Island Lake - Odometer turns 100!

In celebration of my bike odometer turning 100 miles for the season, it was grilling night tonight at Island Lake on a beautiful evening. Okay, so we were planning on grilling even before I noticed last year's Christmas present was going to turn 100 but it makes for good press, eh? I was realizing tonight as everyone came back from the trail without any abrasions that we haven't had a good wipe out in some time. We are due! Are we just getting to be better riders or do we suck so bad going grandma speed that it just isn't going to happen? I think the latter with a splash of the former is what we are evolving to; and that is okay.

In attendance tonight was Molson Bike Tour alumnus Darren (aka Hardcore) and a Highland Junior High blast from the past, Scott Walker. Unfortunately, Scott went to Lakeland and that is too bad. He is one of the better folks from that side of the tracks though.

Lastly, would you look at the determination in E's face? It's not about the fancy outfits on the bike tour. There is work involved! What goes up eventually goes down so E will eventually be a very happy rider in about 30 seconds after this picture was taken.

Trail Head

Out Digit-Headed in Philly

Old Coach Stevenson used to always tell us as motivation in sports, "there is always somebody better out there." Well, I met my match in the sports knowledge world this past week.

In Philadelphia for work, I was able to get in some extracurricular activities after the work day. You're pooped but when in Philadelphia, embrace Philadelphia. A pack of us took an evening tour of Valley Forge, about 30 miles north of Philadelphia. For someone who has seen his share of historic military areas, this one was up there in magnificence. I never thought I would use the word "magnificence" in a sentence but it fits. The park was very well preserved.

So that leads me to the sports stat addict (or as Rob S. likes to call us, digit-heads) falling off his perch. I'll admit it, I love a good sports section. Heck, I get chills when I see the Street and Smith's college football preview on sale at the pharmacy. Anyway, me and two guys from our Florida office went to the Phillie game on Thursday. On the drive down to the park, the sports talk started up. One of the guys was on his 12th major league park on his mission to see them all. He was throwing out so many players and stats, I was silenced. I was out digit-headed! I was in denial at first thinking he was throwing this stuff out of his rear but he had a wealth of information. It would be too much rehearsal to make up. The game and experience were great. We got standing room only which was fine with us because we were more there to check out the park and see some wacky Phillie fans. They were quite a rambunctious group. To top it off, it was dollar dog night!

We are riding at Island Lake this Thursday. Come on out if you have a bike or not.

Trail Head

Mid-Ohio

Let's go racing, racing, racing, racing..... The bike tour went to witness the motorized bikes this weekend at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio. We scaled back the activities this year and only watched the Saturday races (races are Saturday and Sunday). As with everything these days, the economy seems to have hit this event as well. What was normally a packed area for vendors and bike manufacturers, it was cut back dramatically this year as some of the major bike producers weren't even in attendance. Chuck and Mark have been coming to this race for years and know quite a bit about the riders and the venue. They both commented that some of the name riders have moved on and that the venue is taking a turn for the worse in recent years. It wasn't all doom and gloom though as it's all about watching the cycles and we did get our fix for that. I am not much for watching a race on television but in person, you really do get an appreciation of how talented these riders are. While it probably doesn't do it justice, I attached a small clip of the cycles going through the "S" curve. We did witness a few wipeouts but nothing too major.

After the races, we took a nice back road ride to the hotel and on the way stopped for a cold beverage at Buck's Place in Nevada, Ohio. There isn't much in Nevada except Buck's and some good local flavor.

The weekend wouldn't be complete without a dinner stop at the Steer Barn restaurant in Upper Sandusky, Ohio (see attached Mail Pouch picture). We eat here every year and it never fails us. The food and service are always outstanding. You get the garlic toast, the relish tray (bogue by me, loved by others), the salad, and an outstanding entree. I was really feeling crazy and got the chicken.

We took the back roads home this morning and saw the real America, away from the freeways. There is a beautiful ride just outside of Toledo along the Maumee River. With my iPod throwing some Seger, Clapton, and Priest tunes in my ears, I had a tear in my eye with the scene.

It was good hanging with the fellas.

Trail Head

Bike Down at Brighton

Well, the law of averages with respect to bikes breaking down had to eventually catch up with us and tonight it did at Brighton. At about the furthest point you could imagine from where the trailhead was, E decided to grind his chain and derailleur to bits. His third derailleur is the word on the street. Easy there big fella.

The bike tour grilling time was kicked up a notch tonight as Mark C. grilled up some fine burgers and dogs after the ride. A warning to those future grilling hosts, as Marty Mornhinweg says, "the bar is high!"

Lastly, in attendance tonight was the cooler that has been through the college wars (actually taken from the college) and is still taking care of business with the cold beverages today. I am guessing Mark has taken it as far west as Venice Beach and as far east as Winslow, Maine. That is a sweet Firm sticker on the cover!

Trail Head

Not that there is anything wrong with it...

If you have ever seen the Saturday Night Live cartoon skit of the Ambiguously Gay Duo, well, we saw the live version tonight at Maybury Recreation Area. While I only captured the one set on film, there were a few pairs out there tonight; and they were proud of their matching outfits! Sad.

A nice evening and ride it was though. Eric and Mark were riding so fast that the camera couldn't capture them (okay, it was actually the picture taker with the problem but I'm sticking with my story).

Have a good one and enjoy these precious summer weekends.

Peter North (aka Trail Head)

Embracing H2O

For someone who used to be afraid of the Boblo Boat in his youth, I have come a long way in my appreciation of water. Yes, I still get a bit antsy in the big water from time to time and even hurled in the Caribbean Sea but this weekend was pretty much spent on the water and that is a-okay in my book.

The Ochs' family were gracious enough to let an east sider take residence in their palace on the lake in Ludington. There is always good eats at the Ochs' compound!

The fish were minimal on Hackert Lake but some good people watching across the way at Crystal Lake campground as I floated by. We hooked up with the Schmitt clan on Saturday afternoon for a float down the Pere Marquette River. The float was swift with no fish production whatsoever. Those Schmitts really can navigate that canoe with the best of them. They don't mess around getting down that river.

The water theme was capped today with a float down the Huron River within Island Lake Recreation Area. The river was packed to say the least. Besides the one loud group with the submerged canoe, it was a peaceful, happy crowd. I'll bet they are still there screaming. Bummer for them.

Trail Head