On my ride today I had to take this photo as a favorite fence. I love wood fences; I love stone fences. Here is a little of both. And now on to the next challenge for April. ;’-)/
Read MoreMonth: March 2022
Cycle Days Challenge: The March 2022 Edition

The beginning of spring is not to be denied, whether you choose the meteorological March first or the astronomical March 20. Early spring flowers are popping up between the brown leaves on the forest floor and some bushes and trees are hesitantly beginning to show color. Read MORE on my website.
Read MoreA CHALLENGE TO CHALLENGE EVEN THE MOST UN-CHALLENGEABLE

Well, the bifurcated March Challenge went pretty well, didn’t it? I think it helped to sustain interest for the entire month. And if you thought my use of the word “bifurcated” (which is about the only term I remember from a college pre-law class) was pretty smart, wait until you see my TRIfurcation idea. Being … Continue reading "A CHALLENGE TO CHALLENGE EVEN THE MOST UN-CHALLENGEABLE"
Read MoreA gateway to France

I’m not sure this qualifies, but we’re running out of days in this challenge so I’m working with what I’ve got. We crossed over into France today through a minor pass in the Pyrenees. It’s an odd crossing – on the Catalonian side, a well maintained road leading right to the summit; and on the … Continue reading "A gateway to France"
Read MoreGates and Fences Dump

I have gates and fences from four days and just didn’t find the time to post. I guess my energy was going into getting my journal finished from the two-day ride. What will I do when we are on the road for three weeks? HERE‘s the completed journal. Here are some more fences and gates, … Continue reading "Gates and Fences Dump"
Read MoreFence Finale
Its been an interesting and exciting month of challenges, thank you oh Czar Gregory! The weather has been, uh, a little less than conducive to cycling (That the Shirley Temple version of what I’m really thinking 😉 ) So here are the remaining photos, most of which were taken earlier in the month: Gate and … Continue reading "Fence Finale"
Read MoreFINAL FENCES FOR MY POSTS
I had hopes of taking myself on an afternoon ride today after Susan’s visit with her surgeon’s team. The rain came and thwarted that plan. So these photos are from my walk that I was able to sneak in when returning a video to the library just after some light showery weather. Fences also protect … Continue reading "FINAL FENCES FOR MY POSTS"
Read MoreThe Last of the Fences

Before I show the pictures of what might be my last few fences of the month, I’ve got a story to share. It involves a scofflaw (ME) and the fuzz, the heat, the popo, the cops, the gendarmes, the constabulary. I usually slow down at stop signs, look both ways, and give cars the right … Continue reading "The Last of the Fences"
Read MoreGot Gates, Got Fences

I’m still alive and kicking, had Covid and am recovered. Time to post for the challenge! We decided to take advantage of the perfect weather and took off for a mini-tour. That was last Friday and Saturday and I am now catching up with pictures and journaling. HERE is the link to my journal on … Continue reading "Got Gates, Got Fences"
Read MoreMORE FENCES
I ventured just a bit farther from home today as Susan is mending and feels comfortable for me to go out for longer each day. Today was a mixture of sun and clouds, and nearing 50 degrees as I rode along. It was a delightful day for a ride. I found some fences to share … Continue reading "MORE FENCES"
Read MoreMore Deep Thoughts on Social Media, A Few Fences, and a Super-Funny Joke that I Made Up While On Today’s Bike Ride

Yesterday’s post about my desire to reduce my on-line presence might have had the appearance of a whiney cry for attention. I didn’t mean it that way at all, though I did appreciate your comments. Emily’s comment, in particular, got me to thinking further about social media and how it effects people–like me. She said … Continue reading "More Deep Thoughts on Social Media, A Few Fences, and a Super-Funny Joke that I Made Up While On Today’s Bike Ride"
Read MoreA fence in Cadaqués

