ha Diane, you are funny!
Then, my Beautious Cuzin' Jenni reminisced about how us brothers used to jam at family events.
And of course, about that time, my loud-mouthed Lil' Sis Carole taunted me. Saying I was getting so old that I couldn't even remember HOW to play the guitar, etc.....

So, really, it's been years. I mean more than 20 of them, since I was in a band. And even then, I wasn't all that talented but I had a bunch of fun. Lately, I have been in a funk, well, damn near depression, but I have been playing my guitar more and more. (and the same guitar I bought new at Sioux Falls Music nearly 30 years ago). I have been having a bunch of fun.
Long story short, here is the song I posted to facebook to "re-taunt" my lil Sis.
I had never played this song before in the bands, and actually never even tried until 2 weeks ago, but it's melody haunts me, and I love it!
I will get better at playing it, that much I can guarantee. (might take me a while tho)

Starlight Ride / Falls Park Lighting Ceremony

2009-11-22T14:09:00.003-06:00

It was a tad bit windy last night, but about 20 rollers showed up for the ride. It was short but sweet, and a lot of fun. I brought spare batteries for the camera, the only problem is that they were dead too, so I have very few pictures to share.

Here ya go;

Oh, I am still here, but should I be?

2009-11-20T20:20:00.002-06:00

I am still in a dark mood and I won't even bore you with the details since it really doesn't make a bit of difference either way, and it won't help lift me from my funk.
This week has been horrendous. I have gotten no exercise, and have eaten all of the bad food groups, two or three times a day. I feel like, well, I feel like shit. I look like shit, and I probably even smell like shit. It has been that kind of week. This coming week will probably be no better, except for the fact that on Thanksgiving Day I will be with the family, and have a chance to connect once again with my loved ones.

This will be my last post to this blog until my mood lightens and I can once again post something that some folks will enjoy, not endure.

And I can darn near guarantee it will be a "thingy like I do" no matter what the "critics" say.

Who The Hell Are You????

2009-11-06T23:19:00.002-06:00

That's what I have been asking myself lately.

A good friend of mine and I were EM'ing lately and I was pontificating on how I have not ridden as much as I would like to, and have not been to the fitness center as much as I would like, and that I have been feeling quite lethargic lately. Depressed even. So my friend pointed out the fact that things have not been quite so lovely in my life lately, and that I was probably suffering from stress. Well shit, It didn't even occur to me that I have been, and continue to be under stress. I mean, stress is a part of life, right?

I think my friend is right though. I don't know if it's all the added stress of what has been happening lately, and the added pressure of things at work, or just the fact that I am getting older and more tired, but it is wearing me down. I have used my horn on my motor vehicles more in the last 6 months than I have in the last six years combined. I Swear To God, one of these days when that moron that wants to cut me off and expects me to slam on the brakes to let them, will get the surprise of their life,,,,, I won't. Of course, then MY insurance company will have to pay, since those that do that stupid shit usually don't even HAVE insurance.
Ya know what? I am getting to the point that I really don't give a shit.

Piss me off, pay the consequences.
There.
I have vented.

I wish I felt better, not only about the venting, but because of it.
So I got to use some swear words, and it didn't even help me make my point, but made me sound like some idiot that runs people off the road. I am usually such an upbeat person, I just don't know why I am so down, maybe the weather of October?

The good news is, I have picked up my guitar again! I have been having SO much fun playing and perusing the internet looking at what's out there since I last played in a band. Wow! Pedals, amps, PA heads, ALL OF IT is MUCH cheaper than it used to be.

I also found a nice program that I can record my craziness playing onto my computer, and the program is free. So many things have changed for the better.
So many things haven't.

L8r

Facebook - Family - Mixed Emotions

2009-10-26T19:36:00.003-05:00

So, I am going to vent, and I will sound exactly like some old fart here, partly because I am an old fart in training, and partly because as my Dear Departed Dad used to say; "Son, you are old before your time". (I took that as a compliment, by the way)

I have "friended" quite a few folks, most of them cycling type people and then, family. Most of my family either ignores my posts (i.e. the SMART ones) or only activated their account and have not done a thing, or very few things, since then.

Then come the nieces and nephews. Kids, I understand, I mean after all, I really WAS young once.
I understand your need to be different from all your friends when you do exactly the same things that they do to fit in. But to constantly quote some vulgar rap "artist" or to indiscriminately drop the "F Bomb" to get attention has done just that.
You have my attention.
I waited for a few months to see if you would slowly mature FaceBook wise, but you haven't. So, Toodle Ooh!
Adios!
Auf Weidersehn!
See Ya Later!
Bye Bye!

Impress your friends, have a good time, and believe it or not in about 30 or 40 years, you will feel the same way as I do right now. Ya, you little shits, you will still be alive in 30 or 40 years and thinking, OMG how did I get this OLD???!!!

Cyclo Cross History!!

2009-10-25T04:10:00.003-05:00

Hooterville Mayor raced in a cyclo-cross race!!!

Not only that, he led the pack into the barricades and up the hill, where he stopped to picherize the event. Seriously, I did do 3 laps in the race but I spent more time with the camera that I did seriously racing. I can't race anyway but I sure did have fun, and my entrance fee and that of all the rest of the intrepid racers, was for a good cause, Falls Area Single Track.

Snakebite and that Minus Car fella put on the event, and did a darn good job of it. We had folks from Sioux City, and Brookings, and,,,,, well I'm not sure, but it was a really good turnout considering the temp was around 45 the whole time. The track was all grass/mud on the west side of Sioux Falls, at Heritage Park, by Skunk Creek. I believe it was only .4 miles in length, but had a nice little hill to climb, and of course, half way up were two barricades that you had to carry your bike over. It was a workout!!!

I could explain further, but why don't you just watch the thingy I made.......
Crank up your speakers, this one should be watched at high volume!!! :)

Mayor Meets Mayor - - - -again.

