Universal Klister

Fleeing South for some winter

2012-01-28T21:57:00.000-08:00

High quality American made junk

First skis of the season

Great entertainment after skiing at the FRFF

Trying to wake the trout up!!

Snow cones

Tae working the table

Frozen River Film Festival kids activities were great!

And repeat!

Thus is the weirdness of this winter that it is actually better to drive south to find a frosty experience than north. I had the pleasure of grabbing the family and heading to Winona to participate in our first Frozen River Film Festival. The weekend had it all. Early morning winter trout fishing (a new experience for me) Nordic skiing at St. Mary's College and of course watching some really interesting films with my family. Lots of great times, good beers and cultural interactions. Of course I also hauled the snow bike and had a great ride on a few snow mobile trails as well!

2011-2012 the winter of my discontent

2012-01-24T21:02:00.000-08:00

Picking sticks

It is sad but true. For the first time since I can remember, I have not actually picked up a pair of skis and fired them in anger yet. Normally I am skiing by early November.

There has literally been NO snow in our area. I have no time to drive for it and too little cash to pay for it. So the snow bike has been the weapon of choice. However this week I am on the road and because of that I am hoping to stomp some of my first klicks of the season. Funny, my life has been defined by skiing but as the weather shifts I can sense change in the air.

2012 IMBA Staff Week Boulder, CO

2012-01-20T22:30:00.000-08:00

Valmont Bike Park

IMBA staff digs in

Breakfast meetings

Single track office!

To the future of mountain biking

Gotta love Boulder.

Valmont Bike Park

I spent the week at International Mountain Bicycling Associations HQ in Boulder, CO. It is so great to be working with such a solid crew of folks and such a vibrant, young and passionate crew at that. Big things have been happening for IMBA over the past three years and there looks to be nothing but success in sight. Keep up the good work IMBA!

Universal Klister rated one of the top 10 Snow Sports Blogs of the year

2012-01-19T16:06:00.000-08:00

Tae thinks its part of my head....

Thanks to Outside Magazine for the great words and support and thanks to all of you that support me as well!

Still Skating after all these days....

2012-01-19T15:43:00.000-08:00

Snow dance on ice

Dancing in the Dragons Teeth: Fat Biking the Dalles of the St.Louis River

2012-01-08T20:24:00.000-08:00

Infinite Playground

Its actually a teeter totter..

Hopping and hoping

Big tires, big thoughts

Dancing with the dragons teeth

Its whats underneath that is the question

Self portrait

Braapp!

No swimming

There is no doubt that fat tires and fat bikes are giving me access to shots and adventures I never would have thought possible. This weekend, Rudy, Dave, Eric and I set off to check out the Dalles of the St.Louis River just out my front door. In the past I have actually skate skied this section of river but with the weird winter, the bike riding is nearly perfect. It was great to be in such a special place with some great riders. Rudy stole the show with some great trials riding and thus won the lens prizes for sure. After each new experience the mind wanders onto other interesting spots I have wanted to access...hmm where to next?

Day of the doomed wheel

2012-01-04T20:17:00.000-08:00

I had one of those days today. I have been hauling my bike to work in the hopes that things would slow down enough to actually get out and knock off a classic Park Point Beach ride. Conditions are perfect, frozen ice and sand so it is fast and really fun. Most the folks around here with a Fat Bike have done this at one point or another. For me though, this is literally out the door of IMBA Midwest HQ, so it is a perfect lunch ride. The ride was killer and after a really hectic day of meetings and work, I was stoked to get out and blow off some steam.

Unfortunately driving on my way home my make shift hauling system on my Trailer Hitch rack busted loose and my rear wheel sagged low enough on the rack to be half dragging at 80mph down the highway. It was dark so I was not able to see it. I got out of my car at home to see a mangled rear rim and shredded tire. So now I am an addict with no gizmo to get my jones out on.....crazy how you can love something so much and then just watch it go poof! Who knows when I will get this rig rolling again but I can tell you I am going to miss it..

Bay side going up

The doomed Pug wheel, may it rest in pieces

Harbor side going home

Midway River tour: News Years Day Ride

2012-01-02T17:28:00.000-08:00

Midway River, Thomson, MN

New Years day I found myself in an interesting conundrum. Over night we had a blustery and powerful system come through MN. Of course it brought snow, but not quite enough for good skiing in our area and perhaps too much to ride the fat bike. However I had a standing ride with my buddy Matt Evingson, AKA the "Red Squirrel" and due to an injury he can ride but cant ski.

Normally, I would be the guy with the rock skis ripping the ugliest coverage but I decided to brave the 4 or 5 inches of wet snow and head out on the bike. We had 30-40 MPH gusts and some interesting experiences. Eventually we settled on riding up and down the Midway River. It of course turned out to be a great day, which you knew it would, once you got your ass out the door. Sauna followed and that was well deserved. I realize I have been posting a lot of shots of my neighborhood, but right now its where I am spending the most time so I expect I will have a bunch more coming....

Snowbike fun in the back yard (literally)

2011-12-31T21:45:00.000-08:00

Dooh! The edge is found!

Buttah!!

Thomson Trails, Thomson Res.

Winter 2011: Adaptation

2011-12-30T09:40:00.000-08:00

Snowmaking, St. Mary's Winona, MN

Working the Thomson Res, Thomson MN

There was a time when I would hop in the car and drive as fast as possible to the nearest snow, ski my brains out (nordic, tele, depending on where I lived and what my jones was) hop back in the car and go home. The formula was that I had to ski in hours more than my round trip drive. Well, that time has changed and for many reasons.

Now I find myself less defining myself by my activities and more by my attitude. I NEED to get outside everyday. What that "tool" is to get me outside does not define me, but allows me to get my fix. One day it might be skis, it might be a bike, ice skates, Kites, climbing boots, paddles, fly rods, guns you name it. The key is being able to learn to do all these things and then understand when conditions are perfect for each of them. I am done picking one sport and rising and falling with its current conditions, I applaud all the dedicated ski folks out there no doubt. My father and his crew are actually pioneering their own snow making in Winona, MN to satisfy the needs for that areas skiers and that is pretty amazing, but I have to say while I was down there I had some of the best bike rides of my life while the guns were blowing and the folks were waiting ptex in hand.

It does occur to me that right now in my area, it is the perfect Snowbike time. Any more snow (yes we have a little bit) and I would have to rely on some sort of packing to ride a trail etc. Any less snow and I would not be able to hit the ice. The ice is nice and thick and the rivers are freezing to the point where I can ascend/descend right down the falls and rapids, now frozen solid into perfect ramps. I am riding areas I have only dreamed of hitting on anything, let alone a bike, and that has my attention, my rapt attention as this could change tomorrow and my tool could then change, and it might not be as free or as fun as the tool I am working with right now.

The ice is the key. It is like new roads where I have never had one. Certainly being safe, checking ice depths and knowing the water I am riding over is key and I recommend using this simple guide if you go. Once you know what is safe and where you can ride, it is insane the amount of terrain it opens up to your imagination and fat tires. However, watch that weather report, who knows it might actually snow and screw it all up.....

Minneapolis Images Xmas 2011

2011-12-27T08:32:00.000-08:00

Telemark is a turn, not a sport

Umm Rustica!!

A prayer and a candle

Liking the Pug and the new remote....

Full combat present opening

New friends, new year and congrats to COGGS!

