It is the night of the Winter Solstice, the date of the least amount of sun. For years, I have felt depressed as Fall deepened into Winter, as the days got shorter. When the cold and dark arrive, even leaving the house becomes difficult.
A couple weeks ago, a co-worker cornered me in a weak moment and told me he had an extra ticket to a winter concert, by Ring of Kerry, an Irish singing group. During this time of year, when my lack of sociability is at its height, I uncharacteristically agreed to go. The company and the singing were good, and during the intermission we found ourselves talking with a woman who had lived in San Diego for 50 years. It was about 5 degrees outside, with a below zero windchill, so I commented that she must really miss Sad Diego this time of year. She responded, "Oh, you get sick of the sun too."
And during this darkest of seasons, I found reason to celebrate. I have never been sick of the sun. I had never understood that was the gift I receive each year from life here in Minnesota, from a life with extreme cold and long hours of darkness. I am never sick of the sun.
In the spring, the lengthening days meant that only a few brief stops were needed to kick the snow off the bike trail. This summer, each beautiful day was a cause for a bike ride or an afternoon sitting outside in lawn chairs with friends and family. In the fall, each waning hour of sun was one more hour of riding. And as the season came to a close, my new friends and I biked in the cold, because we knew we would soon be relegated to telling tales of rides past or dreams for rides in seasons to come.
I wonder what it would be like to bike in a place with no seasons. At the end of a hard day at work would I say to myself, "Why don't I just ride tomorrow?" Would I see a cool 50 degree evening as too cool to ride, because the sun will be out tomorrow? I always thought I'd bike more miles in a place with so much sun, but now I wonder what would I chase if not the diminishing hours of daylight.
So this Winter Solstice night, as I light a candle to fight against the dark, I celebrate this gift of the Yule. I am not sick of the Sun.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Sunday, December 13, 2009
The intersection of passions on the Lake Wobegon Trail
Beginning in late October and certainly in November, it became clear that that for at least a brief period of time, two athletes who rarely meet were sharing the same trail. As temperatures dropped, the number of bikers on the trail also dropped. And by mid-November, the only bikers on the trail were avid cyclists, mostly members of the New Friends Bike Club. They all wore helmets, knew how to dress to stay warm without impeding cycling, and had a look of desperation in their eyes. Each of us knew that our season was ending, that any ride might be the last until Spring.
But at the same time, there appeared a new athlete on the trail, one rarely seen in earlier months--the cross country skier on roller skis. Often in groups, but always with a look of joy and optimism, these skiers could not wait for the snow. They knew their time was coming, and they couldn't wait.
So for that brief period of time those who love biking so much that they brave below freezing temperatures to eke out another mile, and those who love cross country skiing so much that they can't wait for the snow, met on the trail.
But at the same time, there appeared a new athlete on the trail, one rarely seen in earlier months--the cross country skier on roller skis. Often in groups, but always with a look of joy and optimism, these skiers could not wait for the snow. They knew their time was coming, and they couldn't wait.
So for that brief period of time those who love biking so much that they brave below freezing temperatures to eke out another mile, and those who love cross country skiing so much that they can't wait for the snow, met on the trail.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Why we bike together.
"It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them. Thus you remember them as they actually are, while in a motor car only a high hill impresses you, and you have no such accurate remembrance of country you have driven through as you gain by riding a bicycle." (Ernest Hemmingway)
I've been missing the chance to get out bike. It is getting harder and harder to find a free afternoon that is not too cold, or windy. And I miss my friends from the New Friends Bike Club. Hopefully we will be able to get out next Saturday, but it is a little early to schedule this. As I was thinking about biking, I found the quote by Hemmingway.
A bicycle is a good compromise between walking and driving. I walk a lot, but don't find the same joy that I do with biking. It's a little too slow. But driving is too fast. Biking is just right. I get to see the country up close, and have the connection to it that is provided by the labor of getting up the hills and across the miles, And when that biking is done with a friend, it adds to the pleasure. (And yes Andrew, I do know that there are some places we just have to hike, because a bike won't get there.)
