News and Happenings.

Lots happeing here in the next few weeks!

Next weekend we are having the first organized ride in Crawford County. The BRAVE ride will have four route options(from 20 to 80 miles), a locally sourced post ride meal(yay for local farmers!), and DAY CARE. I've not heard of rides offering daycare before. Clicky the linky to find out more. 

On October 12, I will be hosting an event from Viroqua Cross. It will be a double points race for those competing in that series. One big thing that could draw more riders here, is the there are no other WCA cross races that weekend. I do hope to see some Madtown and Mwke locals making the trek on over to check it out. 

Chequamegon is happening this weekend. Weather is gather up there that looks to be making this years event an epic one. Theres nothing like a good bit of rain to make it hard! Will Mr. creepyfriendly repeat? Or will Jonathon Page represent the cross bikes? I'm not there this year, but the mid-packers better look out next year. I found a way in!

On a personal, business related note, the SBA awarded me with a Small Business Sucess award for this past quarter! I'm honored to accept it, but I can't take all the credit. Everyone who reads this blog has helped. Everyone who has come into the store has helped, whether you bought something or not. And everyone who has helped behind the scenes (Lisa, Ryan, Seth, Kathleen/Dale, Nicole) deserves it more than I do.  Awesome!

Lastly, I have to give props to a local rider. Don is a triathelete. Normally, I kind of make light hearted fun of them. Mainly for thier complete geekery. Behind that kind ribbing though, is a hearty respect for what they do with thier bodies. Impressive stuff. Anyways, last weekend Don went to Madison to participate in the IronMan WI, an event notorious for volatile weather. Two years ago or so it was maybe 50 degrees. And wet. The year before it was 95. This year it was about as perfect as you can get. locals know this. Low to mid 70's and little wind. Don took high advantage of this and proceeded to kick some ass. Top 300 finish over all, at a time of 11:55! Not bad. For a 30 something year old. But Don is 56. Needless to say, Don was feeling GOOD. A hearty congratulations to him!

Listening to: The Current from MPR. And MORE construction. I can't wait till the street is done!

Gone Gnoming Saturday.

So this Saturday, I won't be here. I'll be off riding at Levis/Trow Mound, getting nice pictures, drinking probably too much beer, and having a good time with Sidra(who's coming along with Dad!) We're both very excited.

So I posted a note on the door, if you locals are reading this, please don't be alarmed! I'll be back on Teusday, eh?

On another note, the silly season has begun. Silly season you ask? Yeah. This is the time of year when the bike companies release all the new models. Eurobike is happening this weekend in Germany. While it doesn't really hold much for us here in the US, we sure do get to peak at what may be coming down the line for us. Interbike is the US version, and this will be held at the end of the month here. I'm not going this year, and maybe not the next. We'll see.

With all the new bikes being released, my wallet has been screaming for mercy. Now, I haven't bought anything yet, but there are a few bikes out there already that are mighty tempting to throw some cash at! Salsa just released the Fargo, a bike that promises to provide HUGE adventure. Not that I really have the time nor inclination to take on a week[s]+ long tour. Sure looks fun though. Well, and LOOKS good too. Looks like a mountain bike to me. Simple, and rigid.

This promises to be the first of many. Many bikes that tempt me with thier stunning looks, and promises of adventure, with story's to be told.

We'll see. I'll be sure to post up my favorites here. What I think are bike that are really worth the time and effort to save for.

May YOUR wallet stay safe too dear readers!

listening to: Nothing. fans whirring. Clocks ticking. Cars passing.

Roads. Gravel. Dirt. Chip seal.

You name it. I like 'em. And there are lots of other folks around that like 'em. All you have to do is look at the proliferation of events like the Dirty Kanza, Trans Iowa and the great grand daddy, the Great Divide Route that take advantage of these off-the-beaten-tracks. Its even gotten to the point that Bicycling Magazine had a spot in the latest issue about hitting up the dirt on your road loop! The horrors....I jest!

Why do I like them so? They take you to places rarely seen by the casual person. Cars are a rarity. Of course yo do still see them occasionally, and they're typically going slower(unless you run into and Iowan - they know how to drive on gravel) Riding sketchy surfaces on skinny tires makes you learn to handle the bike, become comfortable with it floating beneath you. Downhills are...um...all of a sudden interesting endeavors.

You see farms. Actual working farms. Friendly waves are easy to come by. Conversations are sometimes even easier to come by. Its not often some of these roads get traveled, and a new face is welcomed.

You pedal along streams on your left, and sheer limestone walls on your right. Pedaling past pastures so green it hurts. Pedaling through tree tunnels, with cool moist air acting as a natural air conditioner on hot summer days. 

Go to flickr and there's even a group dedicated to the Backroad. I find myself browsing through there frequently. 

Ok readers, its time to do yourself a favor. Go out and find a gravel road, and take it all in. I feel like you'll be addicted, just like me, in no time.

Listening to: Pandora.com SO much better than Last.fm. I love the internet!

The Tag Game.

I was just hit by Scott over at The Haraldsons. Scott's a long time friend from the old MTBR days. He and his wife also happen to be muy excelente photographers. Be sure to check out his(and her) stuff, eh?

On with this:
If you could have any one — and only one — bike in the world, what would it be?
I've already had it. And I let it go. A custom filletbrazed steel 29"er, with an eccentric and a derailleur hanger. I want one back. Some day...

