Kyia's Paintings and frosted windows

Ok, finally, pics of Kyia's paintings you have been waiting for.

Bridges!

The new bridges are cool. Thanks to Sam and all who helped!

OLE'S BIG GAME STEAKHOUSE

Tour De Guyot

This was a 6 hour epic ride going over two high passes, French Pass (see the snow) and

Georgia Pass, and a long descent on the Colorado Trail.  Some hike-a-bike and a several

stream crossings.  Fortunately we had perfect weathers.  The pics are of Mike.

Hagerman Pass

Rode up Hagerman Pass with Mike and Sam (who is out to do the Leadville 100 for the 10th time!)  About 2500 feet of climbing with some pretty rocky and steep sections.  After doing

the descent, I had a flat--the Michelin Mud had a nasty sidewall cut.  I had to be rescued by Mike

since I didn't think I could fix it with a tube.  The Lefty Fork worked well with 160 pounds pressure, about 40 more than is recommended.  (The Fork had lost all it's air in the previous ride.)  I've decided that the Michelins have weak sidewalls.  Comments anyone?

BRECKENRIDGE

No pics yet, but I'm out in Breck staying at the same condo we stayed at last year, rented by my

friend Mike O'Brien.  He doesn't blog, or doesn't even know what blogging is, but now I'm getting

him started (well maybe).  Rode up Vail Pass yesterday and back--about 45 miles on bike paths

with lots of bikers.  Coming back down I was over 30 mph a couple of times, but there were too

many people to go really fast.  Tomorrow it's mt. biking on the Soda Creek trail, which I have

done many times.  It is a very nice trail, takes 2 or 3 hours.  Sammy is out to do the Leadville

100 and I'm hoping to hook up with him this week.  

Singletrack Attack

I went down to do the race at Elk River. My race didn't go over anything very technical so

I relaxed and had a good time. I passed a few people and got passed back a couple of times,

but it was not very competitive. Mostly it was a social event for me. I enjoyed talking to

Dan Meyer and Rob Ogren about their race at the Firecracker 50 in Breckenridge, a race

I attempted for many years. Dan thought it was a harder race than the Leadville 100 since it

has more climbing. After the race I spectated with Jenna and Justin for awhile, cheering

for Tom, Justin's dad. When we left Justin ripped over the constructed Berm and the

wooden Stairs and I followed. They turned out to be easier than I thought. (My race

didn't go over them.) I looked for Kyia before her race but didn't find her. The trail

has some strange constructions, a teeter-totter that looks unsafe to me, and a sort

of rail thing that goes pretty high off the ground. Not for me, thank you. Next week

we are off to Breckenridge to stay with my friend in his rented condo and to see

various Colorado friends.

NEW TRAIL!

I rode on the North Loop today with the resurrected Scapel. It has a new

fork! Rolled over the new log pile on the first expert spur without any

difficulty. Now it rides pretty easily; before it felt more like a log drop.

There is a tree down shortly after the official log drop. The steep hill

by the prison is getting eroded and harder. I removed a rock from the

next expert spur. It is now easier I guess. Didn't do the rock gardens.

Given my pathological and neurotic proclivity to crash, I've decided to

avoid them from now on.

The New Trail that I found comes shortly before the last crossing of the

ski trail. It is fairly short (2 or 3 minutes) and easy, but I liked it.

It is a little bumpy now but it will be fast and fun!

CAR CRASHES!

Check out the ten greatest car crashes in movie history.  (Just Google it).  When you get to the

website, you will find 10 youtubes of the best car crashes.  I was impressed by the chase scene in Bad Boys II, where Will Smith is driving and the bad guys are literally throwing cars at them from the back of a big truck with spectacular results.  At one point a big boat hits a car.  In another shot a car rolls over and over and over.  How many movies have you seen with car chases and crashes?  We just love them.  It's so fun and exciting to destroy cars, and of course, nobody is really hurt (well except maybe some stunt drivers, but we don't see that).  At one point Will Smith says, "This is sick shit!"  And of course he is right.

THE INJURY

Here's the pic of the injury.  Too bad you can't see the actual damage.  The doctor thought I had broken my arm, but it turned out to be a bad gash and rash.  Lots of bleeding.  K and K tell me that the obstacle course was created by Matt Stone, not them, and that is it totally easy, no one could possibly get hurt.  Well, all I can say is that you don't want to fall off and hit the round rock that is part of the course. The stitches come out in two weeks.  No riding until then.  

TEN STICHES

I tired to ride Kyia's obstacle course today, got half way across,  and fell off.  Result was a trip

to the ER and 10 stiches, which need to stay in for two weeks.  I hit one of the rocks!

