Riding with girls...

...usually a soloist on my bike ventures, it was nice to have some girl-company on Sunday. Finally a decent riding day to boot. I was really reconsidering my "love of the bike". It was that bad. Don't get me wrong. Life isn't *that* bad...just life in the saddle. You cyclists out in California may not understand this very well, as you don't have to deal with weather.

Saturday night we went out to dinner in Lucan, Minnesota. Don't even try to look it up as I can't imagine it's on the radar. There is a place that brews it's own beer though, hence the attraction. So the Taylor-foursome ate a lovely dinner and commiserated about the unseasonably cold weather. The funny thing was is that there was some kind of baseball tournament taking place and folks were out there playing like it was summer. The pitcher was wearing a bright orange long-sleeved t-shirt and shorts. I'd be surprised if it was even 40 degrees---and the wind was blowing like you definitely can't imagine. Minnesotans are hearty. If there isn't snow on the ground they are outside in shorts!

Sunday when I woke up it was 38F degrees---BUT, the forecast called for 60F by the afternoon and so I was happy to get outside after many indoor riding days. The thing is, I hate exercising. I just love exploring life on my bike....but I am not an athlete. Folks think I am because I ride my bike everyday. But it is fun. Not work. Riding the trainer is work. I don't have a clue why I do it---except I like the exercise "buzz" I get.

Anyway, I rode over to Mary's---she has an awesome place right along my favorite route out of town...I've sent photo's of the cool houses on this road. Rachael, her niece, was already there with her cute little yellow lab-puppy (baby dog!), Morgan, and we were just waiting for one last partner-in-crime, Phyllis, to arrive from her weekend camping haven in Ivanhoe. These were the gals I sold bikes to when we first arrived in Minnesota. They are training to do RAGBRAI!

We were way too happy about the weather. It actually got progressively better as the day went on. It's kinda funny to have someone who's only been in Marshall for about 7-8 weeks leading bike rides to a bunch of very local Minnesotans...but there I was, amazed that these gals hadn't ridden my favorite Camden Loop! As we passed Dubbledee's Kennels (the cool house with the shetland pony and pregnant donkey that I emailed a week or so ago), I saw that a new little baby donkey was added to the cool farm collection. (I know, I know...it's a foal...I'm tryin' to keep my city-girl image!)

The rain we've had sure has made life green in Camden. Just lovely! As we passed several areas where the dogs always chase me, I am pleased to report that no dogs (except for some kind of toy ahsa lapsa-type) took us on. I suppose that riding in "packs" like we were sorta put the dogs in their place. 1 girl snack? Maybe. But 4 girls? On funny two wheels contraptions? I don't think so.

My normal "square-route" was barred at one point when we were stopped by a road that had at one point been tar, but was now hard-packed dirt. Simple enough to detour around...everything is pretty much in a straight line. I mentioned it to Mike when I got home though and he informed me of a new-to-me infamous Minnesotan saying;

"We have two season's in Minnesota, Joni. Winter and Road-Construction".

Well, this Marshall "Team Betty" gal (If you can't ride with the girls...than at least ride like a girl!) will take the "road-construction" season please. I'm off for a ride in the South East winds today. South anything makes me happy!! Happy Monday!