Yard Work

The joys of yard work are mostly in retrospect.  It is always great to see the end result, but rarely is there much to celebrate in the moment...except when you find one of these!  While buried deep in our hedge, and attempting to save it from the wrath every imaginable other tree and vine trying to choke the life out of it; we discovered this tree frog!  He was just hanging around in there while we chopped away.  I didn't even know we had such animals in Iowa, and had we not been slaving away in there, we would have never seen him.  

No More F***ing Rain!!!

What is the deal with the rain?  It's 95 degrees for four days, then back to 60's and 70's with rain.  This is not good for the guy who has to show up to work halfway dry.  Maybe I need to look into some waterproof panniers.  The weather this late spring reminds me a lot of the summer of 1993.  If it's going to be like that, then it's a good idea to prepare to be wet!  More to come on that.  I have spent the last two weekends accumulating tools to perform bottom bracket surgery on the old Rockhopper.  This will be my first unassisted attempt, and I hope all will go well.  If it does not go well...Rasmussen Bike Shop is right down the street!!  Wish me luck.  See you on the trail!

It's a hot one!`

It was definitely a warm one this morning...and this evening.  The trails are clear and the sun is hot.  I guess it's summer in Iowa!  Commuting was held to two cycling days this week due to circumstances beyond my control.  Next week there will be more bike miles.  I still REALLY want one of those xtracycles!  Ebay had one for a very reasonable price.  Sadly, my cheap Dutch blood prevented yet another sweet purchase.  I did, however, find a head/tail lamp set for a price I was willing to pay.  Reviews are forthcoming.  That's the week in cycling.  See you on the trail.

I want one of these SO MUCH!

My friend Joe has an xtracycle and I have admired it for some time.  Given my recent cycle-commuting initiative, I am becoming obsessed!  My ancient Rockhopper deserves to look this freakin' cool!!!!  It has served me well over the years, and even took me on a self-contained Ragbrai in '06.  If only it had this kind of cargo capacity.  Well, maybe someday.  For now I may just have to settle for a new bottom bracket.  See you on the trail.