Root River Trail

Not in a big hurry this morning.  Waffle and coffee at the motel.  Weather was threatening light rain/drizzle.  Forecast was a clearing, to headed out for Lanesboro, MN and the Root River Trail.  the trail is on an old railroad right-of-way.

This  town, about 50 miles SW of La Crosse, was a hub of bicycle activities,  The trail is paved with asphalt, a welcome break from the crushed stone I had been riding in the area.  As you can see in today's photo, even the bridge decking is paved.

Rode a little over 2 1/2 miles.  Facing a hill I would need to descend (and climb back!) I turned back to town.  Also, I knew i had a little climb as the trail comes into town, my legs were almost toast from the rides on the trip.  I have been riding every-other day.  Had a burger and fries at the little diner in Lanesboro.

Back to La Crosse, rested and soon time for dinner.  It was my day for a bacon cheeseburger and craft beer.  Headed downtown to The Old Crow.  Had the local Pearl Street Brewery "Oktoberfest" beer.  Was a nice compliment to the burger.  Stuffed, did not any ice cream to top off the night.

A Little of Everything

Thursday night, I started getting cold in my room at the Quality Inn.  Tired to get some heat running. No Luck.  Found out that the hotel had turned off the HVAC system.  They could not come up with a heater to plug in the room.  Temperature was to get down in the low 40s, upper 30s the next nights. Registered my complaints, but it seemed to land on deaf ears.  After breakfast Friday, i moved to the next-door Motel 6.

Was a pain in having to move, but I did not have to load the bikes, i was able to ride them across.  Rained overnight and threatening rain off and on all day.  Not a day for a bike ride.  Grabbed my copy of Scenic Driving in New Mexico.  Drove to Pecos and up into the mountains there (Pecos River Canyon).  Nice scenery, but no much opportunity to photograph the landscape.  Was able to shoot some of the old, abandoned buildings. (upper photo).

Had tickets for the Handmade Bicycle and Craft Beer Show in the evening at the Farmer's Market.  Weather permitting, I wanted to attend.  Did not want to waste the $15 I paid the ticket for.  Weather was iffy, but decided to drive down to the Railyard.  Parking was a pain.  Eventually found a spot about 3-4 blocked from the show entrance.

Showed my ID, presented them my ticket, and received my hand stamp and wrist band. Wrist band was good for 1 free pint of beer.  Tabs were removed for each beer you had, up to the limit of 3 pints.  A bit disappointed - last year the entrance fee was $10 and included the frist pind AND a souvenir pint glass. 

Durango Bike Company has it usual selection a good looking mountain bikes (lower photo).  Visited with a local guy the does environmental studies and watching the regulators (for stuff they miss) and another that had lived in Minneapolis.. Last year, they had tables outside to sit at and visit in addition to the small tables to stand at while drinking your beer.  They had food vendors, but, again, no place to sit down to eat.  I had a second beer and visited with a guy in the area from Lubbock, TX.  He knows Copy Craft, the company that published my calendars. Had enough and headed back to the car.

Was rough walking back to the car. It was a bit chilly and spitting a little rain.  After standing for over an hour, my knee was giving my problems.  Was happy to get back to the car.  Headed back toward the hotel. 

Needed some supper.  Remembered Dr. Field Good was in the area.  They had a spot in the bar.  Had a burger and potatoes with large glasses of water.  Ready for bed once I got back to the room.

Bicycle Festivals

Its time to check out the bicycle festivals for the 2015 season.  Last June's storm put a cramp on my bike festival attendance.  The only festival I made was Outside Bike & Brew in Santa Fe.  Hoping to get to more this year.

This list is no way meant to be all-inclusive.  I am concentrating on those in the "Heartland" and those I have or may attend.  Dates of RAGRAI are only included for reference.  It would be to sacrilegious to omit the biggest in Iowa (my home state).

