Into the Winter Wild Lands

The Big Tree on the Big Farm

Today November 1st, I got off work at 11:00 so as to work the evening shift at the Library for a sick colleague.  As it was almost 70 degrees I quick ate a bite of lunch and set out on the bike for Lone Star Lake.  The lake is about a three-hour round-trip ride so I'd get back, clean up, and then come back to Haskell for the evening.  Since I've been riding in the pack out to Lone Star and other places, its been hard to take pictures for you, Gentle Reader of This Blog--so being out by myself and slowing down to take a photo--well this is what things look like about now in Kansas.  I have missed the Big Cottonwood--it is massive--and its a good and welcome landmark.  Hello Old Friend! 

 

Bike Path to Haskell is open.

When I started work at Haskell Indian Nations University back in January, the 23rd Street Bridge, an old WPA Project from the 1930s, was finally torn down.  But it meant that our bike commute trail to work was closed off.  I had to ride, as you know, on super busy backstreets--mainly taken by automobile drivers that were running late and taking a short-cut.  Speed limit on Barker, my route, is only 30 mph, but people drive 50 or faster.  Its that kind of driver that keeps potential bike commuters off the streets.  Little Egypt would bike to work but she doesn't feel all that safe--especially with speeding soccer moms talking on cell phones--that's what I've had to put up with all this year...

 

Path is open but not offically

  

23rd Street / K-10 running East and West--originally part of the Oregon Trail.

 On the other side of the bridge is Haskell Campus.  The bridge has just opened and cars can't get through here yet, just construction trucks.

 

 

 This bridge replaces the one built in the 1930s.  Its pretty nice--I wish they could have used something or done something different other than the rocks just poured out everywhere.  Before there used to be hundreds of sunflowers growing, and when you rode through and under the old WPA bridge is was a flash of yellow flowers...



Arch dedicated 1926

 The gate by the road when I pass Haskell Stadium was open, so I wanted to get a good shot of the Arch and the football field.  Haskell had the best team and the best players in the country during the 1920s and 1930s.  Jim Thorpe played in the 1926 exhibition game for the dedication (he played for Carlisle) , but there were many other great Haskell football players like Jon Levi and Tom Stidham to name a few.  After I cut through campus its a short distance to the edge of town and the Wilds!

 



Out in rural Kansas

  

 

 I need to mention that the wind, as always, howls out of the South.  There a few hills to get out of town until things level out, but with a headwind that will not let up--Gentle Readers, I must tell you that it is a battle!  There was sunshine, but the wind made it just a bit cool.  I'm wearing my long-sleeve layer under my jersey so I'm okay.  Riding in a group its just a little bit better but not much!



Riding out on the Big Farm

 

 A few times, I will admit, I wanted to just turn around.  The headwind was picking up, and I kinda worried that the wind might actually shift.  I don't usually ride in the late afternoon like this.  But its a weekday and there's no traffic at all.



Big Cottonwood on the Big Farm

 

You can't tell from my photo, but this Old Man is huge.  It is by far one of the biggest cottonwood trees around.  You can see it for a few miles out as you crest a few hills and look out South to the Big Farm.  Now that Fall has come and other trees have shed leaves, you can see the tree as you're riding out and past the Big Farm. 



Used my mirror today as I was riding solo into the Wilds

This tree is very much alive, and you feel it as you ride past, mes amis.  I wonder how many years this Old Man has been here, and what he has seen--what stories he must have! 

 



Tall Tree

 I have to tell you that this is a very common site out here in the Wilds--trees growing in old silos.  This fellow is a landmark for the bike club--it says,  "You boys are almost to Lone Star Lake!"  The pace of the pack picks up and its a dash to the lake.  Its also a curvy road with blind turns, so if you're gonna buy the farm--this is the stretch of road mes amis!

 



About 18 miles from my house--Lone Star Lake at last!

That was a tough ride out to here.  The wind was blasting in my ears and I had to work pretty hard--but here I am!  It will be a very fast ride back--the tail wind will be incredible! 

 

Lone Star Lake and Park was a WPA Project back in the 1930s.

 If you look in the back ground you can see the road coming up to the entrance of Lone Star Lake.  It is a killer hill and from the tree in the silo, everybody picks up the pace to try to speed up this hill and be first to the top.  The road to the entrance suddenly gets very steep.  I usually get dropped by the fast guys here at the very last.  Weird but Lone Star Lake is up on the higher areas out here. 

