Wednesday Wanderlust

I've got a bad case of wanderlust. My mind is jumping from riding trip ideas, to bicycle product ideas, and then back to bike touring equipment.



From North Dakota



To the Alaska Highway

I've been looking for inspiration for a project I've been working on.



I think I found it in a 1922 Montgomery Wards catalog while I was at the "Cabin" last week.



"The boy who puts his bike to hard and continuous use...."



I love the lines on this old Hawthorne.



I'm still testing those Axiom bags. They are working really well.

Oh and for good measure since it makes me think of Japan. Here's one last photo taken by Koichiro, a great cyclist and new friend from Japan. Yes, that is me hitting the ground.



And to top my wanderlust off, this guy that I know contacted me today to see if he could stop by tomorrow. Sure thing. I'm sure it will help me stop thinking about travels and bike products. Yeah right. I'm sunk.

New slide show coming 08 08 08.

Photo Friday

Just a couple of last shots from North Dakota. Took these from playground just across the street from my wifes parents house.

Looking South

Looking North

Enjoy your weekend. Ride your bike.

Big country makes me smile

What a great day. Yesterday I did some scouting and then this morning my father in law helped me map out an epic ride. The ride consisted of pavement, bike path, gravel and dirt. I left from Minot and rode up to the Souris National Wildlife Refuge. Once there, I'd then cross over the river and ride back to town on the other side of the river. Here's my story.



I headed out into the wind today. Wind was blowing about 15-20 mph. I just kept a steady pace. Beautiful day. Grand scenery.



Pavement turned to gravel. Gravel turned to dirt.



I've lived in the city too long. As I rode through the countryside, the smells of the crops brought me back to my youth. The golden turned barley just swayed in the wind.

Just a few more miles north and I'd be turning east. The bad news was that the bridge was out so I had to back track about 6 miles. That's OK as I got to see more of this.

As I turned back to town, I had a wicked tailwind. I was spun out riding along comfortably at about 25mph. Then I met up with this guy. Wow is that a big combine!

As I rolled back into town, I was all smiles. 4+ hours and 55-60 miles of big country. What a perfect day for riding.