Rainy day musings

I'm still in my after Interbike purge. And by purge, I mean I'm still purging the stink and filth that is Vegas. Man I don't like that city. The whole family is sick. It's cold and rainy outside. My body hasn't recovered yet.

Thankfully, I got a couple of good rides in this week. In fact, on Friday, I got my first long adventure ride in quite some time, ended up with almost 60 miles. It had it all; pavement, double track, & single track. Yes, I rode my Fargo.



Even though my body is still purging, my legs felt good. Really good in fact and as a result, I'm pretty spent today.

Beyond that, I've got a lot on my mind. These are random thoughts and not necessarily connected. That's just how the brain is working today.

- My twins turn 6 tomorrow! I can't believe it.
- My cameras are both busted up so my picture taking is suffering....and that means my blog pics for both my work blog and the Gnat blog are suffering.
- I'm still digging out at work and I've got another work trip to Utah coming up next week.
- I turn 39 later this month. What will the road to 40 bring?
- Bikes. Packing up one that is sold and prepped another to sell.
- Our coffee machine broke down yesterday after cleaning and descaling. Man, our old one lasted 8 years. This one lasted about 8 months. Drat! I had to go buy coffee from a store.

Yeah, that's what's on my mind today.

Edit: I'm almost finished with my slide show on my new Salsa Pistola. Here's a sneak peak. Complete write up available Monday or Tuesday here.

Getting Lost with the Fargo

First, thanks to all for the kind words and encouragement from Sunday's post. Sincerely, thank you. It means a lot to me. I'm looking forward to seeing those of you going to Interbike. Seriously, I can't wait.

Some of my excitement for Interbike is because of the Salsa Fargo Adventure Touring Bike. For readers that have been reading my blog for a bit, or since the beginning like a few of you, you all know how much I love bicycle touring and the adventure that comes with it.



The Fargo really makes me look into the horizon and think about pedaling to where ever I see or to where ever my mind wonders. It's been a labor of love. It's been an inspiration. I've said it already, but someday you will understand what this means.

So...For those blog readers that know me and read the Gnat blog, here's a sneak peak at a few images I've taken over the summer while riding my Fargo prototype. I'll be posting a long story with some technical features on the Salsa blog later this week. Consider this a preview just for friends.

Thanks again and enjoy!



One note: The greenish play button isn't loading in it's correct spot. On my computer, a small corner of the play button is showing up in the upper left corner.

China Slide Show and a little anniversary

I feel lucky that I had an opportunity to visit China earlier this year. It was too short and too rushed. Yet, I still feel fortunate that I got to see China with my own eyes. I was on a research trip looking at carbon fiber manufacturing. Here are a few of my favorite images.



Also, August 8th is my two year anniversary of breaking my a bone at my elbow. We moved into our new house just days prior and it was my 3rd day in a row riding the sweet single track by our house. Gluttony I guess? It was the first bone I had ever broken.



My boy wanted me to have a black cast. Man, my kids look little while I look not so little. FYI: I've lost 25-30 lbs since that picture!

Have a great weekend. I'm heading out of town again. Back on Monday.

Memories of Maple Lake

This last week was filled with family and with memories, both new and old. Part of this trip included going to my grandparent's old lake cabin on Maple Lake. My grandfather built the "cabin" in the early 1950's. My mom lived here in the summers with her family. At that time, it was a single room. It was my first visit in 15 years and the first for my wife and kids. It was also the first time my mother had slept at the cabin in over 20 years.

I was a bit nervous going back. The "cabin" is the place that I remember and cherish. It represents so much in my mind. It was a place of laughter, great food, peace, silence, fun, games, and family. My memories of the "cabin" are burned into my mind. I always remember Grandpa Wally and Grandma Ruth when I think of the cabin. When I am stressed, it is the place I go to find peace. When I can't sleep, I think of sleeping in the hammock in the shade beneath the trees. When I close my eyes, I can still hear and feel the sound of the wind. It is a place that I only remember great things. It is my safe place.



Thankfully, the "cabin" still felt like the "cabin". My family enjoyed it too. We had great weather. We had fun with Grandma Linda. We ate great food. We capped the trip off with a traditional stop at the Mentor DQ. I don't know when I'll be back, but I will never forget the last couple of days.

Back from my first GTDRI

I survived my first GTDRI and 100+ miles of Iowa gravel. I'm pretty excited. We all started together and finished together. This poor guy wasn't so lucky.



It was a great time. The whole family came down and we are now back in MN. I'm sorting through my thoughts and pictures. I'll have something up here or on the Salsa blog later this week. I've also got some great shots to choose from for Photo Friday. Stay tuned.

Hope your weekend was as good as mine.

Just got a slide show up and running. Check it out.

Salsa Sol Sessions 2008

Just trying something new here. Take a look at a brief Salsa Sol Session slide show.



Have fun.