You can imagine the very fast descent I've about to have--with the downhill for almost all the way back, and a dream tail wind--mes amis--I flew back to Lawrence like an arrow.  Even the long  three mile stretch to Hwy 59, where I turn left and head North back into town--even those miles were effortless with my tail wind.  I kid you not when I tell you that I'm riding 28 mph and hardly pedaling.

 

Haskell Indian Nations University, est. 1884

 Soon I'm riding into the city limits and here's Haskell I'm riding by.  I think Hiawatha Hall, built in 1898, looks pretty good in this late afternoon sunlight.  I'm also happy to report that some renovation money is on the way, and this historic building will be open again.  It was the girl's gym and I've heard that the basketball floor is still in good shape.  I believe however, some other parts of the building will be renovated and used for classrooms.  I'm very glad about this as the building has been unused for almost 20 years.  Onward Haskell!

 

 

 As it was Halloween the other day, there was a lot of talk about the ghosts of Haskell.  There were stories about how late at night, people said sometimes they would hear drums coming from the stadium--and of course no one was there.  I'll save the ghost stories I've heard for another post, Gentle Reader of This Blog, but my hope is that before I leave my post (my contract ends soon) I get to go out and see the Haskell Football team play.

 

 Fighting Indians!



There were some historic football games played here!

Haskell Stadium was one of the first football stadiums to have a lighted field.  That was a pretty big deal back in 1926.

 



OUCH!

 Back by the new bridge and turning round a curve on some sand in the road, my bike slid out from under me and I hit the pavement with a thud!  Just a scraped up knee and elbow--I was laying on the ground fearing the worst--like I injured my knee or something all over again!  But I got back up and was okay--thank goodness! 

 

 

 Its good to have some meat back on the left leg.  The muscles on my leg and calf seemed to have just disappeared after my fall back in May.   Now after almost six months things are getting back to normal.  Most days I feel okay but often my leg feels weak when I'm tyring to stand up getting out of a chair, or walking on a slight down slope.  Walking downstaris is still difficult.  The surgeon, my therapist, and Will my weight lifting coach all told me it may take even up to a year for a full recovery.  Funny how my bike legs feel awesome--its the walking legs that are slow to make gains. 

For a long time my real fear riding my bike after my injury was falling while trying to get on and off the bike--once I got to pedaling I was fine. 

I hope I can get in a few more good days out in the Wild Lands before the wind is too cold...  Thanks for reading the blog!

 

Cheers!  Bruce



My Thougts on Professional Cycling and Doping



Vindicated

  

When the One Great Scorer
Comes to Write Against
Your Name,
He'll Write Not that You

Won or Lost, But How

You Played the Game.

I think this is why Randonneuring appeals to me so--its about finishing the ride, the Brevet--which is no easy feat in itself.

Allure Libre

Down the Road

 

 

After work at Haskell Indian Nations University, I did a quick ride to downtown for a haircut.  Here's some photos of a warm fall afternoon in Kansas for you look over, mes amis...

 

 Leaving work and riding past the Haskell Stadium on my way to downtown.

 

Riding through the neighborhood of Old East Lawrence on the brick streets. 

 

I have often wondered who lives here? 

 

The Old House may be getting some work done to it--I noticed that a lot trees and over-growth were removed late summer.  Also the front porch looks like the deck has been replaced. 



 

I was never able to see in the back yard because the trees and shrubs had grown so high.  This must have been a business here a long time ago.  Cool!  An old garage?  A used car lot?  Wonder how long ago it was? 

 

Close by the new apartment buildings downtown I saw this and wanted a photo! 

 

This is Mass Ave, and its a warm sunny Fall late afternoon.  One thing about Lawrence, and KU, is that there are girls every where, mes amis!  Walking around and being trendy.  Okay, so this old bank is now a restaurant called "Tellers" the food is awesome--and very expensive--but the service sucks.  I've had better service from kids at McD's and Burger King.   If you want to been seen, and have money to waste, here is your place.

 

Besides young college women everywhere ya look, there are "Bros"  They are harmless for the most part--just young dudes with a swagger.   These guys rolled up on their "Crotch Rockets" and I'm sure impressed all the ladies! 

 

My bike as seen through the window of the hair salon.  I had the same guy cutting my hair back in Tucson for 12 years--it was tough to find just the right stylist here in Lawrence, but I did.  Samantha is at this new place and well, most of the girls that cut hair here are kind of college-sorority minded.  Samantha doesn't seem to fit in (she has way more class) but she told me all her clients remained loyal (like me) and followed her over to the new place.  I hope things work out for her...

