A new paved walking/riding trail right behind the truck stop. Also rode the 7-8 miles to town for dinner.....nice area.
Sunday, October 23, 2016
Butte, MT
Exit 122.
A new paved walking/riding trail right behind the truck stop. Also rode the 7-8 miles to town for dinner.....nice area.
A new paved walking/riding trail right behind the truck stop. Also rode the 7-8 miles to town for dinner.....nice area.
Lowes Creek, Eau Claire, WI
REAL SINGLETRACK!!
Have ridden and raced here a number of times, one of my favorite trails in WI.
Have ridden and raced here a number of times, one of my favorite trails in WI.
Monday, August 22, 2016
Monday, July 18, 2016
Flagstaff, Arizona
Unloaded 8-9 miles west of Flagstaff then took my required 34 hr. reset at a nearby truckstop. Rode into town during my time off....followed the railroad service road 4 miles to connect to a vehicle road.
Just cruised around some, had a great taco (strawberry/salsa??...yum!) and got a broken spoke repaired....glad I found it and got it fixed before the 100 mile race I'm entered in, the High Cascades 100, in Bend, OR.
RR service road.
Riding back to the truck came up on a bull elk near the road but he got away before I could take a picture, hid behind some trees.
Taken in a grill-your-own-steak place near the truck stop.
Nevada desert sunrise, heading north to Oregon.
This was about 3-4 hours north of Las Vegas. During the night a young guy from West Virginia who is biking from the Atlantic to the Pacific stopped in to camp. We talked a bit sharing some stories.
He has a blog, thought it was "therollingmango" but I can't find it.
Just cruised around some, had a great taco (strawberry/salsa??...yum!) and got a broken spoke repaired....glad I found it and got it fixed before the 100 mile race I'm entered in, the High Cascades 100, in Bend, OR.
RR service road.
Riding back to the truck came up on a bull elk near the road but he got away before I could take a picture, hid behind some trees.
Taken in a grill-your-own-steak place near the truck stop.
Nevada desert sunrise, heading north to Oregon.
This was about 3-4 hours north of Las Vegas. During the night a young guy from West Virginia who is biking from the Atlantic to the Pacific stopped in to camp. We talked a bit sharing some stories.
He has a blog, thought it was "therollingmango" but I can't find it.
Sunday, July 10, 2016
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
After leaving KC I thought about taking some time while passing through Oklahoma City to visit the bombing Memorial. My wife had visited it some years ago and said it was well worth it. I plugged the address into my GPS but there weren't any truck stops or obvious places at the number of exits near the Memorial to park the truck, so I kept on route until I came to the first truck stop and pulled in.
It was a bit out of/on the edge of town. I googled mapped the location and there was a street bike trail spur right at the truck stop that in a mile lead to a main bike trail along a river and around a reservoir.
Looked like a nice ride....with temps in the low 90's and high humidity, it looked to be a decent workout.
Was hoping for some single track but there wasn't any. Instead I traveled off path on a kind of levee trail.
The far side of the lake in the background.
Pano shot with the dam, far shore and levee trail. This was the loop. Headed off on the right went around the water and returned on the left which is the top of the dam.
On the back-side of the lake rode on dirt car trails where people drive in to fish and to get closer to the water.
On the levee between the main shore and the lake.....people standup paddling and kayaking.
Below the dam.
Almost around the end I came up to a fishing pier out in the water and started talking to a guy fishing....George. A retired Air Force guy and also a retired Pastor....when I quipped he's a Pastor out to pasture, he kinda chuckled. We talked fishing some, he was after bass and catfish. I could have talked to George a long time, but I had to get going to get the load further down the road.
It was a bit out of/on the edge of town. I googled mapped the location and there was a street bike trail spur right at the truck stop that in a mile lead to a main bike trail along a river and around a reservoir.
Looked like a nice ride....with temps in the low 90's and high humidity, it looked to be a decent workout.
Was hoping for some single track but there wasn't any. Instead I traveled off path on a kind of levee trail.
The far side of the lake in the background.
Pano shot with the dam, far shore and levee trail. This was the loop. Headed off on the right went around the water and returned on the left which is the top of the dam.
On the back-side of the lake rode on dirt car trails where people drive in to fish and to get closer to the water.
On the levee between the main shore and the lake.....people standup paddling and kayaking.
Below the dam.
