Mt. Rushmore at Night

Last night I finished the day with a visit to Mt. Rushmore. Wanted to try more night shots. After all, I finally thought I had figured out the Rebel after 5 years!).

Used the new camera. Shot some really good shots. The one here is an example. A couple from California was watching me. and asked if I could tell them how they can take photos like the one I did. Explained to them about the settings and using a tri-pod and shutter release. Then mounted their camera on my tri-pod and let them take some photo. Think I made their day. And, I felt good about helping them taking a great shot that they wanted.

BHFTF Last Day

I did not like the new schedule for the festival. With the Mickelson Trail on Saturday and Sunday - that (and maybe a ride on Friday - perhaps a Monday) is all you can do. The Vendor and Demo area is only open Saturday/Sunday. Never had time to visit with the vendors. When we got back from the Mickelson on Sunday, the festival HQ was closed (torn down).

The full schedule showed 6 guided tours on Monday morning. I came to the Park hoping to ride St. Martin's. That was one that my guide Friday afternoon said he thought it would be a good one for me. Instead, only Victoria Lake, Bone Collector, and Storm Mountain rides when out. If it was because not interest (sign-up) as of Sunday close, we (Mickelson Riders) could not have signed up and/or asked for one of the rides because the festival was closed.

Anyway, I tried the Victoria Lake Ride (some on my friends were going in the ride. I should should have know that it was not for me -- my friends are expert riders). The climb up from the parking lot (walking my bike up for .4 miles on a muddy logging road) was enough for me. That adding problems with the breast strap on my hydration pack.

Ended up just taking a ride on the Rapid Creak Trail see if I meet up wth Rich (Omaha) to visit and see what plans were for this evening.

Not a good day today. And I am tired from the 2 days on the Mickelson. If some of us don't meet for dinner, I may pack up this evening and head out for home very early in the morning.

URGH - late note -- I forgot to turn the cell back on after the film festival last night. Missed 3 calls to ride this afternoon on the Mickelson. Trying to contact about dinner this evening. They must stil be n the trail.

Sounds like time to be head home.

BHFTF Day 3

Today was Day 2 of the Mickelson Trail Ride. Today's ride started from Rabbit Cycles in Hill City. At Mountain View trail head, I got on the trail - riding to Custer, took a break, and rode the last 2 sections to Edgemont (end of the trail).



This photo was taken in Sheep Canyon. Was another beautiful section of the trail.

The weather started up foggy and misting. At Custer, the mist stopped. After Pringle, the fog lifted. At Sheep Canyoh Trail Stop, I had to shed a layer. As we neared Edgemont, the sun came out.



This photos is of the 4 riders today. Jane, Doug, Ed, and me. Doug and Ed ended up riding the while trail over the 2 days. (109 miles!) I rode 39 miles today, a personal best (longest ride). Basically 64 miles over the last 2 days.

The day ended up at the Elks Theater for the Film Festival. I did not win any swag. :( And, the did not get the Beer-Muda Triange T-Shirts.

Hoping to ride tomorrow morning.

BHFTF Day 2

Yesterday it was an early call to get up and ready for the first day of the Mickelson Trail ride. Breakfast for the riders and volunteers at 6am. A shower came though as we were eating (just hoping that was not foreboding the what the weather will have in store for us). A little after 7 we rolled out for Deadwood. About 8 we were in Deadwood, unloading the bikes.

I decided to try riding the first section - climbing up from Deadwood. While the grade is not that bad (about 4%), the thinner air took its toll on me. Made it 6 miles up the hill. Had to walk the last few hundred feet to the trail head. Lactate was builting up in my muscles. Rode in the van for 2 section. Then rode 2 downhill sections from Dumont to Mystic. All totalled 24.77 miles for the day. I was pleased with my effort.

The photo here is me coming out of Tunnel C. Some very beautiful scenery down the canyon from Rochford to Mystic. Mickelson Trail Day 2 today.

Oh, yesterday I hit 1100 miles for the year.

Black Hill Fat Tire Festival

Ladder on the trail at Badlands


Mt. Rushmore from Iron Mountain Highway



Rocky trail - Buzzards Roost

It has been a busy week. Wednesday I headed out from home for South Dakota and the Black Hills Fat Tire Festival. Stopped in the Badlands on the way. Lots of photos in the Badlands. Spent the night in Wall (home of Wall Drug).

