Taylors Falls, Minnesota - Erickson's Brothers Tree Farm

Red Barn Cyclocross Classic - Saturday, October 29, 2005

Taylors Falls (no relation...ha!), located along the Minnesota/Wisconsin border along the Mississippi River, is a beautiful little river town surrounded by little Swedish communities. Every town you pass in the Chisago county along the river, proudly displays their sister city in Sweden. The Erickson Brother's Tree farm is located in a beautiful Evergreen grove, just before you arrive into the Taylors Falls township.

The day was lovely...warmish for this time of year, but with some cloud cover (which probably kept the temperatures warm), and the fall colors in this part of the state were still in bloom---past peak perhaps, but still the prettiest displays I've seen yet. Out of the farming lands you have many more trees and natural areas and it's very beautiful indeed!

With such good weather, the fields were large with cyclocrossers, and Mike, though not feeling 100% (he's been sick forever it seems....or going on 6 weeks now), was feeling ready to mix it up and race. He immediately found some guys to warm up with, leaving Sydney and I around to mingle. I love all the dogs that always come to the race. The one picture above was on top of the roof of the "Red Barn"...being an "Erickson" had it's benefits at this race...balcony "box" seating was one (first dibs on the free hot dogs was another!)

Once "Hollywood" made the scene, it was time to go. I think he looks at the course for his warm up as I rarely see him warming up anywhere...Rules of the Race announced, cowbells ringing and they're off!! 1/2 way into the first lap, and the split was made; Doug Swanson(Trek/VW) came storming through the trees with Taylor (McGuire-Langdale) hot on his wheel!

And so it went for a lap or two before another joiner had bridged his way up, Aric Hareland (Salsa Superteam). Could this be the winning move? Could it be anything else? Basically, sans a mechanical, the lead group stays off (in a cross race---there are less team tactics to bring back a break, and the course is usually on the narrow side making it difficult to pass, etc.). It's just too hard to make up time on these twisty turny type circuits! Lap after lap the three guys stormed passed the start/finish. They all looked good and strong by the time they passed the spectators.

It's the stuff you don't see that is the cool part about cross-racing. Like the guys who crash into the barriers, or guys tripping on themselves going up the hills. What you do see is suffering. Linda, (who raced in the B race earlier and who's house we stayed at Saturday night) asked me if I knew that Mike was with the two leaders of the series. She didn't know Mike very well. She was wondering if he was smiling or gasping for air? I said, "that's how he always looks". I like to think of it as smiling, but I know better.

As the race went into the final bell lap, Doug Swanson had a 10 second gap, followed by Mike and then Aric. Into the final uphill, Mike had second until Aric stormed by him (he's a steeple chase track star...rats!) and ran up the hill for second with Mike close on his wheels for third! A great race! Complete with free hot-dogs, handmade "tree medals" and a little cash to boot!

Thanks go to the Gopher Wheelman for putting on a fun race, and to Daniel and Linda Casper, who graciously let us stay in their lovely house in Northfield for the night!! Northfield, home of Carleton University (think Harvard..in Minnesota) and St. Olaf's, which is a beautiful campus, is a beautiful part of the state! Just lovely. We were going to stay in St. Paul at this really cool house near Macalaster College (at Dan's Mom and Dad's, but Mike is allergic to cats). This part of St. Paul is my most favorite part of Minnesota.

(Small world note: Dan's step Dad is on the board of the American League of Bicyclist's and knows Amanda & Ken Eichstaedt!)

Profound, Prolific, Prose on the Prairie

Back to some safer topics of discussion (don't want to get too touchy/feely, displaying my "California left coast roots)...how about the weather? I can't believe that I moved to what some might describe as the US version of Siberia (extreme hot, extreme cold, extreme wind), and yet the East is getting pummeled with rain (flooding) and even record snow (in NH); the South has been dealing with hurricane after hurricane, and even my beloved SF is cloudy and only a degree or so warmer than we are. Yet the sun is out, the sky is clear and blue, and the temps have warmed up to the low 60's here in Marshall. Weird, huh?

The wind is supposed to pick up quite a bit today, so I still have something to talk about. Gosh, if there is one thing that I dislike more than wind, I don't know what it is. Even those little winds feel like big ones here with nothing to block or shelter you. Sigh...