There is nothing like biking up a steep hill or a long distance with a friend. And I recently found out why.
"Researchers studied 34 students at the University of Virginia, taking them to the base of a steep hill and fitting them with a weighted backpack. They were then asked to estimate the steepness of the hill. Some participants stood next to friends during the exercise, while others were alone. The students who stood with friends gave lower estimates of the steepness of the hill. And the longer the friends had known each other, the less steep the hill appeared." (Tara Parker-Pope"What Are Friends For? A Longer Life" in the NY Times (April 20, 2009))
So New Friends Bike Club Members, when I'm at the foot of a steep hill, I want you by my side.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
How I biked 3061 miles (so far) in one year.
I started in March. Here in Minnesota, biking outside in March is a challenge. But my friend Mike had talked me into signing up for the Minnesota Ironman on April 26. (This is a 30, 66 or 100 mile ride. It's called the Ironman because of how hard it is to get training miles in due to winter, weather, or days that are still short.) So after a winter in which I gained 20 pounds, I had to get out early to get back in shape.
In March I biked 102 miles. Total miles for the year: 102
In April, training began in earnest. I'd never biked with Mike before, and he had invited other friends to do the Ironman with us. I did not want to embarrass myself, or hold the other riders back. On April 26, the temperature was approximately 40, the wind was blowing at 30 mph, it was raining. I was riding with someone I had not met before, and could not catch my breath on the up hills, and he kept talking. So I focused on asking him questions, so that I did not have to talk and could focus on breathing (and thinking of more questions.) At the first rest stop he said, "Those hills didn't seem to bother you, you were talking biking up them." (My strategy had worked.) But then it really started to rain, the wind was no longer at our backs, it felt like sleet as the rain hit my face. By mile 40, I could not feel my fingers when I tried to shift gears and could not tell if my feet were on the pedals because they too were numb. I said to myself, "This is not safe." At the second rest stop, some people were wrapped in blankets, shivering from hypothermia. At that point I abandoned the ride. My friend Mike made it to Mile 66. Another friend made it to mile 100 and emailed, "It's a fine line between macho and stupid." We later learned it was rated one of the 3 worst Minnesota Ironman rides.
In April I biked 346 miles. Total miles for the year: 448
With the Ironman out of the way, I began to lose my focus. I had signed up for an organized ride in SD in August, but that seemed a long ways away. I had a training conference out of town during the month, and my daughter came home for a visit. Each of these events provided an excuse to avoid riding.
In May I biked 266.6 miles. Total miles for the year: 714.6
June was worse than May. I had lost momentum. My Dad had surgery. Two reunions (a family and a school) and both took up valuable weekend riding hours. I just could not force myself out to ride. Looking back I think of the long days, and how I wasted those hours.
In June I biked 80.5 miles. Total miles for the year: 795.1
On July 3, I biked 21 miles after more than a week of not riding at all. And that day marked a turning point. The Tour of Saints (a 50 mile organized ride) was scheduled for the 12th, and I knew I had to get moving. I had invited my friend Mike to ride, and knew I was not in shape to keep up. I was correct. Mike had to wait for me on hills, though he didn't complain, I knew he was doing so. The weather was beautiful, but the ride was hard. From July 3 forward, I missed only 4 days of riding in the month.
In July I biked 542 miles. Total miles for the year: 1337.1
As I got in shape, biking became a joy again. It was not exercise, and I just wanted to get out and bike further every day. My organized ride in the Black Hills was mid-August, and though I was in better shape, I was scared to death of the inclines. It is a big difference between the rolling hills of Central Minnesota and biking up to Mount Rushmore. And then, about a week before my trip, I rode again with Mike. And this time he told me twice, "You are really strong." I cannot describe how good that made me feel, and how it increased my confidence for the upcoming ride. And that ride was wonderful. I biked up to Mount Rushmore and then biked on up another mountain, and looked back down on Mount Rushmore. I did not walk, I biked up and sailed down every mile. Then, when I got back, I biked 100 miles in one day. In August, I missed 7 days of riding, mostly travel days.
