Bonnie and Clyde Take on Hillside

Okay, fine. Mostly it was just Clyde taking on Hillside.  I wimped out on actually wearing the costume for the race. Riding a mountain bike in a skirt and heels just seemed like a bad idea. Especially since it snowed a little.

Clyde decided to wear his suit anyway so he ended up looking less like a bad guy and more like a preacher on a bike.

 Well, at least until he decided to bust out the flask.

I did brave the full costume just long enough for some post race pics.

 

(According to the crowd, I don't know how to smoke a cigarette. I'll take that as a compliment.)

Then I wimped out and put my winter boots on to enjoy a little entertainment by Evil Kenevil.

Thanks Jamie and Robin for the pictures!

Gravel, Apples, Beaches, Mohawks....

The beautiful awesomeness of October has continued.

So has my exploration of my new neighborhood by bike. For instance, I discovered the friendliest yellow lab on the planet while riding down this road. Although it's possible that he was just horny and thought I was a dog. You can never be sure. I figure it doesn't really matter as long as he doesn't bite me. I much prefer licking and humping.

I've also visited a number of apple orchards by bike, although I've yet to brave carrying home a peck of apples on my back.

Of course, the Great Lakes girl in me can't stay away from the nearby beach.

Even if it means carrying my bike over some trees:

Even that obstacle couldn't deter us from a night adventure, although I did barely avoid a fall in the river every time I got distracted by the lights on the other side. (Plus, I learned that if I bring Big E along, he'll lift my bike over stuff for me so the obstacles are much easier with him. At least for me...)

  

Of course, all of this exploration has necessitated the formation of my own personal tick inspection squad. 

Thankfully he hasn't found any yet, because he appears ready to give me a mohawk if he finds one. At least he doesn't have a blow torch....

More Color, Fewer Words

This time of year, I feel like I can say less. The pics just kinda say it all for me. Within two miles of home I have Afton State Park for hiking, running, biking, snake hunting...:

Afton Alps for skiing and mountain biking:

 And I don't even have to leave the driveway to spot these guys:

Can't complain.....

Friday Night Lights

It's official. There are just too many kinds of bike racing in MN for me to choose just one. After so much fun with cyclocross last fall, I thought that would be my favorite. Then I discovered the long gravel races. After the Gravel Conspiracy I figured I'd rest up a bit for cross and that would be it. Then Richzilla had to go and put on three night mountain bike races. So much for resting the legs...and now I have yet another kind of racing I love. Not that I'm complaining because who can complain about having TOO many bike racing choices?

I especially can't complain when those night races are followed by a bonfire, movies and camping.  Plus, the boys entertained me at 1:00am by attempting to ride the new stockade feature at Hillside.

Heath got the farthest the first time so we marked his spot.

 Of course, boys will be boys so they were back at it the next week. Thankfully, I learned not to scream into the camera this time so you get to hear Richzilla yell at Big E instead.

(Just a note to my Pop- don't worry I don't try this. I have a hard enough time staying upright on the trail!)

Now that the night races are done, I figured I would finally focus on cross. Of course then I heard there's one more gravel race. Then there's Iceman. Maybe I'll have to save cyclocross for December. Oh wait, then there's snow biking....