Some of you may have heard of Cadaqués, or even been there. It’s a coastal town on the Costa Brava (the wild coast), not far from the French border. A bit out of the way, but very scenic. It’s probably best known for its history as an artists community in the last century, and especially … Continue reading "A fence in Cadaqués"
Read MoreBarriers of one sort or another
The month is coming to a close and the weather here is anything but cooperative for more challenge photos. Winds 30+ and 30-ish temps as I type. Not expected to improve much till sometime next week. I did have a short conversation with a retired priest and the thought crossed my mind to confess thinking/saying … Continue reading "Barriers of one sort or another"
Read MoreSoul Searching and a Few Fences

It was only a couple of hours ago that I complimented Emily on her efforts to reduce social media exposure and screen time. Then I said I need to do the same thing. Ironically, I was using on-line social media to say that. I can’t help myself. I’m not a particularly social person in the … Continue reading "Soul Searching and a Few Fences"
Read MoreA March jumble
Last July I deleted all of my social media accounts and started limiting myself to 1.5 hours of internet time a day. This has been a really good thing, and something I’ll continue. But it does mean that by the time I read the news, check and answer emails and continue some research on various … Continue reading "A March jumble"
Read MoreHARBINGERS OF SPRING AROUND US
My ride the other day (2 days ago) was in 62 degree weather — a fleeting harbinger of spring as the next day it took a dive to 42 degrees!! Still, I know spring is near by the sights and sounds around me as I pedal. I can’t bring the sound of the croaking frogs … Continue reading "HARBINGERS OF SPRING AROUND US"
Read MoreFENCES: Safety Measure? Or Obstacle to Daring Adventure?

A Video Message From Your Chief Safety Officer It’s true–fences can prevent people from absentmindedly wandering off a cliff or accidentally riding their bikes over a waterfall. Sometimes fences can protect us from our own stupidity. One time I wanted to enter a demolition zone to get a closer look at the wrecking ball, but … Continue reading "FENCES: Safety Measure? Or Obstacle to Daring Adventure?"
Read MoreMore Scrappy Fences
Fences and Gates

Another gorgeous day to be in the saddle. We left before lunch for a ride to Schloss Seefeld where we could sit outdoors for a noon day meal. It was so good to be warmed by the sunshine and enjoy a longer ride on roads that we hadn’t been on for a while. Our destination … Continue reading "Fences and Gates"
Read MoreRiding Again

No longer in quarantine and still coughing, but otherwise feeling fine and ready to get on my bike. We are having amazing weather – sun, no wind and temps in the 60’s. That meant no long johns, no winter gloves, fewer layers – it felt absolutely liberating and energizing. We went for a short ride … Continue reading "Riding Again"
Read MoreNot exactly a fence…
SOME SCRAPPY FENCES
There were mainly two things that got me out for my lovely 9:00 ride this morning. Mainly it was because the forecast was for rain at about noon; secondly I had to mail 10 (I was thinking 8) year old Grand Lucy her birthday card. I had thought there would be no more fences around … Continue reading "SOME SCRAPPY FENCES"
Read MoreA FEW FENCES, A COUPLE OF OUT BUILDINGS
Sun and 60 degrees, what’s not to like!?! It was drippy and chilly in the early morning, but once I got a few house chores done and got Susan fed and watered for lunch, I went out into the noontime sun. Yes, a bit later than I prefer, but the weather made up for it. … Continue reading "A FEW FENCES, A COUPLE OF OUT BUILDINGS"
Read MoreRainy Day Man #22 (Bob Dylan Title Rip-Off #97)

A couple days ago, one of our Cycle365 members suggested I should write a review of my new bike. “That’s a ridiculous idea,” I thought. “I know nothing about writing a bike review. I’ve only ridden perhaps a dozen bikes in my lifetime, most of which I owned, so I have no real basis for … Continue reading "Rainy Day Man #22 (Bob Dylan Title Rip-Off #97)"
Read MoreFences

Very old, weathered picket fence Closer view with entangled shrub of some kind At one time, this was a showplace of horticultural beauty Decoy owl perches on the fence supposedly to drive birds away from a swimming pool at the “R” chimney house Maple street alley — Japanese gazebo (aka Tea House) down there behind … Continue reading "Fences"
Read MoreA fence on solstice

