Race map online
The Tranquility Tire Tantrum, one of the Omaha area's most popular and enigmatically named mountain bike races, is barely over a week away, meaning there's still time for local fat-tire enthusiasts to get out and familiarize themselves with the race course.
Most everyone reading this blog is aware that the trail has morphed over the last year or so and now features more twists and turns than a corn maze without an exit. The trail's most notorious addition, the camelback section at the top of the south hill (which, the second time I rode it, caused me to do a pretty nifty endo), will be a part of the course for all category 1 and 2 riders.
For more information, check out Dale's post at mtbomaha.blogspot as well as the link to the trail race map here.
Because trails, like my toenails, cannot maintain themselves...
...the good folks at Trails Have Our Respect (henceforth known as THOR) are calling for a race prep trail day the evening of Tuesday, August 4th. Interested and motivated individuals are encouraged to bring weed eaters, loppers, rakes, and any extra scrap pieces of trail you might have laying around in the garage.
Also, wear long pants (no kilts allowed), bring drinkable fluids (preferably of the non-chocolate milkshake variety), and bring bug spray (this will not count as your drinkable fluid). And, on a more serious note, I (and all other trail users) would like to thank both THOR and their trail maintenance helpers for all of their hard work, much of which is often taken for granted.
For more details, check out THOR's blog.
Also, a group ride reminder
Mondays, weather permitting, are Bike Masters' group rides, which begins at the Bike Masters location at 129th and Fort before heading down to Tranquility Park. Riders of all skill levels are welcome, so for those of you who are averse to solo trail riding, this might be a good time to get out and prepare for the race by hitting the trail.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Bike bites
Down in the park...
Idle hands are the devil's tools (and all this time you thought "the devil's tools" were a local metal band), so with only a month or so until the the clang of the school bell strikes fear into the hearts of students everywhere, some Omaha cops will be hosting "Fun in the Park," a generically titled get-together for kids in kindergarten through seventh grade. Held Thursday (tomorrow) from 4pm to 8pm at North Omaha's Miller Park (2707 Redick Avenue), Fun in the Park will include activities such as bicycle safety checks, bicycle rodeos, a bicycle raffle, swimming, and golf lessons. Food and prizes are available (and not mutually exclusive, if you ask me). Also, if anyone attends, please let me know what a bicycle rodeo looks like.
Training blog for mountain bikers
Mountain biking is a different kind of animal; it requires a particular kind of physicality, one that is related to the physical needs of its, cousin road biking, yet unique. And James Wilson, a mountain bike-oriented strength and conditioning coach, has developed his own vision for how a downhillers and cross country riders need to train.
At bikejames.com, Wilson offers free podcasts, videos, and text with tips and tricks about strength training (which is often overlooked in the world of road cycling), stretching, warm ups, nutrition, and high-intensity interval training. Although the site is mostly used to garner buys for his mtb workouts and programs, plenty of free (there's my favorite word again) and helpful information is available.
Idle hands are the devil's tools (and all this time you thought "the devil's tools" were a local metal band), so with only a month or so until the the clang of the school bell strikes fear into the hearts of students everywhere, some Omaha cops will be hosting "Fun in the Park," a generically titled get-together for kids in kindergarten through seventh grade. Held Thursday (tomorrow) from 4pm to 8pm at North Omaha's Miller Park (2707 Redick Avenue), Fun in the Park will include activities such as bicycle safety checks, bicycle rodeos, a bicycle raffle, swimming, and golf lessons. Food and prizes are available (and not mutually exclusive, if you ask me). Also, if anyone attends, please let me know what a bicycle rodeo looks like.
Training blog for mountain bikers
Mountain biking is a different kind of animal; it requires a particular kind of physicality, one that is related to the physical needs of its, cousin road biking, yet unique. And James Wilson, a mountain bike-oriented strength and conditioning coach, has developed his own vision for how a downhillers and cross country riders need to train.
At bikejames.com, Wilson offers free podcasts, videos, and text with tips and tricks about strength training (which is often overlooked in the world of road cycling), stretching, warm ups, nutrition, and high-intensity interval training. Although the site is mostly used to garner buys for his mtb workouts and programs, plenty of free (there's my favorite word again) and helpful information is available.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Weak Odds...for the week End
Despite the continued beatings, the morale has finally improved here at the office, mostly because it's Friday. When I stepped outside this morning, the honeyed air tasted particularly delicious, the normally harried commuters waved with all of their fingers rather than just one, and even my mass-produced coffee reminded me that somebody, somewhere picked those tiny little beans because they love me. Or maybe they did it it to avoid being beaten. Regardless, each sip of coffee is a reminder that, deep down, we're all the same, in that we all hate our jobs.
Just 8 hours to go until I'm out that door...so let's figure out what to do this weekend, shall we?
Farmer? I didn't even plow...ah, never mind
Having just seen the film Food Inc (check the film section of next week's issue of "The Reader" for a review), a documentary about the hegemonic practices of the food industry, I'm reminded that I live in a state in which there are still plenty of small-time farmers who are responsible stewards of their land and who produce delicious and reasonably priced food. Last week, at the Omaha farmer's market, I picked up some zucchini, squash, and tomatoes (the ones I'm growing in my yard are still a bit Kermit-colored), and I managed to pay less for those items than I would've at my local chain grocery store. In this case, cheaper was better.
