Winter Camping This Week!

I'm going camping this week. No mosquitoes! I'm not sure if I'm doing an overnight car camp, a combination ski & pugsley adventure or both. Expand the picture to see snow camping old school.

Winter Sostice

I left the house at 6:30am into the calm 18F darkness. I rode home at 4:45 into the 23F darkness. A bit of crud snow on the road both ways. I woke up not feeling 100% but staged a little revolution against winter. Riding to work on this darkest day of the year felt particularly bright.

Little Dick Power

The builder of this tiny bike is Dick Power, no joke. Dick build a number of track bikes in the 50's.

Optical Illusion Video

Starting a Minnesota Youth Ski League Team

Claire and Harris have long wanted to go out skiing with me. I've additionaly wanted to get a feeder program going for my high school team. Thus, I'm excited about working with the Minnesota Youth Ski League. They seem to have kid friendly objectives and offer good support for working with younger skiers.

I'm looking to start the club the first half of Jan. and run 8 sessions through feb/early March. Should be a blast.

Anyone want to volunteer? No experience needed?

Giant Salamanders

I learned about two giant salamanders from Asia today, one from Japan and one from China. They can grow up to 6ft long. I'd of thought that I would have heard of these creatures before; especially since I lived in Asia for three years.

First Snowy Commute of The Winter

Ok, it's officially autumn for a couple of weeks, but it's cold, dark and snowing. I ended up doing a fair amount of sidewalk riding to get off the crud snow on the streets. Despite being called "crazy," commuting on days like this are more fun than a challenge.

Grimm Dec. Ride with Jared

Jared and I went for an exploratory ride today at the Carver County Park Reserve. In addition to the trails and nature, we walked through the ruins of an old trappers camp and a late 1800's farm stead.

The historic Grimm Farm is where Wendelin Grimm, who immigrated to Minnesota from Germany in 1857., developed a winter hardy strain of alfalfa. The Grimm Farm has been restored. (from the park website)

A view of the snow dusted trails. It was quite rough in places.

My bike next to a wall of the trappers cabin. Plaster still clung to the rock surface in some spots.

Jared on his Pugsly. I'm amazed at how well his bike works in a range of riding conditions. He'll have some great rides here once the trail is too covered with snow for my bike.

Anyone up for winter bike camping?

A simple joy/Good socks.

I found something that make me happy today. Wigwam Distance Running Socks - 2 Pair $12.00 XL sizes 12-15. How can $6 dollars a pair make my feet feel so good? I'm going to sleep in them. Thank you Jared for your longitudinal research data.