Calvin Crest Crankfest

Calvin Crest Crankfest was held yesterday near Fremont, NE. Over the last couple years, THOR (Trails Have Our Respect) worked with Camp Calvin Crest, designing and constructing their singletrack trail. Most of the time, the trail was available for riding by the general public 9closed when other functions at the camp).

Saturday was the inaugural race held at the trail. It was a busy race weekend with two road races and the mountain bike race. Race promoters reported about 100 racers at the event.

The photo here is of the "grillmasters" serving food for the racers and spectators. Proceeds from the food went to the Camp Calvin Crest Scholarship Fund which helps those that do not have the money to attend camp.

Was a beautiful day for racing. Temperatures were in the 70s at race time. Skies were clear and with a light breeze.

My photos taken at the race are posted on my event and race web site: http://win-photo.photoreflect.com

New Bike Carrier

The last week, I have been looking at a new bike carrier. The current carrier has over 200k miles on it, suspension is shot, seals are leaking, basically worn out. The new carrier is Chevy Impala.
After coffee and before my bike ride today I put down a deposit on the new carrier. See photo. The car is being transferred to Classic Chevrolet-Cadillac. Still paperwork to do before I can take delivery.
The great part of working with the dealer (maybe the ONLY part of working with a (any) car dealer) is I encouraged a salesman to get back on his GT bicycle. It had been sitting for over 5 years. Welcome back to cycling!

Kettle Moraine State Forest

The weather cooled off a bit yesterday. And, the humidity dropped - actually a comfortable day. A bit windy, so headed to the Kettle Moraine State Forest, North Unit to get my dirt fix.
What ended up getting fixed was my bike - more on that later.
I checked the Wisconsin State Parks web site and noted that Kettle Moraine is a unit of the Ice Age National Scientific Reserve. As such, my National Park Service Senior Pass was honored. Saved me the $10 vehicle fee. Still had to pay the $4 bicycle trail fee.
From the Forest Headquarters, it was down to New Fane trails area. Rode the 1/2 mile warm-up loop. Mosquitoes were nasty so stopped at the car to spray bug juice. Off on to loop 2.
Heading into that trail, it seemed that there were more "baby head" rocks on the trail. Lots more than I remembered from November. I know the trail is new, so all the rain this year might have exposed the rocks.
Pedaling up a hill, I quickly remembered that the Fuel EX7 was having shifting issues. Was skipping the chain the last time I rode it (back at Tsali). I should have headed back to the car, but kept on riding. On to Loop 3. The problem was getting worse so took a short cut back. 1.7 miles in my ride the chain broke.
Hike-a-bike back to the car. Now, I had ridden 1.2 miles into loops 2 and 3, but walking back on the hiking trail took me 1.7 miles to the car. Of course, the mosquitoes a swarming over me. Was a miserable walk back.
Once back to town, called a local Trek dealer - Grafton Ski and Cyclery. They said they were not too busy and could look at the bike. Replaced the chain and adjusted shifters. Told me the bottom bracket bearings are going bad.

Bring your shovel, it's still snowing

Here is some cool historical data collected from the Longmire weather station. It was gleaned from the National Weather Services by NPS employee Bret Christoe and graphed by Crystal Raymond.

Bret listed the years when the accumulation (not total snowfall) at Longmire reached at least 60 inches, going back to at least 1932. Although 2007-8 may seem "big" now (particularly as we shovel into our houses and offices) you can see that there is still a ways to go to catch the really big years like 1949. Here's the graph:

Folks, bring your shovels, because according to the National Weather Service, our forecast for LONGMIRE this week is:
Tuesday and Tuesday Night - Snow
Wednesday and Wednesday Night - Snow
Thursday and Thursday Night - Snow
Friday and Friday Night - Snow

Heartfelt

Just across the road from the department of Philosophy at the University of Edinburgh the Festival Fringe generates a lively encampment of food stalls and a beer garden, complete with fairy lights and competing music. About 50 yards away is the Udderbelly - an extremely large, very purple tent in the shape of an upside-down cow complete with legs and, of course, an udder. A venue for comedy, dance, music and theatre.
Now it's all gone for another year, and someone has been moved to express their feelings.

Babywearing

I wish these had been around when my children were infants. They're the ticket! Here's Darcie getting in some practice with the new kitten, Belle. She'll sleep for hours snuggled up next to Darcie. She was a stray that was separated from her mama too early. Now she has a new mama!

It's Raining!

Northern California is officially in the midst of its first rainstorm of the season.
I just went outside and was amazed to see the rain coming down in sheets (not hard sheets, mind you, just light). Everything is wet, the water is tricking down the gutters, and when you walk on the brown grass it doesn't crunch underfoot.
Any other Northern California bloggers out there who are enjoying this rain?