There aren’t too many movies that engage me and turn my emotions. I’m kind of an “even-keel” sort of guy and don’t really have extreme ups or downs. But, apparently the recent Star Trek reboot knows exactly how to get inside me and push the right buttons. That movie is awesome and I smile continuously throughout the whole thing. Thus, a Saturday viewing this past weekend kept me in a good mood throughout.

It was a good enough mood that I had to get on the bike and try for an outdoor ride. The weather cooperated on Sunday afternoon with low-40s temps and a steady (but rideable) wind in the low teens from the south. 40 degree temperatures are my official ticket to ride outside (I don’t like the 30′s) and I bundled up to get some much-needed time in my legs.

Up until this point, my rides have been taking place in the basement. I’ve been doing pretty well, with a solid four or five rides each week. This is most likely due to my recent purchase of rollers. Earlier in the winter, I borrowed my brother’s rollers to try them out and see if I liked them. Finding that they were a superior experience to my fixed, fluid trainer, I bought my own set and have been putting in the miles when I get a chance.

I won’t lie when I say that my primary motivation involves my weight. This past winter, I put on more pounds that I usually do and find myself a good 15 pounds heavier than I would like to be.

Probably too much beer.

But, I’ve mended some of my eating ways and engaged in the bike with hopes of knocking down some of the extra tonnage. There is nothing like spending a hour on the bike in my local, rolling hills to make me sweat and earn some of the burned calories. Unfortunately, this also comes with sore muscles – but it’s still worth it.

Sunday’s ride hit the usual roads – leading out the Lake Independence and through the non-existent town of Medina. It is never flat and I am either climbing or descending. In the middle of the summer (with hundreds of miles in my legs) this can be a good thing. For the first significant ride of the season – it’s torturous. My legs have lost all of their snap and just cannot generate the power to push. Thus, ever hill eventually was summited in my granny-gear and I had to accept that I was back to square-one with my fitness levels.

Of course – that’s not all bad news. If anything, it simply gives me the motivation to get out there and suffer some more. I don’t have my own version of “Scotty” in my body – so any added power has to be earned.

For several years, I’ve had a Mac Mini computer hooked up to an HDTV in my basement. This has been an awesome arrangement, because it allows for quick changes between normal TV viewing (which is actually rare for me) and online browsing. The computer also serves as a media center for my various computers throughout the house. That means I have an assortment of movies digitized on the computer (or via Netflix) with easy output directly to the TV or any portable device.

The Mac Mini supports wireless keyboard and mouse input via Bluetooth technology. It allows me to sit back far from the computer and still control all of the action on the big screen.

My use of Apple’s wireless keyboard and trackpad was effective but also a little clumsy. I had been setting them onto a large, flat board that I made years ago for Erin in use for her art projects. It provided the flat surface needed for the keyboard and trackpad, but was oversized and uncomfortable in my lap. Plus, it would constantly go missing as Erin grabbed it to undertake a new project.

So, I decided to take action and create something more appropriate for the task. Unfortunately, this also meant a little “arctic woodworking” as my Minnesota garage maybe warms up to the mid-20′s during the cold winter days.

Yet, I remained resolved to improve the situation and plotted out my design. I started with a poplar board from Lowes and the intent to route a slight recess in order to slip-in the keyboard and trackpad for a snug, secure fit. After about 10 trips to and from the garage for rough cuts, finishing cuts, routing, and finger-warming, I emerged with the basic shape for the platform. Poplar is an easy, stable wood to shape with minimal splitting – helping me get a decent looking layout in spite of my minimal woodworking skills and several layers of clothing.

Once the overall shape was there, I did some finishing steps with the router to knock down the edges of the board. Since this would be sitting in my lap, sharp corners were a no-no. I also attacked the surface with several stages of sanding, working to a final smooth feel across the entire unit. After trying to stain a test board, I realized that poplar was terrible at taking stain uniformly and I abandoned any additional color to the piece – choosing to keep it natural. My finish of choice was tung oil as it both reminds me of the wood projects my Grandpa Ingolf created and gives a neat 3-D quality to the surface.

My final step included a simple rub-down with furniture wax to seal everything up. I don’t particularly like shiny wood, so both the tung oil and wax leave behind a nice matte surface that still protects the surface from the rigors of use.

After all that work, a test run demonstrated that I indeed improved the situation and created something simple – but effective – to operate the computer. Instead of the big, clunky board in my lap, I have a sleek system for holding the keyboard and trackpad. It isn’t the most beautiful piece of wood ever created, but working in sub-zero conditions puts a natural limit on “pretty”.

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.