Do you already have that coveted dream bike? If so, is it everything you hoped it would be? If not, are you working toward getting it? If you’re not working toward getting it, why not?
I liked what I had, but the Top tube was too short. Too old school. Not really working toward it right now, since I have this little shop thing to really focus on.

If you had to choose one — and only one — bike route to do every day for the rest of your life, what would it be, and why?
It would HAVE to be a mellow, swoopy single track through aspens with a slight downhill in, and a possibilty of peeling off for an after work epic. Can't get too sweaty on the way into work, right? Something like that would simply put me in a great mood. I get happy just thinking about it.

What kind of sick person would force another person to ride one and only one bike ride for the rest of her / his life?
At least my wife understands my affliction. So it wouldn't be her. She actually suggested that I have one bike of genre not too long back. I love her! Other wise I like Scotts answer.

Do you ride both road and mountain bikes? If both, which do you prefer and why? If only one or the other, why are you so narrowminded? I ride both.
Both. And Cyclocross. In the past it would have been mountain only. 'Cause I wasn't that smart. Road/cross has its place. The roads(gravel and tarmac) where I live are awesome. Twisty, hilly, remote, and devoid of cars. Its cycling nirvana. Our trails are good, and options will soon be getting much better. After I put a ton of work into them that is.

Have you ever ridden a recumbent? If so, why? If not, describe the circumstances under which you would ride a recumbent?
Yes. Did I like it? Yes. Will I own one? Nope. I'm neither eccentric enough, nor do I have enough hair.

Have you ever raced a triathlon? If so, have you also ever tried strangling yourself with dental floss?
Are you kidding? Of course not. I can't swim a lick. Wouldn't do one if I could swim.

Suppose you were forced to either give up ice cream or bicycles for the rest of your life. Which would you give up, and why?
Duh. Now if the question were chocolate chip cookies....

What is a question you think this questionnaire should have asked, but has not? Also, answer it.

How does one truly avoid the bummer life?

And to the last one. Who reads me? Mike at BlackMountain Cycles. I'm callin' you out.
Ben at Milltown. And Jason at Gnatlikesbikes. Fess up y'all!

listening to: MPR, The Current. Minnesota has it SO good. Wisconsin Public Radio blows. Thank god for the Internets!

Save the date!

Sunday, October 12, 2008.

Why?

The Prairie Peddler is happy to announce that we'll be putting on a cyclocross race! It is part of the Viroqua Cross Series. As such, it is a points race for what's happening up there. Newlin, time to get down here and do some planning! And to top it all off, there's no WCA races that weekend. Think we'll get an influx of 'easterner's' here? Lets hope so.

The course promises to be fast and furious. It'll be scenic for those not in the pain cave, and with good light, a great photographers course.

Of course I'll be posting updates as organization progresses.

Have suggestions for a name? Mississippi Cross? PdC Cross? Border Cross?

Listening to: Nothing. The shop is quiet. Peaceful.

Yellow River Gravel Grinder

Ryan and I headed out for a nice mellow-ish grinder yesterday. I'm really not sure if I've been out on a more perfect day this year yet. Temperature(mid 70's). Moisture(none). Clouds(none). Roads (empty). I mean really. Perfect. I will be doing this loop again. Ended up with 30 miles and 3200' of climbing. Really, a good day on the bike. I needed that.

My ankle is still sore from last weeks trail riding debacle though.

On with the pics!








The last 4 miles was on this two track road through the Yellow River State Forest. Nice stuff.

listening to: Pandora.com; Clap Your Hands Say Yeah radio. playing RadioHead and Sonic Youth.

One of THOSE rides.

You know what I'm talking about. You've been having a great season thus far. Killin' it on the trails, and putting on good miles on the road. You're strong. You feel good.

Then 'that' day hits. Oh, you're fine through most of the day. There are only slight hints as too the mayhem that is approaching. A dropped soda can. Walking into the doorway. Forgetting where you put your glasses(on yer head dumass!)

You head to the trail for the planned ride. You've been thinking of the route all day long, and are looking forward to swooping through sun dappled trails, freshly tacky from the mornings rain.

But what's this? Does your bike want to jettison you, or is something just not right here? I know I've been talking about selling you, but damn. No need to react like this, bike. Stay under me.

Waitaminute.

You're heading for the root. And the rut. And that tree.

STOP! Stopping.

Sliding.

Foot out, grasping for traction. Damned slippery Sidi soles. Damned slippery rotting logs hidden underneath wet slimy undergrowth.

Was that my ankle?

I can recover. Yep, just a small bobble. No...wait...not...recovering...

Where's the seat going? That doesn't feel good.

I'm not landing in poison ivy am I?

Where's that laughter coming from? Oh, your entertained riding partner. Thanks. Thanks for that.

All right. You're sore. Ego's bruised. Lets keep going before the ankle protests too much. A mile later, and a rim hit or two that you just [I]know[/I] gave you a pinch flat, you give up. You're 3 miles into a ride that started ok, but quickly progressed down hill.

Cash it in, called the wife to have an ice bucket ready for the ankle and come back for another day.

Yep I had one of those yesterday. Could have been a great day in the woods, but NOOOOOO. Anyone want a Vassago?

Listening to: Minnesota Public Radio. And fighting children.