Swing State, part 2

Riding to Wirth, Feb. 3 2013.  Photo property of Steve Kovtis.

Last week I rode out to my hometown of Stillwater and back, about a fifty mile ride, using my single speed mountain bike.  I had the wind at my back heading NorthEast, and cycled into a pretty direct, cold headwind on my return.  Half of the ride was recorded on Strava, using my iphone app, and I took a picture about two thirds of the way out - there was a solid half hour difference in having a tailwind versus a headwind.




This past weekend, I spent some time riding into Minneapolis to volunteer for the City of Lakes Nordic Ski Foundation, as well as again racing in their annual cornerstone event, the City of Lakes Loppet.  I see other cyclists every time I am riding, be it on a solo shot to Stillwater and back or along the Greenway corridor in Minneapolis - not all on modified mountain bikes or single speed fixies.

Here are a couple of photos from the Loppet weekend, as well as a link to my Flickr set.  Enjoy.


http://www.flickr.com/photos/mlmck/sets/72157632685148733/

Hoigaards Classic, Feb 3, 2013.  Photo courtesy of skinnyski.com

Gateway Trail, 1-25-2013.  Photo by Michael McKinney.

Ski Orienteering, Feb 2, 2013.  Photo by Michael McKinney

Snow Sculpting, Feb. 2, 2013.  Photo by Michael McKinney.

Skijoring race, Feb. 2, 2013.  Photo by Michael McKinney.

Ice Bike races, Feb. 2, 2013.  Photo by Michael McKinney.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mlmck/sets/72157632685148733/

Finally, I sold my Schwinn steel frame Worldsport yesterday, that had caused me trouble in the past, (4-23-2012).  A really good piece of advice, about selling one's own property; "Don't sell your bike, your books or your tools."  As I've had trouble learning the trade of salesmanship, both on the floor of a retail shop and on the interent with E-Bay, it makes a lot of sense to me.  Hopefully the time that went into the maintenance of the bike will have its own rewards, as I have to wait a month for the bike's identity to be verified with the police before receiving any profits from the sale.

Climb for a Cure and City of Lakes Loppet

At the City of Lakes Loppet, 2012, Photo Credit Michael McKinney

IDS Stair Climb, 2008

Photo Credit skinnyski.com

IDS Stair Climb, 2012

Photo Credit Matt McKinney

This past week-end I participated in the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's Climb for the Cure stair climb at the IDS Building in Minneapolis - there are three divisions for the event, a competitive, timed, stair climb; a public service and fitness club challenge and the non-timed recreational stair climb...but you can time yourself if that's your cup of tea.  The group I climb with has now raised money for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2012, and we have a good time doing it.  This year we achieved our fundraising goals, and I contributed with donations from friends and family.  The Climb for A Cure has been the day before the City of Lakes Loppet Nordic Ski Race, a 35 Kilometer Freestyle race, (there's a bunch of other events too), through the heart of Minneapolis, starting in Theodore Wirth Park - the race is also a part of the Hoigaards Challenge Series, which includes a Triathalon and a Half Marathon. 
I included some photos from this year's events and past years as well - my Descente ski suit has not been out of the closet since 1992.  It's a 1988 vintage US National Team racing suit, back when corporate sponsors were allowed for amateur athletes...that's why the word "seagrams" is written across the right bicep, in scrolling italic font.  Don't get me wrong here, nobody is coming out of the closet, nobody is endorsing seagrams and I certainly was never a part of any US National Team.  It's a lot more complicated than that.  My neighbor was an Olympian.  In 1988, I mowed his lawn.  He paid me with a Descente US National Ski Team Racing Suit, circa 1988.  I have a friend with a very strong Italian heritage...he one upped me by getting an Italian National Team Suit, circa 1992.  Still makes me laugh. 
I timed myself, for fun, on the IDS Stair Climb this year...without breaking much of a sweat, at 9:53...I talked to another participant who was aiming to break the 10 barrier...that's 10 x 1280 steps, more than 500 floors, over a vertical mile.  Whoa.  At the Loppet 17 Kilometer Freestyle race, my time was 50 minutes and change.  Conditions were not optimal.  There is a lot more that could be said about why the Loppet was only 17 Kilometers this year, but if you're anywhere near Minnesota and reading this, I'd be preaching to the choir.
It may have gone without saying, but just to be sure, I did ride my bicycle to Wirth park on Saturday and Sunday of the Loppet week-end - on Saturday to pick up my race materials and on Sunday to race...here's the Sunday map.  I think the Stupor Bowl was on Saturday, but I didn't notice.
 



