Fall FAB ride and meeting

It is time for the fall FAB Apple Orchard Ride and meeting, October 3rd, TOMORROW!

Find out ALL the details here. See you at the meeting!

Kentucky to Alaska on a tandem built for 5!

WOW, check this out.......
http://www.pedouins.org/index.html

To be able to be that free to do something like this is amazing.

I guess it is all a mater of choices.........

Race across the Sky-Leadville 100

On October 22nd, experience a One Night Event in movie theatres nationwide, yes, even here is Sioux Falls, featuring the debut of "RaceAcross the Sky" a documentary covering the 2009 LeadvilleTrail 100 bike race!

http://www.raceacrossthesky.com/

The Treadmill................

This is pretty cool!

Tamron Road Series Workshop!

What a great photography workshop this past weekend. A lot of info to digest and a lot learned!

Below are a couple of my favorite shots that I took messing around with the Tamron 180mm macro demo lens. Pretty fun. I only wish the flowers would have been not past their prime. So, after demo-ing the lens, I now have one on order and it should be here the end of the week! I also tried out a gimbal tripod and a 200-500mm lens. WOW! The tripod was in the $800-something range and the lens was in the $1999 range. Lots of money I was carrying around for a while. They were really nice but I would have to save a LOT to afford that!


If you like photography take a workshop. You do hands on work and learn a lot from the pros! Of course, I go to the zoo and still find flowers and bugs to photograph, go figure!




Cycling Cathy did an AWESOME job with her pics. I hope she will post them on the blog! She also had fun demo-ing her carbon fiber tripod! Yup, not just on bikes but tri-pods also. They were SUPER light!

Ankle and aperture

Well, what is new in my world?

Some frustrations and some up coming fun stuff.

First the frustration. As many of you know I have a bum wheel, ankle that is. I think it all started when I was in 6 or 7th grade when I sprained my ankle one of the first of eight times over my life, so far. Then a few years ago, I broke it. I guess, yes, you can call me a klutz, but at least the time I did brake it, I was walking down the stairs at home in December and my shoes were wet. So I slipped and fell. The good thing is that I had just opened my first bottle of beer, yup, Newcastle, and had taken two sips out of it when I did this. I never spilled a drop. Klutz or not, you decide! Anyway, the old wheel has been bothering of late and so I decided to seek out professional help. After a few trips to the Dr, loads of x-rays and an MRI, it was determined that my ankle is bad but not bad enough to do anything to it yet. WHAT? Yup, that is what I said. The last trip to the dr I was to have a cortisone injection but since my ankle was not as tight as it was, he decided against it but they did do more x-rays called stress x-ray where they literally twist your ankle to see how many degrees they can twist it. YUP, LOTS of fun! Anyway the news is that I have no anterior talofiular ligament anymore, the posterior calcaneofibular ligament had some superficial fiber damage, basically a bone spur off the inside of the ankle bone and a possible fusion of some bones. YIPPEE! So after all that, we wait until it gets worse. Then the plan will be surgery and it will be a non-weight bearing (no weight on the surgerized ankle)for 6 weeks! So nothing else, no restrictions only that if it is sore take anti-inflams and wear a brace especially when on uneven ground. So, living with a physical therapist, she has some different ideas. There will be more strengthening of the ankle with exercises! OH YEAH, UGH....life goes on!

(One of the stress x-rays, ignore the neon lines on the x-ray as they were moved out of place so he could show me the bone spur, not suppose to be there, by the cursor arrow)

THE GOOD NEWS! I am excited for another photography class that starts tonight and goes through tomorrow! Cycling Cathy is even coming up to take this class also! Harold's is the host of the event but Tamron is the main sponsor and they call it their Road Series Event. They are bringing in a nature photographer from Florida that will teach a class tonight for three hours and then tomorrow we hit the local zoo for hands on learning! With Tamron being a sponsor, they are going to let us try out their different lenses! I am jazzed about this! There will be a little class work tomorrow plus at the end a photo contest for the "students". Lots to learn!

And, yes, I will be wearing my ankle brace!

