Walk For Animals

This week my partner/fiancé, Melinda lost a friend of 19 years. When Melinda was 11 her dad brought her a cat. Unable to give him a proper name during a vet visit, she named him, Boots. A fitting name for a black and white cat, with a heart shaped nose and little goatee like marking on his chin. Boots was a hearty cat that traveled a lot with Melinda. He even went along on family vacations. I'm telling all of this through secondhand information that she explained better in her blog, Owl Always Love you, writings of our life as a family together.

Boots has been suffering for a length of time. Unable to keep food down and forgot how to use the litter box properly it was inevitable that we had to say goodbye to a friend. He was still spunky and would still play with our younger cat, Yossarian. Well, he'd play without choice. The happiest part to this story is that Boots lived a long, full life and was loved by the same person for so many years. It's not rare that this happens, but the people of the Humane Society are happy when they see this. They peacefully put Boots to rest and he no longer suffers. 

It's hard to think of the many animals that don't have this love or this kind of happy, long life. So many of them need our help, even if we can't take them all home with us we can still support them. My friend, Gini is doing the Twin Cities Walk for Animals. She has reached beyond her goal, but you can still send your support if you like. 

Heart nose and goatee chin. 

Oliver, already an animal lover saying farewell to his kitty friend

Though I won't miss him peeing on my bike shoes, I'll miss is his snoring, snuggles and abrasive meow. We love you, fuzzy critter. I hope there's lots of blankets to snore on where you are. 

Remember to always let your animals know how much you love them and never take their cuddles for granted. They love you no matter what. 

2 wheel Addiction, Release and Coping... MN MTB Races and Other Oddities

So the addiction worsens. Finally, I've drank from the competition Kool-Aid. As if the need to just ride wasn't bad enough. The masses of riders in Minnesota only speak of racing this time of year. It's insane, the amount of people I talk to everyday that race road, cross and MTB here. The Minnesota Mountain Bike Series is kicking off next month and I've decided to join up in some of the races, including the Freewheel Frolic, at Afton Alps. The main race I planned out this year in the Lutsen 99er. Unable to get enough torture just commuting to work and taking long rides on Sundays, I need to destroy my already aging body on more aggressive single track. Der! Why must we do this to ourselves!?

What chemical imbalance do cyclists have in their brains to keep this sick, sadistic part of our thought process kicking? It's simple. As children it starts. We innocently raced each other on bikes down the streets of our respective neighborhoods and it evolved into something greater. Today, kids get real dirt comps with the running bikes and their own discipline in the races their parents attend. When I was a whee boy, in the Suburbs of Saint Paul, I attended Little Canada elementary. Behind the school, we had a large wooded area with all kinds of trail. We used to get on our Huffy bikes (if you were rich it was Haro) and pedal through those trails. No idea, this was to be mountain biking. We found pump tracks and single tracks in Como Park and fought to see who was the fastest. For only a few of us, we couldn't get enough. Only now, it's more serious of an addiction and more painful. Not to mention, more costly. My tires alone are worth as much as that Huffy I pedaled through the woods of the LC. Is it possible that those tracks still exist? I would hope so.

Personally, my job as a body piercer I see people get this same adrenal high from a simple piercing. One of my co-workers hangs from hooks, others get exercise watching football from the comfort of their TV rooms. It's the same feeling in different ways for every person. Even online shopping can score you a buzz. Personally, that piercing and tattoo stuff enough for me any longer. My body needs this torturous burn in my quads after 50 miles of single track. Perhaps it's also the need to get the giggly, whiney teenaged know-it-alls out of my head after my week of work. (I know, there's worse jobs.) For some, I have a dream job. Of course I dream of working for something like Burton Snowboards or some other fantasy land job in the mountains, but this is where I landed and it's been pretty good to me. Still a day at the office anywhere can make anyone nuts. So we need that release.

All work and no adventures make me a little crazy.

So, the reality escape is what probably makes mountain biking so appealing to so many people. It's time spent in to woods to calm, and get the heart pumping, too. Personally, I've been a snowboarder for well over half of my life. There's nothing better than taking in a beautiful view, then pounding out turns in a 60º slope of powder, dropping some pillows and getting through a skinny couloir. So what to do when the snow melts? Each year the drive to do more, faster and be a better rider gets more intense. The urges never seem to leave the mindset. Like some drugs, you can't get enough and it only gets worse. Riding the mountain bike is now the closest thing I have to replacing the backcountry snowboarding. It really works the mind and body in the same motions. A major difference is owning a climb up some gnarly switchback to claim a gorgeous view. It's worth the burn.

When I moved back to Minnesota I was going to give up on the mountain bike and just build a commuter and be just that. It's too expensive, not going to be the same as riding in the mountains. I'm over it. Once I found that Minnesota has a strong MTB community and a cares for the trails I had to jump back on. Figuring it wouldn't be as challenging as riding Colorado, Washington or New Mexico. Until I had a couple rides at some of the local trails, north to Duluth and the Cuyuna range. Riding these spots spiked my interest. It's not riding in the mountains, but it's still challenging in some places.

