Bicycle in thr the season - temporarily

Well, it's been cold here lately (in the mid to lower 30's) and although I bought a facemask to protect my nose and throat from the cold air... I am chickening out, been a lot of colds around the house and I'm worried that travel on the trail in the cold might set me off.

I've been sitting around the house getting fat, I try to walk some in the afternoons, but I'm not consistant, I feel myself "blowing up" :-)) I was holding out to see if I could get one more ride in before the trail gets blocked with snow.

Thanksgiving brought some light flakes that didn't stay, Friday morning I poked around the house. I finally broke down and brought "MaryAnn" (my bicycle) in from the garage and set her up on the stand in the basement and got a few minutes riding in this evening.

I am not admitting defeat or giving in, if we get a warm streak and the trail is still clear, I will be out there... last year I was out there 9 days before Christmas. I'm crossing my fingers and shooting for Christmas.

How am I prepared for winter in Minnesota? Well, I have brought in all of my tools and am busy working on a couple of bicycles. A Trek 800 mountain bike that is about ready, it was going to be mine for non-paved trails, but I got a sweet GT this summer, so I guess I will finish it, and sell it to someone who needs a bicycle.

The second bicycle is a Bianchi Strada - it has had a bad life and has been in a terribly abused home situation. Fortunately, I was able to intervene before permanent damage was done (I think).

As I write, I have the bottom bracket pieces set aside covered with T9 to protect the cleaned surfaces. I have the bottom-bracket open and intend on cleaning the rusty/sandy/dirty interior several times. (leaving a bicycle outside on it's side in the rain is very, very naughty). I have the front wheel apart and have repacked the front bearings (after almost losing two in my basement). But they are back together and ready for spoke adjustment and cleaning before the tires go back on.

So I putter on my bicycles, work on this website, and I am hoping to make some new friends... who knows, maybe we'll all get together and ride bicycle this summer. ;-)

Last week, short trip to Elysian

Had a little time to sneak in a ride, it was a little chilly, but I got the bicycle off the rack and onto the pavement around 2:30pm on Saturday.

The trail is noticeably quiet, most of the migratory birds have left for warmer climes. Even the Redwing Blackbirds have started their Southward journey.

Rode by myself, quiet day, not many on the trail. Grayish sky, looking like winter is almost here. I decided to stop for a warm cup of Chai. Found a very nice place south of the highway as I come into Elysian from the west. Believe it or not, it is a "Floral / Giftshop / Bakery" and they have "Elephant Chai" which tastes very nice.

Rode back to Madison Lake and arrived just before sundown. Nice ride.