winter is just around the corner - enjoy it while you can, year round

Politics today - be it in Minnesota or the Federal Gov't

Danny MacAskill - Crazy Skills

Long Live Secret Spots

Congratulations to Duffin on his new job down across the street from my workplace in Bloomington :( By first glance it looks like a great work environment. I had a chance to share a refreshment with him while out riding on Saturday:

Bread & Pickle stop

Hit up Bread & Pickle on the way in to work this morning - I've been meaning to stop by and give the Organic Egg and Cheddar Sandwich a try, which I did, and it's pretty damn good. As I walked back from the pick-up window with my treat, two women sitting nearby professed how much they love the sandwich I ordered and how they have been coming back for more - they also stated their preference for the homemade scones. I sat watching the calm lake with the idle sailboats and frequent runner on the trail while eating the crunchy muffin crust and sipping on the Tree Hugger coffee drink, though while quite expensive at 5-bucks is nevertheless quite good.

I like what Kim is doing with this place and will surely be back for more.

Uptown Crit - 2011 Nature Valley Grand Prix

Rest of set here.

In the end the race was voided due to the crash going into the final lap - I can't say I agree with that approach by the officials, but at least we got to see some great racing on a fast course.

4130 - live from May 21

Thursday night and the Freeride date is revealed

All thems at the shop in the downtown say welcome to summer!

Speaking of that shop; there's a party there Saturday night that you might be interested in.

Also, Ted showed off his skills on his new pedal blender with an ice cream drink for all:

Freeride 2011 - it's taking place on Sunday, August 21. Starting point is Boom Island. Stay tuned for more. Save the date.

Dirt Burger 3, in the books

A brief recap of all things this past weekend.

We had riding:

Big wheelie action:

Full-on bucketball:

Stock car racing:

Braaap! Now on video:

Teeter-totter fire riding action:

And again, this time on video! (thanks to Showen from Lincoln for posting that)

And campfire stories until the early hours:

See the whole set here.

More from Showen, here.

Thanks to the Decorah crew and to all who attended this year's event.

GMME A DIABLOE SAMICH AND A DOCTA PEPPA

Childhood memories - watched this on VHS too many times to count:

Bicycle events this weekend, now in list form

MPLS area events:

MN fixed gear classic (@Velodrome), Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Go to this!

MS-150 (ride from Duluth to the cities), Saturday and Sunday.

Dirty Benjamin - registration has been closed for months, but you could be a spectator. Saturday.

Riverlake Greenway Grand Opening, Saturday 1-5pm.

Greaserag NE Kick-off Party, Saturday, meet at Sunrise Cycles at 6pm.

Global Gutz 2011, Saturday 7pm.

Open Streets MPLS, Sunday.

Outer limits:

Dirt Burger - Decorah, Iowa. Friday, Saturday, Sunday.

Cayuna MTB Trail opening weekend. Friday, Saturday, Sunday.

Get out there and do something!

Going Green

A colleague from Tokyo dropped off a green Kit Kat for me this morning, but with a shit-eating-grin on his face; I looked at the color and said "it's wasabi, right?" He was disappointed that his surprised was ruined.

Nearly every friend I have from Japan has tried to get me to eat a spoonful of wasabi while at a restaurant with the "it tastes like candy" line. Come on, I don't lead a completely sheltered life. I like wasabi, by the way.

This weekend

Lots and lots to do this weekend. If you're in town, do yourself a favor and go watch the MN Fixed Gear Classic up at the Velodrome - very impressive athletes and a lot of fun to be a spectator - I'm sorry that I'm missing it this year.

Here's a 2009 promo video of the FGC; that crash is gnarly:

I was signed up for the Dirty Benjamin, but the sharp pain in my knee is lingering from that wretched landing I made on the 3-story rooftop slide at the City Museum two weeks ago, so I'm going to the Dirt Burger 3 instead. Sure I plan on riding the trails, but there's no way I'm pulling out of the Bucketball World Championships bout, the stakes are simply too high to miss - check your local listings for live coverage, I'm pretty sure it'll be covered on ESPN 8 - el ocho.

[Update - Go here for the low-down and stuff.]

Thanks to Surly for the image.

a wheel no more

We're running laps in the alley the other weekend when Gene mounts the coaster-brake cruiser and the rear wheel buckles under him. Good times.