The Boss

MKE is so close now, what could it hurt to head down for the Harley 105th Celebration? Thanks to sister-in-law Jane we got to the lakefront for the big doin’s. 100,000+ Harley faithful enjoying the best act around, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. OK, we weren’t in the official venue as we haven’t drunk the H.O.G. Kool-aid nor wanted to pay the $100 per. Rather we went to my Mother-in-laws place overlooking the whole affair and had a fine feast and super concert.

Parks-of-chrome. Rivers-of-rumble. Never seen so many motos, so many black sleeveless wife-beaters or so many port-a-potties. Bruce, and Jane, put on a fine show. Great music. Great eats. Great seats.

Got an inside peak from our correspondent on the scene, Allen Frederickson. A roving photog that Jane has made friends with. Nice to see his shots when he got back to the party.

Zone 2

Wanted a long, slow workout today. Y’know it’s hard to hold back that much, what’s a guy to do?

So I picked a ride that freaked me a little. Yea, that’ll work. Pumped up the Michelins Jets to 55 and took the cyclocross bike for a spin. To Scandinavia - Wisconsin. Took it easy all the way out, hardly stood at all. Sweet roads, cool morning. 25 miles down.

Popped onto the Tomorrow River Trail, back through Amherst Junction, Arnott to Plover. To another trail, to the Green Circle Trail. Gravel and trails all the way back. And decent headwinds once I got to the quarter-section fields by the big green bean machine (Del Monte). Nice.

Now if I can figure out how to suck some pictures out of my phone without paying AllTel, I’ll post ‘em.

Home News

It’s been a few weeks, some impressions from Central WI.

We’ve got upgraded living accommodations in many ways. After selling our house, are now renting. So now we, rather than our renters, have to deal with a persnickety landlord.

No lawn mowing, shoveling, property taxes or maintenance. We have customized a few things and I HAD TO build a sweet workbench. Nesting, you know. A number of domestic items are firsts.

• Central air. We’ve only used it twice as it’s a consistent 6 degrees cooler here than in Minneapolis. Nice when you need it.
• Dishwasher. About worthless, don’t need this for two people.
• Cable. Got it the day after the Tour de France finished, nice timing.
• Attached garage with opener. Due to our plethora of bikes and boats, we can’t fit a car in already. Still, it’s nice to roll right in and close the door, still brings the Omega Man to mind.

Everything is super close. Farmer’s market is a 10 minute bike ride, as is about everything.

People are very friendly and accommodating.

There is a cycling culture. Perhaps not as much as MSP, but we do seek each other out. Nice riding around here, little traffic. Couple of guys saw our rides outside Guu’s last week and bought me and Dan a round – one for the road that we really did not need.

They do like their beer around here.

Jackson & Eleanor

Our former neighbor sent a recent picture of her kids. We miss seeing them tearing around on their bikes and hearing of their exploits. Both are looking forward to riding to school this year. Miss you guys!

Pickles

Hit the Farmers Market on Saturday. Heard some cukes just calling my name, a little dill, a little hot garlic. Oh, and some trolling for a recipe. Ba-boom, a dozen pints! We'll know if they're edible in a week.

24 X 9

Took some time out from unpacking last Saturday to watch a little 24-hour racing. The National Championships were again in Wausau, just 30 miles north. Can't pass that up. Cheered on Dan (Stanley Project) Kruz as he came through on his 5th lap. He finished his 12-hour race in 9th after suffering three mechanicals, and 110+ miles to the good. Great scene. If you're interested in a 5 person 24-hour team next year, let me know.

These guys are not done, they’re just seven hours into their 24-hour tour of Hell!

Farewell MSP

Sold the old house at 4609 Colfax Avenue South today. Was a super place and the new owners will love it. A family of seven (!), they’ll convert it to a single family home.

We may or may not find a better place in the future. But we’ll never find better neighbors or a better neighborhood. Of course after 18 years it’s tough to leave so many great neighbors and great friends, we will stay in touch and see you often.

The neighborhood is a TRUE NEIGHBORHOOD. They’ll bring in your mail and have you over for drinks. The kid across the street will mow your lawn when you’re out of town. You see your friend four backyards down and cut through to chat (no fences!). You could stroll around the corner for a newspaper and milk, and the hardware store and coffee shop and bakery, etc. and be back before breakfast is ready. If you didn’t bump into too many neighbors along the way.

Lots of families, old folks and young folks. Some duplexes. A multi-unit around the block. Corner stores and bus lines. It takes variety to make a real neighborhood. Such places are increasingly cherished, and rightly so. Encourage them, support them, grow them. They are precious and we were blessed to be there.