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.