2009-10-21T20:17:00.002-05:00

Once again I had a chance to meet with the Mayor of Sioux Falls, and this time it was for a very special occasion. Sioux Falls was just awarded the Bicycle Friendly Community award, Bronze level!

The award was presented by non other than our own Michael (Minus Car) Christenson, with speachifyin also done by the Mayor, Mr. Fisher the Parks and Recs guy, Sam Treblecock the city planner guy, and this mayor. For those that missed it, here is my speech;
(that the kErnEl wrote, and the board and I edited just a smidge)

My name is Greg Anderson and I am speaking on behalf of the Falls Area Bicyclists.

It is an honor to be here for this occasion, representing the Sioux Falls bicycling community. As the city's most influential cycling advocacy group, the Falls Area Bicyclists mission is to promote bicycling in all of its forms and skill levels including transportation, recreation, fitness, sport and social interaction.

Falls Area Bicyclists congratulates the city of Sioux Falls, on receiving the impressive Bronze Level Bicycle Friendly Community status from the League of American Bicyclists.
In the past few years, we've seen Sioux Falls take action to promote bicycle safety and education with the well made public service videos, and encourage bicycling within the city through the completion and maintenance of the bike trail, Bike-to-Work day, and the creation of bike lanes and sharrows.

Additionally, I would like to recognize and thank members of the Falls Area Bicyclists for their assistance on various committees, and promoting bicycling in Sioux Falls. For example, members have met with officials to create the Sioux Falls bike plan and the metropolitan bike plan, as well as assisting in creating bike path detours, promoting Bike-to -Work day, and creating more bike friendly streets.

It is our desire to nurture the wonderful working relationship that Falls Area Bicyclists and the city of Sioux Falls enjoy. We foresee a promising future with an ever increasing progress toward bike friendliness. If I may quote Albert Einstein; "Life is like riding a bicycle - in order to keep your balance, you must keep moving."

It's obvious that not only is Sioux Falls moving, but moving in a nationally recognizable, and positive direction.

Personally, I look forward to coming back next time for the Silver Level award ceremony!

A lot of local rollers showed up for the ceremony, you know who you are, Thank You!!
And thanks to DW for picherizin the event for me while I schmoozed.!

It's Not Winter Yet

2009-10-18T14:34:00.003-05:00

And to demonstrate that fact Tammy declared that we would have a nice little road ride to Canton and back from her place, and then have tacos when we got back. Now, who am I to turn down an invite to a ride, and TACOS afterwards???!!!

It was chilly at the start, but that didn't stop us. The forecast was for sunshine and fifty one degrees, but even when we started at 1 PM it was still only around 4o or so, and completely overcast. Just like the day before. And the day before that. And the day before that. And the day before that. And the,,,, well you get the picture. The weather has been wet, very wet, and below normal temps for weeks. We have already had a couple of inches of snow, and we wanted to get a road ride in, so we wanted to raise a little hell on our way to heaven.
(The Ozark Mountain Daredevils did a song about that, what a coinkydink!!! ;)

Tammy, Joe and Tina, Marilyn, and Lo and Behold, Darren (my brother from another mother) left Tammys' place just a tad after 1300 (that would be 1 PM for those that can't count to 24) (ha ha) and proceded out on Rice street which is getting a baby butt smooth repaving, to 6 mile road, to 41st Street, to highway 11, to, well, the usual route to Canton. We picked up Rick on 6 mile road as he had to work until 1300. Ah, don't feel too sorry for him, he works at Harlans' Bike and Tour!!! Traffic was mild, and courteous, winds weren't too bad and the sun started to shine on us about halfway to Canton. We were even riding at 22 mph + there for awhile coming back from Canton, but of course, tacos and beer were waiting for us at the end of our ride!

It was a great time, thanks again Tammy!
And of course, I made a thingy;

City Council Meeting

2009-10-14T03:26:00.006-05:00

Senator Sandy (Jerstad) was in fine form last night at the Sioux Falls City Council meeting. She spoke about bicycle safety and how we could all play a more expansive part in promoting it. She also thanked the City for its continuing support and upgrades of the bike trail, and I think the council members were receptive of her idea of adopting a 3 foot law.
We shall see.

(Mr. Minus Car, Murph, and DyAnn showed interest in the goings on at the council meeting.)

I got into town early enough for a couple miles on the bike trail riding my trusty studded tyred Giant Rincon mountain bike.

It almost seemed like a lot of work putting on all those layers just to ride the 8 or 9 miles, but I wanted to be there to show my support for a Senator that shows so much support and interest in an activity that I enjoy so much.

Now, about layers. Seems like I won't need so many this weekend as the temperature is supposed to rise to near normal again! If you look closely at the picture above left, you can see the grass at Falls Park is still quite green. It looked weird to see all that green grass covered by snow last weekend, and then see the grass peeking out when the snow slowly melted away.

Global warming my ass.

First Ice Bike Ride of the Season

2009-10-10T17:30:00.005-05:00

and I would forget my camera........

It was 21 degrees when I started my ride and you have to know that with the fresh snow on the ground, and my newly re-mounted studded snow tires on the mountain bike that I was rarin' to go. Evidently so much so that I left my little camera home! Yet another senior moment in a depressingly ever growing string of them.

I started out a Rotary Park as I usually do, and pedaled ever so slowly towards O'Gorman High School. Why ever so slowly you might ask? Well, because I was early. I had forgotten once again that my lovely bride had set the clock on the microwave. Which means, it was about 10 minutes fast. Couple that with the fact that I endeavor to be on time, always, and there you have it. Of course, since the ride starts at 0800 at O'Gorman, it was dark when I started....

