Duck Hunting

I went duck hunting this weekend with some guys from school, only I didn't duck hunt, I rode bike with Jay H. It was a great weekend with some great guys.

Phase 1- Jay H. and I drove up to the shack by Browerville. I told Jay my bike movie idea and he loved it. When we got to the shack I had some lemonade and stayed up by the fire way too late!

Phase 2- Got Jay H. out of bed and we rode our bikes to Long Prairie. Man is he strong. I thought he would slow down during the day... he never did. We rode until noon (45 miles) and then had an incredible BBQ lunch put on by a new teacher in our school, Dave E. The kids call him Mr. E... Can you believe that!?

Phase 3- Jay had the wild idea of doing the Cyclocross race at Boom Island on Sunday so we set up a course and practiced at the shack. I liked it a lot but Jay started to get cold feet.

Phase 4- Ride #2, Jay and I rode another 30 to make the days total about 75 miles. He never slowed down at all.

Phase 5- Felt like crap, Jay rode me into the ground. Jay and I made supper, jumbolia. It is in the picture. That was fun and the lemonade and Advil combination brought me around.

Phase 6- Talked about favorite movies until 11:30 and went to bed.

Phase 7- Shook Jay's bed at 7:45 and asked him if he still wanted to try to make that race. He did and we were on our way. Great conversation on the way to the race. Mike B. called to say he was going to be there.

Phase 8- Get to Boom Island and park right next to Mike. Not at all nervous but very excited. It is a first for all three of us and we don't know exactly what to expect.

Phase 9- Get to talk to Bill N. Great to see he is doing OK. Race time, I have a new love... cyclocross, that is cooooool! I was at the back and picked my way up a little during the race. Doesn’t matter where you are in the pack, it is just fun doing it. I wish it didn’t cost $30.

Phase 10- Mike talked me into doing the B race for another $5. It was very fun. When we started to get lapped Mike and I decided to quit until Chad M. and Dan C. yelled at us to get back in the race. We did finish... I think dead last but it was great!!!

Phase 11- Free lemonade!! We watched the A race and I didn’t find out until later that John R. won his race! That is really cool! He also finished 5th in the 10K at Elm Creek Saturday. The more I think about John winning the more cool it is, what a weekend for him!

Phase 12- Drove Dave Hogland home and then got to spend the evening with my family. It was a great way to wrap up a very fun weekend.

One more thing... I love Tom C. He is game for anything and should be thanked for getting us out there racing too!