Biking Journal 33

Well, you probably think I have been sluffing off lately and I suppose I have. Friday, I decided not all exercise has to come from biking so I mowed and raked the yard and cleaned the house. The floors really needed it, so I swept, scrubbed and vacuumed. Saturday night I did ride to work but Sunday was the Air Show at the airport, which luckily got rained out on Saturday. So I took a nap when I got home and then Curt and I took our lawn chairs and walked to the Progress parking lot and enjoyed the show until Curt had to get ready for work. I could have stayed but I'm glad I didn't stay out any longer because I got a little sunburn but not bad. I wish I could have watched the whole thing because it was really a good show this year. I rode to work last night again and then I just got back from a 15.4 mile ride. I went out by the dam and then took 281 north to the five mile corner and then back on the bike path. It was a beautiful ride, 83 degrees with a nice 9 mph breeze from the SW. It took me 1 hour and 5 minutes.

Biking Journal 32

I had a nice ride to work last night and back home this morning. This afternoon I couldn't decide where to go, so Curt suggested going out past Cavendish and then just keep going south on that road, so I did. There is a wildlife research center out there and a very steep long hill, or so it seemed to me. But it was a 82 degree day with a 12 mph breeze from the south so coming home was a breeze. I went out on the bike path on the way home just so I could put on 15 miles. I wore my new biking shorts today and I think there is a benefit to having GOOD biking shorts. My new seat didn't come today but hopefully tomorrow. Won't be riding to work tonight because another thunderstorm is rolling in as I am writing.

Biking Journal 31

Well, I just returned from a 13.5 mile ride on a beautiful 79 degree day with a 10 mph breeze out of the NNW. The Hartland Trail spoiled me and now all I want is a beautiful bike path free from other traffic, surrounded by trees and lakes. But for now that will be only in my dreams.
The sky is clear so it looks like I will be able to ride to work tonight.

Biking Journal 30

On Monday, after my big ride, I wasn't really sore at all, but I took it easy and just rode around town doing errands and only went 9 miles. I was planning on going biking later in the evening but then Curt asked if I wanted to have a date night and go out to eat and to a movie, so we did. Had a great meal at Grizzly's and then went to "Get Smart". It was an enjoyable, funny movie.
Tuesday,we went to Fargo and got the new shifter put on my bike. I asked about what I should do about the uncomfortable seat situation and found out all kinds of good info. Mainly, that when it comes to biking, never skimp on the shorts and the bike seat. You see, when I bought the bike I had the original seat replaced with a nice soft seat which is OK for short distances but is too soft for the long haul. And these thick padded biking shorts I thought I was so smart buying them for $15, are not what you really want, it's this chamoise type material that moves with you and also wicks away the moisture. So I ended up spending over $200 on new shorts, seat, and all these extras that I should have for the CANDISC like a tire patch kit, extra tube for the tire, CO2 tire inflater. And he talked me out of a camelback. Said it just gets hot and on a ride like the CANDISC there are enough stops along the way you can fill up your bottles and that two big bottles should be enough. Who knew this adventure would turn out to be so expensive. When I got home I laid down for a nap and then went for a ride, only 9.8 miles . Was planning on riding to work but a big thunderstorm came through so couldn't do it. Lots of nice thunder and lightning! Today looks like another beautiful day so I better get to sleep so I can do some biking later.

Biking Journal 29 (The Hartland Trail)

Well, I did it! Biked the whole Hartland Trail from Park Rapids to Walker, MN. Warren and Carol went with me and we had a really great time. The weather was a perfect 77 degrees with a light breeze and mostly sunny all day. I didn't realize how hard it is to ride the same speed with someone else. Our bikes must be geared different because even though I didn't pedal any faster than they did, I was always way ahead of them. Once we got to Walker, we went down to the water front and then to Subway for lunch and then biked to the beach and then to Dairy Queen before we headed home. Of course the ride back is always a bit more trying and then smarty me, I'm off ahead of Warren and Carol and missed the turn for the Hartland Trail and ended up on a trail that went to Bemiji but discovered the error of my ways and only put on an extra 5 miles. We left Park Rapids around 9:45 am and I got back to Park Rapids at 5:05 pm. I rode a total of 66.27 miles. My legs felt fine but if I'm not able to adjust the seat to be more comfortable for me, it's going to be a miserable week of riding the CANDISC.

