Snow Ride......Take it Easy

Much of today was spent going over the same old trail. Except this time it was covered with snow. The main goal was to try to find the Des Plaines River Trail buy route of the Salt Creek. This mission was accomplished and to add icing to the cake the Des Plaines Trail, starting at the Des Plaines River and Madison, was single track and there wasn't a straight set of trail insight! This route will for sure have to be modified but was a joy despite the fact that my buddy got a flat 3:45 into the ride and my fingers were numb by the time I got home. Gary how 'bout some tubes for Christmas.

Link to a map of the ride --->

http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=cpkgujefghylwsjv

Kickin' it Old School

I am trying to think of all the things I like that comes in bags. Newspaper, popcorn, wine...well maybe not wine, and hmmm...dry feet. Yeah dry feet! Cool tip for winter riding. If you want dry feet and don't have any fancy winter mountain bike shoes, wrap a plastic bag around your dogs before putting your shoes on. I like the newspaper bag because they aren't too bulky. After a few hours of riding today only one of my little piggies broke through and the only moisture in my wool socks was man made. Hip Hip Hooray for the cheap biker...



Guess what tomorrow is... Illinois State Cyclocross Championship at Montrose Harbor! I will not be racing but I will be the one with the Air Horn!

Open Up! This is the Police!

The Citizens Police Academy is coming to a close. This 12 week course taught the citizens of Hinsdale, and me from Clarendon Hills, everything from D.A.R.E. to S.W.A.T. In those 50+hours we got an in-depth view of how the police go about getting their courageous job done. Some of the highlights of the course were, investigating a crime scene, interviewing suspects, learning and applying the proper procedure to make a traffic stop, going on a ride along with Hinsdale's finest and then shooting it up at their indoor range. This was a terrific experience to met the proud and passionate men and women who serve on an accredited and accomplished Police Department.

Electricity in the Air

This year my running season started off with a bang. The first snow fall! There is really electricity in the air this time of year. The combination of freshly fallen snow, Christmas decorations, people shoveling their drive and kids at the sledding hill make evening runs so enjoyable. Maybe it is because it feels like I am playing and also thankful that I already finished my driveway. It is also peaceful to run in the dark. I have a light on my shoe and one on my glove so I guess I feel one with the decorations. Well that may have gone too far. All I know is that I am actually doomed from here on out because it will be like chasing your first high, well I guess till the next time it snows...Hopefully then I do not have Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer stuck on repeat in my head.