But do you see the nice beam pattern of my little flashlight that I use for a headlight on the mountain bike? Great spot out at15-20 feet and wonderful "spill" light closer in. (sorry about the crappy photo, cell phone pic since I forgot my camera ya know)

Since I was so early, I stopped at the Super America on fourty-worst and had some hot chocolate to warm up a bit. As I was pealing layers off, the lady behind the counter asked, "what are you doing?" to which I replied "peeling some layers, if I don't I will get too hot and then be way too cold when I get back on my bike".
Her eyes widened as the last part of my statement sunk in.
And then of course, THE QUESTION. "You're riding a bike in the snow??!!!"

You would think I just announced that I was, indeed, a Viking, and that I was there to rape and pillage. OK, so maybe there is some Viking in me, but I was NOT there to rape and pillage.
This time.
:)

I wonder what she would have thought about Snakebite and Minus Car whom both commute to work year round on their bikes? (lunacy probably, and in the case of,,, ha ha, just kidding fellas) Winter biking is no different than at any other time of the year, just more layers, and it beats the alternative for sure. Do you know how much a heart attack costs? Me neither, as the final bills have yet to arrive, but my insurance company has already paid the hospital over 48000.00 dollars for my wife's stay after her heart attack and subsequent surgery, and that doesn't even include the doctors fees and all the rest.....

So, when you look at the next picture, you have to remember, I used up a LOT of calories to partake of the deliciousness of the wonderful biscuits and gravy from Michelles' in downtown Sioux Falls, SD. OMG, they are the best!!!!!
(if you don't believe me, ask anyone that has tried them, including the rollers on today's extravaganza, GG, Snakebite, Minus Car, and "Cold Weather" Murph.)

I really am going to have to monitor my diet more closely though. I don't ride as much during the dark, cold, winter months as I do in the summer, and I sure as hell don't want to end up in the hospital!

How about you?

Apple Orchard Ride

2009-10-04T07:28:00.002-05:00

Just like last year, the weather was damp and cool, with the temperature right at 42 degrees at the start of the ride, and just like last year, it didn't stop some of the Club FAB members from riding to the apple orchard for a snack! I believe there were about 18 riders this year, and everyone seemed to have a good time. Some more folks showed up for the meeting and election of board members, so it was a good day.

Ya, I made a thingy.....

Last Wandering Wednesday Ride of the Year

2009-10-01T17:36:00.002-05:00

Last night was it.

And boy howdy, was it windy! In fact, it was so windy that most people had the sense to not show up for the ride. Except, of course, for Joe and Tina, and Marilyn, and me. I got stuck waiting for Merle and Roys friggin train to get past. They must have about 300 belly dump type cars, and decided to move them all at the same time to their quarry in Dell Rapids last night. I timed it, I was actually sitting there for 8 minutes!

At any rate, the combined wisdom of Joe and Tina and Marilyn had decided before I got there that a trip around the bike trail was much more sane than braving the winds out on the open road. I believe the wind was gusting to over 35 MPH, and that makes for some dangerous riding conditions. We took our time, trying to converse along they way, but that was difficult with the wind. It was still a great ride, and the sunset was breathtaking. Sure wish I would have brought my little camera along!

It was getting pretty dark by the time we were within a couple of miles from our autos, and we heard some splashing in the diversion channel as we biked past the zoo on the way to the muni golf course. I thought it was geese taking off, but no, 2 deer were running in the water parallel to us! Even running through water they are so graceful, and fun to watch.
After the ride, Marilyn and I discussed world affairs and how we got reintroduced to biking at Monks House of Ale Repute. All in all a good night, good ride, good company, good beer!

Since you missed it, stop reaching for those anti-depressant pills, and come ride with us this Saturday for our Apple Orchard Ride, and vote for board members. Yes, I am running for Vice President again. I am running un-opposed so my chances of winning another term are good. :)

University of Okoboji Oktoberfest

2009-09-28T06:41:00.003-05:00

I rode in the Harlans' Bike and Tour van with 8 other rollers to this great ride around Lake Okoboji and a little of the surrounding area. The weather was just perfect, with a breeze coming up towards the end of the ride. The scenery was just great, and I would highly recommend this ride. It's only about 30 miles, with some of the more adventurous among us doing an added loop for a little over 50 mile ride. The one rest stop was right on the beach of the lake, and you had or choice of bananas, cookies, water, or,,,,,, BEER! That's right, the golden elixir of life was offered, and had to be accepted! The cookies were good too!

I had a great time on the ride, spending most of it riding with Marilyn, and then had lunch at Minerva's with Jeff, while listening to the guitar man entertain the rest of the rollers. I heard that there were about 250-300 on the ride, but we started just a bit before the official 10AM start, so missed the masses at the start. We had a nice ride back and I had to hurry and get home to shower and change so I could drive back into town for the Tour de Kota 2010 kickoff party, which was another great time! They announced the route, but you'll have to look it up yourself on the website cuz I can't remember the exact route...

Oh, I made a thingy like I do;

Haven't felt like sharing lately.

2009-09-14T19:59:00.005-05:00

I rode to Mitchell SD on Friday August 28th pulling my little one wheeled trailer behind me, weighing in at 44 pounds. It was carrying my tent, sleeping bag, self inflating sleeping mat, couple of changes of cloths, toiletries, towel and washcloth, etc... for one nights camping at Lake Mitchell. You see, I was going to camp out and ride the Tour de Corn the next day. I stopped in Salem to pick up my friend Gregg, had lunch (thanks again buddy!) and off we pedaled to Mitchell.

It was a good ride, and the mileage was right at 85 when I pulled into the campground. It was a pretty flat route, so that helped, but still I was kinda tuckered out when we got there. We showered and changed clothes and rode into Mitchell to the Chinese Buffet and had a wonderful supper, and then road over to the local Shopko store to buy bug spray since the mosquitos were out for blood! The next morning was pretty chilly, temp was around 44 F, and I could see my breath as we pedaled back into town for a hot breakfast at McDonalds. After consuming some needed calories we pedaled back to camp and broke it down and packed it up. Our camping neighbors graciously agreed to stand guard over our stuff while we did the shorter 35 mile route and then came back for it before reaching the finishing line and a much needed lunch, in Mitchell at the park.

