Wilderness Park Trails!

Ruby (my wife) and I decided to finally try out Wilderness Park. It was wonderful! It feels like you aren't in Lincoln, or even Nebraska! If you have never checked it out before, it is a must for cyclist and hikers alike.

There are nice and easy limestone paths. There are narrow paths. There are muddy paths! There are bridges! And there are steep inclines and declines! Basically, there is some of everything!

The nice crushed limestone path runs along the tracks for part of the way which adds an even extra cool feel to it!

Afterwards, it was time to give the vehicles a good wash and wax!

Happy Memorial Day!

"Training Ride"

After riding around Johnson's Lake with my friend, I decided I "needed more training" for the day so I hit the gravel roads here in Dawson County. I pretty much killed myself. I made a stop in Cozad for a break but I basically did the opposite of what every sane cyclist normally does on this unfortunate day. I caught the headwind on the return trip. Myself and my 29er were both squeaking and moaning by the time I was about halfway back and almost out of water. Needless to say I lowgeared it back slow and steady and chalked it up to a good training ride. My body is going to pay tomorrow and my bike needs to pay a visit to JoyRide if a little lube and cleaning dust off doesn't quiet her down again.

Johnson Lake Trail

Went for a ride on the supposed new addition to the trail out at Johnson Lake with an old good buddy of mine. Definitely not worth a trip to do. It "might" be a couple miles long and you have to ride across the dam to get to the other half. They have not completed much at all. If you want to ride around the lake be ready to ride the highway most of the way with no shoulder. There's a ton of potential if they'd actually get to work and make it go all around the lake but at this rate, it won't be in my lifetime.

Bottom line, don't waste your time going to Johnson Lake to ride. If you're going camping there anyway bring your bike but don't expect much.

Eating gravel to the Platte back in Dawson Co.

My dad came down to Lincoln today to snag me for the weekend. We went straight down to JoyRide to pick up my new Specialized RockHopper 29 Comp Disc as it was finished and ready for me today. Dad hopped on and test rode a few Specialized hybrid comfort bikes and really liked them.

I rode it the short distance home and met my dad there where we picked up Ethan to take back to spend the weekend with his birth father and say goodbye to my wife Ruby.

We made decent time back to Dawson County where my mom had picked up the famous Lexington tacos that I miss all the time. After gorging myself on that my dad mentions getting a ride in down to the river before dark so next thing I know we're hitting the gravel! Putting the first gravel miles on my new 29er, DELICIOUS! I love this Specialized bike, I feel like I can conquer anything on it. We had a head wind down there but coasted nicely back for a great 13 mile-ish ride.

I love this video!!!

The Gravel Metric Invitation from OC Imageworks on Vimeo.

Full-Moon Ride

I went on my first group ride last night! It was a wonderful leisurely ride and a great time finally getting to know some people in the cycling community.. and great seeing Shane T again after like 6 years. My miles for the day was 43. I'm going to call the MS Bike Ride today and try to switch over to the 2 day ride instead of the 1 day one. I have confidence I'll make an easy go of the 2 day 120 miles.

Donations are coming in wonderfully! Thanks so much everyone!

This is why..

Every hour of every day, someone hears the words, “You have multiple sclerosis.” They enter a time of unpredictability when they wonder each morning if they will see, if their legs will work, if they can pick up their child. This is why we ride. When thousands of people ride together in the MS Bike Ride, awareness is generated for the many programs and events provided by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s nationwide network of chapters. Husbands ride for their wives, kids ride for their dads, co-workers ride for their cubicle neighbor, all proudly wearing an “I’m Riding For...” sticker on their t-shirt. Each one is raising money so that the local Nebraska Chapter can provide literature, support groups, and educational programs. Each one is raising money so that we can continue to fund cutting edge research into the cause and cure of MS. Research has already developed five therapies for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. Research that will continue, until in the end, when 2 hours pass and no one is diagnosed, then a day, then a week, until the day when no one is diagnosed and a cure is found!

This is Why.. We Ride!!

This is Why.. We Fundraise!!

Taken from http://bikenen.nationalmssociety.org/site/DocServer/Ride_This_is_why.pdf?docID=17575

First Post/MS Excitement

I have kind of missed the "old school" style of blogging over the years. The days about a decade ago where blogs were individual home-made and home-hosted websites. Yes, I was pretty young then and caught up in the craze years before facebook and myspace made it easy for everyone to have a blog-based lifestyle.

Gone are the days of high schoolers competing over blog hits iCarly-style (except with html, not youtube video).

Reminiscing aside, here I am.

Big news? I just registered to participate in raising donations for multiple sclerosis! Achieving $200 in donations towards my goal allows me to participate in a 2 day bike ride for those suffering from MS. My goal is $500! Once $500 is hit, the new goal will be $1500. I am excited and honored for those who are donating to this. Always strive for what seems unachievable. When I chose $500 it didn't seem achievable.. but it's already looking like that may be easily hit with 45 days left still.

It's very exciting for me to watch this all happen! I want to make everyone proud when I line up with my bike to ride on July 10 and 11!

Read more or donate here.