Happy Halloween

It's looking to be a fun commute tomorrow.

The Crack of Dawn

 Yesterday morning I thought I would get out early enough to watch the sunrise over the lake.

It looks like I succeeded.

Nice Rack

It's kind of funny what people will use as a bike rack.

Check out the headlights on that one.

I meant the bike.

NorthwoodsBicycleCommuter

As ashamed as I am to admit it, Monday was the first time I rode my bike to work this year.

My main excuse has been not having a good lock (thanks JRA!). That excuse was actually so good I didn't need to come up with any others. I finally broke down and purchased a U-lock last month. I guess that means no more excuses.

So, at 6:15 I donned my reflective vest and sparked up my lights for the  6 1/2 mile descent down to work. Being pretty much all downhill, getting to work is actually a pretty easy ride. I broke more of a sweat unloading and locking up the bike than I did riding.

Arriving as early as I did, I got the primo spot right next to the window. There is rack closer to where I work, but this one seems to be safer and is more convenient to taking the scenic route home. There is also a security camera nearby, although I can't tell whether it's facing the rack or not.

 The requisite "Lift Bridge in the Background" shot.

When riding along Lake Superior it's important to stop for a ship photo too.

 The first six miles of my ride home was along the lakewalk through eastern Duluth. Riding into the strong headwind was a good warm up before heading up the hill.

 After reaching the end of the path, it was time to head up Seven Bridges Road.

 The best thing about the bridges is that the views from them give you a good excuse to stop climbing and take a breather.

 After leaving the road, I got to ride through the woods for a couple of miles on the Amity trail.

The final hill, and there always is one.

I think my first commute turned out pretty well. The only negative I really found was that after work it took me a while to change clothes and get the bike loaded.* By that point, I would have been almost home had I driven. Hopefully, as I do it more often, I'll get into a better rhythm and be able to get on the road more quickly.

*It would have gone faster had I been bright enough to pull the bike away from the rack before putting on the pannier and trunk bag. I had to take them off again in order to get the bike through the rack. Embarrassing, but funny.

Autumn Smiles

Just a few of the reasons we were all smiles this afternoon.

Pictures from Heck

Yesterday I participated in my first gravel race, The Heck of the North. I completed the 104 mile course (and nearly 5000 ft of climbing) in a little over 9 hours. I had a great time, although my knees say otherwise. 

I'm still processing the whole experience, and I'm not sure if I'm going to try to put it all into words, so for now at least I'll just post some pictures from the day.