Yesterday's speakers at the writer's festival were wonderful. The topics were various versions about "writing the outdoors" and the expressions were forms of poetry and novels (half fiction/half non), and one new notable characteristic was humor. Humor in the day to day life. Robert Bly had me in tears laughing much of the time. He's been around long enough and is comfortable enough to laugh at so much. Most of the writer's are a bit more serious though; profound and prolific in their prose (the three "p's"), but not ready to make light of things. (Again...I am generalizing and that is not a good thing to do...but the general atmosphere was that way...)

So yesterday, I laughed alot. Still very poignant---but with a bit more humor. I have to miss today's events as I need to work in the morning, but if you are interested in the authors names, send me an email and I have a list of the ones I really liked and you can buy copies of their works.

Anyway...I am off to work and then our plan is to head to the Twin Cities (and surrounding areas) and take part in a little bit of cross racing this weekend since Mike is feeling healthy again. Have a wonderful weekend!

P.S. And for those of you surprised to know I am afraid of stuff (little chicken)...well I am. I am also curious and adventurous and interested in things I don't know about, and so my fears don't usually stop me from what I want to do. Even if I am afraid.

Rural Writer's...say that fast three times!

I had a very luxurious day, listening to some wonderful poets from the Prairies, complete with a self-appointed tour of my own prairie on my bicycle for a two hour intermission, then back to the University for some more tales about other people's lives on the prairie. Most of the speaker's grew up in some small and rural town in Minnesota, Iowa, The Dakota's or Nebraska---all have since moved to more Metropolitan areas of Minnesota (Duluth, Twin Cities) or Wisconsin or the Metro areas of their home states.

What spoke to me was how the underlying topics of many of these artist's was fear, and how fear is so ingrained in the daily lives and how they overcome and/or avoid dealing with it. Fear of having a successful crop, fear of the health of the farm animals, fear of being able to pay the bills and make ends meet, fear of having enough to get by, fear of people in their town they don't know or understand, and the fear of God. Their art form (writing, photography, music and painting) became their escape from these things.

As a prodigy of fear myself, (I'm the biggest chicken I know), I could relate to the fear and how debilitating fear can be, even though my fears fall in different categories. My parents always provided for me (thanks Mom & Dad) for the fears which I listed above. My fears were weirder. Fear of not being good enough (for what?), pretty enough (for whom?), smart enough, and so on and so forth. I think most of my life I've been afraid of stuff. I used to be afraid to go places by myself...so to face that fear, I traveled to foreign lands, by myself, in the most vulnerable form of transportation; my bicycle.

I learned more about myself, and about fear on these solo trips. It isn't just riding a bike. The bicycle became my freedom. My way of relating to the world. My way of contributing a bit of me in a way I could never read or write about. My fears might be considered a luxury to folks out here. Like, "Gee wiz, if only I only had to worry about things like that?" What I know though, is that whatever fears are set before you, they can be cumbersome....they need to be accepted as real and valid and dealt with in a safe and freeing manner.

So, this urban girl has something in common with these rural farming folks afterall!

P.S. I didn't talk about the weather at all. It is chilly (I think it's cold, but we all know what I think), but I am riding outside everyday and it's almost November! (-:

An evening with Robert Bly

Remember him? Going into the evening, the book I was most familiar with, was of course, Iron John. I've read poems of his here and there, and he was always very elegant in his words regarding war (from Viet Nam to the current war in Iraq). But having him read from his books was a treat! His relationships with his "farming parents from Madison, MN", to the "falling and rolling leaves", to his own wife and children were discussed in very profound ways, in his many published works. I especially loved the way he learned about his Norwegian Heritage by living amongst the Norwegians in Norway. How this experience helped him to forgive his alcoholic father, his quiet, passive but loving mother and how he came to be a poet. And he was funny as hell to boot! Pretty racy (and "worldly") for this neck of the woods, but exactly what this transplanted girl needed.

He had a full head of wild white hair and he dressed in colorful, beatnik colors that all managed to work for him! He looked more like a San Franciscan poet than anything else. I liked him so much that I am going to see him again this morning!

It probably helped that I was able to get an "outside" ride on my bike yesterday after two indoor days. Just shy of 40 miles, and just above 40 degrees...but outside. I had so many layers on I felt like french dessert; I'm not used to wearing so many clothes when I ride, but here it is the only thing that will allow you to ride outside. There were just slight (5-10mph) winds, but even just a little breeze is enough to chill you to the point that it hurts if you don't have enough gear on.

