Bike, Brew, and Beyond - Day 2

After breakfast, I kitted up for the City Cruise bike ride.  First problem was parking.  The starting place for the ride is the Railyard.  The same area for the Saturday Farmer's Market. 

Checked in with the concierge.  Told me they would be gathering at the water tower.  When it became time for the ride to start, no one was there.  Alas, the location changed a short block down the track.

Was a pretty good group.  The ride was scheduled for about 10 miles.  I told the group leader that i would likely need to bail, becuase that would be too far for me.  He suggestet I ride as far as I could.  But within 3/4 mile, I was at the end of the pack and needed to stop for air.   (This even with us slower riders caught by a stop light).  I decided to bail.  The rear group "leader" came to make sure I was OK.  Told him its the altitude and was heading back to the railyard.

I had some time left on the meter, so rode my bike around the railyard area, stopping to take a couple photos.  Ask a couple walking by if they would take my photo at the Santa Fe Depot with my bike.  They obliged me.  (See lower photo)

The next event i had planned to attend was the Bikes, Beers, & Brats at Bishops Lodge.  I needed to have something to eat beyond the waffle at breakfast.

Ouch!  $5 for a brat and $5 for a beer.  I learned this is a higher priced resort in the foothills just out of Santa Fe.  Google Maps shows as an "upscale retreat".  When I got back to the motel, i wanted to know "just upscale".  About $200 a night, upscale!  So wonder a bottle of beer and a brat was $10.

When i got there, a couple was playing bocci ball.  They and the grill-mistress where it.  Four more came later - 2 from IMBA and a festival volunteer and another.  They didn't even acknowledge me.  Eventually more of their group arrived and prepared to ride dirt.  I did get a tidbit of information overhearing the festival volunteer -- The estimate Friday night beer fest attendance was 2000. 

When I had arrived at Bishops and got out of the car, i was feeling a bit light headed.  Not feeling that chipped by this time, so headed back to my motel.

Feeling better back at the motel - must have been the additional altitude.  Was thinking of going to watch the dirt jumpers scheduled for 5pm.  Did not look like it would be asy to get to the jump park, without riding bike or walking.  So scrapped that idea.  Quick nap, and start packing up the room this evening.

Thinking of exploring the railyard and park Sunday, when there was not so much activity and free parking.

RAGBRAI Riders Have Left Council Bluffs & Lost Riders

The traveling party called RAGBRAI (Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa) left Council Bluffs today.  Next stop, Harlan.  Word was that traffic was blocked along the route from MAC Center through town.  This basically split the city in half.  About the only way to get across town was on South 9th.

I heard about this at coffee at Panera Bread.  Luckily, I did not have to get close to the route. 

After noon, I figured it was safe to drive into town to run errands.  At Quick, I saw two guys on bicycles, looking lost.  I asked if they were "OK".  The one said there were OK, then after a pause said "But I think we are lost".

I guess they were!  The had missed the turn toward Underwood about 1- miles back down the road.  Besides being lost, they did not have a map.  I moved the car to get it out of the roadway and grabbed a Iowa highway map.

Showed them where they were and how to get back on the route.  They asked if there was a route that is somewhat "flat".  I told them there is no "flat" road out here.  Showed him how to get them to Underwood and back on the RAGBRAI route.

Just about that time, another rider came South - he was on his way back to CB from Minden.  He suggested the same route, and conformed for them that there was not flat roads out here.

They were from out East (DC or such).  The one doing most of the talking said his wife had called and wondered where they were.  He told here "In Iowa - We did not go the wrong was to Missouri". 

I felt good - that I had done my good deed for the day.  The talker said what he liked about Iowa was that everyone was so helpful and friendly.  Left them to heard North on L52 toward Underwood.  I should have took their photo - but was already down the road toward town.

Made a good story when I stopped in at the bike shop (Xtreme Wheels). 

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.

Road Ride

Today I did my first real "road ride" of the year. Not sure how I would do, since I just had the fastest ride for the year yesterday. But, wanted to test the road bike on the road.

Sunny, upper 70, low 80s, good breeze from the SW during my ride. At times, it was slow going into the wind. Couple times was not sure if I could make even 5 miles. I kept pedaling, and focused on a goal of making it to Bunge.

At the far end of Bunge, I stopped for refreshments - 8.5 miles and 40 minutes. Not to bad 12.75 mph into the wind or at lease a cross wind. Wanted to make sure I did not bonk, so decided that was a time place to turn back.

Seemed to be flying back with the wind. Maxed out the gears and the computer showed max speed of 26.5 mph! Back to the bike shop it was the 8.5 miles in 34 minutes - 15 mph.

Was a good ride. Total ride was 17 miles in 1 hour 14 minutes - for 13.78 mph. Another "fastest" ride of the season.

Ozaukee Interurban Trail

This morning was a beautiful morning. Less humidity, breeze from the WNW, filtered sunshine. I actually had to wait to ride until the temperature came up above 70!

Prepared the road bike for a ride. It was 2.5 miles from where I am staying to the Interurban Trail. I got on the trail at Jay Road heading North. I mile north, the trail enters Sheboygan County. I knew the trail was open to Cedar Grove, and perhaps up to Oostburg. I was ready to find out.

I was a little concerned with the breeze. I wanted to ride North so I had the wind with me on the way back. The trail parallels a railroad track. The trees along the tracks sheltered the trail, so I was not fighting the wind.