2011-12-23T21:23:00.000-08:00

A look back over trail already ridden

A great visit with family and friends this week. Lots of cookies and other things to totally ruin any fitness I thought I might have had! Of course the bike or the skis are always along to mitigate that damage and this year it seems it will be the year of the bike for me. I strode out to Wirth today on my Pug and had a really fun time. I was doubly lucky on my ride as I ended up meeting and riding with Mike Riemer of Salsa and that was a real treat as I had many questions on how to tweak this beast for maximum fun time and he certainly had the tips that is for sure.

Incredibly, riding home with a smile on my face, I heard my phone buzz in my backpack and of course ignored it. However once I stopped for a drink I pulled it out and saw this. COGGS has secured a very substantial grant from the State of Minnesota for a trail system of regional significance. Damn, no doubt, the Duluth Traverse will truly be something to behold. It is great to see that off road cycling has become a movement about creating better communities, we have stepped out from singly pushing the "trail" and are now pushing "Trails" plural and how they can create positive lifestyles and change lives. Good work COGGS, it is great to see that it is happening in my community and we all need to get on board to help with the heavy lifting to make this a reality.

Black ice winter 2011: Another activity to keep you sane until the snow comes!

2011-12-23T21:04:00.000-08:00

Billings Park

Who needs a Zamboni?

Last time it was this good Guy Evans still lived in town...

Sauna and Snowbikes! This one is for Hautala!!

2011-12-15T19:59:00.000-08:00

A great way to end a great day

Cooling off room

Hot room!!

Morning Ride St.Louis River

2011-12-12T08:53:00.000-08:00

Sunday was a great day. I was able to get up before the sun, ride and shoot my camera. My friends Matt Evingson and Ryan Marshik joined me for a session just above the Fond Du Lac dam. It was a great morning, challenging photographically for me, however Ryan stuck it and grabbed these really solid shots. Thanks guys for taking the time to head out! May there be many more outings to follow!

Xmas spirit

2011-12-12T08:45:00.000-08:00

The Ice is Nice.....

2011-12-09T08:09:00.000-08:00

Critters from the stand Briggs Farm 2011

2011-12-07T14:18:00.000-08:00

To young!

The eyes of the forest

Fawn in a field

The Hunt: Briggs Farm 2011

2011-12-07T14:04:00.000-08:00

Overhead and looking out

Yup up a tree again...

Remember summer?

Who cares about deer

Landscape from the deer stand: Briggs Farm 2011

2011-12-06T05:36:00.000-08:00

The old granary

Dawn in a snow storm

You can always see the church

Narnia

Ridge line oaks

Things around the Briggs farm: Fine points.

2011-12-05T12:07:00.000-08:00

A lucky place for sure

Guns? Pipes? What could possibly go wrong?

This guy rules the house for sure

Springs profit is due come winter

Late fall Deer Hunting on the Briggs Farm

2011-12-05T08:17:00.000-08:00

Wall of fame

Not big enough, the boneyard..

I spent a week of vacation time hanging at the Briggs family farm in Winona, MN. The next bunch of posts will be about that week. They may not be for the faint of heart as this is deer hunting, a dance of life and death and ultimately nourishment for me and my family. I take pride in the fact that we know where our food comes from and that my hand had a role in harvesting that food. So although to some it may seem harsh, in reality I feel extremely holistic about this process and do not take it lightly, so hopefully you enjoy the shots.

My life as a Tree Jockey part 2 Deer season 2011: Moon Shot

2011-12-02T21:13:00.000-08:00

Hunters moon

I shot this from my deer stand this evening. Canon 5D MK2 and a Canon EF 500mm lens. Thanks to Ryan Marshik for letting me swing the big guns this week...

Transitions

2011-11-28T07:28:00.000-08:00

So I have made a few interesting transitions on the past month or so and this picture illustrates it. The boys at QBP and Surly Bikes have conspired to get me riding a Fat bike. To be honest it was time. Not only have I been watching the sport evolve over the past 7 years or so, I have also been starting to get a lot of questions from land managers as to how the "snow bikes" should be managed. A few have even started to think about grooming trails specifically for Snow bikes. That said, I have needed to learn what is up.

This is the kind of learning I love and I have to say it has opened up some new ideas and possible routes I cant wait to try once things freeze solid.

The other big learning transition in this photo is the use of off camera flash and speedlights. I have been tinkering endlessly with some cheap Cactus V5 wireless remotes and both my cameras. It has been interesting, I am just starting to get moderate results but I can see that there will be a time when there is always a remote/speedlight set up in the pack. The Cactus V5's are also reversible with a cable so you can use them as a Camera remote and that is allowing me to actually take photos of myself riding. I see a lot of riders who are also photographers shooting the classic, lonely and a lot of times uninteresting shots of their bikes leaning against the ground a railing etc. Sometimes those shots are all that you have time for, or you can pull off, but in reality they are a record of events and often times not technically composed and or orchestrated shots. I can see why! Shooting photo's of yourself takes a ton of time, and at least for me, so far, does not produce that great of shots either. However, by constantly tinkering with the remote flash, remote trigger, I can see where shots that I am actually setting up and executing with other riders will start to become much, much higher quality...

My life as a Tree Jockey: Deer season 2011

2011-11-08T13:24:00.000-08:00

Well the first weekend of the 2011 Deer season is in the books. For me it was a wildly windy and cold endeavor. I strapped my climbing stand 25 feet up a giant Red Pine and rode out the gale like Bubba the shrimper on Forest Gump. When I returned home at night I could myself swaying like the tree. I saw my fair share of deer, but the big guy stayed away and thus I am wed to more hunting...hmm what a shame...

Success

Tall trees, tall tales

4T's Deer Camp Game Feed (crock pots and channel locks)

More than a garage....

A memorial to a hunter and a friend

My first national feature story: Mountain Bike Action, December 2011

2011-10-24T09:42:00.000-07:00

December 2011 Issue Mountain Bike Action Magazine

Well it is finally official. I have a feature in this months Mountain Bike Action Magazine. I have been holding mum on this since June, so this is going to be the real story, finally!

How the shoot came about is perhaps the best part of the whole story. While at the Grand Opening of Cuyuna I had the great fortune to really hit it off with Hans Rey. Hans in turn had a really inspiring time riding at the new IMBA Ride Center. It so inspired him that the next month while at a Press Camp he touted it as perhaps one of the biggest potential stories of the season. Jim "Jimmy Mac" McIlvain a good friend of No Way, heard that comment loud and clear and decided to send another GT Rider Eric Carter to MN to check it out. EC had other reasons to leave sunny CA and check out Minnesota however as his in-laws also happen to live in the region, so it worked out for a trip to the land of 10,000 lakes.

I was pretty stoked when my phone rang and it was EC saying that he was coming, was looking for a guide and was also looking for a shooter. Do you know any?

EC showing us how its done

B-lines and blood lines.

This was a pivotal moment for me. I am a struggling and amateur photographer, I do however strive to improve and I have found that for me, really putting myself out of my comfort zone and pushing myself is the only way I jump levels. This though, was a truly big leap. Not only would I need to get some great shots, I would need to get a lot of them, and in one day. MBA was going to push this as a "destinations" article. I researched some old versions of those and realized that they are big articles. 15 plus images, 7 pages, basically a photo essay on a unique riding destination. So I had to nail 15 keepers in one day, on the spot with a pro rider who I didnt know or have ever worked with! Tall order for sure. On top of that I needed to upgrade my camera at that point. The article was the catalyst to do so. So I called Eric back, told him I was good to go, I was the guide and I would be the shooter. In that message, I had basically committed to not wasting EC's time, MBA's money and my reputation, it was some good positive motivation....

