Sunday, April 20, 2014

Finally

Finally some miles were ridden, yesterday was the start of my '14 riding season.  The Ascot the only one taken out and then today, Sunday, a couple more made their own loops out and back.

First the Ascot........the nearby Mount Frontenac Golf Course, up on top of the bluff, Lake Pepin in the background.



Today I was out for multiple rides, first one was on the RT100 for breakfast in Alma.

The Dairyland Coal Powerplant......



Looking upriver to Lock and Dam #4, gates all open due to the spring flood and high water levels.



Another Lake Pepin view, this time a bit upriver at a Public Launch site.


We've been seeing pelicans along the river, their migration north seems to always happen around Easter time.


High water in Red Wing, roads closed.  This view in Levee Park along the waterfront.



 So a few nice and refreshing rides.........another season of riding has begun.


24 comments:

  1. I need a chart so I can keep up with your bikes...have a picture handy when you reference one or the other!

    Glad you got out for some air and fun. Looks like here- green grass is up and overcast- now raining. Going to get my trail sticker tomorrow so I can legally roll out MY two wheels soon for some sightseeing!

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    1. I don't blame you.....I'm beginning to lose track myself.

      I was actually surprised. After only a few miles it was though I hadn't taken a break, a bit disconcerting actually.

      Good luck to you and your beginnings!

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  2. Amazing difference a few weeks and some warmer temperatures make. Though the high water in the river is a little frightening.

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    1. The Big River gets high almost every spring, most of the time it stays in its banks and doesn't really hurt anything, at least up as far north as we are.

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  3. No snow and open water! I must be nice. I'm still in snow over the tops of my Sorel boots. The warm temps here are helping it melt fast though...

    Has your driveway firmed up yet?

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    1. We're in pretty good shape, thanks. The big waste truck was in for our monthly dumpster and left some ruts that I've taken care of with the 9N. We could use another belly dumper of gravel though.

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  4. Lake Pepin? The home of Pepe, the "lake monster"?

    I just saw a show about that. According to the locals there are two types of people in Minnesota: those who live at Lake Pepin and those who wish they did!

    Sound right?

    Anyway, it looked to be a beautiful area!

    What is the dirt bike that you ride, if that's what it is, in the last photo?

    Yippee! Sweet freedom out on the roads again, eh?

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    1. We are happy to be where we are, that much I know. If you get the chance, come on up and I'll show you the best Pepie watching spots.

      That's my TW200, a fat-tired 200cc Yamaha. TW stands for Trail Way. Don't ask me which one of the bikes is a favorite but if you do, the big tire'd one is right up there.

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  5. Finally! You've waited long enough this year, and now you're making up for it with multiple bike rides (how cool is that!).

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    1. Sonja, we need longer weekends! 4 rides and no Twist N Go's yet!

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  6. You should do a catalogue post with your entire vehicle collection and make us all suitably jealous.

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    1. I don't suppose my complaining about the wrong bike always being in front will gain much traction. I may have to call in an organization expert.

      Someday I'll try and highlight how, why and when they ended up where they are. I felt very sorry for a couple of neglected ones that you haven't seen yet; they only very recently showed up.

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    1. Your daily rides in most all weather are inspiring Keith. For all intents and purposes, I wait for the weekends and only then try and catch up.

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  8. Man I bet that felt good to get a few of the bikes out.

    You're casting shadows so it must have been sunny too. Yay.

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    1. By Sunday afternoon it was really pretty nice out. Definitely riding weather :)

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  9. Coop:

    Finally ! you deserve it, you've waited a long time to get your rides rotated.

    hard to believe that road goes right into the river. Spring has finally sprung for you

    bob
    A weekend photographer or Riding the Wet Coast

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    1. There have been others out but it was beginning to look like it might just be May for me. That has happened before .....this is better.

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  10. Hooray for getting the bikes out! The Triumph is getting a little impatient (and I definitely am). I expect I'll be getting her out for the first ride of the year later this week, or maybe next weekend.

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  11. Hope it works for you Lucky, it's time. There were some out for the Flood Run but I'd have to say numbers were down. Slimey Crud Run is coming soon!

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  12. I went out for a good gravel ride last Tuesday.Took a lot of pics.I posted them on my Facebook page.You could probably go to Facebook/type my name in and see the pics.As an aside.Sheri and I will be heading to Clayton 4/27 early.Cheers my friend.

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    1. Lucky you! I'll try and find your page, haven't been there before.

      Does the river get high enough to cause trouble down there? We've got really high water now, but it's been much worse in other years.

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  13. Coop great to hear spring has finally arrived somewhere. The snow is mostly gone here but the temps are low and the roads still sand covered. (There have been some nice days but sadly I'm at work when that happens.) Looks like May for me ... think this is the latest ever!

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    1. It's that kind of spring for too many of us. We drove in to town yesterday and met a gallant soul on a Vstrom. His gear and visible 'attitude' told me that he was as prepared and ready for the weather as might be possible. Still, it was very windy, temps hovering around 40 and raining hard. For me personally, those are not recreational riding conditions.

      Let's hope the warm and dry shows up soon.

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