Almost around the end I came up to a fishing pier out in the water and started talking to a guy fishing....George. A retired Air Force guy and also a retired Pastor....when I quipped he's a Pastor out to pasture, he kinda chuckled. We talked fishing some, he was after bass and catfish. I could have talked to George a long time, but I had to get going to get the load further down the road.
Kansas City, Missouri
Got the load from WI to AZ which means the plan to get to OR and do a Mtn. Bike race with my son Chris is in the works.
First stop along the 3 day drive to AZ was in Kansas City, Mo. I started out to try to get to the Missouri River, but ran into a power plant and looking at google maps, there wasn't any bike trail along it anyway. I decided to head west towards town to get to a park that looked like it might have some possibility.
Once I got 3-4 miles down the road I decided to text my nephew and his wife that live in KC to see if they were home and how far I was from them.
It turned out to only be 3.5 miles so I took off for downtown.
I was in a RR switch yard area looking downtown.
My nephew and I have done a ton of camping and canoeing together along with his brother and dad and my other sons. He told me about volunteering at a local school with an 8th grade class. They talked about careers and truck driving came up. That sparked some ideas I hope will work to share this blog. Stay tuned.
It got a bit late so Jon gave me a ride back to the truck.
Downtown. KC, MO.
First stop along the 3 day drive to AZ was in Kansas City, Mo. I started out to try to get to the Missouri River, but ran into a power plant and looking at google maps, there wasn't any bike trail along it anyway. I decided to head west towards town to get to a park that looked like it might have some possibility.
Once I got 3-4 miles down the road I decided to text my nephew and his wife that live in KC to see if they were home and how far I was from them.
It turned out to only be 3.5 miles so I took off for downtown.
I was in a RR switch yard area looking downtown.
My nephew and I have done a ton of camping and canoeing together along with his brother and dad and my other sons. He told me about volunteering at a local school with an 8th grade class. They talked about careers and truck driving came up. That sparked some ideas I hope will work to share this blog. Stay tuned.
It got a bit late so Jon gave me a ride back to the truck.
Downtown. KC, MO.
Saturday, July 9, 2016
Russel Road, Illinois
Russel Road is the first exit in Illinois heading south from Wisconsin, also affectionately know as Wolding South, as at any given there can be a number of Wolding trucks fueling up or parked there.
I stopped to do both....fuel and spend the night to be staged to head into downtown Chicago in the AM. The client advised me not to park on-site where I was to unload due to safety concerns.
I noticed a Wolding truck right in front of me in the first line as I was fueling. After fueling, I drove over to him and asked if he was "camping out" or taking a break. He replied he had 8 minutes to go on his required 30 minute break, so I whipped around the line and I was getting into position, he pulled out and I pulled in. There weren't any free spots I could see, so this was perfect timing.
I looked at my cell phone map and noticed a Park and bike trails less than a mile to the east so I get the bike together and changed clothes and headed over the over-pass to get a nice couple hour ride in.
Van Patten Woods.
I stopped to do both....fuel and spend the night to be staged to head into downtown Chicago in the AM. The client advised me not to park on-site where I was to unload due to safety concerns.
I noticed a Wolding truck right in front of me in the first line as I was fueling. After fueling, I drove over to him and asked if he was "camping out" or taking a break. He replied he had 8 minutes to go on his required 30 minute break, so I whipped around the line and I was getting into position, he pulled out and I pulled in. There weren't any free spots I could see, so this was perfect timing.
I looked at my cell phone map and noticed a Park and bike trails less than a mile to the east so I get the bike together and changed clothes and headed over the over-pass to get a nice couple hour ride in.
Van Patten Woods.
Some local history.
Tuesday, July 5, 2016
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Spent the night near the Mississippi River north of downtown after unloading.
Cruised around on some of the trails on the west side of the river then headed south to Theodore Wirth Park to get in some singletrack riding.
Mississippi River looking towards downtown.
Singletrack at Theo Wirth.
Cruised around on some of the trails on the west side of the river then headed south to Theodore Wirth Park to get in some singletrack riding.
Mississippi River looking towards downtown.
Singletrack at Theo Wirth.
Lake Mills, Wisconsin
I accidentally deleted the pics of this ride.
Lake Mills has the Glacial Drumlin Trail passing through it. Well worth the stop. I went to the East on the trail for a few miles and turned around at the Crawfish River. I then went west and circumnavigated Rock Lake which made a nice loop back to the truck.
Very nice ride.
