McKenzie Slough

I took advantage reasonably warm temperatures this weekend to get in an early morning ride.  Starting at 5:00 a.m. on Saturday, I headed east on Highway 10 into a slight headwind.  It was the first lengthy ride for the AWOL, which so far has proven to be an excellent bike.

By daybreak I arrived on the outskirts of McKenzie Slough, well known locally as a birder’s paradise.  Both sides of the road offered pleasant views of water and standing cattails from last year’s growth.  However, on this ride, it was the sound that I won’t soon forget.  Birds of all sorts were announcing the sunrise, and the volume of their chirps, squawks, quacks, and screams easily drowned out the hum of my tires for about a half mile.  It was a super cool experience.

(Daybreak at McKenzie Slough)

Turning the Corner on Winter – Looking Forward to the 2015 Cycling Season

Winter’s grip on North Dakota has finally loosened enough to allow for comfortable riding weather.  The warmer temperatures, coupled with the benefit of daylight savings time, have been most welcome.  I’ve managed two short rides on the singlespeed and a 50 km jaunt on the CrossCheck, with the latter a mix of pavement and gravel around the Mandan airport.

Ice is still prevalent on the Missouri and Heart Rivers, but is disappearing quickly.  Barring ice jams, both rivers should be running free soon should warming temperatures continue.

(East bank of the Missouri frozen near the BNSF bridge)

 

(Where free of ice, the Heart River flows quickly)

The first lengthy ride of the season is always a favorite.  I take the pace slow, enjoying what wildlife is nearby while easing my body back into the rhythm and mechanics needed for good form.  Having done relatively little winter conditioning, the path back to ‘cycling shape’ is expected to take longer than previous years.  I’m unconcerned, as plans for 2015 are modest.

I’ve abandoned a run at Paris-Breast-Paris.  The time and financial commitment is simply beyond reach, with new staff to train at work this summer and a junior-to-be in college.  Should my body hold up, I’ll refocus for 2019.

Most rides this year will have a local flair, beginning and ending in Bismarck/Mandan.  At this point in time, only one ACP brevet is planned for the year, but it’s a ‘bucket list’ ride.

Bike Parking in Japan

A brief visit to Japan last week afforded the opportunity to share a glimpse of bicycling culture in this technologically progressive country.  My visit was limited to Tsukuba, Kameoka, and Kyoto, with travel to each squeezed into a very busy four-day schedule.

(Kameoka is immediately west of Kyoto)

Something new - at least to me - was the presence of fee-based bike parking.  At first I thought these ‘stations’ were for a bike share program, but upon further inspection I realized otherwise.  Commuters seem forced into using these stations, as locking bikes to signs, fences, trees, etc. is prohibited.  The locking mechanism affixes to the front wheel...  ...hardly a fail safe approach for securing a bike.

(Uncovered bike parking near Tsukuba Station)

Bicyclists were abundant in Tsukuba and Kyoto (both university towns).  Bikes were unsurprisingly utilitarian, with most bearing lights, fenders, and racks.

Introducing the AWOL Comp

The AWOL Comp, reviewed in March, is now a formal addition to the corral.  Though I’ve yet to ride it beyond the neighborhood, I expect this bike to immediately take over commuting responsibilities, leaving my Surly Cross Check for gravel rides and cyclocross.  Using it for randonneuring is definitely in the plans, particularly for routes with variable road conditions.

The bike represents a hybrid of ideals that will hopefully translate into the most rideable bike I’ve owned.  Aspects of randonneuring, touring, and commuting are evident in the accessories, all brought together on a Reynolds frame inspired by the 2013 Transcontinental Race.

I’m indebted to Epic Sports for team support and expert guidance during the build.  Kudos also to Compass Bicycles, Rivendell Bicycle Works, Peter White Cycles, North St. Bags, Handsome Cycles, Brooks England Ltd, and of course, Recep Yesil and Erik Nohlin (aka Team AWOL) at Specialized.

Here are a few photos taken on this Winter Solstice morning along the Missouri River.

If you would like to see the bike, it will be displayed at Epic Sports through March 2015.

