Today's ride...

Gmaps Route:

Not sure I want to know the story behind this:




Great ride today. Paved road and dirt. The sun was out and temperatures were in the 40's. November here in Michigan has actually been more like October and October weather was more akin to November. Regardless, it's been a great month of riding.

Dutch/Danish cycling culture

We'll start here. This is a classic example of the common perceptions of the bicycle and it's application as a mode of transportion here in the United States:


Now we go across the pond to Denmark and the Netherlands. Although there is little chance of this phenomenon occurring here in the United States I am still hopeful that cycling will someday be recognized as more than a secondary mode of transportation. Simply put, the Danes and Dutch have it right.

1937 Copenhagen video:


Modern Amsterdam:


Safe Routes to School. Kloosterveen, Assen, Netherlands:


A few observations. No helmets. No spandex. No chunky folks. No hills.
BTW, here is the recent report card from the League of American Bicyclists with their ranking of bike friendly states. I'm truly happy to see Ann Arbor recognized as the top Michigan location.
Bike Friendly America

2010 Shanghai Expo

Only 155 days until the 2010 Expo. Check out the roof of the Chinese private Enterprises Pavillion! AWESOME design.



EXPO 2010

Chinese Private Enterprises Pavilion

Cider Mill ride today

It's a great time of year to get in social rides, slow down and take in the cider mills of Michigan. Today we rode from Rochester out to the berg of Richmond, MI. It was a tad slow but I found I could go at this slower pace for substantially longer. We stopped at Blake Farms and Verellen Orchards. I felt great when we wrapped up 50+ miles. I met some new friends and ate some kick-ass doughnuts! Great time.

2009 Iceman Cometh Challenge race report

Men's results: Women's results: What can I say? It was a fantastic day of racing. Kalkaska to Traverse City, Michigan and the temperatures were the warmest ever. I rode the 40+ Singlespeed class on a rigid 29'er with a 34x17 gear ratio. The 1 mile start through Kalkaska had me spinning my legs off regretting my gear selection. The field was gone right off the bat! I looked back and saw only a handful of riders in my class and I knew I would have to pick off a lot of folks out on the trail. The next 2 hours were a blur as I passed an endless stream of riders. I was happy with my gearing out on the trail and anything taller would have hurt me as the hills kicked up near the end of the course. I rolled in 24th in my class with a 2:04:xx. Check out the photos and clips. More to follow: Velonews recap:
Iceman Expo: Sweet singlespeed: Sam Schultz, JHK, Heather Irmiger: Pro start: Williamsburg Road crossing: Last hill: Kelli Emmett: \ 2009 Michigan Youth Cycling Scholorship winner Cory Stange 12-18

Sunset on the season party video promo

Having a major Michigan brewer as your primary sponser can have it's benefits...

Ice Cross Cyclocross Sunday, November 8, 2009

SUNDAY! SUNDAY! SUNDAY!
Cyclocross race on Sunday, the day following the epic Iceman Cometh. Timber Ridge resort.
I'm thinking I may need to give it a try.
UPDATE:
The weather and conditions were ideal for a race on the day following the Iceman. There were very few riders and spectators. I got smoked right off the bat and spent the next 6 laps trying NOT to get lapped. The course was easy and included a few segments from the VASA trail. For me, the highlight was the cash grab or beer hand-up on the backside of the course. Good time for sure.





REGISTRATION: