Tough Making it Back to the Car.

Whew - glad I made it back to the car.  Think I bit off a little too much yesterday with my bike ride.  But, with the weather, I had to get out and was not paying attention.

Low 70s, sunny, and a breeze from the North at 1 pm - end of July!  Drove down to Silver City.  Was not sure how far South I would ride.  After all, I was only at about 200 miles for the year.

The first goal was to make it to the Silver Creek Bridge.  Made that without any problem.  Stopped for water and a couple photos.  One to 305th St.  When I got that far, I figured I had the energy to do the distance to Malvern and have enough left to ride back.

Was glad to make it to Jahnke Road and the pavement.  Nice, easy rolling on into Malvern.  Stopped at the depot to drink my bottle of G2 and eat a granola bar.  Snapped this photo while resting.

As I turned around to head North to my car, I realized how windy it was out in the open.  At that point, I figured I might have some problems at a couple sections of the trail.  Stopped a couple times to rest and stretch my legs.  My arms were bothering my, too.  Think my saddle had tilded down a little during my last ride - putting more stress on my arms. 

Made the normal rest stop at the Silver Creek Bridge.  Had a swig of water, popped a Shot Blok in my mouth and headed back up the trail.  I knew I could have problems with the little climb up the hill from Gaston Rd and North. Took a breather and climbed back on the bike.  Was slow going (5.5 mph) up that little grade. 

The worst places were about 100 ft before the trail breaks out into the open.  The trees created a wind tunnel effect.  Took it easy and eventually made it back to the car.  Drank most of the water I had in the car and popped another Shot Blok in my mouth.

Was exhausted when I got back.  Drank lost of water (even though it was not very warm) and a quart of PowerAde.  Spent most of the evening in bed stretching the sore legs.  Don't think I will be riding this afternoon.  OH - my log went over 200 miles for the year during the ride.  The ride was about the slowest ride for the year - at 7.1 mph.

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). 

Driveway Re-worked

The driveway has been getting pretty bad - specially at the end where it meets the road.  Combination of packing from driving over it for years and the county adding more gravel on the road, there was a low spot there.

Of course, the spot filled with rain water.  It would be muddy.  A pain.  So, when a guy came by the house yesterday, looking to repair the driveway - I was all ears. 

We talked for a while and eventually he gave me a price ($450) for the end of the drive to the road.  Grading, layers of stone and "oil", and rolling.  He was offering to do the rest of the driveway, as long as he had enough material on the tank.  Keep saying - "we will do a good job for you".  But could not pin him down on a price.  I wo;ld him I needed prices, I was not going to give him a "blank check".

The crew started on re-working the drive.  I stopped them when they were cutting too much away from the grass.  Though there was gravel under the grass -- it was an old field road - and I did not want the area into a drive.

Anyway, they did what they could to restore the area.  Then went to work on the rest of the drive.  Graved the whole think from the concrete apron to the road.  Feathered the transition to the road.  Then started layers of "oil" and stone, rolling in the stone after every layer.

When that was done, the boss (previously I was dealing with the "salesman"), it was time to see what deal he was going to offer me to finish the job.  All the time, the "salesman" said they were hoping there was enough material to finish my drive.  I asked the boss, did they have enough to finish the drive and what would be the price.

He checked the tank - and said they had the material.   We haggled on the price for a while and eventually settle.  So, I have a re-worked drive.  Looks much better.

Dog Days

Got out for a couple bike rides in the last couple weeks.  Seems like I am busy, its too hot, or its too windy.  When it stuck my head out of the door this morning, it was looking to be a great morning for a ride.  Kitted up and loaded the hybrid on the car rack and headed for the Wabash Trace Trailhead.

The thermometer in the car registered 74 degrees - not too bad!  But when I arrived at the trailhead and unloaded the bike, I realized it was also very humid this morning.  Well, I am here, see how it goes.

Plan was to ride to and around Lake Manawa.  That was same route as my last ride (and had logged the fastest speed for the year).  That was a little cooler morning, knew I was not going to make that speed.

Took it easy on the way down to Lake Manawa.  Decided to ride the Nature Trail ti add a little distance to my ride.  Besides, I had not ridden that loop for some time.  Today's photo was taken on the Nature Trail.

Continued on the Indian Creek Bridge.  By the time there, it was getting a bit HOT.  Turned back towards the trailhead.  Did a short detour to the levee at the mountain bike trails.  Back to the main trail and on up to the Wabash.  By the time I got back to the car, I had enough. 

Its time to change to early morning ride - like sunrise.

First Ride of the Year on The Trace

You may wonder what has been happening since not many blog postings.  Over the last 2 months, I had a CT scan that showed a mass in my left lung.  Eight nights in the hospital for a biopsy - which showed the mass to be lung cancer.

My doctors let me make my trip to the mountain bike festivals - I needed the break.  On return, it was more tests (MRI, PET scan, Pulmonary Function) and doctor appointments.  We (doctors and I) decided to treat the mass with radiation.

A week of heavy, pin-pointed radiation treatment and all of the trips to the doctors took it toll on me.

The Spring was rainy.  When I felt like riding, it was a pavement ride.  Today, I decided it was time for this year's first ride on the Wabash Trace.  While it was a bit windy (from the North) the temperature was perfect (mid 70s) with filtered sunshine.  Parked the car in Silver City.

Mounted the GoPro camera on the handlebars of the mountain bike (my Trek 4300).  Since I knew I would be battling the wind on the way back, I rode non-stop from Silver City to 305th Street.  Ended up with a little over 40 minutes of video.

My original plan was hoping to make it as far as the Silver Creek Bridge.  When I crossed the bridge, I felt pretty good, so continued another mile to 305th.  This made the ride 5.5 miles one way.  Figured that was plenty for this ride, knowing I will be riding into the wind on the way back.

Shut down the GoPro at 305th and stopped several times on the way back, taking still photos.  This gave me time to rest at times on the way back.  By the time I got back to Silver City, I was exhausted.

Lots of folks riding their bikes on The Trace today.  Don't think I have ever seen so many along this section of the trail.  Had to be 20 or more that I met on the trail in my 11 miles ride.  Think everyone had the same idea - could not pass up a day like this without spending part of it on a bicycle.

Today's photo was taken about 1/2 mile North of 305th St.  The foliage along the trail is very lush, not surprisingly with all of the rain, humidity, and heat over the last couple weeks.

Tranquility Tire Tantrum

Saturday was (twice rescheduled) Tranquility Tire Tantrum mountain bike race.  The race is a part of the Psycowpath Mountain Bike Series and was held in Tranquility Park in Omaha, Nebraska. Was a beautiful day for a bike race, though the wind could have dialed down a bit.

The photo shows some of the participants checking out the all-important race results.

Photos taken during Tranquility Tire Tantrum are posted. Think I only missed 2 riders in the first race. Did not stay for the end of the second race as it was about all my body could handle.

As usual, these are proofs for viewing and ordering purposes. If you wish to order a file, I will reprocess the file from the camera raw and e-mail the file to you.

Photos are located at: http://win-photo.photoreflect.com/

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.