Riding over the Stone Arch bridge, through Nicollet Island and back over the Plymouth ave bridge is a fun little afternoon ride.

Today Matt rode the almanzo - a 100 mile gravel race in Spring Valley, Minn. He said it was really fun, but he's really glad it's over. I'm sure he'll do it again next year. Here's a few photos of Matt and some of our friends from the event.

I tried riding with Matt on the douglas trail but it was one of those windy days where I felt like I was pedaling hard yet hardly moving...so I let Matt ride ahead and took my time riding home, stopping every time I saw a cute birds nest. It seemed like there were birds nests in almost every tree near the trail, and I want to go back later in April/May when I may get to see eggs, or remnants of eggs left behind...

Last night some friends decided to go for a bike ride in the blizzard. I wasn't quite tough enough for that, but I was able to make it for a few blocks in the thickest snow I've ever ridden in. It was really fun trying to keep the bike tires straight on the slippery snow.

I had forgotten that one of my favorite things used to be early morning bike rides. In San Luis Obispo late night art projects would often lead to early morning rides back home before the sun was up and I'd get to see the town almost empty, with just a few people out to open up the shops. This morning Matt had to be at school by 7 so I got up early too, while it was still dark, and took a little bike ride around downtown Rochester to see what it was like in the early morning. The lighting was beautiful. I must get more early morning rides in before it's too cold.