As if just putting in 50 miles in an afternoon with a couple friends or by myself wasn't enough...

Besides the Lutsen 99er challenge in June, there's a whole list of races by the sponsored by Peace Coffee

2012 Minnesota Mountain Bike Series Race Schedule

2012 Minnesota Mountain Bike Series Race Schedule

5/20/2012      Freewheel Frolic, Afton Alps, Hastings, MN

6/03/2012      Bluff Riders Charge, Mankato, MN

6/17/2012      Red Wing Classic, Red Wing, MN

7/08/2012      Dirt Spanker, Mt. Du Lac, Superior, WI

7/22/2012      Buck Hill Birch Bump, Burnsville, MN

7/29/2012      Single Track Attack, Elk River, MN

8/12/2012      Border Crossing,  River Falls, WI

8/19/2012      The Great Hawk Chase, Duluth, MN

9/02/2012      Laddie’s Loppet Stage Race, Maplelag Resort, MN

9/23/2012      Revolution’s Single Track Escape, St. Cloud, MN

9/30/2012      St. Croix Valley Woolly, St. Croix Falls, WI

Cuyuna weekend warrior!

It's safe to say that riding in places like Cuyuna and the Duluth area is a lot like riding the Pacific Northwest and simply enjoyable. Competing or not, it's getting out and enjoying yourself. Nothing compares to the joy of winding thorough the trees, up and down hills and getting away from whatever stresses you. It brings you back to those innocent days of just pedaling around the block with your friends. Now, I see families getting on the trails and spending time outside together. It's not always the addiction to speed and adrenaline. So speed freaks, watch out for those people just enjoying the woods. So everyone on two wheels, regardless of ability and what bike they're on, that cycling is for everyone. I have to remember that at times myself BIcycles mountain, road, track, cross, commuter or comfort, it's always been cool. 

We have MORC and the IMBA to thank for these places to play on two wheels without the hassle of a hiker yelling at us. Give to them if you give a damn about where you ride. 

Get outside and play! 

18MPH a Family Adventure: Reintroduction.

our family on the road to Jackson Hole, WY

This morning as I prepared breakfast for our son and myself, I thought, how awful that I haven't taken any time to write a post. Since Oliver's birth, now 13 months ago, I've sort of ignored the social media thing and just lived. Aside from posting pics of our kid and learning about new snowboard related activity on the Tweets, I don't do much in the internets any longer. However, I wanted to share experiences with like minded people and show how a family can still be active and have adventures. We're not rich, so we don't get to just drop and go as we please, but we make our life outside a priority. It's important for parents to spend time with their children in the outdoors and doing activities as a group. Even when their very young.

After Oliver was born Melinda made running a marathon a goal. Running is something she enjoys and wanted to prove to herself that she could raise the money, train and finish. She did just that in the Twin Cities marathon, with the Team in Training. This spring, she's made it my turn. I'm doing the Lifetime Lutsen 99er mountain bike race. Not that I want to be competitive, I just want to ride 100 miles on a mountain bike and challenge the hell out of myself. This race happens June 23rd in Lutsen, MN. Hopefully the Summer will be filled with other MTB races. I don't have a strong group of riding friends in Minnesota, so I hope to break out of my shell and get with some groups. It's not for a lack of riders here, it's a scheduling thing now. I can't just drop everything and ride. Also call it Minnesota nice. People here ride. There's world class riders that are very nice. They just don't want to ride with you. There are some great folks at the Angry Catfish I get to ride with on occasion. My only real day to get a long ride in is on Sundays. I'm now a weekend warrior. Still I commute on my work days.

We make Oliver apart of this training any way we can. He goes with on Melinda's runs in the Mountain Buggy. He goes on hikes with Melinda while I ride. He gets to see me ride and thinks it's the best thing ever. Smiles the whole time! We now need to purchase a bike trailer for him. At Hoigaards, a local outdoor sporting shop, he walked right up to a Burley 'Lite and got inside. I pulled him around the store in it, and nothing but laughs. Surprised we haven't already made that purchase. It's coming. The car needs tires. Stupid cars.

Aside from these challenges we simply enjoy showing our son the life that is outside of mundane city life. We're not condo people. I've learned that I'm less of a city person in the last few years. My job as a body piercer keeps me here. I've been piercing for over 15 years and can't seem to get away from it. It's something I've been heavily involved with, but you won't find me blogging about it. Not here. This blog is about family, travel, outside experiences and products we use. I do plan to be reviewing some things on this blog as a part of how we experience bike rides, snowboarding, kid's stuff, foods, nutrition and hikes ETC.

There! The blog is reestablished after a long hiatus. Let's get down to business. What I'm writing about today is a major turning point for our family, our first road trip. This would be the first time either of us traveled with an infant for 19 hours in a car. He's been on a plane to California, drives to northern Minnesota, but nothing like this. Altitude, temperature changes and long periods of time in a vehicle, not to mention, day care. He was a champ.

