River Bottoms Lunch and Tea

 Jared and I met at 11:20 to ride some snow.  We packed a stove and some food to practice using gear.

 We rode from 35w bridge to the Cedar bridge where we stopped for a lunch of Chinese green tea, mash potatoes and tuna, simple and tasty. 

 I like the way the flame is mocking the branch behind the stove.

Bright sun, low winds and mid 20's temps made for a pleasant outing.

 Both my Pugsley above and Jared's Moonlander performed flawlessly.

Go Claire!

Claire skied a good meet today.  She worked hard and placed third for our team in a varsity classic ski race.

 It's really fun having her on my team.  Looking forward to Harris skiing with us next year.

Late Night Snowshoe

I'm loving having snow!  Skied with my team after school today but wanted more of the 37 degree weather.

 

It was a busy night at home with the piano teacher over for a lesson, a late dinner and sausage making scheduled.

 Drove over to Salem Hills which has become my evening nature fix destination.

 Had the whole park to myself, turned off the headlamp and walked the trails.  I paid attention to the sky, as the Geminid Meteor Shower is on.  Didn't get my wish . 

I wanted to spend some time on my snowshoes in preparation for a trip at the end of the year.  Snowshoes worked well, but next time I'll ride the fat bike.  A couple of prior people on snowshoes had gone over the trail .  I think it would have been ride-able tonight.

 

Freewheel's Winter Bike Expo 2012

Great fun at the Winter Bike Expo again this year;  A friendly face hooked me up with a new Surly Krumpus to get dirty. Relaxed and knowledgeable staff schooled me on lighting a fire in water, on studding a tire and on importance of Anti-Seize's sacrificial anodes which prevent galvanic corrosion of dissimilar metals.  Oh yeah, they gave me a free mug too.

Karl Stoerzinger showing studded tires, wheel guts and a better way to patch a tube. 

(If your the employee with an orange Troll, ask about Karl's knife and your bike.)

Yup, he built a fire in a puddle.  Don Clark presented on winter bike packing/camping and shared an inspiring slide presentation on a trip to the frozen North.

Part of Pete Hamer's talk on winterizing your bike.  The slide shows different chain materials response to caustic elements, technical and fun information.  Who knew about the dangers of grease incompatibility?

Krumpus rider heading away from the ramp I was too scared to go over.  

780mm Wammy Bars put almost 31" of leverage into the Krumpus' steering.  I need to rethink my hacksaw happy tendencies regarding handle bars.  

Pogies and a disco ball, perfect

Pugsley frames lead to a happy face.  

Loads of different riders being eagarly handed bikes. 

Again, I appreciate the casual and approachable attitudes of Freewheel staff, vendors and presenters.  I'll be back next year.  

Few Images from Global Fatbike Day

 Jared and I took part in the Global Fatbike Day ride in Minneapolis today.  I have never seen 100 fat tires all in one place before.  We left from Minnehaha Park, rolled through Fort Snelling, crossed the river, dropped down to Sibley House, Cruised trails under 495 until we crossed the Cedar Bridge.  Once over the bridge we hugged the river until the 35W bridge.  The hammerhead's continued to Bloomington Ferry Bridge, but we turned back.  24.5 mile of fun with the bonus of riding some new trails.

Homemade bamboo fatie

 Rest stop after a stream crossing

 Hanging out at the Cedar Bridge.

 Puglsey along the new to me trail linking Cedar Bridge to 35WBridge 

 Creek crossing

 Notice the front fender I made this morning. It worked well.

As we were gathering to ride.