Dear Dead Mouse,

You have been taunting me for 2 days and won't stick your head in the mouse trap. I had to take action into my own hands. I missed you the first 2 times, my scope on my Daisy Power Line 856 was off a little, I had to aim an inch up and left. I pumped my gun 2 times to make sure it would stun you and not spill your blood all over my carpet. You may still be alive, I did place you outside, or maybe a cat will get you before you wake up. I would guess you are probably dead though. That .177 caliber Copperhead Wadcutter pellet hitting you would be like having a bowling ball hit me at 500 feet per second(341mph). Ouch. Good night fair rival who was too smart for a mouse trap, I hope you didn't shit in my bottle of beer.

Sincerely,
Pete Ryan

Went for a ride Sunday on the road bike. It was windy as all hell out there. I felt like I was going backward on a few hills. I learned 2 new things on this ride.

1) My Nike Kato Straps were not made with road biking in mind. They hurt my feet after about 2-3 miles. They just flex way too much. On the MTB they aren't too bad for some reason though, but I would still wear my Specialized Comp's instead and I should have worn them yesterday instead. I can't wait for my Sidi's, they should be in today or tomorrow.

2) The stock seat on the Trek hurts my down there. I have never had a problem with this in the past like I do on the roadie. On the MTB you are up on your sit bones a little more and on the roadie you rest a little more on the pubic bone. I think I need to get a seat like MikeyB's with the cut out for comfort. Other than those two things I really like the bike a lot.

Took a chunk of the Big Rivers Trail into Saint Paul, then over to Fort Snelling and back home. About 34km total, not too bad but that wind, man, I hate that wind. It feels like you are riding up hill the whole time. It is a fun sceanic loop that you should try sometime. There are lots of places you can stop, eat, or just look around. If you want a tour guide, give me a call.

Remember, you need to win the Banjo Bros Seat Bag! Only 3 people have entered so far! This is a nice little seat bag for the road bike or MTB. I use this one on my roadie, it holds my wallet, multitool, and phone.

Distance:
Today: 33.80km (21.01mi)
June: 202.01km (125.53mi)
Year to date: 788.07km (489.68mi)

Linky3:
Adult Swim - What else are you going to do @ work?
Thanks. No. - Hint! Hint!
SSWC06 - Sweet.

-pete

Man, I took these picture like 5 years ago. I just never got them up on the net. Sorry about the crappy picture quality, we were using my old camera.

Enjoy! Pictures!

-pete

Took the MTB out since I think it was feeling neglected since I got the roadie. The MTB rides totally different than the roadie does. Duh, you are saying. I didn't even notice storm sewer covers in the road before, now they are everywhere. I think every MTB rider should have to ride a road bike and every roadie should ride a MTB. Why you ask? How did I gain all of this wisdom with less than 100 miles on a road bike? Not sure.

Today on my ride I noticed I was doing a few things differently, I was finding cleaner lines on the trail to keep my speed and positioning my body a little more forward on the bike when flooring it. My seat height on the MTB made it feel like I was riding a cruiser, so low. I wanted to raise it but then the seat turns into a ball smasher when clearing obstacles, so we left 'er low. It just felt weird to ride it after riding the roadie. I got used to it after about 5km.

The MTB also felt slow. So slow. On the roadie I can spin the cranks once and I am up to speed quick, the MTB seemed to suck up the speed in the tires and the shock even when it was locked out.

Why should roadies ride MTBs? Mad skillz. There are times when riding the roadie I have had to bunnyhop, clear curbs, and generally control the bike more like a MTB. Get into sand or gravel? The MTB skills help, big time. Most roads are shit around here and have a million things you may hit, learn to bunny hop correctly, without clips and you will have a lifetime of safer riding. It is even easier to hop when clipped in but you will get more height learning the right way.

I will share more of these gems in the next few weeks, and I am sure you can't wait.

Other than the MTB ride not much went on. Went down to MikeyB's to watch a movie. The movie sucked so Dozer, MikeyB, and Rick James and his puppy played some frisbee. Good times.

Alright, I am out now. Later Gators.


