Tosa Trails

Scottie too Hottie and I hit the Tosa trails today. They are in good shape, and while there are about 4 rocks and virtually no climbing, they are a lot fun and sweet to have in the city.

Head for the border!

Brandon was riding down to Chicago to meet his lovely lady and look at motorized transportation. So I decided to accompany him to the state border.

We didn't have much idea of where we were headed once we got beyond the Milwaukee county border so it was quite the adventure. We saw this bike trail and hoped on for a while, but it became a bit too rough. For most the ride we stayed close to lake and meandered south.

Which meant that I had to turn back before the state border to get home in time. I turned around in what appeared to be the heart of downtown Kenosha. The company on the ride down may the time pass a lot faster than it did on the solo trip straight north.

Come as you are

At Reconcile we have been doing a new thing that has been a lot of fun. We get together every Tuesday night at Cafe' Hollander on Downer. We get the big table upstairs and hang out.

We have a little informal discussion about a recent article from our website, which lets everyone express their opinions. Some folks eat, others have dessert or a drink. And if we feel like it we play a game. As you can see, last night contained a rousing game of Uno.

Hooly Hill

Friday, I was delighted to see that the earlier week forecast was incorrect and the day was warmish and dry. I wasn't really planning on it, so I got done what I needed to and headed out for a nice long ride. I didn't get on the road until 1pm.

I needed some hill work yet this week so I went northwest on my ss cx bike towards Holy Hill. According to my high-priced cycling coach, which is really a low-priced used book, at this stage of the season I should be riding up to 8% grade while in the saddle. Who am I to argue with my coach-book-thingy? Every incline I met over my 80 mile ride I stayed in the saddle and I am pretty sure some where just a tad over 8%. Yet, even though my book-coach-interwebs training thinks I am using gears, I was able to do the workout.

Good news, my snow riding has payed off with a good power base this year. Bad news, between the longest bumpiest country road ride on my cx saddle I have ever done and the energy spent yesterday, I am left with little motivation today to hop on my rollers. So I am writing this instead.

The temperature and weather were weird yesterday. At the lake it was foggy and 40, when I got about 15 miles north and 5 miles west it got into the 50's and sunny, but that isn't the weird part. As I approached the Holy Hill area the temps dropped, big time, and there was still a lot of snow on the ground. It was like I was climbing into the mountains. Which isn't true. It's called Holy Hill, not Holy Mountain. I think that is someplace else.

The way back was filled with drizzle and fog so thick the trees were dripping. All in all a good interesting ride.

Come on SPRING!

In my office at home, when I look to the left, this is what I see. I have ridden it 4 times, 6 months ago. I can't wait to get out and ride some trails. I am ready to ween off the base miles and start hitting it. It's going to be at least another month until the trails are ridable. Must...keep...motivated [dying super hero]

It's going to be a fun and interesting year. I'm already psyched for cx even though it's 6 months off. I'm still not sure who, if anybody, I will be racing for this year. Team Seagal MKE has burned down, and like a phoenix, the Haymakers have grown from the ashes. The revamped club is great, but not necessarily a race team. I also don't know of any of them that are doing the same events as me.

Not that if someone is wearing a different kit it makes much difference to me, I'll ride, race, and talk with whoever is having fun, but it would be nice to have that extra camaraderie during the xc races and the strategic help in cx races. Something that being on the same race team gives.

On another note, we got Eric's sweet 2010 Kona Big Unit pretty much built up yesterday. So now he can stare at a bike and yearn for dry trails too!

Well, that's enough rambling.