 

Like any other college town, Lawrence has its foo-fee business side.  Besides this ceramics shop, which was an old filling stations from decades past, we have a head shop, a candle shop, oh and a Gap--plus a bunch of dive bars that serve all the PBR you can drink. 

 

Leaves are turning and falling.   

 



electrocuted I suspect...

 Riding to work the other day I noticed this squirrel hanging dead on this power or telephone line.  The wind moves him back and forth along the line--in the morning he's on the south side and in the afternoon he's slid over to the other end.   Kind of sad to see the little guy up there like that, Gentle Readers of This Blog.

 

Cheers!  Bruce.

 

Fall Riding and Commuting

Coming home from a Club Ride

I'll try to do as much riding as I can, Gentle Readers of This Blog.  Fall is here for sure and leaves are blowing and covering this part of Kansas.  I've been going out with the Bike Club and holding my own, however this weekend I opted for the shorter route and didn't go with the faster people.  Still had a strong ride, and again over roads I didn't know and had never ridden on.  As we're starting later we take roads with less traffic.  That's one reason I didn't ride a wheel out further because if I got dropped I wouldn't be all that sure the best route home.

Coming Home from a Club Ride, Old East Lawrence

Because we start later (not really that much warmer) I get to sleep in, even on a ride day.  Getting home later is okay I guess as Little Egypt and Rico sleep very late on the weekends--but there was a fresh hot pot of coffee just made when I got in--that was awesome mes amis!

Morning commute to the office

My year contract as the University Librarian at Haskell Native Nations University will be ending mid-November.  I rode my bike to work every day to work, with the exception being most of the month of May, as I recovered from my injury.

Fall on Haskell Campus, 2012

Cheers!  and thanks for stopping  by the Blog!

Fast Club Ride

Cal--the Legend (also a Librarian like Yours)

 

The Club Rides, all levels, meet at Broken Arrow Park here in Lawrence, Kansas.  Rides are at 9 a.m.  now that its a bit cooler in the mornings.  That later hours means its warmer and I think it gives people the feeling they've gotten to sleep in a bit.  Since I'm one of those guys that gets everything ready the night before--I can sleep and kinda wake up as I'm riding to the Park.  Well let me tell you, Gentle Reader of This Blog, this was a fine morning for a ride indeed!

 

 

The fellow you see up there is Cal--Cal is the most respected rider out on the road.  For one, he is above all, the friendliest, most charming man you could ever met.  Also, I think he's pushing 60 years of age, still he is one of the fastest, toughest, smartest cyclist around.  Cal is a Legend.  I've been out riding by myself into the Wilds, and I've seen Cal and he waves!  He recognizes me and says Ahoy!  I interviewed for a job as a librarian at Washburn University (Topeka, KS) and after the interview, we realized that we had met each other on the road when I came out to visit Little Egypt before I moved to KS--we had a great laugh and he told me later he really wanted to hire me--but with all the librarians being men, well, they wanted the young woman librarian instead.  Whatever--he could have just been telling me to make me fell better--I might not have been as good a candidate as the woman.  What a great man--let me say Great Man, mes amis...



Fast Guys, old guys, and can afford expensive toys...

 

Our two groups took off and the fast guys zoomed out, but we were right with them.  Then for some reason we went a different route, and well, there I was up in this pack of really fast fellows (usually ride in fast group but they're riding with us today) and there I was riding with Cal up front and we were riding 23 mph!  Man, it was awesome--there I was with some of the regulars I ride with, and we're the second group (fast guys are the first) but there's some blokes pulling us along and we are spinning like fire!  Cal and I move up front and do our pull, and then when we drop back, I see that the group I usually ride with are about a mile behind us. 

 

What I've done is somehow jumped on with the pack of the Fast Guys who were running late and now trying to catch the main group. 

 

I must tell you that by the time we were about to Lone Star Lake, I could feel my left leg getting weak.  A cramp was coming down the road--but I did my best to stay on.  The pace had certainly picked up and now a couple of riders were bailing out and getting dropped by the pack.  I held on until the very last small steep hill that is the entrance to Lone Star Lake--I was outta gas...

