The past week has been crazy busy as expected. It is Christmas and that means a lot of running around. Now we are in between and waiting for New Years.
Weather is supposed to be pretty nice the next 2 days so I am going to ride to work and get my last 2 commutes of 2010 in. That will give me 82 commutes for the year and quite possibly if I ride Friday and Saturday 7000 miles for the year.
I doubt I will ever hit 7000 miles again riding in a year but it would be a nice round number to remember 2010 by. Maybe next year I will shoot for 8000 miles just like Crazy Dave shot for 100 Centuries and made it this past year!
I hope you have a great holiday season and a blessed 2011. One year closer to retirement ;)
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Monday, December 20, 2010
Wow - Where did December go?
Work has been super busy and I have been traveling a lot more than usual this time of the year so my posts have been non-existent. We have had some pretty good snow lately so on Friday after I got back from North Carolina I loaded up the bike and headed over to Sprague Brook for some cross country skiing.
I scored the new backpack from REI on my last trip to Boston and love how my skis and equipment get carried on my back and I don't have to drive. I must look quite odd riding a bike to ski but I enjoy it so as long as the roads permit it - I will continue this adventure!
When I got to Sprague Brook I hit up the winter shelter to get my equipment all set up and then I hit the trails. My skis need a waxing badly so it was not at all smooth but the weather was great and I got some ski time in so I was quite happy!
I even left my bike inside so it would clean up a little from all of the slush and road grit. I definitely need to score a fender set up for this because my bike and backpack got destroyed from road slime! The single speed cleans up super nice though so I don't worry about it too much.
My heat source after I finished skiing and cleaning up before the ride back home. I had this baby roaring by the time I came back in from all of the wood I added to her. Felt great to sit in front of the fire and eat my lunch and relax for a couple of minutes.
I hope you all have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Get out there and enjoy nature!!! You won't be disappointed!
 |
| My Ski Commuting Set Up |
I scored the new backpack from REI on my last trip to Boston and love how my skis and equipment get carried on my back and I don't have to drive. I must look quite odd riding a bike to ski but I enjoy it so as long as the roads permit it - I will continue this adventure!
When I got to Sprague Brook I hit up the winter shelter to get my equipment all set up and then I hit the trails. My skis need a waxing badly so it was not at all smooth but the weather was great and I got some ski time in so I was quite happy!
I even left my bike inside so it would clean up a little from all of the slush and road grit. I definitely need to score a fender set up for this because my bike and backpack got destroyed from road slime! The single speed cleans up super nice though so I don't worry about it too much.
My heat source after I finished skiing and cleaning up before the ride back home. I had this baby roaring by the time I came back in from all of the wood I added to her. Felt great to sit in front of the fire and eat my lunch and relax for a couple of minutes.
I hope you all have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Get out there and enjoy nature!!! You won't be disappointed!
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Sunday in the Park
I ran a couple of errands this afternoon and headed out on the Bianchi M.U.S.S. for some snow trail riding at the park. The snow was melting and there had been a lot of foot traffic but it did not matter because it was a beautiful day to play on the bike. I cannot wait for the Mukluk and more snow but the M.U.S.S. is a much harder workout I am sure!
Happy Trails and Have a great Holiday Season that started with Thanksgiving!
Friday, November 26, 2010
My First Snow Ride of the Year
We finally got some snow and I took the Single Speed MUSS out for a spin. I am still waiting on the Mukluk to come in so I had no other choice but to ride 2.35" tires - it was all good - not a lot of snow yet.
Then my wife was on Facebook and showed me this picture. My daughter used my son's camera to take a picture and I just happened to be finishing the ride up and she caught me in action!
Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! Eat up, Ride up, and Have a great weekend!
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Awesome Food Recipe
I don't usually double post but I have to pass this recipe along to everyone. Especially the week of Thanksgiving I am thankful that I found this recipe - Amazing is the best way to describe it!
I found it on Tamia Nelson's Outside website. Very interesting stuff abounds on this site and I highly recommend bicyclists or paddlers alike peruse the articles that can be found!
The recipe was under the eating to bike, biking to eat section and it is the 2nd recipe I used so far. Very tasty!!!
