Showing posts with label RIDING. Show all posts
Showing posts with label RIDING. Show all posts
Thursday, October 15, 2015
Sunday, September 20, 2015
Monday, February 02, 2015
Sunday, February 05, 2012
Super Bowl Sunday ride.
I think this is the first time, or at least the first time I can remember going on a road bike ride on Super bowl Sunday. I may have went on a few mountain bike rides a long time ago, but nothing in recent memory. But today I got out for an hour and a half. This winter in Wisconsin has been great for being able to get out and ride. We keep waiting for the "really bad stuff" to hit, but it hadn't. And im ok with that. The more nice days we have the closer to spring we get.
 | |
| Always recheck you stem after doing adjustments. This was driving me crazy the whole ride. Kept wanting to turn right. |
 |
| The river was very calm and unfrozen today. |
Sunday, April 03, 2011
Re riding the past.
For some reason today I was thinking about old friends and old rides. When I first started riding I always rode by myself. I didn't know anyone that rode a bike, I saw people riding, but I had no way to contact them, out side of stopping them along the road and asking "can I ride with you?". I would see riders around McCook NE. usually when I was driving to or from work. But after a few month of riding around in town and on the highways I got to know a few people. Patrick, John, Randy, Linda were probably the ones that I met first. Just happened to be riding by Patrick's house early one morning and his wife yelled at me. There was a ride leaving from there house and she thought I was going with them, and had missed their house. So that was my first chance to ride with a group, a small group but still. We would do Saturday rides and when we could rides after work. Nothing too big 20-25 miles, but a whole lot of fun. And it got me into the bicycle loop in town.
There was another rider I would see, he had a red and white Schwinn. I always saw him riding on the highway by my work. I ask around with the other riders in town, someone said they thought he was a cop in town. But know one knew for sure.
I'm not sure how Paul and I finally met, but we did. He wasn't a city police officer, he was a Trooper for the Nebraska State Patrol. And riding was part of his wellness plan. I didn't care why he was riding just that he rode.
As the summer went on we rode more and more. I got to know his wife and two kids. We became good friends. You could say I leached onto them and kinda of a weird step brother that they never wanted. But they put up with me. Paul and I would do a lot of riding together. After I would get off work and on weekends we would do some longer rides. When it was really windy we would ride with the wind and his wife would come pick us up. Nothing like having your own team van!
I guess it was the first year that Paul and I started riding was when I met Rosemary, Quite the little Lady, My first encounter with her was along the road. I was riding by myself one morning. Just started down a hill when a Isuzu trooper pulls over to the side of the road, This CRAZY LADY jumps out, running at me, yelling and screaming. At first I have no idea what she is saying, or what she is wants. After a few seconds I could understand her, "Are you from around here?" Yes I said, Why? Well she was a cyclist that was moving to McCook. Her husband was going to work for the Community Collage, and she wanted have people to ride with. And she saw me riding on the road and had to stop and ask.
They would be moving from O.K.C. in the fall and she would get a hold of me when they were settled in.
That spring was a start of a lot of great rides for the three of us. Quick rides long rides it did not matter. We rode when we could and as often as we could. The funnest rides were the "Ride with the wind" rides. You could do a lot of mile in a short amount of time. Best way to describe it is forced motor pacing. And a lot of fun. Paul's wife and kids were the ones that would usually pick us up, and drive us back to McCook. I'm sure that was a ton of fun for her.
We made up rules as we rode, on a century ride we made a rule that after 75 miles, we were not responsible for what we said. Anything goes! Its probably best that I don't remember what happened after 75 miles. Some things were better left on the road.
One of our crazy "ride with the wind" rides was in April. The wind was out of the south, and it was blowing like crazy. We were headed north. North Platte to be exact. 65 miles straight north, this should be fun! And it was, big ring the whole way. 20 mph average. And yes Its it was 20.5 mph average to be exact, I check my old training log, and the date was April 8th 1990. Ride time 3:09:42 and 65.17 miles.
At 65 miles we didn't hit the don't ask don't tell 75 mile zone. I don't remember the whole ride but there was one indecent that I do remember. About half way into the ride Rosemary needed something to eat, and for what ever reason when she pulled out her Fig bars they slipped out of her hand and all over the highway. Now Rosemary and I were hungry. I cant remember if Paul went for the road kill or not? Rosemary and I did, like rats going after scraps. Big pieces, little pieces it didn't matter we ate it off the pavement! And we liked it!