In August, I biked 676 miles. Total miles for the year: 2013.1
September began with another hundred mile ride, a week after the first. I rode two 50 mile organized rides. The weather was beautiful and I was loving to ride. The days were getting shorter, but the days were beautiful, and I was still able to get in miles after work. By the end of the month, my total miles for the year equaled 2623.5. All of a sudden 3,000 miles was in sight. I had my goal for the year.
In September, I rode 610.4 miles. Total miles for the year: 2623.5
While September was beautiful, October was cold and rainy. The days were getting short, and either I had to take afternoons off from work, or hope for a less wet weekend day to fit in a ride. In total, I could only ride 13 days. But the last of those days, was with my nephew Liam, who had become a cheerleader and motivator in my quest for 3,000. He asked me every time he saw me, how close I was. He understood what an accomplishment it was for me to reach 3000 and he had already begun the calculations to figure out if I could do 4000 next year.
In October I rode 330.2 miles. Total miles for the year: 2953.7.
I rode 25 miles on November 1, and then on November 6, again riding with Liam, I rode 22 miles. As we reached the end of our ride, he yelled to others on the trail. "She just completed 3000 miles for the season!"
In November to date, 107.1 miles. Total miles for the year: 3061.3
Reflecting back, thanks are due to my friend Mike for motivating me at the start, and getting me back on track in the middle of the summer. Thanks also to my nephew Liam who kept me going at the end and made achieving the 3,000 a true celebration.
Liam is right, there is room for additional miles next summer. #1 Keep the weight off this winter. I lost the 20 pounds I had gained, plus another 5. I will have a faster start next spring if I'm not carrying that weight again. #2 Keep short term goals in sight to keep motivated--and don't waste the long day months of June, July and August. #3 Ride with Mike and Liam.
In March I biked 102 miles. Total miles for the year: 102
In April, training began in earnest. I'd never biked with Mike before, and he had invited other friends to do the Ironman with us. I did not want to embarrass myself, or hold the other riders back. On April 26, the temperature was approximately 40, the wind was blowing at 30 mph, it was raining. I was riding with someone I had not met before, and could not catch my breath on the up hills, and he kept talking. So I focused on asking him questions, so that I did not have to talk and could focus on breathing (and thinking of more questions.) At the first rest stop he said, "Those hills didn't seem to bother you, you were talking biking up them." (My strategy had worked.) But then it really started to rain, the wind was no longer at our backs, it felt like sleet as the rain hit my face. By mile 40, I could not feel my fingers when I tried to shift gears and could not tell if my feet were on the pedals because they too were numb. I said to myself, "This is not safe." At the second rest stop, some people were wrapped in blankets, shivering from hypothermia. At that point I abandoned the ride. My friend Mike made it to Mile 66. Another friend made it to mile 100 and emailed, "It's a fine line between macho and stupid." We later learned it was rated one of the 3 worst Minnesota Ironman rides.
In April I biked 346 miles. Total miles for the year: 448
With the Ironman out of the way, I began to lose my focus. I had signed up for an organized ride in SD in August, but that seemed a long ways away. I had a training conference out of town during the month, and my daughter came home for a visit. Each of these events provided an excuse to avoid riding.
In May I biked 266.6 miles. Total miles for the year: 714.6
June was worse than May. I had lost momentum. My Dad had surgery. Two reunions (a family and a school) and both took up valuable weekend riding hours. I just could not force myself out to ride. Looking back I think of the long days, and how I wasted those hours.
In June I biked 80.5 miles. Total miles for the year: 795.1
On July 3, I biked 21 miles after more than a week of not riding at all. And that day marked a turning point. The Tour of Saints (a 50 mile organized ride) was scheduled for the 12th, and I knew I had to get moving. I had invited my friend Mike to ride, and knew I was not in shape to keep up. I was correct. Mike had to wait for me on hills, though he didn't complain, I knew he was doing so. The weather was beautiful, but the ride was hard. From July 3 forward, I missed only 4 days of riding in the month.