Working in a bike shop for as long as I have, I used to sell this really expensive Assos biking wear in Palo Alto. I remember thinking, "now who in their right mind can ride in this stuff? they'll overheat as soon as they get to the first climb!" Therein lies the answer. No climbs. No overheating. In fact, I'd need to wear a couple of those jackets to stay warm enough here.

Allright...I need to get a "commuter-bike" ready for riding to the SMSU today, then try to squeeze a ride in between sessions, and then try and make it home in time to motor-pace Mike since he's feeling better! Have a great day!

in search of pheasants...

...it's that time of year! Being a newly placed Minnesotan small hound, Sydney was equipped for this year's romps in the cornfields with a new red jacket!
(cute photo of the small hound in her jacket!)
I haven't ridden outside since Friday. It's damp and cold. Really cold. We had northwesterly winds from Canada blowing through much of the weekend...let's just say I bonded with my trainer (which is now in the basement since it's freezing in the garage) and spent a few hours pedaling away to the Indigo Girls, Cowboy Junkies, Lone Justice and Michelle Shocked. Feeling a little melancholy as I gear up for more of the same for the next few (SOB!) months.

I think the weather had little to do with how I was feeling though. This was the first time in my entire life (42 years) that I have not spent October 22nd with my Mom for her birthday. I've missed holidays before, and other family gatherings, but I have not ever missed my Mom's birthday. We don't even do anything all that spell-bounding or exciting, but we usually get a bunch of video's/DVD's and movie snacks, kick my Dad out of the bed, and snuggle up and watch movie after movie until we fall asleep as we celebrate the day my Mom was born. Both my brothers and my nephews were there so she wasn't at a loss for company---but it left a small tear in my heart all the same.

This week is packed full celebrating "Rural Writer's" at Southwest Minnesota State University and I'm looking forward to many of the events that are planned. Mike is feeling better too which is a plus. He went out looking for pheasant's with Minnesota Dad and the two hounds. Sydney returned a little stiff after each outing, and she sleeps all through the night and is the last one up in the morning---but at least she's prepared for the cold with her new winter coat!

We topped the weekend off with a cozy dinner with the Olson's and the Taylor's (all 4 of them)...Have a wonderful Monday!

Zen Sarcasm

I woke up to 25 degree temps (according to my West-facing thermometer) and frost covered grounds. I had to drop my car off to get the door lock replaced and rode home on my bike and I can testify that it was FREEZING. My boss sent me these words of wisdom and I laughed so I thought I'd forward them on. I'm off to ride (yes...even though it's freezing). By the way...stuff "shrinks" when it's this cold and dry out. I keep thinking of shrinkage...and Seinfeld. My wedding ring is too big now...my pants are bagging, my shoes are too big....where is it all going?

Enjoy!
=================================================================================================
1. Do not walk behind me, for I may not lead. Do not walk ahead of me, for I may not follow. Do not walk beside me either. Just pretty much leave me the hell alone.

2. The journey of a thousand miles begins with a broken fan belt and a leaky tire.

3. It's always darkest before dawn. So if you're going to steal your neighbor's newspaper, that's the time to do it.

4. Don't be irreplaceable. If you can't be replaced, you can't be promoted.

5. Always remember that you're unique. Just like everyone else.

6. Never test the depth of the water with both feet.

7. If you think nobody cares if you're alive, try missing a couple of car payments.

8. Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes.

9. If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is not for you.

10. Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach him how to fish and he will sit in a boat and drink beer all day.

11. If you lend someone $20 and never see the person again, it was probably worth it.

12. If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything.

13. Some days you're the bug and some days you're the windshield.

14. Everyone seems normal until you get to know them

15. The quickest way to double your money is to fold it in half and put it back in your pocket.

16. A closed mouth gathers no foot.

17. Duct tape is like "The Force". It has a light side and a dark side and it holds the universe together.

18. There are two theories to arguing with women. Neither one works.

19. Generally speaking, you aren't learning much when your lips are moving.

20. Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it.

21. Never miss a good chance to shut up.

22. Never, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night.

Fall into my backyard...

......with these just recently changed leaves! Nice!
(photo's missing here...)

