Sunset Brrrrito Club

I was looking for a way to make today's ride to city hall and back a bit more interesting so, with inspiration provided by Shawn of Urban Adventure League, I decided to follow up my errand with the inaugural edition of Sunset Burrito Club: Duluth. 
The basic premise of the Burrito Club is simple: Enjoy a burrito while watching the sunset.
Since I didn't want to do a blatant ripoff of the Portland Club, I needed to find something to differentiate the Duluth edition from Shawn's. It was something I'd have to think long and hard about.


Hey, I've got it! Falling snow and subzero temperatures. I can't think of a better way to say Duluth.


Next, I would need a burrito. That part was easy. We had leftover roasted veggie burritos from Saturday's dinner. I heated it up in the microwave and then placed it (along with a hot bag of rice) in my specially designed burrito warmer, also known as a Granite Gear Aquatherm bottle holder.


Finally, one thing any reputable sunset burrito club needs is a mascot, preferably a moose. We just so happened to have one hanging around the house, so along he came.
Despite having magnets in his feet, he had to ride in the bag with my camera. This bike doesn't seem to have any steel on that he can hang on to (please don't tell the folks from the SteelonWheelsForum, or they may take away my membership).


Forty minutes after leaving my house, sunset arrived at the Rice Lake City Park, and I was able to enjoy my still warm burrito while watching the snow fall.


As an added bonus, to help work off my meal, I was able to go for a quick spin through the park where snowmobiles had packed down the snow.

All in all, I would have to say the first sunset burrito club in Duluth was a success. Maybe next time I'll actually get to see the sunset.

Cold Weather Testing

If I were a glass half empty kind of guy I would have looked at this morning's temperature and probably would have went straight back to bed. Today at least, that guy isn't me. I looked at the temp and thought," Hey! what a great day to test out my new Buff balaclava."
Not wanting to put it to too extreme of a test, I did decide to wait until it warmed up a bit before heading out. When I finally left on my ride, the temperature had climbed all the way to -2F.
This isn't going to be a review per se, just a few observations on how it worked for me.

The Buff balaclava is made of polar fleece with a wind blocking material covering the lower face and going around the back of the head. It has a cutout for your nostrils and several small holes for your mouth and ears.
I decided to keep things short and just go around the block (2 1/4 miles) in case I had any issues with my bike or my clothing choices due to the cold.
So, how did it go? The bike performed flawlessly, my clothing kept me warm, but the balaclava was a bit of a disappointment.


Despite the fact that it did keep my head quite warm, it fit so tightly that I couldn't pull it down below my nose, which led to my glasses frosting over completely. That is not a good thing. I have a hard enough time riding in a straight line without my vision being impaired.
Another issue I had was with the ear holes cut outs. While riding into the wind, the air rushing past my ears was deafening. I had to turn my head to the side to make the noise go away.


So, I guess it's back to my old stand by from Mountain Hardware. It lacks the wind stopper material so it may not be quite as warm as the Buff, but at least I can pull it away from my glasses (even under my chin if need be) to keep them clear.

Through Rose Colored Glasses

They say things look better through rose colored glasses. 

Whoever "they" are probably weren't wearing them while riding a bike through freezing rain.

In this case, things just look better au naturale.

I'm on a Roll Now

Things are just chugging right along here in the new year. Two straight days of riding, and even more amazing: blog posts on two consecutive days! What has gotten into me? If I had to make a guess, I would have to go with caffeine. That usually seems to do the trick.

Saturday's ride took me to an appointment to get my ears lowered. It's been so warm lately that I don't need quite as much insulation up top. I really like this salon. You can have coffee or a glass of wine while you wait, but more importantly, I can park my bike in the entrance. Hopefully the puddle the bike left on the floor evaporates before the owner sees it. I may be parking outside next time.

The temperature was pushing 30 and so was the wind. I like the warmth, but I don't like the way it softens up the snow on the side roads. It takes all of my limited talent to stay upright. On the plus side, I can always use the practice.