MONT DU LAC

I drove up to Mont Du Lac to do the Series Race.  I got there early so I preroad the course.

As an age group winner, I was called up to the front row for the start of the Over Forties.

We cranked up the ski hill.  I was in my lowest gear spinning up the top part.  Then single

track.  Very rooty.  I like the fast down and ups and since I was sort in the front of the group

I didn't have to dismount.  My nemesis Bob Meuller bridged up to me and I let him go.  I was

bouncing around a lot in the RigorMootis and he was on a dual suspension--an advantage.

On the second lap a spoke broke on my rear Mavic Wheel and my brake was rubbing, but

I struggled in, sliding out on final turn trying to pass some dufus.  Jena was there so

I rode up the hill again to cheer.  Jena led up the hill, and then at the final climb she stood up

and decisively attacked, gapping Rebecca (I think).  Sara K-J was further back.  J.  looked

very strong and confident.  Some young kid was leading the pros or elites up the hill.  It looked

like they were letting him lead, no problem.   By the way, there is some new single track which

has one dicy left turn but is otherwise good.  This is a pretty hard course in my opinion.

1985 Schwinn King Sting

This was my first mountain bike, bought at Granite City Schwinn Bike Shop in 1985 brand new.

At that time the shop was owned by Ray Fitch.  Later his son Dan took over, and then Mike

Baldwin.  When I bought the bike it was geared with toe clip pedals.  Somewhat later I single

speeded it, and put on flat pedals, but it still has the original brakes and handlebars.  The frame has been broken and welded together. When Mike White was in high school he rode it to school every day and threw it on the ground.  Nobody would steal it!  Now I ride it around town to the coffee shop the grocery store and so on and nobody messes with it.  It is too old and funky and battered to attract any attention.  Besides it weighs about 50 pounds.  Try and lift it!  It's ghetto,

man.  The guy who rides it must have too many DUIs!  Or the bum can't even afford a car!

2001 Gary Fisher Sugar 2

I bought this bike in Breckenridge Colorado after I broke my Klein (for the second time) and

was waiting for a replacement.  I love this bike.  I have replaced the rear triangle twice.  The Mars

fork failed early on and I have gone through two Rockshok forks.  The latest SID is good.  The crank arms were replaced with XTR as well as the shifters, cogs, cassette, chain, etc.  The bar is a Raceface.  The seatpost was replaced with a Thomson Elite--the best in my opinion.  The wheels are Mavics with ceramic rims.  Ceramic rims and brake pads are the best.  The are durable, simple, quiet, and provide plenty of stopping power.  (I have not had good luck with disc brakes which squeal, rub, and quickly wear out--I'm referring to XTR disc brakes, not Avid or Hayes, which may be good products or all I know.)  This bike has been raced hard since 2001 and endured many crashes and much abuse.  I will be sad when it finally breaks.

TWO FLATS AND A DOLLAR BILL

Yesterday I went road riding with Al and Patrick, starting from his house out in the country near

the Skow House.  All went well to the Cold Spring Bakery where P. bought a dozen date filled oatmeal cookies, which were excellent by the way with a fresh soft googy center.  But outside of

Cold Spring my rear tire exploded--WHOOSH, thump, thump, thump.  I took the rear wheel off but didn't see what was wrong.  P. quickly took the tire off and he looked at it.  Hmmm.  He put in the tube and put the tire on using hands only.  I don't know how to do this, well, I know in theory

how to do it, but my little weak thumbs are not strong enough.  I need to use those plastic Park

Tool things.  OK, on  our way.  At the top of the Alp WHOOSH, thump, etc. you get the idea.

WTF?  Now Al is pissed and carefully looks at the tire (after P. again has done his thing) and

he (Al that is) finds a hole in the sidewall!  Now what?  I remember Anderson putting in a 5 dollar bill, but I figure the one dollar bill will do the trick.  You put it between the tube and the tire where there is a hole.  So P. does this, and I carefully ride back to P's house no problem.

The Moral:  Always carry a one dollar bill!  (Well, a 5 or a 10 or a 100 would work too).

Maxxis Crossmark Tires

To follow up on the tire problem, yes, the Maxxis Crossmark Tire (rear) has definitely failed

to pass the test of going over some bumps and rocks in a race at speed.  Apparently the bead

has failed so that the tire leaks air.  Now I'm not complaining about more broken stuff,

hmmm, maybe I am a little disappointed since I rode on these tires like maybe three times,

but come on Maxxis, you are supposed to make Mountain Bike Tires!  That means they are supposed to be able to take take a few hits already.  So if anybody is reading this shit, please give me some advice about tires.  I'm thinking Michelin Muds.  They are still holding their breath, air I mean.