I will say that I truly wanted to tell the Cuyuna story visually. I have been involved in the project for the past two years, working with a lot of really great folks and seeing a lot of hard work go into it from all sorts of dedicated builders and MN DNR employees and I felt that I could really get at what made riding Cuyuna so special through images and pay tribute to the folks that made this happen.

Smile says it all

I also called Nick Statz and Rori Stumvoll, two local guys I had been shooting since last year and asked if they would want to be involved. They both of course were stoked to get part of the deal. So now I had a date, a project and subjects. I then started taking time in planning the shoot. I was heading to Cuyuna a lot for IMBA anyway, so every time I headed over I met Nick and we did some scouting sessions. After three visits I had 15 possible shots in my notes and had also scripted the days ride along with how to hit each of those shots as well as when the light had the best potential at each of those shots. I also took the time to learn my new Canon 5D Mark II a huge jump in both operation and image quality from my Lumix GF1 (although three shots in the article are from my GF1, can you tell which?).

Vanity wound

Chillin at Serenity in the Pines

Yawkey talk

Yup techy stuff too

The week of the shoot came with a really positive weather outlook. In fact it was due to be a bit cooler than normal which to be honest saved my butt. I did the whole shoot in natural light, no speedlights. Not because that was what I wanted to do, I just did not feel confident in the results because my skill level at that point did not allow it. That has since changed (thanks to the Stobist.com and my buddy Ryan Marshek!). In addition to Nick, Rori and EC, I had also invited Peter Gustafson and Peter Lillesve. So we had a solid crew. We base camped at Serenity in the Pines. A killer retreat literally on the trails. Peter L and I set up shop there the night before and went out to start getting shots that night on Bob Sled. We met the day of the shoot at 5.30 am at Pennington. EC was the man, he had to get up at 4am from his in-laws and show up. I was dubious, but he not only made it on time, he was the most cheerful guy in the group. Luckily we were all birds of a feather. You could not have had better group dynamics and thank god for that, because had EC had any other attitude, we would have been sunk before we hit the first shot. I had budgeted some time for some run and gun shooting in the AM. We shot away on Miners overlook, hit Easy Street and ended the first session at Ferrus Wheel and that was where Peter G left us for the hospital.

EC's riding was dynamic and gorgeous. It was hard as a shooter to not to constantly just pick him out instead of the other riders. He understood the shots inside and out and could have been on either side of the camera with no problem. Luckily for me he was also very free with information. He taught me a lot and I will be forever thankful to him for that. However, he also threw down some riding that was fun for the other guys to try and emulate and unfortunately in one such move Peter G smoked a tree and paid in stitches for it, a lot of them!

Calm clear waters

From there we went to breakfast at the Heartland Cafe and basically ate the place empty. We were stoked, had already ridden three hours, nailed some great shots and we were hungry. The Heartland did not let us down. We finished up the morning at Yawkey and we really nailed it there. The cooler than normal temps had put a fine haze in the air, so the light was perfect literally all day. That saved us. Had we had a really clear day, with harsh stark light, I would have been in trouble, however the soft, filtered yet bright light was amazing and I quickly filled two 8 gig cards that morning. We returned to the Serenity Pines, dumped the cards, hung out recovered, listened to EC's amazing stories and regrouped.

The rest of the day was spent around the Pennington area. I think we swam three times, EC loved the water and we were stoked to swim too. To me that is what is best about Cuyuna, the ability to just pull over, and get in the lake and have awesome swimming. Eventually I ran out of planned shots and it became free for all time. I think that EC was concerned I did not have the shots we needed. That could have been because my insanely picky and perfectionist side was coming out since I wanted this to be A grade and I kept holding back on what I was capturing until I saw it on my lap top. So as the sun started to set, EC started proposing shots and I was smart enough to let him and to learn from him in process and working together we sailed through another 16 gigs of shots and ended with an amazing sunset on Miners.

Cant even begin to comment on this photo

Might have something to do with previous photo...

At this point the full group was hungry tired and beaten. Crosby basically shots down at 9pm and it was 8.50, so we hopped in the cars and crushed it for Maucieri's. They had already locked the doors when we showed up but we pleaded our case and they stayed open for us. The fact that I have sent perhaps hundreds of folks there this summer I think may have helped the cause. Everybody had celebratory beers and we earned them. I pulled up the laptop and we reviewed the first round of shots and EC almost hit the roof. He started slapping me on the back and said that had he known I had so much already in the can he would have quit earlier! He was right, we had 16 potential keepers by mid day. By end of the day we had double that, and I will post some of those that did not make the mag today.

Ultimately the story ran 17 shots over 7 pages, truly a solid accomplishment for me and the crew. I was so grateful to them for the hard work they did and for all the other folks who helped me on this shoot, you will not be forgotten. Also tons of thanks to Hans Rey, Jimmy Mac for taking the risk and Eric Carter for working so hard for me. EC put in a truly full day as he had risen at 4am and we parted company on 210 at 11pm each with several more hours of driving before we found our beds. Lastly a really big thanks to IMBA. Without IMBA's support on my photography I would not be shooting at all. IMBA has used a lot of my shots (including the covers for both the last IMBA Trail News Edition and this months as well). One small part of my job is getting the word out on projects that are making a difference in the mountain bike community and using photography is a very effective way to do that. Thankfully IMBA recognizes that and because of that we have articles like this in MBA and hopefully they spread the word far and wide. So do us all a favor, pick up the mag, spread the word and enjoy.

Thanks for reading.

Hansi

A day well worth remembering

Duck hunting with Dad

2011-10-12T19:05:00.000-07:00

Big water, big boats

Room with a view

Little water, little boats

River Fireworks

Picking them up

One of my favorite things to do in the fall is to spend time on the Mississippi River with my dad. We used to do a lot of when I was a kid. So you can imagine I was having a good time hanging with him last weekend. Although the weather was perfect, we only saw a few ducks, but got to talk alot!

Torske Klubben class of 2011!!

2011-10-12T18:21:00.000-07:00

I forgot to mention that last Saturday I was inducted as a member to the Minneapolis Torske Klubben, a Norwegian mens club. This is a club with a ton of history and a lot of incredibly interesting and esteemed people. At one of my first meetings I was one table away form former Vice President Walter Mondale. Thanks to Blaine for getting me involved and thanks to "The Boss" and Larry Molsather for nominating me, I look forward to a lot more Torske and Aquavite in the future!

Classic names for a Norwegian club!

Honorary Norwegian Consul pouring the national drink!

Ahhhh

SE MN Interlude 2011

2011-10-12T11:18:00.000-07:00

I was back home in Pickwick, MN this last week. My mother actually put on a play, funded by the Legacy Fund and it was awesome. I will post a few shots from the play as I get a chance. While home I went Duck hunting with my father, paddling on the old Miss and also had a chance to photograph my buddy Steve Briggs at his Farm. Here are some shots from the Briggs Farm. What a place. It is actually now a B&B that specializes in outdoor pursuits. Currently Steve is catering towards Deer and Turkey Hunting and if you love to do either, you should lust over heading to the Briggs Farm. It is thousands of acres of perfect Southeastern MN farmland, huge views, amazing terrain and all the bells and whistle any hunter would want. Including Steve both guiding for you and cooking Morrel Mushrooms and tenderloin on his wood fired cook stove in the mornings.....

Waking up for the hunt

Suiting up...