I rode with many friends that day including the crew in the photo above, Gregg (front L) then Marilyn and Larry, and of course, me on the right. Great people to ride with, you know, my extended biking family! So, with a very nice lunch in our bellies and our "bling" from the ride organizers (which included a beautiful gym type bag with Tour de Corn embroidered on it) Gregg and I said our goodbyes and started pedaling back to Salem where Gregg had his car parked.

Things were going good, it was a great couple of days and some wonderful riding with friends, and then, my world changed forever.

We were about 20 miles from the end of our 65 mile day when my phone rang. It was my oldest daughter, and I thought she was just checking to see how everything was going with me. I was wrong in this assumption. My wife was not feeling well and my daughter had driven her to the local acute care clinic where they did an EKG and called an ambulance.

I have never felt so helpless/worthless/frustrated as when I hung up with my daughter and realized that I really had no choice but to keep pedaling to Salem, loaded down with all my camping gear on my trailer. Try as I might, I could not keep my speed much above a 13 MPH average. Gregg said I should just take his keys and go, but I demurred, because I really am not that fast of a rider, and pulling a 44 pound trailer slowed me down some more.

By the time I got home and let the dogs out while I bathed and cleaned up I already knew that my lovely bride had 3 stents put in to correct the 100% blockage of the right side of her heart, and was in the recovery room doing very well.

Long story short, my lovely bride is getting stronger every day.

If not for the strength and courage of my two lovely daughters, I doubt I would have gotten through this at all. I tried to keep "a stiff upper lip" and all that, but I did break down a couple of times. I am human, and I have loved that little lady for more than 38 years. Yup, we met each other in junior high, and have been together ever since. I would like to make that another 38 years if I can.

I was going to write how my wife's' sisters came and helped out tremendously as well, but there is something in my eye and I can't seem to get it out.
So, maybe later.

2009-08-26T11:45:00.002-05:00

I got in an Imperial Century (that's 100 miles) last Saturday with the help of some friends. Gregg, Bill, Tammy, Cassie, Denise and I rode from Manna Bakery in SF to Annies' in Garretson. After lunch, Tammy and Denise and I rode to Luverne to partake of the art show, and visit with Marilyn Zimmerman (last photo of the thingy) and check out her fabulous photo art.

It was a great day!
Here is the thingy;

2009 SD State Criterium Championship

2009-08-25T06:11:00.003-05:00

Was a complete and total success thanks in large part to the volunteers and officials that kept everything running smoothly! I don't think we had quite the amount of spectators as compared to last year, but I can't be sure, not actually having a head count. One mishap on the course, and I hope that guy is OK!

The weather was just beautiful, except for the wind that came up later in the day. How those CAT 1,2 and 3 riders can keep up a 25+ mile per hour pace into a headwind, uphill like that, is beyond me. I got to run the course quite a few times myself delivering barricade tape and water and bagels and muffins via the Cannonball Express and my little trailer. Folks seemed to get a kick out of my bike and trailer, especially since I was flying my 2' X 3' Jolly Roger flag and wearing my pirate jersey. (the one that says, "The beatings will continue until morale improves")

All in all it was a great day, and with the laps on the course and riding to and from the event I got in another 25+ miles, to add to the 100 miles of the day before, and the 23 miles of the night before that!
Of course, I made a thingy like I do, and here it is;

Weekend On Wheels Part One

2009-08-07T18:14:00.004-05:00

I finally got a little time to sort through some of the photos I snapped last weekend. Some good ones, a couple of great ones, and of course, the rest. It was a challenging weekend ride, with over 6000 feet of climbing in the three days, with most on the first two. Anyone that thinks climbing the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River near Winona MN is easy should probably stop taking hallucinogenic drugs! (ha ha) Steep and long, on the Wisconsin side for sure. Anyway, I don't have time to yap about it right now, I have to get ready for the FAB Starlight Ride tonight!!\

Here is a thingy like I do......

Weekend On Wheels

2009-08-02T16:57:00.003-05:00

Was a resounding success. Over 5000 feet of climbing (the Mississippi river bluffs are some steep hills to climb!) 150 miles, and over 250 photos to sort through.
Now the bad news.
You will have to wait.

I have to go out of town on business so I won't be able to post any photos until I return, and of course, I want to make a thingy like I do. So, be patient!

My new name is Ben A. Whyl

2009-07-18T23:07:00.004-05:00

Yup, it has been awhile since I have posted. I am not going to provide an excuse other than the fact that I really haven't felt like putting my thoughts to this electronic paper. My thoughts have not been worth sharing, not happy thoughts. I have been angry lately. At myself mostly, and at some of the "unwashed masses" that I share the planet with. (I include myself into that category)

I did have a really nice day with some biking friends. We rode from KathyJo and Charlies' house in Wakonda to Centerville and had some great pastries at the local bakery, and then on to Viborg for a traditional Norsk type breakfast of Aebelskivers and all the trimmings. It was completely delicious. The food, the folks at the church and their service to us, and the entire atmosphere in the town of Viborg were spectacular.
I just wish my camera batteries held out. Stoopid darn Swede that I am, forgot to charge them,

and even worse, forgot to bring spares!!
So, I can't even show all of the 11 rollers that enjoyed each others company on a great ride, and the lucky few that rode back to Charlie and KathyJo's place for delicious brats and old style honest to gosh real casing hot dogs that Charlie cooked up for us!!!
Sue tried to do a cat rescue, or, just wanted to keep the little kittens off the nearby highway. Cats being cats however, refused to play along. Craig and Angie tried to help of course, but it was an exercise in futility. Ya just can't herd cats.
Of course, ya can't roller skate in a buffalo heard either, and whilst none of us had our skates with us, we did ride past a buffalo heard. Gregg and Craig scared them as they rode past, so when I got there they were at the far corner of their pasture and just staring at me. Like the cows usually do.
Coincidence? Probably not.
Thanks again Kathy and Charlie and everyone involved in making this day so special.
I appreciated it!

