First family bike ride of the year

Smiles and fun wrapped in pink.

The weather today was simply terrific. Sure, I know that in this geographic setting we really shouldn't have a 65 degree F day in mid January, and I know it is likely indicative of much larger macro-scale problems, but it is certainly nice on the micro scale. So, we did something with what we were given.

It turned out to be the first family bike ride of the year. Preceding the ride itself, Lil Sis had her first experience sitting on the back of the Big Dummy. At first I just wanted to see if she was big enough to sit in the seat, so I plopped her down and fastened the seatbelt. She immediately started making appreciative noises and grabbed the handlebar. The girl is a natural bike rider!

Big sister hopped on the back to give some pointers, and I wheeled them both around the back yard. Though Lil Sis is not yet big enough to really ride on the Dummy, she's well accustomed to the trailer. I can already sense that this is going to be a big bike riding year for us all.

Snacking en route, comme d'habitude. 

Ever-ready co-pilot with me up front.

It's not really possible to get us all in one shot using the camera phone. Julie brings up the rear.

Post ride, the girls tested the accommodations in the wagon.

In other news, as happens around here from time to time, another bike has joined the fold. Not inordinately surprising, I'm sure. Those of you who happen to be vintage mountain bike junkies may be able to discern some info from the following photos, but specific details will have to wait for an upcoming post. In short, the nearly pristine blue Miyata seen below represents something of a white whale for me.

Okay, it's a 1984 Miyata Ridge Runner.

If you were to think the tire seen here is a Miyata branded stock original that's been on this bike for the past 29 years, you'd be right. 

A warm January day to spot other people's bikes

My bean green 2001 Surly Cross-Check

Today had a spring-like feel to it, even though we are in the middle of January and have just emerged from several days with high temperatures well below freezing. Such is Colorado weather. I celebrated the warmth by using the Cross-Check for my transport duties. It's been a bit neglected as of late, with much of my two-wheeled travel occurring via the much fatter tires of the Pugsley. However, the Cross-Check has an important feature that the Pugsley is currently lacking: fenders. With the day's melty conditions of the roads and trails, it was an easy choice.

While out, I happened upon an old-timer mountain bike and snapped a few pics. For years, I've taken photos of random bikes that I encounter, that for whatever reason intrigue me. I've featured a few here from time to time, often categorized as "seen on the road," but there are many others that remain buried in my computer. Until recently, I've been at a bit of a loss as to what to do with them. However, the Urban Adventure League blog has seemingly coined a category that could be a clearinghouse term in which to organize random photos of bikes captured in the wild: Other People's Bikes. I'm borrowing that idea to emulate here, starting with today's Elkhorn.

This circa 1984 Raleigh Elkhorn is a well-traveled survivor. Apologies for the less than spectacular photos.

A nice sloping crown fork with logo in relief, joined to Reynolds tubing. Ancient brake pads, but newer tires.

Suntour Power Ratchet shifters on a bullmoose handlebar. The bar still has a sticker proclaiming it to be made of Cro-Mo, which looks to have been meant to be temporarily placed, for showroom purposes. 

Imprinted seatstay caps and an intact original reflector. Likely original cables and housing as well. 

The drivetrain side was a bit difficult to shoot with another bike parked nearby. A mix of Shimano AG and Sugino. Note the newer cheapo Specialized replacement saddle cocked at a downward angle.

I've long appreciated spotting old relic bikes out in the wild and capturing them in photos, much like how birders seek out and record elusive specimens. It's good to know there are other bike-fixated guys out there who validate my eccentricities by doing likewise.

In the case of old bikes seen out and about and that are still in use, I tend to analyze what I observe. I often wonder if the owner is similarly appreciative of the bike for aesthetic or mechanical purposes, or if the bike is just a generic tool of utility. Something of the owner's perspective can be discerned by evaluating a bike's appearance. A bike that is well squared away may signal a doting owner. Neglect or disdain for the bike on the part of the owner is equally as obvious.

In the case of this particular Raleigh Elkhorn, the story likely falls somewhere in between. It would appear as though some degree of benign neglect is in play here, yet maintenance is performed when absolutely necessary. A few newer parts have replaced older parts, but with little concern for quality or proper adjustment. I would predict that the owner of this bike likely regards it as an object with little inherent importance or value other than for its utility. That the bike is still in operating condition with little apparent upkeep after nearly three decades, is a credit to its design and construction, and to its owner, who may be ambivalent to the bike itself, but actually uses it. May the bike and its rider both have many more miles ahead.