Up a Tree with a world class view

Deer food

Food plots and bluff views

SE MN Blufflands

Home sweet home

Trek IMBA Dealer camp 2011 Cable, WI

2011-10-10T10:16:00.000-07:00

For the past three years Geoff Snudden of Trek Bikes has been hosting an Advocacy Dealer Camp. It has moved about a few times but this year we were in Cable, WI. Land of CAMBA. It was an awesome three days. I ended up riding the Rock Lake Epic with my buddies Sam and Nate of Spring Street Sport and CORBA. Sam was nursing some wounds (some attained during the night ride the evening before) so Nate and I pushed on. It was a long day but well worth the effort as the leaves were prime, the scenery world class, the weather perfect. We rattled around the Telemark Lodge as virtually the only guests (and of course that ended in Mayhem) and spent some quality time at the Ideal Market with Gary Crandall, Ron Bergin and Mick. A great time was had by all. Thanks Geoff and Trek!

Explosives, what happens when you get IMBA and Trek together...

Wheely contest west wing..

Telemark Lodge DH Course

Lots and lots of riding on the CAMBA trails

Nursing hangovers in the Telemark Lodge

Celebrity bartenders at the Ideal Market

Perfect nights

Lots o leaves!

2011 Duck Opener Bigfork, MN

2011-09-29T13:29:00.000-07:00

I know, every fall my blog gets a bit rednecky and trends towards the hunting and fishing side of things. Well I can not deny it, I love to be outside and I love to be outside in the fall and my history and heritage has always put me there with a gun or a fishing pole in my hand....so anyway this was the best duck opener I can remember. It had it all. Action, intrigue, failure, comedy and my buddy Chris Godsey as well.

Ducks love rice and we had a lot of both

Godsey picks em up

Here ducky, ducky, ducky

Camo man

Drip, drip, drip

The pay off, roast duck and grouse!

Local Brookie stream produces some real fireworks

2011-09-26T10:38:00.000-07:00

Mama

I have a few friends that just love to drive to fish for Trout. They drive all over the state and the region every weekend. However, they fail to see the opportunities that we have in our local streams, and I hate to say it, I am good with that! I hop on my bike, I bushwack and I catch trout like these. Last week, in one outing I had three fish over 16 inches all looking like the most whacked out tie dyes you ever saw...

A-Rog Copper Harbor Trails trails Czar

2011-09-08T15:50:00.000-07:00

One of the cool parts of my job is hanging out with cool folks like Aaron. Aaron's creative mind, hard work ethic and of course his rad assistant Elias, are the fertile ground that have grown the world class trails in Copper Harbor. If you have ridden CH and you had a great time you owe this dude the props. His support and partnership with IMBA have also been huge and I stoked to be working so closely in this trails mecca. Oh yeah, Aaron also rips on a bike as does Elias!

Dig, dig dig

Boards for breakfast

Braap dig!

Night shots: Copper Harbor, MI abodes

2011-09-08T14:51:00.000-07:00

King Copper!

Bella Vista #8 our home every year.

Tae's Wild Ride: Whoopidy Woo, Copper Harbor MI

2011-09-07T20:33:00.000-07:00

On my bday I took the time to ride with Tae and Margaret. We shuttled up to the summit of Brockway and Tae flashed Whoopidy Woo's descent at age 3.5. It was a really amazing ride and I would put it up there with just about any outdoor activity I have done. He was totally stoked and having a great time. I learned some really powerful parenting skills as well....IE keep my mouth shut and trust that Tae has the sense to handle the riding and the challenges and that if he does not, he drops the bike and walks....I know a heck of a lot of adults that dont that skill! At the end of the ride we hung with Aaron and Elias as they busted out Flying Squirrlel this according to Tae was by far his favorite part of the ride!

Stoke!

Garden Brook Bridge

Building Flying Squirrel with Aaron

Copper Harbor, MI : Mountain Bike Utopia on steroids.

2011-09-06T11:53:00.000-07:00

I spent the week working and playing in Copper Harbor, MI. I think we can safely say this is a now a world class off road cycling destination. I think we could say that even last year, but the Copper Harbor Trails Club and Aaron Rogers specifically have ridden past that line for sure with the addition of "The Flow" trail and also "Flying Squirrel".

Congrats to Copper Harbor Trails Club on another amazing season, another amazing Festival and an extremely positive influence on their community.

I will be posting shots of the week off and on going forward!

The Flow

IMBA Trail Care Crew visit: LAMBA White Lake WI

2011-08-28T13:34:00.000-07:00

Someday I want to write a book on the how humans have adapted to cycling in off road conditions. I have seen so many different types of terrain and so many trails in this job that I have experienced how terrain dictates trail type, dictates riding style and gear etc. In Copper Harbor you have cedar bridging. In Duluth you have literal slick rock, in Cuyuna you have dusty sharp red rocks and on the Nicolette Roche Trails you have large round boulders. All are incorporated in the the trails and all have created interesting rides.

The boulders and the trails near Bear Paw Adventure are interesting and inspiring. Not only in how fun they are to roll over, but also visually. Add to that the fact that a huge F4 Tornado ripped the area a few years ago and you have a really amazing riding experience. The blow zone is a veritable sea of black berries, I had trouble riding there were so many. However the loud crashing of a bear got me rolling pretty quickly at one point!

Great job LAMBA, great trails and thanks for having IMBA come and do a visit!

Charlie rolling another big rock

Riding through the impact zone

Yum!

Kayak tree a memorial to the tornado

St. Louis River huck 2011

2011-08-14T20:14:00.000-07:00

when I was a kid we used to love jumping the wagon bridge in my home town. It was pretty high, but not as high as these kids were hucking. The DNR sign at the top of the bridge warns the fall is 88 feet and I believe it. I think I counted almost 3 by the time they touched down...I dont condone this type of activity but it is hard to resist with a camera in hand.

Cojones

Onward and upward

Oh yeah

Middleton Bike Park: Why it could be the future of WI off road cycling

2011-08-12T14:19:00.000-07:00

I deal with a lot of opportunities in my job. However, if I see 50 possible projects, I see only 1% that have the true potential to change communities, lives and influence economies. I saw one of those places this week.
Middleton, WI. Here are 10 reasons Middleton could change the way WI sees off road cycling.

1) Proximity to a huge cycling population and a very young youthful population.
2) Proximity to a vibrant cycling industry.
3) A Trails educated, motivated and enlightened land manager with knowledge of funding streams.
4) Adjacent land owners with large acreages and an already established adventure sports environment.
5) An IMBA Chapter Club (CORP) to get behind the project.
6) A 5 year management plan is being implemented this winter, with time for introducing a bike specific proposal.
7) Whole project is going to be intersected and connected via paved trail to Madison.
8) City owned property versus State owned. (makes a big difference in WI).
9) 100 room hotel being built on property.
10) Current bike park is professionally designed and constructed--allowing city to understand best practices in trail building, design and how to work with contractors.

Middleton has the ability to be a destination riding spot, with gravity based, flow based trails in the metro region of Madison.

This is an opportunity for sure......

Trek World 2011: Team Leopard goes Mountain Biking

2011-08-11T10:34:00.000-07:00

Trek brought in the big guns for this years show. Team Leopard was on hand to talk about their recent domination of the TDF. It was amazing to hear their stories. After speaking in front of the crowd, they sat down to sign autographs.....the line was literally 3-4 hours long so I skipped it.

However, the next day I was hanging out at the Trek Trails and low and behold Andy, Frank and Jens showed up for an MTB ride. I was able to meet them and get some shots as well!

Fabian Cancellara wading through a lot of writing

Actual tour bikes on display

Heading out on the trails

Andy Schleck hitting the berms

Frank Schleck tearing it up on the Superfly

Jens Voigt signing Ken Derrico's demo truck (note other autographs)

Trek World 2011: Gary Fishers three best outfits...

2011-08-11T09:47:00.000-07:00

Sherlock Holmes

California

Tyrolean...