Wandering Wednesday - Harmoden Route

2009-07-08T17:08:00.000-05:00

FAB WW Harmondon
Find more Bike Rides in Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Tonights route, hope the rain stays away!!!

Bikea-a-palooza part one

2009-07-01T16:13:00.003-05:00

I don't know just what the heck has been going on with either my internets, or Blogger, or both. It took me more than a half a dozen tries in nearly as many days to get this file uploaded. I finally just sent it to YouTube. Sheesh!
Anyway, part one is the parade and the kids' slalom course.
Here ya go. . .

Beresford 125K

2009-06-30T21:28:00.003-05:00

Well, I heard there was some issues with gravel, so the route is now going CCW.
North to Worthing, then West to Lennox, etc...
I am still planning on doing the 125K if the weather is good. Actually, they are saying the ride starts a 0800 now instead of 0930. I kind of wanted to get there for breakfast, since Chris' Cakes is on the scene!!!!!

Bersford 125k revised Route
Find more Bike Rides in Beresford, South Dakota

Garmin Connect - Dashboard for hootrvil_mayor

2009-06-27T06:33:00.001-05:00

Garmin Connect - Dashboard for hootrvil_mayor

Yup, I bought an Edge 305 and so far I am very impressed. Being as how I mounted it on a SWB recumbent I could not use the combination speed/cadence sensor as it was designed, so I have it set up for cadence alone. I thought this might present a problem with the speed and mileage counting so I took a little test ride yesterday. Then, I kept riding. A little over 25 miles later and both my old Sigma computer (which I had left on for this test) and the 305 were within .06 miles of each other. That says a lot for both computers I would think. I would lose the Satellite signal under the overpasses on the bike trail, but they would resume immediately after passing under them. Very quickly! Yup, I am impressed. I am just a little less impressed with the Garmin Connect website for sharing the data. Since Garmin bought out Motionbased, I don't know if I can get on the motionbased website. I will try it later, cuz I have to go and get ready for the Coffee and Donut Ride!!!

TdK 2009 "Miles In The Mist" Episode Three

2009-06-21T17:12:00.003-05:00

Ok, ok, you can stop clambering on about how long it's taken me to post Episode Three. I have been pretty busy at work lately, and on call the entire last week, including this weekend. The store in St. Cloud, MN lost power this morning and the server and pretty much everything else in the computer room went down. How do I know this? Because I got a call from our first level support asking "what to do?!?!???"
My answer, "wait until the store personnel come to work, ask them to cycle power on the UPS, since the batteries must be drained. Everything will come back up then. If it doesn't, then call me back"
I think the guy was in panic mode 'cuz the power failed (which sends out an emergency email to them and the management types) long enough to DRAIN the batteries (takes over 40 minutes) and he did not do an orderly shutdown. Why we don't have a little program that does that automatically after about 15 minutes is completely beyond me. After all, I is jest a hard wear guy!

OK, enough complaining about work, here is Episode Three. Enjoy it, all three of you!

TdK 2009 "Miles In The Mist" Episode Two

2009-06-15T20:57:00.003-05:00

The continuing saga of the Tour de Kota.
Make sure you look for the little cowboys, they were a hoot!!!
Oh ya, the beginning is nearly the same as episode one, so feel free to fast forward through it, but I felt for continuity I had to use it, and will again for the final, episode three. Hope I haven't bored you too much with my thingies that I do, but I enjoy making them.

Crank it up.

TdK 2009 "Miles In The Mist" Episode One

2009-06-14T11:29:00.004-05:00

This years tour started out chilly and wet. Pretty much stayed that way until the last two days, so I think "Miles in the Mist" is an appropriate title. I still had fun. Lots of fun.

I love riding with friends.

Old friends, new friends, and friends I haven't yet met. I guess I am a lot like my Dad in that respect, as there weren't really any strangers to him, just friends he hadn't met.
So, of course, the Tour de Kota is a perfect type of ride for me. No hammering along to get there, because like the saying goes, "miss a mile, miss a lot".

Be forewarned, the pictures on Episode One are somewhat dreary. That's because the weather was somewhat dreary. So, if you feel like wasting about 9 minutes of your time go ahead and click on the movie. Don't do this on a laptop, you need to crank your speakers up to get the full effect of the sound track I chose.

Crank it up, and enjoy!
Episode two is in the works.....

TdK 2009

2009-06-13T17:26:00.002-05:00

You will just have to wait for details. I am tired, and have so much yard work to do that I just haven't had time to post any pictures. (I have looked at them, some are good, I caught a couple of nice ones of some of the great folks I rode with)

Of course, I am going to make "a thingy like I do" and that should be interesting. Problem is, I hardly took any photos because of the weather. Those that know me, know that I like to wear my little camera on a strap around my neck and pitcherize everything! Can't do that when it's raining, and it was raining a lot...

So, be patient with me, I have to sort through and adjust some good photos out of the measly 265 photos I shot....

For the time being, here are my stats;

total time on the bike = 31 hours
total miles = 451
average speed = 14.67 mph
Oh, I hit a max speed of 43.63 on Thursday. FUN!!!

Stay tuned..........

B2B 2009

2009-05-31T07:48:00.003-05:00

The spring classic ride, Bunyans' to Bobs' is in the record books. This year the wind was a kinder, gentler wind although it was still there. Last year the wind was 35 gusting to over 45, this year it was more like 15-18 MPH.

Some new faces this year too! Word is getting out I guess. The bombers at Bunyans' and the ginormous burgers at Bobs' are just as wonderful as I remembered them! K-Billy put on a good post ride party with Hoplouia beer from Spilkers Brewery that the City Billys brought with them.
All in all, a really good time!
Yes, I made a thingy like I do.