Scout: a cowdog with the heart of a snowmobile

The ever intrepid snow dog.

From visual characteristics, Scout's apparent genetic background does not point to a large representation of Husky or Malamute. Yet, she is one of the most snow-lovingest dogs I've ever encountered. She enjoys nothing more than running in fresh snow, snapping up mouthfuls to chomp along the way. Scout deserves much of the credit for initiating our nightly rides, and is quite insistent in telling me when it is time to go. She allows me to linger until the last dinner plate is put away, but after that, she'll chew on my hands and generally pester me until I gear up and head for the bike barn. I think she perpetually hopes for snow, but deigns to run on dry surfaces when necessary.

Tonight was another after-dark ride, in fact, the 11th out of the 11 days of this year so far. Even though it's been over a week since I finished the Tarik Saleh Bike Club Challenge, I've continued to ride more than I would have ordinarily ridden. The Pugsley continues to be my favored bike, but not specifically for its prowess in the snow. We haven't really had much snowfall this winter. Sure, an inch or two fell today, and there was a bit leftover from last week still hiding in the shadows, but it has unfortunately been a very dry season.

This evidence supports a hypothesis suggesting that the acquisition of a bike for which riding in snow is a primary objective, may be associated with paucity of snowfall in geographic proximity. Similar evidence was independently observed in Spokane last year. In any case, Scout and I have been enjoying whatever snow is made available to us, and will continue to do so. Here's hoping for more of the white stuff, perhaps even a big dump like last year.

Tell-tale signs of an out-and-back fatbike/dog bikejoring ride.

I don't have the necessary photographic skill or equipment to actually capture the glittering snow, but glittering it was.

Tarik Saleh Bike Club Challenge Day 8: Finale

Snow biker.

Today was my last day for the Tarik Saleh Bike Club Challenge. Although today's ride was among the shorter rides that I've taken in the past week, it was one of the most fun, due to my riding partners and our objective. See, this was no ordinary ride. It was a hot cocoa ride, for which I was joined by Big Sis and Scout.

Scout's familiar speedy trot.

Dry cocoa mix in an aptly labeled, repurposed jar.

We rode through the neighborhood to get to one of our favorite parks. On this chilly day, it was nice to find a picnic table with good sun exposure. In no time, I unpacked our cocoa making gear, of which my recently constructed penny stove was a key element. A few minutes later, boiling water, and subsequently hot cocoa, was achieved.

Hot cocoa making equipment.

Inexpensive Stanley stainless steel 700 ml pot atop my penny stove.

Cocoa chef measuring out the powder into a cup.

Soaking in the waning rays of the winter afternoon sun.

Stirring the final product.

The verdict is that it's good, especially with snowman-shaped marshmallows...

...and mini donuts.

After we finished our snack, we packed everything away and continued on our way. Thanks again, Tarik, for coming up with a plan to ensure a pack of fellow bike bloggers would get out and ride during this potentially lethargic time of year. Riding every day, culminating with a ride featuring a snack session in the middle was a great way to start the new year. Here's to many more bike miles to come in 2013. Happy new year, everyone!

Ready to roll again.

Happy trails.

Tarik Saleh Bike Club Challenge Day 7

Scout, Pugsley and me.

Today's ride for the Tarik Saleh Bike Club Challenge was along park lands and trails adjacent to my neighborhood. It was a bit longer than what I've been able to do as of recent, ten miles or so of poking around and riding over various snow drifts and bumps and through ravines. It was not a fast ride, and it had no specific destination, but was a good way to spend part of the last day of the year.

Scout encountered a peacock who was seemingly unaware that it was being evaluated as prey.

Great flocks of Canada geese are present around here all winter.

One such flock of a couple of other birds.

This tranquil cottonwood grove is at the edge of a park.

Lots of good sniffing down among the leaves.

Scout is a trooper. She's up for any type of ride, but is happiest off road, nosing around exploring. The Pugsley and Scout seem to mesh together just about perfectly. I'm sure that I could ride far enough to actually tire her out, but I don't often get a chunk of time long enough to give it a try.

This past year, Scout went from being a nervous former stray to being a top-notch biking dog. In 2013, I hope to take her for some more dog bike camping. In November, we tested the waters, with solid success. I'm in the process of gearing up with appropriate equipment in order to make bike camping an easy possibility whenever the opportunity arises.