And for some reason I had that pop into my head today. Good times, Good times!
There was another rider I would see, he had a red and white Schwinn. I always saw him riding on the highway by my work. I ask around with the other riders in town, someone said they thought he was a cop in town. But know one knew for sure.
I'm not sure how Paul and I finally met, but we did. He wasn't a city police officer, he was a Trooper for the Nebraska State Patrol. And riding was part of his wellness plan. I didn't care why he was riding just that he rode.
As the summer went on we rode more and more. I got to know his wife and two kids. We became good friends. You could say I leached onto them and kinda of a weird step brother that they never wanted. But they put up with me. Paul and I would do a lot of riding together. After I would get off work and on weekends we would do some longer rides. When it was really windy we would ride with the wind and his wife would come pick us up. Nothing like having your own team van!
I guess it was the first year that Paul and I started riding was when I met Rosemary, Quite the little Lady, My first encounter with her was along the road. I was riding by myself one morning. Just started down a hill when a Isuzu trooper pulls over to the side of the road, This CRAZY LADY jumps out, running at me, yelling and screaming. At first I have no idea what she is saying, or what she is wants. After a few seconds I could understand her, "Are you from around here?" Yes I said, Why? Well she was a cyclist that was moving to McCook. Her husband was going to work for the Community Collage, and she wanted have people to ride with. And she saw me riding on the road and had to stop and ask.
They would be moving from O.K.C. in the fall and she would get a hold of me when they were settled in.
That spring was a start of a lot of great rides for the three of us. Quick rides long rides it did not matter. We rode when we could and as often as we could. The funnest rides were the "Ride with the wind" rides. You could do a lot of mile in a short amount of time. Best way to describe it is forced motor pacing. And a lot of fun. Paul's wife and kids were the ones that would usually pick us up, and drive us back to McCook. I'm sure that was a ton of fun for her.
We made up rules as we rode, on a century ride we made a rule that after 75 miles, we were not responsible for what we said. Anything goes! Its probably best that I don't remember what happened after 75 miles. Some things were better left on the road.
One of our crazy "ride with the wind" rides was in April. The wind was out of the south, and it was blowing like crazy. We were headed north. North Platte to be exact. 65 miles straight north, this should be fun! And it was, big ring the whole way. 20 mph average. And yes Its it was 20.5 mph average to be exact, I check my old training log, and the date was April 8th 1990. Ride time 3:09:42 and 65.17 miles.
At 65 miles we didn't hit the don't ask don't tell 75 mile zone. I don't remember the whole ride but there was one indecent that I do remember. About half way into the ride Rosemary needed something to eat, and for what ever reason when she pulled out her Fig bars they slipped out of her hand and all over the highway. Now Rosemary and I were hungry. I cant remember if Paul went for the road kill or not? Rosemary and I did, like rats going after scraps. Big pieces, little pieces it didn't matter we ate it off the pavement! And we liked it!
And for some reason I had that pop into my head today. Good times, Good times!
Monday, February 14, 2011
Friday, February 04, 2011
Monday, November 01, 2010
Pump Track in Middleton WI
Last year a pump track was built about 15mins drive from my place. Here's a video a friend and I put together.
Pleasant View Pump Track Middleton, WI from D.M Hughes on Vimeo.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Laps
Cold and looked like rain all day. Needed to get in some miles so thought it would be a good idea to stay close to home in case it cut loose and started to rain.
There is a "nice" loop with a 1/2 mile climb that is 10 to 15% the all the way to the top. I have heard that some of the racers in Janesville have done 10 laps. I did 3! And yes all 3 hurt. The first hurt the most and the last hurt the least. I timed it just right, no sooner did I get home and the wind picked up, and the temp dropped.
There is a "nice" loop with a 1/2 mile climb that is 10 to 15% the all the way to the top. I have heard that some of the racers in Janesville have done 10 laps. I did 3! And yes all 3 hurt. The first hurt the most and the last hurt the least. I timed it just right, no sooner did I get home and the wind picked up, and the temp dropped.
Sunday, May 02, 2010
Nice day for a bike ride.
Got to go out for a nice little spin this morning. No real plan just wanted to ride into the wind and have a nice ride back.
