Out with the old, In with the New!!

Well I do believe that an update is needed as the new year is upon us and many new adventures are here. I will start from the begininning of my 2013 season.  Dec. 17th started the 2013 season with the first ride back after taking almost 2 weeks completely off the bike not even looking at it when I passed it in the garage.  Couldn't look at it without getting disgusted!!  Once I was back on board the trusted steed I remembered why I loved it.  Dec. 17th happened also to be the last day in Decorah that you would see any bare dirt on the trails as the next day Decorah received 2 inches of snow and the rest is history as the white stuff is here to stay for a while.

The Unicorn in the flesh on Decorah Snowy Trails!

Training 2013
Since that last trail ride on the dirt it has been quite interesting.  The two days after the first snow were spent on the trainer remembering why I didn't like that thing in at all last year, the year before, or the year before that!!!!  Then something wonderful happened, Blizzard Warning!!  Decorah received about 8 inches of snow and the fun has been non stop since. It is a wonder what a few snowshoers and a few crazy fat bike riders can do to singletrack, off camber trails.  The trails have been fun as you can see and a riot as I have been able to ride them many times over the Christmas Break with the likes of the Unicorn, Wes Gregg, Shockey and other's that I am lapsing on names.Besides getting out for the many rides on the trails I have punished myself a few times on the trainer in the middle of all the fun to make sure that I don't forget how to suffer!!

Snowy Decorah Wonderland

Trails are more fun with 8+ inches of snow
and fat tires!

Chrismas 2013 

Family Phot

Also in the middle of all this fun on the bike, a holiday did poke it's head out for some fun.  This would be the first Christmas without my Mom, who is dearly missed everyday, but also a joyous first Christmas for my twin nieces.  A little bittersweet to say the least but a celebration none the less.  It was great throwing out some surprises this year with gifts (Grandma got a dryer and Erik a clothes basket holder) but oh so sad no underwear which was dearly needed on my end!! HA  The girls seemed to love the boxes as much as the presents which made us laugh!  Bailey even joined in the fun and pulled gifts from the stocking all by herself.

Bailey and her new Flea (Now missing an eye!)

These books taste so good Uncle Trevor!

First Sledding Adventure

Also included in the adventures of Christmas were the girls first sledding adventure.  Clara absolutely was all smiles the whole time, while Ella was a little indifferent to the whole adventure but had fun also.  Only one sledding fatality on the day and the girls did try and stay warm by bury themselves in the snow only once.  We tried to dry off Ella but she claimed to be getting dizzy. Oh well.

New Team
After Christmas it was time for a great opportunity to be unveiled!  Team Noah Foundation Racing!!!!  That is right, new year and new team!!  I look forward to joining forces with the folks at this great foundation to spread the word, help and charity and hopefully kick some butt with some great, top notch riders.  Look forward to joining my teammates Dwayne, Pete, Adam, Brett, Dan and a few others to be named as we take Team Noah to the masses.  The main focus of Team Noah Foundation will be at the National Ultra Endurance (NUE) Series where we hope to take a great group of singlespeeders to do some damage on the status quo!  Other than those races I will be again going to some great races in South Dakota and around the area as well in Wisconsin, Missouri, and Minnesota. Look for big things from Team Noah and check out the Team Noah Facebook page as well as the website and help the cause www.teamnoahfoundation.com

Brought 8 inches of the white stuff to St. Louis, Let's Ride!!

This great group of guys were able to plan a weekend adventure with the hopes of shredding some sweet Missouri dirt at Middle Fork (Ozark Trail).  The guys failed to realize that wherever I travel snowstorms follow and south of St. Louis was hit with it's first snow in more than a year when I arrived on Dec. 29th but the ride was still on.  We headed out and shredded 40 miles together, getting to know eachother and having fun on snow packed singletrack and gravel all the while freezing our extremeties off.  Riding with the guys for the first time showed just how well we are going to get along and look forward to it more and more as the season draws closer.

New Year's Day Ride

I just turned into an eagle when this photo was taken

Reindeer Games!

After the ride in St. Louis it was back to Decorah for me to celebrate New Year's Eve by falling asleep early as I always do in prepration for the true celebration on New Year's Day with the annual pilgramiage to the mother land of Randy's Bluffton Store.  This annual ride goes on no matter what with many beverages served along the way and reindeer games to pass the time and cold.  This year proved to be just like year's past with wind chills well below zero and the road trecherous at times. Fun times were had as I made my 5th anniversary climb up the great cliff outside of Bluffton where this year I magically turned into a Eagle and soared away from the guys (or so they say, they weren't drinking at all!!!)  This year was different for me as I was able to avoid the hangover on the second day of the year by really trying to drink lots of water and eating lots of grease throuhout the day!

Beer stop 5? or 6? or who knows!

Well that is all as I have returned to the swing of things with the second half of the school year upon me and my training starting to take shape for this year's season.  Look for the updates that will hopefully come more often and see what is happening if you want to be bored a little.  Thanks for reading!