Thursday, more photos. Was up for sunrise but overcast day. Not an impressive sunrise. Took lots of photos in flat light. Hikes some of the Castle Trail.

Off to Mt. Rushmore (scenic route). Hiked the trail there. Lots of more photos.

Yesterday the festival got underway. Rode my bike to registration. First ride was in the afternoon. Rode Buzzards Roost. VERY rocky ride. Had to stop to rest, walk some of the trail. Did just 3.3 miles.

Ended the day with the Welcome social at the Chop House (rode my bike from the motel to the social). Mickelson Trail today.

A Week of Riding

Last week I did a lot of riding. Starting Monday the 11th through yesterday, I logged 138 miles. Rode 7 of the last 8 days. Yesterday rode 0ver 20 miles on the trails of Lake Manawa (3+ laps). That was my best effort.

Last month, I set a goal of 1000 miles before Black Hills Fat Tire Festival. I achieved that goal, with miles to spare (1070 miles).

Finishing packing today. Heading off toward Rapid City tomorrow. Going to take an extra day on the road to play tourist and take photos.

It was 2 years ago that I started this blog at BHFTF. Watch for my postings from the festival (time permitting).

Platte River Battle Royale

My photos of Platte River Battle Royale are published. My apologies for the out-of-focus shots in the woods.

Bike to Work - Spoke & Hub

This Friday (5/15/09) is Bike to Work Day in Council Bluffs. Registration is at Tazze di Caffe (on Valley View)7:45-8:00 am. We will ride with Mayer Tom Hanafan to Bayliss Park. There will be a reading of the Mayor's Proclamation and press conference, following with a bike ride back to Valley View Village.

Saturday (5/16/09) is the Bellevue Bicycle Club's 5th Annual Spoke and Hub ride. This year's ride benefits the Wabash Trace Nature Trail. Breakfast and packet pick-up at Hayworth Park 6:30 - 8:30 am. See the flier.

Photo Shoot

Last night was a short night for me. Four of us did the Xtreme Wheels Full Moon Ride. The sunset was beautiful last night - it looked like the sun (fire ball) was setting right over downtown Omaha. Got home about 11:30.

Today was a day to shoot photos. Early breakfast with the ham radio group. Off to Platte River State Park for Battle Royale mountain bike race. I am still processing the photos - watch for the link here.

This evening I decided to head into town to snap some photos of the sunset. I was not disappointed.

Two Weeks until BHFTF

Its just 2 weeks until the Black Hills Fat Tire Festival!

If you have not registered, head over to www.bhfattirefestival.com. A fun, activity packed, long weekend is planned. I have attended the 2 previous festivals. You will not be disappointed. Rides, races, food, films, camaraderie, for all. I will be doing the 2 day Mickelson Ride.

Hope to see you there!

Oh, by the way, yesterday I hit the 900 mile mark for the year. Ride on...

I fought a sapling

And the sapling won!

Three laps (ex No 2nd Chance). Crashed in Woodchopper into my second lap. I got too close to a sapling. That was about 7 miles into my ride. When I stopped at the car, I washed the arm a little with water from my hydration pack. Then back on the trail – pushed it the rest of that lap. Took it easy (cool down) on the 3rd lap. That was the first time I did 3 laps at Manawa.

Took the old, trusty Trek 4300 for the ride today. The Trek Fuel EX7 is in the shop for shifting problems (again). Dropped off the 4300 at the shop - getting a squeak in the handlebar. Looks like the weather will not good for riding tomorrow. A good time to take a day off (though I still have the Trek 7200FX (hybrid) if I REALLY have to ride tomorrow.

Swanson - River City Shoot-out

Today was a great day for a bike race! Awesome weather.

This was the first race of the season (Race #1 of the series was postponed into June.) Some 155 riders took to the trail at Swanson Park. There was some confusion with the new categories but the organizers and USA Cycling officials worked everything out.

Special Thanks to Edge Physical Therapy for supplying the grub. It seemed that the hungry racers appreciated the food. I know that this photographer did!

I ended up shooting over 450 photos at the race. You can see my photos at http://win-photo.photoreflect.com. There are 4 groups of photos. The first group is general shots. Group 2 of 4 is the start of the Marathon, Category 3, and Juniors. Group 3 of 4 is the always popular Kid's Race. Group 4 of 4 is the Category 1, Category 2, and rest of the Marathon.