AFTON ALPS

I went down to do the Afton Alps Race.  Got there a little early, so I pre-road the Sport course,

which was a good thing because there are three or four minor rock gardens you need to roll over with speed.  Again the start of my race (the over 40 crowd and I do mean a crowd) was bad. At the start of the single track everybody came to a complete stop, foot down, Stop!  Wait yer turn.  The single speeders are a problem because some of them are not geared low enough and

at the first hill they are off their bikes already making everybody dismount.  I believe Kyia calls this a "clusterfuck," her term not mine.  The SSers had problems with a lot of the sharp uphill turns.  Use a 32X20 guys!  Anyways, after avoiding a few crashes, I started on the second loop,

and lo and behold!  Bob Mueller off his bike!  I go past hoping he doesn't see me.  But no!  He is

after me, fierce competitor that he is.  I barely hold him off by going crazy and dangerous fast on the final bumpy descent, with the result that I flatted my rear tire, but I didn't know until after

I finished.  More bike damage.  I was riding the old hardtail Moots, since the Scapel has a blown

out fork, and I think maybe I wrecked the rear wheel.  Certainly the tire is toast.  The good news is that I won a cool Parks Pump for being first in my class!  

PS.  When I left Sara K=J was leading the elite women, and Brendan had a good lead in the expert men.  

LEFTY FORK FAILS!

Yes, WTF, the lefty fork on the Cannondale Scaple has a massive oil leak after about 30 hours of riding.  The Fork is Forked, if you see what I mean. It leaked

all over the front brake, which will have to be replaced or something.  Of course I am a aggressive

rider, you know, big hits, big air, etc. etc., so I expect to break things including my body.  In fact,

I'm proud of my record of broken bikes and parts and injuries.  Broken bikes:  two Kleins, one Kesteal, one Gary Fischer (twice), one GT, one Schwinn (welded together now), and a couple of others.  Busted forks:  two manitou, three rockshocs.   Four seatposts broken.  Five saddles.

Several bent wheels.  The list goes on and on.  Smash it, crash it, break it, wreak it, it's the

American Way!!

Time Trial

Anderson counted down, and then jumped out hard going up Pump House Hill.  Kyia stalled out

for a moment, and I waited.  By the time we got going, Anderson had gapped us, and that was

it.  I managed to keep them both in sight after the fire station, but after the turn around they were gone.  I saw Kyia in the Plumb Creek single track a couple of times, and we yelled at each other, but I never saw Anderson again.  Hmmm.  Where did he go?  My time was one hour on minute.  I think they were several minutes faster.  

Spring Cup

Shelia and I drove down to do the Spring Cup at Harmon Park.  We were in the Sport Class.

Shelia cruised on her single speed, which she claimed was the first time this year, and had

a great race, finishing, I believe, second in her class.  I started with a huge group of men

over 40.  We more or less came to a stop at the second turn, and then at the beginning of the single track I had to wait in line for a minute or so to take my turn.  I guess I have to start at the front and sprint, but even then, I doubt I could get away.  I was in a train of riders pretty much

the whole time.  On the second lap I began cheating by taking turns on the grass instead of the

dirt single track, and by doing this I managed to pass some riders.  Some of the guys were

not good at turns, overbraking, skidding, wobbling, etc.  The single speeders were good riders.

In fact, I think the fastest time was posted by a SSer.  I went over the rock on the first lap, but

after that I went around, having proved to myself that I could do it.  Bob Meuller was behind

me for awhile, complaining as usual, and after he hit my back tire, I surged.  Later he said

he lost his chain, took a fall, etc.   The weather was great--warm and not too windy.  

TRAIL WORK PLUM CREEK

MARTY ROAD RACE

Kris Birthday Party

Trail Report

The north loop is in great shape.  I've ridden it three times.  Plum Creek or the Compost

Loop is ok, but there are all these white plastic bags that will last for a thousand years.

The place is a Dump.  In fact, I'm renaming it the Trash Site.  I know, the Trash Trail, OK?

Also, Melrose is pretty good except I had to reroute around a muddy section.  Speaking of

re-routes, on the North Loop I put in a little bypass around the big tree that is down before the steep little hill near the Joint. God Bless. 

