to all the Doubting Thomas'

In a feeble attempt to avoid copyright violations:

from Lacrosse magazine:  January 2010

After an evening at the Twins, Eki thinks he may have enough "stuff" churning in his stomach to convert fruit directly into vinegar:

Hatcher thinks the whole idea somewhat disgusting and repulsive:

While our own J Buffington wonders: "Perhaps there is something to this?"

Laugh all you will Boys 

I relish the opportunity!

What we learned from this epic day:

1) There is a difference between a journalist and a photo journalist

2) After a somewhat a inauspicious mid portion, this is a route that can and should be repeated!  Well done Buffington

3) Nearly any derailleur problem can be repaired with a quick dunk in a water filled ditch.

Copyright violation?

I was duly informed last evening, by the holder of a PhD in journalism . . . that I am in likely violation of US copyright law.  Seems I may have misappropriated the lead photo on this very blog!  gasp . . . egads . . . what am I to do, change the photo?

Nah . . . I shall simply say "Thank You" to Michelle Hatcher for snapping the pic at the 2009 edition of "the Heck of the North."

With apologies offered, my head in my hands . . . I would like to present these photos from last weekend's 140 mile epic (fabulously routed by none other than Mr. Tim Ek)

 . . .  and by the way . . . does anyone know if there was ever a Hardee's in Two Harbors?

It's All About the Coffee

13 March 2010

4:15 AM  wake, make coffee, drink entire pot

6:15 Leave home, ride "scenic route" to Billy Irvin

7:00 Arrive Billy Irvin, admire "Chili!"  (hot . . .), meet Eki

7:02  Leave Billy Irvin for 'easy ride' up shore

8:30 Arrive Mocha Moose, 2 double espressos (with caffeine, no decaf for me) 

8:30 Watch Patti admire Chili, or perhaps admire Eki's 158 pound frame 

8:31 Patti offers Eki free coffee . . . he accepts

8:32 Wonder how Chili and coffee taste together?

10:00 Leave Eki; in moment of weakness, head back up shore into strong headwind

10:33 Arrive Brighton Beach drink more coffee  (THANKS for THAT!)

10:40 Leave Brighton Beach with Tim #2 and John H

10:40 - 12:00  Ride into headwind, fog, rain to Mocha Moose 

12:01 3rd and 4th double espresso (with caffeine)

1:00 Leave safety and warmth of coffee shop for "easy ride" home, with tailwind

1:07  Wonder why riding with the wind harder than into the wind on single speed?

                                                     2:00 Arrive Brighton Beach

                                                     2:15 Arrive Burrito Union . . . more                                                        coffee

Thanks Boys!

A big Thank You to all the boys today:  Tim, Charlie, Jeremy (aka Jason) and Dave (short time).

Were it not for these guys you would not be reading this because I'd still be out there somewhere.

In fact I needed so much help I think even the real Jason pulled me for awhile.

Good ol' Tim . . . pulled 60+% of the ride . . . we needed him.

(MG:  If you are readin' this . . . remember . . . Tim said "Do not believe a word Rich says . . ."   I love a good enigma . . . which one is it?)

Word of advice for Charlie:

The Patch goes over the hole . . .  Not the area next to it (I understand this is a complex concept).  I think Charlie may  hold the world record for number of tubes used in one stop (rumor is tube patching will soon be an Olympic sport)  This repair stop at the Mocha Moose at mile 26 made for tube #4.

Charlie learned his lesson well . . . for a mere 50 miles later:

Farrow was seen instructing our lead rider on the finer points of puncture repair (as if he does not have enough experience of his own)

Lessons of the Day

Gravel is good

I gotta get me some gears . . .

Charlie needs: tires, fenders, and glasses

It was indeed a great day . . .

Why Orange Anyway

I am asked often "Why Orange . . . why not chartruese or  turquoise?"

The reason is simple . . .  "Hendricks," and by extension I, am Dutch.

Note the prevalence of Orange in the flag of the Netherlands.

oops . . .  there isn't any.

It actually comes from the Principality of Orange (now in Southern France)

The Principality of Orange existed until the early 1700's, when it became complicated.

In 1851 France finally ceded and allowed the establishment of the Netherlands.

Coat of arms of Queen Beatrix, current ruler of the Netherlands.

What I find most interesting . . .

The word never really was "orange"

It was Oranje (from: William Van Oranje)

Words to "We Love Orange"

the Dutch National Football song:

Together we're strong.

Unity makes powerful.

How a small country can be great.

Isn't that beautiful?

Netherlands oh Netherlands.

You're the champion.

We love Orange.

Because of its deeds and its doings.

Later when the red-white-blue.

will be hoisted for us.

Then we're a big family.

With gold we're praised.

Netherlands oh Netherlands.

You're the champion.

We love Orange.

Because of its deeds and its doings.

From the stand sounds the Wilhelmus.

Now even more beautiful than before.

Oh, who doesn't let tears flow?

Netherlands oh Netherlands.

You're the champion.

We love Orange.

Because of its deeds and its doings.

We love Orange.

It's the true champion.

Humbled, Tumbled, Cramps and Road Rash!

Humbled, Tumbled, Cramps and Road Rash!

(If you say that just right . . . it almost rhymes;  OK, maybe not)

CIRREM . . . What a blast!  I have already sent in my card for 2011.

Before I continue, a moment of sincere silence.

Those of You that know me, know I have made several trips and spent a fair amount of time in and around Concepcion, Chile, the epicenter of Saturday's earthquake.  To date I have not been able to reach any of my friends and associates in the area.  I can only hope they are OK.  Concepcion has been destroyed five times since the 1600's by earthquakes.  A beautiful city it is, with lovely inhabitants.

Back to CIRREM.

Many, Many thanks to Kent and the other organizers.  They did an A#1 job, right on, spot on.  

The morning buffet was fab . . . too much to eat.

Upon being handed the day's cue card . . . and realizing there were some 38 turns, I quickly decided I would simply put the card in my pocket, and make certain I was always with someone who "knew where they were going (mistake . . .) 

The race began just after 10:00 AM, temp a pleasant 15 degrees.  It was apparent immediately that some of the boys came to race . . . really race.  The first eight or so miles were relatively flat on hard packed snow and ice.  I would be remiss in not honestly admitting a bit of initial nerves.  Once I learned to ride it, it was darn nice.

About five miles in I felt my chain drop . . . egads, this is going to be a long ride (little did I know . . .)  Turns out it was not off . . . I think I hit a patch of glare ice and just did the instant no resistance spin thing.

By this time the group was gone . . . long gone.  No way I was going to sprint to catch them (riding O1 on ice, they on those silly geared things).  I was perfectly happy just ridin' my bike.

I quickly realized this was not to be an easy ride.  This part of Iowa is never flat; hills, often big hills (more on this later)

About 12 miles in I caught up with Matt Gersib (Of Salsa fame)  When Matt learned of my hometown . . . he waxed poetically, on and on . . . about some chap named "Farrow!"  Seems Mr Farrow is held in very high regard by said Salsa rider!

Matt and I decided we were having a pleasant time chatting: Knowing the boys up front were doing anything but chatting.  We concluded our concept was far more enjoyable for a February ride. We discussed how cool the "PCL Gravel World Championships" will be.

Shortly thereafter we were caught by a couple of other single speed boys . . .  off we went.  Led by Squirrel we soon caught the 2nd group.  Great I thought, effort can be reduced! 

I've spent a great deal of time riding in a bunch, I feel comfortable and safe . . . I'm happily riding along "minding my own  business when (yup, those words of terror) . . . I sense a rider in a brown jacket bearing down on me from the right . . . oh oh I thought as he pushes into me . . . which of course causes my front wheel to overlap the rear wheel of a leading rider . .  . we all know where this is heading . . . CRASH . . . of course the guy in brown keeps upright . . . the rider following me comes to a safe stop ("that was close").  I pop up, handlebars askew, hole in tights . . . oh well . . . only 50 more miles.

the "tumble and road rash"

(to make matters all the worse, I received a very specific email from an unnamed DBD rider last week admonishing me "not to crash!")