I Rode My Bike Today, To Visit Family and Friends

2009-05-25T17:30:00.004-05:00

Let me preface this little post by saying that riding my bike to visit is a big deal. I really don't do it that much because I really don't like riding my recumbent in town, with city traffic.

But I did it today because I was on a mission.

The annual ceremony at the Grandview Covenant Church cemetery started at 10 AM and I finally got my self on the road at 0905, pedaling into the 15+ wind and wondering if I should just turn around and drive the car. I decided that hell no, I was not going to quit so early, after all, I was wearing my Army jersey and shorts, and had the 4th Infantry Division crest pin on my left collar, and my (now defunct rank) SP5 insignia on my right collar and my American flag flowing behind my seat on a fiberglass staff. The wind and hills to the cemetery were mine to conquer. I took it as a very good omen when I heard what I thought was about a hundred Harley Davidsons' coming towards me at a very sedate pace. The sound of massive radial airplane engines are unmistakable, so I knew it had to be the "Liberty Bell". I grabbed the brakes on my bike since I was going downhill with the wind and pulled over, got my camera out and snapped this photo. Look very closely children, she (the Liberty Bell) is only 1 of 14 B17 bombers still flying out of more than 12,000 built during WWII.

She was an awesome sight. I have actually had the priveldge of crawling around inside a B17, a few years back when I went to Joe Foss Field with my Dad. (when the "Sentimental Journey" visited) So, seeing one fly over me as I pedaled my bike to visit with my Dad, Uncle Cliff, and Gramma and Grandpa and other family members had me thinking.
Thinking of years past, and Memorial Days past, and visiting the exact same cemetery.
Never, EVER thinking that I would go there to pay homage to my Dad, nor even, contemplate my place in that place.

Life goes on.

As evidenced here by the newest member of the family, Paul David (whom his grandpa, my little brother, calls PeeDee)

I hope you all had a good Memorial Day. I hope you all took some time to remember.
This country was buillt on the shoulders of those that we remember today.
For their sacrifices.
For their grit and determination.
For their Living.

You Missed Another Good Ride

2009-05-25T07:14:00.004-05:00

Oh you poor, poor, people. The weather was pretty nice for our 50 mile jaunt yesterday, and the Ball Park all beef hot dogs and ice cold beer at the end of the ride were delicious. So, where were you?

Here's a thingy like I do;

Hooterville Half Fast Velocipede Consortium

2009-05-21T21:44:00.002-05:00

Rides on Sunday May 24 at 10 AM sharp from Hooterville!!!

I won't be able to ride the Memorial Day ride, so I am planning a ride starting in Hooterville (Rowena) this coming Sunday.
Come join the Hooterville Half Fast Velocipede Consortium in an epic journey of 3 states, a state park, and perhaps, a state of confusion! Anyone caught riding over 20 MPH whilst not going downhill buys lunch for the rest of the rollers! Bring some foldin' money as we plan on stopping for snacks or lunch, which we will discuss on the ride itself. We will leave from Hooterville Mayors' house promptly at 10 AM on Sunday. Check the weather forecast for proper attire, as it might be a bit chilly at 10, but should be warming up to near 80 in the afternoon. Route is very close to 50 miles.

This is NOT an official FAB ride, but helmets will be required!

Tri-state marker to Palisades loop
Find more Bike Rides in Rowena, South Dakota

Ride of Silence 2009

2009-05-20T23:33:00.005-05:00

About 35 or 40 rollers showed up for this years ride. It went well, traffic behaved very politely to us. I don't know if anyone in the autos knew what the ride was about, but I doubt it. That will make you feel better, at least for that ride. . .

Here is a thingy. (silent thingy)

Bike 2 work Day

2009-05-16T08:21:00.004-05:00

And yes, I volunteered again. No, I didn't bike there. Kinda hard doing that hauling a 3 foot by 5 foot table and a box of jerseys. Yes, I am aware that it is possible, but really, would YOU do it? Chris' Cakes once again proved that pancakes can heal the soul, or at least, soothe the savage breast. Pretty good turnout again this year, and thanks all around for the volunteers that make this happen every year, you folks rock! Thanks to the folks at the Museum For Visual Materials for hosting the event again this year. Have ya been there lately? You HAVE to go because one of FABs' own people has an exhibit there. Marilyn Z. has been pitcherizen stuff for years and is really good at it. Go see her pitcherz, they, like her, are awesome!

Oh ya, I made another thingy.

FAB Spring Kickoff 2009

2009-05-10T00:03:00.006-05:00

Another success story thanks largely to David Steensland and his organization skills! We met at the Tea, SD Pizza Ranch and rode either a 16 or 24 mile route before the meeting, and eating. The wind wasn't too bad at all, and that is a very good thing since it was not all that warm for the ride. We signed up a couple of new members, and the president talked about past accomplishments and future happenings. All in all it was a good time!

Yup, I made a thingy like I do. . . . .

Harlans' Customer Appreciation Ride

2009-05-03T21:49:00.002-05:00

Was well attended again this year. Beautiful sunshine and mild to just slightly chilly (in the shade) temps and the usual prairie winds. After the ride we were treated to burgers and lemonade (both delicious) and some camaraderie. I came back home and got some chores done, so I am exhausted, being up since just after 0600 so that's all the report you are going to get!

FAB Volunteers Wrench at the Center For Hope

2009-04-26T20:01:00.003-05:00

Tammy, Gregg, Garey, Mark, Darren, Eric, Bill, Russell, and I spent some quality time with once, and soon to be again, loved bikes. (Even The Owner showed up!) Everyone pitched in and started fixing, and somehow I ended up truing wheels. I got the wheels trued on a nice little mountain bike and had it on the repair stand to check out the brakes and shifting and spent at least 10 minutes on the front derailleur. I just could not get that thing adjusted right. That's when Gregg notice the frame was bent. Duh! So Gregg stripped off the usable components and went on to the next one.

