Keep the Wheels Moving

This post has been waiting in the wings for a few weeks and the photos keep adding as time goes by.....After a cool and damp spring, suddenly we are in summer mode. Despite the cooler weather earlier this spring with many rides in 40 degrees, it has been a good start to the cycling season putting miles in on trail, gravel and road. This is the best I have felt since getting Lyme disease 7 years ago. When you have your health, you appreciate it. Not sure how much racing I will do this year. Nothing planned, all depends on kids and resort schedule. I remember 7 years ago when Lyme was kicking my butt big time, I didn't care about racing, just want to feel better. Very thankful for the improved health and the ability to get out ride. 

Rolling on gravel in Becker county. I've discovered some new gravel roads, connecting with the favorites. Taking a stop on Otto Zeck road. This road is set to be paved this year which is absolutely insane given the current condition of a gravel road which is in mostly good to excellent condition, in my opinion. The Otto Zeck road passes along a Waterfowl Reproduction Area..  Funding for the paving coming from a new one half of one percent sales tax increase in Becker county for businesses which includes Maplelag. Some area resorts blindsided by the decision and are left covering the additional charge as some summer guests have paid in advance. Anyways, this road leads to soon to be revived Detroit Mountain which will also so a paved parking lot thanks to the city of Detroit Lakes. This is a lot of new pavement for a project that has yet to see one user visit. Anyways...

 

On the shores of lake aggassiz  I had to drop one of the vehicles off in Fargo so I thought instead of using another car, I would ride home. 20-30mph cross winds with a light drizzle and sub freezing windchill. A mental ride and a steady constant grind.

 

 Jake was home for a week after finishing up his second year of college and heading back to Duluth to work and train for the summer. Despite the rain and cool temps, able to get some good laps on the Maplelag course.

 We agreed and committed to doing a 100 mile ride one day and decided to ride to Fergus Fall in a round about way to catch Jack competing at a track meet and hook up withe Jonell. The temp was in the mid 30's when we rolled east through the beautiful Tamarac wildlife refugee. Temps are fine when you are dressed for it and having someone else along helps the miles go by fast.

 The skies started to clear for a moment and temp warmed up to mid 40's. However, once we headed back east in the Rochert area, rain clouds moved in and falling temps making for a cold and almost miserable conditions.

 

 We kept plugging along finally breaking through the last rain cloud near Soo Pass Ranch, home of the We Fest. However, the feet were loosing feeling and running a bit behind schedule, me met up with Jonell near Pelican Rapids and called it a good ride at 75 miles.

 Last week I went over to Brainerd to watch Jon play his final tennis match but he ended up not playing so I snuck a good hard ride at Cuyuna. A fun place to ride for sure. Not super technical but like hitting this system one or two times a year. Like previous visits, not all the trails were open due to weathering and trail maintenance was underway. Sustainable trails do require upkeep.

On the way back to Park Rapids to catch Jack's track meet, stopped by Paul Bunyan State Forest for a quick ride to basically check conditions. Conditions were some of the best I have seen with rain the day before tightening up the track and setting the dust.

Powerline rock garden.

 Sunday after a busy wedding weekend at Maplelag, rode up to the lake cabin via forest roads and quad trails passing through the White Earth State Forest. The conditions were more like mid August. Almost two weeks with no rain.

 The White Earth State Forest hosts some of the highest points in the state.

Great rolling hills. Mostly traversed by ohv and currently mushroom pickers.

Road/gravel ride with Jon. No mid ride stop at Minwanjige.

After 24 years rolling a 26 hardtail, made the switch to a 650b and 1x11. So far so good. What lacks in a little punch climbing, smooths out the rough and overall a great ride. Really like the 1 by. 

Keep the wheels moving!