May 13-17, 2015 Outside Bike & Brew Santa Fe, NM

http://outsidesantafe.com/

May 29-31, 2015 Tour of Kansas City, Kansas City MO

Gran Fondo on Monday, May 25

http://www.tourofkc.com/

June 19-21, 2015 Black Hills Fat Tire Festival Rapid City, SD

http://www.bhfattirefestival.com/

June 25-28, 2015. Crested Butte Bike Week, Crested Butte, CO

http://cbbikeweek.com/

July 10-12, 2015 Bicycles, Blues, BBQ Festival Clear Lake, IA

http://bicyclebluesbbq.com/

July 19-25 RRAGBAI Sioux City to Davenport, IA

http://ragbrai.com/

July 25, 2015 Tour de Fat, Twin Cities, MN

http://www.newbelgium.com/Events/tour-de-fat/minneapolis.aspx

August 15-16, 2015 Kraus-Anderson Bike Festival, Duluth, MN

http://bikeduluthfestival.com/

August 22, 2015 Gran Fondo Cedar Valley Cedar Falls, IA

http://granfondocedarvalley.com/

September 4-7, 2015, La Crosse Area Bicycle Festival LaCrosse, WI

http://www.explorelacrosse.com/event/la-crosse-area-bicycle-festival/?instance_id=8890925

Kraus-Anderson Bike Duluth Festival

There's another bike festival on the calendar.  The Kraus-Anderson Bike Duluth Festival, is to be held Aug. 16-17 on the trails around Duluth, MN.  Plans are taking shape.  Watch the web site updates.  

http://bikeduluthfestival.com/

Sponsors of the festival are hoping that it will become an annual event.  Seed money has been provided by Kraus-Anderson Construction Co.  Partners in the festival are COGGS and WestmorelandFlint.  Half of the proceeds will go to COGGS to help them with their trail work.  The other half will go to another community charity, not yet named

So, here's the mountain bike / bicycle festivals as I have them:

Santa Fe, NM -- May 16-18, 2014 -- Outside Bike Brew, and Beyond
Crosby, MN -- June 13-14, 2014 -- Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Festival
Rapid City, SD -- June 20-22, 2014 -- Black Hills Fat Tire Festival
Crested Butte, CO -- June 25-29, 2014 -- Crested Butte Bike Week
Duluth, MN -- August 16-17, 2014 -- Kraus-Anderson Bike Duluth Festival

Outside Bike, Brew, and Beyond

I just saw information about a new bicycle festival.  I have been looking for a Spring festival.  Mark your calendars for May 16-18, 2014 in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

From NewMexico.org web site: "Outside Magazine and Cycle Santa Fe present the inaugural Bike and Brew Festival, a three day celebration of craft beer culture and exceptional road and mountain biking in beautiful Santa Fe."

The festival is being held in conjunction with the Santa Fe Century (29th Annual) and Gran Fondu.  What I can see from the web site, there is no cover charge for the festival.  But guessing that the brews and food are ala carte.  There IS a fee for the Century ride (100 mile, 50 mile, or 20 mile ride).

This is sure tempting.  Not sure that I could do Santa Fe mid May and Crosby, NM in June.  Santa Fe is much further to drive to, but the festival is over 3 days (the Cuyuna festival is 1 1/2 days).  I am familiar with the Cuyuna festival and trails.  Have never ridden trails in Santa Fe.  The Santa Fe festival is for road bikes, mountain bikes, and cruisers.  The 7000 ft elevation of Santa Fe might be too much for me.

Time to look at my finances.  I had already planned to skip the Black Hills festival because of the lodging cost (over $100 a night).  Santa Fe has rooms for under $60 a night.

For othes looking at mountin bikeing festivals -- Crested Butte Bike Week (Colorado) is June 25-29, 2014.

Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Festival

Today was the main day of the mountain bike festival. There were 5k and 10k runs early in the morning (before I got to the festival grounds).  The first function I attended was the Bicycle Parade (upper photo).  The parade route took the riders from the festival grounds, to and through downtown Crosby before riding back to the festival grounds,  Fewer riders in the parade than last year.