Yesterday the wind was blowing in the afternoon from the South West between 20-30 MPH---steady! But at least it didn't shift while I was riding. Poor Mike left after work into the wind and got pummeled by not only gusts at over 30 MPH, but a shifting from the Southwest to the North. At least he had a partner in crime so he wasn't blowin' in the wind by himself. Top that off with the earlier setting of the sun, and a stupid nightrider that stopped working and it was a pretty epic ride home in the pitch black with gale force wind. sigh.

That's what happens when there is any significant weather change out here. Right now we've got significantly cooler temps (20 degrees or so)...but the wind isn't such a big deal today...it's just in the 50's instead of the 70's. 50's with no wind is way (WAY) better than 70's with wind...I think a cyclist's biggest nemesis has got to be the wind. More than hot, cold or even rain (in my opinion---except Mike is the champ who washes my bike so maybe the rain is also bad).

It's a good thing I didn't know about the wind before we moved here. It isn't like no one mentioned it to me. They did. It's just that I thought I understood wind (I mean it is windy in San Francisco)....but NOT like this!

I'm off to go for a ride...just wanted you to see some of the new colors popping up my yard!

My Tree!

(photo missing)
I tried to capture the colors, but it's something that just doesn't come across as well in a snapshot as it does "live". Well, that, and I can't figure out the settings on my camera very well. This is the tree in my front yard---a red maple! It has been a delight since we got here as it even looks good with no leaves (it has good bone structure). In the spring it began to turn green and by summer it was really green and leafy and lovely. But now? Yowza!

My Minnesota mom even went for a bike ride today. She brought over a freshly baked apple crisp this afternoon before I was about to leave for my ride, and she told she likes to ride over the leaves and listen to them crunch! I do too! In town, it's especially nice, but once you get outside the "city" limits, the wind-factor (enough about the wind, Joni!)...let's just say it was a wonderful fall day even if the wind was blowing 20 miles per hour on the prairie. Oh yeah...and it was around 77 degrees to boot!

By the time I got back from my ride, it all but died down. That's another common thing. When the sun goes down...so does the wind. I like to ride for around 3 hours and so I need to ride in some wind or else I'd have to ride in the dark [if I waited for the wind to die down]. On really good days I time it well enough that I ride with the wind at my back until it dies down...the problem is that sometimes it doesn't die down and I end up riding into a headwind home. (Not complaining though---I'm riding outside still).

There are still lots of hunter's everywhere...I guess some guys take time off of work and come and stay on the prairie this time of year. Jamie, you are totally right. It is like OLN. I never watch OLN except for when bike racing is on, but now that I think about it, it is OLN in my own backyard (practically.) How funny. You see guys driving around in trucks with Glow-orange hats, vest, gloves, everything. Glow orange and camouflage.

Yesterday, Sydney chased a big white tailed deer for about an entire mile before I was able to catch up with her. It was hilarious watching a small little scrappy dog chasing a HUGE deer with a big white cotton tail! Like a cartoon.

Next week is the rural writers festival at the college. I am going to some of the events. Robert Bly is a keynote speaker (Iron John author), plus there are several others I am hoping to see.

Happy Tuesday!

Two scrappy gals on the prairie...

...that would be one small scrappy red-head, and one small scrappy terrier alone for some girl bonding for a couple of days. For the first time since we moved to Minnesota, it was just Sydney and I, home alone for the weekend. Mike had a business-work-weekend with USBank and I dropped him off at his tour bus early on Saturday morning. He was slightly-grumpy about either the early wake-up call, or the fact that he had to work, or a little bit of both. He headed to lovely Brainard (the Madden resort) and I headed to work as well, after taking Syd to an early morning field trip. After work I headed out for a long day in the saddle. NO WIND! Lots of hunters. There were "orange guys" everywhere along the county roads around Marshall.

Usually the fields are free of anything but tractors, but not today. There were trucks parked at every "State Hunting" sign. Dogs, Orange guys...but these dogs were busy looking for pheasant and so this slow-moving two wheeled gal was free from barking hounds (except for that real annoying black dog at the corner of county road 4 & 5.) Sigh.

It was one of those amazing fall days where the wind is non-existent. It never lasts that way for too many days, but when you get one, you're like, "Oh...this *is* nice!" There are enough of them, such that all my trips before I moved here were usually those nice crisp (cold sometimes), but wind-free all the same days. I thought it was always THAT way. I also thought it was cold then, and what I am learning is that it is not possible yet for me to understand winter.