In July I biked 542 miles. Total miles for the year: 1337.1
As I got in shape, biking became a joy again. It was not exercise, and I just wanted to get out and bike further every day. My organized ride in the Black Hills was mid-August, and though I was in better shape, I was scared to death of the inclines. It is a big difference between the rolling hills of Central Minnesota and biking up to Mount Rushmore. And then, about a week before my trip, I rode again with Mike. And this time he told me twice, "You are really strong." I cannot describe how good that made me feel, and how it increased my confidence for the upcoming ride. And that ride was wonderful. I biked up to Mount Rushmore and then biked on up another mountain, and looked back down on Mount Rushmore. I did not walk, I biked up and sailed down every mile. Then, when I got back, I biked 100 miles in one day. In August, I missed 7 days of riding, mostly travel days.
In August, I biked 676 miles. Total miles for the year: 2013.1
September began with another hundred mile ride, a week after the first. I rode two 50 mile organized rides. The weather was beautiful and I was loving to ride. The days were getting shorter, but the days were beautiful, and I was still able to get in miles after work. By the end of the month, my total miles for the year equaled 2623.5. All of a sudden 3,000 miles was in sight. I had my goal for the year.
In September, I rode 610.4 miles. Total miles for the year: 2623.5
While September was beautiful, October was cold and rainy. The days were getting short, and either I had to take afternoons off from work, or hope for a less wet weekend day to fit in a ride. In total, I could only ride 13 days. But the last of those days, was with my nephew Liam, who had become a cheerleader and motivator in my quest for 3,000. He asked me every time he saw me, how close I was. He understood what an accomplishment it was for me to reach 3000 and he had already begun the calculations to figure out if I could do 4000 next year.
In October I rode 330.2 miles. Total miles for the year: 2953.7.
I rode 25 miles on November 1, and then on November 6, again riding with Liam, I rode 22 miles. As we reached the end of our ride, he yelled to others on the trail. "She just completed 3000 miles for the season!"
In November to date, 107.1 miles. Total miles for the year: 3061.3
Reflecting back, thanks are due to my friend Mike for motivating me at the start, and getting me back on track in the middle of the summer. Thanks also to my nephew Liam who kept me going at the end and made achieving the 3,000 a true celebration.
Liam is right, there is room for additional miles next summer. #1 Keep the weight off this winter. I lost the 20 pounds I had gained, plus another 5. I will have a faster start next spring if I'm not carrying that weight again. #2 Keep short term goals in sight to keep motivated--and don't waste the long day months of June, July and August. #3 Ride with Mike and Liam.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
"Clear!"
"Clear!!" was heard many times throughout our bike ride yesterday and it drew chuckles from everyone. The sign of a successful bike club is when the first inside joke has to do with a road crossing. I guess it is the little things that count. However, it did make me think. . . what do we mean by 'clear'? Hopefully we all realize that it means that no cars are approaching, but I think it also makes a good metaphor for the message of the New Friends Bike Club. "Clear!!" is all about helping out and caring for the other members of the team and making sure everyone is safe. Every time we yell out our new inside joke and chuckle we are reaffirming what this club is all about: helping out the Friends and caring for everyone. As our first inside joke, "Clear!!!" is a great metaphor that shows why we bike as a team in the first place.
P.S.- 3,000 miles, Ann! Congratulations and way to go!
P.S.- 3,000 miles, Ann! Congratulations and way to go!
Equipment--Helmets
"What do you call a cyclist who doesn't wear a helmet?"
"An organ donor."
When you are bicycling, always always always wear a helmet. A friend of mine was bicycling in Colorado this summer. He crashed going about 25 miles per hour. He came to with people standing around him. His helmet was cracked, both the outside and the inside foam padding. Although he did get a small bruise to his brain, he survived the crash only because he was wearing his helmet.
Helmets differ in price based on how light, well ventilated, and cool-looking the helmet is. The price of the helmet will take into consideration each of these factors. I haven't been able to find any information about whether a more expensive helmet is any safer than a less expensive helmet. But if you don't wear a helmet because it is too heavy or too warm, it may be worth it to pay a little more for a helmet you will wear.
