The Velodrome, The Velodrome, The Velodrome

With the bicycling season upon us I neglected to mention a valuable and historic element of the local bicycle culture; the velodrome in Kenosha’s Washington Park.

Home to some 90 years of racing it is a local treasure and is reopening after some rebuilding snafus. One story has that they failed to budget the painting/resurfacing of the track, and we know that must be a precision job.

Do not deny yourself the reality of bicycling is a spectators sport. Particularly at the velodrome. Feel free to engage in some spectation or even speculation over victors, perhaps adjusting your spectacles in awe of spectacular lycra attire flaunting a wide spectrum of color. Spectaculous!

Great timing for the velodrome as the Kenosha economy is doing well. Thanks Illinois.

I put my hours in for The Bike Expo and met plenty a wondrous crowd of folk. The electric bike seems not the craze it was. Some pint sized seating options failed to create a crowd.

If you are interested in volunteering Check out Metro Mountain Bikers for upcoming trail work days.

Not only will racing begin at the velodrome in May, but so to shall racing begin Wednesday nights. Under the umbrella of Wheel and Sprocket Metro Mountain Bikers shall begin holding Wednesday Night Races soon at Minooka. The location shall change month by month. Odd Tuesday Rides begin May 16th at Minooka, for those who want to learn the trails or simply meet the ones who make it happen.

But I hear you all. What you really want to know is, “Phillip, did you get your wife on April Fools Day?”

The trick is to keep it simple. If you create too complicated a ruse the woman will see right through it. Simple, and they will never see it coming. On the eve of April Fools Day my wife retired early. There were three donuts in a box she had bought for breakfast. Simple. I hide two of the donuts and the next day…

“You can make breakfast.” my wife pouts after our morning prayer and study, “Pancakes, eggs.”

We go downstairs. My wife looks annoy. Then she sneers, “You ate the donuts last night!”

“What! What donuts.” I feign innocents as I retreat to where the donuts have been hidden.

Shock, awe, embarrassment, a direct hit as I retrieve the items of contention and proclaim “April Fool!”

So sweet. …the donuts.

Then we are reviewing some of our security camera footage. My wife notices our dog darting with incredible speed around the yard.

“Wow!” she observes, “He’s so fast.

“I have it on 4X’s the speed.” I explain.

Then she laughs out loud, observing me on camera working in the garden, “It looks like you’re moving at normal speed.”

The $153 question: What were my three most favorite WORS races? Keeping the same question. Check out the Charity Jackpot Page link in the sidebar to possibly triple the amount.

It Is Time

It is time for The Bike Expo this coming weekend. That shining star in the sky that says Spring is here; salvation has come.

I’ll be there, volunteering and looking for a few essentials and deals. No new bike for me quite yet this year.

And if you are truly a fanatic you just cannot wait for the Bike Fed’s Lobby Day, on April 13th. Then there is the Spring Clean Up organized by the Milwaukee River Keepers on April 22nd. A great opportunity to volunteer in the upkeep of your community.

The Milwaukee Trails Council will have a public meeting at the Domes on April 27th. Let your opinion matter. It runs from 5:30-7:30pm. And the Bike Fed will be holding their Summit in Milwaukee at UWM on May 4th.

It is a time for activism but even more importantly, it is a time for RACING. Some may call this a time for drinking, namely beer, or Miller Time. This case was given to us by Miller Brewery when they hosted a small neighborhood meeting. It went to my dad. I only drink the non-alcoholic varieties.

WEMS, those endurance buffs of questionable judgments (how many laps can you ride in 12 hours?) begins early, on April 29th.

WORS has a ten race season. Fewer races, better attendance has been the trend. Let us see if that changes under a Trump administration. Did I mention I am almost down to my racing weight. More on that in the future.

And never forget the La Crosse Omnium. It is one of the most beautiful locations in our nation. It is a three day event, May 5-7, conflicting with the WORS opening race, but the Omnium is for road racers.

And do not forget Emery's is having a competing sale during the Bike Expo. It is time to prepare.

It was time to plant the potatoes, though the weather outside may still have been a bit too cold. But I did plant them. And the addition of the photo keeps your interest to the end.

Now it is time to do some seed starting. I am running a bit behind.

The $152 question: What were my three most favorite WORS races? Keeping the same question. Check out the Charity Jackpot Page link in the sidebar to possibly triple the amount.

Think About It

So it is 70+ degrees out and as we drive by the West Allis Farmer’s Market facility I say to my wife, “We haven’t gone to the Winter Farmer’s Market this year.”

“Is it still open?” she asked.

I turn my head to face her, pause for effect and say, “It’s February.”

Yes the Winter Farmer’s Market is open on Saturday Mornings. And no you should not be riding the trails. There are some dry runs but many soft spots. Riding the trail in these conditions destroys them. I saw a few people riding the trails, oblivious and smiling.