So this one is definitely a fence; unless it’s really just a safety barrier. If it’s not a fence though, it’s still a pretty darned nice view as we look back at Tossa de Mar one last time on our ride to Palamós. And, it’s solstice; though you wouldn’t know it from the conditions which … Continue reading "A fence on solstice"
Read MoreA Good Day of Riding, but a Bad Attempt at Documenting the Equinox

On March 19–the day before the spring equinox–I made a plan to get on the road early the next morning for a sunrise picture. Unfortunately, when the next morning arrived, I didn’t remember my plan until the sun had been up for about 15 minutes. I rushed out my back door to get a picture … Continue reading "A Good Day of Riding, but a Bad Attempt at Documenting the Equinox"
Read MoreThe Great Fence of Tossa de Mar

Now that I think about it again I’m not sure that an 800 year old stone wall actually counts as a fence. It certainly seems like a barrier though, which is also included in the scope of the challenge. The featured photo is of the walls of the fortress at Tossa de Mar on the Catalonian … Continue reading "The Great Fence of Tossa de Mar"
Read MoreA Slow Walk

Today I tested negative – yippee! I expected I’d hop on my bike for a nice ride in the sunshine as soon as I was out of quarantine. But when I went out for a short walk to the mail box this morning, I knew that wasn’t going to happen. I was so dizzy that … Continue reading "A Slow Walk"
Read MoreEquinox 3/20/22
3/19/22 Sunset Sky begins to clear after an overcast day and light rain View due west Le Tour at Road Closed barrier — long shadows of early Equinox morning 10:33 CDT Direct ray is striking the equator right NOW Topic Diversion . . . . . Nothing to do with the equinox, other than waiting … Continue reading "Equinox 3/20/22"
Read MoreTWO MORE FENCES AND SPRING ;’-)
Another short, close-in ride down a few different roads/streets from yesterday’s ride showed me two more fences. This one a bit weathered and worn. Directly across the road from the weathered fence is this perfect fence that forms kind of a “play pen” like area of the front yard. And then — I found spring… … Continue reading "TWO MORE FENCES AND SPRING ;’-)"
Read MoreMake Fences, Not Sentences

You didn’t REALLY think I could enter an entire post without at least a couple sentences, did you? Well, I was a little disappointed with the picture of the high school baseball field shown at the top of the page. Sure, it had the homerun fence in the distance and some doofus climbing the backstop … Continue reading "Make Fences, Not Sentences"
Read MoreDiamond Back Goes Fencing
Thats the Huffy making the segue from outbuildings to fences Diamond Back goes fencing HERE
Read MoreWITH LITTLE OOM-PAH-PAH, I RODE ;’-)
My riding time is morning, 9:00 is fine, 10:00 is getting on the late side but often necessary for the weather conditions. Once noon hits though, my oom-pah-pah begins to wane. So imagine my surprise at myself when I mounted my bike at 2:15 yesterday afternoon! The morning was a little busy with two ‘by … Continue reading "WITH LITTLE OOM-PAH-PAH, I RODE ;’-)"
Read MoreThe Late Saint Patrick

Well, we’re only a day late; but we’re still unpacking here in Barcelona after our short hop, skip and jump across the Atlantic. We weren’t ready to get the bikes out on the day itself, but the day after found me out with one – walking Rachael’s bike down to the nearest LBS to replace … Continue reading "The Late Saint Patrick"
Read MoreI Got a Groovy New Bike and Here’s the Story
I’m sure all of you noticed the green bike in my last two posts but, other than Rich, you were too shy to comment on it. That’s okay. I’d probably do the same thing for fear of saying something like, “Hey, Old Grumbleface, it looks like you got a new Surly Ogre,” only to receive … Continue reading "I Got a Groovy New Bike and Here’s the Story"
Read MoreInspired by a challenge

About four years ago I endeavored to photograph Munich’s hochbunkers, above-ground bunkers, remaining from WW2. Our Outbuildings Challenge reminded me of the project, although I’m not sure I could call these sturdy structures outbuildings. Since Greg showed interest in these vestiges from the war, I returned to the unfinished project to see what I could … Continue reading "Inspired by a challenge"
Read MoreEquinox
Not so much of a challenge as just something interesting to observe Been a long time coming! March 20th @ 10:33 CDT in Illinois 12 hour day/12 hour night from Pole to Pole Take a photo of a sunrise or sunset and/or shadows oriented due east/west A day or two either side of the 20th … Continue reading "Equinox"
Read MoreThe Shed Challenge

