Normally, I am not documenting my “first ride of the year” until sometime in late February. This is when the dark winter days are finally starting to get longer and there may be a break of a couple of days with above-freezing temperatures to clear the roads for a short ride.

But – this year is truly an exception. There is hardly a drop of snow on the ground. We have had as many 40 degree days as those below freezing. The only snow that resulted in me shoveling the driveway was on New Years Eve – which is long gone due to several days of melting since then.

Thus, when the forecast called for mild conditions and temperatures near 40 degrees on Sunday afternoon – I needed to head out for some outdoor miles. Although the bike computer settled in at 41F for most of the ride, my temperature sensor at my house said it was about 38F. That is pretty much my threshold for outdoor cycling as I’ve grown too wimpy to ride in really cold conditions and avoid temps dropping near/below the freezing point.

Prior to the ride, I had to swap the pedals from my Old Steed (my Trek 560) and put them on my New Steed. The Old Steed has been serving its duty on the bike trainer in front of the TV – thus acting as my main ride for the past several weeks. The New Steed sits patiently in my basement, waiting for such a day to come out from hiding and travel on some real pavement. While hauling it upstairs, I noticed a slight layer of dust on the wheels – indicating that it has been quite a few weeks since the bike was put into action.

As usual, I overdressed for the ride, and battled as much over-heating as any other challenge (hills and wind). I still don’t ride enough in cooler conditions to hone my skills at proper clothing selection. On a bike, it seems that every 5 degree increment calls for a different strategy with clothing options/layers and I most often choose the cold side of the equation. Still, being a little too warm will beat being a little too cold any day in my book – especially at 38F.

In terms of performance, the ride sucked. I’ve gotten out of cycling shape – big time – and suffered for my lack of initiative during the entire ride. But the point wasn’t to put in a good time or hit a high average speed. The only goal was to do the one thing that bikes are meant to do – cover a lot of miles in a short period of time while hauling my butt around nature’s beautiful countryside.

I achieved that in spades!

Even cold fresh air does a body some good every once in a while. Although it did result in me coughing uncontrollably for several minutes after dismounting while my body made it known that it did NOT appreciate the experience. Yet, that is normal because cycling and suffering go hand-in-hand. The masochist in me often enjoys the pain as much as the ride itself.

While on the road, I also noticed that I was not the only one willing to suffer. In a few patches of frost that were in the low, shady spots, I noticed a single set of bicycle tracks that had preceded my ride. It’s good to know that I am not the only obsessive cyclist to seize the same opportunity when nature presents it during the winter months.

I don’t think I could look myself in the mirror with any level of respect if I didn’t dig the bike out of the basement and go for a ride today.

We’ve had some strange weather here in the frozen north as it hasn’t been acting very frozen.

Sunday’s clear skies and 40 degree temps were more geared to mid-October than a few days before Christmas. Sure, we can get some warm December days every once in a while (the record for the day was around 55F), but they are always offered in the context of a thick blanket of snow on the ground. There was not the least bit of snow anywhere to be found on Sunday and it just felt odd for late December.

My cycling ambitions have taken a terrible turn toward the “non-existent” and I am in pretty sorry shape. I am trying to motivate myself back on the trainer by watching the Battlestar Gallactica remake from 2004. I am about halfway through the first season and I can report that it is nothing short of awesome. It presses all my right buttons (I am a science fiction geek) and is a show that emphasizes story over well-produced action sequences. I now feel bad for missing the original run – but I have Netflix streaming to multiple systems in my house and it makes it easy to view while perched on the bike trainer.

But Sunday was a day for outside riding – even though it had been over 1 1/2 months since riding outdoors. Before heading out, I gathered all of the cold weather gear and – in typical fashion – overdressed for the temperature. I so despise being cold that I would much rather look like an arctic explorer on the bike than suffer the least bit of chill. Thus, I had a typical base layer, fleece, and my awesome Gore cycling jacket to keep me toasty warm. Skullcap, gloves, and my thick, neoprene shoe covers rounded out the attire.

