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There is nothing better than rain in the morning. It has been dry and we have been hoping for a nice shower, it seems like it has rained all around us, finally it was our turn. The tail end of the cold front was just what was needed.

It started about 6am so we got up and went out to enjoy it. Carrying water from our rain barrels to give those plants under the eves a shot of rain water and wading in the gutter along the street. It rained for about an hour and we were soaked and smiling when we came it for a bowl of oatmeal and fruit.

Nothing can beat a summer rain on the plains. We only heard one rumble of thunder during the whole time. What a special treat on my parents 72nd Wedding Anniversary.

Labels: fun, prairie, slow

It's not in the US but they do speak my kind of English (smirk),

While ten per cent of those questioned in th survey said they were birdwatchers, only four per cent went fishing.

This week sees the start of Birdfair, in Rutland, the world's biggest event of its kind, known as "the Glastonbury of birdwatching". Read the story at

Birdwatching back in fashion with Rutland fair - Telegraph

Labels: birds, fun, slow movement

I have been looking at some rural tourism sites and most of the activities don't expect much out of visitors except eating, sleeping, and looking,or don't forget a pool so kids have something to do, which says something about the typical view of what constitutes a family vacation.

Here is this rural area with miles upon miles of uncrowded vistas disected by grass and gravel roads just waiting for bicyclists, but no mention of active creation of your own entertainment. Put the family on bicycles. Go for a walk.

Come on rural areas sharpen up your hosting skills, put out a country welcome and get people involved, there must be 100s of projects that need doing that teach skills and are fun if you have the right attitude, such as: tree planting, song bird banding, planting wild flowers, bird watching & identification, fence mending, weed pulling, picking sweet corn, gardening, building shelters, ...

Sorry suckers, we are not consumers. We don't want to attend, "festivals throughout the year feature demonstrations that show how things were done down on the farm in the good ol' days" when there is a countryside out there to explore, people to get to know, and lakes to wade.

Shut off the TV, forget the boring professional sports teams with the beer sponsors, get out of air conditioning, get up early and take a ride down a country lane. Believe me it beats the heck out of knocking a ball in a cup. Warning, there's no coming back.

Oh yeah. Don't confuse bicycles with something that needs a motor, petroleum fuel, and noise to make an impression. The only thing a motorcycle shares with a bicycle is that both have 2 wheels, after that the routes diverge. Read Robert Frost.

Labels: bicycle, fun, gravel, prairie

MyFox Twin Cities | Minneapolis Ranks High Among Bike Commuters:

"Portland, Ore. is only U.S. city with more bike commuters


MINNEAPOLIS -- Minneapolis is full of green commuters, according to new U.S. Census numbers. The city is a national leader in the percentage of people who walk, bike and take public transit to work."

Minneapolis city leaders hope to maintain the city’s status as a bikeable and walkablecity by expanding the number of new bikeways and walking trails each year.

The cold weather is not a deterrent if the traffic management and safety are sufficient! Smaller cities of less than 50K could have half of trips by bicycle if they made it part of their plan. Much less expensive than more roads. Cuts sprawl. Makes cities more nice places to live and work and cheaper because cars and fuel needs are reduced accordingly. It's not rocket science, it's better.

Labels: bicycle, fun, health, zero carbon emissions

NPR : Vibrations Shown to Build Bone, Reduce Fat:

"'In my scientific heritage, I'm more of a bone head,' Rubin said. 'I study a bone disease called osteoporosis, or bone-wasting.'"

It looks like in addition to riding slowly, look for the bumpy parts,"Enjoy a slow and rejuvenating bicycle road.

Oh, when you ride and see some road grader or farm tractor tracks, don't avoid them, enjoy the gentle rumble in your hands and feet."

Labels: bicycle, freedom, fun, health

This event is pure spectacle. 15000+ people on bicycle riding across the prairie makes for quite a site. Riders as far as you can see ahead and behind. Colors, Crowds & Craziness (beer for potassium replacement)! because we can! Muscle and pie propel this mob--it makes Sturgis look like a bunch of weenies that need petroleum to underscore their inadequacies and beer to replace it.

Location of near collision with a deer. The poor animal ran across the road and nearly hit the women in front of me. We were just leaving town and not moving too fast which was fortunate. No collision. Next I passed a sail boat trike, sampled a pork chop on stick, met someone from Thailand visiting with an Iowa farm boy sitting next to me while we drank a fresh squeezed lemonade...

Check out some of the pics at the Des Moines Register site. I had a wonderful time just taking it all in. What a wonderful place to get my first long days in the sun for the season. Pictures just can't tell the story, but the video of the band does pretty well

Labels: bicycle, fun, RAGBRAI

Sunday July 22 - Rock Rapids to Spencer




July 23 - Spencer to Humboldt





Day 3 - July 24 - Humboldt to Alexander (Bus goes back to SF that afternoon).





Stay tuned for the post ride report.

Labels: fun, Iowa, RAGBRAI, tour

Equinox - a good day for a new ride

I went out to the hardware store and bought a automotive stud bolt (threads on each end) of the same diameter & 62mm in length cut a length of tubing for a spacer to hold the brass bushings in place on the Pivot Clamp, used 2 jam nuts on the outside ends. Very nice looking and works great. Maybe the dowel pin wasn't so essential after all.

In fact, I kind of like the idea of a solid shaft at this joint--even if the nuts loosen the shaft will stay in place but I am not so sure of the other system. I do know the threaded joint is inside and not easily seen, I don't like that.

I assembled things and got around the block a couple times this afternoon on a test ride. It's a bit strange to begin, but I am sure that has been said before. How the heck do I know how it handles, I don't have any basis for comparison? Actually it felt pretty good despite the 35mph winds.

I have some tweaking to do before I am finished and ready for the road, but it looks like I'll be ready before the weather is pleasant. I am sure riding skill will improve quickly, but I am not ready for a video quite yet.


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Labels: Cruzbike, Downtube, fun

I see the buzz on DT Cruzbike conversions is showing up on the

Cruz Riders International Yahoo Group

Labels: bents, Downtube, fun

From SesameCrunch

"Downtube folding bike with Cruzbike recumbent conversion. Add Rhode Gear child seat and Dad and Son have lots of fun!(nice pic)"

submitted by ballsofstone

Labels: bent, folder, fun

Visit their site - Great Maps - Great People

It is probably high time I added this organization to my links

yeah, I did it, all 4500miles. Now I am a life member.


Riding across the US on America's Bicentennial - what a life changing experience.

Someday there might even be pics.

Labels: fun, history, trips

Labels: bikes, fun, tricks