After 90 days of P90X it's time for me to add running to my routine, if I can. I have struggled with a lower back disk injury for 3 years. I am hoping the strengthening of my core via P90X will make a difference. Today I ran 2 miles at a 10 minute pace on the old central running track. Worked great! Had only planned to do 1 mile, but my hip and back felt good so I went for 2. I practiced winding my arm and hips, trying to use my bigger leg muscles, and leaning forward as recommended in the Chi of Running. No pain or numbness, yeah! One down.
So now I start P90X Doubles. Getting ready for the Grand Fondo and a possible triathlon or two.
Live Life to the PLUS+
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Serenaded by western meadowlarks: Missouri River Bluff Bike Ride, Platte, South Dakota
Up early leaving Nebraska headed back to Minnesota via southern South Dakota. The Nebraska sandhills are beautiful, the South Dakota reservations stark, and then you come upon the relief created by the Missouri River. Wow! Get off of Interstate 90 and take a back road, it gets even better.
The sun was just rising, and the bluff hills of the Missouri looked so inviting and challenging that I could not resist stopping the truck and getting the bike out. So, once I crossed the Lake Francis Case, Missouri River bridge on Highway 44 I pulled over in a little South Dakota state recreation and camping area. Just west of the little town of Platte.
I don't travel across country with my bike clothes on, so a "California change" was necessary. The bike was ready, and the only thing I needed was some water for my bottles. It was early about 7AM and quite chilly, so not finding water for the 20 mile ride, was not a serious concern.
This Highway 44 between the towns of Winner and Platte has an excellent biking surface and nice wide paved shoulders. It was to early on Saturday to encounter many cars, so I had the road to myself. The silence was broken only by the serenade of the western meadowlark. I have never heard so many meadowlarks at one time. It was just gorgeous. I will try to load a Youtube so you can hear some of it.
My desire was just to ride about 20 miles of hills, to try to get my climbing legs. Turns out, that according the Stava.com, this little section of bluffs has a Cat 4 climb as well as a 3 and 2. I thoroughly enjoyed the hills and the melody of the birds. The few cars that met me, all waved the "farmer index finger wave" so I knew I was accepted on this stretch of road.
Checking my bike computer, I got in alittle over 20 miles with 1900 feet of climbing. California change back to driving clothes, and down to the pretty little town of Platte for 3 eggs, bacon and toast and coffee. Really good "mother-in-law" coffee. The cafe was full of local people laughing and talking. I appreciated the smiles and hello's. One man even stopped at my table and welcomed me to town, and indicated that he was a Gideon and they were having a Bible study. Most of all, I appreciated the way the local people shared Christ with their smiles and welcoming body language. Very refreshing ! after a good early morning ride on the beautiful Missouri River.
Live Life to the PLUS+
The sun was just rising, and the bluff hills of the Missouri looked so inviting and challenging that I could not resist stopping the truck and getting the bike out. So, once I crossed the Lake Francis Case, Missouri River bridge on Highway 44 I pulled over in a little South Dakota state recreation and camping area. Just west of the little town of Platte.
I don't travel across country with my bike clothes on, so a "California change" was necessary. The bike was ready, and the only thing I needed was some water for my bottles. It was early about 7AM and quite chilly, so not finding water for the 20 mile ride, was not a serious concern.
This Highway 44 between the towns of Winner and Platte has an excellent biking surface and nice wide paved shoulders. It was to early on Saturday to encounter many cars, so I had the road to myself. The silence was broken only by the serenade of the western meadowlark. I have never heard so many meadowlarks at one time. It was just gorgeous. I will try to load a Youtube so you can hear some of it.
My desire was just to ride about 20 miles of hills, to try to get my climbing legs. Turns out, that according the Stava.com, this little section of bluffs has a Cat 4 climb as well as a 3 and 2. I thoroughly enjoyed the hills and the melody of the birds. The few cars that met me, all waved the "farmer index finger wave" so I knew I was accepted on this stretch of road.
