Cycling in Winnesota.

Though the birkie was shortened to 25 km... cause anyone who did it knows it wasn't just 23... I still managed to have a great time. Since times didn't count and it wasn't really a race I decided to ski with my dad the whole way. I raced ahead on most of the hills and waited at the top. It was a great experience to ski with the guy who got me into sports and I know under normal birkie circumstances we would never get to ski together (thus being in different waves). Even though I didn't ski as fast as I could I still managed to get a workout. Skiing is some hard stuff!





On the cycling end of things I didn't ride at all this weekend just because of the ridiculous amount of snow we recieved but official training starts soon... I can't wait!!! I've continued lifting weights and avoiding bad foods as well as hitting the occasional ride. I ordered probably the last Fisher Ziggurat left at the Trek factory and got a smokin' deal on it and that came this weekend....

Who thought a bike could be so gorgeous!!!!

RIDE ON!!!!!

Earlier this afternoon I busted out the salt bike...

















...bundled up....















....and went out for a short but very cold ride. 14 degrees with 10+ mph winds! I'm lucky to have made it back without freezing my face off. somehow i figure if I can survive this... training should be a piece of cake this year.... right?

RIDE ON!

Today, after work, I went for a short ride around Shell Lake. It was kind of windy but not too bad and about 20 degrees. This is about the coldest temperature that is actually tolerable for riding any real distance (though i have ridden more than 15 miles at about 10 degrees). The unusual weather patterns of late have made it extremely difficult to work out regularly so i've been struggling a little bit. I started lifting weights with some friends just for something to do and to build some core strength to prevent back problems from riding. Other than that I've just been keepin' busy with school and workin' on the weekends.

I recently started working on a vintage Sekai 2500. the bike was made in '77 and is in ok shape. It had a pretty decent layer of grime on it when i got it from sitting around in a garage for WAY too long. I took all the components off the frame, roughly cleaned most of them, repacked the wheel bearings, trued the wheels, ordered some needed parts, and am preparing to repaint the frame. I'm really excited to see how the whole project comes out. I got the bike for free from a friend and shouldn't end up with very much invested in it (besides alot of hardwork) so I really can't go wrong. I'll get some pictures up for sure on the next blog!!!!

GET OUT AND RIDE!!!!!!!!

Just last week I decided to get proactive about the poor shape my body is in right now. I've been eating high protein and low calorie foods... I went out running for the first time (its usually too cold for cycling mainly because of the wind).... I also plan to quit drinking until my 21st birthday (which i won't drink after either) THE SEASON IS NEAR... I CAN ALREADY FEEL IT!!!!!!

I went out for a short ride today. It was 14 degrees out and pretty windy. I wore just about all my cycling/skiing gear. All in all it was a nice ride though. My face hurt for about the first 20 minutes but then it went numb and felt much better. hopefully I'll be able to hit some more short rides in the near future before I start actually training for '07 season. I shouldn't have to say this but..... GET OUT AND RIDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!