Tour de Lincoln

Due to rain the last couple days, riding has been confined to the city limits. Not the best or most interesting riding, but there are lots of new trails that I haven't seen and others that I haven't ridden for a long time, so it wasn't all bad.

Saturday dawned early with the Havelock Charity run (no I didn't run)...


Afterward Ryan and I met up with no real plan except to explore the city trails and get some miles in. MapMyRide uses way out of date Lincoln maps, so my mileage estimate is rather rough, but I figured 32 miles round trip. Most exciting moment involved a mud induced slide of both wheels through a under-street tunnel....still learning how to ride that Lemond.

Where now? A decision point at Holmes Lake.

Is this Colorado, or southeast Lincoln?

Photo op...

Today, I headed back out, on the El Mariachi this time. Compared to the cross bike, I felt like a monster truck on the mtb. Stable, comfy, and slow... Hoping that the rain would hold off I headed toward Pioneer's Park. Ended up with 30 miles and an even 100 for the weekend. Next goal is consecutive 50 mile days. 55 days till the Laramie Enduro...

Branched Oak Loop

On Friday evening, I headed out for what I had planned as an extended gravel loop. Based on so many race reports from Dirty Kanza and others, I was convinced that the cross bike was the best tool for the job. I quickly realized that I either need to have different tires or a lot more confidence because I was rather skittish any time the gravel got deep or when I had any speed heading down hills.

When I came to Highway 79 and its nice wide shoulder, I changed plans and decided to head up toward Raymond. The touring tires on the cross bike liked this surface much better. Once I reached Raymond Road, I thought I would ride over to the lake. Upon reaching the lake, I took a lap around. As I rode across the dam it became obvious I was losing the light so I headed home as quick as possible since I was without lights. 36 miles...2 hours 25 minutes...a great post-work relaxer.

Looking into the valley from near my house.

It's rare to meet a friendly dog on your bike...
Rolling countryside north of the lake.

Sunset over Branched Oak

Here's a map of the route.

Cross Dreams

No cross racing for me this year due to scheduling conflicts, but it doesn't stop me daydreaming about it. VeloNews.TV has some great cyclocross videos that teach some basic skills. I tried to post one of the videos, but couldn't get it to work. Check them out yourself here.