After the parade, it was time to prepare to shoot the crosscountry mountain bike race.  Riders rode their bikes from the festival grounds to the start/finish line at Pennington Lake.  This mass roll-out from the festival was to eleviate any parking problems at Pennington Lake.  Large group of racers.

After the group headed out of the festival grounds, I drove over to the parking area near Boot Camp (along highway 128).  Visited with a race trail guard as I waited for the racers.  I found a spot in the woods along the singletrack.  Caught most all of the riders as they came through.  Missed some when there were too many arriving at once and the camera couple not keep up processing the files.  Many of them I caught on the second lap.  Ended up with about 200 shots of the race. 

Back at the festival frounds, I was hungry.  Picked up a burger and Fat Tire at the vendors.  The first of the Twin Cities Fun Factory BMX stunt show was underway.  Smaller crowd watchng the show this year than last year.  Did not see the "money shot" I took last year "High Flying Bike".  They were having a second show later in the afternoon.

I took some time to head to the hotel to sort some of today's photo files.  Got some also posted up on the race & events web site.

Was pretty tired, but wanted to try to shoot the always popular kid's races.  The lower photos was the start of the kids race for the youngest riders.  After the kid's race, the moms and dads rode their kid's bike in a race.

I topped off the day with a sandwich and Fat Tire at Coach's Corner Sports Bar.  Now rest time, checking the weather, and probably packing the car for the trip home.

Switchback

Yesterday (Thursday) was travel day.  Was hoping it would clear off a bit, instead the day started spitting mist while packing the car.  Eventually got on the road.  Encountered "pea soup) fog just leaving Duluth.  I had to slow down to 40mph on I-35!

The fog was clear as I headed out on highway 210.  Was getting hungry when I reached Cromwell.  Had lunch at the Country Inn Restaurant.  What a lunch!  Ordered 1/3 pound burger, fries, cole slaw, 2 onion rings, and coffee for under $10! 

Checking at the Country Inn Deerwood.  Settled into the room and got stuff ready for a ride Friday.

Today, the morning was spent waiting for sun and higher temperature.  By noon, it was time to head over to the trails.  Talked with Dan (Owner @ Country Inn) about riding "Switchback".  This was a trail I had not ridden.  Parked the car at the Pennington Lake boat ramp.

Pretty good singletrack.  Just some climbing that was over my ability.  Did not how much I have gotten out of shape - be that from not active or health problems.  Was out of breath at times walking the bike up the trail.  From the upper photo, you can see where the trail gets its name.

Anyway, I had the GoPro camera on the bike and recorded the whole ride.  When I hit the end of Switchback, I rode the road to the Cuyuna Lake State Trail back to the car.

Back at the room, I downloaded the video.  Looks like I got the whole ride - even did not get the camera turned off while visiting at the parking lot.  Converted the video from MP4 to AVI.

The camera wanted to update the firmware.  That is done from the GoPro CineForm Studio.  The firnware update did not take.  Sent an e-mail from GoPro. While i was out for registration and pasta feed, I had instructions from GoPro.  Awesome customer support!  Downloaded the firmware and formatted the SD car.

Back at the Festival (Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Festival).  Bought raffle tickets (for a New Belgium Brewing cruiser) - drawing in September.  Food and beverages by Maucieri’s and New Belgium Brewing.  The band was playing.  Later there would be a night ride under lights (beyond me on unfamiliar trails).

No luck updating the firmware.  The camera seems to be stuck in a loop.  Sent another e-mail to GoPro support.  About time to call it a night.

Tourist Day in Duluth-Superior

It was a busy day playing 'tourist" today.  Slept in a little, had a bagel & coffee at the hotel.  Then consulted the maps to find my way via highway to Canal Park.

My first stop was the Lake Superior Maritime Museum.  The top photo here is the entry hall to the museum.  I was there early (9:45) as the museum did not open until 10am.  It was interesting to see so much information about the shipping on Lake Superior.  One exhibit I found very interesting was a relief of the Great Lakes and surrounding area.  It really shows the depth of the Great Lakes.  I knew Lake Superior was deep, but did not know Lake Michigan has a very deep section. 