Marg ride Vlll

Had a great weekend in Bridge City (Yankton) and Verm-town (Vermillion)!

It was the 8th annual Lane Hogs Margarita Ride. Let me just say if you never have done this ride you should. It was well organized, well attended (150 riders), a lot of fun and the added bonus is the profits from the event ALL goes to the MS Society!

Kudos to Christi for her longest ride ever, 30 miles! WOO HOO! It was a bummer Kris didn't feel well. Her cold kicked her in the butt so she was only able to ride 15 miles. Next year kiddo! (thank you Mrs Biking Brady for rescuing her at the rest stop!) Had a great time chatting with Pat and Ed along the route also. Pat and I had fun talking to the cows although she was a little distracted as they are expecting the arrival of their first grandchild SOON!

We hit the Eagles club after the ride for Mexican food and of course Margs! It was all good. Glen, one of my fellow USAC officials also made the ride up from Sioux City to Vermillion but since they were fogged in down there they didn't make the Marg ride but enjoyed the food after! Great to see you Glen!

After the Eagles we hit Carey's for a beer and talking cameras with Sieversma's Smattering of Stuff and Cycling Cathy. Well had to go check out Charlie's Torino that was in the car show! Nice car Charlie! Then on to Mr and Mrs Ride Vermillion's house for some "fellowship". Yes, I had the maggots at their house and of course had to find them in Sioux Falls when we got back on Sunday! They are good and now Kris is hooked on them so I have to share...DANG IT! haha

GREAT TIME WAS HAD BY ALL!

Thanks to the Lane Hogs for an awesome event! We all know there are unsung heroes that help make this possible and run smooth! Thank you, to all!

Monday morning humor!

1. A day without sunshine is like night.
2. On the other hand, you have different fingers.
3. 42.7 percent of all statistics are made up on the spot.
4. 90 percent of lawyers give the rest a bad name.
5. Remember, half the people you know are below average.
6. He who laughs last, thinks slowest.
7. Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm.
8. The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese in the trap.
9. Support bacteria. They're the only culture most people have.
10. A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.
11. Change is inevitable, except from vending machines.
12. If you think nobody cares, try missing a couple of payments.
13. How many of you believe in psycho-kinesis? Raise my hand.
14. OK, so what's the speed of dark?
15. When everything is coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.
16. Hard work pays off in the future. Laziness pays off now.
17. How much deeper would the ocean be without sponges?
18. Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.
19. What happens if you get scared half to death, twice?
20. Why do psychics have to ask you your name?
21. Inside every older person is a younger person wondering, 'What the heck happened?'
22. Just remember -- if the world didn't suck, we would all fall off.
23. Light travels faster than sound. That's why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.
24. Life isn't like a box of chocolates. It's more like a jar of jalapenos. What you do today, might burn your butt tomorrow.

You have been mooned

Weekend recap in a few words

Met cousin at a bar in Tea

Found out the bar was karaoke hell on Friday night!
Farmers Market
Manna Bakery
Dean-o's (breakfast)
Yard work
Beer can chicken
Fresh grilled veggies from the Farmers Market
Slept in
Canned pickles
Trips to the Outdoor Campus and Falls Park for pictures

Please keep Mr and Mrs Hooterville Mayor in your thoughts and prayers as Mrs Mayor recovers from surgery.

Bike trail section being repaved!

The Bicycle Trail from Maple Street to Diversion Dam Closed Starting Friday for Repaving.

The bicycle trail from Maple Street north to the Diversion Dam will be repaved beginning on Friday, August 28, 2009.

During construction the east side of the levee will be used as a detour route. The trail is expected to reopen by the end of September.

For a map of the on-street alternate route and more updates on bicycle trail construction projects go to http://www.siouxfallsparks.org/bike

YES! WOO HOO!

THANK YOU, CITY OF SIOUX FALLS!

Images at Terrace Park

Coming in for a landing!

Tri-color bumble bee!

This little lady liked to strike a pose!

RBD Fireworks

Riverboat Days and bicycle races!