2016: Off to a Good Start

My high school basketball coach once said, "If you don't win the first game of the season, you can't win them all." I guess the same thing can be said about biking. If you don't ride the first day of the year, you can't ride them all. With that in mind, I grabbed the bull by the horns Ogre by the grips, and headed out for my first ride of the new year.


First photo of the year.  Despite the green monster in the foreground, the view was quite nice. It was good to see some blue sky for a change.


Being that it's January, not a single sign of any other bikes were seen during my entire ride. Everyone else must have been riding in town.


Even though I live just outside of Duluth, it's still pretty suburban. Most of the roads are paved, so when I finally get to a dirt road lined with snow covered evergreens I just have to stop and take in the beauty of it all. The fact that I just climbed a hill with my heavy* studded tires had nothing to do with it (ok, maybe just a little).


I ended up with just a bit over 20 miles during my two hour excursion. At this rate I should end up with over 7,000 miles for the year. Seeing as my best mileage year ever was 2,600 that's pretty unlikely, but a man can dream can't he?


*The tires aren't that heavy. I'm just eternally out of shape.

Errandonnee 2015: Nine & Out

This past Monday, after waiting out the rain, I completed my ninth and final errand of the 2015 Errandonnee season. This last one was and easy one. A ride to the town hall to pay the water bill, the one errand I try to do by bike every month.
Nine out of twelve isn't too bad. Should be worth an honorable mention anyway.
I really wanted to do all twelve, but between the rain that day and my feeling of being a bit burnt out from the miles I put in that week, I just wasn't feeling it. Well, there's always next year.

Errandonnee 9

Category: Personal Business
Distance: 10.4 miles
Observation: Why is it I spend almost $400 to equip my bike with lights, yet practically every car driver I see can't be bothered to turn on the lights that their cars came with?
Hey! After four years of blogging, I think that was my first ever rant. Here's to four more years of positivity.

Errandonnee Totals:

9 errands from 6 different categories.
63.1 miles. 

Thanks for putting this on MG! I look forward to doing this again.

Another Three Errandonnee(s)

Since temps were in the fifties and the roads were clear on Saturday, I decided to take the Trucker out for it's first voyage of the year.
My first stop was to Hartley Nature Center to see if there was anything new going on since my last visit.

I passed by the official greeter on the road to the parking lot.


As is normally the case, I had the rack to myself. I don't believe many people ride their bikes to get here. Most drive here with their mountain or fat tire bikes to ride the trails, which is something I really should start doing once in a while. I'll skip the driving part though, as it's only a couple miles from my house.


Once inside, I wandered around and checked out the exhibits showing wildlife that is local to the area. I was going to say local to the park, but I doubt there are any Northern Pike in the nearby pond.


This guy's name is Billy. I didn't here him sing.


Being this close, I'm glad this Snapping Turtle is behind glass, although I would be more glad if it was outside, free in the water.


After leaving the kept animals at Hartley, I decided I needed to be around some that were a bit more wild. A short while later, I found myself at a nearby cemetery that has a duck pond, and believe it or not, ducks!
Not wanting to spook them all into the water, I gave them their space and made my way towards my next mission: Seeing if the scenic route I sometimes take on my commute home from work is open for the season yet.


After going around a road closed barricade, I found that it was not ready for riding yet.


Oops, spoke too soon. Well, if guys on road bikes can make it through I guess I can probably make it too. Plus, I won't be riding this road home until Wednesday at the earliest. The snow will probably be gone by the time I come through.

Saturday's breakdown:

Errandonnee 6

Category: Wild Card
Distance: 2.6 miles
Observation: I need to take better advantage of the amenities that are just outside my doorstep.

Errandonnee 7

Category: Personal Care
Distance: 1.1 miles
Observation: A ducks place is in the water, mine is on my bike.

Errandonnee 8

Category: Non-Store Errand
Distance: 11.8
Observation: Looks can be deceiving, or maybe I'm just a wuss.