The building that houses the museum is also the offices of the Corps ot Engineers.  Not a large museum.  Sure can't complain as there is no admission fee.  The museum is in Canal Park right next to the Aerial Lift Bridge. Parking was pretty reasonable - 2$ for the first 2 hours..

Next was the agenda was the Great Lakes Aquarium.  Admission to the aquarium was a bit steep.  First, there was $5 for parking.  Admission was $16.50 (at least there was a discount for seniors - $13.50 for those 62+).  The middle photo on today's posting is of the entrance of the aquarium.

The most interesting exhibit for me was the large model of the Great Lakes water system including locks, power plant, and even Niagara Falls.  I spent about a hour at the aquarium.

It was about lunch time, so thought I would find the Anchor Inn in Superior for lunch.  I had been told they have great, cheap hamburgers.  Alas - Tower Avenue is all torn up.  Gave up and headed to the next stop.

I knew that today was the Richard I Bong Veterans Historical Center 3rd annual Open House (I was there 2 years ago!)  Free burgers/dogs, chips, and soda.  So, I could at least get a little food before later dinner.

Did not see much new - but it was a nice break.  The museum has artifact from WWI, WWII, Korea, VietNam, and the "cold war".  Did not see anything about Iraq or Afghanistan.  The center piece of the museum collection is a P-38 plane.

By this time, my left knee was having a fit.  Time to go to the hotel and "get horizontal".  After a little nap, I processed the photos I took today.  Then it was time for some dinner.  After some debating, I decided to find a place for pizza and beer.

The Firelight Inn (don't remember why I ended up at that site) recommended Thirsty Pagan Brewing.  I knew I could find the brew-pub since I was past it earlier, trying to find the Anchor Inn.

I told my server (Christy) that I would like an Amber Ale, if they had one.  She served me a pint of North Coast Amber - brewed on premises by thier brewer - Allyson.  OK, does it sounds like I was getting to friendly with the brewery?  t was just so easy.  Manager Steve stopped by and answered any of my questions.

I like to sample the local beers while on the road.  Talking with Steve, he asked how Hayward biking was - I said it was mostly wet.  He also stays at the Country Inn in Deerwood, knew the owner, Dan.  I asked if he knew Hansi - the local IMBA Regional Director - he does.  Guess he's also a mountain biker! Gave Steve the URL for my cycling blog and general web site.

Was a very enjoyable dinner.  I can sure recommend Thirsty Pagan Brewing for beer and pizza and friendly staff.

Ride on the Duluth Lakewalk

Cool morning and the forecast was for scattered showers.  After coffee and pastries at the hotel, I found a place to get a haircut.  I had been getting pretty shaggy!

Weather.com was showing some showers heading through the area late morning.  So, I killed some time chatting online.  Soon, the clouds were getting thinner, so kitted up for low/mid 40 deg weather.

It was a little over a block from my hotel (Days Inn Duluth) to the Edgewater entrance of the Duluth Lakewalk.  Took the hybrid off the car rack and loaded up for the ride.  It was a 3 mile ride along Lake Superior to Canal Park.  Rode around Canal Park before riding back to the hotel.

Was a bit brisk ride back as I had a stiff headwind.  While I was a little chilly, I was not uncomfortable.  Guess I had just the right layer of clothes.  Felt great to be back on the bike.  Was not sure I was excited about riding in this weather, but sure glad I did.  Just over 7 mile ride.

OH, I had the GoPro on the bike.   Still have problems understanding when the camera is running and when its not. Did not get the footage I thought I was getting.

Was thinking of getting out last night - sampling the local night life.  But the exercise and fresh air made me too tired. Instead, I feasted on a chicken fried steak at Perkins (2 blocks from the hotel) and called it a night.

Mountain Bike Festivals - 2013

Been a frustrating week (10 days) since my biopsy.  MRI and PET scan last Friday.  Got some info from my oncologist's nurse.  Scans look good and I could make plans for my mountain bike festival trip.

