Prelude

Before I begin today’s post, I just want to thank everyone for their comments. It makes me very happy to hear from all of you. <-- See? Di is happy.

I'm very sorry I haven't been responding to them, recently. When I do reply, I try to post them in the comments section of the respective posts. As you've all read, I've been busy not being home. Summer is here and I am unemployed. Why not ride in faraway, um, not-so-faraway destinations? I do mean destinations. Don’t believe for one second that I’ve forgotten how fortunate I am to live in the Keweenaw. I am truly blessed.

There is nothing like feeling at one with the trail, rolling along, and feeling the sun gently hit your skin. A smile inevitably appears and the heart leaps for joy.

Last line of business: I know y’all read this post already, but I’ve just added the photos. Check it out: Please Apply, Again!

Today’s Post

I promised Ali I would do this when I got back. To see my invitation, view her blog: Tag, I’m It.

If you could have any one — and only one — bike in the world, what would it be?

I definitely do not practice bike monogamy. Wow. This is a tuffy. You know, I like my bikes like I like my men: reliable, fun, mine. I’m still looking. However, I recently saw a sweet, green Titus Estrella on the cover of Bicycling magazine. It’s about $4,000 and designed for women using the info gained from their custom orders. I drool.

Do you already have that coveted dream bike? If so, is it everything you hoped it would be? If not, are you working toward getting it? If you’re not working toward getting it, why not?

The fact is one bike isn’t best for all. I love my cross bike and I love my mountain bikes. I really love how other people drool over my bikes. People were really checking out out my 2008 Trek Fuel EX8 last night at the Ishpeming ride. People also check out my bright green Kona Jake the Snake. They’re both eye candy. Who can’t help feeling a little pride when people are looking at your wheels with such approval?

If you had to choose one — and only one — bike route to do every day for the rest of your life, what would it be, and why?

My favorite trail would have a variety of terrain: rock gardens that require finesse; short, steep climbs; long, grueling climbs; short, steep and long, grueling descents; smooth descents; rocky descents; flow.

My favorite road would have a variety of grades and a view of Lake Superior.

What kind of sick person would force another person to ride one and only one bike ride to do for the rest of her / his life?

I really can’t fathom it, but I’m guessing the Fat Cyclist is the wicked man who dreamt this up.

Do you ride both road and mountain bikes? If both, which do you prefer and why? If only one or the other, why are you so narrow minded?

My preference is mountain biking, but I love my cyclocross bike. There is a time and a place for everything. I love the challenge and excitement of mountain biking, but sometimes the fluidity and freedom of road cycling can be just as exciting – just not as often.

Have you ever ridden a recumbent? If so, why? If not, describe the circumstances under which you would ride a recumbent.

Um . . . I’m sure there’s a reason for these strange contraptions.

Have you ever raced a triathlon? If so, have you also ever tried strangling yourself with dental floss?

I would race it as a team event, in which case it wouldn’t be a triathlon.

Suppose you were forced to either give up ice cream or bicycles for the rest of your life. Which would you give up, and why?

Ice cream. Geez, is this supposed to be hard or something?

What is a question you think this questionnaire should have asked, but has not? Also, answer it.

At what point in the ride is it ok to start talking about food?

He he, I get yelled at by my cycling buddy, Pat, about this one. It is not socially acceptable to start talking about food until there is about 30-45 minutes left in the ride. Then, and only then, is it acceptable to discuss what everyone is doing for lunch/dinner and whether it’d be steak or burgers. Yes, food is a regular topic on our rides.

Now, tag three biking bloggers. List them below.

Erin
Sean
Alpharat