Senators that ride bikes, how many do you know?

I know one!!!! Senator Sandy Jerstad.



She spoke to the Sioux Falls City Council Monday night. There were something
like a dozen cyclists whom rode (s'right Snakebite, I said the W word again!)
their bikes to the meeting, including the good Senator! Senator Sandy
spoke of bike lanes and filling the cracks in the bike trail and the complete
dirth of casinos in Sioux Falls. (that was a joke, Lord knows we have way to
many of those damn casinos around here.) She was witty, and charming and
totally ignored by the Mayor and Commissioners. After "our" Senator made
the good points she came to make, someone (sorry guy, forgot your name)
spoke about the grandious plans for future blah blah blah was all I heard.

In other words, get used to the cracks. Maybe I heard wrong.
I hope so.



I rode Shrek to the meeting with the Commisoners. I also rode Shrek to the
second meeting. The one at Monks.



As usual, we very nearly solved all the worlds problems, but stopped
just short as we wouldn't want to steal the thunder of our elected
officials whom (crap, there's that word again) we actually end up
paying to screw our lives up.
Wow, I'm in a bit of a snit, aren't I?

I'd better quit while I'm ahead.

(insert something witty here)

Bunyans' to Bobs'

OK, this Saturday is Bunyans' to Bobs' Inaugural Ride, and the Mayor is taking
the road route below. I'm pretty sure the official start is 0900 at Bunyans in
Vermillion.




Sure to be a great time, although from what I hear, riding BACK from Bobs'
probably will be with a very very full belly?! I know the kErnEl is planning on
going, and I think SD_Pedal Power is going, whom else?????

B&G @ Michelle's

S'right! Biscuits and Gravy at Michelles.
Yummmmm!!!! I drove to the little park at 26th and Southeastern Ave.
and got on the bike trail there, rode to O'Gorman to see Snakebite already
there. We waited for a few minutes during which it started sprinkling.
Then Mr. Bite got a text message from Minus_Car, not coming.
So, off we went! There was a run for breast cancer so we got off the trail
at Cherry Rock Creek Park and when we went over the bridge I used
that opportunity to add another dent in my helmet.

There is a 5 or 6 inch steel strip running the length of the bridge and my
front tire hit that just as I was making the turn onto the bridge. Next
thing I know, WHAM! How high do Mayors bounce? I don't know, and
Snakebite was leading so all he heard was the wham part, and then me
very gently using an expletive depletive. (that means a swear word, Alex)
No, I didn't get hurt at all. I mean, I was only going about 2 or 3 mph
at the most. Made me angry more than anything. I should have realized
that the steel strip and the rain would make a very slippery surface.
Live and learn.
My rim was rubbing on the front brake after that, so I guess I need to
take it in for re-truing. Anyway, after the B&G I left Mr. Bite and headed
to Falls Park riding through downtown. It was fun! I had my really bright
red rear light on and flashing, and my front headlight flashing. Cars gave
me wide bearth. They probably figured anyone crazy enough to ride a
bike in the rain is probably certifiable anyway, so they didn't want to mess
with the crazy man. Riding back on the bike trail from Falls Park to 26th
street was very peaceful and relaxing, yes, even in the rain, or especially
in the rain. I did get chased by either Mr. or Mrs. Goose when they
thought I got too close to their little goslings, but hey, they were on the
bike path so I had to slow way way down so I didn't run over the little
down covered idgits! Thats when mommy or daddy took offence and
flew after me trying to bite my back. Silly bird, I am Hooterville Mayor,
riding the reknowned Shrek!

Fly Fly as Fast as You Can,
You Can't Catch Me,
I'm Hooterville Mayor,
Man.


Ride early, ride often, ride on.

thE kErnEls ReCoVerY RiDe

"You're speedometer can't get above 15 mph"
"You have to coast downhill"
"The ride is all downhill" (except for the parts that are uphill)

So, we weren't supposed to get aerobic, or anaerobic, or hypoglycemic,
or anorexic or some aner-damnthing, but I did.


Tammy (or is it Tammi?) weighs in at about 78 lbs soaking wet and
runs people into the ground teaching some fitness thingy I believe,
Russel the Muscle is just, umm, all muscle and 7 feet tall, Dr. Dope has
thighs as big as a 40 year old cottonwood tree, and thE kErnEl, well,
thE kErnEl rides bike for a living and just teaches to pay the bills.



That of course, leaves the Mayor. The Old, Fat, Grandpa, Outta shape,
JustHadAnotherBirthday Mayor on his 30 lb. bike. I did get a chance to
chat with everyone a bit between hills. Going uphill, I was getting passed
except for the kErnEl graciously riding alongside. Going downhill, well,
when you get that much "descending muscle" going down some of those
hills, it is very much like a cannonball rolling downhill! Rolls real good.
Till about 3/4 of the way up the next hill and then you had better start
downshifting and spinning those pedals old man!

I am not complaining, I had a great time! There is just something about
riding on a beautiful day with someone other than those you are just
thinking about. Riding with real people is fun. Riding with ghosts is cathartic.

I have yet to ride out to visit the past, and lost loved ones.
But soon. I have missed them.

Great Ride Today

Today was Harlans (of Harlans Bike and Tour) 3rd Anniversary Ride and

Poker Run. The weather was perfect with sunshine and around 74 degrees.

The wind seemed to shift from SSE to nearly NE but it didn't get too bad,

maybe 15-20 mph. Riding into the wind on DooBee is not bad. Certainly

much better than my DF bikes. (DF means Diamond Frame or, traditional

style bike) Guess what? Another bent showed up for the ride! I have

forgotten the gents name, but he is from Madison and I believe we met

at the Bicycle Summit earlier in March. Anyway, he had a brand new

Strada. What a nice bike. Looks like mine, only blue, and better wheels

and tires and such. Very sweet! So, I did very poorly on the poker run

part. We all got five cards, one at the bike shop, one at the park, another

at the Caseys store in Harrisburg, and one at the park entrance off of

Minnesota Ave. and the last one back at the park. I don't remember what

I ended up with, a Jack, a 2, a 4, and some other junk. I didn't win squat.

But, my buddy Road Legs (Garey) won a great floor pump and the Prez.

won a $30 gift certificate.

It was a good day. I took a nap after getting home and playing

with the dogs a little bit. Guess that marathon trip last week

and all the stress from the last install took it out of me. I drove

nearly 1400 miles and worked 66 hours. I am getting too old for

that monkey business. Speaking of old, it's bed time.

Ride On. Ride Early. Ride Often.