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.