In Cedar Grove, the trail takes to the streets for a short section, then back along the tracks. on to Oostburg. There, the trail ends at the South end of town at a plastics company. To make sure it did not continue North, I rode on through town following the "Bicycle Route" signs. Where the tracks exit town, along the tracks is a gravel access road with a cable over the road. Guess that was the end of the trail for today.

Stopped at a little park across from the bakery before heading back. It was time for some granola bars and G2. Uneventful ride back to Jay Road.

There a a couple decent hills (thankfully short). I was happy the bike (and my legs) performed well on the road. I feel I am reay to tackle Hy-way 275 and a ride south to Hy-way 34 when I get home.

21.3 miles in 1:38. 13 mph. I was pleased. Maybe tomorrow explore the Interurban Trail south from Jay road tomorrow morning before I head to Kenosha.

Battlefield Ride - Take 2

It was a foggy, damp morning this morning. I decided to ride the Chickamauga Battlefield tour route. Needed to ride this morning after the day I had yesterday.

I did not bring the battlefield map, so I only rode the tour loop, lest I get lost (since I have a date with the FATS Trail System near Augusta, GA). Felt good to be back on the road bike.

It was a busy morning on the battlefield roads. Many bike riders, runners, walkers, and folks walking their dogs. Even saw one guy blading with 2 large dogs. Looked like they were pulling him up the road!

The fog and heavy air made for a surreal sight. While i did not plan to snap any photos this morning, I could not pass up the lighting. I really like this photo.

After completing a lap (except for the spur to the Snodgrass House), I was feeling good, so headed on for a second lap. No pushing the limits (just a nice ride).

After 2 laps it was time to head to the motel. I ended up with 12.9 miles in 59 minutes. The speed maxed at 21.1 mph, with speeds on 18-19 at times on the flats. Average was just over 13 mph. That was the fastest ride on the road buke, the fastest ride for the year!

Most of the rest of the day today was just boring driving. After I got to Augusta, GA, I stopped by the South Carolina Information Area. Picked up more info and maps for trails and the Myrtle Beach area.

Checking into the motel and reviewed some of the into I had. Decided to drive up to FATS (Forks Area Trail System. I was originally planning to ride in the later afternoon but there were showers in the area.

Found the trailhead. the topology of the area was looking good for my riding style. Visited with a rides at the trailhead. His words were also encouraging. Picked up a map at the kiosk.

Looking forward to ride in the morning.

Riding in the Battlefield

It was getting "warm" and humid when I got to the Chickamauga Battlefield Vistor Center. The Visitor's Center opens at 8:30. I wanted to get a map. And, I was running late.

It was near 9:30 by the time I was ready to ride and starting to get a bit warm. They have a tour route, mostly on one-way paved park road. The tour clocks in at a little over 7 miles. Figured start out with riding that, then see how it goes.

The route is pretty flat, except for the spur up to Snodgrass Hill. I had to walk the bike - and in the heat it was starting to get to me. When I got back down to the main route, I was OK.

When I completed the tour route, I wanted a few more miles. Re-rode some of the route. Ended up with just over 11 miles in an hour (riding time). Stopped to take a few photos - even some the bike got in!

When I got back at the Visitor Center, i changed clothes (my jersey was pretty wet with sweat). Grabbed the Canon DSLR to get a couple more shots that I had seen on my ride.

I was surprised when I got in the car - the thermometer showed 79 degrees. Not that really hot -- but it was very humid. The 11 mph speed isn't to bad, considering I was stopping to take photos and had to walk that one hill.

Gonna keep this ride in mind for a early ride Sunday before I head to Augusta, GA.

Another Road Ride

Yesterday I took the hybrid out for a road ride from Xtreme Wheels to US 34. That was a 32 mile ride.

Non-stop ride on the way South. When I hit the 1 hour mark I had 15.4 miles! In sections of L31 on the flats, I was mostly riding at about 17 mph. Granted, what there wind was was from my back.

Now, I was not pushing it because I knew I would have to ride into the wind on the way back. Also, I needed to reserve some energy for the ride on US 275.

On the way back, I stopped at West Oak Forest (Photo) for a break. At the junction of L31 and Hwy 370, I grabbed a shot-blok for the ride on 257.

At 2 hours, I was at 29.85 miles. Just under 15 mph. As I got to Wabash Trace Trailhead Park, I slowed down for a cool down. Ended the ride pace as 14.62 mph. That was the fastest pace for me. And I think pretty good for 32 miles!

Road Ride

Felt good to take the weekend off the bike. But, by late Sunday I was already having withdrawals. The only way to take care of that was some long rides.

Monday I rode from Xtreme Wheels to the Bob Bridge. Made a leisurely ride on the hybrid.

Tuesday, I needed to ride something different. Headed south on my hardtail. After the Wabash Trace Trailhead Park, I rode down US 275 to County H-10. From there on to L-31. At about 15 miles, I was at Vinton Equipment - almost down to US 34. That was enough, knowing that I had to ride back on US 275, so headed back.

As I rode, I seemed to get stronger. My first 1/2 hour was under 13 mph. By the time I hit 2 hours, my pace was at 14 mph (over the whole ride).

Other than the traffic on US 275, it was a great ride. Getting some noise in the drive train - once per pedal revolution. May be bottom bracket. Left the bike at the shop.