Wednesday, December 31, 2014

New Years Day Rides

IF anybody wants to get out and about during the day, let me know.  I need to work off some of my holiday excess.  I'd prefer a creek/river outing but I'm good for whateves.



And/or I'll see you at 8.

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

ThNR is Baby Jesus Approved


  

There's no room at the inn but David offered the wise men his stable.  
See you at 8.

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

ThNR



Duke at the buffalo creek warm up shack on February 9, 2012.

See you at 8.


Monday, December 15, 2014

Pembina River (USA) Ride Report

Shaun, Paul and I explored the Pembina river and it was almost perfect.  The weather was ridiculously unseasonable, the river was wide and didn’t’ accumulate any significant drifts and was 15’ below field level which alleviated the worst of the wind, and the location was south enough to enjoy cheap beer and smokes.  On our ride we saw 4 coyotes, 3 hunters and the occasional sections of open ice and sitting water that made us feel nervous/bad-ass (“let peer pressure be your guide” Jeff Loeppky).  Our three hour tour took us 64 k's and ended at The Western where we enjoyed some beer, chips and American ambiance.  There has been talk of a century ride on the same river which would take us out West to Leroy or East to Pembina for food and drinks before returning back to Neche.  Stay tuned.

Shaun took these...



Good times.

Saturday, December 13, 2014

Sunday Creek Ride USA!

Exploring the Pembina River by bike could be fun.  We'll drop in at Neche so bring a passport.  I'd like to leave anytime before 1:00.  Who's in?
Floating heads and combine at the clubhouse.
Curt would not pull my finger.

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

ThNR

Will Shaun fulfill his promise and return to the fold this week?  I hope so – our swearing quotient has been horribly neglected.  Maybe he'll share his thoughts on MTS to get us back up to speed.



The creek continues to call out.  Southward bound?  We’ll see which way our fickle winds blow.

Also, another weekend ride should totes happen.  Explore the Pembina River at Neche?  Other?  Mull it over.

Friday, December 5, 2014

ThNR Report

Gavin, Franklin, Paul, Kris, James, David, Lonny, Curt, Albert and I spent the evening winding our way up and down the creek.  The ice conditions remain ideal, the weather was mild and the moonlight was bromantic.  Franklin fell much less than last week, Lonny’s peddle fell off – thank goodness Albert knows how to save the day, cycling through the reed sections was an adventure, and eventually we made our way back to our good old clubhouse.  It’s odd (or maybe not) that our longest rides of the year happen in winter conditions.  Minutes include: Lyle came and ordered a round of drink, providing lab samples in the Walmart bathroom, Curt’s fuzzy logic: if your dumb enough to get lost, your dumb enough to find your way out, planning for Paul’s 50th birthday using more fuzzy logic, Lyle somehow convinced Ashley that buying a new custom built bike was going to be a money-making venture, ABES spring ride will be on the May long weekend, Shaun promised that he will be back next week, new clubhouse ramblings continued, the ABES bus, Gavin got his annual hair cut, Franklins pig slaughtering demo turned into a pig torturing/hunting demo - for kids, and Albert said something and we all nodded in agreement.  Good times.

A Sunday bike ride is in the works.   Meet at ABES headquarters at 12:30 and we’ll drive to Lake Minnewasta to cycle the trails and explore the creek.  So far, Gavin, Franklin, Paul, Kris, and I are confirmed.  Let us know if you're coming so transportation can be arranged.










Wednesday, December 3, 2014

ThNR

I had the fortune of cycling with Joanne and Lisa on their TNR.  We rode on the creek.   The conditions were great - snow covered and fast.  The moon was all the light we needed.  So good.

Is anybody interested exploring a creek or ?? on Sunday?  Lake Minne or the Pembina valley?  Thinkaboutit :)!

























See you at 8.

Friday, November 28, 2014

ThNR Report

Last night we spent 3 hours exploring buffalo creek which meant we were riding slow, clenching our butts, seeking relief on snow-packed sections, trudging through reeds, sipping on scotch and jagg, grinnin’ like idjits, and noodling our way for 27 km’s of frozen bliss.  It was certainly the longest ThNR and quite possibly the best.  We were all slipping but mostly able to hold ourselves upright; Franky took the title with the most and the loudest crashes – congratulations buddy!  We unknowingly dropped Pastor Ben (forgive us our sin(s) and David, who got so mad he spit beer all over Paul at the clubhouse (forgive him Paul). 