This weekend, I will be attending Festival of the Trails in Hayward/Cable, Wisconsin.  This will be the 3rd time attending this festival.

The next weekend is the Cuyuna Lakes Montain Bike fest in Crosby, MN.   (Sorry, Cuyuna, but your web site does not have an image I can hijack for the blog).  I have been attending this function for 3 three years since the trail; system opened.

Since its about 500 miles from my home to Hayward and same for Crosby, does not make any sense to drive home for the 3-4 days between.  Instead, I will be riding my bikes and play tourist in the Duluth/Superior area.  Bringing the full suspension mountain bike and the hybrid.  Think I can do some tourist activities by bike in Duluth.

See you on the trails...

Paul Bunyan Country

Ya Betcha, that's olde Paul himself. Took this photo when I stopped for lunch after my ride. But, I am getting ahead of myself.

Plans were to ride the Paul Bunyan Trail this morning. When I stuck my head out of the hotel door, it was overcast and threatening rain. Weather.com was showing showers moving in the area, but looks good by 9/10 am. After light breakfast, I went back to bed for some more recovery. Before I knew it, the sun was shining.

The Paul Bunyan State Trail runs some 110 miles through the northcentral Minnesota woods from Brainard (Baxter) to Bemidji. Its a Rails-to-Trails on old railroad bed. The trail is paved the whole length.

Kitted up, prepared supplies, and loaded the road bike onto the car for the drive to the trail. Planned to park in Jenkins, ride South (into the wind) to Nisswa. There is no "trailhead" parking lot for the trail in Jenkins. At the convenience store, I was told most park along the road at the trail, or across the highway at the old "Dollar" store.

As it started heading South on the trail, it was 80+ degrees, humid, and partly cloudy. Wind was gusting, with some places no air moving. Stopped it several times to take photos of the trail. Rode on through Pequot Lakes.

My legs were telling me it was not a good idea to make Nisswa, even if I have the wind with my on the way back. At a little over 8 miles, I came across a bench with a view of Little Cullen Lake. Looked a great place to turn around and head for the car. Drank some of G2 and back on the bike.

Now, I thought I would have the wind with me on the way back, but it seamed at times I was back into the wind! Stopped at the old Depot in Perquot Lakes for a rest and finish my GC. Chatted with a couple others at the depot. I though the trail was very busy (at least Perquot Lakes and South. I was told that the traffic today was actually pretty light today.

North from Perquot Lakes to Jenkins, almost no one on the trail. Think met 2 folks total (counting both ways) on the 3 miles. Getting back to the car, I probably couple have made the extra miles making it to Nisswa. But, it was better to be safe. Did not want to bonk.

As I rode South from Jenkins, I noticed a crowd at A-Pine Restaurant at the South end of Jenkins. Looked it would be a good place to eat my late lunch. It was. After a sandwich (grilled ham & swiss) and wedge fries, treated myself to a slice of wild berry pie with ice cream.

Now that the photos are processed and blog entry is written, time to get horizontal and relax.

Arrived Deerwood, MN

Uneventful drive from home to Deerwood, MN. Weather was "changeable". Cloudy, sunny, sprinkling, humid, pleasant. Arrived at my hotel a little before 3pm. Took some time to unloaded the car.

Debated for a while - Do I just have dinner? -or- Do I take a bicycle ride THEN dinner. Eventually, I decided I really wanted to get out and ride. Visited a little with the hotel owner as getting ready to leave. Headed out for a road ride to Crosby. Hwy 6 from Deerwood to Crosby has an awesome wide shoulder - even wider than a bicycle lane. (Need to take a photo of the hwy while here.)

When I got to Crosby, I rode on to the Cuyuna Lakes State Trail. (today's photo - the road bike on the trail) Rode the trail to Hwy 6 at the Croft Mine. Could have ridden a little further, but knew I had to ride along the highway on the way back and there was a rough hill as I enter Deerwood.