Biking Journal 28

I thought I would jot down a quick blog before I start my many tasks for the last day of VBS. I had a lot to do this evening but just had to get out for a ride. It has been so absolutely beautiful these last few days! Yesterday, I was going to ride to work but a thunderstorm came up around 9 pm and was dumping rain so I opted to drive. Teree thought it would be nice to have t-shirts again for the kids with the bugs on them so I've been busy making transfers for the shirts so now I have to get busy and iron them on. My ride was very relaxing. Lots of people out walking. So I rode the bike path and then went out on 281 N but not too far since it was getting late. Only went 9.1 miles but at least I got some fresh air. Now I must get busy!

Biking Journal 27

We had 3 new kids at VBS and all is going well. Another perfect day in paradise. Calm and 76 degrees for my bike ride. I think it actually broke 80 today! I thought I would mix it up a little so I rode around the dam and out to Hwy 20 and then continued on to Hwy 10 and rode out by Cavendish/Hillcrest area and back home. It came to 13.5 miles and I rode it in about an hour. I even had to stop for a train.

Biking Journal 26

Well, we went to the Red Hawks game on Sunday and it was cool and cloudy, even rained a little but not enough to stop the game and the Red Hawks lost to Kansas City 10-7. And then we came home and decorated for VBS until about 10:30 pm and came home. I had some stuff to do on the computer so didin't go to bed until a little after midnight. Then up again at 7 am and spent the whole morning getting everything lined up and ready for VBS. We only had 16 kids so it was pretty relaxing and fun. I really felt good about everything. The pastor is great with the kids and Teree and her computer saved the day as far as the words to the songs and the Bible point. She even suggested we rent a big screen TV and we did! Just like that. It works out really great. Curt had supper ready for me when I got home and then I fell asleep for about an hour on the couch and then went for my bike ride. I wasn't really sure how far I wanted to go or where, but decided to go out on 281 north. I was debating if I should ride to Buchanan but then I saw the sign to Pelican Point campground and decided to go there. It used to be called Smokey's Landing. It was so peaceful when I got there and the water was so calm, I took a 5 minute break to enjoy the view. Yesterday was so beautiful! In the high 70's with bearly any breeze. I went 20.8 miles in 1 hour and 35 minutes. Then I soaked in my lemon and juniper bath salts.

Biking Journal 25

I rode to work last night again and then took the long way home but only put on 7.5 miles total but wanted to get home and get my VBS decorations loaded up and taken over to the school so when we get back from the Red Hawks game I can have everything over there ready to decorate. I looks like a nice sunny day but a little breezy. It'll be a busy week with VBS but hopefully I will still be able to get a lot of biking in. I don't have to work except for Thursday night so that will be fun.

Biking Journal 24

I didn't have time to blog on Friday so this is the happening of the 13th. I hadn't ridden on Weds. because it rained all day and then Thurs. was so windy, so by Friday I knew come what may I would have to ride. I got up to a fairly sunny day but only 52 degrees and the wind was 15+ mph. But I took the route out by Cavendish and made 11.4 miles in 48 minutes. I knew it would be a busy day because VBS starts on Monday. I had hoped to get most of the decorating done on Friday because Curt had gotten tickets to a Red Hawks game on Sunday but unfortunatly the gym was being used for a garage sale on Thurs, Friday and Sunday! So there went that plan but I got a few things organized and phone calls made. I had to be at the Jamestown College track at 5:30 pm for Relay for Life so I rode my bike there because parking is at a premium. I had never been to a Relay of Life event before and it was really great! I had to work so couldn't stay all night but I did walk from 7-8 pm. Got to talk to a lot of friends and the community support is so fantastic. There were over 800 people there. I had to leave before all the luminaries were lit but I bet that would have been really neat. Next year I hope I have the night off so I can stay all night. We had a little downpour right as all the teams were marching around the track so my bike seat got a little wet so my pants were a little damp when I got to work. Saturday morning was a beautiful ride home even though I was pretty tired after being up for 24 hours.

Biking Journal 23

Here it is the 10th of June and it's only 61 degrees out. The weather has been so unpredictable. One minute it's sunny and the next the clouds come in and then go by. But it hasn't been real windy so that has been nice. I took the bike path around the dam today and practiced my hill climbing. Only went 9.8 miles in 45 minutes but we're going out for dinner tonight and we still need to go vote so I didn't want to be gone too long. Have to get my shower now.

Biking Journal 22

Today was a little ify as far as rain goes but this morning was pretty sunny and not much wind so I was debating where to go. Then Curt said he was going out to the cabin to do some lawn work so I said "Hey, I'll ride out there and then catch a ride back with you." So I took off and the ride was actually quite good. I met a couple semi's and had to brace myself for the back draft that hits you. The wind started picking up and the clouds started moving in after about 7 miles but it didn't start sprinkling until I was almost there. The wind was from the west so when I turned on the road to Spiritwood lake going east I had a very fast 5 mile ride. Just as I was turning onto the gravel here was Curt coming up the road. I was very glad because I was not looking forward to riding on the gravel. I went 16.35 miles in 1 hour and 9 minutes. It was fun seeing some waterfowl up close. Now I just need to get better at identifying them, I remember Dad use to know every duck at a glance. I should have paid more attention. A deer even crossed the road in front of me. It was a good ride.