No need to pry open the wallet, my friends
As many of my faithful readers probably already know, "free" might be my favorite four-letter word. So because Mutual of Omaha loves us (and by "us," I mean Omaha), and Mutual of Omaha has resided in this city for the past 100 years, they're celebrating with Wild About Omaha Weekend, a two-day event that features free admission to all sorts of local businesses. For instance, on Friday (today!), the super-cool movie theater Film Streams (1340 Webster Street) is offering free showings of Scorsese's The Last Waltz, while that bastion of all that is hip, the Slowdown (which is only half a block from Film Streams), is offering a free outdoor concert with Cursive, Flowers Forever, and Azure Ray. Saturday? How about free admission to the zoo, or a Royals game? Click on the above link and go to Schedule of Events for more information.
Come sail away...
When I was a kid, my dad had a tiny, 1-person catamaran. Several times each summer the four members of my immediate family would pile onto it, an exercise akin to college students stuffing themselves into a telephone booth (when was the last time you saw one of those old-fashioned things?). Then we'd sail around for several hours, until we were too delirious with sun exposure to care if the catamaran finally tipped, which is when my mom would officially declare that she (which meant we) were done.
What I'm trying to say is that I was lucky enough, despite the minor inconvenience of having to sit on top of or underneath other family members, to be able to sail when I was young. For anyone looking to experience the act of sailing for free (ah, there's that word again), the Lake Manawa Sailing Association is offering free sailboat rides from 3 pm t0 5 pm on Saturday at (where else?) Lake Manawa, weather permitting (and it looks like it will). No reservations are required, just bring your smiling face, can-do attitude, and a life jacket (if you have one).
Just 8 hours to go until I'm out that door...so let's figure out what to do this weekend, shall we?
Farmer? I didn't even plow...ah, never mind
Having just seen the film Food Inc (check the film section of next week's issue of "The Reader" for a review), a documentary about the hegemonic practices of the food industry, I'm reminded that I live in a state in which there are still plenty of small-time farmers who are responsible stewards of their land and who produce delicious and reasonably priced food. Last week, at the Omaha farmer's market, I picked up some zucchini, squash, and tomatoes (the ones I'm growing in my yard are still a bit Kermit-colored), and I managed to pay less for those items than I would've at my local chain grocery store. In this case, cheaper was better.
No need to pry open the wallet, my friends
As many of my faithful readers probably already know, "free" might be my favorite four-letter word. So because Mutual of Omaha loves us (and by "us," I mean Omaha), and Mutual of Omaha has resided in this city for the past 100 years, they're celebrating with Wild About Omaha Weekend, a two-day event that features free admission to all sorts of local businesses. For instance, on Friday (today!), the super-cool movie theater Film Streams (1340 Webster Street) is offering free showings of Scorsese's The Last Waltz, while that bastion of all that is hip, the Slowdown (which is only half a block from Film Streams), is offering a free outdoor concert with Cursive, Flowers Forever, and Azure Ray. Saturday? How about free admission to the zoo, or a Royals game? Click on the above link and go to Schedule of Events for more information.
Come sail away...
When I was a kid, my dad had a tiny, 1-person catamaran. Several times each summer the four members of my immediate family would pile onto it, an exercise akin to college students stuffing themselves into a telephone booth (when was the last time you saw one of those old-fashioned things?). Then we'd sail around for several hours, until we were too delirious with sun exposure to care if the catamaran finally tipped, which is when my mom would officially declare that she (which meant we) were done.
What I'm trying to say is that I was lucky enough, despite the minor inconvenience of having to sit on top of or underneath other family members, to be able to sail when I was young. For anyone looking to experience the act of sailing for free (ah, there's that word again), the Lake Manawa Sailing Association is offering free sailboat rides from 3 pm t0 5 pm on Saturday at (where else?) Lake Manawa, weather permitting (and it looks like it will). No reservations are required, just bring your smiling face, can-do attitude, and a life jacket (if you have one).
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Watersport weekend adventures
Although July's been tolerable so far, boiling-hot summertime temperatures are biding their time, just waiting to blow up your air conditioner (and your electric bill), sap your strength, and leave you sprawled in the backyard kiddie pool, wearing a garden hose like a fashion accessory. So, when the temperatures get hot, the hot get out and explore a few weekend watersport adventures.
Yaks over Zorinsky...kayaks, that is
Call me naive (or Stuart--I've always liked that name), but prior to this morning, I'd never heard of kayak polo. Water polo, yes. Rich-dudes-in fancy-clothes-on-horses polo, indeed. I'd even heard of bike polo in the Omaha area. But until I checked out the Nebraska Kayak Polo website (and a few youtube videos of theirs), I was a kayak polo neophyte.
Luckily, according to their website, Nebraska Kayak Polo takes a "beginner-friendly approach" to their sport, starting participants with the sit-on-top variety of kayaks, which only require that the user a) have the ability to sit and b) have the ability to paddle.
In the summertime, on Sunday afternoons, the group plays on Lake Zorinsky. In winter, instead of donning wetsuits and/or winter coats, the group moves the game indoors to a local pool. If you plan on participating in the action, make sure you check out their website and make reservations, since space (and by "space," I mean the number of available kayaks) is limited.