The wind was out of the southwest. So I headed west, the plan was to work my way down and see some new roads. And that I did. I have ridden northwest a lot. But today I went straight west. Mostly flats to start with a few rollers, A nice warm up.
The rolling hill of Southern Wisconsin are amazing.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
The best ride of the year.
A great day for a bike ride, I plotted a course on the garmin, and for the first time ever I followed it. The big purple line tells me where to go.
Smooth pavement along the Rock River. Replaced last year after all the flooding.
I guess its tobacco harvesting time in Wisconsin. Its just a odd thing to see up here.
More tobacco, North of Janesville there is a lot of it.
What will this road lead to?
Good thing I'm on a bike!
Nice view, but I know why the bridge is closed.
A look back at the bridge.
This is whats on the other side.
Not a good sign. Just glad that it wasn't for the road that I was on.
More smooth roads with rolling hills.
I like this sigh, I just wish I was going the other way. 13% ahead with 41 miles in my legs. Yup you guessed it HURT BOX!
And the hurt just kept coming. This was the first of five or six short steep hills. I need to plan better!Speaking of planing better next time I plan a 60 mile ride I'm going to plan for a water stop or two. Running out, Not a good Idea! But this was still the best ride that I have had in a long time. LOVE the Wisconsin Roads!
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Crazy people have crazy friends!
I received this video from a friend of mine that is getting ready to do the Race Across AMerica.
Its a 600k brevet. That's 372.82 miles. Paul finished it in 26 hours. Watch it till the end, there is a short interview with him talking about his training this year so far.
Its a 600k brevet. That's 372.82 miles. Paul finished it in 26 hours. Watch it till the end, there is a short interview with him talking about his training this year so far.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Spring!
The weather in Wisconsin is getting better. We hit 70 on Tuesday, dropped Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. But today we were back up to 60. I got in 50 on Wednesday and another 40 today.
With all the nice weather and what little wind that we have coming out of the south. I'm getting to ride some new roads. I have even ridden into Illinois. The roads there are not as nice has Wisconsin. A little more traffic, and not all the roads are paved like here. But still good riding.
It is nice to be able to get outside this early, last year we still had snow on the ground. Cant wait till it stops freezing at night, then I can ride early in the morning.
Hope that everyone is getting in some saddle time.
Grumpy.
With all the nice weather and what little wind that we have coming out of the south. I'm getting to ride some new roads. I have even ridden into Illinois. The roads there are not as nice has Wisconsin. A little more traffic, and not all the roads are paved like here. But still good riding.
It is nice to be able to get outside this early, last year we still had snow on the ground. Cant wait till it stops freezing at night, then I can ride early in the morning.
Hope that everyone is getting in some saddle time.
Grumpy.
Thursday, March 05, 2009
40 miles on a new bike.
I've had my new Serotta for a little over a month. The weather has been anything but good riding weather. Snow, ice and cold, I've gotten in a few rides on my old bike. But I just could not chance taking out the Serotta.
Last night just as I was getting ready to leave work the phone rang. Its was the man himself Ben Serotta! We had a short talk I told him I had Wednesday off and was planing to take the new Ottrott out. "Have a good ride, I'm sure you will enjoy it" It was like being blessed by the Pope. (if I were Catholic). So I should have known I was going to have a great ride.
So the day was here.
Day off, Check.
40 degrees, Check.
Roads dry, Check.
New Serotta Ottrott W/Campagnolo Super Record 11 in the garage, Double Check.
I had to alter my original route due to wind. Wind in Wisconsin is rare, but I didn't care. The plan was to get in 40 miles. The wind was out of the south, so I will ride south. I don't ride south much. I live in Janesville and work in Madison, that's north. So it would be some new roads.
As I started the ride I wanted to go in with an open mind. I have ridden a Cervelo R3 for the last 2 years. And that's an unbelievable ride. Smooth over the road and stiff in the bottom bracket. I also had Sram red on the R3, thought it was the best thing out there last year. Now it was time to compare.
There is a reason its called "Super Record" it is! The first thing I noticed was the feel of the ergo levers. That was what I noticed when I took it for a test ride it last October. They fit my hand better then any other shift/brake lever set I have ever tried, very comfortable.
Heading out of town is ran through the gears front and rear. Fast and smooth, front shifting flawless quick throw from the 34 to the 50 no issues at all. The rear shifts before you finish the thought. I was so busy running through the gears I forgot that I had a Ottrott under me.