Trek World Demo 2011

2011-08-11T09:43:00.000-07:00

Once again riding the Trek Trails. They just seem to be getting better and better....

The Trail builder, killing it

Braap!

Keeping it safe

Trek World 2011

2011-08-11T09:14:00.000-07:00

I just spent three days at Trek World. Lots to post, so get ready!

Replica, first Trek

Lots to look at, lots to drool over

Smallie Hunting: Cloquet River

2011-08-04T18:27:00.000-07:00

The Cloquet River is one of the most overlooked fishing rivers in Northern, MN. Good for us though! However the water has been a bit high after our 5 inch dump of rain!

Dawkins hucking meat...

Tae's first BWCA Trip, Age 3.5

2011-08-02T20:42:00.000-07:00

We could not have had better weather and conditions for Tae's first excursion into the BWCA. Tae was a super trooper. He had a great time and I think that we have him off on the right foot for becoming a child connected to the outdoors. There was swimming, fishing, paddling, hiking, cooking, eating and of course fires and smores as well. I have a new found appreciation for those families that have been taking their kids on backcountry trips at this age that is for sure....

Hayward, WI: Hanging with Mom and Dad at Indian Lake

2011-07-22T10:05:00.000-07:00

Last weekend the family and I went to spend time with my parents in Hayward, WI. It was a great few days, lots of swimming, lots of kid time and lots of time trying to figure out my new 5D Mark II. lots to learn with this gizmo...

Storm one.

Dad and Tae

Interior Young Otter Lodge

Dad getting the pizza oven rolling

Results are optimal...

Marg doing her round the lake swim

Storm two!

Taes Job at the Dirtspanker

2011-07-18T09:13:00.000-07:00

Taes, job at the Dirtspanker was all his idea. Very intuitive for a three year old. The race was over 90 degrees and nearly 90 percent humidity. At first Tae was worried the racers would get mad at him, but that thought faded quickly....

Waiting for the prey

Tough customer

Summer recess: Solo time at the Cabin in Bigfork, MN

2011-07-11T07:22:00.000-07:00

I spent the weekend solo at the family cabin near Big Fork.

Marg and Tae give me a few times a year to escape to the cabin and seek the adventures I am so fond of.

This time around was no different. I am amazed at hard I can play here. Friday I road about 5 hours on two track logging roads, saw some awesome country, also fought some fierce horseflys too! Saturday I battled the most arduous trout stream I have tangled with in years. Stonybrook Creek. Caught some Brookies and ventured into a spot I have not yet experienced. Sunday I paddled across one pretty large lake, up a long sluggish river to another lake and back again, fishing all the way. Mixed in with all of this was a lot of book reading, photography, KAXE radio and swimming off the dock as well.

Thanks for the weekend Marg! I used it.

Fairview, Big Fork MN

Cabin detail

Reflections

Ahhh, summer it is...finally!

Fishing boat: Many an expedition had in this thing

Fishing boat detail

Hanging out with an old buddy: My Wenonah Advantage

2011-07-08T10:41:00.000-07:00

I found myself with some time to actually get out and paddle last night.

It has been a crazy spring and early summer that is for sure. I am continually amazed at the recreational resources that we have out our back door.

I spend a huge amount of my time visiting places that are trying to become vacation destination, yet the outdoor place I enjoy the most, is my own backyard. I am also stoked to have my 16 foot solo canoe to explore it in too, what a sweet adventure tool to have in the quiver. I hit moving water, slack water, longer tours and fish and camp out of it on top of all that as well!

The wild flowers just keep on coming!

"Upstream Downstream" swimming hole of the gods....

Good woods

Yeah, this is my backyard

One of the first and the biggest hydro projects of 1907!

Best Mountain Bike Trailhead in a meltdown...

2011-07-04T14:16:00.000-07:00

Perfect cannonball form

Pennington Mine Boat ramp. Cuyuna, MN

The search for the 20 inch fish back yard fish.....

2011-06-30T11:04:00.000-07:00

So my fishing partner and I have a new quest this summer. To catch a 20 + inch Smallmouth on the Thomson Res. behind my house (with a fly rod). Not a bad mission to have for back yard water!

Its that time again...

IMBA Midwest Spring Campaign 2011

2011-06-28T09:47:00.000-07:00

Joey Kleins note and evidence of his stay in Duluth, MN

I arrived home late in the evening last Sunday night from the Midwest Mountain Bike Festival in Davenport, IA. It had been an 8 plus hour push after a long four days of the festival. As I pulled in the driveway I had a sense of relief, sort of like that last day of school feel. I had literally been on the road since late April. Nearly every weekend an event, a political meeting, a fundraiser you name it. I immediately realized that I could now finally clean out the IMBA Roo. Yeah it had been that busy, instead of removing things from the car, I would just leave them in there, why not? I will just need them next weekend.

I stumbled into our Sauna/Guest house and dumped some items from the car. While I was in there I saw that Joey Klein had left me a note and some gifts while I had been away. Funny thing is that Joey was here some time in early May, its is almost the 4th of July. This stuff had been sitting there for over a month and I was just finding it now. However that said, it struck me just how much I have done since April and I should most likely recap that in some way. So here goes, the simple laundry list with a few comments.

It all started out with the National Bike Summit in March, in Washington, DC. Then it went to the Wheel and Sprocket Sale in Milwaukee, then to the Wisconsin Bike Summit in Madison the next week, that rounded out April.

A few short weeks later I found myself with Joey in Duluth marking out the tougher sections of the Duluth Traverse Trail with COGGS. Overlapping that I had another Trail Solutions employee, Steve Mullins working both in Rippon, WI and also Tofte, MN and in Woodbury, MN. While that was going on, I headed to the Door County Bike Summit in Sister Bay, WI. Thanks for the bed Freddie!

Then things got busy. Along with Aaron Rogers, I put on the Great Lakes Bike Summit in Copper Harbor, MI. This was in conjunction with the Ride the Keweenaw event. A great event and a huge success. Thanks to all that attended. I had very little time to celebrate. As both my boss, Mike Van Abel and my compatriot Chris Berhardt hopped planes to head to the next events they had, I took the time to get ready for the grand Opening of Cuyuna and the first IMBA Ride Center in the country. But oh, yeah first I had to head to the CAMBA festival of trails. Not a hardship by any means but hey it all starts to add up.

Cuyuna blew all my expectations away. To see the transformation over the past two years was literally astounding. I can honestly say that of all the myriads of folks there that weekend, there were only a fistful of us that had the depth of satisfaction that I felt. On that note I can also say that only a few people really see the change that Cuyuna is going to create both in our community of MTB activists, but also in the sport itself. I see a future blog post in that realm coming soon as well. Suffice to say, things will not be the same after Cuyuna.

I took a few days to rest and then loaded up to meet Steve and Morgan of the Trail Care Crew. They met me in Duluth and we had a cup of coffee and plotted our next round of attack. The USFS and the Boy Scouts of America and the local IMBA Club, the Superior Cycling Association were gathering to build single track in both Tofte and Grand Marais, MN. We hosted a trail school and then helped the USFS organize the 140 or so Scouts to begin the build.

The build I am told went well, however I was not there, and either was the TCC because we had headed out to go to the Midwest Mountain Bike Festival in Davenport, IA. My second regional summit. Like the Great Lakes Summit we had a great cross section of clubs. 10 different clubs, 50 folks on Friday at the Summit and easily hundreds more at the Festival itself. Thanks FORC!