I didn’t take any picture (it’s dark, cold, everybody has reflective clothing, and I’m running out of excuses for saying I’m lazy) but here are some pics for the archives…








Wednesday, November 26, 2014

ThNR

I had a super weekend – thanks for asking.  It included family movie night, pig slaughtering, cycling on buffalo creek, community theatre, friends, family, and ample amounts of food and drinks.  I’m still smiling about it all – especially riding bike on buffalo creek (that and the Jagermeister).  This is one of the best times of the year when the creek is frozen and the snow hasn’t built up enough to block the narrow passageways.  The new terrain is such a welcomed break from the same boring roads we see every bloody day of the year.  If all goes well this Thursday, we'll go down to the creek to sniff out what's what.

Here is my latest find from the MCC store.  An aerial photo of of the RM of Rhineland.

Rocktona.

Friday, November 21, 2014

Friday Night Video

The creek was hellaslippery last night.  It's also one of the coolest thing you can do around here on your bike.  I highly recommend it.


Wednesday, November 19, 2014

ThNR

Buffalo Creek is ready to ride.  Let's do it.  See you at 8.

The following video is not cycling related but does demonstrate how boss I used to drive my toy cars when I was a kid.

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Brains V Brawn Alley Cat

Remember when we used to have alley cat races?  Well, Franklin does - that's why he's planning an alley cat race for our Thursday Night Ride.  How sweet is that?!


See you at 8.

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

ThNR

We gots some cyclin' to do.


See you at 8.

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

CX Nats & ABSEY

The National Cyclocross Championships were awesome.  HUGE props to the organizers for a great event.  You raised the bar so ridiculously high that nobody will want to ever host again - you'll be hosting nationals forever!  The course utilized all of the best features of the forks, the run-up was acceptably unreasonable, the race schedule ran smoothly, our pathetic ABES tent was a perfect make-shift clubhouse, and the warm weather made everything better.  Personal highlights included: seeing Danick sprint for the win at the finish line, racing with 100 other cyclists on a dimly lit course on Friday night, awesome race coverage/media, watching Anna runs past two women at the barriers (Anna was easily the fastest woman at the barriers), the ABES/beer tent, cheering/jeering cyclists at the sand pit, giving high-five's to my kids during my race and finally being reunited with our missing ABES sign.

I admit to being upset when our sign was first taken.  We had just organized AD/DC, I was tired - and then somebody stole our GD sign!?  Eff'n eff'rs!  Are you kidding me?!  If anything happens to that sign I was going to call the cops!  Then I took a nap and had a bite to eat to cool my jets.  As the photos continued, I turned from pissy to pleased.  I started looking forward to the next chapter of ABES in the city although concerns were raised when we saw a diet of whole wheat cereal with almond milk for breakfast instead of its traditional diet of meat, beer, chips and cigarettes.

At Nationals, a posse tried to track down ABSEY.  It had been photographed at the Friday night party at Natural Cycles.  When we arrived on the scene, David found his way into private offices and back rooms but returned with nothing more than annoyed looks from the staff.  ABESY was finally presented at the Saturday night party where Anna and others spilled the beans on the entire scheme.  F’n eh!

Apparently, the ABES sign abduction has been in the making for a loong time.  Ever since ABSEY’s inception, a jealousy has been percolating at the dark red racing republic which finally erupted in the form of a kidnapping.  I know I get envious when I see pretty, shiny things, so it’s only natural that the dark side was jealous of our precious (excuse the mixed movie references).  Possible ringleader/pizza cat/awesome chick/brilliant bitch, fast bikin', Anna Schappert and Hawaiian shirt wearing/Kramer/Angus Young looking, always smilin’, Graham Madden abducted our sign at the AD/DC post race party while we were blissfully unaware.  Well done.  We'll be sure to return the favour.


I love/hate you eff'n eff'rs,
JS

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

My Head is Spinning!

I think our ABES sign is being feted.  Sightseeing tours of the upcoming CX Nationals venue, quaint coffee shops, meeting new people, late night fires, drinks, and a handsome horned devil in tow.  What's happening?!



This weekend will be the biggest cycling party ABES has ever been to, with a boatload of bike races thrown in for good measure.  I can't wait!