Felt energized when I got back to the hotel. Showered and walked over to Coach's for food. Special was a 1/4 lb burger. Pint of Fat Tire and a cheeseburger & chips cost me a whole $5.15!

Now that this blog post has been written - time for bed. Was a productive day - 500 miles in the car, 9 miles on the bicycle and $5.15 dinner.

Riding in the red dirt at Cuyuna Country Ride Center tomorrow.

Quite possibly, the Greatest Show on Earth.

Saturday is Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Festival. The festival headquarters will be in the park in Crosby, MN. Crosby is an easy 2 hour drive North of the Twin Cities.

Why Cuyuna? Cuyuna Country Ride Center. Over 25 miles of sweet singletrack in the Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area. Ride amongst and over the overburden from the iron ore mining. Add in the northern hospitality and its a great time. I was there last year for the grand opening of the Ride Center. Came back for rides in the Fall colors.

Friday is the IMBA Great Lakes Summit at Cuyuna.

Weather is forecast to be awesome for bicycle riding.

Hope to see you there.

ps: Next on my schedule is MidWest Mountain Bike Festival. Scott County (Iowa) Park near the Quad Cities.

Mountain Bike Festival Conundrum

Spring 2011 was awesome, as for mountain bike festival in my area of the country. Black Hills Fat Tire Festival (Memorial Day Weekend) in Rapid City, SD. The next weekend (which included National Trails Day) it was Festival of the Trails in the Hayward, Wisconsin area. The second weekend of June it was the festival opening Cuyuna Country Ride Center (Crosby, MN) with promise of an annual festival.

Whew - a weekend off. Then off to Quad Cities 0f Illinois and Iowa for the MidWest Mountain Bike Festival. A great schedule (though I did not attend the BH Festival - first I missed since it started).

This year, the folks of CAMBA decided to move Festival of the Trails from the first weekend of June to Memorial Day weekend. That gives me a problem.

Last year, with Festival of the Trails and Cuyuna Country (Wisconsin & Minnesota) on consecutive weekend, I just stayed in the North Country. Played "tourist" on Ashland, WI and Duluth/Superior. After all, Hayward, WI and Crosby, MN are only 170 miles apart!

Instead, I will have do decide which of these two festivals to attend. I cannot spend 2 weeks between the festivals on the road. And to drive home between, both festivals are about 500 miles (one way) from my house.

I don't know how many folks will be in the quandary of attend Festival of the Trails or Black Hills Fat Tired Festival - now both Memorial Day Weekend. But, for us in the Omaha/Sioux City/Sioux Falls area - we will had to choose one or the other.

Thanks, CAMBA, for screwing up the Mountain Bike Festival calendar.

Black Hills Fat Tire Festival - Rapid City, SD - May 25-27
Festival of the Trails - Hayward area, WI - May 25-27
Cuyuna Country Mountain Bike Festival - Crosby, MN - June 9-11
MidWest Mountain Bike Festival - Scott County (Quad Cities) IA/IL - June 22-24

Easy Street

Today it was Easy Street - the trail named Easy Street. Its a green trail in the Mahnomen Unit of Cuyuna Country SRA. Easy Street is a "2-way" trail. I rode (walked) the trail from E to W.

The trailhead is near the Pennington Lake parking lot (0.1 mile North of the lot). For nearly 1/2 mile, the trail climbs the "mountain" of overburden. Riders are treated views of Huntington Lake from most of the length of the trail.

After cresting the trail climb, the trail was a nice, flowing trail with short ups and downs. The trail turns away from the lake and the singletrack ended at a gravel road. Its about 1/4 mile down the road to the Boot Camp parking lot.

After the 1.8 miles on the singletrack, I was not ready to re-ride Easy Street on the way back to the car. While i had thought about riding Boot Camp again, I had enough of singletrack for this ride.

The Cuyuna Lakes State Trail - a paved bike trail - runs on the South side of Huntingtom Lake. A relaxing ride back to the car on the paved trail. Round trip - 4 miles.

