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!