Friday, April 24, 2015

Dairy Roubaix, 2015

Dairy Roubaix.
Route was 107 miles for the long ride. I was in a group of 20 riders or so and we missed a turn. After 6 miles we figured it out....so I and some of the pack back-tracked so we ended up with 119 miles.
9 hrs 45 min. with around 7,000 feet of climbing.

Lots of cross bikes, some mtn. bikes and even fat bikes. Maybe some road bikes. Single speeders and even some fixies it seems.

Gravel, blacktop and concrete roads.

Review:
"This brilliant event is like most true gravel grinders. It’s free or “pay what you can” and is completely unsanctioned. Although some folks come out to race it, most come out for the camaraderie and to simply enjoy the countryside around Wyalusing State Park, resting like a giant near both the Wisconsin and Mississippi rivers. The routes offered are a 54 miler and a 107 miler. Both are challenging, but the 107-mile option puts riders on hills so steep no compact crank is low enough. Think 20 percent grades covered in sand or gravel. I call these wonders “black-out hills” because just about when I think I’ll either pass out or puke, the crest comes into my narrowing vision and I get to rest for a few brief seconds on the following descent."

Random pics off the 'net.
Photo Credits below as listed:

benscycle
 madcitydirt
 route same year to year


marcus steele....me on the far left
 maxresdefault
 michael mayer

 sconnyboy
 silentsports.net

Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Spring 2015 (Mud Season)

The shoulder seasons in the upper midwest can be frustrating for many when it comes to biking. Too cold, too wet, too windy, too muddy and the list goes on.....

Now with the option of having a fatty, I see no issues. The 9:zero:7.
Out looking for antler sheds.

The trusty  Salsa "road" bike. (summer pic)



The fatty is great when ice and snow are still on the local Tomorrow River Trail "rails to trail" and local 30 mile city loop Green Circle Trail.
I toss on my  Big Fat Larry tires for maximum flotation and minimal lugs/tread so as to not cut up the soft trail in the spring and fall.
There are always sections of trail that are snow and ice covered due to shade and some that are the opposite, muddy from the melting snow and late frost coming out of the ground. These sections are where the fatty really shines. If there is too much ice or mud, moving off to the shoulder of the trail or even off into the grass that is still short from last falls last trimming the fatty rolls on through.

The Salsa is my, town, rail to trails, back roads, gravel grinder and "road" bike.
As we were going to be spending Easter in Minneapolis I decided to head out a couple days early and ride to The Cities, 250 miles.
Strong head winds (13-20 mph gusts to 30) the first day and quartering winds the second day. (11-15 mph with gusts to 20). I knew it was going to be a ball buster, but that's fine. Along with the softish gravel roads I got in some good training.

The first day the Upper Midwest IMBARegional Director contacted me to discuss some trail funding issues in WI. It worked out to meet 45 miles out from my start. It cost me some time but it was worth it and was glad to have met the new Director.

Photo Credit, Michelle Barker
I got 90 miles or so in the first day and found a nice local motel to spend the night. The Heritage Court Motel in Thorp, WI. Got an early start and went down the road for great breakfast in Stanley, WI at Alberta May's. 
Somewhere along the way the hose from my camelback froze. 30 degree drop in temp from the day before.
Put in another 85 miles or so before my wife caught me on her way to Minneapolis.
Got into some nice hill country the further west I went. Just the start.
Locals were gathering maple sap for syrup and the slower speeds due to the wind gave me plenty of time to scour the ditches for antler sheds, none spotted, though.


The next day I rode 25 miles in Minneapolis on a bike path just to top the weekend off.
Lake Minnetonka LRT Trail.