Headwater 08

Racing the Tour: As Madonna put it. What a great weekend for a 100 mile ride/race. For those who raced the race and those who raced the tour: What a tremendous ride. The weather was ideal for the ride and social fire. This event is one of my favorite events...right close with RAGBRAI.

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I felt great on the ride and get pumped for headwaters. Once again the wild rice soup was the best (I had to have two cups). The first cup: Splendid!! The second cup: Even Better!! I sorely missed this last year in the race, so had to race the tour to make the soup a priority this year. I really like all my biking friends. We were there for each other with encouragement and strong pulls. We tour racers specifically got an early early start so we could be back in time to celebrate as the "Racers" came across the finish line.

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What I like about this event is that our group comes together as a family. We are there for each other and that was very evident this weekend. We cheered for each other and cared for each other...(Hemi took a spill caused by another rider infront of the finish line). For me this is the grand finale before the winter season kicks in. Yes there will still be some more miles for the DBR but this event is the last event where a vast majority of us are all together in one place (26 I believe this year), doing what we all enjoy. Hydrating...I mean biking...and socializing.

The banter around the fire was very entertaining again and went into the wee hours of the morning. It all comes down to having fun and as a group we do this very well, on the bike and off. This is why our Trailhead, Team Strong Heart group is special. We come from all walks of life, with varying biking abilities and we gel.

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Thanks for a great year my friends.

Wednesday Night Ride

What great weather for a fall Wednesday night ride. There are a few others not pictured whom seem "ahem" camera shy. Thanks Quang for being the camera guy. Lots of talk about Headwaters this weekend. Looking forward to the wild rice soup and biking Comraderie!

Though the weather is starting to turn cool and yesterday was extremely wet, tonight was picture perfect (see right). It was nice to see such a large group out tonight. I can say that this year has been very successful in getting riders out for the Wednesday bike group. I am proud to be part of a riding group that values the group over the individual, respects the road, enjoys the ride for the ride, and is approachable. Yes we talk alot, and still chew up the miles on the road. I look forward to my next challenges, but am a little saddened to see the season end.

Hope you all have a great ride. Did I mention that the wild rice soup is awsome at headwaters. Ummmm wild rice soup!

Tuesday Night Ride

What a great night for a ride. Wonderful weather and fast riding. I have to give thanks to Bernie for the pulls up the hills. While riding I got to have a good conversation with Bernie about Limitations. I follow the Clint Eastwood philosophy: A mans got to know his limitations. Bernie's was don't let your limitations prevent success. Too True! Knowing and defining are totally different. Press your limitations until you have achieved higher marks. I jokingly replied mine was to suck tire tonight (though that was my goal..which I have never attained) but surpassed that by being in the front (even if it was short) among all the greats. Yes they are greats and this is not idle boasting...Their recovery pace is about my max pace...so they are always pushing me past my limitations... for that I thank you all. My legs however say $&#*! They can only get better.

I also have two other biking rules...never draft behind dave (he just goes faster)...never get in front of dave (he just goes faster). I violated both of those rules tonight (he went faster). Ok they are not rules per say...more like guidelines...Thanks for getting me out of my comfort zone though.

This was a great night of riding with good friends. They even let the King of the downhill keep his crown down the steep one. WooHoo.

Citizen Soldier

Had to "play" armyman this weekend (I call it play because I do enjoy it, so I don't consider it work). Well the cat is out of the bag. Heard the local news reported that our division is going back to the sand box. Now the news is published I can say it's true. Regardless of whom becomes president, the wheels will stay in motion. Any who... found a great video tribute to the national guard and will post the video link. I don't know the band as I am still stuck in the classics but they are "3 doors down" and the song is Citizen Soldier. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do. There is a better veiw if you go to the guard web site and click on play the movie. That web site is http://www.1800goguard.com/movie/index2.php . I am not a recruiter so you don't have to peruse the site just click on the movie and enjoy.