Good Stuff

Here is a big update.

This past Friday I went on a great evening ride with really good friend for what we expected would be just a putt putt around the neighborhood. It turned into a really fun night ride through hillside trails behind the old science center. Sometimes the best rides just happen and aren't planned at all.

Evening Ride'n

Widget powered by EveryTrail: Share and Plan your Trips

I ordered a new seat post for my Mtb bike. The stock post was only 350mm. I ordered and have now installed a new Salsa shaft seat post. Its pretty cool and think it will work out perfect.

I took the kids to the science center on Friday. We've gone there several times and it never disappoints.

I took the kids to the IA fair on Saturday. We met my sister Anne and she helped out tremendously. All of us had a fabulous time. We eat BEEF, watched some dancers, played in the fountains, when down the big slide, saw the giant pumpkins, and much more.

Fresh out of the van, and ready to go!




Dad and his girls


The giant pumpkins


Butterfly tent




After the fountains


Tired girls (and Dad)


Monday was the first day of school for Greta Jane. She had a few tears on the first day but by Wednesday morning she was doing better.


Edie can't help it and jumps for joy in excitement for G'boo's first day of school.

Nice little ride over the weekend

Girls took off for the weekend leaving me to my own devices. This meant as much biking as I could do guilt free.

Denmans 8/16/09

Widget powered by EveryTrail: Travel Community

Ride through Denmans

Had a great time on a solo ride through Denmans tonight.

Denmans Woods Ride 8-14-09

Widget powered by EveryTrail: GPS Community

I think I'm in love

My new Cannondale has filled that place in my heart where my stolen F600 was ripped from. I'm glad to be back in the saddle. I went for a great ride tonight after work with some guys from Rasmussen Bike Shop.

Taco Ride 8-12-09

Widget powered by EveryTrail: Share and Plan your Trips

The madian voyage on the amputee

I went for a night ride together with Jacob through Denmans on 8/1/09. The madian voyage for my new C'dale 29er 2. Went over the bars once at top speed. Followed that up with a slow speed crash and got a locust thorn embedded in my forearm. Had to be taken to the ER to have it removed. Didn't get home until 3 AM.

Most importantly my bike didn't suffer a scratch! I love this sport!!!

Night ride through Denmans

Widget powered by EveryTrail: Share GPS Tracks

My ride through the trails at Lake Ahquabi State Park

Rode these trails on 8/8/09. The conditions were brutally hot and the hills were relentless. My GPS had some trouble always receiving a signal so the map is spotty.

Mt. Biking Lake Ahquabi

Widget powered by EveryTrail: Travel Community

Here's the low down -

I got my replacement bike last week. A Cannondale 29er 2. I've been riding it at every opportunity I get. Well the first weekend had the bike I went for an night mtb ride with Jacob. It was great time but it ended kinda rough. That night I was moving through the trees pretty fast, but found my handle bars rapped up around a tree which caused me to go over the handle bars and flat on my back in the weeds. So I brushed that fall, picked up what was left of my pride, and got back on my bike. If that wasn't enough while I was trying negotiate a turn at a low speed I fell. This time when I fell I landed on a honey locust thorn. The thorn found its way into my left forearm. Jacob and I decided to call it a night after my last fall and putted home. By the time we got to his place and I looked at my arm it was getting pretty stiff. The thorn was now down underneath my skin and was pushing out in a grotesque sort of way. Jacob offered to take me down the ER and I took him up on it. So diggy do there I am in the examination room at 2:30 AM getting a 5/8 inch thorn out of my arm. The doctor had to slice me open to get a handle on it. After pulling it out he actually went the rest of the MDs to show them what he just pulled out of me. So its a week later and my arm feels pretty good. Thank goodness this injury hasn't slowed down my riding. In fact its only made me want to ride more!

JN and I went to lake Ahquabi today for a ride. The heat was crazy hot ~95 and the hills were many and steep. It was a great time.

Here are few pics of my new ride - 27.5 lbs right off the rack.

I'm thinking this bike's nickname should be, Amputee