The Featured Photo sunset taken last night on St Patrick’s Day is my contribution. I didn’t get on the bike at all that day as I was suffering the effects of my vaccine booster injection, I suppose if it doesn’t kill you, it makes you stronger. In the sunset there was lots of orange, some … Continue reading "The Shed Challenge"
Read MoreSHAMROCK DAY
Happy St. Pat’s Day everyone. Surprisingly — to me — I got to ride today. Short and sweet but found today’s shamrock. Then as I neared home I found these art ”interpretations’ at the school. And a bonus FENCE to begin Part 2 for this month! I have posted an update of Susan’s progress on … Continue reading "SHAMROCK DAY"
Read MoreHappy St. Patrick’s Day from MY Town
It was at about this point that all heck broke loose. First of all, when I was making my green beer, I spilled a drop of food coloring on the carpet. Even though it was on the carpet in the Greg Room, The Feeshko was very upset with me. I thought I actually cleaned it … Continue reading "Happy St. Patrick’s Day from MY Town"
Read MoreGreen for Today

I didn’t get to ride my bike today, still in quarantine and not really feeling like riding my bike yet, but I do have some photos from previous rides that I had been saving for St. Patrick’s day. HAPPY ST. PATRICK’S DAY!
Read MoreHappy St Patrick’s Day
The Last of the Outbuildings

According to my official challenge calendar, today is the last day of the Shed/Barn/Treehouse/Doghouse/Garage/Outbuilding Challenge. Tomorrow–just to keep you informed–is the St. Patrick’s Day/Pot ‘O Gold/Clover/Leprechaun/Everything Green Challenge. Following that, we’ve got the Fences/Barriers/Gates Challenge through the rest of the month. Whew! Just before the deadline, here are my last few outbuildings. I know some … Continue reading "The Last of the Outbuildings"
Read MoreRemaining Outbuildings
Shed and grain bin like gazebo Assortment of shed ornamentation Depending on how they are counted, there are as many as 8,9 or10 sheds/outbuildings and one play house in this disaster zone where a mobile home burned Shed south of town at a formerly occupied wooded site Screened in structure at the site where … Continue reading "Remaining Outbuildings"
Read MoreIf Not for Cycle365, I Might Never Have Paid Attention to Pi Day.

It’s true! I remember learning about Pi in high school, but I never thought about it again in the next 45 years. I did not know there was a whole day dedicated to that geometric concept until Suzanne mentioned it couple weeks ago. I didn’t even realize the significance of Pi Day’s date until I … Continue reading "If Not for Cycle365, I Might Never Have Paid Attention to Pi Day."
Read MoreHappy Pi Day!

Well, I didn’t ride my bike to Starnberger See for coffee and piece of pie in the sun. I have Covid and am not going anywhere for a while. It feels like the flu with fever. I’m not seriously ill and I am hoping the symptoms will be gone soon. So not to worry. But … Continue reading "Happy Pi Day!"
Read MoreHappy Pi Day!!

Click HERE To be honest, they lost me the first day of Geometry class and it deteriorated from there
Read MoreA Few More

At any rate, dual Garceaus near the baseball field Dual Garceaus at the soccer field — Press Box for football — and clubhouse for soccer teams Huffy at the shed where it hung sloth-like for most of the 2020 and all of the 2021 riding season (Hangs head in shame) ~~~~~On the Road Again — … Continue reading "A Few More"
Read MoreOUT OF COMPETITION FOR A WHILE
If it’s not the pandemic, it’s the weather, if it’s not the weather something else will surely happen to hamper my cycling this early part of the year! This is NOT MY leg… At 4:30 on Thursday morning I came out of the bathroom to find Susan kneeling next to the bed and moaning. Being … Continue reading "OUT OF COMPETITION FOR A WHILE"
Read MoreGreenoutbuildinghouse

