Bike Miles

16, 16, 30, 16 Miles...I think...ha ha

2008-06-04T10:03:00.000-07:00

Well, I've been for a few rides since I've posted last. I think I got it right. I may be lying about one of those 16's...but NOT on purpose. Rode to Bartley and back several times and day before yesterday went East instead and went to Arapahoe and back. Now that was a nice ride. The shoulders were smooth...except for that one damn bullsnake that wanted to rear up and bite at me...aghhhhhhh! I did okay. My lungs stayed in my chest, my thighs and calves look like stovepipes...but hey...they always do. Yesterday we went for a short 16 to Bartley and back, Cindy wanted to go on to Holbrook but I wasn't feeling it. She went on then and I stayed home. I was exhausted from working and my shoulder was hurting like hell. I also had to get ready to go to ballgames and get the boys ready and blah blah blah. Anyway, today would be a perfect day for a ride but Cindy had to go to Holdridge...maybe when she gets back.

Riding Again

2008-06-04T09:59:00.000-07:00

When my Dad got sick 2 years ago my road biking slipped into the "not as important" category. My Dad died one year ago, June 14th. I did not train for BRAN last year, I didn't train for BRAN this year either. But I am riding again and I'm trying to enjoy it. ha ha It feel good and bad. Just like normal. I feel like I've accomplished somthing when I finish a ride, without collapsing. Anyway, I'm back and I'm going to keep on the road again...unless it kills me...which...it may.

20 Miles and some

2007-03-26T13:50:00.000-07:00

Really had first ride of the season today. Yesterday didn't count. Yesterday, Cindy and I went for a ride and I was winded before I got out of town. I just couldn't seem to get my air. Short of breath and sounded like a locomotive. Finally I stopped Cindy and told her to go on...I had to turn around. I sucked and snorted and heaved my way home. All the while saying to myself...I'm done now...just done and that's the end of it...no more biking...I'm a big lard o and too big a girl to be on a bike. Done!
When I got off my bike and took it inside I noticed something.
back tire was flat as a freckle...also
the brake was rubbing so hard against the wheel that the wheel couldn't even turn.

chuh

So...Cindy took the bike home and Kurt fixed her up again...and we took off today after lunch. We had a bit of a tail wind from the north west which was nice. But we knew the ride back would be tough. I always hate a side wind. We made it and I do feel tired. Work tomorrow...who knows when the next ride is.

I Have a Flat Tire

2006-06-28T23:13:00.000-07:00

...and no tubes the right size!
I can ride the BRAN ride without a flat tire but let me take one spin around town and blammmoooo!
FLAT!

BRAN 2006 done did that

2006-06-14T15:44:00.000-07:00

Well, just a post about BRAN 2006.
Here are the CLIFF NOTES:
Night Before Day 1...We camped across from the tracks and since it is a MAJOR crossing and the engineers follow all horn blowing rules...no one slept a wink in camp. Not one hour of sleep!
Also...sadly, a BRAN rider hit a pothole near the tracks and ended up with a broken neck. More info available HERE. There is a benefit ride being organized and they are selling T-Shirts as well. Keep Larry in your prayers. Here is the message from the BRAN administration verbatim.

Hello BRANimals,
As you know, veteran BRAN rider, Larry Schroetlin of Butte NE was critically injured on BRAN 26 this year.
We recently received an e-mail from his cousin, Renee Brewster. Renee and her family will be putting on a ride in Butte on July 8th during their Pancake Days. The ride would be about 30 miles from Butte to Naper. For those of you who live in that area, please plan to participate! This would be a wonderful way to support one of our own.
Renee is also offering t-shirts for $10-$15 with mailing for those of us who can't make the ride. If you're interested in buying a t-shirt you can contact Renee at rafernau@yahoo.com

Day 1...Broken Bow - Eustis I can't remember a better day for cycling. What Fun! I loved the rolling hills. We saw a rattlesnake on the road. We drank Takillya with the Jet Boys...and it was FINE...Or was that last night??? hmmmmm
Day 2...Eustis - Maywood...Rain to start off with. Great breakfast! We saw a porcupine...and he was either mad or rabid. He turned in circles alongside the road and waddled around like a pig! Long day in Maywood watching more rain come down. Today we drank beer with the Jet boys. It was good. Our tent stayed dry. We are nervous about being ready to host BRAN tomorrow night.
Day 3...Maywood to Cambridge (our home town!) Hilly, nice hard ride. We stopped at all the lakeroad stops and visited. We got back to our home...and I started working at the coffee shop and didn't sit down until 10:30 pm. Man did my legs hurt! and I was TIRED!
Day 4...Cambridge - Minden...We got a ride past the construction and rode in some wind up some long low hills. Pretty hot. I hate a straightaway. We stopped in Axtell and got kicked out of the supermarket BECAUSE OF THE JET BOYS! We drank one beer each in the park there and I wanted to turn in three circles and make a nest. But on we went to Minden...straight to Pizza Hut.
Mark picked us up there because I wanted to be at my dad's Dr. appointment the next day.
We decided 4 days was okay and that was the end of our BRAN ride. for this year.

43 Miles

2006-06-12T20:50:00.000-07:00

Cindy and I rode the "section" today. South of Cambridge and then West to Lebanon then over a hilly North to Bartley and lastly East to Cambridge. Around mile 10 we saw a mule deer...in fact it almost ran into us! Around mile 20 we saw a white tail...again...almost crossing right in front of us. We also thought we saw an owl...and I know we saw a red headed woodpecker right about then too. We saw many different "weeds" which I think are beautiful but I know farmers would not. Wild gourd vines, purple headed grasses, musk thistle with big purple blooms, prairie cactus neon green with large yellow blooms, a brilliant pink clover type bloom and wild morning glory vines. Some of the yucca were blooming too. It was an awesome nature ride. Did I mention we saw a butterscotch colored fawn around mile 30?

Preview of Me on a Bike

2006-05-27T15:23:00.000-07:00

226 or so

2006-05-22T14:57:00.000-07:00

I've got about 226 miles in.
Not enough really...but I may do it anyway.
and suffer...hmmmmmmm still thinking.

26 Miles

2006-05-22T13:09:00.000-07:00

Well, we rode to McCook. Not sure if we are going to ride BRAN yet. We have no big trips or many hills under our belt yet.

24...or something

2006-05-18T13:12:00.000-07:00

Cindy and I rode to the junction and back. I can't really remember what day or the accurate mileage.

Damn

2006-05-15T09:30:00.000-07:00

I don't think we are going to ride in BRAN this year.
Can't seem to get the training miles in.

16 miles

2006-04-21T19:27:00.000-07:00

Shit...flat tire/tube again.
My ass must be too big for my tires to hold up.

28 (but I wanna and am gonna call it 30)

2006-04-20T19:53:00.000-07:00

Call Me...Dusty, Busty or Crusty...I'll answer to any or all.

god I hate a wind...Especially a burning nose down to the lungs head wind. One that drives the pollen straight to the point of no return.

Direct HIT...SCORE!!!!
We have allergies....ALERT...ALERT....ALERT!
We are now moving to ORANGE. Please fasten your seatbelt, do not pass go and DO NOT I repeat DO NOT squeeze the Charmin!

The wind was not only cool but the wind was windy today and mostly pointed in our faces and the tail wind home was an occasional corner wind with a few pats on the back and mostly a fierce growl and snarl down our auditory canals leaving us slightly deaf and painfully sore, coughing and with snot leaking across our dried and shriveling faces...Faces scored by mating bugs, dried and crusted tears and saliva in fine thin threads flying out of our mouths and littering the air above us with gleaming streaks.

Yes...Biking is a glamorous sport. One I highly recommend for snooty bitches and uppity wenches like me and Cindy.

Today...we did find one treasure. A clamp that Cindy Sue knew the real name for and that looked like a GIGANTIC clothes pin that maybe the Yao Ming could use to hang his boxer shorts up with.

Tomorrow...Cindy Sue and I work...and the wind is supposed to be...nil.
Figures.

Even my ass muscles hurt(what I got that is)

geeze

20 Miles

2006-04-15T16:15:00.000-07:00

Another ride in. A beautiful day although biking after a Friday at the shop...was tiring. My allergies weren't so bad, my legs felt pretty strong and I only thought...what the hell am I torturing myself for?? a couple of times. Cindy and I cut our ride short as I had to get to church...but we could have gone on longer.
I have to get my BRAN registration sent in sometime soon.

33 Miles

2006-04-13T18:28:00.000-07:00

Another 33 miler today. The weather was PERFECT!!
Perfect if you like wind in your face at tornadic speeds and spirals of dirt, pollen and bugs sticking to your teeth making you look like you sport ONE instead of the usual number.

Actually...it was only head wind going the and when we turned at around 16 miles out...we had an occasional tail wind...but still.

YIKEs...I got burned and had a pain in my side...for some unknown reason. I don't think I pre-hydrated and actually had forgotton to eat anything before we took off...so that didn't help.

AFter a bit of "goo" and a few dozen swigs of RAIN Gaterade I began to feel a better...but it was still a struggle.

I feel pretty spent tonight.

33 Miles

2006-04-10T04:37:00.000-07:00

Almost a month passed before I rode. I can't believe how damn windy it has been. Anyway, Kurt fixed up the Terry with my new tires and Cindy lugged both bikes to my house and away we went. We both worked together Friday and Saturday and were giggly as teenagers. I think I already had "chip pneumonia", "beer pneumonia", "oatmeal pneumonia" from laughing while eating then choking leading to aspiration leading to a wheeze in my lungs. So...biking should have been a real fun joy.
It was.
Of course the wind blew. We took mostly a flat and a little bit of a hill before turning and heading home.
My new tires felt good, my knee ached a little and luckily my allergy meds kicked in and I didn't sneeze my head off.
No treasures were found by the side of the road...other than VOTE for Frank Shoemaker signs the size of a house.

25 miles (give or take a mile)

2006-03-07T21:47:00.000-08:00

My speedometer doesn't work so I'm not totally sure. Today was beautiful and I felt like my legs were working. A bit of a gusty NE wind but it felt good to push it. We rode the straights again. Building our endurance slowly but surely. On the last leg of the ride I heard a popping noise...you all know...flat. I'd run over a nail and it pierced tbe tire. Great. I haven't gotten any new tubes since the Century ride last year so I'm done now. Until I can get another wheel. Hopefully Thursday when I'm in Lincoln for the Boys State B Ball Tourny we can swing by the Bike Rack and I can look at some goodies there. I need a new mirror, new handlebar tape and maybe a mountain bike or two...hee hee.

HELP me out please!

2006-03-05T00:42:00.000-08:00

Have you read THE MEMORY OF RUNNING yet? You should because it's good. A man, feeling his life closing in on hime, starts to ride a bike across the USA. I really loved it. I love weird reads though and this one was somewhat strange.
On another note...I keep thinking about getting a mountain bike now. I think I could ride more without worrying about getting a flat. But...maybe not. The roads here suck and especially the shoulders though...it's a toss up. What does everyone think? Do you like to ride Mountain bikes? Would it be a good way to ride across Nebraska? Should I stick to Terry? Help me out here.

16 miles

2006-03-01T03:25:00.000-08:00

Cindy and I rode to Bartley and back yesterday. Wind in our faces to and at our back from. It was fine. My legs felt pretty strong...my "wind" needs work though. No allergy attacks yet. The right side of my right foot is bothering me and I don't know what to do about it. Very painful. I think when I "rest" I put that foot down in the pedal and lean on it. I must break that habit. Didn't see anything good by the roadside unless you count a dead fox with a beautiful tail. Cindy should've taken it home to keep the dead possum company that "lives" in her yard. Oh well...next time.

?15 Miles

2006-02-27T15:10:00.000-08:00

First bike ride of the season for me...outdoors that is. I've used my new trainer a few times. Can you believe it was 80 degrees today? Feb 28 and felt like an early summer morning. Cindy rode into my house and I was supposed to be ready but of course I wasn't. I needed to air up my tires and fill my water bottles and find a pair of sunglasses. I'd been trying on my bike gear and gagging through each one. Why can't they make loose shirts for fat girls on bikes. In fact, if I was a crafty kind of girl I would have a bike apparel store for women called...Big Clothes for Big Girls on Bikes. hee hee Anyways...I decided to leave off the water bottles (stoopid ass) and off we went. We stopped by my Mom and Dad's for my glasses (I thought I'd left them in his vehicle) but couldn't find them. Dad said, There's a pair of sunglasses someone left at the golfcourse in the front seat of my truck...go ahead and use them. So I found them and shaking my head, put them on. They were those big ass protective sunglasses that people who have cataract surgery wear. Seriously! Man did I look HOTT! My fat rolls were well enhanced by my tightly fitting bike garb and my entire head was engulfed by my new "block out the sun" sunglasses! Yayyyy let the ride begin.
Of course there was a head wind, gusty. But it felt good to be out working a bit. We went along the straight for a few miles (5?) and then turned back and traversed to Cindy's corner. All in all it was about 15 miles or so...I think. Doesn't really matter. The thought of BRAN looms on the horizon and I'm already thinking...can I do it? We will ride after work tomorrow if we can walk. hee hee

2006 BRAN Route!

2006-02-02T17:48:00.000-08:00

495 Miles

2005-12-25T18:58:00.000-08:00

Next year BRAN will be staying in my home town on day 3...Cambridge Nebraska. We are all excited about the opportunity. Cindy and I have been recruiting new bods to ride.
My hubby is the coordinator...lucky sap.

12 Miles

2005-11-06T11:21:00.000-08:00

Just went 12 miles with Cindy Sue. Her first since she had a knee scope, my first since the Century ride. I loved it and I want to get back at it again. Funny what a little break will do.

5-10

2005-07-17T08:02:00.000-07:00

I've just been riding around town since we got done with the Century. No real speed or consistency really. I would love to go today. Housework first though...sniff.

It Was...something else

2005-07-10T20:20:00.000-07:00

Yup...it was dejavu like...haven't I been here before riding into a headwind?...and ps...add on flat tires! Yes...I said flat tireS...Plural. Poor poor Jim...Mr. Big Boy of the Blues Bike and Fitness himself who had to take care of my NAUGHTY Terry. That little hussy blew a sidewall AND then got herself another flat before my ride was over. I could have spit bullets had I only had enough spit. Yah...it was hot too. The ride out to Beatrice was a bit of a BITCH because of the headwind which was strong. Just when we turned to head back to Lincoln, after passing a SLOW MOVING TRACTOR...I was heading into speed heaven with a tailwind and KABLAAAMMM I ran over a big damn rock! I was soooo mad. That's when I blew a big damn split in my sidewall. Jim came by to help a poor blonde and because the tires are odd size he rigged it up with chewing gum and a gum wrapper (just kidding). Anyway...to make a long story short...Jim fixed my hussy bike twice, hauled Cindy and I around, took us to his shop (which by the way I LOVED!) got one of his dudes to put on a couple new tires, Cindy and I shopped , I got a new speedometer, water bottles, looked at bikes, drooled, dreamed and then we went back to Cindy's brothers house in Kearney where we drank a cold beer and crashed for the night.

Century Ride Awaits Us

2005-07-05T17:17:00.000-07:00

July 9, Cindy and I will be riding 100 miles from Lincoln Nebraska to Beatrice and back to Lincoln for the Cornhusker Games. I'd like to get in another ride before we do that but life is hectic now and it's iffy at best.
Funny thing...I got a flat tire...in my own driveway! Never got one on the BRAN ride, any other ride for that matter...just my own damn driveway.
Good grief...I hope this isn't a sign of what's to come.

Pedaling For A Purpose!!

2005-07-01T18:28:00.000-07:00

Check out this link
and this one...Cancer doesn't care...but we do link. This one is dear to the family heart as Norma is my mother in laws good friend. Go HERE to donate and find out about updates on Norma's condition.

28 Miles

2005-06-29T17:23:00.000-07:00

Met Cindy at her corner. I went 22 mph or above the whole way. I thought I was fabulously powerful and in shape until I noticed the ditch weeds bending over and touching their toes...indicating a powerful tailwind.
Oh well, who cares...it was fun while it lasted. Of course we turned straight into it and then went for a ride to Bartley and back.
You know, we better start carbing up for our 100 miler...mental note to self...buy quarts of Michelob Beer...not Ultra light though...gotta think CARBS!

27 Miles

2005-06-27T18:12:00.000-07:00

Cindy and I went for a lovely spin in the country in the 101 degree afternoon. We did the southern route and climbed a few little hills. We are still preparing for the century ride on July 9 in Lincoln. We thought we might do a ride every other day for a while.
We filled up our water bottles and splashed ourselves off with cool water at the top of a hill and turned around. We had a bit of a tail/corner wind on the way back into Cambridge and that was nice riding. We then rode out to Cindy's corner, loaded up our bikes and came back into town for a cold icy pop. That was wonderful good!

30 miles

2005-06-25T20:13:00.000-07:00

Went for a short drive int the mid day heat. We need to get used to the humid and muggy weather... and it's going to take some riding for me to do that. I had a bit of trouble getting my breathing right today, but we ran around 16 or so mph it seemed and my legs felt strong.
Man did it feel good to ride though. I feel so much better when I'm out on the bike. Cindy and I stopped in Indianola at the C store or something like that and got a gaterade and a few crackers. We met a man and his wife and visited for awhile. The lady has pancreatic cancer and he has had about a zillion heart attacks.
Life is short and we have to live hard and play hard people. You never know when your time here is done.

20 Miles

2005-06-23T14:36:00.000-07:00

Cindy and I went for a short on the flat with the wind in our face today.
God we'd been missing that.
Thank the lucky stars it was windy today, not only that but it was gusty.
Man...you just can't get lucky enough sometimes!
Joy!

Tomorrow Tomorrow Tomorrow

2005-06-22T21:36:00.000-07:00

Cindy and I are going to get a ride in tomorrow. We need to get back in the saddle and prep for the Cornhusker Games. We will ride a tour of 100 miles on July 9. We are going to go up the day before and hit a few shops. We start at 6:30 am and go from Lincoln to Beatrice and then back again. Kind of boring to go back...like Cindy says...you see the same dog turd, the same road kill, the same bra by the side of the road. oh well

Doesn't riding a bike just get in your blood? Make you crave it like a drug?

Several Miles

2005-06-19T21:25:00.000-07:00

I rode my bicycle tonight, in the dark, and it was awesome! I had to go do a bit of work at the shop around 9:30 and decided to ride. After I was done, around 10:15 the moon was almost full and I couldn't resist the temptation to cruise a bit. The smell of honeysuckle was almost overpowering in the muggy air. I decided to go to the fountain and see the colored lights. There, the smell of the chemicals and the feel of the heat rising off the pavement reminded me of when I was a little kid walking home from the pool. I was a bit wary of gravel in the crossings but I sped along and going down North street I kicked it up a notch and enjoyed the breeze. Now, I wasn't very safe at all as I was wearing a brown shirt, no helmut and regular shoes. I had a blinky red light to put on the back of my bike...but I didn't do it. I just chanced it and rode for the love of it. For some reason riding at night made me feel young and a little bit reckless. I can't wait to do it again.

Turn Up Your Speakers!

2005-06-18T15:28:00.000-07:00

QueenBicycle.MP3

Loser

2005-06-13T21:59:00.000-07:00

I feel like a LOSER for not finishing the BRAN ride.
Cindy and I ARE made of sugar so we PROBABLY would have melted in the rain...grin. It was kind of depressing, all that crappy weather and not riding after all the training, bitching and excitement.
Now...it's over...only I feel like I need to get on the bike and quick ride another 200 miles or so to make up for the shitty week.

Need I Say More?

2005-06-12T12:37:00.000-07:00

Bike Broads Return

2005-06-11T17:55:00.000-07:00

Early.
One Word.
Rain...or...Wind...or...Lightning...you pick.
I'm bummed. The BRAN ride was difficult due to crappy weather.
The first day the wind was cool and a bit of a fierce head wind. I had an allergy attack and picked up a wheeze so bad I was branded right off the bat as sounding like a 68 year old 5 pack a day Camel smoking queen.
The second day, again windy and hail and 2 tornado sightings at the town we were to ride to.
The third day...brisk headwind about halfway done...damn damn damn
The fourth day...one word...PERFECT
The fifth day...coolish, windyish...and then a thunderstorm with pelting rain (like a cow pissing on a flat rock) with lightening bolts to the ground so bright you were blinded.
The fifth...today...steady hard downpour
Hearing the forecast for potential rain all day and in the a.m. Cindy and I decided to cash it in.
I'm sooo sad we didn't finish it.
I hate riding in rain and especially with lightening.
What a suckwad riding week.
We did meet some new fun people and we laughed a LOT!
I think I had more fun on the SAG stops than I did last year. We did a lot of visiting and giggling.
Road biking will never be the same because now Mark has decided he wants to give it a try!
What will I do for a tent boy now?
Any takers?

Tomorrow We Leave!

2005-06-03T17:00:00.000-07:00

We start our CRAN ride tomorrow. Drive up to Kimball, camp out and get ready to ride! Hooray! I'm going to try to update this site daily. I'm not quite sure I can...but I may even try audio blogging. Talk to you later!

20 Miles

2005-05-26T13:06:00.000-07:00

We took a short jaunt in the cool afternoon air today. Just a straight to the west, head first into the gusty nor'easter. Funny to be glad when a semi passes you by so you can catch a little of his air...maybe a little warmth from the stinky hogs he's hauling. But when we turned around to head east oh boy howdy, I do love tail wind yes I do! The traffic is bad now and we probably won't want to ride in it. Today Cindy just about got a slap on the ass from a trailer. I don't like to ride on 6 & 34 when it's thick with holiday drivers. 10 days now...gulp.

Over 350

2005-05-25T04:45:00.000-07:00

I cannot believe that it REALLY takes me at least 300 miles on the road to get to the point where a 30-40 mile ride feels good. Where I'm actually able to enjoy and not feel utterly wiped out. Now, I need about 200 more before BRAN to strengthen.

32 Miles

2005-05-24T12:11:00.000-07:00

We rode part of the "section" today. We rode east through Wilsonville instead of west, then turned before we got to Hendley and headed back home. Of course there was a headwind, both ways. I am feeling stronger by the day, except I don't think I had enough to eat this morning and was getting a little low on energy the last few miles. I also am going to have to start carrying the camelback as I don't think I'm drinking enough. Not many days left before BRAN and I haven't done a big ride yet. That makes me nervous. I'm glad I've got more than 350 miles in though.

31 Miles

2005-05-23T08:25:00.000-07:00

Cindy and I rode to McCook last night. I love that ride. The hills aren't too bad and the straights aren't too long. Besides...we had a bit of a tail wind some of the time. I don't have much time to write about much of the scenery. I felt stronger and am getting excited for BRAN.

42 Miles

2005-05-19T14:03:00.000-07:00

A wonderful day for a ride down south! yah The temp was perfecto. The scenery was beautiful...meadowlarks and hairy assed red beaks serenaded us while we rolled past field after field of wheat and pasture land. The green of the landscape was lush. A little year old doe ran parallel the highway for about a mile, leaped over a barbed wire fence and then crossed the road in front of us. Her white flag was waving surrender so we didn't try to chase her down. We had a few lovely hills to skate and went over a NICE bridge that said 2 ton limit, so we took turns crossing and we made it fine. Cindy and I both have stink bug pneumonia but my allergies seem to be zapped by a combo of Zyrtec, Singulair and kleenex shoved up my nose holes. I got a nice sunburn today. My feet like like a sepia toned zebra from my bike sandals and my hands each have a perfect red hole just above my wrist where my bike gloves don't cover. I've got 2 sunburns on my legs, one from just above the knee down and the other mid thigh down.
Yes, Virginia, I am a freak. Well, other than being hungrier than a lumberjack, french fried, crusty eyed, windfarkingblown, and stiff in the neck, wrists, lower back, feet...I'm just fine. Tomorrow? WE RIDE!

28 Miles

2005-05-18T10:50:00.000-07:00

I got the donuts made and the coffee hot in the pots this am and got my arse out the door by 9am. Cindy Sue (a much OLDER Cindy Sue) and I were going for a spin!
Finally, a day to ride! We still bucked a wind from the North but who gives a rats ass because we let it push us a bit of the way home! yayyyyy
Also I send out a thank you to a few semi's who gave us a breath of fresh air and a whooooosh along the way...gag.
I felt pretty strong except my nose ran a river and my gloves were kind of rough...and the wind was the kind that stings your lungs...but hey...at least I didn't leave 'em by the roadside...yet.
We just did a straight as Cindy had a funeral to go to and we are planning a bigger ride tomorrow with a few sumbitch hills thrown in.
Now, if wind gives ya character...Than it's NO WONDER CINDY AND I ARE CHARACTERS!
My new motto: Damn the wind! Let's drink margarita's! Ole'!

BICYCLE RIDE ACROSS NEBRASKA Silver Lining Tour

2005-05-15T19:32:00.000-07:00

Here is the schedule for the 2005 BRAN ride starting June 5.

Day 1 Kimball to Bridgeport 73 miles
Start your day by being part of 25th Anniversary group photo. Tailwinds help us take off north to our week’s adventure. Wide shouldered roads allow us to wave at the endless stream of antique cars going south on the Sugar Valley Antique Car Rally. Hopefully you stocked up on several rolls of film. You will be compelled to stop many times in the Wild Cat Hills, Scotts Bluff Monument and Chimney Rock.

Day 2 Bridgeport to Arthur 106 miles
Did you explore Court House and Jailhouse Rocks? Finally, a BRAN century to get your gears into. First 58 miles are aneasy warm up along the North Platte River. Then 25 miles of rolling hills along the shores ??? of Lake McConaughy. Even with the recent drought, it is still among the largest of its type in the world. Then its north into the Sandhills for the final 24 miles.

Day 3 Arthur to Arnold 85 miles
Don’t plan on seeing many people today. BRAN out numbers the total population of Arthur and McPherson counties. This day will take you back 150 years and make you feel like travelers of that era. Lonely! Midway, quench your thirst in the lone town in McPherson county, Tryon. The only town we’ll see in Logan county is Stapleton. That’s it, only 2 towns for the day.

Day 4 Arnold to Loup City 71 miles
Can you imagine cars going up to 160 MPH in this countryside? They do in August during the Sandhill’s Open Road Challenge. Today’s route is divided into 3 convenient sections. Long ups and downs turn into an easy flat middle. Tighten your helmet straps for the roller coaster hills to finish the day.

Day 5 Loup City to Aurora 71 miles
This is what people think all of Nebraska is like. Fertile plains with endless miles of cornfields. Imagine today as a spinning class while you pass thru the oasis of Cairo. The miles will slip by rapidly leaving you plenty of time to explore the fascinating Stuhr Museum in Grand Island.

Day 6 Aurora to Brainard 74 miles
Did you learn how Edgerton revolutionized modern photography? The Plainsman Museum reveals the story of the 24 yearold Brigadier General and Civil War Medal of Honor recipient, who became Aurora’s Mayor. Quiet county roads let you reflect on life’s problems and solutions. Anybody remember Route 66? Rolling hills the last third wakes you up for the evening festivities.