BEATING THE BONK WITH 100 MILE BARS
Cyclists dread the bonk, which saps all of your energy and turns your muscles into jelly. The only way to avoid the total run-down of your reserves is to keep the tank topped up all the time, and that means taking in calories while working hard. This is especially important on long or arduous rides. Most cyclists can manage to ride for an hour or so without trouble, but trouble is what you’ll have if you don’t eat and drink regularly. What to eat? That depends on the cyclist. Some prefer to add calories in the form of gels and liquids. Others nibble high-energy solid foods. Most use a mix. And one of the best sources of energy I’ve found is homemade oatmeal bars. I call ‘em Hundred Mile Bars, because Farwell energized himself on a century a couple years back with nothing more than water and these chewy goodies. They pack a lot of umph into a compact package, are easy to eat on the bike, are a cinch to make, and hold up well to being crammed into a jersey pocket or snack pack. Better still, they can be made in advance, frozen, and pulled out of the freezer just before your ride. They’ll thaw in a hurry, and you can pinch off pieces to snack on as you ride. Tempted? Here’s the recipe:
Hundred Mile Oatmeal Bars
(makes approximately 24 bars)
•1 cup (2 sticks) butter or margarine, room temperature
•1 cup firmly packed brown sugar (either light or dark brown)
•1/2 cup granulated sugar - I USED TURBINADO SUGAR
•2 eggs
•1 teaspoon vanilla extract
•1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour - I USED WHOLE WHEAT
•1 teaspoon baking soda (NOT baking powder)
•1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
•1/2 teaspoon salt
•3 cups uncooked old-fashioned OR quick-cooking oatmeal (NOT instant oatmeal)
•1 cup chopped mixed dried fruits (see Note below) - I DID NOT USE THIS TIME
•1/2 cup chopped walnut meats
- Sprinkling of Chocolate Chip Morsels to your liking - I DEFINITELY USED THIS
NB You’ll also need two large mixing bowls and a 9″ x 13″ baking pan that’s at least 2″ deep. Alternatively, use two 8″- or 9″-square baking pans.
An hour or more before you plan to start baking, place the butter or margarine in a large bowl and leave it on the kitchen counter to come to room temperature. While you’re waiting, assemble the other ingredients.
When all is in readiness, move one rack to the center of your oven, and pre-heat to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. As the oven warms, use a big wooden spoon to combine (“beat”) the softened margarine, brown sugar, and granulated sugar in one of the two bowls. After this mixture has been beaten to the consistency of a sandy paste, beat in the eggs and vanilla extract and blend thoroughly. Then set the first bowl aside.
Now place the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt in the second bowl, and stir with a clean fork. Once the contents are well mixed, pour them into the first bowl, and beat thoroughly. Next, stir in the oatmeal, dried fruit, and walnut pieces. Again, beat well. Soon you’ll have a very thick batter. Spoon this out into your baking pan—there’s no need to grease the pan—and spread it as evenly as you can, being sure that there are no gaps between the batter and the walls of the pan. Use the back of a wetted soup spoon to shove the batter around.
Finally, place the pan(s) in the oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes. Check after 15 minutes. If the batter’s not browning evenly, rotate the pan(s) 180 degrees. Then check again at 30 minutes, and every five minutes thereafter. As soon as the top is a uniform golden brown, you’re done. Turn off the oven and remove the pan, setting it on top of the stove to cool.
After the pan has cooled for a few minutes, cut your dessert into bars with a sharp knife. Run the blade of the knife around the perimeter, too. Now let your newly-baked oatmeal bars cool completely.
Once the bars have cooled down to room temperature, remove them from the pan with a spatula, and stack them on a cookie rack (if you have one) or on paper-towel-covered plates. Separate the individual bars and allow them to cool some more. If you pack oatmeal bars when they’re even a little bit warm, they’ll soon become soggy. When you’re certain that they’re as cool as they’re going to get, store the bars in sturdy plastic bags, being sure to expel all the air before closing up. The bars freeze well if stored in a freezer bag. Just remove the number of bars you want from the freezer, put them in a plastic bag or jersey pocket, and they’ll thaw before you’re ready to eat.
Note
ENJOY and Happy Thanksgiving
I found it on Tamia Nelson's Outside website. Very interesting stuff abounds on this site and I highly recommend bicyclists or paddlers alike peruse the articles that can be found!
The recipe was under the eating to bike, biking to eat section and it is the 2nd recipe I used so far. Very tasty!!!