Whatever floats your tube
Last month I wrote a little bit about river tanking, the practice of taking an empty livestock tank, filling it with your family and friends, and floating it down a river. If that seems too newfangled and high-tech for you, perhaps you should revisit the idea of good old-fashioned river tubing.
Unfortunately, good inner tubes are getting harder and harder to find. Luckily, Nebraska outfitter Tubing and Adventures will supply these necessary items, as well as transportation, coolers, and cooler tubes, for a scenic and relaxing float down the Elkhorn River.
If you'd prefer to canoe (or if you're of the do-it-yourself variety), further information on the Elkhorn River canoe trail can be found at the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission website.
Yaks over Zorinsky...kayaks, that is
Call me naive (or Stuart--I've always liked that name), but prior to this morning, I'd never heard of kayak polo. Water polo, yes. Rich-dudes-in fancy-clothes-on-horses polo, indeed. I'd even heard of bike polo in the Omaha area. But until I checked out the Nebraska Kayak Polo website (and a few youtube videos of theirs), I was a kayak polo neophyte.
Luckily, according to their website, Nebraska Kayak Polo takes a "beginner-friendly approach" to their sport, starting participants with the sit-on-top variety of kayaks, which only require that the user a) have the ability to sit and b) have the ability to paddle.
In the summertime, on Sunday afternoons, the group plays on Lake Zorinsky. In winter, instead of donning wetsuits and/or winter coats, the group moves the game indoors to a local pool. If you plan on participating in the action, make sure you check out their website and make reservations, since space (and by "space," I mean the number of available kayaks) is limited.
Whatever floats your tube
Last month I wrote a little bit about river tanking, the practice of taking an empty livestock tank, filling it with your family and friends, and floating it down a river. If that seems too newfangled and high-tech for you, perhaps you should revisit the idea of good old-fashioned river tubing.
Unfortunately, good inner tubes are getting harder and harder to find. Luckily, Nebraska outfitter Tubing and Adventures will supply these necessary items, as well as transportation, coolers, and cooler tubes, for a scenic and relaxing float down the Elkhorn River.
If you'd prefer to canoe (or if you're of the do-it-yourself variety), further information on the Elkhorn River canoe trail can be found at the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission website.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Walking the dog...without a yo-yo
Did anyone get the above yo-yo trick reference? Probably not. Let's move on, shall we?
If you like a) walking and b) dogs, and you feel bad about orphaned dogs with sad eyes1 being cooped up in tiny cages all day long, this blog post is for you, gentle Omahan2 readers.
Once again, the Nebraska Humane society is looking for volunteers of all stripes. However, the Nebraska Humane Society doesn't hand a leash and man's best friend3 to any ol' potential Michael Vick that enters its door. Volunteers are expected to jump through some hoops to get involved in this project (although you don't have to roll over or shake--okay, you might have to shake). The 2009 orientation/training sessions (which you have to attend if you want to walk with the puppies) takes place September 12th and September 19th at the 89th and Fort Humane Society location. More information, including a downloadable4 application, can be found here.
Although this volunteer opportunity is quite a commitment (8 hours per month for at least 6 months), your reward will be warm fuzzies. And by "warm fuzzies," I don't mean you get to keep the dogs. Also, a word of warning: There's no word on whether there's an aptitude test involved, with some lower-scoring volunteers being relegated to poop-scooping duty.5
Footnotes:
1: Except when they have boogery eyes. That's just gross.
2: Is "Omahan" a word?
3: Or woman's best friend--this is an equal opportunity blog, after all.
4: This is definitely not a word.
5: Unless that's your thing. I'm not judging.
If you like a) walking and b) dogs, and you feel bad about orphaned dogs with sad eyes1 being cooped up in tiny cages all day long, this blog post is for you, gentle Omahan2 readers.
Once again, the Nebraska Humane society is looking for volunteers of all stripes. However, the Nebraska Humane Society doesn't hand a leash and man's best friend3 to any ol' potential Michael Vick that enters its door. Volunteers are expected to jump through some hoops to get involved in this project (although you don't have to roll over or shake--okay, you might have to shake). The 2009 orientation/training sessions (which you have to attend if you want to walk with the puppies) takes place September 12th and September 19th at the 89th and Fort Humane Society location. More information, including a downloadable4 application, can be found here.
Although this volunteer opportunity is quite a commitment (8 hours per month for at least 6 months), your reward will be warm fuzzies. And by "warm fuzzies," I don't mean you get to keep the dogs. Also, a word of warning: There's no word on whether there's an aptitude test involved, with some lower-scoring volunteers being relegated to poop-scooping duty.5
Footnotes:
1: Except when they have boogery eyes. That's just gross.
2: Is "Omahan" a word?
3: Or woman's best friend--this is an equal opportunity blog, after all.
4: This is definitely not a word.
5: Unless that's your thing. I'm not judging.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Cornhusker State Games MTB, pictures and results
The Cornhusker State Games are officially underway, and conditions at Sunday, July 19th's mountain bike race at Branched Oak Lake State Park were perfect for those of us who love the taste of dirt in the morning.
The rutted single (and sometimes double) track made for some interesting riding, and despite the area around the lake being relatively flat, race organizers added some short, challenging climbs that thoroughly torched this blogger's quads. A handful of pictures of the sport/expert division's racers can be viewed here, and results can be viewed at the Nebraska Cycling News website. Cheers, and happy trails!
