Stacking the Miles.

 I had yesterday off from work as I work the rest of the week, that we are open.  As it turns out it may have been our last above normal temperature days, although windy.  Initially I had planned on being out riding before 7. But honestly my desire to ride wasn't very high.  Once I decided to head into new territory the excitement started to come back.  I got out pushing pedals by 8:00.

The wind was SE all day.  I made a point of heading that direction as much as I could for 4 hours before turning for home.  My SE routes usually will end up with a more Southern flair as I try and avoid the towns and traffic that appear if I stay on a direct SE route.  This time I didn't shy away from venturing further SE.  While the towns became more numerous and the occasional busy road, it was amazing!  The paved roads all had decent shoulders and the gravel of Hennipen County was phenomenal.  In the past I avoided this area as I assumed it was all urban and no rural.  I've been missing out!  I was quite surprised.  Because of this I pushed further than I may have otherwise.  I eventually came to the Luce Line Trail around mile post mark 7, so pretty close to the start.  Time to head home.

The wind was up all day but more so for the return.  Zoom!  I didn't stay on the trail long as I wanted to explore some more new roads.  I zigged and zagged (North and West) the rest of the way home.  For being hesitant at the start I sure felt great on the ride.  New terrain to explore and 40 degrees in December will do that I guess.

The Ride.  I accumulated almost 59 new to me miles.

Obviously this puts me closer to 20,000 miles for the year.  But damn there is a long ways to go.  The rest of the week will be tough to accumulate miles.  We are in a Blizzard warning today, coldest temps and wind tomorrow, then the holidays.  I will try.

I'm heading out this morning on the Krampus, which if the snow comes may be the last ride on this bike for a bit.  Hope to get the Mukluk up and running again today.

I thought about heading out on the Evergreen again but the wind is going to pick up quickly and by a lot.  Plus I really like bopping around on the Krampus.  It's gotta be fun too!