Ephraim, WI: Frozen

photos taken mid February 2012

www.trainingwheelsnotincluded.blogspot.com

Pocket Fuzz: Revisited

The above photo was taken in June 2006 in Riverside, WA near the end of my first bicycle trip across the United States. The photo below was taken in August 2011, a little over 5 years later while on a driving tour of the Northwest. It was nice to see a significant amount of lent collected over those 5 years. I was proud to make a deposit on each of my visits. If you are ever in the area of Riverside make sure to stop by the Riverside General Store to become a part of history.

Riverside is on the Northern Tier bicycle route. To pay homage to bicyclists and the route the General Store features several old bicycles on its grounds. Either for the lent, the bicycles, or both, its worth your time to stop by.

Thirteen Towns

Black Betty ~ #1 among the thirteen towns

Ice-Fish

tip-up

I had the pleassure of joining my friend Bob (above) and a few of his friends on an ice fishing expedition near Eagle River, WI earlier in the month.

drilling through the ice

northern pike

Birch Lake

fire and ice

frozen fish

crappie

Me & My Shadow

Photo taken early morning Tuesday, May 17, 2011. On this day I pedaled 41.57 miles and ended the day in Safford, AZ.

Rocky Mountain National Park: Misc.

Liz and I had a great time in Rocky Mountain National Park during a 6 day visit in August 2011. In previous and future posts I organized some other photos into specific categories. We loved this photos but couldn't fit them in another category. So, the RMNP: Miscellaneous category was born.

This bird was hilarious! For 10 minutes it literally ate nuts out of my hand while I sat in the drivers seat of our vehicle. He liked Liz and I so much that when we began driving away he stayed on the drivers side mirror for almost a half mile.

At home I'm at war with the local chipmunks on a daily basis during the summer months. Out West, I always call a truce. Live and let live.
While hiking, this elk scared the heck out of us. While walking up a trail and talking, all of a sudden we look up and 10 feet away the elk was standing and staring at us. I first I thought it was a bear. I let out a loud combination of Whoa! and a scream. The elk simply looked at us for a few seconds more and continued eating the green grass.

Mommy Moose and baby moose

Bicycling: A Great Winter Activity?

Who knew bicycling could be a great winter activity? While traveling for a work assignment I noticed this "ski bike" in front of a bike shop. The bike shop owner was kind enough to take it for a slide (spin). Although the ski-bike pedaled very "clunky" I see it as a viable option for short errands. The pull behind sled was very lite and was virtually unnoticed as I pedaled down a street and over a snow covered field. I tried my best to make the back tire escape from the track. I couldn't do it.

Talk about fat tires! Notice the quarter for scale. The Surly Pugsley is a monster. The bike shop owner suggested I take it onto some fresh snow on a nearby frozen lake. There was at least 12 inches of snow. With the tires only at 10 psi the Pugsley easily carved threw the snow while at the same time almost floating over the fluffy white stuff. I was shocked with the lack of effort it took to make it across the lake and back to the shop.