Day 7 Brainard to Waterloo 45 miles
The greatest week of biking (that’s a no brainer) is coming toa fast end. Alternating hills, flat, hills, flat highlight Nebraska’sS ilver Lining last day. Having now toured all 93 counties,what odd thing will next year’s tour reveal.

20 or so...

2005-05-10T20:55:00.000-07:00

Cindy and I were chomping at the bit today. The weather was gorgeous and we had to work. Finally about 4:30 we got together and took off. We had a nice tail wind...and I mean NICE as we headed west. I felt like, Yah...I can do this! Then we turned around. chuh...did I say NICE. ahahahahaahah It wasn't as nice heading into it I can tell you that. It was another 4 letter word! A big storm was brewing up and giant thunderheads were building in the east and south. Anyway we made it back without eating any stink bugs or gnats this time. Hoo yah. We are planning a nice big ride on thursday if there is no rain.

26 miles...or so

2005-05-09T19:46:00.000-07:00

Cindy and I rode late afternoon. We went the straightaway to Indianola and back. Still windy, but hey, this is Nebraska right? Odd though when we stopped by the roadside for Cindy to take a call, there seemed to be no wind at all. When we perched back on our seats and pedaled off, we were against a headwind. Stop at roadside...no wind, ride...headwind...go figure.
Kind of sounds like that tale of I walked 2 miles to school uphill both ways we've all heard from our grandpa's. Anyway, we rode hard and spotted a few treasures, a mutilated Nerf football, perfectly good from all sides except the bottom, a bungee cord thingy, half an orange, beer can about 3/4 of the way home...very tempting to bend down and give it a shake just to see if there was a drop left...just kidding... and a variety of road "pelts" that could make someone a fine blanket had they no ability to smell.
Whenever Cindy and I got off our steeds we looked like we were 80 year old broads...or weebles...Remember those things? sad really... Our backs are sore from gardening and life in general. That's just our genetic make up I guess. We oughtta be a couple of real sweethearts tomorrow at work...hope everybody want their coffee iced!

22 Miles

2005-05-05T14:34:00.000-07:00

Windy bitch of a day for a girl who doesn't get out enough on her bike. Cindy and I rode West to Jo Jo Dancing Girls house today, wished her a belated 40th birthday(yesterday) and back home for a whopping 22 miles for me...add on about 6 more for her. I didn't feel real strong today and probably that is because...I'M NOT! How in the hell am I going to get ready for BRAN?
I had a bit of trouble getting my breathing right today. About 3/4 done I was HUNGRY too...and after digging in my basket...came up with a year old honey lemon cough drop. yayyy... I spit that out after only a few minutes. Anyhoo...it's miles under the belt.
Temp was around 74 and the breezes were moderately strong from the South.

26 Miles

2005-04-18T18:52:00.000-07:00

Yup, Cindy and I got in 26 miles out South of town on the roly poly section that made me want to quit last time I rode it. Today...I felt strong...like wood! The day was picture perfect! The alfalfa spilled across the fields painting them green and the cows were standing in the pastures with a puzzled look on their faces as we rode by. The scent of wild plum trees was thick(not to mention an occasional manure oder). The sun was warm and the wind wasn't vicious. We gabbed and rode and gawked and felt thankful we could be out enjoying the day.

Too tired to bike

2005-04-17T18:11:00.000-07:00

...how pathetic is that? Cindy rode the lake road yesterday AND today. I couldn't go. I was under the weather and kind of am today too. Damn what a waste of a good weekend. The wind was a BITCH from the South this afternoon. I'm sure the ride up the lake road was a helluva lot better than the ride back home! Hope your knee handled it okay Cindy Lou!

26 miles

2005-04-07T17:28:00.000-07:00

Finally!
My legs felt strong and my allergies remained in check. The wind was a subtle yet gentle reminder of Nebraska but we prevailed!
I really really needed to get out and work out.
My legs are a bit tired but I feel good.
Ready for more!

What the hell is a bike?

2005-04-02T20:56:00.000-08:00

I haven't been on one of them there things in so long I doubt I can balance...as if I could before!

I Hate You WINDS of HELL

2005-03-12T18:19:00.000-08:00

No biking for 1 week means:
a) my allergies have receded into an abyss where they will lurk waiting to terrorize me the first instant I get on the bike
b) I feel like a slug
c) I've forgotten I felt like a slug the last time a biked anyway!