Now I am looking forward to slowing down, seeing some summer, playing with Tae and giving Margaret some relief. The spring campaign is over and the fall campaign is in the future. Thanks to all those who supported me and IMBA over the past two months and thanks to all those that will support us in the future and of course, thanks to Margaret and Tae for allowing me to have a dream job that helps change communities and lives in a positive way.

Proving the fallacy of flatness: Midwest Mountain Bike Festival, Davenport IA

2011-06-27T09:53:00.000-07:00

Slyvan Island, IL

Great symbol for the Midwest MTB fest!

Never give up hope

Skid contest

Amid the ruins

No more war

Ken B. Rocking as usual

Nuha nuhna nuhhhhhh

Jousting? Really? FORC for sure....

Congrats to FORC and all the folks that made the Midwest Mountain Bike Festival possible. The Summit on Friday was well attended. I think we had about 10 clubs in attendance and it was great to have all that experience in one room and to pass ideas, challenges and dreams around the room. The Festival itself was a great time as well. I enjoyed riding Sylvan Island, Scott County Park and Illiniwek, or course the Bent River Brewery was awesome too, as well as all the cool company!

More Grand Marais images

2011-06-19T06:26:00.000-07:00

Little clues

One of over 1 billion killed in the last few days

IMBA Trail Care Crew in Grand Marais: Minnesota's future single track capitol

2011-06-17T08:52:00.000-07:00

Local food

Local food being consumed

Pedal Blender

Fording the River Brule

Feeling like local food...

It aint single track but it will do!

Perfect finish

This week we have the IMBA Trail Care Crew in Grand Marais, MN. There are some really solid plans in place for single track here. Although there is not a lot on the ground at this point, Morgan, Steve and I still had a great adventure ride within 9 miles of the town yesterday. This is a great place to ride a mountain bike and it will only become better in the near future!

Cuyuna Mountain Bike Festival (Ripping with Hans Rey)

2011-06-13T09:01:00.000-07:00

The highlight of my weekend and perhaps my tenure with IMBA was on Sunday.

After Hans and John did a technical trails clinic at Yawkey I took them and Josh Abrahamson on a tour of the trails around Pennington. Hans has been pioneering the idea of "Flow Country" trails for a while now. The idea being that there are different types of flow trails and that Flow Country trails are gravity based. Hans was interested in seeing if any of the Cuyuna trails would fit this designation.

After seeing the smile on his face and hearing the whooping he was doing coming down Sand Hog I got the feeling that yes, it did. It was a really fun ride.

The cross country race was due to start, so the trails were actually closed and because of that we had a sense of urgency to get Hans on all the key trails before we lost the ability to access the runs. So I was forced to give an off menu tour and use my memory on how to most efficiently combine the ride to hit those trails. It was a fun mental exercise on my end and a great quick ride on theirs. We ended up hitting, Screamer, Endo Ally, Sand Hog, Chute, Ferris Wheel and Roly Poly all in the span of about an hour. The stoke was high by the end of the ride. Hans, John and Joshe's because of the great trails and mine because some great riders were so so happy to be riding at Cuyuna!

Flow Country!

Cuyuna Mountain Bike Festival (Hans "No Way" Rey is in the building)

2011-06-13T08:48:00.000-07:00

Saturday was the start of the first annual Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Festival.

Hans Rey came thanks to the financial support of MORC, QBP and IMBA. We are extremely grateful that he came to the event. His demo on Saturday night was outstanding. He and John Gaddo a local MN trials rider lit up the crowd with some great riding. The spectators were mainly kids from the area and I am positive that due to both Hans and John, they are already begging their parents for bikes that they can take to the now world class trails in their community.

After both John and Hans's performance we had a night ride the took place at 10pm. We had nearly 40 folks who attended that ride. We hit a solid portion of the lower trails at Pennington and at one point we used our lights to highlight some of the b-lines so Hans could rip them in his typical effortless style. All that attended arrived back at the cars in one piece...

There were also Wood tick races going on!

Zen master, zenning

"Kuhl!"

Another satisfied customer (note the red dust)

details

Johnny G keeping it real

Inspired

Its the faces to look at

A well organized night ride

Smoke em if you got em

Cuyuna Mountain Bike Festival (Ribbon Cutting)

2011-06-13T08:07:00.000-07:00

On the second day of my visit to Cuyuna we had the official ribbon cutting. Jim Oberstar joined a host of other state and local dignitaries in thanking those that have made the new trail system that is the now being called the IMBA Cuyuna Lakes Ride Center possible. After the ribbon cutting we once again hit the trails and I had pleasure of riding with my boss Mike Van Abel on some of the Yawkey Trails.

Maya the 9 year old trail builder and ribbon cutter with Jim Oberstar

Weather kept us in the hockey rink for the speeches but it somehow felt right..

Boss enjoying his Friday at work

Cuyuna Mountain Bike Festival (worker bee day number 1)

2011-06-09T21:59:00.000-07:00

Does something look a bit odd to you here?

Nick killing it on Rori's bike (Note tire positions)

Braaap!!

I spent the Thursday before the Grand Opening of Cuyuna working with Nick from the Cuyuna/MORC Club getting the trails ready for the race coming up this Saturday. It was awesome. Perfect day, lots of folks riding and lots of world class people watching. I have to say that if the goal of these trails was to bring in new riders and influence young people to ride (which it was) then we have won the war for sure. I saw Jr. High kids killing it on Huffy's and 3-Speed bikes they obviously knicked from their parents. I saw my first broken frame in Yawkey, I saw folks looking at maps and riding on trails I have in the past only seen one or two of my closest friends or workmates on. The sounds themselves inspiring. Crazy hoots and hollers were sounding from all areas of the system. Today I really loved my job.....

Spring sliding into Summer: A NE Minnesota outdoorsman's sigh of relief

2011-06-06T08:18:00.000-07:00

Last friday I awoke to the sound of a loon on the lake. It was about 5am and the loon was in full on howling mode. I slid from the bed and while my family slept I loaded my bike and rode off to one of my favorite fishing spots. It was cold enough that I needed a hat and a wool sweater. Clouds threatened but the day was calm. Perfect for a morning of fishing brookies. My first fish was the biggest fish I have ever caught in this stream. It was truly a wonderment. As I release that beautiful fish, the storm that had been rumbling the distance finally unleashed. Lightning and thunder raged and I was forced to sit under an upturned White Pine's rootball and watch the rain come sheeting down. It was the storm that brought the heat from the southern part of the state. It went from 50 degrees to 70 in a matter of minutes. Spring had transitioned to summer. As I watched the skies clear and the sun beam down a white tailed deer wandered into the stream below me. I did not have the lens to truly capture the shot but I tried anyway. As I watched the deer I flashed back to my first deer hunt and instantly I had the realization that I have been haunting streams like this for literally 30 years. At that moment I can honestly say I felt true to who I am as a person. One thing in 30 years has not changed and that is my love for being outside and I guess that is not going to change in the next 30 years.....

Wally the wonder trout...

Beavers and Brookies

Back cast? What back cast?

Still growing

Stream buddy

Hunting bike turned fishing bike

Great Lakes Summit in Copper Harbor: Huge success

2011-06-01T10:26:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Aaron Rogers and the many folks of the Copper Harbor Trails Club and the Keweenaw Trails Alliance, we had a resounding success with the Great Lakes MTB Summit. It was an all star cast including 8 clubs from across the region, Mike Mercuri and Ron Ritzler of SRAM and also Mike Van Abel (IMBA Exec. Director), Chris Bernhardt director of Trail Solutions. Here are some shots from the Mayhem (I am still licking my wounds from both the day and the night).

