Thursday, December 31, 2009

Getting in one last ride for 2009

Another year has gone by, and again I wonder where in the world it went. I've been lucky to be on vacation the majority of the last 5 weeks, but unlike our time in OK/AR the weather in CO hasn't been favorable lately. We haven't seen 40 degrees in over a week (average high in Dec is 48), and the snow has lingered around a long time.

I started today with a trip to the orthopedic doctor in Boulder. My shoulder has been banged up and hurting me, more than I've admitted, since crashing in Oklahoma and wanted a professional's opinion which is probably a bit more reliable than my self diagnosis via Google. I got good news, I think, in that it appears to be just a partial tear of the tendon that attaches the bicep to the shoulder. I've been doing most things, just with more pain than I wanted, but I wanted to make sure that I wasn't doing damage by riding.

So with assurance that I was OK to keep on with my normal routine, I decided to get out on the bike one last time before we turned the calendar page. Trails are still buried, heck even the side roads and paths are still buried, so I headed out on the dirt roads.


Breaking some new trail
From Last Ride of 2009 - Niner Snow Ride


A new meaty 2.35 rear tire was much more effective in the snow than my worn out Hutchison Python
From Last Ride of 2009 - Niner Snow Ride


Dirt roads were a mix. Some were sloppy with mud, other sections were still snowpacked
From Last Ride of 2009 - Niner Snow Ride


It was less than warm out today, self portrait all bundled up
From Last Ride of 2009 - Niner Snow Ride



I didn't really have any set route or agenda, just started pedaling east. I did my "typical" winter route but then added on the new bike path through the Sandstone Ranch back up to the house. I started down my secret, albeit less than legal, shortcut that lets me avoid a mile of pavement but had to quickly abort as there was an unexpected visitor, so I stuck to the pavement today. Not a big deal as it would have been a tough mile of breaking trail anyway.


The big wheels are really impressive on the snow/ice
From Last Ride of 2009 - Niner Snow Ride


These two divots are from where the camera bounced out of my pocket. Oops. Glad it was my old beater point and shoot.
From Last Ride of 2009 - Niner Snow Ride


Miles and miles of snow packed dirt roads. I saw more farm animals than I did cars.
From Last Ride of 2009 - Niner Snow Ride


Traffic was moving a little faster on the cross streets (I-25) than on my stretch of dirt.
From Last Ride of 2009 - Niner Snow Ride



Pulled up to the driveway right at 2 hours after I left, a nice spin through the countryside. Got in 24 miles of singlespeed bliss, just love the simplicity of that bike. Nancy performed admirably, and had the frozen badge of courage on her downtube to prove it.


From Last Ride of 2009 - Niner Snow Ride


From Last Ride of 2009 - Niner Snow Ride


The bike I always ride with the car that never gets driven
From Last Ride of 2009 - Niner Snow Ride



2009 is in the books. I'm sure I'll do the mandatory recap blog post, but its going to have to be in the new year. Here's wishing you and yours an even better 2010.

Monday, December 28, 2009

Cooper's buddy

Baloo has certainly warmed up to Cooper, he always goes with us to put Cooper down at night and is frantic if Cooper is crying. Molly on the other hand I think would rather be an only child.

Cooper doesn't let that deter him, here are a series of different days were Cooper seeks out a comfortable Molly and wallows all over her.


From Cooper and Molly


From Cooper and Molly


From Cooper and Molly


From Cooper and Molly

Saturday, December 26, 2009

Christmas is more fun with kids

Sarah, Jill, Reese, Cooper and I celebrated Christmas last night. We are really a blessed family to have so much and couldn't believe all the cool things that were given to Cooper.

Here is a quick video of Cooper playing with the laptop Auntie Sarah got him.

Sunday, December 13, 2009

More from OK and AR

I've been a terrible lax blogger lately. After the whirlwind tour to Oklahoma, Arkansas with brief trips to both Denver and Houston, I ended up in Calgary some 12 hours after finally getting back home. Now on the eve of my last trip to the frigid north for 2009, decided I needed to get caught up on a bit.

So here are the next installment of some of the photos from our trip back to OK/AR.

At dinner with Bradley & Erica (not pictured Tony & Denise) at Abuelos. Always have to get our fix of Mexican food when we are back in OK.

From Oklahoma & Arkansas



Frumpy and Cooper enjoying the OState basketball game

From Oklahoma & Arkansas



Traveling is hard work

From Oklahoma & Arkansas



Hanging out lakeside in Arkansas

From Oklahoma & Arkansas



Cooper absolutely loved the singing Raccoon at Shorty's house. He would make one of us start the singing then he would dance with the raccoon until the music stopped. At that point, he expected everyone to clap. Jill didn't clap for him one time and Cooper glared at her.

From Oklahoma & Arkansas



Quick little video of Cooper and the singing raccoon.

From Oklahoma & Arkansas



Back home, the weather was quite cold and snowy so we got to break out Coop's new monkey hat.

From Oklahoma & Arkansas



Back to the riding...Tony charging down the Womble Trail, yes under those leaves somewhere is a trail.

From Oklahoma & Arkansas



Jill and I on the Womble Trail (Tony B Photo)

From OK / AR Trip



Great to be riding in shorts in late November
From OK / AR Trip



Jill and I posing on the trail
From OK / AR Trip



Tony's new ride is SICK! Came together really well
From OK / AR Trip



After a tough 15 mile grind with lots of climbing and a trail that was covered in DEEP leaves, a beer handup at the finish.
From OK / AR Trip



Great ride, superb beer and even better friends
From OK / AR Trip