By this stage the road surface had begun to improve, an attentive rider can almost always find an ice free line.

The hills really enter the picture:  up - down . . . up - down . . . repeat.

For Rich on O1 this means close or erase the gap on the climbs, get dropped on the "flats."

At about 20 miles, for reasons I do not grasp . . . I am beset with muscle cramps like I have never experienced.  This is far to early . . . 20 miles, only 1:15 into the ride (again I think, this is going to be a long day!)

up - cramp - down . . .  up -cramp - down . . .  repeat

Soon the only check point was on me, since I was not using my cue card (as earlier noted), I had to wait (stubborn me). Ten minutes I waited until a rider "rode through . . ."  Oh well, my decision, as silly as it was, had been made, the commitment to myself kept.

In a somewhat silly fashion I told myself; "self; the 2nd half can not possibly be as hilly as the first"

The first turn clarified that picture:

up - cramp - down - up - cramp - down  . . . repeat.

Then a change . . . at the 2nd hill of the 2nd half:

up - cramp - walk - down - up - cramp - walk- down . . . repeat.

I was buoyed by the realization that all of the SS riders were walking (the humble)

To give you two ideas of the hills:

1) When I saw one looming hill in the distance I actually laughed to myself!

up - cramp - walk - down - up - cramp - walk - down . . . repeat

2) On several descents I neared 40mph (yes, on icy gravel . . . what was I thinking?)

up - cramp - walk - down - up - cramp- walk - down . . . repeat

Seven times I walked the top portion of the hill . . . and have no regrets.

up - cramp - walk - down - up - cramp - walk - down . . . repeat

By this time even my wrists were cramping. Very strange I thought . . . I kept drinking thinking, hoping the problem would resolve:

up - cramp - walk - down - up - cramp- walk - down . . . repeat

Finally . . . I'm on 105th st . . . I know I am close to the finish!  Over Hwy 35 . . . can't be far now . . . I know Cumming is only one mile East of the hwy.

Why am I still riding?  It can only be because for the first time of the ride I am on a flat road with the wind at my back!  Heck . . . no reason to pay attention to the cue cards I am not paying attention to . . . I might as well ride past the turn on 30th Ave and put in a few extra miles and 20 minutes.  .  .

Pulling into the Cumming Tap I had nothing but a smile on my face .  .  . It was a blast . . .

I had a  bit of work to do before heading out Sunday morning:

Of final, and important note:  I had to make a stop in Ames Iowa for pickle juice.

Can't wait for 2011!

Avarice at Amity Continued and Concluded!

You may recall my encounter with Big Blue several weeks ago, and my conversation with an unnamed Pugsley rider of dubious renown (in no way associated with a group loosely known as "DBD")

You may also recall my extensive research of MN Statutes, and my conclusion that we are indeed entitled to ride on Grant in Aid trails to our heart's content.

Not being 100% assured, ensured or insured . . . I chose to pursue the question/issue a bit further.

I had an opportunity to speak with three of Duluth's finest.  As expected they were not really too sure, but thought we are well within our rights. (they all expressed shock at the actions of Big Blue).

Still not satisfied I thought who better than a snowmobile riding game warden, a member of our very own MN DNR to answer my query.

Before I gave voice to my question, I prefaced it by asking him not to pretend to know, to only answer if he was 100% certain.  As to not insult the gun toting officer I thought it best to inform him that I do not expect any peace officer to know all of the laws of our fine land (I mean that, how could anyone?).

He smiled at me, and affirmed our right to ride!  Grant in Aid trails are indeed open to all (unless posted differently of course).

Further, and of his own accord, he told me we are not required to purchase a "sticker."  As it happens, Grant in Aid trails are not funded solely by the purchase of state trail snowmobile stickers.

Bottom line:  Fear not young rider . . . ride to your heart's content, But ride with grace, humility and concern for others on the trail.