TransIowa weekend. April 24th, 2021

 I know it's been a while since I have made a post here. It really has been kind of crazy with lots of things going on with you know, the pandemic. There have been a lot of thoughts, memories and ideas floating in my head. I have been meaning to write them down but it has been difficult. 

Today is what we used to know as TransIowa weekend. As I sit and write this while sipping on some coffee we would instead have been riding closer to checkpoint #1. Dr. Giggles would have arrived at my house this past Thursday and we would have made the drive to Iowa. Friday would have been the meet up and then the nervous hours of sleep before the 4 am start on Saturday. 

The endless stories that happened on all those attempts are waiting for when we can all get together again at some point in our lives. We have stayed together and communicated thru out all these years. The memories are too strong to forget. I guess it all happened by accident to be honest. 

I continue to have hope to see all my TransIowa friends at some point and share some gravel miles. It has been too long without seeing all of you.

I hope you all have a moment to remember those good times we shared together. I would write some more but the words don't come out at this time. 

thanks for reading, 

Ari 

Slender Fungus East coast members spotted on the road somewhere in New York

So this past weekend a couple of the Slender Fungus guys met up around the Syracuse, NY area to go on a ride. It seems like the weather was absolutely perfect for a beautiful ride. Dr. Giggles was aboard his trusty Lynskey and Special K was on old Eddy Steel. I wish I would have been able to join them for this special occasion and shared some miles with my brothers. It's in these times that we need to stay in contact with family and friends and also trying to see each other is not the end of the world. I thank both of them for the great photos and the smiles. Get out and ride your bikes.

thank you for reading, 

Ari 

Special K. 

Dr. Giggles and Special K. 

Special K. 

Dr. Giggles 

Dr. Giggles. 

 

Tour de France, old school

 https://youtu.be/f2QIsmvrFP4

Escaping the fishbowl #7 Gravert''s Apple Orchard Sabula, Iowa October 4, 2020

 With not a lot of time we bolted out of Chicagoland and took the quickest way to Iowa. We headed west on I88 and then cut thru Clinton and headed north. As soon as I crossed the Mississippi river my blood pressure went down and I dropped my shoulders. Today's trip was to be a short one since Jamie still had a lot of shool work to prepare. 

The weather was absolutely ideal. Brightsun,clear, no haze and a cool wind from the east. We dressed perfectly and also had packed a lunch in our little cooler. 

Gravert's orchard sit along Scenic route on Rte 52 that goes from Sabula to Dubuque and then to north Iowa. The terrain is rolling since that part of Iowa is part of the Driftless region. We pulled in to the parking lot and the setup was a bit different due to the virus. It was easy. You buy a bag, fill it ,then leave. No fanfare. Just beautiful countryside and great apples. 

We also had pre-arranged to meet good friend Chris P. from Bellevue. Jay and I were doing some Trans Iowa training rides out that way many moons ago and we met Chris on a B Road in the middle of nowhere. We instantly became lifelong friends and everytime I go to that area I try to get in touch with him. 

He dropped fixing a woodburning stove and drove up to the orchard to see us. It was great to catch up with him. He got back to his chores and we finished filling our bag. WE then scooted to Bellevue State park to devour our lunch. Brought Stove and made some soup to go with our sandwiches. 

Then we hightailed it home and got back to our routine. It was a short escape but we made memories and we got to see Chris. It was a great day. 

Thanks for reading, 

Ari 

Ari and Chris at Gravert's Apple Orchard, Sabula, Iowa

Jamie and Iowa countryside

Ari and Jamie. Sabula, Iowa 

Jamie with Bellevue, Iowa and Mississippi River in Background. 

Bellevue, Iowa 

Remembering September 11th, 2001

It's a later in the day post but it did not make me not think about what happened on this date back in 2001. It's a sad day for a lot of people and it affects me in a negative way every year. I still have a lot of questions that I still want answered. I don't believe what they tell me to pacify me. I never will. So back in the day, before everyone moved, we used to have long training rides on Sunday. We would start early as usual and at 911 am we would stop and do a minute of silence. If it was cold a flask would do it's rounds. Now I mostly ride alone and on Sundays I remember 911. I remember my friends as well and all those people who lost loved ones on that day. You will not be forgotten. Ever. Thanks for reading, Ari

Visiting Merritt again. What a great place to chill.

 Merritt Forest preserve Dekalb County

Been trying to at least get out for a weekly picnic with the wife. Travelling far has not been in our time budget but there are a lot of small preserves not far from where we live that we are revisiting again. Merritt is the second time we have been there. It really is a little gem with some surprising terrain. Very quiet, lots of flowers, birds, pine trees and some wonderful mowed trails for some pleasant walking. WE pack a lunch and a small stove and Moka pot for coffee afterwards. We found a spot to hang hammocks and take short naps. We really suggest you take a drive out there. It is worth it. 

Escaping the Fishbowl and meeting a Slender Fungus member

 So the wife and I have devised a plan to escape on Sundays as much as possible. WE have been packing a lunch, bought a small stove for coffee and are taking our folding chairs. Yesterday we targetted Merrit Prairie out in Dekalb. A beautiful little preserve with very few people. Most of the day we were alone except for occasional dog walkers. We had our lunch and coffee and then Slender Fungus member Gumby showed up on his 4 wheeler to visit. It was great to see him. We sat under a tree and chatted for a good while. It sure was great to catch up with him. WE spent the day relaxing, listening to the birds and looking at the many flowers in full bloom. Then we got back on the highway and re-joined the ratrace. Thanks for reading. Today I will check out the Gazateer map and find the next location. Thanks for reading, 

Ari