This is a year-in-review for Moronacity Cycling. Three best of lists follow. Links will open in a new window.

Best Photos of 2011

A link to the original post follows each picture.

Glen and Ali’s Fourth of July Weekend—A Photo Essay Part I

2011 MMBA Annual Meeting & Expo—A Photo Essay

2011 Ride of Silence—A Photo Essay

Recreation 101 at the Holly Recreation Area

Hopkins Lake Requires a Rear Brake

Glen and Ali’s Fourth of July Weekend—A Photo Essay Part II

Hopkins Lake Requires a Rear Brake

Glen and Ali’s Fourth of July Weekend—A Photo Essay Part III

Trouble at Addison Oaks

Best Posts of 2011

The following are my favorite posts of 2010:

• Race across the Sky
• 2011 Tour de France Finale: Félicitations Cadel!
• Chrysler-Eminem Commercial Evokes Detroit Pride
• Di’s Abridged History of Wheels
• Art and Swill

Best Photo Essays of 2011

The following are my favorites.

• Trouble at Addison Oaks—A Photo Essay
• Glen and Ali’s Fourth of July Weekend—A Photo Essay Part II
• Happy Father’s Day, Dad

Even as a kid, I understood the benefits of cross-training. Roller skating was one of my favorite activities. I was pretty good at it. In the winter, I would try ice skating, but I always feared falling on the hard ice. My tushy didn’t appreciate that.

I knew that I would need some mad skillz to support my bike habit. One time, I even got to help my dad build a house.

Unfortunately, those mechanical abilities never translated into my adult life, which is kind of a hindrance when it comes to bike repairs.

I also understood the importance of just chillin’. In those days, I enjoyed honing my skills with the latest flavor of Bubble Yum or Hubba Bubba. These days, I prefer post-ride chill sessions with Michigan micro brews. This past winter, I really took a liking to IPAs, but now that the days are warmer, I prefer sweeter ambers.

It wasn’t until I moved to Hancock in 2006 that I rediscovered the joys of riding a bike. Until recent years, I didn’t know that I was actually “mountain biking” on that pink, banana-seat Huffy on the trails behind our house. You can see a couple of pictures of those unofficial trails at “Bicycle Tour of Durand Part I—A Photo Essay.”

I now realize that the times in my life when I truly enjoyed bicycling are linked by one common thread: mountain biking. Finally, I can understand this kid’s enthusiasm:

He figured it out, early in life.

Best Photos of 2010

A link to the original post follows each picture.

Best Posts of 2010

The following are my favorite posts of 2010:

• Outdoor Recreation is Gloomy Business in Michigan
• The Bike Toss
• Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore: Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive Part I
• My Facebook Relationship Status
• Jake’s Holiday to the Fingertips

Best Photo Essays of 2010

The following are my favorites.

• People of the ILRA Spring Bike Demo—A Photo Essay
• The Great Camera Hijack—A Photo Essay
• Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore: Platte River Area—A Photo Essay

Best Photos of 2009

A link to the original post follows each picture.

Best Posts of 2009

These were difficult to choose from because so much of my writing seemed to come from a darker place in 2009. I did manage to produce a few humorous and inspirational pieces, though.

The following are my favorite posts of 2009:

• Jake and Di’s Little Excursion

• Whirlwind
• 10.46
• 2009 Ore to Shore Protest Dinner – The Jeff Kirlin Experience
• Sleepy Hollow – Attack of the Squirrels

Best Photo Essays of 2009

There weren’t many photo essays to choose from for 2009. The following are my favorites.

• Mom’s Yard – A Photo Essay

• Fourth of July Weekend – Part II – A Photo Essay
• Bicycle Tour of Durand Part II – A Photo Essay

Most Controversial Post of 2009

This is a new category because I had three posts that were quite controversial this year. The most controversial post was not because of anything I said or did, but because of the person who was the topic of that post.

• Zack’s Not-So-Good Friday

• Ali B. – for giving me a place to stay for Iceman, even though I never made it there.