So yes its a smooth ride! The roads are not the bad, but it is March in Wisconsin so the road is broken up and ruff.
Not only is it a smooth ride is super stable. Think where you want to be and your there. I rode through broken up pavement next to the edge with no problems. The R3 was a little twitchy on super ruff sections. I cannot explained it. Its the experience of ridding a bike that moves with you, knowing where you want to be and your there. It is by far the best first impression I have ever gotten from a bike.
Going up hill, very quick response. Stand up to climb, and no front derailleur rub. A very firm bottom bracket. For the smoothness of the ride very impressive.
Going down the other side, again very stable. I think I could have let go of the handle bar and the bike would not have veered an inch. But I didn't.
Like I said it was a little windy so I rode in the drops a lot. The shift/brake levers were easy to reach both up and down shifting. Everything right where it needed to be.
Weaving through the roads of southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois I kind of got lost in the ride. watching the garmin seeing where this road would take me and how it would wind back to where I need to be. Once again I remembered how much fun bike riding can be. I just got lost in riding my bike! And that is something that you can't explain. So I will stop trying.
When I rolled into the driveway I had ridden 41.77 miles. The last half or so I had a tail wind, that's always good. My toes were cold, my legs were sore. But I got no problem with that. The cold toes meant I didn't ware my winter boots. And the sore legs meant I had a good ride.
Remember I'm a want a be rider, not a want a be writer.
Last night just as I was getting ready to leave work the phone rang. Its was the man himself Ben Serotta! We had a short talk I told him I had Wednesday off and was planing to take the new Ottrott out. "Have a good ride, I'm sure you will enjoy it" It was like being blessed by the Pope. (if I were Catholic). So I should have known I was going to have a great ride.
So the day was here.
Day off, Check.
40 degrees, Check.
Roads dry, Check.
New Serotta Ottrott W/Campagnolo Super Record 11 in the garage, Double Check.
I had to alter my original route due to wind. Wind in Wisconsin is rare, but I didn't care. The plan was to get in 40 miles. The wind was out of the south, so I will ride south. I don't ride south much. I live in Janesville and work in Madison, that's north. So it would be some new roads.
As I started the ride I wanted to go in with an open mind. I have ridden a Cervelo R3 for the last 2 years. And that's an unbelievable ride. Smooth over the road and stiff in the bottom bracket. I also had Sram red on the R3, thought it was the best thing out there last year. Now it was time to compare.
There is a reason its called "Super Record" it is! The first thing I noticed was the feel of the ergo levers. That was what I noticed when I took it for a test ride it last October. They fit my hand better then any other shift/brake lever set I have ever tried, very comfortable.
Heading out of town is ran through the gears front and rear. Fast and smooth, front shifting flawless quick throw from the 34 to the 50 no issues at all. The rear shifts before you finish the thought. I was so busy running through the gears I forgot that I had a Ottrott under me.
So yes its a smooth ride! The roads are not the bad, but it is March in Wisconsin so the road is broken up and ruff.
Not only is it a smooth ride is super stable. Think where you want to be and your there. I rode through broken up pavement next to the edge with no problems. The R3 was a little twitchy on super ruff sections. I cannot explained it. Its the experience of ridding a bike that moves with you, knowing where you want to be and your there. It is by far the best first impression I have ever gotten from a bike.
Going up hill, very quick response. Stand up to climb, and no front derailleur rub. A very firm bottom bracket. For the smoothness of the ride very impressive.
Going down the other side, again very stable. I think I could have let go of the handle bar and the bike would not have veered an inch. But I didn't.
Like I said it was a little windy so I rode in the drops a lot. The shift/brake levers were easy to reach both up and down shifting. Everything right where it needed to be.
Weaving through the roads of southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois I kind of got lost in the ride. watching the garmin seeing where this road would take me and how it would wind back to where I need to be. Once again I remembered how much fun bike riding can be. I just got lost in riding my bike! And that is something that you can't explain. So I will stop trying.
When I rolled into the driveway I had ridden 41.77 miles. The last half or so I had a tail wind, that's always good. My toes were cold, my legs were sore. But I got no problem with that. The cold toes meant I didn't ware my winter boots. And the sore legs meant I had a good ride.
Remember I'm a want a be rider, not a want a be writer.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Potters Pasture!