The rutted single (and sometimes double) track made for some interesting riding, and despite the area around the lake being relatively flat, race organizers added some short, challenging climbs that thoroughly torched this blogger's quads. A handful of pictures of the sport/expert division's racers can be viewed here, and results can be viewed at the Nebraska Cycling News website. Cheers, and happy trails!
Friday, July 17, 2009
Weak Odds...for the week End
Tri, try again
It's mid July, and in Nebraska the triathlon season is bearing down on us like a Hummer on a bike commuter. If you haven't yet participated in an open-water swim this year, or if your favorite pool was recently closed, or if you need to burn some calories after pigging out at Ribfest, Team Nebraska Triathlon has organized a triathlon practice Saturday morning at 7 am.
First off is an open-water swim in Lake Manawa (its name being derived from a Native American expression roughly translated as "lake where the water smells like it's from a man"). Next is about 25 miles on the old aluminum horse, and finally the meeting is capped with a short run. More information can be found at Team Nebraska Triathlon's Facebook page.
Wear a brightly colored swim camp, get there early, and make sure you have all of your gear, as this is a self-supported practice. And don't expect to put the hammer down--some of these guys and gals are so hardcore they're also going to be racing Sunday at the Papillion Mayor's Triathlon.
Free fall, in the summer
If you've ever yearned to jump out of a plane while another man wears you like a front-facing fanny pack, then this weekend, my friend(s), your dreams have been answered. In Plattsmouth, the Lincoln Parachute Club is offering its annual Redemption Boogie, a celebration of tandem skydiving. Print a $10 off coupon off their web site, show up at the Plattsmouth Municipal Airport between 8 am and 7 pm (no registration required!), sign a waiver or six, take a short instructional course, fly up to 13,500 feet, anchor yourself to an instructor, and experience the thrills of all-out freefall. Proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society, and the massive flow of adrenaline benefits your adrenal glands...and your soul.
Let's kick it down a notch, shall we?
If the aforementioned actitivies create too much of a strain on your constitution (weekends are for relaxing, after all), DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, in Missouri Valley, Iowa, offers ranger-guided nature hikes on a variety of short hiking trails at 10 am on Saturday morning. Bring along a cooler and do some post-hike picnicking among the wildflowers. In the afternoon (or as I like to call it, nap-time), if the heavy chimpanzees of sleep aren't hanging from your eyelids (hey, you have your sleep-related mythical folk characters, and I have mine), shift gears and get ready for some nature films, or check out the nature photography of Jeff Murray.
It's mid July, and in Nebraska the triathlon season is bearing down on us like a Hummer on a bike commuter. If you haven't yet participated in an open-water swim this year, or if your favorite pool was recently closed, or if you need to burn some calories after pigging out at Ribfest, Team Nebraska Triathlon has organized a triathlon practice Saturday morning at 7 am.
First off is an open-water swim in Lake Manawa (its name being derived from a Native American expression roughly translated as "lake where the water smells like it's from a man"). Next is about 25 miles on the old aluminum horse, and finally the meeting is capped with a short run. More information can be found at Team Nebraska Triathlon's Facebook page.
Wear a brightly colored swim camp, get there early, and make sure you have all of your gear, as this is a self-supported practice. And don't expect to put the hammer down--some of these guys and gals are so hardcore they're also going to be racing Sunday at the Papillion Mayor's Triathlon.
Free fall, in the summer
If you've ever yearned to jump out of a plane while another man wears you like a front-facing fanny pack, then this weekend, my friend(s), your dreams have been answered. In Plattsmouth, the Lincoln Parachute Club is offering its annual Redemption Boogie, a celebration of tandem skydiving. Print a $10 off coupon off their web site, show up at the Plattsmouth Municipal Airport between 8 am and 7 pm (no registration required!), sign a waiver or six, take a short instructional course, fly up to 13,500 feet, anchor yourself to an instructor, and experience the thrills of all-out freefall. Proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society, and the massive flow of adrenaline benefits your adrenal glands...and your soul.
Let's kick it down a notch, shall we?
If the aforementioned actitivies create too much of a strain on your constitution (weekends are for relaxing, after all), DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, in Missouri Valley, Iowa, offers ranger-guided nature hikes on a variety of short hiking trails at 10 am on Saturday morning. Bring along a cooler and do some post-hike picnicking among the wildflowers. In the afternoon (or as I like to call it, nap-time), if the heavy chimpanzees of sleep aren't hanging from your eyelids (hey, you have your sleep-related mythical folk characters, and I have mine), shift gears and get ready for some nature films, or check out the nature photography of Jeff Murray.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Fiji? I didn't even...ah, forget it
The good folks at Eagle Creek, makers of lots of cool travel gear and garb, really want to send you and a friend (and by "friend," I mean your best blog buddy at Nebraska Adventures) to Fiji, a Pacific island as lovely and tropical as I am hairy and smelly...I mean "fun to travel with" and "invaluable because of my extensive knowledge of the culture and geography of certain South Pacific islands."
