DON'T SHOOT

"ARF ARF" Shhhh, lil bike, let sleeping tanks lie.

Cut across an open field, rode the edge of this creek, and see the bridge way in the back ground, that is a rail to trail bridge that put me back on the trail. Rode another dirt century today. It was 34 degrees F when I started out. Was easy to dress for, not much wind. Saw a couple of Eagles, chased a few turkeys, they would rather try to out run me first on the trail then fly away. I am taking a vacation day tomorrow, and hope to make tomorrow #3 in a row for dirt centuries.
Have a nice day.

Dave

All the leaves are brown and the sky is gray.

Rode a century on the dirt trail and gravel today. Makes for dirty century #44 for the year. These bridges are being rebuilt from the floods of 08.

Check this fort out. The last couple of weeks I seen kids hauling lumber and building. No one was there today.

Gray day.

I figured if people are using this to work off of, it should be safe, right? Well it would be a 25 foot crash if not.

She's arrived.

She's arrived, she's put together, she's ready to rock and roll.

Cleaning up my ride.

Bike maintenance, Something you can't neglect if your gonna ride. Especially on dirt. So tonight I worked on my XO2, cleaning, lubricating, adjusting, hoping to do some serious riding this weekend. Feel like a slacker not getting outdoors and riding since last Sunday, well did do some indoor rollers and lifting weights this week, but need to ride the roads, SOON.

HO HUM DUMB DE DUMB

Gonna have to get some good lights for the bike, spinning indoors fries the mind eventually. I can take 30 to 60 minutes but after that my mind starts to go crazy. Put me on a dirt trail and and I can ride all day. Hope to crank some good mileage this weekend out yonder.

Another bike in the stable

I could not help myself, just bought this bike with all these extras. Thinking about 2.3 Nokian studs and making it an ice/snow ride.

Upgrades:
Tires- Bontrager Big Earl 2.5 front and Jones ACX-B 2.2 rear $50.00 each
Front Brake- Avid Code 4 piston hydraulic DH brakeset $239.99
Derailleurs- Sram X.9 front and rear $50 and $102.99
Crank Race Face Atlas AM red anodized 22-32-44 w/ Race Face X-type bottom bracket 369.99
Pedals- Truvative Hozfeller DH/ FR with replacable studs $84.99
Cassette- Sram X.0 Redwin 9 spd w/ new Sram 991 chain $103.99 and $50.00
Saddle- Bontrager RL with FSA seatpost $99.99 and $69.99
Stem- Truvative Hozfeller $45.99
Handle Bars- Truvative Hozfeller w/ Lizardskins lock-on grips $59.99 and $29.99
Headset- FSA 36 degree sealed angular roller bearings $70.00
Cables- Brand new Jaguire Teflon coated Ripcord Pro $30.00
Also includes water bottle cage, chinstay protector wrap, and cateye computer

Coiuntry Ride, and another dirt century

Carb'n up on a raw pop tart, what a man. :-)

Gravel travels

Saw a whole bunch of jeeps head down this road, followed them and saw what looked like a hill climbing contest. I wanted to get closer and take some pictures but they had the gate locked into the area they were at.

These birch trees got together and had a little meeting. They decided they wanted their leaves back, and screw winter. Rode dirt century # 43 for the year, thinking 52 sounds like a good number. Happy rides to all,

Dave

Coiuntry Ride, another dirt century

Rode out on Heritage Trail to Dyersville, 62 miles round trip. These bridges are being built to replace the bridges that were washed away from the flood of June 08. Had to climb and carry bike to get on top, was hoping I didn't slip and crash, down onto the rocks. Beautiful day, started out with hat, gloves and jacket, but removed at 10:00 after only an hour of riding. Hope to do it again tomorrow.

Bicycling and ADHD

Interesting article in Bicycling Nov 09 about Adam Leibovitz U.S. bicycling champion. He battled ADHD for years with medications, and then discovered bicycling. He says "When I was off the meds and rode a lot, I'd feel great" When I'd take rest weeks I'd be bouncing off the walls."

Also he says, "I never feel more serene-or more focused then after a good, hard ride."

Well I gotta go, like those close to me know, I need my "meds", my day on the bike.

Happy trails.

Dave

The Plan Stan

Here is the route, 62 miles leaving from my house Dubuque to Dyersville on Heritage Trail. There are a couple of bridges down so gravel roads are taken. I haven't been this way since last weekend and bridge repair is happening so maybe I can ride across a "half finished" bridge. If the plan goes as planned I will ride this Saturday and Sunday. Yahooo bring it on.