• Andrea D. – for providing excellent constructive criticism for the brochure.
• Brad H. – for helping me when I broke my bike.
• Chris M. – for carpooling with me to the trails conference, and for lending me a bike and giving me a tour of Anderson Park and Burchfield.
• Dave C. – for the awesome tour of the Tree Farm.
• John R. – for putting a roof over my head for several days, giving me a tour of a couple of trails, and lending me a bike at Pontiac Lake.
• Nick and Marty S. – for great help with all of our mountain biking projects and for lending me the 29er that has begun yet another round of bike lust.
• Mike M. – for the awesome Red Wings party night.
• Steve V. – for getting my bike part to me and for all of the excellent bike support you’ve always provided.
• Terry D. – for lending me the foam roller and the camera along with your support.
• Tim M. – for lunch. It was nice to see you, again.

This list may not be complete, but I am very thankful for everyone and their support. This trip was wonderful because of you.

Over the last week, I have noticed quite a difference in my climbing ability. Compared to last year, I have a few things going against me:
• I haven’t been riding much.
• I am 20 pounds heavier.
• I’ve been severely lacking in motivation.
• I’ve had a lot of personal issues to work through.

Recent changes in my life have given me new hope. I am now a full-time freelance writer with another job prospect on the horizon. While I am still building the foundation of my career, I am envisioning the life I have always wanted: the opportunity to travel and simply be free. I have no problem lugging my laptop around and doing a little work here and there. It is something I enjoy.

I like the idea of regularly blogging, again. I enjoy the benefits of documenting my cycling life and being able to look at it down the road. It is really interesting to go back and see what I’ve done over the past years. It’s actually quite amazing. Everyone should do it. It is an odd form of self-validation. It is quite surprising to feel like you’ve done absolutely nothing only to be reminded that you’ve done quite a bit.

I love that I can travel downstate and can be more involved with the Michigan Mountain Biking Association activities. As a state board member, I want to be involved. I want to put myself out there and experience what Michigan has to offer, which is quite a bit. There are some wonderful people who are involved with this organization, and I really enjoy meeting them. This is what I will be doing over the next month, and I am looking forward to using it as a personal growth experience.

The tide has turned. I feel like I can ride more. I am looking forward to becoming a lighter, faster Di. My life has significantly changed over the last month, but I feel this is for the better. Like my muscles, which are torn down during a workout and built back up and stronger than ever, I feel like I have been torn down, and now I am gaining greater strength. I will be strong.

August 5th was the day that Susan Nelson passed away (Don’t Say She Lost). She was well known to thousands of people through the blog of her husband, Elden, the Fat Cyclist, and was someone that the Fat Cyclist readers fell in love with. Her love and dedication to her family was mirrored by the love of her husband.

Susan, may God grant you and your family peace.
____________________

Michigan Mountain Biking Examiner: Susan Nelson lives strong while Fat Cyclist husband raises money for Lance Armstrong Foundation

Last night, I solicited a response from someone. This morning, I knew that response would be promptly waiting for me. I knew what to expect, and I didn’t want to deal with it, so I did the best thing possible. I rode my bike.

I kept my computer off. I did not want a part of that. I opted to watch a little television while eating my breakfast. I got my cycling gear together and put the front wheel on Jake. As I was doing this, I found something that I took as a sign that today was going to be a great day. This also means that last night was the perfect night for soliciting that response.

What did I find? Well, I have this cute little riding skort that doesn’t quite fit me. Sure, I could wear it, today, and be fine, but I knew I couldn’t do everything I wanted and still be comfortable, so I ultimately did not wear it. As I was making adjustments to the skort, I realized I had a back pocket that was bunched up. I put my hand in it to straighten it out and pulled out a $20 bill! HELLO!

Bike p0rn. (Jake the Snake with Di wearing that little skort, last year.)

I finished getting dressed and headed out on Jake (the Snake – Kona cyclocross bike that is a sweet green color. Yeah, drool, baby, drool.) Jake and I headed down my gravel driveway and road, and I opted to take the slightly longer paved route to town. I took my usual route around the hospital to meet up with US-41 at the bottom of Quincy Hill. I hopped on the road and chased cars through Hancock.

One guy pulled out in front of me. This jerkwad in a pickup truck made me, a cyclist, slow down. I rode into the passing lane and alongside this guy for part of the stretch. I finally got back behind him when he was going a satisfactory speed, and I caught his draft up a little hill and onto the bridge. As I was following him, I passed another guy. It was a little crazy, today, because there was a lot of traffic, but I love racing cars through Hancock. Call it a death wish, but it can be so satisfying.