Lake Mills has the Glacial Drumlin Trail passing through it. Well worth the stop. I went to the East on the trail for a few miles and turned around at the Crawfish River. I then went west and circumnavigated Rock Lake which made a nice loop back to the truck.
Very nice ride.
Topeka, Kansas
Mars Candy factory....home of M&M's.
A little night riding and warm summer's night....with the smell of chocolate in the air.
A little night riding and warm summer's night....with the smell of chocolate in the air.
Thursday, June 23, 2016
Platteville, Wisconsin
Got a load that got me into Platteville at 6:30 but didn't get unloaded till 8-8:30.
By the time I got going it was almost dark. This area is on the fringe of the Wisconsin Driftless Area, which refers to the Southwest part of the State that the glaciers didn't cover, so it's much hillier than what most people think about when they think Wisconsin.
I was able to get out of town and went to the top of the largest hill. By the time I got there, it was pretty much dark, but it was a great night to ride.
This hill sports a huge M, in reference to the local University and the Mining school from back in the day of lead mining.
You can see the M top right of the photo below.
Sunset.
By the time I got going it was almost dark. This area is on the fringe of the Wisconsin Driftless Area, which refers to the Southwest part of the State that the glaciers didn't cover, so it's much hillier than what most people think about when they think Wisconsin.
I was able to get out of town and went to the top of the largest hill. By the time I got there, it was pretty much dark, but it was a great night to ride.
This hill sports a huge M, in reference to the local University and the Mining school from back in the day of lead mining.
You can see the M top right of the photo below.
Alden, New York
Was pretty excited to head to the Buffalo, NY area. The way the trip started was to deliver a load in West Seneca, a little east of Buffalo and grab a return load in Niagara Falls a few hrs. later. A perfect scenario to check out the Falls on the bike.
Well, the West Seneca trip held, but I got switched to loading in Alden, NY. Alden is 50-60 miles from the Falls, so had to settle for a local ride.
I had 2 hrs to kill so took off to find a nice Park and found a grocery store as well and got some grapes and Coke.
Looking forward to this trip again but getting close to the Falls.
Well, the West Seneca trip held, but I got switched to loading in Alden, NY. Alden is 50-60 miles from the Falls, so had to settle for a local ride.
I had 2 hrs to kill so took off to find a nice Park and found a grocery store as well and got some grapes and Coke.
Looking forward to this trip again but getting close to the Falls.
Cleveland, Ohio
On my way to the Buffalo, NY area. Was able to secure a night spot at the last parking available before Cleveland and before my driving time ran out. Like most large cities, it's basically a truck parking desert once one gets too far into the city limits.
McDonalds right there as well, where I actually parked. Free WiFi is always nice!
It worked out great as it was only 3-4 miles from Lake Erie. Small towns of Avalon and Sheffield Lake.
Had a nice park next to power plant that had a boat launch, swim area and fishing pier.
On the way to the Lake Erie I passed this bee swarm.....As I rode past it, I thought, was that a honey bee swarm?? yep, sure was.
Fishing pier.
Sunsets are tough as the camera wants to darken the shot.....I've since learned not to point the camera directly into the sun and it'll keep it lighter.
McDonalds right there as well, where I actually parked. Free WiFi is always nice!
It worked out great as it was only 3-4 miles from Lake Erie. Small towns of Avalon and Sheffield Lake.
Had a nice park next to power plant that had a boat launch, swim area and fishing pier.
On the way to the Lake Erie I passed this bee swarm.....As I rode past it, I thought, was that a honey bee swarm?? yep, sure was.
Fishing pier.
Sunsets are tough as the camera wants to darken the shot.....I've since learned not to point the camera directly into the sun and it'll keep it lighter.
Wednesday, June 22, 2016
Ina, Illinois
This was a cool spot....I noticed a large lake/reservoir to the west of the interstate while driving, so figured it might have some good riding. I originally was going to go up to the next truck stop, but Ina, Illinois just sounded and looked too good to pass up and explore.
Turned out to be a bit longer jaunt than I expected, though, which is fine by me.
First hour there was enough sunlight but then had use my light. The large almost full moon was cool, but didn't add much light.
I went into the Park and cruised around some but my goal was a 1.5-2 mile ride across the lake on the dam road. Google Maps showed a bike path to the south along the edge of the lake that I expected would be singletrack through the woods and would connect to complete the loop. It turned out to be a very nicely maintained paved bike path. That actually made me better as I could roll faster. By the time I got there I was a solid hour into the ride and not even close to half way around.
