A Small (But Color Coordinated) Group

Y'all missed a gorgeous sunrise this morning.....

Just Dave, Tim, and Russ, but we wanted you all to know that despite the absence of the more style conscious among us, the three of us did manage at least to wear the same color jerseys.

Tomorrow we start from the base of Lester River Road at Superior Street!

WE'RE A SQUAD!

Today I learned that we are not just a bunch of like minded bike riders,

but we are in fact and indeed a SQUAD!

1) (n) team, squad (a cooperative unit (especially in sports))

2) (n) team (two or more draft animals that work together

 to pull something)

I'm pretty sure that the second definition, that involving draft animals

defines us pretty well . . .

Today's 10:30 SQUAD at the MOCHA MOOSE (not a draft animal)

and the 8:00 AM SQUAD

unfortunately, we had to say an early good-bye to James

 . . . claiming he had some kind of "window . .  ."

He missed lots of interesting stuff . . .

He missed Steve not being able to make up his mind

apparently buying all of it

and somehow getting it all in his mouth!

He missed Rick . . .

actually I'm not sure what Rick is doing . . .

He missed utter confusion

as we tried in vain to differentiate Mark from a road sign
He missed

 a fashion lesson from Dave who demonstrated how 
to match a jersey to a bike and a water bottle
(have a blast in CO Dave!)
and most of all . . .
He missed

Mary apparently forgetting she was supposed to pedal!

finally . . . I can assure you
that although this guy may have bitten me

he had a far, far worse day than I!
Tomorrow . . . 6:00 AM Lakeview Covenant Church!

Tour Contenders and Pretenders

(never before awarded)  

DAILY AWARDS

Most coveted jersey $25 and under: Dave

Most aggressive rider and best glasses:  Pete

Nearly late and we had to stop for coffee:  Deb

Why would you wear white shorts 

     on a wet & dirty day:  Jeremy

Highest cadence from sleepiest rider: Russ

Here's lookin' at you and biggest diesel motor: Jim

Biggest pretender: photographer/author

Most coveted jersey $25 and under: DAVE

Most aggressive rider and best glasses:  PETE

Why would you wear white shorts 

     on a wet & dirty day:  JEREMY

Here's lookin' at you and biggest diesel motor: JIM

Highest cadence from sleepiest rider: RUSS

Nearly late and had to stop for coffee:  DEB

Biggest pretender:  photographer/author
(photo suspiciously missing)
Tomorrow:  8:00 AM Lakeview Covenant Church
-and-
10:30 AM West end Brighton Beach

and Now for Something New . . . and Completely Different

OK, so we are getting just a bit bored with the same old

 Saturday morning route

The "plan . . ." is to give this a try

 . . . or something like it anyway

It's about 63 miles . . . no trouble for anyone

We may change it up a bit as we go, just depends on 

what people want to do

If we do it just right (and change the end) . . . we may be able to stop at the "Duluth Grill" for coffee or pancakes

The "plan" is to meet at Lakeview Covenant Church at 6:00, 

and be done about 10:00

THEN . . . I'll meet anyone who wants to ride at 10:30 
(West end of Brighton Beach) 
 and head to our favorite place . . . the MOCHA MOOSE

OK . . . SO THAT WAS THE SOMETHING NEW

and for SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT . . . WE PRESENT:

I just can't believe "they" make pink tires!

On A Leash!

OK . . . so it was a little dark and early when I left home this morning . . .

The sunrise was worth it . . .

After being away for three weeks, it was good to see Dave again

John . . . It will be OK man . . . It will be OK

What these guys did not know, was they could have left me at any second

Fortunately, the boys were on a bit of a leash

'cause I was really hurtin!

Tomorrow . . . 6:00 AM at Lakeview Covenant Church

Saturday we shall try something a bit different . . .

Stay tuned for details . . . Dave will be our leader

Darrell's Nuts . . .

Sunday 18 July . . .
The day after a long effort at the Velo Duluth Split Rocks Tour
No one but Rich showed at Brighton Beach . . . so he rode alone to the Mocha Moose and beyond . . . 
No idea who these guys were . . . but they were fast!

You can't see them all here, but there were seven of them, almost ran me over as they went by.  On the other hand . . . they were only fast for five miles, then they were through!  


Monday 19 July 6:00 AM
What's up with Russ and Jim?

Showing up on a tandem?  look at the expression on the faces of Deb, Lisa and Jeff (thanks for coming Lisa!!) as they wonder in vain why two men would be on the same bike!
(If any of you DBD guys are reading this . . . 
these gals will make you hurt!)

In fact, note the expression on Russ and Jim as they cast 
their eyes downward in an apparent effort to apologize 
for their transgression . . . But they are happy riding it!

Monday 19 July 7:40 AM
Steve had the great idea to ride to Ely on day 1, 
and ride back the next day.
Three of us took him up on the challenge, and off we went.
Managed to make it all the way to the Mocha Moose without stopping,
where Kayla not only made us breakfast . . . but made it with love!
Another 30 miles up the road,  Mark has flat #1

Note how he convinces Steve to do most of the work . . .

As Darrell looks on patiently . . .

During a brief stop at "the White Pines" on Hwy 2

Mark wonders if he can sell this tree . . .

Only four cars total on Hwy 2 and Hwy 1!

Everybody is happy today!

We're in Ely before 3:00, some 100 miles later 

(130 miles for those of us taking the scenic route)

Hanging our hats at the Adventure Inn.  A really nice place,

great rates, super clean, great people!

Somehow I knew there would be beer involved as the boys relax . . .

Tuesday 20 July  10:20 AM
Yup, it rained . . .  no it rained a lot between Ely and Tower.
At this point we are not exactly having fun . . .

But, of course the sun came out and the temps rose 25 degrees
Now we're having fun . . . 

Funny . . . somehow we ended up here . . .

Where the boys ponder their beverage choice . . .

No surprise . . .

Which manages to fuel us all the way to

Mark's flat #2
Note how this time no one is helping Mark.  'bought time he learned!
After 110 hard earned miles on day 2, we're finished . . .

Thanks Steve for organizing this trip . . . well done!

Oh yeah . . .  that thing about Darrell's nuts

 . . . and FINALLY . . . an actual, unretouched photo of Mary
admitting the only way she and Steve can win . . . is if they
buy a custom carbon tandem!  

I think that is all the evidence required . . . go order it!