 So I was surfing the web the other day, I see that the FFL have a post for the Paxton peleton, I think hey, I use to ride around there, lets take a look. Its a nice blog, I can see the power plant in the background of some of the pictures. I wonder if I know this guy? Lets check out his profile. To small of a picture lets check out his other stuff. WTF Potter's Pasture MTB blog are you kidding me? I gota see this! And there it was Potter's Pasture. Now for those of you who don't know and for the others who don't care. I was there at the start. P. Stephen Potter the man the myth the Legend! Is the owner and name sake of Potter's Pasture. This is some of the best off road riding in Nebraska if not the BEST! And its free. (as long as you don't add up the cost of gas to get there)! Exit 99 off I 80 south to Brady Moorefield road, turn right follow till the pavement ends. Its been awhile but I think its about 1 mile past the end of the pavement and the entrance is a gate on the left. Look down the valley and you will see a rustic camp ground. Unload your bike and start riding. The map above and the cow path's guide the way. The last time I was there Potter had more land and had added twice as many trails that were there in 97. With all the good memory's that Potters pasture blog brought up I started looking for pictures that I know that I have. So far I only have found a few. But I will keep looking. I did find a Video tape that the local TV station did on the Pasture. If I can transfer that to digital I'll get it posted. The new news is The Big Wheeled Ballyhoo for 2009. Looks like a lot of fun. Check the link from time to time and see how thing progress. Till next time. Peace and Grease.. Grump. |
Saturday, November 01, 2008
Beautiful day for a ride!
Took a little spin, 60 plus deg. Very little wind, just a wonderful day for a ride in Wisconsin. I got in about 26 miles. With a little luck I'll get one in today. We will see.
I'm on vacation so a lot of projects around the house that need to be finished up.
That's not going according to plan. But that's for another blog.
I hope that everyone is getting out for a ride or three.
Till next time.....
Peace and Grease.
Grumpy
I'm on vacation so a lot of projects around the house that need to be finished up.
That's not going according to plan. But that's for another blog.
I hope that everyone is getting out for a ride or three.
Till next time.....
Peace and Grease.
Grumpy
Sunday, August 24, 2008
I guess I had better post something!
Well its been almost 2 months. I haven't gotten of the bike just been busy. Went to Longmont CO. right after the 4th of July. Got to see the new line for 2009. Some really cool stuff coming.
You may have saw the Bronze medal winner on a new S3 Cervelo.
That nothing to what will be revealed at Interbike. All I can say is FAST!!
As for my ridding Tyson, Craig and I got in a 40 mile ride today in New Galrus.
Lots of hills at a easy pace. The route that we had planed out had to be altered due to road construction. No big deal, almost every road is paved and its all good. Each new road is a great ride.
The weather is starting to cool off up here and that means Fall will soon be here.
I hope that everyone is getting in some miles and all is well on the road!
Till next time.
Peace and Grease!
You may have saw the Bronze medal winner on a new S3 Cervelo.
That nothing to what will be revealed at Interbike. All I can say is FAST!!
As for my ridding Tyson, Craig and I got in a 40 mile ride today in New Galrus.
Lots of hills at a easy pace. The route that we had planed out had to be altered due to road construction. No big deal, almost every road is paved and its all good. Each new road is a great ride.
The weather is starting to cool off up here and that means Fall will soon be here.
I hope that everyone is getting in some miles and all is well on the road!
Till next time.
Peace and Grease!
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Another ride home!
Rode home on Tuesday night, pretty uneventful just a nice 48 mile ride. Took a bit of a new route home, saw a few new roads. The best thing about this part of Wisconsin is, almost all the roads are paved. I think that I have seen only one dirt road up here (in the year and a half of living in Wisconsin).
Wisconsin Farmstead.
Lots of nice roads to ride.
Same as above!
Yup still a geek!
The way cool dudes @ Saris tell me that by this fall I will only need the Garmin 705.
A Firm wire upgrade will let the powertap talk with the garmin.
Then I can be like the Garmin/Chipotle team
Don't you just love technology!
Peace and Grease!
Grumpy
Wisconsin Farmstead.
Lots of nice roads to ride.
Same as above!
Yup still a geek!
The way cool dudes @ Saris tell me that by this fall I will only need the Garmin 705.
A Firm wire upgrade will let the powertap talk with the garmin.
Then I can be like the Garmin/Chipotle team
Don't you just love technology!
Peace and Grease!
Grumpy
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