Heck of the North What a great time I had at the inaugural Heck of the North gravel road race. Super nice people as always at these kinds of events. Very well organized from start to finish. Fantastic volunteers and food at the halfway checkpoint and at the finish line. All the fast guys showed up and showed how it's done. Me, I was just happy to participate and finish in one piece. Highlight of my ride happened when I had a run in with a marsh or bog, not sure what you call it. I thought I could ride through it until my front wheel sunk in over the hub and I went over the bars. I put my arms out and they sunk up to my biceps! Kept my head out of the muck though. I just had to laugh and wade my bike to dry land. Everyone else around had a good laugh too as they found the totally dry path around the wetness : ) Good times! Had fun riding with John Hatcher and Dean McCauley towards the end. Nice sprint John! Looking forward to next year and to trying more of these races that I haven't made it to yet. Here are a few pictures that I took and there are more on the race website.

Tasty pre-race food at the Burrito Union!

Camera got a little wet. It wasn't foggy as it looks.

The trail sections were a welcomed change from the gravel. A good chance to stretch the legs out.

p.s. In other exciting news. Jen and I are expecting another little one in April!

Great weekend up in Grand Forks for the Prairie Rose State Games. 14th overall in the 50 mile road race and 6th overall in the 25 mile mountain bike race. Extremely happy with those results considering I'm a slow and steady kind of rider, and there were some very talented fast guys there in both races. Lots of fun! I forgot my camera at home, but there are a bunch of great pictures on skinnyski.com from the mountain bike race.

Had a great ride on Friday. Didn't know it at the time, but it was great training for the Heck of the North race that is coming up in September by Duluth. Check it out in the links to the right.

Heading out after work tomorrow for a gravel grinder to GF. Should be fun. Hopefully not too many dogs along the river : ) Have a great 4th of July!

Went out to Maplelag again today with Grant. Met Tony Schmitz in the parking lot and had a great ride with those two. Even made the Maplelag website! Very cool.

Man I gotta shave!

Went to Maplelag last Sunday with the Mangan. Here are a few pictures.

Here's Rick tearing up the trails. They were pretty much perfect!

He caught a pedal on one of the many trees : )

Upon closer inspection it was the work of beavers.

This picture and the one below go hand in hand for "old guys" like Rick : ) Thanks Maplelag!

Happy Birthday Henry!