I don't know for sure how many bikes we got ready to roll out the door with their new owners, but Jenna was happy so that's all that matters. It was quite a good experience and I am seriously thinking of volunteering more of my time for this worthy cause. They sell the best bikes for $10, and the not quite best bikes are free, to homeless, jobless, and whomever just needs a way around town for lack of a motor vehicle. I guess about 430 bikes got a second chance of serving last year thanks to Jenna and the Center of Hope. So, if you have a bike, or bikes that you don't need anymore give the Center a call. Or heck, call me, I will come and pick it up, and thank you!

I wasn't The Only One

2009-04-22T21:28:00.005-05:00

Looking at Face Book it seems nearly everyone whom could, (sorry CDV, family first, eh?!) got a ride in today. What a wonderful, sunshiny day it was too! It was all I could do to stay at work for the entire 6 hours. Only 6 for me since I had already put in extra hours on Monday and Tuesday so I could skip out early today for a bike ride.
The prognosticators got just enough of the forecast right for me to plan ahead.
Marilyn, Tammy, and Gregg joined me on the Wandering Wednesday route, with a stop in Brandon for just a taste of ice cream at the Dairy Queen across from the high school. (from whence I matriculated)

It was actually warm enough that I could wear my new jersey, and SHORTS! HooAh! It felt really good to peel the layers off and ride in summer stuff, and actually feel pretty darn warm.

It was a great ride, and felt so wonderful to get back out on that route again. Traffic was light as usual, until we got closer to Brandon of course. But even then, the motor vehicles were very respectful of our space, as we were of theirs, riding on the shoulder when there wasn't any harmful debris or major road faults. Even so, after our ice cream break when we were heading back to Hooterville, Tammy noticed that GG's rear tire was flat.
How many cyclists does it take to change a tube? Four. Cuz that's how many cyclists were there. Tube changed and aired up thanks to my Topeak Road Morph pump, (of course we could have used Marilyns' Road Morph as well) and back to Hooterville we pedaled to recap the ride and wait for the turkeys to show up. Only 1 deigned to reveal herself until Tammy and Gregg had left, then of course, the whole harem showed themselves, and helped themselves, to the largess that is my bird feeder castoffs via squirrel.

Wish you could have been there to ride with us. Maybe next time?

Where Have I Been???

2009-04-17T06:05:00.006-05:00

Nowhere special.

Just doing what needs to be done and nothing more or less than that. I did have a pretty high mileage day on Tuesday. OK, high mileage for a week day. I worked my 8 hours and loaded my work out sneakers in my panniers and rode from the shop to the bike trail. Rode around the bike trail, then back towards the shop with a stop at the fitness center for a little over an hour. Then, 1Speed wanted to meet at Falls Park and ride to the FAB board meeting, so I loaded up Shrek in the MonsterVan and drove over there as there was no time to go home and get the car.
The meeting was very productive and four of us rode our bikes to it, including Mr. MixedPickles and Briman! At the end of that very long day I had pedaled about 45 miles. Not a lot, but for a week day, it was for me.

I have been noticing that whenever I was really pedaling hard, or uphill my chain would slip. I suspected a worn cassette and a quick call and trip to visit Erik at Prairie Cycles confirmed my suspicions. Believe it or not, he had the 9 speed cassette in stock, and he installed it for me in about 2 minutes! I also picked up a set of Kool Stop brake pads so now Shrek is ready for the season!

STARLIGHT RIDE TONIGHT AT 2000 HOURS, OR 8 PM for you confused people. Fawick Park by the NakedOne, bring your helmet and blinky.

TdK signup party at Spoke-N-Sport Saturday from 1000-1200. Come and meet Maggie the Magnificent! Of course, I will be there as well, what a contrasting pair!

2 Rides In One Day = Happy Mayor!

2009-04-11T19:48:00.005-05:00

I met Marilyn at Rotary Park this morning at 0700 to ride over to O'Gorman HS for the Coffee and Donut ride. It was chilly. Actually, it was cold, 24 degrees maybe even 26 by then, and by the time we gathered Road Legs and got to the HS my fingers were numb and my toes were cold! Anyway, Adam was in from Denver to visit his parents and saw our website and came out to join us, and later in the afternoon joined us for the Larchwood ride. You'll have to ask Minus Car what the route was, I was lost half the time, but ended up with 27 miles and had a great time!

Then at Harmoden Park we took off to Larchwood, since the wind was very stiff from the south. It is very hilly getting to Larchwood from Harmoden Park when you take the Lake Alvin road.
Very hilly. Damned hilly. Hillier than hell. You know, lots of hills. Hills and wind, and snow (OK, it was in the ditch, but snow nonetheless) still a good time. The highlight of my day was when we left Larchwood and I was leading for a few miles. thE kErnEl told me to slow down because we were dropping people off the back. I've never been asked to slow down on a road ride because others couldn't keep up, it made my day!! (we were cruising at 22 mph, feeling good!)

Oh ya, I made a thingy like I do. . .

CRIT RACE!!!

2009-04-10T05:58:00.005-05:00

Last night I officiated (on a voluntary basis for the practice, not for the fee) the first Central Plains / Spoke-N-Sport crit race of the season. It was a little breezy, and chilly but they still held both races shortening the last race to 30 minutes from 45. I helped the kErnEl in the pit, and also as a corner judge on the last corner before the finish line.

You don't realize how hard it is to record numbers on paper until you try it. I mean, when a group of 10 racers go by, and it only takes about 2 seconds, that's a lot of numbers to write down!

I used my digital recorder! :)

I can't rely on that alone, so the next race I will try and use a headset and set it to VOX, leaving at least my left hand free to hold the clipboard to write race numbers down, right hand being occupied by the stopwatch.

Only one crash, (you still OK Steve?) and thankfully no injuries so that made it a great night. Everyone was thoroughly chilled at the end, and things broke up pretty quickly but still all in all, I think everyone had a good time. The next race will be warmer. It just has to be!

