Monday, August 31, 2009

Bike vs. Car - August 16-31

Nothing too exciting. Thanks to a friend with free tickets I ended up taking the family and some friends to the Sioux City Explorers baseball game. A trip to Ponca State Park mountain biking was also in the mix. Lastly, a ride and dine bike ride which was also a surprise wedding reception for Joe and Abby -- which we dubbed "A Lane Hogs Wedding reception" was a good reason to have to catch a ride back to Vermillion. Still a pretty good report. Here's hoping it stays good as the weather gets colder!

Sunday, August 30, 2009

Another Warm Showers Hosting

Last night we had the pleasure of hosting another family via the Warm Showers website. What started out as a family journey was cut short when the father had to go back to work as a teacher, but the mother and 14 and 12 year old sons are carrying on. It is destined to be a journey that they will never forget. I can't help but be a bit jealous of them! Starting in Maine and heading to the West coast, they already have many stories to share. Some of their stories are on their blog as Angelika updates it. Check it out at "Our Daily Ped". We had a great time getting to know them in the short time they were here.

A funny side note to all of this was church today. Our pastor was discussing the "radical hospitality" of reaching out to others. He asked the question "When is the last time you had somebody at your supper table that you didn't know". Um...does last night count? Check that off my spiritual to do list!! I won't be having THAT hanging over me!

Here are a few pictures of our guests and their equipment:

A Co-Motion Tandem and a Surly Long Haul Trucker are taking this family across the country.



Like me, they chose the Burley line for their cargo trailer. They went with the Nomad.



A game of basketball is a break from cycling for the boys.



A quick picture of my kids and our guests before they headed out this morning.

Friday, August 28, 2009

Lane Hogs, Inc.

It's official. After all these years as a hodgepodge bike club, our bicycle club is OFFICIALLY known as Lane Hogs, Inc. a non-profit bicycle club! Major props to Caitlin Collier for doing all the legwork/paperwork to make this happen finally!!!

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Texting While Driving Video PSA

This is causing quite the stir amongst people all over. Is it too graphic? Maybe. Does it get the point over to the "this won't happen to me because I'm a 'careful' texter crowd"? I hope so. I have seen quite a few drivers over the yellow line while texting when I'm out on the bike and it scares the crap out of me. Talking on the cell phone is scary enough. Texting is just stupid. Laws need to be put into place and the fines need to be heavy.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Margarita Ride VIII - Register Today!!

No more excuses. Register today so we can get an accurate shirt count for Margarita Ride VIII on September 12th.

Details and registration at http://www.margaritaride.org.

Credit Cards now accepted through Google Checkout!

Friday, August 21, 2009

Monday, August 17, 2009

Bike vs. Car Report: August 1-15

The only insides of a vehicle I had to endure for this period was for my favorite cause, the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Margarita Ride VIII - September 12, 2009

The simplified Margarita Ride information:

When: September 12, 2009
Why: Because you love to ride and we love to support the MS Society.
Online Registration: http://www.margaritaride.org
Registration Deadline: August 25th, 2009
Day of Registration Time/Packet Pickup: 0700-0800, September 12, 2009
Ride Time: 0800-????
Start Place: Eagles Club,114 W Main St, Vermillion, SD 57069 (across from Court House)
Afterwards: A full Mexican buffet and a tasty margarita!

More Margarita Ride Info to follow!

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Change in Plans

Child 2 & 3 met me for lunch for a super nutritious meal of Chicken McNuggets. You just can't beat a .99 cent 6 piece on Tuesday. The following conversation incurred:

#2: Do you want to play disc golf tonight?
Me: Sure, but I'd like to get a ride in first.
#2: Where you going?
Me: I'm not sure, probably Elk Point and back
#2: How far is that?
Me: 30 mile round trip.
#2: I've gone that far before with you, can I go with you?
Me: Let's see how the rest of my work day goes.

Well, I got home and she wasn't back from the pool and when she came in she had forgot our discussion about going for a ride. Then a friend called and conversation number two occurred:

#2: Can I go to the pool with *friend*
Me: Sure, but did you want to go for a ride with me? You don't have to, and it won't hurt my feelings, but I will go with you if you want.
#2: (to friend on phone) I can't tonight, I'm going riding with my Dad!

She was pretty stoked. She got to wear Mom's shoes -- yes, my 11 year old has the same size feet as my wife -- and clip into the Crank Brother pedals for the first time and did amazingly well at it. She also got to put on the Tandem-Com, our communication system on the tandem. After a slight -- and only slight -- dropping of the stokers seat, we were off for a quick ride to Mulberry Point, a little over 16 mile round trip. It was incredibly hot and humid with little to no air moving, which became more evident when we stopped on top of Mulberry Point.

Sometimes a change in plans is just what you need. Sure, I could have went out solo and hammered 30 miles. I've been in a rut and probably needed a good hard ride. However I also want to encourage my children to ride and that is of utmost importance to me. I want them to know and love the freedom and lifestyle of cycling.

Tonight was time well spent. I now have a weekly date on the bike with my daughter, if not more.

No matter how fast we went, we just couldn't shake these two on our ride.


All smiles as Dad takes a shot over his shoulder.



Eating a few grapes during a quick break on top of Mulberry Point.

Sunday, August 02, 2009

Bike vs. Car Report: July 16-31

A trip to Fremont, NE with the family to see Thomas the Tank Engine and a trip to Sioux Falls for the start of the MS 150. Boring report. Boring is good.