Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Sunday, September 13, 2009
St. Paul Classic
I cannot tell you how good it felt to be back on my bike again. This summer has been hell for me. I've sustained more injuries than I care to talk about. The sad thing is they did not happen while riding so they were not even worth it. It's one thing if you have a crash while bombing a downhill or having a great ride through a rock garden; but pulling your hamstring while pulling out tree roots is stupid. In any case I participated in the St. Paul Classic today and had just a fantastic time.
Rode with some old friends and some new friends. Everyone met at the starting line and we rolled out about 9 AM a nice easy cheesy ride to the first rest stop. Saw lots of kids on the ride, don't know if it's because we started out so late or if there were more this year. From what I hear there were about 7000 riders this year!
The second rest stop was at Indian Mounds Park, lots of cookies and coffee, yummy. Great view overlooking downtown St. Paul. There were a few climbs to get to Mounds Park but they were not too bad. Next stop Como Park! The ride was fairly flat until we hit the big hill on Wheelock Parkway. I was thinking about this hill the entire time, and wondering if I was going to make it. My knees are in pretty bad shape this year so I was concerned. But I had nothing to worry about it was a piece of cake, well maybe not that sweet but I didn't have any trouble with it. I've been in physical therapy most of the summer for my pulled hamstring and the arthritis in my knees, I guess it's working.
We arrived at Como Park pavilion and enjoyed some great music, coffee and brownies. Well I enjoyed the coffee most everyone else was into the lemonade. I love me some coffee and it's not often I pass up a free cup. Como Park is the last stop before the end of the ride.
I have no idea what time we finished the ride as I was not paying any attention to the time or mileage. We had several "new" riders with us so it was a nice easy casual Sunday ride.
After arriving back at the starting point we decided we needed food and a beer so we rode over to the Groveland Tap for lunch. My game plan was to ride my bike back home from the event; but after food and a beer I took Dave up on his offer of a ride home.
The weather was perfect, the company was great! Now I'm inspired to get some more miles in before the snow starts flying.
My riding this summer has been limited mostly to commuting back and forth to work. Now that I'm feeling better I plan to do more riding. I've had my hours at work changed the past few weeks in order to have some daylight to ride into work. I don't know how much longer that will last. I think I will need to invest in a stronger headlight. I lost my good light when my Kona mountain bike was stolen a while back.
Now it's time to relax and enjoy my evening. 0530 will be coming along real quickly.
Rode with some old friends and some new friends. Everyone met at the starting line and we rolled out about 9 AM a nice easy cheesy ride to the first rest stop. Saw lots of kids on the ride, don't know if it's because we started out so late or if there were more this year. From what I hear there were about 7000 riders this year!
The second rest stop was at Indian Mounds Park, lots of cookies and coffee, yummy. Great view overlooking downtown St. Paul. There were a few climbs to get to Mounds Park but they were not too bad. Next stop Como Park! The ride was fairly flat until we hit the big hill on Wheelock Parkway. I was thinking about this hill the entire time, and wondering if I was going to make it. My knees are in pretty bad shape this year so I was concerned. But I had nothing to worry about it was a piece of cake, well maybe not that sweet but I didn't have any trouble with it. I've been in physical therapy most of the summer for my pulled hamstring and the arthritis in my knees, I guess it's working.
We arrived at Como Park pavilion and enjoyed some great music, coffee and brownies. Well I enjoyed the coffee most everyone else was into the lemonade. I love me some coffee and it's not often I pass up a free cup. Como Park is the last stop before the end of the ride.
I have no idea what time we finished the ride as I was not paying any attention to the time or mileage. We had several "new" riders with us so it was a nice easy casual Sunday ride.
After arriving back at the starting point we decided we needed food and a beer so we rode over to the Groveland Tap for lunch. My game plan was to ride my bike back home from the event; but after food and a beer I took Dave up on his offer of a ride home.
The weather was perfect, the company was great! Now I'm inspired to get some more miles in before the snow starts flying.
My riding this summer has been limited mostly to commuting back and forth to work. Now that I'm feeling better I plan to do more riding. I've had my hours at work changed the past few weeks in order to have some daylight to ride into work. I don't know how much longer that will last. I think I will need to invest in a stronger headlight. I lost my good light when my Kona mountain bike was stolen a while back.
Now it's time to relax and enjoy my evening. 0530 will be coming along real quickly.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
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