I pedaled a few blocks to visit friends. While I was there, I snapped a photo of their new backyard greenhouse.
Read MoreOutbuildings That Didn’t Make the Cut
While riding around this month–always keeping an eye out for outbuildings–I’ve come to find they are even more common in MY Town than chimneys. My goodness, it seems everybody has one except me. Some of them are pretty cool, and those are the ones I’ve been posting. Most of them are not picture-worthy at all. … Continue reading "Outbuildings That Didn’t Make the Cut"
Read MoreOther Outbuildings

Technically these are not all outbuildings, but not main buildings either, and as I recall Greg gave us quite a bit of leeway on what qualifies. So here’s my catch from the past couple of days. On Wednesday I pedaled to Munich for a birthday celebration in the apartment where we used to live. I … Continue reading "Other Outbuildings"
Read MoreDilapidated Sheds
We have an abundance of dilapidated stuff around here. What were once viable buildings of one sort or another and served some useful purpose have fallen into disrepair Huffy visits a sway backed outbuilding Appears to have partly housed a garage with roll away doors and maybe a workshop of some sort Be interesting to … Continue reading "Dilapidated Sheds"
Read MoreOUTBUILDINGS WITH A VERY IMPORTANT FUNCTION

Have you ever wondered how tap water gets from the city water tower to the faucet in your housing development? But it IS an interesting process. Gravity is part of it, but another part are those little outbuildings scattered around town that contain big pipes and valves and other equipment. Today’s post is all about … Continue reading "OUTBUILDINGS WITH A VERY IMPORTANT FUNCTION"
Read MoreBlame it on the dog

Another day, another outbuilding – this one near Irish Bend down south of Corvallis, where we’re hiding out for a few days. Frustratingly though there’s still no bike in the picture so I’m still technically scoreless in this month’s challenge. There were extenuating circumstances though: I was intimidated by a snarling German Shepard that seemed … Continue reading "Blame it on the dog"
Read MoreBrick Outbuildings
Trying to avoid a repeat of my Boswell experience, most photos were taken as clandestinely as possible! Brick garage/workshop in need of some TLC 2 story brick outbuilding Brick garage with an original standing seam metal roof In serious need of some TLC Huff and I made it back home with no wardrobe incidents … Continue reading "Brick Outbuildings"
Read MoreOut(buildings) on Sauvie Island

Well, I’ve failed again. I found a few outbuildings yesterday on Sauvie Island, but could I remember to pose a bicycle or a foot or a kayak in front of even one of them? Is that too much to ask, really? But NOO. Sorry, Challenge Czar. I’ve failed you again, and I feel terrible about … Continue reading "Out(buildings) on Sauvie Island"
Read MoreMORE ODDS OR OUTS
They SAID we would have sun today. Technically I suppose they were right if you count 4:30 as “today”. My ride had no sun with the entire sky in cloud cover. But it was not raining and the chill of 38 degrees warmed to 42 by the end of my ride. I had one definite … Continue reading "MORE ODDS OR OUTS"
Read MoreCartoon Alter-Egos Have Outbuildings Too

Let me tell you about the weather. Yesterday we got temperatures near 40-degrees (F). We also got about an inch of rain and even a little lightning & thunder. Overnight, the rainwater turned to ice. Then mother nature topped that off with about a half-inch of snow. I didn’t ride my bike today. One excuse … Continue reading "Cartoon Alter-Egos Have Outbuildings Too"
Read MoreBig buildings, little buildings

If it weren’t for the challenge, my ride wouldn’t have been half as much fun. It’s sunny but still cold and I almost didn’t go out at all. That would have been a mistake. I found pictures for the challenge and also realized this is now the best time for the trails in the woods. … Continue reading "Big buildings, little buildings"
Read MoreAnnouncement: backup failures
This unpleasant post has been a long time coming. We haven’t mentioned it before, but for the past month we’ve been working with the vendors that support the site trying to resolve failures in backing it up. These failures began perhaps two months ago. After successfully running scheduled backups nightly for about a year, they … Continue reading "Announcement: backup failures"
Read MoreANOTHER RIDE, ANOTHER BUILDING OR THREE
It was a glorious ride on a rail trail that started at the old Rail Station in Duvall. It is an unpaved, very hard packed trail that takes us through a bit of country. There are outbuildings, but most are too far in the distance to get a decent photo. Got this one at least. … Continue reading "ANOTHER RIDE, ANOTHER BUILDING OR THREE"
Read MoreLook Who’s Been Here!