We'll go for a bike ride and discuss this weekends upcoming awesomeness.  See you at 8.  JS

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Altona Police Report

Sometime during the AD/DC weekend there was either a tender love connection or a sick and terrifying abduction.  Our beloved ABES sign was whisked away/absconded by Krampus Of Cross.  I'm happy to say that it appears the sign has been treated well.  It has enjoyed breakfast, been taken out for drinks, taken to a classy hotel (I shudder to think what happened there), and enjoyed a cozy fire/arson.  If you are reading this The ABES Sign, let us know you're all right, we're worried sick!  You better treat it right Krampus, it's our beautiful, fragile baby and we'd hate to see it get hurt by your demon love/vandalism.  Keep us posted on this romantic date/nightmare from hell.





I think i'm going to be sick.  JS

AD/DC Review

Double the cross meant double the awesome.




Cold weather on Saturday did not dissuade 195 racers, including 65 kids and 52 people in the Open race who were given'r, hurt'n and love'n the course in Altona!

Highlight for me included Erin Guenter racing out of the saddle to dominate the kids races, Sweet Cheryl Koop taking her first ever win in C and the ABES women taking 3 of the top 4 spots (both races brought a tear to my eye), seeing Ari hop up the stairs, Ben racing past me with a bloody smile, Craig getting a black eye in the sand/mosh pit, rocking to ac/dc at the Sunday run-up, Mary-Grace turning around after the sand so she could re-ride the sand and get more love from the adoring crowd, Tegan cycling up the run-up and finishing off with a catwalk, Steve Scoles hyping up the crowd and naming the local riders, late night pizza and beer at the curling club, the "lets get ready to rumble" contest, and the beautiful weather that greeted us all day Sunday.

Race results can be found here.

Thanks to everybody who took pictures.  It's always nice to see pictures of you and your friends smiling in agony.  Here are the pictures I've seen so far…JP Peters, Rod Colwell A, Bopen, Jason Elias, Charles Klippenstein, and Merlin Thiessen.


Lost but found…
Take a look and let us know if it's yours.
Anything unclaimed by this weekend can be purchased at the MCC thrift store.


Thanks to everybody who came out to race, and special props to all the volunteers who made this event possible.

JS

Friday, October 17, 2014

AD/DC Weekend Is HERE!

A few points to note:

- We are excited about the weekend and hope you are too.
- Registration/check-in will take place at the main stage in the NE corner of the park, not the traditional shelter in the middle of the park.
- Dead Ringer beer will not be available (boo) but we will sell slices of pizza at the curling club (yaa).
- Volunteers are awesome.
- ADDC shirts and ABES hats will be for sale.


The schedules:

Southern Cross

10:00 - Registration opens
11:30 - kids race - U7
12:00 - kids race U13
12:30 - draw prizes
1:00 - Open race
2:00 - 30 min race
3:00 - 45 min race
4:15 - 1 hour race
6:00 - Altona Curling Club - awards, beer, chips, pizza and good times


The Sunday schedule has been modified.  It has a kids fun race, TWO 40 minute races, and an hour in hell.

Provincial Cyclocross Championships

11:00 - Registration Opens

12:00 - Kids Fun Race - U13 - modified course

1:00 - Championship Event #1 - 40 min
U15 M
U15 F
U17 F
U19 F
30 - 39 F
40+ F

2:00 - Championship Event #2 - 40 min
U17 M
19 - 29 F
40 - 49 M
50+ M

3:15 - Championship Event #3 - 60 min
U19
U23
23 - 29 M
30 - 39 M

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee saluuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuute youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!!!!!


Wednesday, October 15, 2014

The Tape Has Arrived


Canadian Lumber supplies tape ,promotes our events AND has a great sale on curing blankets!

That is all.

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

More things you'll see at the AD/DC

Registration/check-in will be in the main stage located in the North East corner of the park.
Bathrooms and changing rooms are also available at the stage.
If you register online at bikereg.com, you could win a new Norco Threshold cyclcross bike from the Altona Farm Service.  I love the decals. 

Smiles abound as friendly folks provide perogy hand-ups at last years race.
The soul sucking sandpit will eat you up!

                                     The hill will hurt.

This year 100 beer coupons will be provided to help prime the party.
Provincial champions will walk away with this sweet sculpture made by local artist Ken Loewen.
For those about to race.  We salute you.

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

ThNR - early and late editions

If anybody wants to cycle the ADDC course in some daylight, meet at my place at 6pm and we'll head for the hill.


ThNR meets at 8.

Monday, October 6, 2014

Things you'll see at the ADDC

Local artist, cycling enthusiast, and explosive linguistic stylist Shaun Dyck is creating some of these beauties…

Thanks Shaun.  That is awesome.

And speaking of things that are awesome.  Everybody who registers or volunteers at the ADDC will get one of these rock n roll water bottles.  

So sweet.