Im so Sleepy

This summer has been crazy. I am starting to feel the full effects of school work, job work, house work, so much work that my fun (photography and biking) are beginning to suffer. Last weekend I photographed the MFC Downhill race as well as the Memorial Classic. As much as I love doing photography and cheering on the racers my head just wasnt in the game. I think the exhaustion is catching up and for that reason I am soooo happy that its finals week so I can get them over with and behind me to relax alittle and get back to the things I enjoy.

My pictures may have been alittle rough last weekend but I hope to rejuvinate and get back in the game by the next race. I will finally have some time to get back on the saddle and cruise the single track. I cant wait!!!!! This thursday I will join in my First MORC Leb ride of the year. The MORC ladies will be sporting their fancy new jerseys and we will have a photo op.

4 more days to go....

Womens Jerseys are in

I stopped by Nitas last night because I heard the rumour that our Womens Jerseys have arrived.

When I saw them I was very pleased. They look so much better "real'. The colors are stunning, the design is fun, the fit is perfect. Great job to the other co conspiritors Nita, Jodi, and Katy. There were some rough moments but the jerseys turned out fantastic and we learned alot so the next time, YES I SAID IT, Next Time it will go much smoother. Nice Job Ladies!!!

I hope all the ladies are as pleased with the jerseys as I am. They were my baby after all, and i dont think a mother thinks her kids are hideous. Well atleast I hope not.

We were going to post photos for the girls but then decided against it. It was so fun to lay eyes on them for the first time and thought the other girls would appreciate that chance. Have an in person unveililng. Cant Wait!!

Red Wing DownHIll event on Saturday and Memorial Trail XC event in Redwing on Sunday. Its going to be a great weekend!!

Elk River Duathalon

I am learning that google does not find my smugmug site all to easily. For those who did not get a business card at the event this weekend and are coming across my blog.




The ELK RIVER/HILLSIDE Fallen Oak Duathlon photos are posted HERE.




Great job to all the racers!!




Congratulations to Matt Kurke for taking the overall win, those Velo Rochester guys really got it!







Congrats to Andy for coming in 4th overall. Nice job Honey!!




























And Thanks to Rich for hosting another fabulous event at Hillside.

Geology

This site started as my mountain biking log, then went to my photo blog, now I am going to tweak it again temporarily and make it into my Geology Blog.  Rocks are one of my passions. Yes Rocks! I am amazed at how they develop, how the slightest variation of temperature or pressure creates an extremely different outcome.  Ie.. A diamond from coal.   There are so many variations and they are so colorful, bright, heavy, light. They each tell their own stories.  I mean wow, thats pretty amazing stuff.   So I spent the other night after a ride at terrace oaks photographing the rocks in my collection. I will be posting them sporadically along with some information on each of them.   The first one is:

Dog Tooth Calcite-

This rock got its name for its similarities with a dogs canine.  This particular specimen came from Montana.  It is a Carbonate Mineral, the formula is: CaCO3, it is almost pure calcium.  If you look at an object through the crystal you will see two, due to the light separating into two rays.

Native americans considered Calcite a holy stone of the land that was given to their fathers by the gods.

Calcite is said to aid with healing of inflamed or itching skin, bone disorders, and this particular color is supposed to help with boosting metabolism.  It also can assist with mental growth and development.

WORS Firecracker Photos posted

Andy and I spent the weekend in Eau Claire for the WORS Firecracker. Neither of us decided to race but we spent a good part of the day on Saturday riding the course. It is such a fun course. I debated signing up and racing all day on Saturday but was glad I didnt come Sunday. I was pretty shot. The course was such a blast with the punchy climbs and steep drops, boy do I miss riding. This course makes me want to check out more of the Wisconsin races. Dave Meyer mentioned Levis at the last MNSCS race, saying that it was great flowing single track. That may have to be the next MTB trip. Yeah its sad, I know. Andy and I havent really left MN for Mountain biking, we have so many good trails around here we just havent needed to. MN had a good representation in Eau Claire this weekend, mainly LCR, some Peace coffee, Hub, LCS, Penn Cycle and Ben Moore from Velo Rochester and Cal From Wannabee Racing. It was fun to hang out and cheer everyone on like the old days. I brought the camera out for one lap of the kids race and for the elite group of racers, otherwise just hung out and enjoyed the day. For those looking for photos, they are posted HERE. I took photos in the same spot for the 1st and 2nd laps of the elite/comp race due to someone being in my first series of shots. He left, so rather then photoshopping the guy out of every photo, I just hung around and got the shots again. Anywho Good Times, See you on the trail. Here is Mckinley being all cute in his shade umbrella.

It was so hot over the weekend!

LCR - Raymond Nickles