I remember when I was working in the Netherlands and Sweden one winter and it was 0 degrees. Maybe even it was below 0. But that was Celsius. So my head hears 0 degrees and shivers. But my recollection of 0 = 32 degrees Farenheit. I've never really lived with 32 degree temps. I've been outside for a moment or two when it's in the high 20's/low 30's and remembered how quickly I needed to come inside. But the guys at the shop are educating me some. I can never tell if they're kidding me or not; surely they must be...otherwise this scrappy Taylor gal and her scrappy small hound are really in for some extremely cold days on the prairie soon.

Surely they must be joking?

UN-seasonable

I'm told the weather is "un-seasonable" these days. Rain is unusual in the fall. The earlier part of the week was rainy, cloudy, etc. Sorta like winter in the Bay Area. Now we're in the high-60's and even low 70's for the weekend. More unusual temps, so I'm told, but sorta like winter in the Bay Area as well. Definitely "ride-outside" weather.

Just a little cooler than I'm used to, but nice. I left yesterday evening and headed west. Just as I was turning onto Highway 23, my phone rings and I thought it might be Mike, as he's been home with some kind of bug. "Hey, I was just driving to the chiropractor and I looked at the temperature on my car thermometer and it read 92 degrees and I thought of you!" It was Dave...rubbing it in. Sigh.

I headed down the wayside River Road, (I call it Mary's Road because my friend Mary lives there, and that's what the locals do here...call roads, that may or may not have an official name, a name that makes sense to them), and then who do I see riding towards me in the opposite direction? Mary!

"Where you headed Mary?" "Oh no place in particular..can I ride with you?" How about that?! So a solo evening spin turned into a friendly tour around the county roads of Marshall in the crisp Fall weather. Mary (and almost everyone around here) prefers the cooler autumn days over the hot summery days. I'll still take the hot over the cold, but it is nice riding in cooler temps as long as you have the proper clothing.

We pulled out a second quilt to put on the bed (a wedding present from Pam!), and so we're warm and cozy---and the Scrapper immediately snuggled right under it to make sure it was warm enough...which it is.

Mike's heading to Brainerd for some Sales meeting this weekend! I'm riding with the girl's and looking forward to some girl-bonding with the small hound. Have a wonderful Friday!

P.S. Hey Joe, that would be Rockford, MN not Illinois - silly!

California's "heat" wave

Indian summer, as I know it, is alive and well in the San Francisco bay area. Yesterday, while I was sitting around waiting for it to warm up to 60 degrees or at least the high 50's (our Indian summer temps....or so it seems), my phone rings....
When I answered the phone, I hear in the background,

"Hey Jose, can you grab me some suntan oil...and yeah, it's ok to turn on the air-conditioner in the service department....uh, oh Hey Joni....how's it going?"

"The air-conditioner" I cried! "Oh Dave....you're killing me!"

Dave (sarcastically) says, "What?" Like he didn't know what I meant. "I just called to say that Kathy went to the doctor to get her ultra-sound and she won't know for two weeks, but we think it might be a girl...and regardless, everything looks healthy and normal"

Well, that diverted my attention enough to not be so annoyed.

The air-conditioner? Aw Jeeez! No hard freeze first required. Indian Summer equals 80 degrees and we call it a crisp fall. But 80 degrees in the Bay area doesn't feel like 80 degrees here. You have cool mornings and evenings with the sea breezes to keep things cool and lovely.

Whatever. I'm still riding outside everyday, so I am not complaining really. And you guys don't have the pretty colors and traffic free roads and guys walking big black pigs....so there! Every place has it's charm. Now I just wish it would quit raining (wait 10 minutes), so I can get some miles in before work today.

P.S. All the dogs who've been hiding all summer are now out though and so it's dog-dodge-ball out on the prairie again. Why people let their dogs run free out here is beyond me. I got chased by 6 new dogs (in addition to the 3 that always chase me). Is it ignorance? Or do they just not care? The dogs chase cars too ya know...I see dead stuff alongside the road everyday. I LOVE dogs, so this is a tough one for me. Sigh.

Pink Leaves?