BEATING THE BONK WITH 100 MILE BARS
Cyclists dread the bonk, which saps all of your energy and turns your muscles into jelly. The only way to avoid the total run-down of your reserves is to keep the tank topped up all the time, and that means taking in calories while working hard. This is especially important on long or arduous rides. Most cyclists can manage to ride for an hour or so without trouble, but trouble is what you’ll have if you don’t eat and drink regularly. What to eat? That depends on the cyclist. Some prefer to add calories in the form of gels and liquids. Others nibble high-energy solid foods. Most use a mix. And one of the best sources of energy I’ve found is homemade oatmeal bars. I call ‘em Hundred Mile Bars, because Farwell energized himself on a century a couple years back with nothing more than water and these chewy goodies. They pack a lot of umph into a compact package, are easy to eat on the bike, are a cinch to make, and hold up well to being crammed into a jersey pocket or snack pack. Better still, they can be made in advance, frozen, and pulled out of the freezer just before your ride. They’ll thaw in a hurry, and you can pinch off pieces to snack on as you ride. Tempted? Here’s the recipe:
Hundred Mile Oatmeal Bars
(makes approximately 24 bars)
•1 cup (2 sticks) butter or margarine, room temperature
•1 cup firmly packed brown sugar (either light or dark brown)
•1/2 cup granulated sugar - I USED TURBINADO SUGAR
•2 eggs
•1 teaspoon vanilla extract
•1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour - I USED WHOLE WHEAT
•1 teaspoon baking soda (NOT baking powder)
•1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
•1/2 teaspoon salt
•3 cups uncooked old-fashioned OR quick-cooking oatmeal (NOT instant oatmeal)
•1 cup chopped mixed dried fruits (see Note below) - I DID NOT USE THIS TIME
•1/2 cup chopped walnut meats
- Sprinkling of Chocolate Chip Morsels to your liking - I DEFINITELY USED THIS
NB You’ll also need two large mixing bowls and a 9″ x 13″ baking pan that’s at least 2″ deep. Alternatively, use two 8″- or 9″-square baking pans.
An hour or more before you plan to start baking, place the butter or margarine in a large bowl and leave it on the kitchen counter to come to room temperature. While you’re waiting, assemble the other ingredients.
When all is in readiness, move one rack to the center of your oven, and pre-heat to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. As the oven warms, use a big wooden spoon to combine (“beat”) the softened margarine, brown sugar, and granulated sugar in one of the two bowls. After this mixture has been beaten to the consistency of a sandy paste, beat in the eggs and vanilla extract and blend thoroughly. Then set the first bowl aside.
Now place the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt in the second bowl, and stir with a clean fork. Once the contents are well mixed, pour them into the first bowl, and beat thoroughly. Next, stir in the oatmeal, dried fruit, and walnut pieces. Again, beat well. Soon you’ll have a very thick batter. Spoon this out into your baking pan—there’s no need to grease the pan—and spread it as evenly as you can, being sure that there are no gaps between the batter and the walls of the pan. Use the back of a wetted soup spoon to shove the batter around.
Finally, place the pan(s) in the oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes. Check after 15 minutes. If the batter’s not browning evenly, rotate the pan(s) 180 degrees. Then check again at 30 minutes, and every five minutes thereafter. As soon as the top is a uniform golden brown, you’re done. Turn off the oven and remove the pan, setting it on top of the stove to cool.
After the pan has cooled for a few minutes, cut your dessert into bars with a sharp knife. Run the blade of the knife around the perimeter, too. Now let your newly-baked oatmeal bars cool completely.
Once the bars have cooled down to room temperature, remove them from the pan with a spatula, and stack them on a cookie rack (if you have one) or on paper-towel-covered plates. Separate the individual bars and allow them to cool some more. If you pack oatmeal bars when they’re even a little bit warm, they’ll soon become soggy. When you’re certain that they’re as cool as they’re going to get, store the bars in sturdy plastic bags, being sure to expel all the air before closing up. The bars freeze well if stored in a freezer bag. Just remove the number of bars you want from the freezer, put them in a plastic bag or jersey pocket, and they’ll thaw before you’re ready to eat.