Thanks Sam!

2009-04-09T06:12:00.005-05:00

Sam works for the City. Sam is in the most unusual catagory of City employee in that he actually CARES! He led a group of us last night on the proposed detour route for when the bike trail is torn up to raise the levee on the west side of town.

Any way you look at it, probably 80% of the folks on the bike trail will just turn around and not utilize the detour, and we're talking for a YEAR here. For sure the Moms and Dads with strollers and little tykes on bikes should NOT use the detour, as it follows city streets for four miles, replacing a two mile stretch of the bike trail being destructed. The challenge for the city was to pick the most direct route using the safest streets possible. Not an easy challenge but I think Sam has it pretty much figured out. Work will need to be done with signage and markings and getting stop lights to actually trip for a bike, but Sam is on it.

Maybe if it's well enough marked more than 20% of bike trail users will actually ride the route? Only time will tell I guess.

Well done Sam, keep up the good work!!!

Yes, We Did Ride In The Heart Attack Snow

2009-04-05T13:27:00.004-05:00

Although we did more riding on the plowed streets than we did the bike trail. Because, ummm, WE MAY BE CRAZY BUT WE ARE NOT STUPID!!!
Honestly, the snow on the bike trail required a tremendous effort to ride through, over 12 inches tall in some places, and other places (albeit very few), were bare pavement. It was a great ride, and I am hoping the last Ice Bike ride of this ongoing winter season.
Time for road bikes and short sleeved jerseys.
Thanks GG and DeeDubya for the great ride and companionship, and Deedubya for brunch at the Diner!

They're Back!!!

2009-04-02T20:53:00.002-05:00

Birds with a Tude.

Jakes this time, and only three but what a welcome sight. This has to mean spring is here in Hooterville!

Of course, Tasha is just sitting around and getting fatter and sassier.

I was too, until I started going to the fitness center. I just need to get to the fitness center more often, and, like Tasha, stop bitching about things I can't change.
When she does, I will.
(in other words, don't hold yer breath!)

Hey Genius, Nobody Is Buying Flowers Yet!!!!!

2009-04-01T19:42:00.004-05:00

That's what I would really like to say to whomever puts this damn schedule together. Do you remember my post from week before last? Stuck in a blizzard in Rapid City... Remember?

Here is a short clip from my hotel room.

So you would think that it has warmed up some from then, right??? Nope. I was scheduled to leave for Aberdeen on Monday, but I postponed it until today BECAUSE OF THE BLIZZARD!!! Even then, I could only go as far as Watertown where the DOT had closed the interstate to the ND border. So, I installed the Lawn and Garden stuff at the Watertown store. In the snow. Again.

How were the roads you ask? From Sioux Falls to Brookings, great. From Brookings to Watertown, shit...

This is the second year in a row that I have driven in blizzard conditions, or hazardous road conditions to install L&G stuff. Enough is enough. I am getting tired of being snowed in at a hotel. (better than a truck stop I guess, but still...) People, this is March in South Dakota. The damn frost has not left the earth yet, no one is planting flowers outside yet!!!!! HELLO?????!!!!!!!! Every year some stores have to re-order stock because of freeze damage, yet every year we do the same thing just to "keep up with the competition". OK people, put out some feelers, do your networking magic, and find me that SOB from the competition that started this BS and I will take care of the rest, PDQ. You will still get your flowers in plenty of time to actually go outside and plant them, and I will be able to drive on ice free roads to set it up for you!!!

Except for said SOB, it's a win win!!!

(/end sarcasm)

Tired. . .

2009-03-29T21:58:00.003-05:00

I am exhausted after this weekends activities. I helped "man the booth" at Scheels with John (representing TdK) and the Prez and myself representing FAB, Saturday morning for a couple of hours. That was fun, and it was good to see some familiar faces, and meet some new riders and help John answer questions. After that I helped move my daughter out of her apartment.

Sunday, we continued moving my daughter back into her house, next door. My back is still sore, but it was definitely worth it! It will be nice to have her back where she and our grandson Lucien belong. In between times I was trying to keep up with emails and blogs concerning club image problems.

Evidently, some folks have the wrong idea about the club. I would try and talk to them about it, but I have no idea whom "they" are. It's hard to have any positive impact when you're dealing with rumors and innuendo by the mysterious, "they". So, I will try and put it behind me and continue forward.

But the whole thing just makes me tired..........

I get to drive to Aberdeen on Monday morning. The forecast for Aberdeen is 4-8" of snow during the day, and another 1-3" of snow Monday night. Add in the wind and you have less than ideal conditions to drive in. Why am I going to Aberdeen you might ask??

To install the registers and Wireless Access Point for the Lawn and Garden tent.
Yup, getting lawn and garden ready, in a blizzard. But, what the hell, it was the same weather last year when I did it, and it doesn't do any good to complain about it.

"They" don't listen.

Canton And Back, The Shakedown Cruise

2009-03-21T22:36:00.003-05:00

After the Starlight Ride last night, thE kErnEl proclaimed he was going to ride his new Surly LHT to Canton and back and we were all welcome to join him. I thought (out loud) that I would do so, riding my old Giant road bike.
But, sometime between that exact moment and the next morning, I decided to ride my newly refurbished recumbent, DooBee. I have already blogged about the upgrades so I won't do so again but, Hoo Ah! The new wheels and tires are smooth as silk on our chip sealed roads and I actually remembered how to ride the recumbent after months of DF riding.

It was chilly at the start of our ride, 29F to be exact, but when the ride was over it was 60F or just above, and got even warmer when I was outside later playing, err, I mean, doing yard work with my sweet baby puppies. It really was a good day Tater. I'm sure there will be many many more good days, but this one will stick in my mind, you know, the inaugural ride and all.

I had fun with my friends, again. And then had fun at home with the rest of my "family" and my family.
Life is good!

Oh ya, here is a thingy like I do.