Find more Bike Ride in St Paul, MN

Another place holder

Photo Courtesy of ASI Photography

Photo Courtesy of ASI Photography

Photo Courtesy of ASI Photography

Photo courtesy of ASI Photography

Photo Courtesy of Skinnyski.com

Photo Courtesy of Skinnyski.com

Photo Courtesy of Skinnyski.com

Photo courtesy of skinnyski.com

Photo courtesy of skinnyski.com

Photo courtesy of skinnyski.com

Photo courtesy of skinnyski.com

Photo courtesy of skinnyski.com

Photo courtesy of skinnyski.com

Photo courtesy of skinnyski.com

Photo courtesy of skinnyski.com

Photo courtesy of robbiehalvorson @ flickr

Photo courtesy of skinnyski.com

Photo courtesy of Skinnyski.com

2000
Summer TCUL League, Sport Grey

2001
Summer TCUL League, Brick red
American Birkebeiner 53 Kilometer Freestyle, 4:32:31

2002
Lumberjack days 5 K, 23:51
American Birkebeiner 53 Kilometer Freestyle, 4:01:04
TCUL Summer League, Maroon

2003

2004
American Birkebeiner 53 Kilometer Freestyle, 3:28:43
Summer TCUL League, Lime green

2005
American Birkebeiner 53 Kilometer Freestyle, 2:49:36
Summer TCUL League Apu
Northshore Inline Marathon, 1:33:57

2006
American Birkebeiner 53 Kilometer Freestyle, 3:01:13
Northshore Inline Marathon, 1:36:23

2007
Northshore Inline Marathon, 2:07:13
American Birkebeiner Open Field Participant
TCUL Men's League, Subject to Change
Lake Rebecca Cyclocross, 26th
Boom Island cyclocross, Cat. 4, 53rd
The Hub cyclocross, Cat. 4, 40th
LGR Cyclocross, Cat. 4, 44th
Rum River Cyclocross, Cat. 4, 22n

2008
City of Lakes Loppet, 1:34:1
American Birkebeiner 53 Kilometer Freestyle, 3:04:54
Climb for the Cure IDS Stair Climb, 9:35
City of Lakes Tri-Loppet, 2:09:40
City of Lakes Trail Loppet, 2:00:47
Big Woods Half Marathon, 1:50:51
In Yan Teopa 10 mile, 1:25:45
Hoigaards Challenge, 5:44:44
YMCA Cyclocross, 30t
Wirth Cyclocross, Cat. 4, 49th
The Bikery Cyclocross, Cat. 4, 23rd
The Red Barn Cyclocross, Cat. 4, 34th
MN State Championship Cyclocross, Cat. 4, 31st
NSC Cyclocross, Cat. 4, 25th
Green Acres Cyclocross, Cat. 4, 31st

2009
SJU Saints Invite 11 Kilometer Freestyle, 34:56
Marine O' Brien 12.5 Kilometer Classic, 42:30
City of Lakes Loppet 35 Kilometer Freestyle, 1:41:50
Climb for the Cure IDS Stair Climb, Unofficial, 8:46
Mora Vassaloppet 35 Kilometer Freestyle, 1:34:26
American Birkebeiner 54 Kilometer Classic, 3:34:35
Pole Pedal Pant Winter Triathalon, Unofficial, 1:43
City of Lakes Tri-Loppet, 1:48:33
Summer TCUL Leage, Jacob's Ladder and Warmouth
City of Lakes Trail Loppet, 2:03:37
Hoigaards Challenge, 5:34:01
Wirth Cyclocross, Cat. 4, 45th
Bikery Cyclocross, Cat. 3, 16th
Red Barn Cyclocross, Cat. 4, 24th
Behind Bars / Velodrome Cyclocross, Cat. 3, 42nd
Minnesota State Championships Cyclocross, Cat. 4, 23rd

2010
City of Lakes Loppet 35 Kilometer Freestyle, 1:45:28
Marine O' Brien 25 Kilometer Freestyle, 1:17:18
Climb for the Cure IDS Stair Climb, N/A
American Birkebeiner 54 Kilometer classic, 3:04:58
Summer TCUL League, Akita and Jeweled Lacerta
Jon Francis Memorial Half-Marathon, 1:44:41
4th Annual Wooly Mtn. Bike Race, Recreational Category, 34:53
City of Lakes Tri-Loppet, 1:43:42
City of Lakes Trail Loppet, 1:53.04
Hoigaards Challenge, 5:22.15

2011
King Boreas 15 k freestyle, 42:05
Marine O'brien 25 k freestyle, 1:17:17
City of Lakes Loppet 33 k freestyle, 1:46:01
Mora Vassaloppet 58 k freestyle, 3:15:02
Pole Pedal Pant, 1:36:59
Get Lucky 7 k, 31:56
Surly Trail Loppet, 2:01.18

2012
Marine O'Brien 21 K Classic 1:09:56
Climb for the Cure IDS Stair Climb, N/A
City of Lakes Loppet 17 Kilometer Freestyle, 50:04
UCare Tri-Loppet 1:55:26
Minneapolis Duathalon 1:31:18

Nice Ride 145
Surly Trail Loppet 1:41:13
Hoigaard's Challenge 4:26:43
TCUL Fall League, Thundercats

2013
Twin Cities Ultimate League, Mens Hat Tournament, Team 3M
Marine O'Brien 25 K Freestyle, 1:20:52
City of Lakes Loppet Hoigaards 25 k Classic, 1:35:10
American Birkebeiner, 51 k Freestyle, 2:57:34
Saint John's University Red Ride Century participant
UCare Tri-Loppet, 1:55:58

Nice Ride 170
Surly Trail Loppet, 1:47:08
Hoigaards Challenge 5:32:58

2014

Twin Cities Ultimate League, MLK Jr. Day Hat Tournament.
Surly Trail Loppet, 2:04:57

2015
City of Lakes Loppet Age Gap Relay

2017
City of Lakes Age Gap Relay
TCUL, Masters League, Flintstones