Jay Richards

A very nice Fathers Day weekend. Friday afternoon I had to run to DL for some errands and brought the mtb along with intentions to do some hill repeats at the mountain, to simulate the climb at Mon Du Lac. I rode around the lake for a warm up with some sprinkles. When I got to the south side I looked to the lake and couldn't see more than halfway across as the rain was coming big time. I thought it would be short lived but it just hammered. I was going to bail but decided I would just make my way to the longest paved climb in the area, about a 3:30 min affair, the way I do it and make the most out of it since I was already soaking wet. If I would of been on the trail I would of knocked out a few climbs but instead I did 13 repeats on the paved climb. It rained the entire time. Hard at times. Sure enough when I stopped, the rain did as well and the sun came out. Nuts. Since the mid May, we have received around 17" of precip. Crazy.
Friday night we went to the cabin at Pinehurst on South Twin since we were going to pick up Jack from camp Sat. morning. I woked up at 5:30am to get a couple hours in on the WESF before going to Bemidji. Rode a new trail that Jonell's dad told me about and also hit the Strawberry mountain road, Norris trail and Height of Land trail. A perfect morning. Cool enough to use arm warmers but lots of sunshine and no clouds.

There was no one on the trails. The Strawberry mountain road is loads of fun to throw it in the big ring and just fly up and down the long hills. Durango, Boulder, Forest roads in MT, Chequemegon, Noquemegon, been there and this ranks at the top of the list. Why? It isn't sugar coated and just some great riding. In 18 years, I have yet to meet one other cyclist and too me that is special.
From the cabin I have come up with a 30, 40 and 50 mile point to point loops. I think you could have a really fun race that would accomdate all levels of riders. Hopefully can organize the Resort ride this year and would just meet at the cabin and make a fun weekend out of it with some campfires, grilling, water time. Jonell and I thought it would be fun to have a bunch of tandems and make this crazy huge tandem ride.
If it ever turned into a race, I would try to work something out with the tribe and proceeds from entry fees would go towards the FAS program or something like that.
Midway point on Strawberry mountain. I have yet to clean the entire climb. Granny gear for sure. The picture doesn't do justice.
After the ride a nice cool and refreshing swim in the lake. Jonell's dad fired up a huge breakfast. We went up to pick up Jack and came back to the lake. Next on the agenda was wedding to attend in Pelican Rapids, Zig's bro, but we ran late from Bemidji and we were looking at a 2 hour drive. After the busiest week of the summer, VBS, swimming plus baseball, my sister and her four boys spending the week and Jack's camp, we decided to stay at the lake. So I shoveled the sand that got pushed up on the beach from the ice out for 2-3 hours. Kids swam and I snuck out for another ride late afternoon, hitting the Norris trail. This trail runs more east/west and has some really huge rollers. Lot of it is under the forest canopy, protected from the sun. Big supper outside and went home at sunset. Bible school program Sunday morning, ride in the afternoon on some wet trails, got a bit muddy but good training. Not sure how I managed 14 hours this week. I figure at least half those were in the rain. Up to Fargo for dinner with Jonell and pick up Jake who was at the Wenzels for the weekend.