Two outbuildings at the park with an internationally known visitor! (Yes, that is for real)
Read MoreOutbuildings Made for Play & Playfulness
There are so many outbuildings around here that I’m going to have to divide them up into categories. I guess the title of this post tells you what today’s category is.
Read MoreA COUPLE MORE ODDS AND OUTS
On yesterday’s ride I saw so many good shacks and sheds but was not able to take any photos. When I am on a group ride it is just about impossible to stop along the way for any photos, and this day especially since I was the leader. Five friends ride. I did stop on … Continue reading "A COUPLE MORE ODDS AND OUTS"
Read MoreA Few More Outbuildings
A rather forlorn looking shed The boarded up 2 doors or floor to ceiling windows are curious features Gazebo, Garage, accented with a miniature windmill Couldn’t pass this one up after seeing Nancy’s photo of similar junk The Battle Flag is a nice touch 🙁 It looks like it might be, but I don’t … Continue reading "A Few More Outbuildings"
Read MoreMore little buildings

We are having bright sunny days, crisp and windy with day temps in the low forties and at night it goes down to around 20. Yesterday we discovered some new trails, not quite intentionally, but that made it all the more interesting. A wrong turn isn’t always a bad thing, especially since the unpaved paths … Continue reading "More little buildings"
Read MoreCycle Days Challenge: The February 2022 Edition

February has come to a close, the last winter month, at least according to the meteorological calendar. The calendrical beginning of spring is March 21 this year. Let’s hope it feels like spring by then. However, this hasn’t been a cold winter compared to other years. I learned that the GTS reached 200 in north … Continue reading "Cycle Days Challenge: The February 2022 Edition"
Read MoreThe Czar Struggled to Meet His Own Challenge– Until He Found the Right Neighborhood

That was a pretty funny video, wasn’t it? The reason I started my post with it wasn’t because of the obvious hilarity though. The real reason is because I wanted to showcase the gray shed. That weathered little outbuilding is what gave me the idea for this challenge a couple of weeks ago. All of … Continue reading "The Czar Struggled to Meet His Own Challenge– Until He Found the Right Neighborhood"
Read MoreMore Outbuildings
49 year old Huffy sets out looking for outbuildings Found one! Slight headlamp adjustment offers a better long distance view Farther south, Huffy finds another Huffy returns to Gazebo Huffy reminds Rich “What you are doing is technically an invasion of privacy ya know” Yes, Huff, I know ;( Ok, Huff, lets amscray!!!
Read MoreSheds, Shacks etc.

The picture below is in honor of our Czar. Remember the story about the three little pigs and the big bad wolf? Is it a box car? While riding through the Mühlthal I spied this interesting structure – a recycled submarine? Time for another picture of the chapel in the woods that I have photographed … Continue reading "Sheds, Shacks etc."
Read MoreFIRST TRY AT ODD BUILDINGS: CHALLENGE PART 1
Well yes, meteorological spring has sprung — along with atmospheric rivers for us! Lots of rain, flooding and landslides in many areas around here. After an all day non stop rain, we had a rather nice day yesterday. To be followed by more rain today ?. I took advantage of yesterday’s weather for the start … Continue reading "FIRST TRY AT ODD BUILDINGS: CHALLENGE PART 1"
Read MoreMarch Challenge Part 1
Happy Meteorological Spring! Sun’s direct rays are striking ~8 degrees South and rapidly advancing northward 🙂 Diamond Back is off in search of structures — avoiding the plethora of home storage buildings, for now at least Japanese style gazebo mostly obscured by the fence 🙁 Some sort of former utility shed? Never been a … Continue reading "March Challenge Part 1"
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