Here's a new color for leaves; pink! Pink? Yesterday I worked the "morning shift" (which was highlighted when my friend Rachel from Granite Falls came in to say hello and my other friends Kathy and her sister Mary stopped in to buy a new bike!) and then came home to have a late lunch with Sydney (!) before heading out on a late afternoon/early evening ride. That "time" is alot earlier now than it was a few weeks ago, as the sun sets quite a bit earlier now than it did then. The funny thing is the day gets warmer (here) in the afternoon. In the Bay area, I always had to try and get my ride in early, as the ocean breezes/fog generally start blowing in after 3pm. Here, the wind (generally) quits blowing in the evening and the day is warmer. I'm still adjusting to a different clock.

After a pleasant afternoon with the small hound, I suited up in warm enough clothes (in the 60's with light breezes from the East) and headed West. In this part of the country you get the sunrise and the sunsets because there are no mountains (sigh) blocking anything, in any direction, for miles and miles. I love to ride with the sun in my eyes.

I detoured into Camden and as I meandered through the park, glints of sunlight were lighting up all the leaves on the trees. We're not at peak yet here in southwestern Minnesota, but we're getting close. The reds and yellows and oranges are beginning to turn, and then I saw the color pink. Wow, pink? I took my sunglasses off. The sun-shining through the dense leaves had turned some of the paler shades to pink. Wow! Cool, huh?

The air is definitely crisper. Cleaner. The corn and soybeans and sugar beets are almost completely cut down. It's amazing how far you can see when all the farming is mowed away. The very black soil is showing again. There are even a couple of new hounds that chase me. I guess the corn stalks were hiding me from their sight, but now I stand out like McGuire-colored target practice! Sigh.

I saw a guy walking a big black pig on a leash! There's a first for everything. I guess this will be my first real winter ever. Imagine that? Happy Tuesday! (Hey Lenno-Prion...don't forget to call me today!)

Lake Rebecca Cross

Located near the far Western suburbs (well...not a suburb yet, but it's getting there) of the Twin Cities, is one of the lovely 10,000 Lakes the state is famous for; Lake Rebecca. Surrounded by trees and favored by big beautiful geese and (trumpeteer (spl?) swans, lies the lake and it's trails (which are available for riding to all most of the time) but were made available for a cross suffer-fest on this Sunday (October 9, 2005).

The day couldn't have been more perfect weather wise. Sunny, crisp and clear and about 60 degrees. Mike quickly changed and went to pre-ride the course while Syd, Dave(Minnesota Dad) and I checked out the competition. There were way more riders here than on any other event I've been to thus far.

Mike returns and informs me that it wasn't a great course. No room to pass. More like a mountain bike course. A race where an early front position is key to a good finish. Sigh. Top that off with the biggest field yet, and Mike still recovering from his sickness, I set my expectations on the low side.

I met up with some folks I met on the plane going to Interbike. Cycling really is such a small community. Then Dave, Sydney and I headed down to the start/finish with extra wheels, extra bike and recovery drinks in tow.

We already know some of the guys and Mike positioned himself next to Aric Hareland of the Salsa Superteam (2nd in the series last year) at the front of the start. There were over 40 guys racing this very narrow, very technical circuit for the next hour. Off they went. Jay "hollywood" Henderson drills it at the front to the first uphill turn and then yells "GO" to the two guys behind him, which were Mike and Aric. Nice (Thanks Hollywood).

First lap, and Mike comes through TTT-style with Aric in tow. 25 seconds later, and Dan Swanson and a guy I don't know follow them before groups of 7-10 guys suffer their way past the start/finish. Cross, different from road racing, is more definitive; Unless you have a mechanical (common), it's almost impossible to make up any time and so it's more predictable (although, like I said, the mechanical factor is HUGE).

By the second lap someone comes through and yells, "Hey there's a guy down near the gully!" Several course officials head out on bikes to find the downed rider. Broken collar bone....and a few other crashes by other guys.

But Mike and Aric kept powering through and gaining time. Last lap and Mike comes through by himself. Aric had attacked him on the backside, and took a technical portion a bit too fast and banged his bars loose, but the bike was still ridable and he got another one quickly anyway. Mike hammered by him as he avoided a crash and by the time Mike came through the start/finish for the last time, there was NO ONE behind him. I screamed, "Michael...put your hands in the air!" He won!! (As I result of me telling him to put up his hands I missed a perfect photo opportunity.) Oh well. It's nice to win!

Mike Taylor - McGuire-Langdale (1st), Aric Hareland - Salsa Superteam (2nd and about a minute back), not sure about 3rd, and Dan Swanson- Nature Valley/Penn Cycle (4th). Thanks to the St. Paul Bike Racing Club and Bianchi/Grand Performance for hosting the lovely day

freeze and then you're done?