Note
ENJOY and Happy Thanksgiving
New Bike Tour Pictures - Our Homecoming
Well I finally scored some photos from our reunion at the church when we finished our bike tour. I just had to share them. The above picture was after I got scolded from Todd's mother (playing around) and her sister's were loving it :)
I could not believe how tan we were and I also could not believe how cool it was. I was talking to my wife Jane last night and she said it wasn't cold, it was July. I reminded her that I had been riding in 100 degree weather for almost 1 month and 60+ degrees was quite cold. The light weight Twin 6 jacket that I had was perfect for the weather! Thanks Twin 6 for making awesome stuff!!!
The ride to Buffalo from Erie was the easiest 100+ mile ride I will ever do in my life. Talking about endorphins rushing around. I truly enjoyed the tour but it was nice to be home with the family as well. It took a couple of weeks (maybe months) to get re-acclimated to real life, but things are at an awesome point with God, family, and friends!
The final time we have ridden together since that day (at least as well as I can remember and I am pretty sure I am right). It was an awesome time and one that will never be forgotten. I am trying to pay homage to it in word format right now but that will be a long slow process which could take months or even years!
If I don't post again - HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO EVERYONE!!!
I have a secret mission next week that I will try and post some photos of and see if you can tell where I am!
 |
| Our #1 Fan - Todd's Mother |
I could not believe how tan we were and I also could not believe how cool it was. I was talking to my wife Jane last night and she said it wasn't cold, it was July. I reminded her that I had been riding in 100 degree weather for almost 1 month and 60+ degrees was quite cold. The light weight Twin 6 jacket that I had was perfect for the weather! Thanks Twin 6 for making awesome stuff!!!
 |
| Todd and his son Levi (daughter Jaimee is off to the side as well) |
The final time we have ridden together since that day (at least as well as I can remember and I am pretty sure I am right). It was an awesome time and one that will never be forgotten. I am trying to pay homage to it in word format right now but that will be a long slow process which could take months or even years!
If I don't post again - HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO EVERYONE!!!
I have a secret mission next week that I will try and post some photos of and see if you can tell where I am!
Friday, November 19, 2010
Bike Tour Memories
I just found out about a photo contest on Adventure Cycling website. That is the "touring" guru website in American Touring and where Todd bought the maps for our ride on the Underground Railroad. So I decided I could submit a couple of photos just because. I don't think I have a shot at winning - there are some amazing photos already submitted that make me wish I was there right now - but hey it isn't about winning it is about remembering!
The photo above was taking riding into Grand Rivers, KY after riding through the Land Between Lakes in Tennessee. The only place where you can ride on land in between 2 lakes and not see either of them until you get to the end of the day. But is was a beautiful day on the bike, after we dodged the huge rainstorm (Thanks Pastor Ray again) and before I found out my bar end shifters were going out on me.
Seems we have a general picture theme today - Rain. The guys at Century Cycles, Peninsula, OH took this picture and we headed off to the restaurant across the parking lot on a recommendation. I cannot remember the name but I remember the burger. Out of this world. Of course as we are finishing up lunch a huge storm rolled through so we stayed a while longer. We then headed out and pushed hard to our hotel (uphill about 5-6 miles away) and proceeded to get drenched before we got there. Good times!!!
And the final photo of the day - Lake Erie on our final day riding home.
It was a great time on the bike. I wish everyone could experience that type of an adventure at some point in their life. I know we had some down times - but I don't remember any of them and can only remember the awesome blessing of God and His companionship.
Have a great weekend and get out there and ride your bikes, or walk in the park, or run in the woods, or just play with your kids!
It is almost Thanksgiving - let's show our thankfulness to the One who Created it all!
 |
| Marina - Grand Rivers, KY |
The photo above was taking riding into Grand Rivers, KY after riding through the Land Between Lakes in Tennessee. The only place where you can ride on land in between 2 lakes and not see either of them until you get to the end of the day. But is was a beautiful day on the bike, after we dodged the huge rainstorm (Thanks Pastor Ray again) and before I found out my bar end shifters were going out on me.
 |
| Photo says it all :) |
 |
| Lake Erie - Almost home |
It was a great time on the bike. I wish everyone could experience that type of an adventure at some point in their life. I know we had some down times - but I don't remember any of them and can only remember the awesome blessing of God and His companionship.
Have a great weekend and get out there and ride your bikes, or walk in the park, or run in the woods, or just play with your kids!
It is almost Thanksgiving - let's show our thankfulness to the One who Created it all!
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