I took this photo at Hoyt Park during my latest ride. I actually rode a ridge line along the tracks which was fine, until the very end where a mud bath awaited as I dropped out of the trail. The pathway circling the detention ponds is mostly gravel and though I didn’t make a rotation I imagine it is in fine condition, if you want to get away from the roadways.

I do not recall if this little sitting area/stage was at The Landing at Hoyt Park last year but I could be wrong. Metro Mountain Bikers will be holding an event to honor their volunteers in March.

I am looking forward to the Bike Expo. I volunteered to man the table. I will be looking for a reflective vest, a new helmet, and some grips if not more. If I need a water bottle Metro will be selling some.

My wife bought one of those thermos bottles selling under various labels that are all the rage right now; made from copper or some metal. They are very well insulated.

I was drinking from her thermos bottle when my wife asked me, “Is the water cold.”

“Did you put cold water in it?” I asked.

“No.”

“Then the water isn’t cold.” and I handed her thermos bottle back.

“Should I put it in the refrigerator?”

I did not answer. All you guys out there understand.

The $150 question: What were my three most favorite WORS races? Keeping the same question. Check out the Charity Jackpot Page link in the sidebar to possibly triple the amount.

Some Things One Should Not Forget

Valentine’s Day, my wife gave me a beautiful card and this “Millionaire” chocolate. It is from a company in the great state of Texas. conversations have arisen now and then over the last week about possibly moving to Texas. But… any celebrations around here would be premature at this point.

A great man, a giant, in bicycling passed away recently in Wisconsin; the Founder of Wheel and Sprocket. Their Bike Expo begins April 7th. I am sure it will be a record breaker.

The next Hugh Jass Fat Bike Series race will be at John Muir on March 4th. Someone dropped the phrase “beer shortcuts” at the last Metro meeting.

Changes are coming to IMBA. All their merchandise is 15% off. They suffered some financial deficits. Not sure if it has anything to do with the legalization a marijuana in Colorado, where they are based, but you never know. Word is you best renew your membership before…

Yes, I have recovered from the NFL season and am writing again. I had to cheer for the underdog in the Super Bowl, they are my favorite AFC team, even though they threaten Green Bay Packer’s records. When the Patriots blasted their first two point conversion in, I knew they were going to do it.

Was I too harsh against the Green Bay’s opponents in my previous posts? It is part of the game; the trash talking. I did feel I was a bit harsh to Eli Manning. He seems like a very fine man from a fine family. He has had some tough losses with the Giants. I feel bad for him, all his ability failing to pay off. But, for a fresh start he could go to Green Bay and play back up for Aaron Rodgers.

Okay. Maybe I have not quite recovered. I am fairly convinced, in my own mind at least, that it was the diet Aaron’s girl friend had him on that messed with him early in the season.

There is this guy calling himself the Vegan Athlete on YouTube. A very nice man. Grows much of his own food. He keeps talking about all the things he forgets, like what particular variety of tomato he is showing. “I’m going to have to ask the lady I bought the seeds from what variety they are. I keep forgetting.” to paraphrase.

I’m just sayin.

The $150 question: What were my three most favorite WORS races? Keeping the same question. Check out the Charity Jackpot Page link in the sidebar to possibly triple the amount.

Preparation: Go Packers

Preparation is a key to success. As the Green Bay Packers prepare to dominate the Atlanta Falcons, I had a dream of finding a dead Falcon. It looked as if it had drove straight down into the ground.

Do not think like or talk about how “I hope the Packers win.” “I think they have a chance.” Just visualize success. Visualize the Packers dominating the Falcons both offensively and defensively. No more of this maybe talk. The next Super Bowl Champions are on TV tomorrow. 100% truth.

Here is something for the Atlanta Falcons.

As my family got together before the Packers Cowboys game last week I said, “Micah Hyde is going to have a big game.” Actually, that is a paraphrase. I have forgotten my exact words, something about ‘pivotal’ or ‘play maker’ but you can confirm my prediction with any one of four of my brothers. An early sack and key interception when the Cowboys were driving. Oh yeah.

HaHa is going to dominate tomorrow.

So my predicted blowout of the Cowboys did not come to pass. If not for Aaron Rodgers throwing an interception…

Maybe…

Perhaps Aaron Rodgers did not like my theory on why he played so glossy eyed and dull early in the season. Did you see that hit Aaron Rodgers took in the final minute? Identical to two he took earlier in the season with a completely different outcome and look in his eyes.

Visualize you Packer fans. Believe. Let not your heart be troubled.

We all have a bit of prepper inside of us. We did not particularly like our pole beans this last season so we let many of them dry out; go to seed. It made them easier to find too. My brother says it is the bush beans that are good eating, but perhaps the pole beans will be good as baked beans. It is also a crop that can take you through the Winter without spoiling. It is not easy to grow grains on a city lot.