Blanchard's Dam

Ben, Kris, Kyia and I rode to Blanchard's Dam yesterday.  Ben and Kris did most of the pulling

against the wind until the turn to Royalton.  Then Kyia took over for awhile.  I gulped down all the remaining Honey Stinger blocs in Royalton (thanks Kyia).  Then we turned right and continued out to the paved trail that goes over Blanchard's Dam.  We actually worked together

rotating for a few miles.  By the way, the last time I rode over the Dam  was

years ago with Pat and Al.  After the Dam we turned left and went down a gravel road for

a couple of miles.  Kris thought it was a great idea.  I didn't think so.  I wanted to ride on pavement. We rode conservatively for a while until Ben attacked outside of St. Steven.  Then after the turn on to Pinecone outside of Sartell, Kyia put in a huge counter-attack and dropped us!

Well, when I got to my house my cateye said 71 miles!  That was a big ride for me.

Toast

After three straight days of road riding, I'm toast.  Today Kyia pulled for an hour against the

wind.  Eventually we teamed up with Mr. Anderson, and he smoked down Hurley Hill, hitting

32 or 33 mph.  I managed to bridge up again, and then we stayed together.  I did only one

pull with a tailwind.  Thanks for the gummy bear block or whatever it was.  

The day before, Pat did most of the pulling including 10 miles on East River Road, averaging

over 25 mph.  The day before that. . .

Grillin and Chillin

After road riding to Briggs Lake, the Double K, Shelia, and moi stopped by Matt's house.

He was grilling burgers and kabobs on two grills.  The couch was on the lawn , the sun

was beating down (Sheila striped down to get Vitamin D from the sun), Bass beers were

drunk, and after a bit some very excellent burgers topped with exotic cheese were served

up by Matt.  What a wonderful and unexpected treat!  Thanks to Brian for providing the

Bass Ale, and thanks again to Matt for having extra food for extras (me) showing up.

Party On.

Trail Report

Rode on the trails today:  l) Upper East River Trail (good).  2) Railroad Track to Paintball Area

(good).  3)  Jim's Trail is clear of snow and good.  (Jim denies that he created this trail and

suggests that it be renamed the Evel Trail after it's creator).  4)  Al's Trail (good).  

5) Patrick's Trail (good).  Patrick claims he did not make this trail (although others say he

did) and suggests a new name.  How about the Four Wheeler's Trail, since they widened

it?  6) Plum Creek Trail is ridable until the Bluff Area which still  has some snow and

ice.  Your Correspondent did encounter other riders (one wearing shorts!) who claimed to have

done the whole trail.  Cuts and bleeding on the legs of Mr. Shorts provided supporting

evidence.  It has been suggested that this trail be renamed the Compost Trail or the

Dump Trail since that is what it is.  Hardly anybody rides there because it smells

really bad.  It smells like compost which is basically S--t.   Yours faithfully, etc., C.

Group Ride

Yepper.  Putt-putted around the Town Loop with the Double K, Kris and Kyia, after a HUGE

latte from Erin!  She makes the best latte in town  (product placement coming up) at the Veranda

on 5th.  Also, I want the Ergon grips with the cute little bar ends.  Cold weather tip:  wear two

booties!  Or three!  If ya got em, wear em.

Town Riding

Rode in town today--paved bike paths, new-house developments (mostly vacant it seems),

country club, etc. etc.  Borrring!  

Road Riding

yep, rode on the road yesterday with Pat and Al.  I think it was about 40 miles, going hard

coming back.  Al had cold feet.  I used chemical toe warmers, stormtrooper socks, thick booties,

and had warm feet.  Still it was pretty darn cold going out against the North Wind, that broods

ill.  Tomorrow it is supposed to snow again.  Enough snow already.

TRAIL RIDING

Yes, I hit the trails today on the Klein with front and rear fenders.  The River Trail, Jim's Trail, Al's Trail, and Patrick's Trail (south of the Fire Station), well, you know these trails, are all ridable.  There were a few patches of ice/snow which I rolled over no problemo.  Also I descended the Pump House Hill onto the last bit of the Plumb Creek Trail which went OK, although it is sort of nasty where the Compost Workers have trashed the trail.  The ground is sort of semi frozen with the result that it is not really very muddy.  So I guess the trail riding season has begun.

Ride On. 

Back in St. Cloud

Yes, we came back from Idaho.  We skied every day, beginning with Teton Village aka Jackson

Hole Ski Area.  They have a brand new tram which is pretty cool taking you up to the top of 

Rendevous Peak (I think).  Greg (nephew) was with us.  He is a snowboarder likes to go fast

and get air (Air Bear).  Elena proved once again why she was a top ranked national alpine

racer, while I just made big easy turns.  Next up was Grand Targee where we stuck to the groomers.  Elena was almost killed by a snowboarder (Sorry Dude!).  Then we did some

backcountry on Teton Pass including State Line Bowl (steep, good powder, long slog to the

car), Christmas Tree Bowl (skier right of Eldleweiss) which was quite good all things considered.