Now that wasn't so bad! We had a couple of rough days and now it's gonna be in the 50's today and the 60's all weekend. Even next week! The best part is all the bugs died when it froze last night.

I'm back outside on my bike today and am done complaining for awhile. In fact, I love the crisp autumn weather. This is when I fell in love with Minnesota. Mike and I used to take our vacations this time of year and we'd come for our annual visit. Minnesota Dad would take us out and we'd walk the prairie's with the two hounds in search of pheasants and then we'd go home and eat something yummy, prepared by Minnesota Mom. I'd ride my bike exploring the roads I can now ride with my eye's closed and marvel at how traffic free everything was. As I remember this, I don't remember ever having a bunch of wind either.

It's like the weather rolls in...wind and cold and sometimes a storm, and then it's done. And if it's not done, I don't need any local Minnesotan informing me otherwise. (hint hint)

We're off to a race in Rockford on Sunday---Lake Rebecca Cross. But right now, I'm off for an outside bike ride after working the morning shift. The sun just came out and it's crisp, clean, albeit cold. I suppose very shortly, my definition of cold will change, but right now, a cold 50 degrees in the sun with no wind sounds just fabulous. I'll be wearing all my California-cold weather gear today. I still need to buy the real cold cold stuff.

Have a great weekend!

You ain't seen nothin' yet!

Mike came home from work last night while I was lying in bed all snuggled up with Sydney reading another good borrowed book from the library and I mentioned how cold it was. He smiled. I told him I went for a short jog with Sydney and then rode the trainer for over an hour and just couldn't warm up. He smiled again. I said, are you going for a ride...or shall I start dinner? He said, he was riding. He commutes by bike and even comes home for lunch and goes back in the suddenly frigid air and I ask him, "Now come on...it's freezing, right? You're cold...aren't you?"

He smiles again and says, "You ain't seen nothin' yet, Sweetie!" I'm lucky he's a very calm and patient husband. He lets me whine and complain about the cold, and knowingly tries to make it all better. "We'll join the YMCA...and visit our California Mom and Dad for the holidays!" He says as he runs around his bicycle clothing room looking for all his warm weather wear. "It'll be fun." I peek outside and watch as truckloads of leaves and debris blow passed the window pane.

"You're really gonna ride, huh?" He just says, "If you were inside an office all day long doing junk that doesn't mean much to you, you'd be riding outside too. I'm not complaining about my job. It's a job and it pays the bills, but..." Having heard this speech before, I kiss him on the nose and send him on his way.

But before he rides away, he smiles his cute little grin and says, "And if you think this is cold...well let me tell you, soon, you'll soon be wishing for a day like today. Like I said, you ain't seen nothin' yet!"

Oh really? Is that so? Aw geeeeeez!

This is Joni Taylor, reporting live from a frigid, Marshall, Minnesota..gearing up for an even colder one today!

it's fun to play at the Y M C A?

Me? At an indoor recreational facility? (With the emphasis on *indoor*?) Sigh. It's not even freezing yet and I am complaining. Note, I NEVER complained when it was hot and humid. Please keep this in mind---I reserved my complaints on purpose for the cold.

Yesterday at the bike shop, my boss mentioned to me, "Hey Joni, when are you going to join the Y?" He then added, "You're gonna need to join the Y....the winter's here will make you stir-crazy." Then Mike came home coincidentally with all the "joining of the Y" information. (He's an experienced Minnesotan after all, who understands *winter*).

The thing is, the Y is expensive. Like California expensive. But I guess we'll have to join, like it or not. Sigh. (Get my room ready Mom...I'm coming home! Ha!) Sigh again.

Where's my Indian Summer? Where are those Santa Ana winds creating those illustrious off-shore breezy days? Where's my surfboard? Instead of the Santa Ana's, we have the Santa Claus winds! I hear they have these gloves with heaters in them. If I get some for my toes and hands, I might be okay. We even got our winter Pearl Izumi stuff in yesterday. Full Face Mask riding hats. I've seen them before in the catalogues; now I live where people actually wear them. Geeez!