Checking my bike computer, I got in alittle over 20 miles with 1900 feet of climbing. California change back to driving clothes, and down to the pretty little town of Platte for 3 eggs, bacon and toast and coffee. Really good "mother-in-law" coffee. The cafe was full of local people laughing and talking. I appreciated the smiles and hello's. One man even stopped at my table and welcomed me to town, and indicated that he was a Gideon and they were having a Bible study. Most of all, I appreciated the way the local people shared Christ with their smiles and welcoming body language. Very refreshing ! after a good early morning ride on the beautiful Missouri River.
Live Life to the PLUS+
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Riding up to the Snowy Range in Wyoming
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| Snuk away from work on Thursday, and drove west out of Laramie to Centenial, population 100. The starting point for my accent up the Snowy Range, starting at 8000ft. Part of the Dead Dog ride out of Laramie. |
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| The sign said, "wild horses". I rode slow, not being sure what I was going to encounter. I was curious to see how I would react to the elevation. |
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| One of the mountains I climbed past. I had the road to myself. You'll see why at the end (hint: it's white). |
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| This was not a small boulder in the road. Easy enough for a bike to go around, but I did look up a few times. |
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| I always get a kick out of this sign, "Open Range" watch for livestock. I seemed to breath hard, but I didn't bonk or anything. So, I could have ridden harder. |
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| Beautiful little trout stream. I ran into folks fishing for brook trout. I'll be back. |
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| Passed by this ski resort, and kept on climbing. The sun was shining, and then it started raining a bit. |
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| As I rode higher, I began to wonder if those road closed signs were really real, because the snow kept getting deeper. |
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| Sure enough, about a mile from the top, and at 10,000 feet, the road was closed because of 3 feet of snow covering the road. The S-Works hadn't ridden through snow before. It didn't this time either. |
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| Back down at the bottom, this little grocery store/bar was a great. I asked the bartender if he would let someone in wearing bike clothes, and he said, you bet, have a seat. So I joined a guy named Jerry and Ted, and pretty soon Maria showed up. We had a great time drinking beer, and talking about fishing and why I was riding up the mountain. I couldn't explain it, but they could see the big smile on my face! |
Live Life to the PLUS+
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Admiral Butterfly
Headed out of town from the east going south into a 20 mph wind gusting up to 30, ouch! I stopped and took some pictures of the old hill top mink farm before enjoying the wind at my back heading north through Meriden
Other than an occasional cabbage butterfly, the only butterfly I am seeing is the Admiral, and I am seeing lots of them. They are out in force. This one ended up tangling with a car, and it had the same fate most bikers have when they tangle with cars, severe injury. Be careful out there, everybody!
Live Life to the PLUS+
Other than an occasional cabbage butterfly, the only butterfly I am seeing is the Admiral, and I am seeing lots of them. They are out in force. This one ended up tangling with a car, and it had the same fate most bikers have when they tangle with cars, severe injury. Be careful out there, everybody!
Live Life to the PLUS+
Longest Ride so far
Well, I took a risk, and decided to ride to New Richland. Once you get out on these roads, you kinda lock yourself into more miles, but I wanted to ride awhile. So, with legs tired from P90X Legs and Back, the day before, I took it easy, and just enjoyed the ride. Ended up putting on 35 miles.
Got a shot of the Otisco Cemetery. (I know, why Cemetery shots, well to be honest, southern MN doesn't have alot of dramatic scenery in some stretches).
Gotta get up to the 40 mile rides consistently to get ready for leading my part of the Grand Fondo in the middle of June. Somehow I need to find some hills to climb, also.
Live Life to the PLUS+
Got a shot of the Otisco Cemetery. (I know, why Cemetery shots, well to be honest, southern MN doesn't have alot of dramatic scenery in some stretches).
Live Life to the PLUS+
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Easter Ride
Typical spring ride today, cool and windy, with gusts up to 25 mph out of the NW. So, I stayed close to Waseca , not wanting to challenge the wind to far out of town.