Around October 31st, just when the air is beginning to chill a bit in the Midwest, winners (and by "winners," I mean you and I) will be selected in a random drawing. Second and third place winners will receive Eagle Creek luggage, which is better than watching a Senate confirmation hearing, but not as good as going to Fiji. To enter, just head to the Eagle Creek web site and click on the giant box in the lower right-hand corner that says "Win a Trip to Fiji." Then fill out the form and cross your fingers.
Around October 31st, just when the air is beginning to chill a bit in the Midwest, winners (and by "winners," I mean you and I) will be selected in a random drawing. Second and third place winners will receive Eagle Creek luggage, which is better than watching a Senate confirmation hearing, but not as good as going to Fiji. To enter, just head to the Eagle Creek web site and click on the giant box in the lower right-hand corner that says "Win a Trip to Fiji." Then fill out the form and cross your fingers.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Woodsy women unite (this Saturday)!
Backwoods, a chain of less than a dozen outdoor gear/apparel stores sprinkled throughout the Midwest, has some great stuff. I love going there and checking out all of their earth-tone-colored gear, so pretty and clean and sterile, and thinking about how filthy dirty it would be if it were mine. I like to daydream while tracing my finger along their Black Diamond ice axes. I even once found myself mesmerized by a 20-minute slideshow of someone's trip to the big Mexican volcanoes that looped on a flat-screen television.
Unfortunately, ever since my wife recognized that I have a (financially) debilitating backpack addiction, I haven't done much shopping. But if I ever need an item quickly, I usually head to either Canfield's or Omaha's local Backwoods store. (Or there's always the Internet, but I'll get into that in a later blog.)
The cool thing about Backwoods is that, in addition to gear and super-expensive guided trips all over the world, they also offer some cool freebies and events. This weekend (and the third Saturday of every month) is the Omaha chapter's Real Chicks Hike event, a ladies-only event held at the Hitchcock Nature Preserve in Honey Creek, Iowa. You can check Backwoods' calendar for more information. In the past, Backwoods has also offered (free) yoga in the park, (free) orienteering classes taught by Nebraska Sports Council Racing (NSC Racing) director Jim Craig, and even some free after-hours wine-and-cheese events, complete with raffles for gear. (My wife did let me attend that one.)
Unfortunately, ever since my wife recognized that I have a (financially) debilitating backpack addiction, I haven't done much shopping. But if I ever need an item quickly, I usually head to either Canfield's or Omaha's local Backwoods store. (Or there's always the Internet, but I'll get into that in a later blog.)
The cool thing about Backwoods is that, in addition to gear and super-expensive guided trips all over the world, they also offer some cool freebies and events. This weekend (and the third Saturday of every month) is the Omaha chapter's Real Chicks Hike event, a ladies-only event held at the Hitchcock Nature Preserve in Honey Creek, Iowa. You can check Backwoods' calendar for more information. In the past, Backwoods has also offered (free) yoga in the park, (free) orienteering classes taught by Nebraska Sports Council Racing (NSC Racing) director Jim Craig, and even some free after-hours wine-and-cheese events, complete with raffles for gear. (My wife did let me attend that one.)
Friday, July 10, 2009
Weak Odds...for the week End
Tour de France goes internationale
It's been a bad week for France. First, a recent survey points to the French as the world's worst tourists, a title I thought (based on my personal experiences) would easily go to Australians. (Sorry, Australia.) However, luckily for Australians, they have a slightly better grasp of the English language than the French, a distinction that this survery apparently considered quite important.
And, second, I also just found out that a good chunk of this year's Tour de France (translation: Tour of France) is not actually in France. Yes, folks, Lance and company started off the most grueling race in the world in Monaco (not France). By stage 6, the race, much to the delight of Spanish riders, had dipped into Spain (also not France), going all the way to Barcelona after a ride along the coast. And then stage 7 brings the riders from Barcelona into the Pyreneees and to the principality of Andorra, a tiny country that is still not France.
Meanwhile, a few hundred miles west of there....
Death in the morning
Sorry to disrupt the normally irreverent tone of this blog for a moment, but July 10th's encierro (running of the bulls) in Pamplona has resulted in thedeath of Spaniard Daniel Jimeno Romero, 27, the first goring death since 22-year-old American Matthew Tassio was killed in 1995. Romero's death will, no doubt, cast a pall over the weekend's festivities, much like Ray Ducharme's paralyzing injury did when I attended the festival in 2006.
On a more positive, albeit rehashed note...
As mentioned in one of last week's blogs, cycling duo Mark and Jeff Siepker will be kicking off their tandem bicycle ride from Omaha to St Louis to benefit the Ollie Webb Center, an organization that helps support people with developmental disabilities. You can see them off at the Bob Kerrey pedestrian bridge or donate a few dollars to help their cause at firstgiving.com.
It's been a bad week for France. First, a recent survey points to the French as the world's worst tourists, a title I thought (based on my personal experiences) would easily go to Australians. (Sorry, Australia.) However, luckily for Australians, they have a slightly better grasp of the English language than the French, a distinction that this survery apparently considered quite important.
And, second, I also just found out that a good chunk of this year's Tour de France (translation: Tour of France) is not actually in France. Yes, folks, Lance and company started off the most grueling race in the world in Monaco (not France). By stage 6, the race, much to the delight of Spanish riders, had dipped into Spain (also not France), going all the way to Barcelona after a ride along the coast. And then stage 7 brings the riders from Barcelona into the Pyreneees and to the principality of Andorra, a tiny country that is still not France.
