I Bike MPLS

If you love Minneapolis bike culture as much as I do, - or Bike Culture, - or Minneapolis, you should really take a look at IBikeMPLS' Flickr page. Really great photography of all things Minneapolis cycling; riding, shops, people, events, locations, bars, bands, art... I've spent the last week looking at these - just really cool pictures.

RiverLake Greenway: 50% Bikes 50% Cars

Well it would have been better if it was 100% bikes but it's still better than 50% SUVs and 50% drivers who think bikers should ride on the sidewalk. ...like it is where you live.

Cold Sunday Ride

Really cold ride actually; the frozen-slick streets don't have a hint of give at this temperature and the going was slow and sketchy at first. Took a while to get my ice-legs back, but they did come back, and I started to really enjoy crawling over frozen banks and crunching though deeps that won't be rideable when it does warm up. A bit over-dressed with two wool jerseys and a jacket but no matter, I'm glad I went.

Stopped at the cafe and gazed satisfactorily out the window as I cuddled with my hot coffee and cheesy quiche. As I sipped, I noticed a big clump of dried dirt on my helmet and remembered where it came from; that last cold off-road day with Sean and Kozar at Murphy.

On the way home I basked in the noon-time sun and memories of cold commutes to warm destinations. Re-figured my clothing and gear for next time, hung the snow covered wheel on the hook, and went inside.



Tuesday Edit: This reads like I rode to Antarctica and back - Give me an award, I rode two miles in the cold, with a warm-up stop half way between. ;)

A bit of good news: RiverLake Greenway

Last weekend I had some time so I grabbed a coffee and a sandwich at Mayday and did a little alley crawling in the old neighborhood, yes in the car. It seemed about the same; some property improvements, some houses now boarded, many in disrepair with broken cars in the yards and garbage cans overflowing. Looks like the kids had been staying extra busy with the spray painting. The Longfellow house looked pretty much the same. The alley too; with a few hole-punched, hollow-core doors dumped by the city gate, but otherwise still relatively spray-paint free. This next summer will be two years since we moved. I'm sure glad we don't live there any more.

The only thing we knew we were going to miss was the Midtown Greenway: only a block and a half away. It was so great to have that highway to Uptown, the lakes, the road and mountain trails, and the river, just around the corner. The streets are quieter where we are now so riding to the trail isn't a deal-breaker, but it's not the same...

This flyer came in the mail today. Unbelieveably, in 2010 they are going to create a new "Greenway" - exactly what, I'll find out in February - at the end of our block, running from the lakes to the river. Not a block and a half away, a half a block away. I heart Minneapolis.

Kite Day at Lake Calhoun

Mara caught a Yellow Perch at the DNR tent - true ice fishing in the lake, three minutes patient work. She now has the Minnesota Fish poster on her wall with the yellow perch circled. I've got one for the garage too. It was cold last weekend.

Como Zoo Conservatory

Warm and humid and beautiful, in the middle of winter.

A new day

I felt tired and old this weekend. Went to bed early both nights and took naps both days. I think the season is a contributing factor, I felt better Sunday after getting outside early to play with the kids and burn a fire. I miss riding my bike in a t-shirt in the hot sun. Oh well, tomorrow is another day.

Test Your Awareness

Thanks Eugene.

Smiles Everyone, Smiles!

Welcome to Fantasy Island!

Happy New Beer!

Diablo Swing Orchestra- rocks.

All the laser equipment in the world won't burn hotter than the focused beam of destiny that will be piercing George and Julie this month.