Snow Riding, Wood Fenders, and Harry Baals

Based on the title, well the first part anyways, you'd think this post were about me riding in the snow. But alas, it was Mara and Ellen who after being stuck inside for days due to frigid temps were ready to get outside last weekend. And what did they want to do, 'sniff, sniff', ride their bikes. Who am I to say they can't?

Get out of the way Daddy!!

This is fun!!!

Yee Ha!!!

What can I say, I'm crippled.


Next up came the Superbowl. Stacey is pretty particular about who she watches games with. She wants no part of being a typical wife when the game is on, any game. She loves football. Now, if the Bears are playing, look out. She's cut way down on the F bombs and for that I'm proud of her.

Rather than go to or hold a superbowl party, we had one of our own. Snacks and munchies all around.

Having snacks and being silly.

This weekend was sooooo nice. Despite my bum shoulder, I had to get out on the bike. I rode 24 leisurely miles. The shoulder is very week and tender but the acute pain is gone. Somehow, my wrist seems to be worse than my shoulder. I'm a little worried about that but I go to the doc tomorrow so I'll have him give his input on that.

When I got home, Ellen was chomping at the bit to get out on her bike again, so I stood outside with a beer while she tooled around. Never seen a girl wearing a sparkly skirt, moonboots, riding a bike? Here's your chance.

Oops. No boots in this pic, but she put them on later.

Mara joined us outside a bit later for some much needed air.


Stomping in snow and puddles is good dirty fun.

Now, on to a product plug. My buddy and his brother are making bicycle fenders. Out of wood. Sounds crazy, but ask any cyclist how solid their plastic fenders are and they'll tell you how shitty they are. (Not to mention, the shittiness of my now ex-fenders are approximately 9.76% to blame for my shoulder separating crash two weeks ago. The rest is operator error.)

These bad boys are made out of solid wood by a cabinet maker in Greene, IA. Since my most eventful crash to date, I have been furnished with a pair either out of sympathy, product exposure, and/or I'm giving them a hand on their shipping and packaging side of things. Regardless, these bad boys are custom fit, beautiful, and solid-solid-solid. I rode my 24 miles today on some nasty roads. I got home as clean as when I left and these things didn't budge, rattle, or creak the whole way. I love them and hope many cyclists out there check them out. They're not cheap, but man, the difference between these and the Planet Bike version is exponential.

Check them out at http://www.mkfenders.com/. Made right here in Iowa by a guy I've shared a few beers with. Can't beat that.

And finally, the funniest thing I have seen in a long, long, time.

How that news anchor keeps a straight face is a testament to the profession of journalism. Sometimes I wish I wasn't so immature, but what fun would that be?