Finally, the wind pushed out the smoke long enough to get a ride in. We also managed to find a rock. Living on the alluvial flats means it is hard to find anything but cobblestones. But the guys and I finally managed a ride over 15kms this year – it’s just been too smoky to … Continue reading "Not a damn good rock shot, but we’re on the board"

I didn’t have much time to ride today, but I knew about some rocks I wanted to photograph for the Challenge of the Month. I took a rocky route on some hidden Spring Lake trails. The route proved so rocky that the Ogre required a little tender loving care when we returned home. But the … Continue reading "Rocky route"

First off, let’s get the windchill cycling part of my title out of the way.  I know I’ve bored you enough about MY town’s winter weather, so I’ll keep this short.  The morning started out at 7-degrees (F) below zero.   I waited for it to warm up a bit before going for my daily … Continue reading "Windchill Cycling And Two Stories Involving Rocks And The Feeshko"

Our Challenges are great – they make you look harder! The above rock / boulder is positioned by the Longford Pub.  The Pub sits on what was a fiercely contested corner when the road around formed Australia’s GP circuit.  The cars would come down to the corner going in the direction of Bluey, turn hard … Continue reading "Another “Erratic”, not Glacial."

Found in Indiana — this is believed to be a Pre-Cambrian tillite from Canada A lithified glacial till containing various sized fragments The interesting thing is, it shows an outline of the Western Hemisphere North America is recognizable, South America not quite so much The granite clast in North America is approximately in the location … Continue reading "January Challenge #4"

I was a little disappointed to learn that some of the Cycle365 judges have been questioning whether my rocks are big enough.  Um, wait a minute.  That didn’t come out right.  What I meant to say is that one of the judges — along with a crazy Green Bay Packer fanatic — aren’t so sure … Continue reading "Great BIG Rocks For All The Naysayers"

Little-known fact: One of the earliest and most obscure episodes of “Finding Your Roots” with Henry Louis Gates on PBS featured Rocco. With the help of professional researchers, census records, and DNA analysis, Dr. Gates was able to determine that Rocco has many close relatives in Northern California. I managed to gather them all together … Continue reading "Finding Rocco’s Roots"

Original limestone curb still existing today “Back in the Day”  the town was very prosperous and this particular street was in the ‘higher eschelon’ part of town — they got cut stone curbs At that time the street would have been paved with bricks but has subsequently been covered in asphalt It looks as though … Continue reading "January Challenge #3"

I had been hoping to get out of town yesterday with the Ogre for a week-long expedition to some wild and remote territory, but a variety of last-minute factors postponed my departure. Not sure when I’ll be able to take off. Meanwhile, today seemed perfectly bright and clear, so the Ogre and I went for … Continue reading "Kenwood and a rock or two"

Before we figure out WHERE Rocco is, I should probably remind you WHO Rocco is.  I made (literally) a new friend and I introduced him on my New Year’s Day post.  True to the theme of this month’s challenge, Rocco is a rock.  If you scroll back up to the featured photo, you’ll see a … Continue reading "WHERE’S ROCCO?"

Boulder placed at new housing development There is a good possibility that is not a real boulder — very likely a product of Boulder Designs No question of the authenticity here — Fake Boulder!!!! Thick layer of pea gravel cushions falls Looks like Danny MacAskill gave up climbing the faux boulder and went home This … Continue reading "January Challenge #2"

Yesterday my ace support crew and I arose early and climbed Bald Mountain. Out of four couples invited to join us, all bailed out, mostly due to various medical/physical issues. I think all our friends must be getting old. After climbing Bald Mountain, I intended to bike out the Greenway. However, I decided I really … Continue reading "Graceful as a hippo in a tutu"

Getting revved for rocks. Read more at Bill Bikes

The gale winds of yesterday abated to a moderate breeze this morning — still plenty cold — having wimped out yesterday, the Western Flyer and I were determined to do a few miles and possibly find some photogenic boulders Of questionable photogenticity (spell check is unhappy with that spelling, if its even a word) is … Continue reading "January Challenge"

Last month’s challenge subject, Reds, was possibly the most productive one yet, generating 35 submissions; while the November one, Kids, was probably the least popular, resulting in only ten.  I’m sure there’s a message in there somewhere, but I’m not quite sure what it is.  Maybe lifeless subjects are easier to work with than squirrelly, … Continue reading "Challenge of the month, January 2020: Rocks"

58F!  Let’s go! Someone spilled the beans — including some red kidney beans Those are rejects from Teasdale Foods which are taken by tractor and wagon to the landfill periodically Teasdale specializes in Mexican lentil products although these aren’t jumping beans  😉 Another view through the chain stays Tagging along behind the tractor and wagon … Continue reading "December Challenge Finale"