Distance:
Today: 24.56km (15.26mi)
June: 168.21km (104.52mi)
Year to date: 754.27km (468.68mi)

Linky3:
Get Safe Online - Computer hosed?
Bush or Chimp? - I had a tough time with these...
Brake-Fast Doggie Bowl - Slow down dog!

-pete

The first 6 miles of my road rides always suck. Well at least the last two times I went and that is about the extent of my road riding. On the MTB I find my groove in about 3 miles, I don't get it. I would think it would be the opposite, on the road I am moving much faster and pumping the legs at a faster pace, on the MTB I do more curb hopping, etc while giving myself many breaks from spinning. Eh, whatever.

It was a good ride, the first 19 miles I knew where I was going, the last 22 I kinda winged it. I went up the river road, across lake, down river road and then I totally winged it over to 13 and then back up to 494. There are some nice trails along there, check 'em out. I was a dipshit and didn't think I needed to hop on the bike trail along 13, I figured I could get on the bike path by the park and ride. I'm dumb. I had to hike-a-bike up the hill and get on the bike path. Glad I didn't have my Sidi's yet. I was rolling the Nike Kato Straps on the Egg Beaters. They have uphill grip but not much for a hard sole. They flex more than the Romainian gym team.

Got home and am writing this. I am hungry as heck so I am going to go to the Cub Foods and get some Laughing Cow Cheese. If you have never had it, try it sometime. It is the rockin' good, not so fat spreadable cheese.

I am out for now. Check ya all later. Oh, here are the stats/etc.

Distance:
Today: 66.40km (41.26mi)
June: 143.65km (89.26mi)
Year to date: 729.71km (453.42mi)

Linky3:
Absolute Write - Wanna be a writer?
Stalkerati - Best way to stalk, er find someone without using WestLaw. ;)
Don't sell broken stuff on eBay - Seriously.

-pete

Win a Banjo Brothers Mini Seat Bag!

Details:
Enter by posting a comment in the comments section of this post. I will draw a name July 5th(after I get back from vacation). Enter and check back then!

Thanks to Banjo Brothers for the giveaway items!

-pete

Paintball pictures are up for all you pesky a-holes! :) Pictures.
It was a fun weekend and thanks to everyone for coming up!

It was my birthday as some of you may know and I decided that I should finally put down the cash on a road bike. I got the Trek 2100. It is a fast little sucker and pretty light too. I just am still getting comfortable riding it. I ordered up my new shoes for the bike, Sidi Genius 5's, bought a new helmet, Giro Monza, and picked up some new Pearl Izumi gloves. All the stuff is super comfortable. I added on one of the Banjo Brothers bags to the back and it holds my wallet, phone, and the Crank Bros Multi-17 tool in there nicely. Anne forced me to take this picture, I don't like my picture taken. :) But that is the new bike.

Thanks to everyone who sent cards and gave me presents or took me out for drinks or lunch, it was a good birthday. Anne gave me a sweet picture of the Stone Arch Bridge, I love it.


I took the speed demon out for a ride Saturday AM, I did a little over 40 miles and it felt pretty good. The wind sucked and I got a little lost down by Valley Fair but the ride was good. I hope to find a group to ride with, I might have to hook up with TCBC for some rides because riding on the road alone isn't as fun as riding the MTB alone. Plus I like to BS when I ride and 40+ miles just talking to my self is creepy.

Thanks to Freewheel Bike for helping me out with my bike purchase, that is more than I can say for Penn Cycle in Eagan and the one in Bloomington. Neither one wanted to really help me find a bike and it took more than 20 minutes for someone to ask if I needed help in Bloomington and no one ever offered to help me in Eagan after waiting 25 mins. There was no one else there!

Distance:
Weekend: 67.00km (41.63mi)
June: 77.25km (48.00mi)
Year to date: 663.31km (412.16mi)

Linky3:
Keep it Fields - Should've kept it Dayton's
Pig Races
Castles for sale

-pete

I am 27 today! Yay for me! Look at me smiling up a storm up there!

Guess who turns 27 tomorrow? Oh, I can't wait to see who it is!