Meanwhile, a few hundred miles west of there....
Death in the morning
Sorry to disrupt the normally irreverent tone of this blog for a moment, but July 10th's encierro (running of the bulls) in Pamplona has resulted in thedeath of Spaniard Daniel Jimeno Romero, 27, the first goring death since 22-year-old American Matthew Tassio was killed in 1995. Romero's death will, no doubt, cast a pall over the weekend's festivities, much like Ray Ducharme's paralyzing injury did when I attended the festival in 2006.
On a more positive, albeit rehashed note...
As mentioned in one of last week's blogs, cycling duo Mark and Jeff Siepker will be kicking off their tandem bicycle ride from Omaha to St Louis to benefit the Ollie Webb Center, an organization that helps support people with developmental disabilities. You can see them off at the Bob Kerrey pedestrian bridge or donate a few dollars to help their cause at firstgiving.com.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Miles and miles and miles....
The eastern Nebraska and western Iowa region have a lot to offer in the way of adventure, but sometimes you just need to dip your tootsies in the Mediterranean, kiss a panda bear1, or BASE jump off of the Matterhorn. Believe me, I understand.
That's why, my fellow travelers, I covet my frequent flier miles like the little make-believe treasures that they are. I pay closer attention to their expiration dates than I do the milk I buy at the grocery store. I check on them (for no good reason) more often than I check on my own shriveling 401k. I tuck them into bed and night and give them sweet smooches.2
So here are a few tips I've used for hanging onto my own airline rewards miles:3
a) Make sure I know how long I've got. American Airlines miles, for example, expire after 18 months of inactivity. Frontier Airlines expires after just 12 months of inactivity. If you're as serious about keeping your miles as I am, inactivity is the enemy (that might be my new motto), and it's almost worth keeping a spreadsheet to keep track of your miles, or, better yet, signing up for the rewards emails that will let you know.
b) Make sure you keep those miles alive. Like most things in a capitalist society, miles don't need sunlight and water to live--they need cash. The good news is that you have options. Many airlines have some version of a skymall or a shopping program. If you make purchases online, for any product, always check with your airline of choice's shopping program first. You'd be amazed at how quickly additional miles can pile up with your regular online purchases. Retailers like REI, Sierra Trading Post, Sears, Borders...even Wal-Mart all play ball with these programs. And even cooler, some of these retailers offer additional discounts that's aren't found elsewhere online when you buy via the airlines' shopping page.
c) Make sure you sign up for your airline's dining program. After all, you like to eat, right? I recently discovered American Airlines' dining program, whereby I sign up for free, then I get additional rewards (and my other miles stay alive), while I feed my greedy face4. It's a win-win, so why not take advantage of it?
Footnote 1: Haven't you always wanted to do this?
Footnote 2: This is a lie.
Footnote 3: You can also get one of those airline rewards credit cards, but they usually have annual fees. I hate annual fees.
Footnote 4: My face isn't actually that greedy. It's more needy.
That's why, my fellow travelers, I covet my frequent flier miles like the little make-believe treasures that they are. I pay closer attention to their expiration dates than I do the milk I buy at the grocery store. I check on them (for no good reason) more often than I check on my own shriveling 401k. I tuck them into bed and night and give them sweet smooches.2
So here are a few tips I've used for hanging onto my own airline rewards miles:3
a) Make sure I know how long I've got. American Airlines miles, for example, expire after 18 months of inactivity. Frontier Airlines expires after just 12 months of inactivity. If you're as serious about keeping your miles as I am, inactivity is the enemy (that might be my new motto), and it's almost worth keeping a spreadsheet to keep track of your miles, or, better yet, signing up for the rewards emails that will let you know.
b) Make sure you keep those miles alive. Like most things in a capitalist society, miles don't need sunlight and water to live--they need cash. The good news is that you have options. Many airlines have some version of a skymall or a shopping program. If you make purchases online, for any product, always check with your airline of choice's shopping program first. You'd be amazed at how quickly additional miles can pile up with your regular online purchases. Retailers like REI, Sierra Trading Post, Sears, Borders...even Wal-Mart all play ball with these programs. And even cooler, some of these retailers offer additional discounts that's aren't found elsewhere online when you buy via the airlines' shopping page.
c) Make sure you sign up for your airline's dining program. After all, you like to eat, right? I recently discovered American Airlines' dining program, whereby I sign up for free, then I get additional rewards (and my other miles stay alive), while I feed my greedy face4. It's a win-win, so why not take advantage of it?
Footnote 1: Haven't you always wanted to do this?
Footnote 2: This is a lie.
Footnote 3: You can also get one of those airline rewards credit cards, but they usually have annual fees. I hate annual fees.
Footnote 4: My face isn't actually that greedy. It's more needy.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Just shooting the bull...
File this one under "adventuring vicariously," but, this morning, I was reminded that one of the world's biggest parties is underway in Pamplona, Spain, a feria that will always have a special place in my heart. Of course, the most famous part of the San Fermin festival is its daily running of the bulls or encierro, easily the most dangerous and insane 400 meter sprint in the world.
