April 26 forecast for Grinnell, IA

Lookin good for TI.  Its a long ways away, but this should be good within +/- 20 degrees.

Riding Week

I did nothing but ride my bike and go to work this week.  It was my last big push before Trans Iowa.  I am going to try my first road race next Saturday, taking the all-city cross bike to a Crit.  I don't have much else to say... so here are a few pictures from the week.

-David

Migration Time

Wheel Werks Group Ride

Finally the Sun is starting to warm things up.

Lunch Time

Jays Fixie Gunnar

The chill is "not" gone ride

Waiting for the "Bikevator." Now that's hill training.

An elevator full of cross bikes.

Mike is cool.

Madison is the bike friendliest city I have ever been to.

Breakfast Parking.

Badger State Trail Bridge Crossing

Tunnel Rd, with ants climbing the hill.

Macho Man looking macho

Ice stalagmite

Lunch

After lunch.

Lots of pictures from a great day on the bikes.  Thanks to Bonk King and the Wisconsin riders for bringing me along.  I almost bailed on this ride, but I am really glad I didn't, it was a lot of fun.  I know where I'm going for breakfast in Madison from now on.

Thanks again guys!

Harvard to Lake Michigan

Saturday morning I woke up and made some cue sheets to put in a long day.  After looking over google maps for a bit, decided I would head over to Lake Michigan.  The route turned out awesome, the only traffic I encountered was the 4 lane in Pleasant Prairie, WI.  I had to take that road in order to hop over 94, and it ended up having a big shoulder so it was painless.

Smoke stacks heading toward Lake Michigan

I fought the wind on the way there, and sailed with it on the way back.

It ended up being a really nice day.

The spring thaw and flooding is here.

I ended up with 113 miles on the day.  I was hoping to do it without any gas station support, but didn't bring enough water, so I had to stop for that.  I did bring enough food though and that is good knowledge for the long rides to come.  If I had a third bottle I could have made it happen non stop.

-David

Weekend Pictures

Got a couple good rides in this weekend.  Solo 60 on Saturday, then another 60+ with Jay, Ryan, and The King.  The winds picked up Sunday afternoon, Jay and I agreed it wasn't to bad but the chit chat was less and the breathing was more as we headed into the wind.  Half way back to Harvard we ran into Ray heading north and he was nice enough to ride us back closer to home.

Chilly but calm morning

Everything was frosted

It warmed up in the afternoon, but with the high winds I didn't notice.

Good weekend, and a few more long rides to come.

-David

March came in like a Lion

Snow storm and a cold front came in for March 1st, one can only hope March goes out like a Lamb.

The riding cannot wait for the weather, if its March its time to get moving.

Today's ride started out at 2 degrees and an 11 mile loop and back at the house to warm up.  Followed by a ride over to the hills of Bull Valley. 

Valley Hill Rd

After that I warmed up again at the bike shop and sampled some power bar fruit snacks that were awesome.

I then rode out and got lost in the subdivided yuppyville of Lakewood.

It was then 2.5 hours of headwinds back home, interrupted by a stop at a gas station for some coffee and 4 reeses.

Some roads were better than others.

Made it home before sunset.

Thursday night the El Mar was spit shined

Today it looks like this.

I wanted to start March off with a century but in the end only got 80 miles.  The cold was to much, but I'm still ahead of last year.  My first failed century attempt last year was March 17, so I'll take it.  Next weekend looks warmer.

-David