Reflection of a path without Ice

This is a continuation of the last post. Please tell me it's boring.

I was riding today on the pavement. Right on the pavement -or- maybe I should say on the area of the pavement that was not covered in snow. The area where the cars ride frequently. Bikes are slower than cars.

I was upset and tried not to freak out more than I needed to because some driver felt it was his duty to ride on his horn behind me because I was in the road where his fast car needed to go by really fast.

Yes. There are designated bike lanes in the summer, spring and fall for bicycles. But in the winter things are different. Bikers are pushed onto the road. The bike lanes are often covered or full. The roads are pinched narrow by fresh snow banks; where parked cars jutt out into the road and bikers ride slower than cars. Sometimes cars need to slow down (take a breath) and relax.

Hey Car People. Please look out for the few crazy winter bike riders and learn to share the road.

12 Bikers and a Passenger

I heard that the snow plow discriminates against bike lanes in the streets but not on the Greenway. Snow Emergency routes are for cars in the winter.
Under the bridges the wind swept snow lands. I set my bike down and look at a wall recently patched with white paint. A rider with pink shoes fly's on by.
A mother pulls her child in a Burly. She rides slows.
I always ask a biker who is broken down, "Are you alright?" I stop if there I sense hesitation.
I wait for a response.
"Do you need a chain tool ----mmmh. I'm not sure that I have one."

Frozen Goats

Missed Holi-dazzle parade last night but did see the Elfs at Macy's and a frozen metal goat. The goat appeared to be breathing and stuck in his feeding trough.

Snow is here to Stay

It is definitely the case in winter to plan bike trips based on streets that are semi-plowed. It makes for a much smoother ride.

Good things come from riding on the snow. Some routes that may have been faster without the 1-2 inch layer of packed snow and the brown crunchy slushy burnt snow. I find myself getting locked into a car ruts and staying there. I learned 2 important things this year from winter biking. I typically unclip one foot before some STOPS and clip my bike bag shut.

Early this year I slid into an intersection to make a quick stop. I had both feet clipped in, did the quick twist to unlock a foot, front wheel and foot slide off to one side and then up over my handle bars, bike bag opens-- YARD SALE. I slammed my hip and tweeked the wrist a bit. I just hated having to pick up all my sh&* off the road while some car waited patiently, thankful that they did not participate in my early death.

Pizza and Bluegrass

Riding in the rain can be fun especially when you run into people you know and you are totally soaked.

I have these things called rain jacket and boot covers that make the wetness bearable. Nothing like having cold, wet feet. Ask a Veteran. He might know.

We sat in this raincloud all night. My bike got wet. I sat inside dry, ate pizza with live music. My friends kept me great company

Hey thanks

Thanks for stepping on me. Thanks for blocking my way in traffic. Thanks for turning on a left with no arrow. Thanks for not yielding in a round-a-bout. Thanks for giving me the eye to go, but deep down, you decided you didn't want to and then went anyways.

We all have to be thankful for things.

I really just want to bike

bike it cause you like it

Good things come to those who wait but better may come to those who throw purses and bark at each other for pole position or bench seat on incoming trains. I saw one boy stick his boot in the door only to get it stuck in there. Two other boys had to grab him. The conductor spoke cursedly as the door released.

The beat of the train is so much committment. A car speeds by and is gone. A train hangs out and openly repeats it's drive to move rapidly, over and over again.

The boy was embarrased about his boot as someone in the train openly scolded him. "Never put your stuff in the door - man."

Rickshaw Action at the Renaissance Festival

This is a two man crew that power this Beast of a Rickshaw. We made a conscious decision this year to make a choice between the best of two great evils: The Minnesota State Faire or the Renaissance Festival. We chose the latter and what a great choice.

We enjoyed free beer sampling from Flat Earth Brewery in St. Paul. They have some bizarre names for beer, one named Cygnus X-1 Porter after a black hole. We went to numerous shows. We caught half of the Puke and Snot show until I started having childhood flashbacks of listening to my uncles dry one liners and the last pun got us running. We headed to the Washing Wenches which was by far the most entertaining show of them all. A very select few in the audience where humiliated and later humbled by a great crowd. After the show they accepted donations: $1 donations in the bucket and >$5 goes in the brazeer.

We had to wash this all down with a Turkey drumstick and a braut. I just could not believe that this village exists south of the Twin Cities. It is only occupied on the weekends and is like Robinson Crusoe Village time one-hundred. It was a great visit and if we had to make the choice again next year we may need to flip a coin. I got my share of the pickle vendors but saw no one selling deep fried snicker bars.

Cycologists

Laspe in Time

I don't want to admit that I have not been posting to my Bikingit because I have been biking.

I have been biking and surfing, sailing, snorkling, walking, tanning and otherwise enjoying the nice weather. So my excuse is that I have been doing 3 million other things and when I get back home, the last thing I am thinking about is typing away on a blog.

I shot some great footage of the tornado damage in my hood but I may save that for something else. This is the donkey kong gorilla that got put out as waste. Maybe this is a sign?

Blue bike

This is a rough sketch of the Elephant bike. I was on a road trip to Chicago and I drew this in the car. It's a pedicab with seats facing each other. Two riders pedal in front like a tandem. I am thinking that up to 6 people could fit. The Elephant would be constructed out of lightweight aluminum and recycled fabric. I think the trunk could be made out of 2 liter bottles tied together. The ears could be rubber from an old bike tubes strung together.

Got out riding this weekend and saw some live music. Saturday we worked on bikes in my back yard. What a great day to be out in the sun. It was still a cool 30-40 degrees which in my books is refreshing. Saturday night we thought we could ride but we were not the best prepared for the cold. We are really just practicing for the summer nights, rolling in T shirts and shorts.
We are slowing kicking this cold. It's Minnesota right! The cold just does not want to go.

PictureMail

PictureMail

Fun & Frozen - Boundary Waters

It was really just a phenomenal weekend out on these frozen lakes, pulling sleds and enjoying the crisp winter, We found camp easily enough. Dug out our camp site and the metal fire pits. While some enjoyed setting up camp, others tromped along the shore for wood.

*Winter camping is not for the feint of heart, or those who lack the inner heat and proper gear to brave it. Prepare for the worst and hope that you have it like this!!!

Iron works

logo for Iron Works Cafe -Goodman Community Center Madison WI

This has got to be the coolest place in Madison to eat. The building is an old warehouse that is completely refurbished. Inside are numerous spaces that can be rented. It looked like some reception was going on in the front room and also the Hot Dish hoedown was in full effect.

Iron Works Cafe serves two meals for dinner: Veggie or Meat dish. You get your choice of soda or coffee. Everything is one price. Kids run the joint. Not just normal kids. These kids have had more than challenging life's and this cafe is filling them with respectful work. Iron Works Cafe caters too! The food was fantastic. I have no idea what I was eating. It was a beef dish with yams and other tasty tidbits. I had coffee and shared a brownie with ice cream and caramel.

I am sure you can find out more about this space at www.goodmancenter.org.

pond at night