Before pulling the bike from the basement, I went to put some air into the tires and heard the dreaded “hiss” sound of a hole in the front tube. A quick change to a new one (I am getting rather versed in this maintenance procedure) and I was ready to ride.

Based on my condition and some ugly winds out of the SW at 15-20mph, I decided to make the ride short and targeted around 10 miles. In the middle of summer, that hardly seems like a worthy distance. But in cold weather at poor physical conditioning – it was about all I could handle.

Still, it was nice to ride the “real thing” and actually see some of nature’s wonders. This time of year, I would prefer some snow on the ground (and would have ridden regardless) as everything is so dead and brown looking. The only hint of the proper time of year is the frozen lakes/ponds that line the roads throughout Medina. But, even with the colorless environment, there is always something to catch my eye.

I expect that my next outdoor ride will take place sometime in late February – when we have a day or two of above freezing conditions and the roads (and more importantly the shoulders) become clear again. In the meantime, I will be stuck inside pedaling away to the adventures of some space explorers in the distance future (or was it the past???).

When you imagine a gathering of the Jenum family, you are sure to have visions of obnoxious behavior, rowdy parties, and general debauchery. We are one, wild bunch!

OK – that’s not the least bit true.

An actual “wild” Jenum weekend would include tremendous food, often with ingredients that some folk might find offensive – like elk, pheasant, venison, wild rice, and various Norwegian concoctions. The weekend would also include a lot of smart banter and uproarious laughter (although not TOO loud). But mostly, it would include the tradition and joy of spending time together.

For those of you readers not from the upper Midwest, this weekend in Minnesota was “Deer Opener”. The Jenums merely use it as an excuse to gather in a common location and share a little of each others’ lives. The actual activity of hunting is a minor constituent of the whole event – rooted in sharing it with loved ones.

But, it is still deer hunting – after all – and brings us all back to the Jenum farm homestead in Barsness Township within Pope County, Minnesota. We all know every bump, every tree, every square foot of that land and relish in the chance to revisit old memories and maybe create some new ones.

Even though I have long hung-up my personal hunting ambitions, I am still passionate about photography. Thus, I got up early on Saturday morning and headed out with the Jenum men (young and old) to see if we could get us some meat for next year’s “Wild Game Feed”.

Enjoy.

Each fall day in Minnesota can produce a very different outside experience. Sunshine combined with cool, dry air can make for a perfect afternoon. Even when the temperature drops into the 50s, the sunshine can make it seem like a bright, summer day.

It’s rare that higher humidity comes along with the fall weather. But that’s what I encountered on Sunday afternoon. Humidity can be an OK thing when the temperatures are in the 70s, but when the same humid conditions accompany high-40s, it’s a bone-chilling experience.

The humid air just penetrates every little nook-n-cranny while on the bike. And it really bites when it reaches the skin. I noticed this within the first few feet of leaving my driveway and actually turned around to get a warmer skullcap before heading out on the roads.

The wind didn’t do me any favors during the ride either, It started out as a SW wind in the low teens, but switched to a NW wind about halfway through the ride. This means that I did not get to reap any of the usual awards, as I seemed to have a headwind for about 2/3 of the total ride.

But, I wasn’t out there to win any races or ride too hard. I’ve long given up those types of ambitions and focus, instead, on enjoying a little bit of nature while doing something I love. The leaves are pretty much finished and it is starting to look a little bare. But, outside is outside and it’s hard to complain.

I don’t know if “disappointed” is the best word for my 2011 cycling season. The lack of miles this year was a chosen scenario. With a new job and some changing life priorities, I knew that the time in the saddle was going to suffer.

But, a mere 1,500 miles so far is pretty bleak.

My 2010 total was closer to 2,400 miles. That’s a big difference. It reflects a time commitment that I was not able to match this year. I don’t expect to reach those same numbers in future years, but 2,000 miles is both a realistic and desirable amount of yearly riding for me.