Keep it on the straight and narrow

On the Edge

Trail Genius!!

Endless turns in Copper Harbor!

Pete is not afraid...

Pete and Rudy hanging at the AM session

Adam Sundberg wonders just how well the trails drain

The Jam Pot (Heavenly tastes)

Opening Day: its official, you can rip Cuyuna with no consequences today!

2011-05-26T07:09:00.000-07:00

I spent the morning of opening day with Rori and Nick, two of the killer volunteers on the new Cuyuna trail. I have to say it was one of the best mornings I have had on a bike in a long time! Hit the new trails this weekend and also come to the Grand Opening June 10th as well! You will not be disappointed!

My billboard in Ironton!

Just another Cuyuna berm (with a view)

Tires or rocks?

Braaapp!

A working vacation in Southeastern, MN

2011-05-16T17:57:00.000-07:00

I was lucky enough to have had some work in Lacrosse, WI with the Human Powered Trails club last week. I was not only lucky because I was able to ride and work with HPT, but also because I spent some more time in my home town. The following images are from a day and half spent chasing fish, hunting mushrooms and well....eating and drinking good beer!

Dave Dawkins matching the hatch in style

Another nice small stream fish

Double D doing what he does best

Hmmm

O! Face.

A night in Pickwick with my family: Pizza oven heaven

2011-05-16T17:08:00.000-07:00

Pickwick falls at night

Big trout creek in the day.

The famed Johnson Pizza oven

Pizza ingredients from the woods to the pie.

One of the oldest mills in Minnesota

The Briggs Family Farm, Cedar Valley MN

2011-05-16T16:55:00.000-07:00

While in the region working for IMBA I also had time to swing by my buddy Steve Briggs Farm and look for some mushrooms. It was great hanging with an old high school buddy and also learning the tricks of the trade of hunting such savory fare!

The things in questions.

Lessons in shrooming

Steve Briggs and friend

His fathers, fathers tractor, still rocking.

Torque indeed!

Funky derelict trucks. Trout stream fishing americana.

2011-05-16T14:26:00.000-07:00

Sometimes what is on the side of the stream is as fun as what is in it!

Add caption

New Superior Kettlebell Gym open! The beatings continue...

2011-05-11T11:06:00.000-07:00

Not only does the new SKG have more light it has new toys in which to destroy all confidence you had in your physical fitness. The gym has new pull up bars, hanging climbing bars and battle ropes. No doubt SKG has made a very solid jump up a few notches in this new space.

Clean as a whistle

Steel your face

Battle ropes

Mid battle

Enduring the shoulder season as an off road cyclist...

2011-05-09T12:55:00.000-07:00

Duluth Backcountry Riding

Well the weather has been horrible for off road riding that is for sure. However due to the "green up" some trails are actually drying out despite the wet weather. The key is knowing what trails drain well and thus support riding on, or just plain need to be avoided. I call it bits and pieces riding. A little bit here, a little bit there and some road and gravel thrown in to tie it all together. It is ok for now, but man I am ready for some longer single track rides!

Last Walz Old City Hall: Superior Kettlebell final workout in the dungeon.

2011-05-05T10:55:00.000-07:00

Time to move

Who knew bouncing a ball could hurt so bad

100th Burpee and contemplation of it

Secret Service test in action

Bottoms up

Its dark and damp. There are no windows and the ceiling repeatedly spat out mortar and flakes of old construction material. In the winter it was heated mainly by the bodies of suffering athletes. In the summer it was so hot that you felt you would suffocate. The only music allowed was metal and hard core punk. It was the dungeon in the basement of the Old City Hall. It looked like The Gimp could stroll out at any moment. Yet I will miss it dearly as it was the perfect den for the group of alt athletes, punk fitness maniacs and outdoor adventure types who showed up to work out there every morning for the last three years. It was Duluth underground at its best. Violent, raw and holistic all at the same time.

I have seen lives transformed in this dungeon. I have forged friendships here and I have seen people rise above fear, rise above challenge and literally show what they are made of ( I would include myself in all of these cases).

Adam and Liz Dailey should be respected for what they have created in the basement of the Old City Hall. That respect was not given however when the gym was unexpectedly and unceremoniously told to leave the building on one days notice this week by the owner of the building due to renovations. It speaks to the strength of the community that Adam has built that so many people are pitching in to move the gym to a new location at 1st West and 1st Street. I know we will make it ours and hell, it will be nice to have a window to look out as I crank out my planks or the 100th burpee somebody makes me do.....

Barn Sale: May 7th 2011 Final Details.

2011-05-04T13:58:00.000-07:00

If these skis could talk

Gear sale. May 7th 2011.

When: 9am to whenever somebody hands out the beer. Or when all this stuff is gone!

Where: 54 Dalles Ave. Thomson, MN 55718 (Use your GPS). Come early!

What: Mainly outdoor gear, some used some new. Paddling stuff, telemark skiing stuff, backpacks, you name it we have most likely have something like it.

This is going to be a solid sale folks. Not sure if it will be as epic as past sales that I have had but it will have a lot of good stuff for sure. I have had a fun time preening through all this stuff. I see skis I used in France with Doug Coombs. Paddle gear that has been used all over the world, brand new Astral and IR stuff. On top of that Dave Larson has brought a bunch of his one offs and salesman samples as well. So believe me this sale is loaded.

See you soon!

Family Escape, Pickwick Minnesota April 2011

2011-05-01T20:20:00.000-07:00

It would seem that all of our past sins up here in Northern Minnesota are coming back to haunt us. April has had more snow than March and the temps cant seem to climb past 40. It is like the sun has forgotten us. So with that said, the family and I drove 5 hours south to see if the weather was any better. It was not, although there was a bit more green grass and flowers so that at the very least was pleasant. The fishing proved great and of course the company was even greater, so all in all we had a memorable time.

Fishing Pickwick Style

Always someone there before you

Stream rubble

Small fry

Bloedow's, kicking Crispy Cream ass since 1924

Old mills and trout streams

Dan Grimslid Winona Art Tour

Dan Grimslid Studio

Family

Davenport, IA and the Midwest Mountain Bike Festival June 24th-26th 2011

2011-04-28T10:51:00.000-07:00

I am a bit late on this post but life has been on overdrive this past week, so I am just gaining the time to lay down some images. I traveled to Madison, WI and Davenport IA last week. Madison for the WI Bike Feds State Summit and Davenport to hang out with the folks that are organizing the Midwest Mountain Bike Festival in late June. Here are some shots. The mighty Miss was just growling and rising on up the banks so the trails were not getting ridden during this visit but I got to see some cool sites in the city itself. Should be a killer venue for a Summit.

FORC bike rack Sylvan Island

Dude!

City under siege

Downtown

Bridge to nowhere.

FORC in action (note river in window)

Barn Sale: May 7th 2011

2011-04-18T07:30:00.000-07:00

Grandpa detris

Might as well start getting the word out soon. The barn in Thomson is way to full of stuff. After a decade plus of working in the outdoor industry as a ski rep, Patagonia rep, Lotus and Astral rep, kayak and canoe rep, I am finally going to have a solid blow out sale. Might even be a few other reps with the same issues, who knows. The fact of the matter however is that on May 7th there will be a barn full of stuff for sale (cheap) and some beer to drink and a sauna to roast in. So if you know where I live come on over, if not contact me and I will let you know. Also if you have a good piece or two of outdoor gear and want to toss it in, give a hoot too. We will also post more details on Facebook as well.

