Dark Days

My bike was stolen on Saturday night. I had a momentary lapse in judgement and paid the price of my ride, which, over the year that I've had it has become a big part of my life. Yeah, I know - I shouldn't get too sappy over an object, but my goodness, that bike was somewhere between a friend and a car for me. Maisi and I have made the decision, both for financial and environmental/social/polital reasons to be a one-car family. I've spent a lot of time (and a decent amount of money) getting that old bike to where it was and even more time happily riding it around town as I ran my errands or simply wanted to slip away from my daily life for a few minutes. When's the last time you actually had fun driving to rent a movie or get a few things at the market? If you ever saw me ride by, chances are I had a smile on my face, but that's gone now.

I'll find a new frame and I'll spend the next while getting it fixed up and into good riding shape, but I doubt I'll ever forget Red. I just can't stop thinking of somebody else riding my bike around, or trying to sell it for a quick buck. I would have happily paid twice whatever they get for it, because not only do I have fond feelings for the bike, it's also my primary source of transportation. That's the thing about having something stolen - it's not really the cost of the item that you're missing - it's the simple fact that what you had and what you needed and relied upon is no longer available to you. And do I think that maybe, just maybe the person who stole my bike needed to do so to survive or to help someone else? Not really. Trying to make a quick buck off someone else's property doesn't fit my definition of survival.

Anyway - Enough about this for now. If any of you MPLS. bike folks see my bike, please let me know. I'll pay you a REWARD for it.

Thanks,
John.

More Cyclocross - this time it's personal...

So I did my first cyclocross race this past Sunday. It was a hoot. No, really, it was a great time - or at least it was a time that I suffered greatly. Something like that anyhow.

In reality, I had a fun time but it was a real challenge. The folks from The Hub set up a doozie of a course and because I don't have the requisite cash for a real cyclocross bike I rode my trusty red - a garage-sale Schwinn World that I've converted to a single speed (and usually fixed gear) bike. With new knobby tires and a drop bar instead of the usual bullhorns and an 18 tooth cog on the freewheel side of my flip-flop hub (sorry, I know its a lot of bike-geek-speak) I was pretty much ready to roll. Oh yeah, don't forget the sweet new chain (it's RED). Here's a couple of pics:



So, about the race - I got 23rd place. I won't say how many were in the race, but I did manage to beat a few people, and everyone but Hurl and I were on bikes with a full compliment of gears. Wimps. I maintain that had I had a cross bike with gears and proper brakes I could have placed at least 21st or 22nd...maybe. Oh yeah, also, I don't have a fancy schmancy racing jersey, so that must have slowed me down too.

The course was strafed with the standard 'cross barriers, but the evil geniuses at The Hub also saw fit to send us up several long staircases and a hill that I could only get about 1/3 of the way up before I had to hop off and run (not really run, more like walk with purpose - I ran it the first time around and that was plenty, thanks.). Here's me on the big stairs (photo (c) 2005, Joseph Kadlec - thanks, Joe!)


I'll probably do the next race on Saturday, up in Taylor's Falls - which brings to mind a question. If I do two races in one season can I consider myself and 'avid cyclocross racer'? I've got a few things coming out soon that will require some bio information. I think that'll be a nice addition...

Well, I rambled on long enough - I think I'll hop on the trainer for a few minutes so I'll be all tuned up for the race on Saturday.

Later,
John.

Cyclocross Racing

I found myself with a free afternoon (!) on Sunday so I packed up some gear and hopped on my trusty steed, my bright red Scwhinn fixie, and peddled on down to Boom Island park. It was a gorgeous day for being on the bike, and not too bad for shooting either. If you aren't familiar with 'crossing, I highly recommend you google it - it's a great blend of bike racing and cross country running - what could be better? The photo above is Gene Oberpiller, bike legend and the man behind One on One Bicycle Studio. He rode at least five different bikes in the A race and still beat quite a few people. Gotta love that jumpsuit too.

Maisi and I are headed up to Brainerd this weekend - looking forward to some quality time taking in the dock and wandering in the woods with my dad, and maybe making some lefse with mom.

I read this quote the other day, "It is better to die on your feet, than to live on your knees." (Emiliano Zapata) I've been ruminating on it quite a bit, it's really struck a chord with me - I'm trying to do the right thing and stay on my feet.

LOUD NOISES!

-John

Come One, Come All!

It's getting to be about that time - yes, that's right - it's nearly time for the Midwest Mountaineering Winter Outdoor Adventure Expo. It's a fun-filled weekend of great vendors, clinics and programs. For the first time yours truly will be at the Expo not as an employee of Midwest, but as a vendor - Be sure to stop by my booth, chat for a while, check out some photos and best of all, sample some of the fine Scotch Ale that brewmeister (and all around good guy) Zach Fink is laboring away on. That's him below - he's just as serious about this beer as he is about his ice climbing...


The Expo runs from November 11-13. Be sure to stop by and say hi!

Thanks for stopping by Minneapolis, but mostly, You stay classy Minneapolis...

John.

It's not all sports...

I've had the good fortune recently to photograph something different for me - babies. It's funny - had you asked me a year or two ago what I thought would be a fun shoot, I probably wouldn't have thought about photographing a little kid. I'm amazed at how much these little ones seem to know - for me, their expressions indicate knowledge far beyond what they can communicate.

Here's a few samples:

No Shore for me...

Well, Andy and I didn't make it up to the shore this week - too many bad omens, maybe. Anyway, today we went to Taylors Falls and did some climbing. We couldn't have had a nicer day to be out there - great fall colors, warm temps and nice folks. I don't have any shots to post because I (more or less) took the day off - the only camera I had with was in my phone, and it just didn't seem like the time to be bustin' out the 'ol phone.

Hope alls well,

John.

To the North Shore...

My friend Andy and his dog Daisy and I are heading for a few days of R&R up on the shore today. Hopefully the colors will still be in full force and I'll get to do some scenics. We'll see...

If you have a minute, check out this Newsweek article titled "I'm an artist, but not the starving kind." it's a quick read and gives a good idea of the state of the 'creative' industries. Let's run our businesses like businesses, people! You'll find it here: NEWSWEEK ARTICLE


I'm still trying to get this all figured out (adding images, etc.) but hopefully I'll have everything smoothed out by next week. Something tells me that blogger doesn't love Macs...

Thanks for checking in,
John.

Kayaking - Fall rains bring swollen rivers

I've been shooting a bit of whitewater kayaking lately - good stuff. It never ceases to amaze me how many ways MN has to entertain an active person.



Have a good one,

-John.