After a break of nearly two weeks and only some sporadic riding throughout September, it was tough to get back on the bike Friday afternoon. But, for any physical pain the I endured, the emotional joy made up for it. I rarely feel better than when I’m turning the pedals.

But, the lack of cycling time sure showed up in my pedal stroke. I work hard to have a smooth, circular motion – making for an even application of power for the whole 360 degrees of rotation. It allows you to ride a bike for a long period of time and at a decent speed. Friday’s ride did not exhibit any of those good traits. Instead, I was jerky and sloppy and seemed to only have power in a downstroke.

That’s what I get for only 1,500 miles.

Still – there are no bad days on a bike. Jerky days – sure. But no bad ones.

It is incredibly dry right now in Minnesota. Normally, the fall is a dry season – but we have been without measurable rainfall for at least a month. This is in quite contrast to the conditions we experienced earlier in the year, when a heavy snowfall and extreme wet spring conditions resulted in flooding large portions of the state.

But right now, its dry. Really dry.

This means that any physical exertion leaves behind no evidence. Any bit of moisture is instantly sucked into air with no trace of existence. It makes for comfortable riding – if not a little odd in the feeling.

Nature continues to put on an awesome show and the weather only makes it that much more enticing. A stretch of warmth has taken over Minnesota. It is sure to be the last bit of 70+ degree days in a LONG while. They need to be taken advantage of.

Thus, a Monday afternoon ride was a foregone conclusion. No sweat.

As a cyclist, there is a special connection with nature that comes along with so much exposure to it. That exposure is one of the core reasons that I enjoy it so much. It is also at the root of my desire to combine my love of photography with cycling and document the moments within this blog.

And at no time is nature such a key part to a ride than in early October.

In the Twin Cities area where I live, this is primetime for nature’s fall color show. What was a solid green palette for most of the year, suddenly fills with rich reds, oranges and yellows. These colors work well with the typical deep blue skies – helped along and enhanced by the low-hanging sun.

Thus – I was able to get in my mandatory “weekend ride” on Sunday afternoon while surrounded by nature’s stunning display. The warm weather and minimal wind made for an especially enjoyable experience.

This ride was coming off another big event in my life that happened on Saturday: my 40th birthday.

I have now joined the age in which the term “mid-life” starts to enter into my vocabulary (and with full merit). The other milestone birthdays in life are always about growth and gaining new experience (16 – driving, 18 – voting, 21 – drinking, 25 – adulthood, 30 – career experience). Whereas the other birthdays focus on the future, 40 starts to introduce “reflecting back” about all the choices and decisions that have led me to this point.

Since I am not an overly philosophical person, I don’t go overboard with thoughts about regrets or recognized failures. I do find myself appreciating the fact that I am healthy, fairly young-at-heart, and still able to participate in a hobby that I fell in love with in my youth.

So, I am lucky to have a birthday that coincides with nature’s own transition from a busy summer season of growth to a moderate slowdown, but with a much more colorful and expressive season. This burst of color aligns well with my own feelings about hitting the 40 year milestone of my life. I hope to be as vibrant as the red leaves on the trees.

Although, I’m not sure I hold the same feelings for the coming cold, winter months when things generally shrivel up and fall to the ground.

If you are cyclist and did not go for a ride on Wednesday – “Shame on you!”, I say.

It was perfect cycling conditions. There was not a hint of wind and the lakes that I passed were smooth and reflective. Plus, nature is starting its beautiful fall display of color and provides picturesque views no matter which direction you go.

As with yesterday’s ride, I was racing against the night and cut short what would have been a long ride in order to get home safely. The lights I use at this time of year are only effective at notifying other motorists that I am on the road. They do nothing in terms of actually illuminating my way.

While riding, I also noticed a behavior that I perform on the bike that would be different from my youth. As a young cyclist, I remember being very aware of my surroundings. Riding on narrow, two-lane roads, it was always important to know where cars were and what may be coming my way. I was acutely aware of every vehicle – both in front of me and behind me – and spent a fair amount of time looking behind me to gauge the surroundings.