Errandonnee: Two Categories Complete

On Thursday, I continued by quest to complete the 2015 Errandonnee with another commute to work and a stop at the grocery store on the way home.


I start work at 7am, so I leave home while its still dark. Having to leave the house shortly after 6:00 does have it's advantages though.
First, there is a lot less traffic to deal with that early in the morning.


Second, it gave me a great excuse to install a dynamo headlight and taillight on my Ogre.
Win, win.


On my way home I stopped at a grocery store to pick up something for Friday's breakfast, once again locking up in the corner. I must subconsciously believe that either my bike or I have been naughty. It couldn't be me though, so that only leaves one alternative.......

Thursday's breakdown:

Errandonnee 4

Category: Work or Volunteering
Distance: 6.2 miles
Observation: The dark isn't so scary when you're well-lit.

Errandonnee 5

Category: Store
Distance: 6.7 miles
Observation: I always feel very conspicuous while taking a picture of my bike in public. Never seems to stop me though.

Errandonnee 3, Commute # 1

Today was my first commute by bike of 2015. Over the past couple of months I've put a lot into building up my Ogre, so I plan on riding to work a lot more than I have in years past.


One of the doctors at work is gone for the week, so I was able to use his office as a parking spot.
It's hard to beat a corner office overlooking Lake Superior.


I had to take a picture of Trish's favorite tree while I rode home up east 4th street. In the next couple of years, they will be rebuilding this street. New water and sewer lines will be put in, along with bike lanes. Unfortunately, all of the big old trees will have to come down. I'm not so sure it will be worth it. I hope they find a way to keep them.


The home stretch.
The ride downhill to work is fast and easy, but I think I like the ride home better. It's easier to appreciate things while moving at a slower pace.

Errandonnee 3

Category: Work or Volunteering

Distance: 12.7 miles

Observation: It's not a race. Enjoy your slowness.

A Sure Sign of Spring

Well, it's that time of year again. Time for the 2015 Errandonnee Challenge, put on once again by MG at Chasing Mailboxes. 12 errands by bike in 12 days. Easy peasy, I hope.

My first stop was a trip to the University of Minnesota Duluth. I originally planned on going into the Tweed Museum to check out some art, but the nice weather got the best of me, and I opted to stay outside and check out the various sculptures around campus.


The first piece I saw had me a bit puzzled. The parts all looked very familiar, yet I had no clue what it was supposed to represent. Modern art can be such a mystery.


The second piece was equally mysterious. Which side is the front?


"Wild Ricing Moon"
That one is so obvious. It's also the only one I looked up.


My second stop was at Super One Foods to pick up some seed for the birds.


Hey Look! Art at the grocery store. What a harmonious melding of colors and shapes, while still remaining highly functional.
I simply must have it.


Thistle Fail.
It looks like the redpolls are going to have to deal with sunflower seeds for another day.


On to plan B. Although unsuccessful errands still count, I had to ride away with something. After 11 miles of riding, it sure hit the spot.

The Breakdown:

Errandonnee 1

Category: Arts and Entertainment
Distance: 6 miles
Observation: You don't need to know what something is to appreciate the beauty of it.

Errandonnee 2

Category: Store
Distance: 5.6 miles
Observation 1: There was no thistle, so I decided to wet my whistle.
Observation 2: Apparently I'm both an artist and poet.

Let's Try This Again

Blogging
Is it really that difficult, or do I just make it seem that way? Probably the latter.
It shouldn't be that hard. Take some pictures, write a few words (don't over think things). Done.

January was a good month on the bike for me. Since it wasn't too terribly cold, I was able to break 100 miles for the first time ever. That may not seem like much, but the darkness and cold & wind always seem to conspire against my getting many miles in, so I'm pretty proud.
February was a different story. Temps were about ten degrees cooler than normal for the month, plus just about every day I had off seemed to be really windy. I only got in 35 miles through the 27th, so I was really happy to have gotten in 24 miles on Saturday.


