Friday, February 29, 2008

night winter riding

sometimes it's a good idea to ride down icy hills and over ice skating rinks. sometimes your back hurts for a few days afterwards. perhaps sometimes it's not such a good idea afterall...

rider down

Just over two weeks to the end of beard-off '08. Who's up for the slick-50 ride this year? Be prepared, you will likely see grown men whimper in pain - it's a grueling ride, I'd like to get that out in the open right from the get-go.

Monday, February 25, 2008

Sunday Ride

I had a terrific ride yesterday heading west and back on the LRT from south Mpls. The trail conditions are currently favorable - mostly hard packed snow with the occasional greasy pit of wet slushy gravel. There is a length between hwy 101 and Bluff Creek Drive that is loose snow with no grooming and little other tire traffic, which was a bitch to ride through - on this stretch I was even second guessing my choice of the stock Detonator 25mm slicks on the steamroller!

Sunday Ride

All told it was a 50+ mile (80 km) ride on this sunny day - here's to many more.


The low point to my day was arriving home and having to witness the aftermath of a run over box of donuts on the street outside my building. Is there nothing respected in this heathen society?

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

another ice beard photo

I have to be honest, I'm not a weather person. I don't check the weather forecast and I feel the people at work talking about the weather should find something more worthwhile with their time. When I do check the weather it's mostly by riding by and looking up at the bank sign to see the drybulb temperature or looking at NOAA when I arrive somewhere if I thought it was hotter or colder than normal. So this morning I ride by and the sign says -11F(-24C), which is verified by the NOAA history page based on my commute time this morning. Layer up and it really doesn't matter what the temperature is over a fairly wide range - you just zip up if it's feeling colder and zip down when it's feeling warmer - easy enough. Oh, and if you can, grow a beard.

morning commute
sorry to be so redundant but I'm having fun.

big dummy

the Big Dummy frames were in stock (18" only) for a few short hours before selling out til next shipment. Did you get one? I know a few people who did, one being B-Rose; check his blog for build updates - he's also selling the second frame he picked up - get it. I didn't put in an effort to score a frame, although it is my size - my priorities have changed for the time being.

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

ready for spring

It's -6F (-21C) drybulb with a -23F (-31C) windchill - that's why I was cold riding home at 3am.


Kudos to the Momentum crew - if it weren't for you I would have gotten a good nights sleep.

Monday, February 18, 2008

j.a.p.a.o.o.o.b.s.

Good friends, good riding, good times.
steering wheel bike

Shout out to the Kansas City crew who made it up for the weekend.
Zeke

Sunday, February 17, 2008

Saturday, February 16, 2008

tonight at 1/1

Last night was fun, but tonight is guaranteed mayhem. If you're in Mpls and want to see or take part in some Texas Twins alley racing, be at One on One cycle studio starting at 7pm - it's gonna be a hoot and hollar. There will be beer, did I fail to mention that?

While you're there, you can see some sick time trial rigs such as
HED display bike

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

messenger run

I for one have never been, nor have I ever wished to be a bicycle messenger - but there are some good stories out there for those who have lived (or do live) the messenger lifestyle.

My favorites are the two stay of execution orders needing delivered under last minute conditions. Jebus, you'd think a fax would suffice.

Monday, February 11, 2008

MS-150 - sponsorship requested

Once again I am riding a 150-mile (241 km) bicycle ride to raise money for multiple sclerosis. This ride cannot happen without pledges from people like you.

Last year I raised $1500 USD and rode a fixed gear bicycle over the 2-day event. I'll be riding a fixed gear bike again this year, I just haven't decided on which one to take. In 2007 I rode my now 20-year old yellow Trek 360, equipped with a front basket and saddle stereo - I think the stereo will have to make a comeback as it was a nice distraction to some of the more mundane scenery. [edit - riding my roadbike this year.]

None of this money goes to me or any of my teammates. This money is tax deductible - great for tax season! Anything helps - thanks in advance!

Feel free to spread the word.

2007 Team 1FS
2007 MS150 Team 1FS


Sunday, February 10, 2008

a good day to stay inside

It's currently -14F with a -36F windchill in Minneapolis. Perhaps I'll be taking my coffee at home this morning - perhaps you should too.

Friday, February 8, 2008

riding the bus

If you don't want to or can't ride a bike to work, at least consider taking the bus - hey, I do it from time to time - a few days this week in particular as I've been a bit under the weather.

There have been two articles in the past few days regarding riding the bus here in the Twin Cities. The first article about the rising number of suburban bus commuters, and the second about a record number of overall riders since 1982.

Notable quote from the first article:
And Miller confesses to a certain image, beforehand, of bus riders. "You sometimes think they're creepy people muttering things -- I don't mean that in a bad way...
No, of course you don't.

the po po are cracking down

no headlight tickets are more frequent these days in Minneapolis. get one, especially those of you who own a bike shop.

no headlight

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Stupor Bowl Champ

The winner of this years Stupor Bowl race, Susan, not only gets a sweet custom messenger bag from Seagull, but a complete Masi fixed ride, amongst a bunch of other goodies. Check out Susan's winning manifest.

Champs

Stupor Bowl XI - winner bags

Kudos to Susan Lee.

Monday, February 4, 2008

Sheldon Brown - RIP

The loss of Sheldon is a blow to the cycling community all over the world. I never met you, but I have lots of friends who have. You are missed, sir.

I found about Sheldon's death here - it's a classic photo we've all seen many times.

More here.

Sunday, February 3, 2008

SB11 - my route - 33.9 miles

Rode the LRT down Hiawatha Ave., about 30 blocks.

[edit] - that map got all jacked up - try this link here.
results of Stupor Bowl XI: (from MBL)

STUPOR BOWL XI RESULTS
(winning time, 4:31pm)

1. Susan Lee
2. Andy Lambert
3. Tim "Superrookie" Hayes (ex MPLS messenger)
4. Matt "Little Guy" Allen (top working MPLS Messenger)
5. Jeff Frane (Bike Jerk)
6. Spencer (ex MPLS messenger)
7. Matt Swanson
8. Jeff Perkins (Chicago Messenger, 1st out of town)
9. Joe Goemaat
10. Mat West
11. Carrie (St. Paul Messenger)
12.Andy Mortenson (MPLS Messenger)
13. Sam Hulin
14. Austin (NYC Messenger, 2nd out of town, Reigning CMWC Champ)
15. Ben Lagerquist
16. Sean O (ex MPLS messenger)
17. Trevor
18. Katie (ex Philadelphia Messenger)
19. Chops
20. Steph Sibet (MPLS Messenger)
21. Andrew Nordyke (3rd out of town, Chicago Messenger)
22. Mark E.
23. Marie Snyder
24. Alicia Dvorak
25. Jerry Jerome Jeremy Fuchs (MPLS messenger)

STUPOR CHAMPS: Zito & Kelly Mack (sic)

Track Stand: Noah

Congrats to Susan! First Female overall champion in Stupor Bowl history! it was about time that happened! Congrats to all the champs! Thanks for coming out-- we had close to 360 registered. Hope y'all had a blast.

Cheers!

Andy & Nick / Stupor Bowl XI
I scored 22nd place, which I'm stoked about. My goal was to finish, which I did in exactly 2.5 hours. Photo by deplager.

I have to say, I rode with my brother, who turned in his manifest directly after mine, and he's not listed...