Biking Journal 21

After we got back from campmeeting, Mom wanted to take me out for lunch so we went the Buffalo City Grill and had a cranberry-turkey panini with sweet potato fries. It was very good! By the time we got home the skies had started to cloud up so I wasn't sure if I was going to go on a ride or not but I figured it was probably now or never. I only went on the bike path by the dam and went 5.4 miles. I remember the day I thought a five mile ride was a big thing and now I feel like I'm really wimping out. My bottom doesn't get sore and my hands don't go to sleep in such a short time. But it started sprinkling and the wind was coming up so I came home to get busy with my VBS decorations.

Campmeeting Blessing

Mom and I went to campmeeting at DAA on Friday. We got there in time for the evening meeting with Shawn Boonstra from It Is Written. I had never heard him speak before and boy, is he amazing! His whole focus was on how close the end is and how God is just waiting for us to do our part and witness for Him so the whole world will know who He is and He can come to take us home. On Sabbath he talked about Moses and all the excuses he had why he couldn't go back to Egypt and deliver the Isrealites and we're just like that. We give reasons like, "I would give Bible studies BUT I don't think I know my Bible well enough; " I would do this BUT.... Then Shawn said "You know in the end when He divides the sheep and the goats. The sheep are the ones that follow the Shepherd and the goats are the ones who BUT." I know I'm one of those who always has an excuse. And the only reason we don't do something is we don't believe what God says and don't ask the Holy Spirit to come and fill us. There is probably not a day goes by that there isn't someone we could witness to of God's love for them.
After I had packed the van this morning, I was waiting for Mom to get done visiting so I sat down on one of the benches out on the lawn in front of the academy and was thinking about all that Shawn had talked about and was praying that God would take away my unbelief and fill me with His Spirit. And suddenly meadowlarks were singing all around and I felt that God was surrounding me with His love.

Biking Journal 20 (The Marathon)

Today, like a couple days ago, I awoke at noon and started thinking about VBS again and couldn't get back to sleep. I noticed that it was actually sunny out, since it has been rainy the last couple days. I checked the computer and it said is was 62 degrees and calm, CALM! I think maybe it had been God tapping me on the shoulder telling me to wake and take advantage of this phenomena. So I decided today I would try for Buchanan. I wasn't sure how far it was but as it turned out it is exactly 13 miles from my house so it made a perfect marathon ride. The semis wizzing by at 70 mph is a little intimidating, but most of them are pretty good about moving over into the passing lane when they go by me, which really is nice. It took me 1 hour and 48 minutes. You can finally smell the lilacs when you ride by which is such a joy!

Biking Journal 19

Today I slept for 9 hours! Curt thought their must be something wrong with me but I think I was making up for yesterday. After a supper of Chinese take-out I went out for my ride. I hadn't ridden to work last night because there was a good chance of rain and this morning it was raining quite good when I left work. My ride tonight was cool and misty. I went out on the bike path and then rode out on Hwy. 20 to the 5 mile curve and came back around the reservoir. It was nice and relaxing. I went 10.6 miles in 46 minutes. I have been a little congested lately so I am now going to soak in my hinoki and ginger bath, which is supposed to help relieve congestion.

Biking Journal 18

This is actually a blog for June 2. I did't deem my ride to be too note worthy but for the sake of continuity I shall post that I rode to work again but the morning was cool and breezy so I took the direct route home instead of cruising around the bike path so only did 6.6 miles for the round trip. I only slept 4 hours and then woke with a panic that VBS is only 2 weeks away and I have so much to do and then of course couldn't get back to sleep.

Biking Journal 17

Well, I rode to work last night for the first time. Actually, it only takes about 2 more minutes on my bike than in the car. Of course it's downhill and I don't really stop at the stop signs. Coming home this morning was beautiful! No wind and already in the high 50's. So I took the long way home and went up 281 and around the dam, about 6.5 miles. The only bad thing was I couldn't get to sleep when I got home. My legs kept trying to cramp up so I was drinking water and then having to go to the bathroom, it was a vicious cycle. I finally went out in the swing and read for awhile and then finally got to bed around 10:30 a.m. If I have that problem tomorrow maybe I'll try taking a bath to relax me. This evening I got my flowers planted. I am so glad that the warm weather has finally come!