I was happy to see my favorite flower (don't hit me), the dandelion. On my organic farm, I routinely pick and eat dandelions raw, because I noticed it was the favorite food of my cattle (bar nun).
"Traditionally, dandelion roots and leaves were used to treat liver problems. Native Americans also boiled dandelion in water and took it to treat kidney disease, swelling, skin problems, heartburn, and upset stomach. In traditional Chinese medicine, dandelion has been used to treat stomach problems, appendicitis, and breast problems, such as inflammation or lack of milk flow. In Europe, it was used in remedies for fever, boils, eye problems, diabetes, and diarrhea."
Speaking of dandelions springing to life, the only way to really live life to the Plus+ is to love Jesus. So this day, the celebration of His resurrection is special to me. I rejoiced as I rode through the wind admiring the yellow flowers along the sides of the road.
I'm not entirely sure if P90X is helping my bike riding, but it certainly is helping my body composition, and my upper body strength. I've done 66 straight days of workouts, with another 30 or so left. Time to start trying to work some jogging into the schedule. Guess I am going to have to get up earlier!
Live Life to the PLUS+
I was happy to see my favorite flower (don't hit me), the dandelion. On my organic farm, I routinely pick and eat dandelions raw, because I noticed it was the favorite food of my cattle (bar nun).
"Traditionally, dandelion roots and leaves were used to treat liver problems. Native Americans also boiled dandelion in water and took it to treat kidney disease, swelling, skin problems, heartburn, and upset stomach. In traditional Chinese medicine, dandelion has been used to treat stomach problems, appendicitis, and breast problems, such as inflammation or lack of milk flow. In Europe, it was used in remedies for fever, boils, eye problems, diabetes, and diarrhea."
Speaking of dandelions springing to life, the only way to really live life to the Plus+ is to love Jesus. So this day, the celebration of His resurrection is special to me. I rejoiced as I rode through the wind admiring the yellow flowers along the sides of the road.
I'm not entirely sure if P90X is helping my bike riding, but it certainly is helping my body composition, and my upper body strength. I've done 66 straight days of workouts, with another 30 or so left. Time to start trying to work some jogging into the schedule. Guess I am going to have to get up earlier!
Live Life to the PLUS+
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Cemetery Loop to Meriden, MN
I decided to ride later on Saturday waiting for the sun to emerge and the temps to warm in to the low 60's around 5PM. A light, 7mph, north wind encouraged a route I had not taken before, riding north, northeast. Must be an area of the county that supported more dairy farms, because I rode by more dairy operations than any other direction I have traveled.
Out and around Clear Lake and onto the Snake Trail for about 8 miles while rounding Watkins Lake and Moonan Marsh Wildlife Area. Then getting off the Waseca 1/3 Ironman course, I went east and south to Meriden. So many cemeteries, I thought I would call it the Cemetery Loop. I added a shot of the smallest one so you can see the uniqueness of these little midwest cemeteries. It can't be more than 1 acre in size, and right at the corner of an intersection, no other buildings nearby.
Just outside side of Meriden, I encounter a farm with 2 big young (did I say dumb) St. Bernard dogs. They must have seen me coming, because they decided to stand in the middle of the road until I told them "NO". That didn't work, but they cleared to the side of the road, giving me enough room to bluff them and speed by. Then they gave chase. Normally, I wouldn't even slow down for a dog, but with 2 dogs, you can't keep track of both their movements. Got a bit scary. Gonna need to watch for these guys, next time.
So far, I have not seen any other bikers outside of the town of Waseca this Spring. So either I am riding in the wrong areas, or at the wrong time to encounter some riding buddies out on these country roads. That's ok, riding alone makes we challenge the winds and will give me early season strength.
Live Life to the PLUS+
Out and around Clear Lake and onto the Snake Trail for about 8 miles while rounding Watkins Lake and Moonan Marsh Wildlife Area. Then getting off the Waseca 1/3 Ironman course, I went east and south to Meriden. So many cemeteries, I thought I would call it the Cemetery Loop. I added a shot of the smallest one so you can see the uniqueness of these little midwest cemeteries. It can't be more than 1 acre in size, and right at the corner of an intersection, no other buildings nearby.