Roses are Red Viking fans are feeling blue We went Waa-hoo Whilst they went Boo-hoo At the casino after my early ride. The game started at 9am on Christmas eve. I met a friendly father and son from Kentucky. The son a Viking fan and father a Packers fan. I learnt many things such as … Continue reading "Roses are Red"

It was a damp and cold day for riding, but six of us faced the weather for a delightful day riding on the Centennial Trail. Hot chocolate at the Java Haus could not have been better earned. Bonus — a covered bridge in Lake Stevens. ;’-). Cindy was the most decorated with flowers and lights … Continue reading "COLD RED"

Back at Casey’s — red, red,and more red (Named after the founder’s friend K C Fish who encouraged him to buy an old service station which became a second convenience store) Red door at Grant Township food pantry Time for CranXmas donations JR’s Recyclables — red primer on trailer fenders – red marker lamp, red … Continue reading "December Challenge"

Red a little faded after 44 years  

The guys and I managed a short overnight ride to Beechworth on Wed/Thurs. We saw some reds along the way – though not in the concentration that you get in towns. If the challenge is ever brown or green, boy do I have an extensive range to work with. You can read about our ride … Continue reading "December Challenge: Reds – Rural Style"

Tail light on the Western Flyer — attached to a Gen-U-Wine  Pletcher carrier — undoubtably worth more than the WF  🙂 Purchased at Big R farm store (2 dollars!) Big R:  “If they don’t have it, you don’t need it”   Liddle Ford pick-em-up truck hitches a ride Back from a breezy ride in 23F … Continue reading "December Challenge — Red"

When I saw the topic of this month’s challenge, I immediately thought: I’ve got the perfect subject for this one. You cannot get more RED than Red Fraggle. If you don’t know Red, you can read about her here.  December 1 in my part of Oz was blessedly cool and rainy. We are so low on … Continue reading "December Challenge: Red Fraggle"

The last three months have been very busy. That’s not too good when you have a very finite level of energy. But we made it through – but that did mean not much riding or internet time, as all my energy was spent on work, study, attaining a new job and various medical stuff. However, … Continue reading "Monthly Challenge – finally finding a flag, kid or row of something"

Loess is a wind blown and deposited silt from the glacial ages found in many areas once covered by sheets of glacial ice.  When the glaciers retreated (melted back) large areas of transported materials were left behind.  The wind subsequently picked up the smaller silt sized and finer particles and deposited them in thick layers, … Continue reading "Loess Children"

That’s Max — not a kitten, but a definite fur kid Riding by Maple Elementary school at recess time there were plenty of kids around — given today’s situation — taking a photo was probably not a good idea

New Giro with Retro Bell bicycle helmet stripes added Raleigh ready for a short loop ride around south of town Tote preparing for pick up tomorrow Soybeans harvested Corn ready to go Cardinals Fan — disappointed — maybe next year And right next door — Blue W left over from Cubs World Series win And … Continue reading "October Challenge — sort of"

Not quite the same as having a real deal Green Bay flag in hand Happened to see this on a ride to the Post Office and thought Randell might appreciate it.  🙂 This isnt exactly Green Bay territory — former neighbor was from Wiscowsin and actually has  a Cheese Head hat.

  On a ride along the Swan River northside my initial plan was foiled by a complete lack of wind which makes taking photos of flags pretty sub-optimal. Luckily around the city a breeze kicked in and I grabbed some snaps along Riverside Drive of some City of Perth tourism flags. Also here is my holiday … Continue reading "Searching for flags"

Flags at the floral shop United States Marine Corps Flag Chicago Cubs fan Another Cubs fan University of Michigan fan Trump fan Another Trump fan directly across the street Happy Fall!

Flags honoring the Fire and Police Departments Flags — fender emblem from an Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera I needed Help with a few of those The Lanes appear to be Trump fans Buy Here – Pay Here – Credit for Everyone!!

Stars and Stripes — POW/MIA — State of Illinois flags Memorial at McFerren Park Patriotic Tribute to Veterans They called JULIE prior to installing a new gas line

I was going to snap a photo of the sun at noon (1PM CDT) — got busy and forgot  🙁 The Sun was 50 degrees above the horizon at noon This photo is 4PM CDT (2100 GMT/UTC)  still, the sun has descended 23.5 degrees from the Summer Solstice and will continue another 23.5 degree at … Continue reading "In Line with the Equinox"

On the cycle to the Climate Strike Day from work I sprung into line with these guys.   Lots of protesters and students at the Rally, not happy the way we’re wrecking the planet and destroying their future. So where am I?     Don’t like crowds so I cycled back to work and stopped … Continue reading "Falling into line with some Aboriginal skeleton warriors"

(Some fairly non de-script in line photos — except maybe the contrail one) In Line with chain link fence Aligned with parking posts and light standards at the soccer field (Field Offices/Garceaus in background) In Line with Jet contrail