Now – I rarely look back. It seems pointless to be so concerned about what I’ve already seen. Regarding the cars – I have found that I can typically hear them before I see them. I also judge a car by the behavior of other vehicles that are coming toward me from the front. If the car in front of me starts to move over to the shoulder, I know that there is a car behind me that will likely encounter me at the same time that the car in front will pass. The only real time to worry about vehicles is when there are three of us sharing the same section of pavement. Any other time really doesn’t matter.

Plus, I have a bad tendency to veer either left or right when I look backwards on the bike. This is not a good trait to possess, as I’m setting myself up to either ride into the ditch or move further into the traffic lane.

I’m best if I look straight ahead and worry most about where I’m going. It’s probably a sign of old age.

It was a beautiful fall afternoon that really couldn’t be missed. Dry, warm, and calm were the ideal conditions for cycling.

I nearly missed it, as I had some late-afternoon responsibilities that didn’t get me home until shortly after 6pm. I did a quick check to learn that the sunset was scheduled for 7:04pm – giving me the shortest of duration for a ride.

But, it had been far too long since I’d been on the bike (around two weeks) so there was little to stop me from riding. I packed up my front and rear flashing LEDs lights and hit the roads for a quick loop through my usual roads of Medina.

It has really been silly that I haven’t ridden much over the last few weeks as there have been plenty of chances to jump on the bike. I’ve felt a little burned out on the whole cycling thing and needed a little break. Fortunately, getting back in the saddle still feels great and I now regret leaving it behind for so long. It’s amazing how mind-clearing of an activity cycling can be. My busy life over the past few weeks has needed some “clearing of the mind”.

Trying to close out the outdoor riding season will be full of challenges over the coming few weeks – most of them related to available sunlight. The days are shortening quickly and October gets increasingly more difficult to find riding hours that don’t conflict with working hours. I may even be tempted to setup the trainer in the basement to get some time during mid-week (ugh). I’d still like to be a little in-shape for some weekend riding as chances dwindle.

After work riding also has its share of dangers, as the evening commuter is now challenged with a blinding sun. I have a strong respect for how dangerous it can be to ride the roads under these conditions and do everything I can to be visible to all motorists.

But the reward is far worth the risk.

Although beautiful outside – with deep blue skies, bright sunshine, and fluffy clouds – it was definitely cool. My exterior thermometer only reached the mid-60s. It was also rather calm – which means that the air wasn’t being mixed up via the usual winds. Thus, there were pockets of both hot and cold along the whole route. Flat, open sections where the sun was heating up the pavement felt warm. Low areas that spent the day in the shade were cool.

I chose to put on an extra base layer and was glad I made the choice. There were points along the ride where it felt warm, but several spots were down-right chilly and the later stages of the ride were cooling off quickly with the setting sun. Better to be over-dressed than under.

I had taken the past few days off from work and was focused on getting a few necessary chores completed around the house. I continue to have some unwelcome water around my front step and made an attempt to re-route the downspouts to a different part of the roof. I also sealed up what I felt was an error in how the builders would have integrated the shingles and the siding. Unfortunately, I can only know if my repairs are effective after a significant snowfall and its accompanying thaw – as those are the circumstances that lead to the issue.

As much as I hate to wish for snow – it is the only way to know if I need to take additional corrective steps.

That also meant that I left the bike sit in the basement instead of going for a ride. It wasn’t until Monday – during a brief chance while letting some primer dry on my bedroom molding – that I threw on a kit and hit the road for a brief turn of the pedals.

With only sporadic riding during the past few weeks, my stamina is fading. That is OK, as my cycling goals are now limited to simply enjoying the ride for what it is – a bike ride. I’ll still try to push hard at times, but my approach to hill climbing is only to get to the top (speed is irrelevant).

There are still a few good riding days left in the year. With some luck I might hit 1,800 miles this year – but that is a far cry from the 2,500+ miles that I achieved in 2010.