Another busy weekend! WOW! Friday found us heading to Bridge City for Riverboat Days. Always a fun time. A stop was needed at Charlie's for PIZZA, then off to the river for fireworks.
The fireworks were awesome. It was my first time using a remote switch with my camera for shooting at night. It was hard since they shot fireworks off from two different areas. I think I got some ok ones. I will try and post some later. We did go back to the Clubhouse and look at a few since I finally figured out how to hook the camera up to the TV to view the pictures!--DUH!

Saturday we had quite the lucky day. We hit the Belgian waffle feed for breakfast. As we headed into the venue, there was a lady that asked us if we needed tickets. Of course, we said yes and she gave us two free tickets to the feed. SWEET! Savings of $12 for two tickets! Next we were off to Gundy's farmers market for some veggies. We picked up fresh potatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, onions, loaf of bread and squash for $17. Good fresh organic bargain! After a stop at the Clubhouse to drop off the produce we hit Riverside Park to go through the arts and crafts areas. Purchased a few things but nothing really wild. Headed to the food tent area and ordered lunch. Should have received $9 back from our change but got $11 back! We didn't really realize it until we were far away from the tent. Savings of $2! We made it back to Sioux Falls around 8pm.

Sunday was the Avera Downtown Sioux Falls Criterium. What a great day for bike racing! We had a great crew officiating which made it a lot of fun! Central Plains Cycling puts a lot of work into this race and it paid off. Everything ran supper smooth which makes the officials jobs a LOT easier! If you helped out with any part of the race this past Sunday - THANKS A BUNCH!

A great weekend was had but I am tired! I sure hope you all enjoyed the weather out there this past weekend!

Weekend images

Me being the "whip" at the start of the time trials in WY.
Dave getting ready to be the moto-ref for the time trials in WY.
Dustin Bakker (L) and Glen Houts (R) getting
Gregg Gleason (on the bike) ready for his time trial.

Following wave #2 of the road race down Spearfish Canyon.

Queens lace along the canyon road.

Yes, I shot these after the race was over!

Bridal Veil falls in Spearfish Canyon.

This is located along the interstate at the 1880 town. Very funny!

State Criterium race!

If you like to watch bicycle racing, if you have never seen bicycle racing or if you have an itch to race your bicycle, then come on down to downtown Sioux Falls and catch the Avera Downtown Criterium, this Sunday!

Races start at 8:45 am with the last race scheduled to start at 1:30 pm which l run for 60 min.

All the particulars can be found here.

Spearfish Canyon!

Hello, to the three people that read this blog. Sorry it has been a bit between entries. Blogs seem to suffer a bit during the summer, as it is a busy time for most!

Kris and I had a great time in Spearfish this past weekend. I was there on "official" business with the state road race and time trial events, dubbed the Tour de Fish. It was a great race and great scenery driving through the canyon! Seems this year the canyon is the best I have seen it in a while. Nice and green with lots of wild flowers and even Bridal Veil falls was flowing! We even ventured over to WY for the TT race! That was a first for me, traveling to WY that is, and not sure I would like to live in Beulah, but the site works great for a TT! Lots of windshield time, over 900 miles, but well worth it. Even though I did officiate, it was a relaxing weekend.

I guess, going down the canyon at 15-20mph, following bikers for 72 miles was not enough. We had to drive it again so we could stop and snap some pics. Of course I haven't had time to even download them yet! We also met up with some friends in Deadwood for supper before heading back up, you you guessed it, the canyon again on Saturday night. The top of Aztec was in the clouds and the temp was 48º! It was cool that was for sure but still nice.

I will try and get some pics uploaded this weekend. Have a great weekend everyone!

Keep fighting the fight!

RIP, Susan.......

Weekend update

We had a good weekend in Yankton, Grease-the musical, Ben's, Charlie's, The Ice House, 7, Murdo's, Dakota Territorial Museum, drive out to the lake and around many small communities in NE. Our plans had changed a bit when Kris's mom fell and broke her arm but we still had a good time. Here are a few flower pics form Kris's moms flower garden.

Weekend of images

SMILE!