 

So there I was at the rest stop with all the fast boys.  Mostly they are a mix of fast fix twenty-somethings--and then guys my age or older--oh yeah and the women are well represented too, mes amis!  I saw Rob and Tommy and Brenda and we were like, "Dang how did we get up in this?"  There was no way I was going back with the Fast Guys because I'd be left for dead on the road. 

 

When Brenda saw our group arrive at the other end of the lake, we took off to meet them and go back at a sane pace.  I was still kind of shaking from the bullet ride I was just on.  I still wanted to be able to walk the rest of the weekend too.

 

Brenda was up front and instead of stopping she shot down the hill to go back to Lawrence--Laurie followed her, and then some other woman from the fast group.  I went after them, mes amis and the rest followed--but by the time I caught the three girls we had dropped our group.  Instead of having a nice steady ride back, here I was ripping down the road back to Lawrence with three other very fast and strong riders.  We kept a tight four person pace line and things did not let up until the one Fast Girl pulled off to head home.  Brenda (age 54) still kept the pace fast.  Laurie pulled off for her house, so there I was with Brenda for the last few miles back to the park.  We rode side by side and chatted--but dang, that woman did not even slow the pace one bit! 



Arm warmers needed for the first time this Fall

Although my legs were shaky the rest of the weekend, I have to say that I feel I can ride with the Fast Guys one day.  The trick is to actually get out there and ride with 'em!  They can look intimidating but they are all good people and they welcome all newcomers.   Really the deal is that I'm not strong enough to ride with the Fast Guys in that first group--and the slower group is not that slow--but there is that big gap between the two sets of riders.  There's a handful of us that are somewhere in between--when the Forces that control the Universe place us all together--man it is the best ride to be on my friends!

Cheers!

Bruce

53 Miles

Riding the Super Grand Prix

 

I’ve been riding with The Bike Club the last few weeks.  As I’m trying not to get dropped and staying in the pace-line, it’s hard to have the camera out for a few shots—but I will try next time.

I just want to comment that I went out with the Club and there were about ten or twelve of us.  The plan was to stay together until the “Llama Farm” and then people would decide it they wanted to go out further, and do 45-50 miles—or turn back and head into town. 

For me I chose to keep going, mes amis.  I wanted to see how far I could push my leg and my heart.  One thing that has been slow to return is the cardio—cardio that was so awesome after spending the winter in Celebrity Spin Class.  So at the Farm, I said I’d go, and it turned out that there would be just the four of us—the three other riders being faster ones.  There was a guy Ed, Aagje (from Amsterdam), and Brenda—power-house woman, oh and Yours.  I told everyone that as long as I could see them up ahead, I’d be okay.  We’d be in an area I didn’t know, and well if I got lost I’d just use the Sun to get my bearings and head northwest back to Lawrence—it would be fine.  We were off and we were off fast!  On the hills I got dropped but the guys waited for me at the stop signs—after two long slow climbs (and in a headwind) then on the flat prairie, we were four fast riders making our way to Gardner, Kansas.  Hey all I did was stick on my pals’ wheels and try to take my turn doing a pull—which was not often as any hill punched me out.

The Day was beautiful and cool with thin autumn clouds over us as we rode.  Me I felt stronger as we went further and faster.  The roads were new and I liked staying together as a group.  The bike club has fast people and slow people.  We tend to really spread out and people get dropped.  There are always the five or six people pushing a fast pace—a few in the middle a bit back—and then the slower group.  We really don’t ride together much.  Since my injury and recovery, I’ve been back in the slower group—and hey it is fun!  You get to talk to people and make friends!  No one’s trying to out-do you and stuff. 

Now I had a chance to work hard and stay with faster riders—being in better condition I know I’d be up there right with ‘em instead of struggling to keep a wheel--them looking back to make sure I was not dropped. 

We made it to Wellsville, Kansas, Gentle Readers of This Blog—a beautiful place and on a lovely Sunday morning while the villagers of said town were in the large old church that we came upon.  This was God’s Country—pick-ups and mommy vans neatly nestled in the church’s parking lot—one hundred years ago it would have been the same except for maybe a few saddle horses tied up in the shade trees that lined the brick Main Street.

Water bottles filled and then with Aagje and Brenda wanting to get back, we thought we’d go back and skip Gardner—saved for another day, mes amis.