Just outside side of Meriden, I encounter a farm with 2 big young (did I say dumb) St. Bernard dogs. They must have seen me coming, because they decided to stand in the middle of the road until I told them "NO". That didn't work, but they cleared to the side of the road, giving me enough room to bluff them and speed by. Then they gave chase. Normally, I wouldn't even slow down for a dog, but with 2 dogs, you can't keep track of both their movements. Got a bit scary. Gonna need to watch for these guys, next time.
So far, I have not seen any other bikers outside of the town of Waseca this Spring. So either I am riding in the wrong areas, or at the wrong time to encounter some riding buddies out on these country roads. That's ok, riding alone makes we challenge the winds and will give me early season strength.
Live Life to the PLUS+
Friday, March 23, 2012
Drafting on a Farmall M Tractor
At noon today, the weather cleared a bit and the temps got up to the low 60's. When the wind is blowing out of the north in the spring and summer, it's time to take a bike ride. Going north to start the ride is always a treat, because most of the time the southern MN, WI winds are blowing out of the south. Add to that, only a 5 mph wind, which is basically no wind, and yahoo!
I decided to ride part of the Waseca 1/3 Ironman Triathlon course toward Elysian and the lakes in that area. The farmers were just getting started injecting anhydrous ammonia into the fields before these last few days of beautiful spring rains. So everyone was sitting idle, waiting for the fields to dry again.
As I rounded the corner to start heading east for a bit, I could see a tractor ahead of me driving down the road. So I decided to see if I could catch it, and do alittle farm equipment drafting. Took me a mile or so, but I caught the old tractor and pulled right up behind with my front tire a few feet away from the PTO (not turning). The farmer did not know I was there, and we rumbled along for a few miles at a very nice pace_______ mph. I am leaving speed blank to see if anyone can estimate or guess what pace we were traveling at. Now remember, this is a Farmall M, probably new in the 1950's. Traveling in road gear, not wide open.
Yes drafting is possible, and I was able to reduce my pedaling intensity and just hang with the farmer. Some of the neighboring farmers waved and watched us go by. I'm sure the got a kick out of it.
The farmer decided to turn off on a gravel road, and just as he was making the turn and I was going by him on the right, he turn around saw me, and gave me a startled laugh. I shouted, "thanks for the pull"! and we parted company.
The rest of the ride was very pleasant, I am still riding pretty slow. My legs are generally tired from the P90X workouts all week. Just trying to add to my base, and get the miles in, and enjoy the Spring.
The turtles are now out and crossing the roads. I saw shoveler ducks, grebes, wood ducks, blue bills, and buffleheads in addition to the standard mallards and honkers. I guess the northern ducks are still passing through the area.
Live Life to the PLUS+
I decided to ride part of the Waseca 1/3 Ironman Triathlon course toward Elysian and the lakes in that area. The farmers were just getting started injecting anhydrous ammonia into the fields before these last few days of beautiful spring rains. So everyone was sitting idle, waiting for the fields to dry again.
Yes drafting is possible, and I was able to reduce my pedaling intensity and just hang with the farmer. Some of the neighboring farmers waved and watched us go by. I'm sure the got a kick out of it.
The farmer decided to turn off on a gravel road, and just as he was making the turn and I was going by him on the right, he turn around saw me, and gave me a startled laugh. I shouted, "thanks for the pull"! and we parted company.
The rest of the ride was very pleasant, I am still riding pretty slow. My legs are generally tired from the P90X workouts all week. Just trying to add to my base, and get the miles in, and enjoy the Spring.
The turtles are now out and crossing the roads. I saw shoveler ducks, grebes, wood ducks, blue bills, and buffleheads in addition to the standard mallards and honkers. I guess the northern ducks are still passing through the area.