26 Miles

2005-03-05T20:35:00.000-08:00

Well, I may have slogged through it but I did it.
Today, my endurance SUCKED! I didn't eat before going, I didn't pre-hydrate and you could sure as hell tell it too. My legs felt okay, it was my breathing...which was mostly limited to mouth breathing as my nose was leaking like a rat terrier dog by a new chaise lounge. The wind was about straight out of the South, in our face, OFFUCKINGCOURSE! and well, we decided to "ride the section", which means, yahhh, you guessed it, start our ride SOUTH and then head West then North and finally East on our return home. Well, our plans went awry.
We went South some 12 or so miles then turned and went North, with the wind at our backs. THANK GOD THE WIND DIDN'T CHANGE!
The section is mostly a bunch of long and some double dip hills at the begining and finally a long smooth descent at the end of the first 12 miles.
I was SOOOOOOO HAPPY to turn North and have the wind at our backs.
shit
I was wiped.
Anyway, enough about my whining.
Cindy and I both got our first road rash. I halted by the side of the road to blow my nose and forgot to unhook my right foot from the pedal...ta durrrrr...over I went. Luckily Cindy didn't see it. Later, when she did the same thing, only DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME, I LAUGHED MY ASS OFF!! AHAHAHAAHHAHAHAH sorry Cindy...really!
Anyway, a couple of dogs wanted to mess with us, but Cindy bellowed out GET HOME RIGHT NOW!!! and those dogs curled their tails up and went HOME!
My bike kept shifting gears on it's own today.
Other than that...my allergies SUCKED THE BIG ONE AGAIN!
This part of the country is the WORST for allergies.
But the scenery was AWESOME!

28 Miles

2005-03-04T18:02:00.000-08:00

Yup...we did it again.
Bucked the wind and rode the straightaway to Indianola and back.
I am fatigued but felt stronger today.
No dogs were present at this ride.
No sneezes were present at this ride. I will however need to wash my bike gloves...sniff sniff...cuz they make GREAT nose wipers.
They are a bit crackly now...ugh.

20 Miles

2005-03-03T17:10:00.000-08:00

Cindy and I biked today. Twenty miles.
We were planning on a 50 miler or so.
It appeared to be a lovely, perfect Colgate fresh toothy grinned Wonder bread of a day but once we got on the highway and turned to the west it turned into a mean son of a bitch of a piss ant windy bug scum on your dirt encrusted eyeball kind of day.
Did I mention I don't like riding in the wind?
I am truly tired from that ride.
Of course the obesity doesn't help any either...the fatttt girlllll on a lit tle biiiiike song comes to mind.
Did I also mention dogs?
Dog's that like to chase bike girls and eat them for snacks.
fucker Corgi anyway...what kind of a dog is a Corgi?
They look like a braatwurst with catterpiller legs.
But they sure can run like a mofo.
Maybe he could smell the giant porkchop my ass has turned into.
Anyway, that's the tale of my ride so far.
Well, except for my ALLERGIES!!!!!
Just call me Rudy the farking red nosed fatty on a little bike girl

2005-01-25T12:20:00.000-08:00

Just a funny

23 Miles Today

2005-01-24T17:13:00.000-08:00

Today Cindy and I took our first ride of the season. January on the calendar and it was over 70 degrees this afternoon! We planned to leave around 1pm but, of course, I couldn't find all my gear...nothing new there. Finally, clad in my bike shorts, long sleeved shirt and sweatshirt, too small helmet and no gloves...we took off. We headed West with the wind at our backs until we got to the lake road where we encountered road construction. We decided to turn around and head East toward Holbrook. We debated heading South but nixed it due to the hills there. We wanted to start up slowly to avoid strain on knees etc. It felt good to be out with the sun shining and the fresh air streaming by. Cindy found a socket or something or other...some kind of tool like thing a ma bob, of course, and continued to impress me with her car, semi, truck, basically vehicle spotting skills. As we were getting ready to climb our only really serious hill Cindy spotted Mark coming back from Arapahoe. I didn't even recognize the Durango cresting the hill about a mile away at breakneck speed. I was busy looking at the side of the road, the trees the clouds, the remains of deer strewn about the side ditches and Cindy turns and says, "Isn't that Mark?" and I say, squinting, "I dunno" and sure as heck it was! He gave us the HI sign and sped on down the road. We kept going and got to Holbrook in record time...NOT. While there we looked at an old log cabin that was very very old and just recently moved to the small park there. We wondered what those walls could talk about. Who had lived there. The history of it intrigued us. Finally we got back on our trusty steeds and headed out toward Cambridge. We had a small hill and then it was straight sailing all the way home. We logged in 23 miles on this beautiful balmy January day.