I cut under the Portage Lift Bridge and took the bike path to Ferrelgas, where I got a quote for my next little propane payment. I hopped back on the path and rode into a very strong headwind until I reached The Library. Yeah, you know which one. I gently set Jake up against the wall and a flower pot and went inside. I had lunch with Lindsey and Andy. It was fun. I used that $20 bill to purchase a club sandwich and a boatload of iced tea. I was just a wee bit thirsty.

After filling my belly with tasty goodness, I decided to ride back into that headwind, up onto the Portage Lift Bridge, and onto White Street. White Street is a horrible road that goes up, up, and up some more. It hurts. Combined with the rest of Quincy Hill up US-41, it is a feat that any cyclist should be proud to conquer. Today, I conquered it for the first time; well, the first time this year. I rode it a lot last year.

I headed home, turned on the computer, got the response I expected, and decided to channel my disappointment into…you ready for this?…another ride.

More bike porn. Di’s Jamis.

I loaded my Jamis into the Pathfinder and headed for the Michigan Tech Trails. I ran into my friend, Terry, and we did a technical ride: Time Trial, Hairy Toad, Barking Frog, and the Dragon Loop. I got Terry to try a few stunts. He also ate some thimbleberries. My thimbleberry fell to the ground as I tried to find it with my gloved hand. No thimbleberries for Di.

Any beautiful summer day filled with two bike rides and friends should be finished with, well, dessert. I headed to Taco Bell and Dairy Queen. I ate my turtle sundae on the way home and my nacho while writing this.

Yeah, today turned out to be much better than I had anticipated. Sometimes you just have to throw yourself into a whirlwind.
____________________

Michigan Mountain Biking Examiner
Lose weight and ride faster and stronger

Let’s step back and take a quick reality check. There are a several things I should always consider:
• I hardly ever leave Copper Harbor on the intended day.
• The weather forecast in the Keweenaw is often wrong.
• I should know better than to go anywhere without the bike(s).

Here is the reality:
• I left Copper Harbor on Tuesday instead of Monday.
• The weather forecast was wrong for the whole weekend.
• I didn’t have a bike and the weather was perfectly suitable for some sweet mountain biking.

Let this be a lesson to us all. Bikes should never be left home alone.
____________________

Michigan Mountain Biking Examiner:
• Cannonsburg Ski Area trail day on August 2
• Mountain biking 101: How to change a bike tire and tube

Monday, I went for a ride with Rachel and Cory. I really enjoyed it. Riding with Rachel is fun because it’s not super serious and we take the time to stop and ride those parts that are hardest for us. We rode some Copper Harbor singletrack and headed back into town for lunch at the Harbor Haus.

I really enjoyed the Harbor Haus lunch. Trash (Brian) joined us (yay!). That made me really happy because I haven’t been able to spend any time with him. We vented over a superb lunch. We shared our plans for the future and offered support for one-another. It was actually quite productive, I think.

Tuesday, I got up and went for a ride out to Horseshoe Harbor. I’ll write more about that, tomorrow. I rode for about two hours and rushed back to Copper Harbor for a shower. I was late for the massage I had scheduled with my friend, Johanna.

Recently, my calves have felt crampy. The crampiness usually occurs when I contract my calf muscles, like with that stretch one does in bed with feet and hands stretching in all directions. Johanna worked on them for a bit. I walked away with a bit of localized pain in each calf, but it subsided over the course of the day. They’ve felt great ever since. Thanks, Johanna!

About an hour after the massage, Johanna and I went for a late-afternoon lunch at the Harbor Haus. We went all out. We each had some wine, split an appetizer, and ordered main dishes. We had a lot of fun girl chatting.

***
Once in a while, I make an entry in the blog that isn’t terribly exciting. It simply outlines my activities for the day. This is what I’ve written for a couple of the Fourth of July posts. It helps me to remember what I’ve done. When I reach a point where I feel I’ve accomplished nothing, I can return to my blog and remember just how much I’ve done. I can also remember the little things in life. It’s the little things that make you or break you.

With that said, I apologize and I’ll write up a cool post about my experience with Horseshoe Harbor, tomorrow.