Live Life to the PLUS+
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Windy Ride
Live Life to the PLUS+
Saturday, March 17, 2012
St. Patrick's Day Ride
I decided to be "wearin the green" on my bike ride as I headed south into a 23 mph southern Minnesota wind. Pretty warm for the middle of March at 74 degrees, my legs felt pretty good considering on Friday I did P90X Legs and Back workout. I am trying to learn how to integrate the strength training into the bike riding season without hurting my muscle adaptation and growth.
Heading out, I don't think I was able to cruise more that about 12 or 13 mph until I got near the slightly wooded area of Otisco Creek (I think). Otisco was about half-way as I turned east for a couple miles. I ran into an older farmer driving his John Deere lawn tractor, with a flat bed hay wagon on the back, out to his mail box. He stopped at the mail box as I rode by, and I briefly asked him if he was expecting a large package from the mail man. He laughed at me politely.
I noticed farmers staging their tractors, with diggers on the back, at the edges of the fields. It's early to get started, but they have to take what the weather gives them. The earliest I have seen corn planted was the third week of March. That was back in 1980 or 1981. I was scouting those fields for emergence during the first week of April near Benson, MN. If I remember right, their was about a 30% reduction in the plant population because of seed rot, due to the cold soil, and the length of time it took the plants to emerge.
Speaking of emerging, I rode by a dead snake on my way back south. So, that means it's warm enough already to get the reptiles moving. That is amazing.
I hit that zone you achieve when riding with the wind. You now the one where everything gets still and its totally quiet as your bike cruises at the same speed as the wind at your back. To this day, I marvel at that feeling, of being one with the wind at 23 mph or whatever the wind speed is.
Ok, back to grading E-Portfolio's and finishing up my internship.
Live Life to the PLUS+
Heading out, I don't think I was able to cruise more that about 12 or 13 mph until I got near the slightly wooded area of Otisco Creek (I think). Otisco was about half-way as I turned east for a couple miles. I ran into an older farmer driving his John Deere lawn tractor, with a flat bed hay wagon on the back, out to his mail box. He stopped at the mail box as I rode by, and I briefly asked him if he was expecting a large package from the mail man. He laughed at me politely.
I noticed farmers staging their tractors, with diggers on the back, at the edges of the fields. It's early to get started, but they have to take what the weather gives them. The earliest I have seen corn planted was the third week of March. That was back in 1980 or 1981. I was scouting those fields for emergence during the first week of April near Benson, MN. If I remember right, their was about a 30% reduction in the plant population because of seed rot, due to the cold soil, and the length of time it took the plants to emerge.
Speaking of emerging, I rode by a dead snake on my way back south. So, that means it's warm enough already to get the reptiles moving. That is amazing.
I hit that zone you achieve when riding with the wind. You now the one where everything gets still and its totally quiet as your bike cruises at the same speed as the wind at your back. To this day, I marvel at that feeling, of being one with the wind at 23 mph or whatever the wind speed is.
Ok, back to grading E-Portfolio's and finishing up my internship.
Live Life to the PLUS+
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Beer Bike
When you bike alot, you need a few bikes for different uses. Here is one of my bikes (beer bike), and another bike I want to get (wine bike). Excellent beer for after a ride.
Live Life to the PLUS+
Live Life to the PLUS+
First 50 degree Ride
It was a beautiful early March day for a bike ride. The first 50 degree ride of the 2012 season. Winds were out of the south at about 15 mph, so I decided to be easy on myself and ride south to start with. At the little town of Otisco, I turned east and then back north, with the wind to Waseca. The geese were migrating north on the south wind, and I saw my first robin, and redwing blackbird.
I'm guessing it will be less than 10 days, and the farmers will be back in the field gearing up to plant corn. Not sure how corn seed will do planted in early April, but it seems like we better get used to this, because the climate is changing. At the very end of my ride I ran into a friend preparing for an estate sale, and he let me borrow this painting of Thompson's Boat house on Clear Lake. Painted by a local artist in the early 1960's. I used to hang out here and fish for the big northern's right on the dock next to the minnow cages.
Live Life to the PLUS+
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