Everytime I say YMCA, I think of the Village People (How's that for branding?) Can you imagine the Village People here in Marshall? Now THAT is funny! Over the top and off the hook all at one time! (And when I think of the Village People, I think of San Francisco even if they were New Yorkers, and I get a little homesick for my weird and nutty and beautiful City by the Bay!)

I think I'll try and buy the CD with the song (YMCA) and ride on the rollers and dream about California while I pedal today!

Enjoy the day....

A "stalled" front

I'm just learning all kinds of weather terminology! Did you ever see the movie Pleasantville? Remember that scene where the two kids are watching the "News" on the black and white TV and the weather forecast guy has a 5 day outlook? Everyday has a picture of a sun, 75 degrees and no wind. When I first saw the movie, I thought nothing of it...afterall, that was pretty much my everyday weather forecast. It seemed real enough.

Not anymore!! In fact, rare indeed are those days...unless you live in the coastal Californian heavenly weather area. Let's see, right now there is what they call a "stalled front" of freezing cold weather (literally) and warm to hot weather (also literally). Marshall almost has the line of the front going right through it. Weird. So we're not cold yet....but we're getting there and as a result it's been raining off and on the entire day.

A smart cyclist would already have her rain bike ready. And her mighty winter riding gear on hand. I notice my husband hasn't let the weather interfere with his outdoor workouts! Thankfully I did get a 50 miler in yesterday, and it was even lovely as the stalled front has created a wind free prairie (10mph)! The only buzz-kill on my ride yesterday was at the end of my ride I had ridden down this one road that was, without warning, undergoing some refurbishing...so it was dirt. I had to back-track my way several miles (since they don't feel the need to post sign-age for some reason...perhaps because only a few fruitloops are actually out riding these backroads on bicycles!)

I rode in the garage and pedaled nowhere today. Exciting huh? I definitely don't need to hear about how lovely it is out West....but you can brag and tell me of your bike ride if you want to. I will live vicariously through your tales on the road. I'll have my winter bike ready shortly...

Happy Rosh Hashana!

Bicycles and Vegas?

Of all the things that I can imagine when I think of Las Vegas, cycling isn't one of them. Sensory overload of cars, limo's. trams and people make riding a bike more than just dangerous...but suicidal. But I wasn't in Vegas to ride----I was there to view all the latest and greatest inventions the bike industry had to offer. And to see folks I haven't seen in too, too many months. Just running into random customers, vendors and racers that I used to see on a regular basis was "priceless". (Of course, Mike may not agree with the priceless part...cause Vegas ain't cheap!)

I ended up flying with the President (?) of the Bianchi/Grand Performance cycling team! How lucky was that? When we arrived in Vegas I called Dave & Kathy (my generous hosts for the next few days), and Dave said, "Hey we're at the Bellagio---meet us there". I said, "Are you sure it's the Bellagio? I thought we were meeting at the Venetian". "Yup...meet us at the Bellagio" So I changed my transportation and joined Bob from Bianchi/Grand Performance and headed to the Bellagio. Soon as I got off the shuttle, Dave calls, "Ooops...we're at the Venetian". After about a 2 mile walk with my heavy bags, (sigh) I saw my dear friends and made Dave carry my bags the rest of the way. (-:

We shared a nice little timeshare, right next to Interbike. Interbike takes the "overload" to a new level. Any and every manufacturer, dealer, advocacy group, race team, and cycling celebrity makes an appearance in the showroom! It's amazing. Running into folks from my California past was great fun. Having drinks with Phil Liggett, Tim Grady and Jim Ochowitz was a treat indeed!

You could spend a week walking up and down the aisles of booths, and still not see everything on offer for the upcoming season. Meeting Eddie Merckx (and of course I had my sharpie pen!) made my trip a success. And a very nice and interesting thing to note is that in spite of all the people and booths, there were so many people and friends I knew----cycling is such a small world, even on the grandest of scales!

I arrived back in Minneapolis around 11:30pm, and it was midnight before I got to my car almost...not so bad. I then had a three hour drive back to Marshall. I don't imagine I'll be doing that again anytime soon. Being so far away from the airport is hard. The wind has been steady at 20+ MPH since I got home. At least it isn't snowing....

Mike was sick the whole time I was gone and today is the first day he feels good enough to ride....so we skipped racing this weekend. Given that I haven't had a day off, it's a good day to catch up on jobs around the house, and get some cycling in my legs.

(Photo of Joni w the infamous Phil Liggett missing here....)