1st Errandonnee

Another challenge has been put forth by Mary from Chasing Mailboxes: the Errandonnee.
Basically, you have to do 12 errands which are chosen from 11 categories by bike between March 7-19, and then document your errand with a picture and something that you learned or observed during your trip.

I started this years challenge with a trip to the grocery store to pick up some tortillas for Saturday's dinner.

Category: Grocery Store
Distance: 2.34 miles


Observation 1: When there is nothing to lock your bike to at a store you tend to shop really fast.


Observation 2: Tortillas are the perfect shape to put in a frame bag.

Speed Demon

5 miles of snowmobile trail in 1 minute. No wonder my legs are sore.

Breaking the Silence

Since it's been such a cold, snowy, and lazy winter, I haven't been doing much riding lately. I decided that Sunday I would rectify that by going on my longest ride since late October.


The first part of the ride took place on roads that looked like they had been covered in a layer of brown sugar. I tried my best to stay in the tire tracks but wasn't always successful.


Which led to a nice coating of snow on both the bike and my boots. Also, it tasted really salty. Not sweet at all. I guess looks can be deceiving.


Eventually, I made my way to some gravel roads which had a nice base of mostly hard packed snow and ice. It was much easier to ride on than the brown sugar was.


One thing I did accomplish during our recent period of subzero temps was the completion of a waxed canvas frame bag for the Ogre. It did a nice job of swallowing up all of the gear that I take with me on winter rides. A future post is in the works on the construction of the bag. Maybe.


With so much white, it was nice to see a bit of color.

After arriving home safely from my 20 mile ride, I threw the frisbee to Loki for a little bit until we were interrupted by this barred owl. In the house went the dog, out came the camera. If only I was as photogenic as this guy (or girl).

Coffeeneuring Challenge: Ride 7

Our final coffeeneuring ride of 2013 took us to Caribou Coffee, which is located inside Mount Royal Fine Foods, a short 4 mile ride from our front doorstep (for the mathematically challenged, that makes for an 8 mile round trip).


This was the only one of the shops we've visited during the challenge to have a (well placed) bike rack for their customers.


We took advantage of Caribou being inside of a grocery store and picked up a few items, along with a new winter mascot. We each had a dark chocolate Ho Ho Mint Mocha with soy and also brought home a pound of Reindeer Blend to help kick start our holiday spirit.


The coffee was so good we decided to finish drinking it at home so we could savor every last drop.

Big thanks to MG for the challenge. Can't wait to do it again next year.

Coffeeneuring Challenge: Ride 6

For our penultimate coffeeneuring outing we rode our Mukluks to nearby Hartley Nature Center for our second coffee shop without walls. Although the park has 9 miles of single track to ride, we decided to take the direct route to our destination. It was supposed to rain the rest of the weekend, so we wanted to get home before it started. We'll save the rainy ride for Sunday.


Our five mile round trip included some nice dirt roads.......


and a bit of single track.


Selfie at the pond.


We drank hot apple cider by the waters edge.


Hot apple cider over ice. Who'da thunk it?

Coffeeneuring Challenge: Rides 4 & 5

Saturday's coffeeneuring outing took us to Casa Latte, which is located at the intersection of State Highways 53 & 194. While its not located at the most picturesque of locations, their excellent coffee more than made up for this small shortcoming.
The approach.


Although it was cozy and warm inside, we had our coffee to go. We didn't want to overheat.


Trish had a Soy Cinnamon Mocha, while I had a Soy Turtle Mocha. We shared* a Birthday Cake Scone.


Since Trish was given a large instead of the medium she ordered, I made the ultimate sacrifice and finished it for her.


Coffee brings out the sun, which we were very grateful for on our chilly 18 mile trip.



Sunday's ride took us down the hill into Duluth to At Sara's Table/Chester Creek Cafe.


One nice thing about bikes is that they have no windows to scrape.


The shop is located about halfway down the hill in the Chester Park neighborhood, close to the UMD campus. It was a 10.6 mile round trip.


We each had Chai Lattes and shared* a Vegan Chocolate Cupcake.
The drinks were good. The cupcake was even better.
Cheers!

*When I say shared, I mean that I let her have a little bite while I inhaled the remainder.

Tamarack Tour

Sunday's forecast was calling for the warmest weather we've had in a couple of weeks, so I just had to get out for what would probably be my last 50 miler of the year.
I left the house at 7:30. I wasn't bright enough to wait until later in the morning to leave, which meant I didn't really get to enjoy the warmer weather. That was OK. Comfort's overrated anyway.


Too cute to not take a picture.




After 24 miles of pavement it was time to hit the dirt. One good thing about riding dirt roads is that it gives you an opportunity to check your tire pressure.


Just the middle third of the tire is dirty. Pressure looks good!


Dirt roads tend to have better scenery too.








This was the best looking tree I saw all day. It was neat the way the smaller spruce was growing right next to it.




Here are two hard working pieces of heavy equipment.




He and I had a little staredown going on. I was very glad there was a fence between us.


Click on it. You know you want to.