Shoot-Out

Two times in as many weeks I got together with some friends for an old fashioned sling-shot shoot out. But this wasn't your typical kid style sling shot mix-up with aluminum cans and paper targets that your dad let you do in the back yard. Our shoot out was with glass and flammable liquids. The first go round was with some co-workers and involved a bunch of Avon perfume and aftershave bottles from the 70's and 80's. I acquired them at my mother-in-law's grizzle sizzle (garage sale) after they didn't sell, and were headed for the dumpster.

direct hit

you poor thing

scored this sweet HI-FI at the grizzle sizzle as well

shit hole

sing for me ....muther fukers

  I posted to facebook on a Thursday with my intentions of shattering them at the fast end of a wrist rocket that Friday, along with a picture of the items, and wanted to know if anyone would like to join in. I got a couple maybe's but mostly, "oh those are worth a lot of money". I checked Ebay just to make sure...they weren't worth shit, maybe a few bucks, but definitely not worth more than the happiness their demise would bring. I was surprised that three guys from work took the bait and followed me to a rather questionable area. Once we got underway with our stuff set-up and the target table engulfed in flames we were having a blast. It was one of those times when we were laughing so hard it hurt. After finishing up we planned for a return trip in two weeks.

first thing first...get the fire going for the kabobs later on

range is open

that's what ya get for doing a shitty job of singing

MMMMMMMM

 Things didn't work out with the original group and didn't work for most of my other friends except one. This time I was not able to secure anymore Avon bottles or similar, so we settled on some items from the thrift store, attic, and shit I had lying around the house, as well as some old camp stove gas and some diesel fuel. The result was the same as the week before...side splitting laughter, flames and destruction. This time we also had dinner at the range before going our separate ways.

Training Day

A few weeks ago on an average weeknight, the boys and I went out to learn and practice rappelling. By no means are they ready to do anything big, but they need to start somewhere. The site I choose was close to home , not very tall, and sees very few visitors. It wasn't truly vertical, but it was steep enough that they were actually hanging on the rope.

bikes better than walking

goof ball

G man was first....Looks like about six feet to the bottom here, it's a lot taller, maybe 25 feet. 

Super Y

Big D

  Just over the edge of the outcropping was a small landing in which I was able to stand on so I could get them over the lip and on their way down. After that it was all on them. They did well and all completed three runs each before I took my turn, and we packed up and headed home.

Y,  walking along the spine

looking pro-

G Man ,more interested in rocks than rappelling

Twin Cities 100

The Twin Cities 100, now in it's second year just went down the first weekend in September. As the name describes, it's in the Twin Cities (MN) and it's 100 miles....it's also FREE !The well planned route uses primarily the massive bike path system throughout Minneapolis and St Paul, and extends to the west around Lake Minnetonka.

Headquarters...early start at 7:30 am 

headed out down the Greenway 

Into St Paul down Shepard Rd

  The route was also broken up into three sections all stating from, and returning to, the Lake Harriet band shell in the heart of The City of Lakes. At the Start/End point riders had stashes of food, clothing, and gear all attended by a volunteer so it wouldn't "walk-off". Round one was approximately 36 miles and took us into St Paul and back. Round two was just over 40 miles and had us head west and loop around Lake Minnetonka. The final leg was just over 20 miles and had us do a fly by of Minnehaha Falls, up to the Uof M and back to Lake Harriet.

Every leg of the ride  had a hidden medallion marked by orange flags, located at it's furthest point on that particular route. This one happened to be located at the top of Ramsey Hill. Any cyclist in the TC knows this hill and how steep it is....we earned this one  

Sky line 

Crushed limestone ...good  

  It was an absolutely exceptional day for the weather and I would not have chosen to be anywhere else than riding my bike around with other like minded individuals. The promoter has given a verbal of his intent to run the the event again next year with hopes of growing the number of riders in attendance.

Medallion 2 on the shores of Lake Minnetonka 

little break at medallion site....note orange flags marking location of hidden baggie 

On our way to the finish...Warehouse District MPLS 

 The naysayers out there may say they have ridden all this stuff many times and don't see the need for an "Event" but what the promoter seems to be asking is have you done it all at once. I too have ridden nearly every inch of the route broken up into different rides and circuits but it's fun to take the challenge of someone else's idea of a ride, and do it. Inevitably you will also meet new people, many of which turn out to be pretty cool and for the most part friendly.    Although I didn't really get to meet any of you...... Big thanks to the promoter and volunteers, hope next year goes as well as it did in 14'          D Rider ....out

My collection......To me ,this extra, clever,  little detail made this ride that much more fun to be a part of...... Thanks again  

       

Repeat

Back in late July, G Man and myself did a nice float down the Zumbro River. We had so much fun I wanted the rest of my family to go back. That's precisely what we did a about a week later. Thanks to a big sale at a local sporting goods store my wife and I were able to secure two more kid sized sit-on-top kayaks to add to the one we already had.  

not much for rapids but it got the boys excited

These kayaks aren't much to speak of in terms of performance or quality, but they float, and give the kids their own freedom on the water. Joining us was Pierce, the boys second, third or some variation of a cousin, I'm not sure exactly, but he's a good kid and was a welcome addition to our group.

Lunch spot

This was the maiden voyage for this stainless grill I built over a year ago

 Learning from the last trip we got going much earlier and brought along a grill to make it plush. The trip down was similar to the previous one with lots of swimming and goofing off. Unfortunately the scummy, drunk, shit-bags were out in full force, with blatant displays of littering, vulgar language and innuendo, and general unsavory conduct. After we paddled past the widely dispersed  flotilla of scum, the second half of the day went much better.

swim time 

 We had a good time but I'm not sure if we will return to the section of the river that caters to inner-tubers via shuttle service from Zumbro Falls to Hammond. Be warned if you want a good family paddling experience, this may not be the place for you ! On the other hand the river valley is beautiful, other paddle-able sections are numerous, and nobody goes tubing in the spring or fall when the water gets cold.

Fiddlin' 50

The third week of August was the inaugural  Fiddlin' 50 up in Balkan Township MN in the heart of the iron range. The  Fiddlin' was much like other gravel grinders in the state.....Free, Unsupported, and Scenic. What appealed to me most, was the location, I have not done any riding or back road exploring in the area, so I was excited for this race.

I camped on the side of the road....A little scary when your by yourself.

Staging

Start line.....17 or 18 riders

  I also like doing these kind of races in their first years when it's all fresh and new and the turn out is smaller. The fact that it wasn't a hundred miles was also appealing, 50-60 miles is a good workout that doesn't take all day and leaves a little "in the tank" for when you want to hangout afterwords and not be completely annihilated.

I wanted to punish myself a little by riding the Krampus

Barn ....obviously 

Sand ...perfect for a mid-fat bike. Lucky for me there where quite a few places like this.

  The pot luck at the finish was also a nice touch and a gracious gesture by the race directors/hosts to set everything up at their house.   Thank you Susan and Scott, for sharing the great route that I most likely would never put together or experience on my own......too bad the mud hole road was dry.

Although mostly flat, the route had lots of pretty scenery. 

professional 

Welcoming committee about a mile from the finish 

 Big thanks to the volunteers for all the help. It was great meeting some new friendly people, and last, but certainly not least....It was awesome to finally meet you Joboo and your friendly family, hopefully we can get together and do some riding in the near future.      D. Rider..............Out