Pole Beans and Bush Beans are quite different. They do not share the same companion plants; plants that are beneficial to each other when planted together.

You can dry can rice as a survival food. My wife claims fifty pounds of rice will last us six months. Maybe for one meal a day. You heat the rice up in open mason jars to get rid of any moisture and kill any bug eggs or larva. After, put the lids on while still hot. It cools to a very tight seal.

Still planning next season garden and looking to buy more seeds. Also easing into a fitness routine. It is in my head.

…Visualize.

The $149 question: What were my three most favorite WORS races? Keeping the same question. Check out the Charity Jackpot Page link in the sidebar to possibly triple the amount.

Under Pressure

Yes, I am producing Kombucha again. The Summer months are too warm (we do not have sufficient air conditioning) and we have bugs from the garden and Peach tree that are hard to manage when trying to ferment Kombucha. I tried to start a new SCOBY (Symbiotic Colony Of Bacteria and Yeast) with a store bought Kombucha and some Red Bull. My brother had mentioned he store some excess Red Bull in a Kombucha bottle and a SCOBY formed very quickly.

I could make a comment here, but I will pass.

I added some sweet tea after a few days of nothing happening and then a nice SCOBY formed.

And speaking of passing, what about those Green Bay Packers? A see a three-peat coming. The Dallas Cowboys have not faced any real pressure in a long time. They are mostly young, never having played in a playoff game. I see the Packers wiping the field with them.

And remember when you bottle your Kombucha you need pressure rated bottles or they will explode and you will lose everything, like the Cowboys will tomorrow. I’m starting to build up quite a supply of Kombucha. Anyone of you from Metro or otherwise that I would recognize is welcome to stop by and try some. The doorbell does not work.

We had our annual cookout this past year, for the first time in many years. It was in October, but I had to get it in. Finances gave kept us a bit frugal for several years but we are starting to step out once more. I had fresh bratwurst and polish sausage. Great foods to enjoy at a football game, like this one where the Packers annihilate the Cowboys.

Bratwurst, or the Polish for that matter, need no condiments. I cringe when I see people putting ketchup on a bratwurst, like I am sure I will cringe at how the Cowboys are set upon by the Packers. It is not easy to watch even your opponent being humiliated.

But there is a condiment of my own making that is the only acceptable condiment for a bratwurst. That is the peach relish we made and canned in 2015.

We all await to relish in a Green Bay Packer’s victory.

The $148 question: What were my three most favorite WORS races? Keeping the same question. Check out the Charity Jackpot Page link in the sidebar to possibly triple the amount.

Ready, Set, GOal

It is that time of year again. My goals or resolutions for this new year of 2017 are not finalized. They are being evaluated and will be made with the clear intent of them being achieved.

Now if you just want to GO, in this year of 2017, this weekend is full of places to start. Events meant to test your fitness of not only body but mind are many.

This Thursday the Lapham Peak Fat Bike Race Series is said to be a go. Do not let the man on crutches dissuade you. Pot luck means food. Lights are required. The race starts at 7:30 but from 5:30, a glorious two hours before race time, you can demo a Surly Fat Bike for free. I like ice cream.

Saturday everything starts and ends with the Hugh Jass. Waukesha is the city, Minooka is the park, flannel is what you wear for extra style points. It doesn’t get any crazier. I would be there if I had the time, or maybe if I was just one of those cool kids.

Wheel and Sprocket is also hosting Monday Night Fat Bike Group Rides.

Metro Mountain Bikers Winter Social ride, I believe this is the first, Will be Saturday January 21. Ride around or across Muskego Lake depending on how much beer…, I mean the weather. Something called the Pack N Brew is the tentative starting gate. 10:00 AM sharp. A lunch stop is planned.

On February 4th The Frosty Hog may be the race for you. It is a relay, so you do not need a Fat Bike. You just need to convince someone with a Fat Bike that they want you on their team. …Anyone? I’m right here. Sitting by myself.

Good things come to those who wait. The Sweaty Yeti, that old school, real man’s race is part of the great Yeti Fest; February 24th to 26th. It will be held at one of the most beautiful sites Wisconsin has to offer, Levi Mounds State Park.  The Yellowstone Sasquatches will not be in attendance. Yes, the National Park Service has caught up to six sasquatches at a time this last Christmas on their live feed cameras. The Park Service pans away from Sasquatch, AKA Big Foot (would more than one be Big Feet or Big Foots?) or the Forest People as some call them, when they recognize them on their live feeds. Still some have recorded the action on other devices.

All the airlines claimed height restrictions when the Sasquatch clan tried to catch a flight to Wisconsin. You really do not want to tell a Sasquatch that they stink.

Stay busy my friends.

The $147 question: What were my three most favorite WORS races? Keeping the same question. Check out the Charity Jackpot Page link in the sidebar to possibly triple the amount.