Snowboarding to Melinda and me is a major priority. We are not ashamed to admit that we've already got high hopes for our little man to ride. He shows a lot of interest in it. As much as you'd expect from an older child. He watches videos with us, likes to play with our boards (and his own), not to mention loves the snow. It's important for a child to experience and try just about everything and let them decide if they like it or not, yes. However, for us, snowboarding is huge. If Oliver decided he didn't like it, that's okay, but he's still going to the mountains with us. But I'm sure he won't have any problems with that. He loves time outside. 

Our original plan was to fly into SFO and meet Melinda's mom, drive down to Monterey and then out to Squaw Valley. This plan was for the middle of February, so there should be tons of snow. Not a chance! Squaw didn't see any snow until the week of our plans. Jackson had been getting the most snow of anywhere. After a little research, we found that it wasn't going to kill us in the wallet either. Melinda was getting a good tax return and decided that we needed the vacation. Even if it was several hours in the car to save some money.

We got 4 days of riding and 5 days at the mountain, staying at the Hostel, a private room without TV or any luxury aside from a shower. We could hear our neighbors in all directions and it lacked much luster, but we didn't care. It's not luxury we're in for when visiting the mountains. We were on the mountain, near the tram and next to the Mangy Moose. Great food there and a good place to wind down after a day on the steeps of JH.

Oliver's first daycare experience, Wranglers at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort

So, what to do with the munchkin while we're out riding? Wrangler's day care! We were excited that Oliver would get to spend time with other kids while we were on the mountain. He loves kids and socializing. He's really not afraid to be away from us. A very independent child, indeed! This was more expensive than the passes to the mountain, but worth it to get to enjoy sometime in the snow together without worry. When meeting the staff we were pretty relieved that they were so great, not that we had much doubt. Most of them were in their early 20s and genuinely liked children. We did have to pack his bottles, snacks and a pack of diapers. Not a problem for prepared mothers.

Oliver loved it in the snow and was very curious as to what we were doing there. He loves anything to do with the snowboards and getting outside. Next season is his!

Melinda only got one day in the snow. This her at the top of the gondola, with her Burton Feelgood Flying V. Her first realtime riding it. She made a very important decision to sacrifice riding... Why? Another little munchkin is on the way!!! That's the really big news in the blog.

This is the start to another new adventure. We'll be a family of 4 next season.

So, with Melinda not riding, she surprised me with a gift of some new Burton Cartel EST bindings to go on my Custom X. I traveled out with both old Custom and a new Custom X. The only bindings that go on my boards have been Cartels for the last 6 boards. My 2009 custom has 2010 purps on it. I didn't get to touch the old Custom since the edges were a little dull and the hills were pretty packed and icy. The Frost Bite™ edges on the X gave me serious confidence. For a chunk of the trip, I ventured into the JH backcountry, but kept it safe. Always watched the avy reports and made sure there were others around. Melinda's not much into riding off piste, so that means I've got to get social on the hill and make some new friends. The fact that I have the right gear, and know how to use it gave me an advantage to finding a couple people to tag along with while hiking off the tram and into the back ridges.

New Driver X kicks inside of the 2012 Cartels

A couloir that I was fortunate enough to find

Four Shadows. The snow had been baking too long anywhere else. Loud, packed shredding!

Basking in the morning sun, about to get technical and have fun spinning off the rocks

I just wish we could have stayed longer. I'm sure this won't be our last Jackson trip. There's a lot more to explore out there. 

Overall, the trip went very well. Only a few moments of screaming baby at night time, when he was just over driving. Altitude had no effect on him. He stayed under 7,000 ft. Another reason we stayed in Jackson was the lower altitude than, say, Breckenridge or other Colorado resorts we had talked about visiting. I wish I could get more into the logistics of this trip and the how-tos of packing with an infant for such an adventure. As we get into camping season, we'll touch on that more. 

We look forward to many more of these trips. Next season's big trip will have to be in the Tahoe area. We're a little bummed that the winter didn't happen in Minnesota this season, but now it's on to MTB Season. I've already put in 50 miles on the single track. Still, I'm dreaming of those days spent in Wyoming. There's a lot more to tell of this adventure. I'm sure I'll make mention of it again. I may even do a full write up of the foods we had in the village and the visits to the little natural foods store in town, Jackson Hole Foods. 

New Years Eve snow. Oliver standing sideways for the first time

Checking this everyday until it's time to ride that beast

Bundled up

Melinda adds to the beautiful view

First tram ride

Road fun.

fare well Tetons 

Co Pilot

Inventory time 

Melinda behind the wheel for a few hours

No Joke

Shreddy The Yeti in the Burton Stash Park_ Best park I've ridden. Wish I had some fresh in it at the time I rode it. Can't wait to take the kids in here!

That last big adventure for the Element. Good bye old friend. You got me and the family to many places safely and with much fun. We had to move up to a bigger car. The Pilot. 

To learn more about our leetle family, check out Melinda's blog: http://minnaoliver.blogspot.com/