With a strong tail wind and a slight descent, the miles went by quickly.  I got to talk to Brenda for awhile and things seemed effortless even with the fast pace she kept.  As we neared Baldwind City, there were a few climbs to tackle, and I got dropped but could see everyone up ahead--I was able to gain on them as things flattened out, but even with a tail wind they were a group and the inched ahead.  We regrouped in Baldwin and filled our bottles.  We would have a bullet fast downhill waiting just ahead outside of town on Palmyra Hill--I usually max out at 40 mph and that sets the pace for the return to Lawrence.

A few miles from town I had a puncture and I told everyone to just keep going.  I fixed the flat in a few minutes and then was on my way again, and then rolled up to the Little House at 1 o'clock.

The best thing about this ride was the fast pace, but still better the recovery time.  After my other rides with the club I'd come home and be shot the whole rest of the day.   This time I didn't feel too bad--it did help that later I got to have a two hour sleep.

I'm just feeling better every day, and every ride stronger and better on the bike. 

Thanks for stopping by, Gentle Reader of This Blog...

Cheers!  Bruce

Fresh Milk from the Farm

 

 We've had some rain, Gentle Readers of This Blog, but not enough to help out the farmers and ranchers around here.  I've been riding to work by bike, as you can see above, and I've had my last few session of physical therapy.  I rode to my sessions twice a week early in the morning before work.  That actually gave me 10 to 15 minutes extra with my therapist, Dorian, as I was already warmed-up.  Will, my personal trainer (whom I credit getting me stronger which lessened the impact of my accident) met with Dorian for one of my last sessions so she could just show him what she was trying to do--this will certainly help me when my knee is better and I'm working with Will at the Jim.

 

All I can say is that I was a bit impatient and wanted to heal faster.  Things just take time--and I will have at least another two months before I can really be 100%.  That is a hard pill to swallow--there have been times when I've been pretty angry and depressed this whole affair.  I cancelled my NYC trip twice on account that I just could not walk more than a few blocks without pain and an awkward limp.  I guess what I'm trying to say is that I've had to accept that I am older and there have been changes.  I'm not as fast and as strong--some things are harder.  I'm only human--I have and will make blunders--I'll be faster than some--I will get dropped.  But happily I am still riding and still find new roads and new challenges.  And as I ride with bike club I'm getting to know some fine people--makes me miss my friends in Tucson terribly...

 

 I get home from work and Little Egypt wants me to go get some milk.  Why drive (still rush hour traffic) when I can bike the half mile (or less) to the corner Dairy?

 

 So there is this small dairy operation not far from Lawrence, Kansas, USA and they have this tiny store on the corner.  The milk is so freakin' fresh mes amis that really I should by two of these.  One to drink there in the store and one to take home.  You'll see that they have chocolate milk too.  I got a sample and I was very tempted to buy one--by like I told the young woman working there--it would be drunk up in a few hours, possibly that very evening.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Well, there is this part of the old street that will not stay paved.  They repave and then a few weeks later the bricks are back.  There is as a stop sign before a bit more busier street (Barker the one I take to Haskell) I don't know why or what happened here but the bricks have a story.  It will give you a jolt when drive over it--I do not ride over either--gives me goose-bumps.

 

 Milk and me are home!  That super fresh milk will taste divine with my Wheaties tomorrow morning mes amis!

 

Cheers!  Bruce

De Soto ride

I went out with the Bike Club for a 40 mile ride out to De Soto, KS and back.  It was a beautiful morning, Gentler Readers of This Blog!  and the miles we put in were some of the most scenic I've seen in KS yet!  I stayed in the group (mostly) which meant I could ride faster and work on getting my legs stronger.  Since I've lost all of my cardio fitness it was good to stay in the group--otherwise I'd be struggling in the winds.

We stop for a quick water and snack break just outside of De Soto.

Just about everyone I'm riding with I met in Celebrity Spin class.  Here we're riding from De Soto to Eudora, KS, in some pretty nice country.  Its mostly corn and soybeans out here--and as you can see, there's not much left of the corn crop.  Typically the corn would be emerald green and 9 feet high.  Looks to be only four feet--not much of a crop!

Often the women keep a much faster pace than us fellows--so the get to talking and suddenly they're up ahead of us!

No traffic out here at all--only deer, wild turkey, and thousands of birds chirping and singing. 

 

I'm feeling okay, but by the end of the ride I must be honest and tell you that I got tired.  Wind picked up and a few times on the hills and I was getting dropped--and I couldn't catch up with the pack.  A few of the guys stayed back and pulled me back up to the group.  I was able to ride back with everyone home to Lawrence!

Cheers!  Bruce