Thanks to the wonders of modern technology, those of us with Internet access can still be a part of the party. To re-create the festival, simply dress in white, make a pitcher of sangria (one cup sugar, 2 sliced-up oranges, a bottle of red wine, anywhere from 2-10 ounces of brandy, and some ice), drink the pitcher of sangria (make sure you spill some on yourself), buy a case of beer, listen to loud music while drinking beer all night, lay down in a park at about 7 am for half an hour, then get up and watch the morning's running of the bulls on SanFermin.tv.
SanFermin.tv's street-level cameras really get you close to the insane action, and those who haven't seen first hand or participated in an encierro can get a pretty good idea of the bulls' immense bulk, the sharpness of their horns, and the chaos of running in the city's crowded, narrow street, particularly the highly dangerous Estafeta, just before the Plaza del Toros. Also worth checking out is the video footage of the chupinazo, the festival's unbelievable champagne-soaked kick-off on the Calle de los Mercaderos.
If you still don't feel like you're part of the action, do some sprinting and make sure you fall down on cobblestones. Goring yourself is optional (and difficult).
Thanks to the wonders of modern technology, those of us with Internet access can still be a part of the party. To re-create the festival, simply dress in white, make a pitcher of sangria (one cup sugar, 2 sliced-up oranges, a bottle of red wine, anywhere from 2-10 ounces of brandy, and some ice), drink the pitcher of sangria (make sure you spill some on yourself), buy a case of beer, listen to loud music while drinking beer all night, lay down in a park at about 7 am for half an hour, then get up and watch the morning's running of the bulls on SanFermin.tv.
SanFermin.tv's street-level cameras really get you close to the insane action, and those who haven't seen first hand or participated in an encierro can get a pretty good idea of the bulls' immense bulk, the sharpness of their horns, and the chaos of running in the city's crowded, narrow street, particularly the highly dangerous Estafeta, just before the Plaza del Toros. Also worth checking out is the video footage of the chupinazo, the festival's unbelievable champagne-soaked kick-off on the Calle de los Mercaderos.
If you still don't feel like you're part of the action, do some sprinting and make sure you fall down on cobblestones. Goring yourself is optional (and difficult).
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Taco, taco man...
Usually when I hear the word "taco" and "bicycle" in the same sentence, I think of bending a wheel on your bike so badly that it takes the shape of delicious Mexican food. I can personally attest that this is no fun because a) wheels are expensive and b) a tacoed wheel is usually associated with a nasty case of road (or trail) rash...on your face.
But in the Omaha/Council Bluffs area, on Thursday nights while the weather is nice, those words can mean only one thing: the Thursday night taco ride, an adventure turned cultural phenomenon for cyclists that enjoy drinking margaritas, eating tacos, riding their bikes in the dark, puking, and any or all combinations of the aforementioned activities.
If you're interested, leave the kids at home, load up your bikes, and show up at the Wabash Trace trailhead (near Lewis Central elementary school in Council Bluffs) at about 5:30 or 6:00 pm. Be ready to ride to Mineola, Iowa (about 10 miles, one way). Bring enough tools to change your tire, if you happen to get a flat. And don't make the rookie mistake of forgetting your headlamp for the dark ride back. Or you'll risk case of trail rash on your face--without tacoing your wheel.
But in the Omaha/Council Bluffs area, on Thursday nights while the weather is nice, those words can mean only one thing: the Thursday night taco ride, an adventure turned cultural phenomenon for cyclists that enjoy drinking margaritas, eating tacos, riding their bikes in the dark, puking, and any or all combinations of the aforementioned activities.
If you're interested, leave the kids at home, load up your bikes, and show up at the Wabash Trace trailhead (near Lewis Central elementary school in Council Bluffs) at about 5:30 or 6:00 pm. Be ready to ride to Mineola, Iowa (about 10 miles, one way). Bring enough tools to change your tire, if you happen to get a flat. And don't make the rookie mistake of forgetting your headlamp for the dark ride back. Or you'll risk case of trail rash on your face--without tacoing your wheel.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Adventure odds and ends
2 Guys, 2 Wheels, 2 Trails send-off
There's nothing like an epic bike ride to unshackle the spirit...and numb the nether region. Loading up your panniers or your trailer (or even your backpack) and starting the journey of a million RPMs with a single pedal stroke is so sweetly simple. There's a sublime, Zen-like quality involved with travelling fast enough to make the miles tick by, but still remaining connected to your surroundings.
Obviously I could wax romantic all day about super long bike rides; it's my favorite thing to daydream about while I sit chained to a desk. So I'd better get down to business: on Saturday, July 11th, father and son Mark and Jeff Siepker are going to ride a tandem bicycle from Omaha to St. Louis via the Wabash Trace and the Katy Trail. Their 300-mile epic ride is for a good cause--they're trying to raise money for the Ollie Webb Center, an organization that offers support, advocacy, and programs for people with developmental disabilities. Feel free to donate here, or you can meet them July 11th at the Bob Kerrey pedestrian bridge (on the Omaha side) to ride all or part of day one, from Omaha to Malvern (about 30 miles). Good luck and happy trails, guys!