Of all the stuff I am trying to get rid of there were also boxes of "stuff" that inherited from my grandfather General Clinton "Buck" Johnson. I was feeling pretty nostalgic and as I weeded through it I was amazed at how much meaning an old jar with some lead shot and 45 Auto rounds could be. I wont relate my grandfathers story but suffice to say the photo above captures a lot more than one would think about the man and his history.

Boofing in the Backyard: Midway River paddle

2011-04-17T19:59:00.000-07:00

My buddy Eric Larson and I caught the waning waters of the Midway River, behind our house this afternoon. What a crazy day. 27 degrees and dumping snow in the morning to blue bird and 34 in the afternoon. It was nice to have a smoking hot sauna waiting at the end of the run!

Sucka falls

Neighborhood watch

Boofer boat

We need more water captain!

Ahh....

Waters up: St. Louis River is blowing its top.

2011-04-12T11:02:00.000-07:00

N.O.S.D (Nature over stimulation Disorder)

2011-04-11T06:46:00.000-07:00

I can't tell you how many conferences, seminars and talks that I have attended that mention the phenomenon "Nature Deficit Disorder"as coined by Richard Louv's book Last Child in the Woods. However I have to say, after spending the weekend with Tae, I am starting to wonder if you can also have the opposite. Because Tae and I sure spent a lot of time outside on Saturday and Sunday!
Spring has finally sprung up here, the rivers are raging, the snow is nearly gone and the mud is aplenty...

Yeah, its like Sushi

Bones

Air Guitar "is this like Smashing Pumpkins daddy?"

Skipper. Proper hand position.

Root beer river

The aliens have landed

Peek a boo!

In praise of the spring sun

2011-03-30T08:44:00.000-07:00

The trails are in perfect shape right now. We still have an extremely firm base but in the forest there are spots with light dry powder still clinging to the shadows. Most of the week it was hard to figure out what tool would work best for the job. Skate skis, were the answer for most of the week, as the skiing was perfect (still is in some areas), but after the past two days we crossed squarely into the riding season. This morning I rode to the rising of the sun, 18 degrees with Bard Owls hooting and the zipping crunch of my low PSI 2.4's.

Pizzzzgahhhhh!!!! Southeast Mountain Bicycle Summit in Brevard, NC

2011-03-28T07:16:00.000-07:00

Walt "B" Ready

SORBA is dialed

Great club, great riding

Frankie dancing in the jungle

SORBA a club with legs!

Morgan of the Trail Care Crew

Rhodo tunnel

Top of Black Mountain

Stick Season

Pisgah Tavern, beer in a bike shop!

What makes a great mountain bike destination? Lots of great trails, good terrain but most of all good people to tie it all together. SORBA (Southern Off Road Bicycling Association) gets that for sure. Every time I come south to ride I have an amazing time. Good riding, good food, great folks and always a ton of laughing and story telling. So great job SORBA all the other Regional Summits have a lot to do to keep to the standard you have set!

Tae's Third Birthday

2011-03-21T08:11:00.000-07:00

I dont usually post family photos on this blog. I leave that up to Margaret but I had a few good shots so I thought I would toss them up. The last shot is actually from a Fisher Price Kids Camera that Tae received from is Nana, this is one of his first shots with it. I dig a present that is already teaching some artistic skills!

Three (including the thumb)

Locking on...target acquired

Spring

Party favors

One of Tae's first photos.

Stumping for the cause: North Shore Single Track

2011-03-15T19:24:00.000-07:00

I spent the day working on the North Shore again. This time it was with Scott Chapin of RJF insurance. We gave a great "Impact" of trails in your community talk to about 25 or so folks. I did the broad talk on who off road cyclists are and Scott hit them with some very interesting economic numbers. A great day to be on the shore as always!

A mecca in the making

Lutsen Resort, great supporters of tourism and especially silent sport tourism

Ride single track and stay here afterwards?? No brainer.

Nice

Sugarbush single track proposed trails

Yup, this car had 1,000 miles when I picked it up last Feb.

Images from the National Bicycle Summit in DC

2011-03-12T19:15:00.000-08:00

I spent the week meeting with IMBA constituents, going to informational settings and lobbying both the House and the Senate on access issues for trails, saving possible Federal Funding streams and of course promoting projects that I have going on in my region. A great week, always a great learning experience and of course hugely motivating!

Singing in the Rain, DC

The Fallen

Dave Dawkins sitting at the table going to bat for single track in Al Franken's office.

Please take me home!! This place is crazy!

Jenn Dice saving the world one trail at a time......

A make do attitude we will all need soon enough (Bucket/Shopping cart drum kit)

A great representation of the many arms of Government

Never ending protests

Logistics

Mt. Superior, another great day in the Wasatch

2011-03-01T20:15:00.000-08:00

We had the classic family vacation to Utah this week. However, I was able to sneak away and hook up with some of my old ski buddies and knock off a classic. A great day it was, perfect snow, sun and good friends dropping sweet lines to the valley below, while across the way folks pounded bumps and waited in lift lines......

Onward and upward

Good, but not good enough

Local flight line

Craig points to the objective

Quick break at Two Tree's

Get your kick turns dialed

Zman, zigging and zagging

From whence we came

Technical skinning

G Man on top again

Looking into the future

A flea on the back of a giant

Yin and Yang, moguls across the valley, pow underneath

The goods be gotten

Frostbike 2011 Images

2011-02-22T12:10:00.000-08:00

One of the best parts of my job is interacting with the slew of pirates and nerdowells who comprise the cycling industry. Hanging out at Frostbike this weekend was a great example of that. Made some new friends and was lucky to see some old ones as well!

Your basement bike pile pales...

Man, those are some great Smurfs!

What is that Cactus doing?

Morgan and Geno discuss the worlds issues

Surly sales POP!

Smoke bomb? What smoke bomb?

Bling

Savage workout of the week at SKG

2011-02-18T07:00:00.000-08:00

A small glimpse into Dave Dawkins mind. SKG, a good place to deal with the Feb thaw and its aftermath....

Ouch

Walking the rotunda, wearing a monkey suit...

2011-02-16T06:48:00.000-08:00

Rotunda

Courtland tells it like it is

Courtland Nelson and Minnesota Parks and Trails unveiled their 25 year Legacy Plan on Monday and I went to the State Capitol to see the results. I was struck by how forward thinking the plan was on getting kids outside and I congratulate the DNR on this effort.

My new IMBA Blog!

2011-02-11T12:38:00.000-08:00

More blogs to choose from!

So I will now also be blogging on the IMBA Site so check out my new blog there! It will be mainly focused on my work related stuff while Universal Klister will remain my personal photo blog etc.

More work but on the other side of the lake! Grand Marais, MN

2011-02-09T08:43:00.000-08:00

Sunrise, lake on my right

Checking out the Sugarbush proposed trail sight with good friend Cory Berg of the USFS

Sunset, lake on my left...

After a few days working with the folks in the Keweenaw I found myself getting up at 5am to attend a meeting with the Superior Cycling club in Grand Marais, MN. The full other side of the lake! No wonder my car has had 44,000 miles on it since Jan! The drive was gorgeous and the meeting very inspiring. Always great to work with such great folks like those in Grand Marais and with such great partners like the US Forest Service! Should be fun to see what comes out of the proposed projects at both Pincushion and also at Sugarbush!

Whoopidy Woo in Winter, Copper Harbor, MI

2011-02-07T09:06:00.000-08:00

Full meal deal

Nice

Looking down Woopity Woo.

Grass roots rails in the Harbor

Calumet, MI. A family vacation!

2011-02-07T08:56:00.000-08:00

Truly a locals establishment

Warm place, cold day.

Yup. Snowing again

UP Beach life

Downtown