After pushing the Ogre up the second half of the steepest climb of they day, I stopped for the first photo op of the day. I needed the rest too. That thing has to weighs forty+ pounds, and since I built it for utility, I guess I'll have to be the one to go on a diet.


I planned on bypassing this road, since it's usually closed. I'd never seen it plowed before, so I couldn't pass up the opportunity to ride it.


There were plenty of soft spots, so I had to choose my line carefully and the going was slow, but I eventually made it through to the end.

It's a very pretty stretch of road. I wish it were longer than a mile and a half.


I rode along with the man in the moon.............


and with Pegasus.


On the way home I came across another road that is usually unplowed, so again I had to go on a little detour.


I made it about a mile in before coming to the area where logging was being done. No wonder there weren't any birds around. This area is changing all the time. I'll have to get back here before the ground thaws and the ATVs rut everything up.


3 hours riding in the sunshine. A good way to end the month.

Coffeeneuring Ride 4: Acclimating

With winter coming soon, I thought it would be smart to try to become acclimated to the cold before the temps start to plummet too much.  So today I jumped at the opportunity to ride 10 miles into a 20 degree wind chill for a cup of hot coffee.
Long story short, (and I do wish I could write an actual story) after getting off to a late start, I made it to the coffee shop five minutes before it closed. This meant that I had to enjoy my beverage al fresco, which is also good for acclimating. Come January, weather like this will feel like a heat wave.

Date: November 8
Location: Casa Latte 5493 Miller Trunk Hwy, Hermantown MN
Beverage: Snickers Latte w/ Almond Milk
Distance: 20.4 miles
Observation: Tailwinds Rule! Even more so when it's cold out.

Coffeeneuring Ride 3: Pumpkin Spice

Since I've gotten a bit behind on the coffee rides, I am going to have to start doing two a weekend to get caught up.


Sunday morning was a bit cooler than Saturday, so I decided to take it indoors to Perk Place, where I enjoyed a pumpkin spice latte and also bought a bag of locally roasted beans. Perk Place is a family owned shop that just opened last winter. Although I've been here several times, this was the first time that I biked.


Being located in a strip mall, my parking choices were limited to either: a chain link fence 100 yards away, a wheel bender bike rack 200 yards away, or unsecured on the sidewalk. Being the lazy guy that I am, I chose the closest option. Since I could watch the bike from the window, I didn't feel quite as nervous leaving it there. Bike thieves probably sleep in on Sundays anyway.

Date: October 26
Location: Perk Place, 1336 W Arrowhead Rd, Duluth MN
Beverage: Pumpkin Spice Latte with almond milk.
Distance: 10 miles, which included a stop at the grocery store.
Observation: Sunday morning is the best time to ride into town.

Coffeeneuring Ride 2: Lake Superior Sunrise

We're on week four of the Coffeeneuring Challenge already, and I've only done one ride so far, so I guess it's time to get my butt in gear.
For my second outing I decided to do a coffee shop without walls while watching the sun rise over Lake Superior.


I chose a perfect day for it. When I left the house 45 minutes before sunrise the temp was 48 and the skies were clear. I made very good time. The ride was all downhill with a strong tailwind.


Oh the joy one feels upon learning he hasn't forgotten anything.


Although the water was a bit slow to boil, I got the coffee pressed with a few minutes to spare.


Hot on the rocks.


For your (quick) viewing pleasure.

My coffee companion. I didn't share. He seemed high strung enough.


Here is just one small contributor of Lake Superior's water. It's much more impressive in the spring.


Although I left my squirrel friend behind I still had some pleasant, and quiet, company for the ride home. Even if he would have spoken, I never would have heard him over the wind.

Date: October 25
Location: Skyline Parkway overlooking Lake Superior
Beverage: French Press with soy creamer and salted caramel agave syrup
Distance: 14.9 miles
Observation: Nature is beautiful, hills and headwinds, not so much.