The photo above is the view from East Street. More photos are on my fb page. Eventually, photos will be posted on my web site.

Crow Wing State Park

After my morning ride yesterday, I was a bit hungry. A change of clothes and headed to Coach's for a late lunch. Took the opportunity to process the photos from the bike ride. Now, what to do the rest of the day?

Decided to drive over to Crow Wing State Park. Crow Wing was a fur trading post at the junction of Crow Wing River and Mississippi River. The park is a couple miles South of Brainard on Hwy 371.

Today's photo was taken at the lookout point at the boat ramp. This is the Mississippi River looking upstream.

Drove over the another recommended section of the park. Walked part of the interpretive trail. Took the opportunity to use me new super wide angle lens.

By the time I got to my motel - County Inn Deerwood - I was ready to call it a day. A quick plug - if you come to Cuyuna Country Ride Center, I recommend the Country Inn Deerwood. The owner is one uf us mountain bikers!

More dirt riding at Cuyuna today.

Singletrack! Cuyuna Style

This morning I was a little apprehensive about heading out to ride singletrack. My last ride in the dirt was the end of June! And, I had some nasty crashes the frist weekend of June. When last at Cuyuna, I did not feel comfortable riding contour trails.

Dan, the owner of the motel, suggested that I try Man Cage trail. I aired up the tires, lowered the saddle, and headed on the trail in the Yawkey Unit. It took a little time before I found the rhythm of the trail. Rollers, short climbs, short descents. There were a couple sections that I walked - as my confidence grew, those sections shortened.

The top photo was taken on Man Cage.

Man Cage trail is a "Blue" More Difficult trail. The 0.9 mile trail whet my appetite for a little more singletrack. I had told the motel where I would be riding at Yawley or Boot Camp. Boot Camp is a Green trail. I had thought of riding that trail back in June, but was not sure of the drop-offs. My new found confidence, I was ready.

On over the other other end of the SRA. The lower photo is of my Fuel EX7 on Boot Camp.

Boot Camp does not have the rollers. But, it has rocky spots, some roots, and old buried cables across the trail. Almost all of that trail I was able to ride. Another trip, I think I would be able to ride the whole trail (about a 1 mile trail).

Boot Camp ends by dropping onto the paved Cuyuna Lakes State Trail. That's a nice cool-down from the singletrack.

Felt great to ride the dirt again. Now, which trail(s) do I want to ride tomorrow?

BTW, it was an awesome day, weather-wise. During my morning ride, I broke a sweat wearing bibs and a short-sleeve jersey. Thermometer in the car showed upper 70s.

Cuyuna Country

After a frustrating week, FINALLY yesterday I got the car registered. The county was going to send it back to the bank because an error in the lien fee - luckily i was there and paid the fee. Headed back home and packed the car for a trip to Minnesota.

Was a beautiful day today. Would have been nice to be on the trail, rather in the car. But, I made it up to Deerwood, MN. Checked into the motel, started unpacking, and headed to the recreation area to shoot some photos.

Was not ready to head out on the dirt trails with the 500 mile drive. After it warms up in the morning, planning to rides some dirt. One day I want to ride pavement (Cuyuna Country State Trail). if I have time, I an thinking of driving down to Brainard to ride a section of the Paul Bunyon Trail.
Miner Mountain. This is the country I will be riding.

Circumnavigated Portsmouth Mine Lake

Needed a good breakfast this morning. In our festival packets there was a slip of paper about a local youth center breakfast. Alas, there was no information of where the center is. At the motel, they said it was the Hallett Community Center - it wasn't. So, I parked on Main St. Crosby and ate at the North Country Cafe (where I ate last evening). And knew they had good food.

Day 2 of the Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Festival started with a demo/workshop with Hans Rey. The workshop was held in the "skills" area (also know as Timber Shaft Trail) of the Yawkey Unit.