My friend was wearing a helmet made by specialized. http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCExperience.jsp?eid=4952&menuItemId=9301
You can get bike helmets at bicycle shops like Revolution Bike in St. Cloud, or at most outdoor activity stores like REI. Bike shops may have some helmets and other gear on sale now, at the end of the biking season.
Some websites that have bicycling equipment and gear, which often have good sales are
www.nashbar.com
www.performancebike.com
www.pricepoint.com
"An organ donor."
When you are bicycling, always always always wear a helmet. A friend of mine was bicycling in Colorado this summer. He crashed going about 25 miles per hour. He came to with people standing around him. His helmet was cracked, both the outside and the inside foam padding. Although he did get a small bruise to his brain, he survived the crash only because he was wearing his helmet.
Helmets differ in price based on how light, well ventilated, and cool-looking the helmet is. The price of the helmet will take into consideration each of these factors. I haven't been able to find any information about whether a more expensive helmet is any safer than a less expensive helmet. But if you don't wear a helmet because it is too heavy or too warm, it may be worth it to pay a little more for a helmet you will wear.
My friend was wearing a helmet made by specialized. http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCExperience.jsp?eid=4952&menuItemId=9301
You can get bike helmets at bicycle shops like Revolution Bike in St. Cloud, or at most outdoor activity stores like REI. Bike shops may have some helmets and other gear on sale now, at the end of the biking season.
Some websites that have bicycling equipment and gear, which often have good sales are
www.nashbar.com
www.performancebike.com
www.pricepoint.com
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Blog Posts and Facebook
Well, clearly Ann has the right idea of what to post on this blog! I think that good blog posts can be about nearly anything bike related. Stories about bike excursions, equipment reviews, ideas for goals, new inspirations...all are great! (i hope that Ann will post a review of her clipless pedals and shoes!) Hopefully we can all find something helpful to contribute on a regular basis that will encourage and inspire the whole team. Also, don't forget to follow our facebook group, in which we will plan trips and organize our weekly excursions and goals. Finally, don't forget that this club is welcoming to anyone with a passion to bike and an urge to share their passion with their fellow bikers, so if you know anybody who wants to bike and join a group feel free to invite them to come along on a ride!
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Apology
I need to apologize to the team. After the brutal cold and wind of yesterday's ride, today could not have been better. There was sunshine, little wind, and music in Avon. I headed out from St. Joe at about 1:30, and biked nearly to Albany. I headed back to Avon, got there at about 2:30 and went to the Fall Back music event at Aunt Annie's quilts. I had a wonderful two hours, listening to music and poetry readings, before I hit the trail. I got back to St. Joe, put the bike on the car and was treated to a full moon on the ride home.
On the downside, there was little wildlife on this ride, and I missed the good company from yesterday.
I will work to improve my skills at picking riding days.
25 miles, average 16 mph. (21 miles to go to 3000).
On the downside, there was little wildlife on this ride, and I missed the good company from yesterday.
I will work to improve my skills at picking riding days.
25 miles, average 16 mph. (21 miles to go to 3000).
First Team Ride
It was a cold day, approximately 32 degrees. The New Friends Bike Club met at the St. Joseph Lake Wobegon Trailhead at 9:30. All were dressed in layers, with gloves etc. A brisk wind kept all but the most dedicated riders away, but three deer, a pheasant, sand hill cranes, a hawk, and a murder of crows made an appearance along the way. By 11:30 the temperature had risen to approximately 34 degrees, riders thought a heat wave had arrived, and the ride leader was roundly criticized for starting the ride too early, and not waiting for it to warm up. The Club made it to Avon and returned, covering 16.49 miles on this ride. The riders then gathered at the Local Blend for coffee and hot chocolate.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Welcome
Welcome to the new blog of the New Friends Bike Club of central MN. This blog is a place for us to write about our experiences and goals. We can write about our bike excursions, equipment, goals, and dreams. I hope we have fun and inspire each other.
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