Falling Colors

Took the boys out to enjoy some of the falling colors before it all turns brown. It was a chilly, wet, windy day but perfect for taking in the fall-ness of it all.

I went ahead and ordered a sling from Revelate Designs thinking it wouldn't be in for a few weeks. It came about 3 days after purchase. Score. That moves my S24O plans up a bit, as well as offer a better solution to commuting than a pack. All the more exciting. On top of that, my old riding buddy's days off switched and now correlate to mine, meaning more adventures will be had this fall. Hell yeah.

Urban Trails

Got out on an urban mtb ride with the juniors squad last night. Final preps for the upcoming point to point XC race Sunday. We worked on climbing. Thankfully we have a super secret steep and wooded off road wonderland not too far from the shop for just such exercises. 20 miles of haunted fun.

JD had a "ruff" day at work. 

More Mo

Added a bit more mojo to the RSL. It's been a good week of exploring my world. Found a cave on tonight's post work excursion as well as a new road over a mountain. Who knew such wonders existed right outside McBurbia?

Next payday I'll be ordering me up some gear from Eric at Revelate Designs and replacing my stolen pad and bag because 'tis the season for S240 adventures. Time to put the RSL into adventure cycling mode and add a little more life into the hours between leaving and returning to work. After this week's adventure co-moots, I have high hopes for some amazing routes.

Looking for the Light

Enjoyed the first cool fall ride home of the year last night. It was wet, cold, windy, and perfect thanks to a cold front that blew in and took us from 70 to 40 degrees. The adventure continued with many new gems discovered and a creepy flashing light top secret tanker requiring further night time investigation. It's going to be a fun fall.

Good Morning MTB Commute

Up before the sun. In traffic as it rose. On the bike before work. Route passed through quiet neighborhoods waking up, a serene private lake, through a business park, over a highway, under a railroad, over several hills, gravel roads, dirt, grass, and pavement. Here are a few of today's memories.

Sun.

Ahead.

Under.

Through.

Up.

View.

Mountain bike commutes rock. Explore your world. Small adventures await.

Into the Sunset

I stood there on the side of the trailer, rubbing the fur between his eyes. Telling him it was all ok. He was nervous, but not scared. His typical calm demeanor. Taking in the sights.

"Caw, caw, caw"

I looked up. High atop the tallest tree was a single black Crow. A bird I don't see as frequently here as up in the corn states of the Midwest. It turned it's head to face me.

"Caw, caw, caw" It cried again then flew to the top of a light pole 10' in front of us.

"Caw, caw, caw" And with it's final cry it swooped down towards us and disappeared into the horizon.

I looked back at Crow and simply said "Goodbye, my friend."

Riddles Wrapped in Enigmas

"It's a loop within itself. All you have to do is follow it."

And with that, we scratched our heads, turned back and soon found our way again. Thanks toothless groundskeeper.

Frost Bike

The older you get, the fewer number of things exist that still make you feel like a kid. Though racing a bike across an open field at night, you're breath billowing fog around your head as you squint to make out shapes to avoid in the dark, ranks right up there. Up, down, around the field. Between the trees, along the fence, across the ridge. The dog keeping pace. The frosty grass crackling underneath. The cold air stinging your cheeks, eyes watering from the cold breeze.

The fall weather has been amazing as of late. Clear star filled night skies, cool open window sleeping evenings, and frost on the ground. Late into the evening as the half moon starts its descent behind the hills to the South, JD and I have been out playing in the back field while H. and Benjamin bring the horses in. It's been a wonderful way to unwind before bed. Long live frost filled childish fall nights.

Lounge Act

"Always two there are. No more, no less. A master and an apprentice."

After a long week of squeezing it all in, all I could think of yesterday during the last few countdown hours of work was getting out on a nice long trail ride with JD. That all changed when the sun came up this morning. The crisp, cool air combined with the golden sunrise and blue skies slowed my clock. After days and days of up early, rush out, hustle at work, rush to get out to get a ride in, rush home, rinse & repeat, Sunday has greeted me like a better version of a Lionel Ritchie song. There would be no rush today.

Meet Benjamin.

H. is in the midst of 3 nights in a row and didn't get much sleep with the new puppy in the house yesterday. So sticking close to home and letting the pup run off some pent up energy while she sleeps sounded better than driving an hour to a trail. Better to enjoy some low key time at home with the pups this morning, then head out back for some trail time with JD, than waste any more time in a car this week.

King of the Mound. 

Circus dog in the making.

Attack!

Teaching the pup how to guard the bike.

So while H. sleeps, we're playing out in the sun. JD is an awesome big brother to the new puppy. The new puppy is enthralled with JD. So far it's win-win. After swapping from commuter gear to trail gear, I took full liberty of my unsupervised puppy time and started the pup's training off right - follow the bike. He's a quick study. Maybe we'll get him on the trail sooner rather than later.