This was not a demonstration of jumping tables, and such. It was just some awesome riding on extremely technical trails. Hans coached the other riders, how to ride the technical features. The trail they were riding was basically rocks and technical features. At times it was difficult to see where the trail was.

No way I could ride that trail. But Hans "No Way" Rey made it easy.

OK, not time for some riding of my own. After changing into my cycling kit, I headed to the Crosby park to figure out where I could ride. Trails in a large section of the recreation area where not available for open riding because of the cross country race.

It was suggested that I ride some some of the blue (yellow on the map) trails in the Yawkey Unit. Checked out the trails, but most of them were one-way. I did not want to commit to a loop and they had rollers that were a bit too much for me.. The trail back to town was 2-way, but had some steep drop-offs.

Next I drove over to "Boot Camp". The maps shows it is a "green" (easiest) trail. Looked at it, but again, drop-off was a little too much for me. Since yesterday I enjoyed Drag Line yesterday, decided to check it our from the other end.

The first third of the ride on Drag Line was good. Most of the trail I could ride. Would have felt better (and might have ridden that while section) if it was not my first riding the trail.

That quickly changed when I encountered the 1-way section of the trail. Steep climb (and then decent) with a drop-off. I knew that the other end of the trail had another section I could ride, so plugged on, with walking most of that third of the trail.

The last section of the trail was a piece of cake - I had riding it (two way) yesterday. Drag Line nearly follows the north shore of Portsmouth Mine Lake. The Cuyuna Lakes State Trail forms the South end of the lake. The paved trail was a treat after the singletrack. I think I have enough calender quality photos of Drag Line to hold me for several years.

After the ride, i stopped back at the park to pick up one of the bright green festival t-shirt and on to DQ for a Blizzard (I earned them).

Washed the orange dirt on the bike tires. Now time to start packing for the trip home.

Photos of the workshop with Hans Rey are on my photo web site. Copies of the photo file are available for purchase at http://win-photo.photoreflect.com.

Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Festival

Today was the opening day of the First Annual Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Festival. I was at the city park at 9am for registration. They were still setting up. For those of us first in line, it was disorganized confusion. Like the ribbon cutting yesterday, it was difficult to find someone that could answer questions. Drove back to my motel to change clothes and bring the bike for the parade.

I thought the bike parade would just be a ride in town. With Hans Rey in the lead, we rode out of town to the Pennington Lake Parking Lot and scattered into the trails. Talked a little with a Minnesota Off-Road Cyclists (MORC) member. He suggested (as I was thinking) to start with East Street (since it was in the area).

Started that trail and quickly saw that the trail is cut into the hill, with steep drop-off. I did not feel comfortable riding this trail. Took a couple photos and headed back to see where else I could ride. Maybe Boot Camp which does not have so drop-off.

On my way back to the car riding the paved trail, I noticed some "Blue" singletrack off the pavement. Checked out the trail (which was named "Drag Line"). While the tread was more narrow, it was mostly flat and no sharp drop-offs. Rode this trail for a while (and took some more photos).

Back to the pavement, was gonna check out the other end of Drag Line. But, I was a bit tired and not feeling comfortable riding the trail. Back to the city park. Organizers suggested taking the grand tour (for $5). The tour included a pontoon boar ride and a tour of the Croft Mine.

The shuttle bus took me back to the Pennington Lake boat ramp. There were a large group waiting for the small boats. When it was 3 boardings and I still was not aboard, I gave up on the boat ride. That and the loud guys on the shuttle bus, I was about to shuck the whole tour.

Next stop on the tour was the Croft Mine. Got away from the big group and was able to walk a bit and take photos. Ended up melding back into the group for the mine shaft tour and my ride back to the park. Seems that my timing was awful - had decided to do the tour when the antique car group in town also decided to do the tour.

My mood was just a bit soured enough that I just wanted some food and back to my motel. Missing the Hans Rey riding demo, some extreme mountain biking films, and fireworks. Also, I had signed up for the night ride, but when I found the trail the ride will use, I passed.

Tomorrow is another day. Better to get a good night sleep rather than overdo things.