ThNR Report

James, Shaun, DB, Dan, Johnny, Franklin, and Evan (the thin kid) met to ride the streets of Altona, which felt like it was in BC.  We checked out the snocross track for a last man out race which saw the thin kid beat DB in a sprint at the finish.  We moved on to a cage match knockdown tournament where James used his wizardry to emerge as the champion of the world.  At this point the rain (seriously, in January, how awesome is that) led us to the clubhouse where we were joined by the Duker and David.  Minutes included; covering your mouth when you cough, Dan is an awesome preacher (according to him), the fries were delicious and the price was right, Gavin loves trains, they can't forecast the roads, officer Jack Mehoff, some chiropractors help us understand disappointment(oh, you're done?)  and Dan once broke up with a girl because "God told him to."

This weekend is the Altona Town Carnival with bike races at the snocross course starting at 11:30, or maybe later, nobody is really sure.  Show up, bring your kids, the forecast looks great!

Big Time Important Stuff

Time to release the logjam from the department of big time important stuff...

It has been debated and decided that our Spring Ride (May long weekend) and our Family Camping Weekend (July 1-5) will both take place at Crosby (Cuyuna).  The trails are super-wicked-awesome, Louie’s Bucket of Bones allows BYOB, DTwat has booked a cabin for the boyz and Franky has booked sites for July.  Let the good times roll.  All we need is Tommy D to join the festivities so he can enjoy the fruits of his labour.

David has planned a snoval-cross bike race this Saturday to add to the Altona Winter Carnival.  Details are vague but it should be fun.  There are also two pro cyclocross races to watch this weekend.  If anybody has details on watching it online, let us know.

Paul claims the second round of ABES gear should be here on Friday.  Thanks for helping the team brother.

But first things last - the Deep Fry Thursday Night Ride is on.  I’ll bring a couple of bags of goodies and we’ll see if promises are kept. 

M’mmm – deep-fried anything.

See you at 8.

ThNR

Congratulations go out to Duke and Julia on the arrival of 

Fredric David James who was born this morning!  Huzzah!

See you at 8.

Afraid To Quit

From the folks at Awesome Wheelie...

ThNR

We know there will be an ABES Spring Ride on May 15-18 and the ABES Family Weekend will be on July 1-5.  We also know we're going to Duluth and Crosby (Cuyuna).  We now need to establish the best destination for each event.  This is a very complicated case...a lotta ins, lotta outs, lotta what-have-you's.  Not to worry, we'll figure this out.

See you at 8.

ThNR Report

James, Franklin, Shaun, Albert and I cycled to buffalo bush and followed the creek north.  The night included a peek inside buffalo bush, finding a (dead) deer carcass, not getting hurt when I was bucked off my bike, the new path through the reeds courtesy of the ATV's, a beautiful creek ride with good grip, and Franklin quickly and safely finding the ice with barely a scream.  The clubhouse was closed so we enjoyed post ride festivities with El Duque in my basement.

My hopes of a new years day, day ride never happened.  I slept in until 1:30, played a lot of Rock Band with my kids, and only took off my housecoat to get ready for the 8pm ride.  A lovely, lazy day.

Paul and Franky were devoting Friday to cycling together and rekindling their bromance.  Will an update on their day be imminent?  Pictures?  We hope so because this post needs some pictures!?

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.

ThNR is Baby Jesus Approved

  

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

See you at 8.

ThNR

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

See you at 8.

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.

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.

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.

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 50^th 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.

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.

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…

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 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.

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.

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.

ThNR

We gots some cyclin' to do.

See you at 8.