Published

My first photo has now been published in Schmap (<-- not this photo). Sure, it's an online travel guide with tons of other photos too, but mine is still in there if you look really hard :-)

I can't believe it has been so long since my last post. So I apologize in advance, this means that my thoughts will probably bounce around to all the various things I thought about writing but apparently never captured.

In some ways, not much has changed, I have been getting out and enjoying the snowy winter...this is definitely a "good" winter from my perspective. I cross-country skiid (sp?), snowshoed, went sledding and went snowboarding. Of course, I also managed a bit if winter road riding (on the bike) and also checked out CompuTrainers at the local bike shop.

I will digress for a moment. Not sure what is good or bad, but my CompuTrainer numbers were an average of 225 watts and 90 rpm. I have to go again before I know how these numbers will compare, but thought I would capture it now for future reference.

So, all in all I am getting out and enjoying the season, and I really enjoy the time with family and friends. I have a very large relation, and this year seemed to be a return to big family style gameplay. I am fortunate, since most people will never experience getting together with 30 of their cousins and playing broom ball - it's a blast. I hate to admit that some of the cousins I would probably botch their name, but there is still a wonderful sense of family and it was a really great time (see photo - and no, this is not ALL of my cousins).

Despite all this wintery goodness, lately I have been feeling a pull back to the metro lifestyle. I think I would like to return to Milwaukee, possibly an East side condo. No more yard work, suburbs, car-oriented living. I want to go jogging along the lake, riding the river trails and paths, walk / bike to shops, and being surrounded by a population and culture that I seek. I want to see more people out on the street, hit up the corner coffee shop, and just feel a part of the urban scene. Can I have all that and still cross-country ski by moonlight in the woods? Could I still get my fix of singletrack riding? What about job changes? Still some sorting out to do...

Regardless, today I will be returning to the East side...to visit. I am excited to check out a movie at the Oriental, eat at Maharaja's, and eventually close Wolsky's with my wonderful cuz-in-law Johnny serving up some Lakefront brews.

10 in 10, twice

Tonight I went for a winter night ride (the pic is borrowed from my winter day ride last weekend). I decided I would bike to the mall to pick up a sternum strap for my camelback. I lost mine years ago, but it never really bothered me until I went x-country skiing and it kept falling off one shoulder. Anyway, it was mostly just an excuse to get out, so I hooked up my lights and hit the road on my fixie. I decided to go with three layers on top and bike shorts and tights on the bottom and brought along some extras just in case.

The ride started out nice. I was a bit chilled but figured I would warm up after a few miles. A few miles later I decided to put on the second pair of tights. I thanked myself for bringing an extra pair as I pedaled away with noticably better wind protection. From that point on I was comfortable except for the usual trouble areas - my feet and stomache. Yep, my stomache. I need to get a windproof vest or jacket, but I already agreed to let Santa make the purchase...so I am now really looking forward to xmas :-)

Once I got to the mall I realized I didn't bring a lock, so I ditched the bike in a snowbank near a few dumpsters. I figured people wouldn't want to ride it and probably b-line straight to their cars anyway. Once in the store I discovered that the sternum straps sold out in the last couple days...go figure. I attempted to find battery-heated socks that I heard about, but alas I did not find those either. A young woman did say I inspired her to get out on her bike, so I guess all was not lost. I put in a plug for WORS, so we'll see if she sucks it up buttercup.

On the way home I thought I would swing by Jesse's house and give him a hard time for not joining me...although I had only left a message. On the way a car pulled over and flagged me down. He had to know where I got my spoke lights and offered to buy them now. Admittedly I love them - they are fun, artsy, and ultimately help me be visible. Warning though, they do tend to get random shout outs, so be prepared!

I have been watching videos and reading about Milwaukee's bike culture, such as the Milwaukee Messenger Invitational. I miss East Side Milwaukee and being in an urban environment with a strong bike culture. I am seriously thinking about making my move back. For a while I pondered a move out of state (ideally for mountains, ocean, or both), but I think I could be happy hear. I just need a bit more of the yuppie life I guess; I don't want to get lost in the burbs yet. I would love to commute to work via bicycle, have my morning coffee at the local shop, jog along the lakeshore, and in general see more people out and about. Interesting events, restaurants, people, etc.

For today, I will settle for 10 miles at 10 degrees and back - not a bad day.

Winter Ride

We have been fortunate enough to get a good amount of snow already this winter, so of course that means it was time to wax up the skis...and then take out the mountain bike. What can I say, the two wheels were calling...

I think my face froze in the first minute, and my camelback water tube froze a few minutes after that. The wind was bone chilling, but I tried to trust that I would be just right once I was warmed up...or at least once I ducked into some wooded trails. I turned up the tunes and continued on.

I trail entrance off of the paved path was buried in virgin snow. As much as I love first tracks, I knew my bike wasn't necessarily the best tool to carve them. I veered in and was maintaining just enough traction to cut my path. Of course, I had to zig and zag as the snow continued to have its way with me. I spun out and put my foot down after 20 ft or so and questioned whether I could carry on for several miles of winter single track. I backed up a bit to utilize my pre-cut track to get a running start. A few moments later I was making tracks again and rediscovering my center of gravity. There was no turning back.