Too many deer to count. A young buck in velvet ran alongside me for 30 yards or so. Possum, raccoon and also came across 3 young guys fishing in the dark below a bridge I took that crossed the Big Muddy River. They had flashlights as well, as one was trying to bow/arrow gar and some other species of fish but I forgot the name. I directed my intense light to the surface of the river and there were many 2-3' fish near the surface.One was close enough to take a shot but he missed.
Example of a gar. Pic hoisted off the 'net.
I broke a spoke and had to limp in back to the truck stop the last 9-10 miles......along a rather busy road with no shoulder. This was kind of a crapy ending to an otherwise fun 35 or so mile ride.
Boaters coming in.
Osprey nest in the snag out in the water. Just before sunset.
Turned out to be a bit longer jaunt than I expected, though, which is fine by me.
First hour there was enough sunlight but then had use my light. The large almost full moon was cool, but didn't add much light.
I went into the Park and cruised around some but my goal was a 1.5-2 mile ride across the lake on the dam road. Google Maps showed a bike path to the south along the edge of the lake that I expected would be singletrack through the woods and would connect to complete the loop. It turned out to be a very nicely maintained paved bike path. That actually made me better as I could roll faster. By the time I got there I was a solid hour into the ride and not even close to half way around.
Too many deer to count. A young buck in velvet ran alongside me for 30 yards or so. Possum, raccoon and also came across 3 young guys fishing in the dark below a bridge I took that crossed the Big Muddy River. They had flashlights as well, as one was trying to bow/arrow gar and some other species of fish but I forgot the name. I directed my intense light to the surface of the river and there were many 2-3' fish near the surface.One was close enough to take a shot but he missed.
Example of a gar. Pic hoisted off the 'net.
I broke a spoke and had to limp in back to the truck stop the last 9-10 miles......along a rather busy road with no shoulder. This was kind of a crapy ending to an otherwise fun 35 or so mile ride.
Boaters coming in.
Osprey nest in the snag out in the water. Just before sunset.
Bismark, North Dakota
First trip "out west"....well....kinda.
Pulled into Bismark, exit 161, at 3pm and tried to get unloaded, my appointment was for 9AM the next day. The lady in shipping smiled but said "no cigar" as it was too late and the lumpers had all gone home anyway.
So, I parked the truck and took off on the bike. Found a bike path that lead downtown so went that way to find a bike shop as the Paragon needed some attention.
Turned out to be an hour or so to get to the shop. The Father and Son team at Broken Spoke got me going and were a pleasure to deal with.
Rode around for about 3 hours.
Lewis and Clark Park on the Missouri. Replica of the boat they pulled up the Missouri to the Mandan Villages then returned that same year to St. Louis loaded with various "findings".
Interstate Bridge.
Deer on the trail.
After climbing up from the Missouri. Bismark is quite the hilly City.
Singletrack starting at the Park and winding around and up.
I got to the client at 8:30AM and the same lady asked how my ride was the day before. After I said great, she said it was going to take at least 3 hrs. to unload me and she suggested I go for another ride. She had my cell number if she needed anything.
So I headed down to the State Capital building and the Natural History Museum after about 90 minutes of riding the trail and finding some more singletrack in Sleepy Hollow Exchange Park.
Was a great way to explore the city.
Pulled into Bismark, exit 161, at 3pm and tried to get unloaded, my appointment was for 9AM the next day. The lady in shipping smiled but said "no cigar" as it was too late and the lumpers had all gone home anyway.
So, I parked the truck and took off on the bike. Found a bike path that lead downtown so went that way to find a bike shop as the Paragon needed some attention.
Turned out to be an hour or so to get to the shop. The Father and Son team at Broken Spoke got me going and were a pleasure to deal with.
Rode around for about 3 hours.
Lewis and Clark Park on the Missouri. Replica of the boat they pulled up the Missouri to the Mandan Villages then returned that same year to St. Louis loaded with various "findings".
Interstate Bridge.
Deer on the trail.
After climbing up from the Missouri. Bismark is quite the hilly City.
Singletrack starting at the Park and winding around and up.
I got to the client at 8:30AM and the same lady asked how my ride was the day before. After I said great, she said it was going to take at least 3 hrs. to unload me and she suggested I go for another ride. She had my cell number if she needed anything.
So I headed down to the State Capital building and the Natural History Museum after about 90 minutes of riding the trail and finding some more singletrack in Sleepy Hollow Exchange Park.
Was a great way to explore the city.
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