Registration extended for Cornhusker State Games adventure race
For all of you procrastinating adventure racers out there (is there such a thing, really?), the Nebraska Sports Council has extended the deadline for registering for one of its toughest (and by toughest, I mean "most painful") events at the Cornhusker State Games--the adventure race. Held this year at Branched Oak Lake State Park (and featuring trail running, mountain biking, water events, and climbing), this race is sure to test your 3-person team's mettle (and maybe your team's first aid kit too). More details can be found at the Cornhusker State Games website.
Outside...online?
I know, I know, the above subhead is an oxymoron, like "Wii sports" or "ski Iowa." Just bear with me. Although I’m planning on doing a more comprehensive “hey, check out these really cool web sites” blog at some later time, I thought I'd give everyone a heads up about the online version of one of my favorite magazines (despite its lack of Midwestern coverage), Outside. They're one of the best at what they do (National Geographic Adventure being my other fave), and the fact that the online version is free (yes, you read that correctly) makes this deal as sweet as my upper lip is sweaty.
There's nothing like an epic bike ride to unshackle the spirit...and numb the nether region. Loading up your panniers or your trailer (or even your backpack) and starting the journey of a million RPMs with a single pedal stroke is so sweetly simple. There's a sublime, Zen-like quality involved with travelling fast enough to make the miles tick by, but still remaining connected to your surroundings.
Obviously I could wax romantic all day about super long bike rides; it's my favorite thing to daydream about while I sit chained to a desk. So I'd better get down to business: on Saturday, July 11th, father and son Mark and Jeff Siepker are going to ride a tandem bicycle from Omaha to St. Louis via the Wabash Trace and the Katy Trail. Their 300-mile epic ride is for a good cause--they're trying to raise money for the Ollie Webb Center, an organization that offers support, advocacy, and programs for people with developmental disabilities. Feel free to donate here, or you can meet them July 11th at the Bob Kerrey pedestrian bridge (on the Omaha side) to ride all or part of day one, from Omaha to Malvern (about 30 miles). Good luck and happy trails, guys!
Registration extended for Cornhusker State Games adventure race
For all of you procrastinating adventure racers out there (is there such a thing, really?), the Nebraska Sports Council has extended the deadline for registering for one of its toughest (and by toughest, I mean "most painful") events at the Cornhusker State Games--the adventure race. Held this year at Branched Oak Lake State Park (and featuring trail running, mountain biking, water events, and climbing), this race is sure to test your 3-person team's mettle (and maybe your team's first aid kit too). More details can be found at the Cornhusker State Games website.
Outside...online?
I know, I know, the above subhead is an oxymoron, like "Wii sports" or "ski Iowa." Just bear with me. Although I’m planning on doing a more comprehensive “hey, check out these really cool web sites” blog at some later time, I thought I'd give everyone a heads up about the online version of one of my favorite magazines (despite its lack of Midwestern coverage), Outside. They're one of the best at what they do (National Geographic Adventure being my other fave), and the fact that the online version is free (yes, you read that correctly) makes this deal as sweet as my upper lip is sweaty.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Mapping your Nebraska adventures
There's something to be said for lacing (or Velcroing--is that even a word?) your shoes, stepping out your front door, sucking in a lungful of the outdoors, and taking off running or bicycling with very little preparation. Unfortunately, those of us without GPS (I know, I know) or a cyclometer (I know, already, jeez...) or even any idea how to use a map (okay, now I definitely do not fall into that category) have no easy way of knowing how far we've ran/cycled once we return home--if we return home (see earlier GPS reference).
In the olden days, to determine how long my little neighborhood jog was, I would've 1) later driven the same route in my car while keeping a close eye on my odometer or 2) relied upon my highly accurate rate of perceived exertion, which would've informed me that the loop was somewhere between 50 and 75 miles long.
A few weeks ago I decided to use a website called mapmyrun to determine the length of my neighborhood loop. As it turns out, my grueling, ultramarathon loop was only a mile and a half long. And, more importantly, mapmyrun.com (and its cousin mapmyride.com), turned out to be pretty cool sites.
If you spend a few moments navigating the site, you'll find a wide variety of news items, training tools, forums, upcoming races, a contest of two, and even some pre-mapped runs (the site eerily recognized that I lived in Omaha and supplied me with maps of an Elmwood Park run, a 4-Mile downtown loop, and a run called "Keystone Loop from Steve's").
Site registration is free. And although the free version has some annoying ads that tend to get in your way while you create your own workout maps, that's a small price to pay for a highly useful set of newfound training tools.
In the olden days, to determine how long my little neighborhood jog was, I would've 1) later driven the same route in my car while keeping a close eye on my odometer or 2) relied upon my highly accurate rate of perceived exertion, which would've informed me that the loop was somewhere between 50 and 75 miles long.
A few weeks ago I decided to use a website called mapmyrun to determine the length of my neighborhood loop. As it turns out, my grueling, ultramarathon loop was only a mile and a half long. And, more importantly, mapmyrun.com (and its cousin mapmyride.com), turned out to be pretty cool sites.
If you spend a few moments navigating the site, you'll find a wide variety of news items, training tools, forums, upcoming races, a contest of two, and even some pre-mapped runs (the site eerily recognized that I lived in Omaha and supplied me with maps of an Elmwood Park run, a 4-Mile downtown loop, and a run called "Keystone Loop from Steve's").
Site registration is free. And although the free version has some annoying ads that tend to get in your way while you create your own workout maps, that's a small price to pay for a highly useful set of newfound training tools.
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