I got some good turns in fresh pow in the steep trees.  Also went down Thanksgiving Bowl;

it was good in the gully but above and below it was breakable crust requiring survival turns--jump, stem, snowplow whatever.  We did a little "track" skiing (that is, cross country) at

Teton Ridge Ranch, the private resort owned by Paul Allen, you know, the guy who started

Microsoft with Bill Gates.  

The bad news is it took us a week to get back.  First the fuel pump failed, then the highway in

North Dakota was closed for two days.  Today we did the North Loop four times and it was

great!  Thanks to Matt for grooming.  It looks like this is the end of skiing however.

Riverside

Yeah, we skated back and forth on the new grooming at Riverside.  Pretty nice

but limited.  Tomorrow we are off to Idaho for some real skiing.  My favorite

for cross country is Teton Ridge Ranch, the private ranch owned by Paul Allen

(or maybe it is his sister); Allen started Microsoft with Bill Gates and he owns

our local (bankrupt) telecom company--Charter Communications.  Anyway TRR is  professionally groomed every day and is wonderful and it is only locals who

know where it is and have permission to ski there.  You upscale people  can stay at the lodge for

about $700 a night (and that includes dinner!).  The other good xc skiing is

at Trail Creek at the base of Teton Pass, which is for members only and their

guests.  Hardly anybody ever skis at either of these places; I happen to know about

them because my brother has a house in Victor.  Also, I want to check

out the new gondola at Teton Village.  

Skiing

We skated on the North Loop today.  It was pretty good, thanks to grooming by Matt Stone.  I did

a couple of loops with Professor of Physics John Harlander  who explained the difference between dark matter and dark energy.  The former brings galaxies together by gravitational force, while the latter makes them go apart.  Apparently the dark energy is stronger with the result that the universe is expanding and will continue to  do so forever resulting in the so-called "heat death" of the universe, that is, it will be cold and dark.  Of course by that time the human species will be long gone, extinct as dodos.  In fact, the earth will be destroyed when the sun turns into a red giant.

Ice Skating on the River

Pat, Al and Me on the River.  A rare event.

Graystone Trails Best Ever

Yesss!  Beautiful corduroy on the Hilltop Loop.  The big hill was perfect.  We still haven't figured out how to get over to the Graveyard Hill going through the Shooting Range.  We just crossed

over to the other hill, if you know what I mean.  Skied one Orchard Loop with Rogo; he did it

five times to get ready for the Mora race, which he is striding.  I commented that he had only done 25 k and to do four more loops.  W

When we finished it was 45 degrees!

Now it will turn into ice.  Is there a plan for ice?  Just wondering.   

Bike Club

It was nice to see a good turnout for the bike club meeting when it's below zero and everybody is thinking about skiing or going to Florida.  I wonder how many people are still biking in the cold

weather.  I use Nokian studded tires (good for ice!), flat pedals (so I can use hiking boots with chemical warmers), downhill googles, facemask, downhill ski outfit, maybe more chemical warmers in the boots, and so on.  My record so far is biking in minus 30 windchill.  I actually

overdressed with a down jacket.  

No Skiing

Haven't skied for three days.  Too darn cold!  Maybe today

or Saturday.  I'm hoping the Hilltop will be groomed.  This

morning the TV said it was minus 33F in the Cloud, and 

that was the temperature not the windchill.

Minus 40 Windchill

Excellent skiing

Yup, skated with Anderson, Kyia, Shelia, Brian, Becka, Elena, Daren, and others today.  New snow was fun although a little slow.  I managed 1.5 hours before bonking.  The trails are the best they have been for some time, like maybe five years.

Graystone Trails

I skated on the Graystone trails today.  First the Dog Loop with Matt Stone and his dog WHO?

Matt was kicking and needed different kick wax.  I gave him some Rode Multigrade violet, which

worked well for him.  It was about 10F, which is perfect for the Rode violet.  I never understood

why the tin says it is for 28F to 32F.  Rode Violet almost never works at those temps!  Am I missing something?  Then I skated the Orchard Loop twice; it was in excellent condition except for the blown over bit.  Helx Cold was faster than FC1.  Actually, I think the Swix FC1 is almost

worthless.  Anybody want to buy mine (now that you know it is worthless).  Also, you could get

a screaming deal on my Kestral road frame.  Speaking of deals, my AstroVan is now worth $900 according to the Chevrolet dealer.  I would buy a new one, but GM doesn't make vans anymore!

They have lots of SUVs for 40k.  No thank you.  

Skiing

Michael Lars and Dad Striding the North Loop