5+++++++++++++++9

Nice thunderstorms to start the morning. I just to write about how we have waited 6 months for the nice weather. And then it just crawls in. That’s when the bike shop gets super-busy. That’s when it’s impossible to take days off,when riders come in telling one how beautiful it is outside. “Hey, you should be riding”,they tell me. I just end up pissing my family off because if I take days off then I get buried in work. Get the picture? Being a bike mechanic isn’t that glorious. Never mind what you see on instagram. 
So, the only way to survive is to get in there early and keep 5he cue at bay. But wait, don’t forget to keep you overtime at bay. When you come in to the bike shop be patient. You had 6 months of winter to get your bike ready. Throw a couple bucks in for coffee. Bring a donut. Be thankful your mechanic is ther to install you online purchase.
Just saying,
Ari

5/////////////////8/////////18

Greetings and salutations. Today we gathered up with Joey,Ricanator, Hank and self for a cheater bike ride. We all had carbon bikes with shifters on the brake levers. Weird. Perfect day for a ride as the temps were already in the 70's and dry. Plenty of sun. Made me think that in other parts of the country and world this is a daily occurrence. 
So this left hip thing happened last year. It has been plaguing me for a long time. Many trip to the Chiro and I am finally seeing some progress. There was a lot of traffic on this road we were on. I was 120 miles into this ride on my Cross bike. We detour for 1/2 a block onto a sidewalk and Bam! down I went. We went around this little bend and bush was in the way. A green, hidden rope was wrapped around the bush to contain it. It caught my right brake lever and just took me down. I landed on my hip and was for sure certain it was cracked. Broken helmet, shredded, brand new camelbak and torn clothing. I finally got up and started to walk. Soreness but no weird pain. 
It got better within a couple of weeks but what I did is unconsciously start to favor my right leg instead. So after many months of doing this my right knee started to hurt. Things are on the mend these days. Warming up those old bones feels good. I am ready to increase mileage, get back where I was before. 
I am really thankful to Dr. Allen for getting me straight again. 
thanks for reading, 
Ari  

And suddenly.........................it's summer...........almost

Thanks for stopping by all you old school readers. I really appreciate it. This year was the longest winter I have experienced in a long time. I missed many weekends of riding when the weather was so impossible. 
Now those days are gone but believe me not forgotten. Legs are starting to turn again and the hope of some fitness is hopeful. I have some ideas for some rides in the near future. I hope to get out and do some long ones soon. I have contacted some old friends and hope that our busy schedules line up for once. Around the area where I live we mostly ride on the road. 
I would prefer to be on the gravel but sometimes you have to work with what you have. Road bike it is and that is good. Send in a comment if you are interested in doing some rides. I have Iowa always on my mind. Also heading west of IL is always a good alternative. Many roads to explore out there. I drove around there a couple of weeks ago and it is amazing to see no change. 
Thanks for reading and until the next post, 
Ari 

Clinton County, Iowa

Was not able to make Trans Iowa V14 but that is another story in itself. However, I managed to cross the mity Miss. river despite the bridge over Sabula. If you need to cross it you either have to go over towards Galena or Fulton and corss over to Clinton. Anyway, I got a chance to hang out for a day. Good times. Had a chance to visit with Chris in Bellevue and hopefully I will be able to meet him for some gravel soon. 

Mr Edward Pratt trying to Unicycle around the world

I have been following Edward as he unicycles around the world. Follow his Youtube channel for some of the best videos out there. 
Ari 

https://www.youtube.com/user/worldunicycletour

Some photos from Riding August and September

I have been meaning to post more often but time has been slipping away from me. I blink eyes and the week is gone. Is that normal? Is it something that happens when one gets old? I wonder. 
I have been riding mostly on the road. I have come to realize that gravel is far away from where I am so the road it is. It's still fun, and it is good exercise. I miss those escapades to Iowa. They were fun and it also took the whole day. Someday I hope to do that again. 
Here is a small sampling of some photos I took while riding or off the bike. I almost cannot ride without a camera. There is always something interesting out there to photograph. 
thanks for reading. 
Ari 

Throw Back Fridays

I was thinking of the fruit loop ride we did a while back. What got into our heads to do such a thing? 260 miles. Riding thru the night. Delusional dropouts. Sleeping in Sheds at a hardware store. Endless hills. Heat, humidity. My son getting an open sore on his back from a hydration pack. In my mind it remains one of the most impressive rides to date. I wonder if I have the energy to ever do something like that. I wonder. 
Ari 

Riders look so small compared to the environment. 

Early morning break

Around midnight Chad passed out and ended up in a Shed at the local Hardware store. 

Jay Barre with 40+ miles to go. I think it was around 2 am at this point. 

My daughter Franny and son Alex rode about 90 miles worth.




Jay, Eric and I finished the whole thing around 630 am on Monday. We started at 4 am on Sunday morning. With no sleep Jay drove to Springfield to go to work at Wheel Fast. Eric and I showed up at work at 10am at North Central Cyclery.
Probably the hardest ride I have ever done.
Thank you for reading.
Thank you.
Ari