2014 Mileage

The days of decent riding opportunities for 2014 are now in the past, as winter has settled in throughout western North Dakota.  My final ride of the year occurred last Sunday, with a short loop in Bismarck to retrieve groceries and office supplies on my singlespeed mountain bike.  It was good to get out, as time on the bike has been severely limited since September’s brevet.

The ride summary for the year is modest, with the cumulative mileage and time impacted by new family responsibilities since March.  My commuting and road riding were especially disappointing, though the latter has been on a downward trend since 2011.  Accordingly, it may be time to release the Roubaix to someone more interested in road riding/racing.  It is an excellent bike, and deserves to be ridden.

Problems with my knee continue, suggesting a serious injury.  I have visits to the physical therapist and orthopedic surgeon scheduled for early next month.  I’ll share relevant outcomes in my December post.  In the meantime, Happy Thanksgiving!

ANNUAL SUMMARY - 2014
			Ride time	Mileage
		Ride	Cumulative	Cumulative
Bike		count	hh:mm:ss	km
Road		4	14:14:21	333
Mountain		13	14:03:55	241
Commuter		21	26:23:54	556
Gravel		10	14:05:53	311
Randoneering		35	127:51:11	2524
TOTAL		83	196:39:14	3966

Ride Report - Tour d’Twin Cities 600k

The ride may be summarized thusly…

There once was a cyclist name Mark

Who fell off his bike in the dark

His left knee gave way

On the following day

A gaffe with a clear downward arc

A few photos…

(Pre-ride check with a positive message to send us off)

(A cool start to the first morning)

(Riding with Jonas, Norman, and Mark prior to Taylor Falls)

(Info Control, 164 miles into the ride)

(Excellent bike trails made for safe riding)

(A short section of gravel soon after nightfall)

(Passing by Target Field the second morning…  …already off the back)

(Mississippi River)

(Oy!)

p.s.  Here’s a link to two ride reports, courtesy of Rob Welsh and Norman Ehrentreich.

August Rides and a Trip to Hungary

Preparations for my upcoming 600k involved a series of shorter rides, ranging in distance from 50 to 70 miles, usually early on Sunday mornings.  Riding early – by starting no later than 4:00 a.m. - is especially difficult for me, but I force myself out of bed with the knowledge that doing so should help simulate the difficulties of a 600k, especially on the second day (which typically starts before sunrise).

Routes for these early morning excursions rely heavily on the paved trail network in Bismarck and Mandan, as I’m not particularly keen on riding alone for long stretches on two-lane roads during the weekend.  Fortunately, the trail network is extensive on both sides of the Missouri River, thereby affording many interesting riding options.  Personal favorites include rides to Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park (7 miles south of Mandan), University of Mary (5 miles south of Bismarck), and Harmon Lake (11 miles north of Mandan).  When combined with limited mileage on paved and/or gravel roads, it is easy to accumulate 50 miles or more without having to venture too far from city limits.

As one might expect, starting early in the morning increases the chance of encountering wildlife, of which we have plenty in North Dakota!  Deer and fox are common, particularly in Mandan.  I enjoyed one memorable wildlife experience on August 3^rd, when I rode alongside a young whitetail buck for about 20 seconds before he darted down a ravine toward the Heart River.  An experience I won’t soon forget!

(Full moon reflecting off the Missouri River)

(The Schmidt Edelux II projects an excellent beam for night riding)

(Overlooking the Heart River at dawn)

Work had me return to central Europe in late August, this time to Hungary for two meetings in Debrecen.  I came away impressed by the use of bicycles as a means of transportation in this bustling college town.  Separate pedestrian and bicycle paths were common, and awareness of bicyclists on roadways was an eye-opening experience (even the bus drivers were courteous to bicyclists!).  While bicycle-related facilities weren’t as extensive in Budapest (despite a bike share program, which seemed rarely used), I left with a favorable impression of Hungary as a bicycle-friendly country.  Now, just don’t ask me about my stolen briefcase!!!

(Separate paths for pedestrians and bicyclists)

(Bicycle path, grassed tram corridor, and traditional road)