Yay! Minneapolis

I will be at or near Minneapolis by this time next week!!!  I am that excited.  I rocked my I (heart) MPLS t-shirt well before the ranking.  But I love that ranking.  Fuck yeah.  Bringin it to Chicago.  Couldn't make me happier.

Nice Mpls talk with two new bike peeps last night.  Why are we so cool?  And you know I ain't usually cocky.  It's all y'alls.  I ()ust feel so at home.  And that's the idea.  For Thunder Bikes.

But back to Minneapolis.  Streaming The Current.  The TB mix is chock full of songs heard on 89.3.  What kicked this blog into gear was The Rural Alberta Advantage.  Great name and vibe, I decided I must post, wherein the inevitable review of other recent posts take place, and I see this pic for the 2nd time today.

Ya know, do I even know how to link in this thing?  Damn.  Check out QBP's page on Facebook.  Basically it's a snow & more so ice enclosed bike the likes of which. . .

Another funny observance did happen today--Chicago meterologists forcast snow like they do rain.  I could have totally ridden today, and I'm fairly positive my downtrodden attitude would have risen notches higher, especially on the way home.  But I don't hate CTA.

I actually think my fav part of the day was when the Santori valet asked me "No bike today?"  There's a couple valet guys at Greek Islands that like my bikes, but I hadn't ever talked to short Santori Guy, much less realized he noticed me or my bikes.  And right as the truth about snow scares was becoming clear!    I SO wanted to hop on my bike outside the door today.  What?  Twenty something?  So damn mild.  I mean, Mpls picture?? (not pictured above)  Chicago is great because its ()ust that much milder.  I do need a legit pair of gloves though.  Knit gloves and those mini-stretch gloves will not hold at a night time 20. In the sunlight, they didn't seem as bad, same temp. . . needless to say, must find.  And fenders for The Continental.  I don't ever want to be afraid of a 1 inch "forecast".

Looking forward.

Determination

From the 'cross field to my business plan to the blog, determination has been on my mind this week.  Determination to make it up to Montrose Harbor by 7:25 a.m. --on a Sunday morning, after the first snow fall.  Still, I knew it was going to be the fastest way.  The iMac read 22 degrees.  It was sunny, the roads seemed clear and mostly dry, so I hauled up Green Lantern and set on my way.  Of course, I forgot a few things and had to go back in.  Onto Damen about 6:55 had me pushing that tank all the way.  Was definitely awake and warmed up by the time I got there.  Rolled up to the registration tent at 7:22!  Saweet.

The scene heading east on Montrose into the park area was every bit as pristine and cyclocross-morning as I expected.  A single racer in his vehicle passed me with a smile--at what I was riding more so than my presence I'm sure, but it was the whole scene.  A hello to a cyclist heading the opposite way.  It was the bright beautiful snow, the blue sky with low thin clouds and the warm glowing sun.  Stunning, and probably a good thing my camera batteries were dead because I needed all the time we had for registration tent set up and training.

The 40+ Masters were up first.  Gotta say my favs were the 40+'s registering in the 30+ category.  And the 60 year old man.  Didn't get to talk to many of them as I'd hoped.  It was in and out, but that's ok.  I got to meet Chris Mailing, who started Turin Bicycle seven years ago after a career in the finance industry.  He rode in the 50+.  It all was very well run and executed.  Professional.  I am honored to have been a part of it.  I didn't stay until the end, and would have liked to have watched more of the races, but I got a great feel, and look forward to continuing to be a part of the cyclocross world.  Who knows, I've never really had a competitive streak, and man would it take dedication, but shit, why not?  There were just as many 40+ women registering as otherwise. . . and the youngest was 9!!  Loved her.  Chatted a bit with her out in the field later that day.  It was not her first ride.  Watch that little one!  Be darned if I remember her name though.  All in all, it was a fantastic experience.  I met George Vargas too, who coordinated all the volunteers, but I don't know his connection beyond that.  


Determination, people.  It's not a quality, although I suppose it could be, but I think of it more as an action.  Which means it is a choice.  I think I am fairly determined, but it can't stay in your mind, you have to act on that determination.  It ain't determination unless you're gettin it done! (Right Bino? Congrats again!!)  And so I have it cut out for me, that's for sure, but hanging around people that can ride for 45 minutes through snow and sand and switchback turns in the cold December weather sure does provide more than a tiny bit of inspiration.


Kudos riders.