The Nebraska Big Buck Classic.

This weekend was the Big Buck Classic at the Quest Center in Omaha. My parents, our youngest and I went, and had a great time seeing the trophies, meeting outdoor celebs, and checking out the vendor booths.

January's Critical Mass

In Lincoln Critical Mass is always the last Friday of the month. We meet on the North side of the Capital at 6pm and ride downtown at 6:30 demonstrating the fun and practicality of cycling, and to remind everyone that bikes are a smart alternative to cars and have a right to the roads we all share.

Despite the 15' temps tonight around 30 riders took part in the fun and camaraderie. Cyclist were treated to free vegetarian burritos afterward by the folks from Food Not Bombs.

Seeking a place to warm up following the ride we took the opportunity to check out an art exhibit at UNL's Student Union. The social atmosphere tonight was as cool as the weather. Make plans to ride at next month's Critical Mass, it's a short ride at slow speeds, giving everyone a chance to visit and have fun.

Tonight's miles = 11.7 January's total miles = 42.32

Sent my entry postcard for the PCL's GLGA GWC.

Oh boy! This will be either epic or an embarrassment. The Pirate Cycling League's Inaugural Gravel World Championship - The Good Life Gravel Adventure will take place on Saturday August 21, 2010. Tune in in August to see what happens.

KC Sprints in Lincoln.

Tonight was the KC Sprints at Duffy's in Lincoln. The local cycling scene was well represented and it was a fun night.

It was a 500 meter race that took less than 30 seconds. Sponsors had goodies for all racers and prizes for winners. I rode there and back getting 9.95 miles in today.

The latest Lincoln Ve-Low available now.

I hit Monkey Wrench Cycles on 12th & P today to pick up a current copy of The Lincoln Ve-Low featuring a story about the Lincoln Hustle races as well as other news on the local biking scene. You can subscribe or pick it up at MWC or Indigo Books. Find out more at http://www.lincolnve-low.blogspot.com/

The Challenge Of The Champions AKA: The Icy Alley Cat

Last night's Hustle was called the Challenge Of The Champions and had past race winners as volunteers this opened up the race for those of us who haven't won to have a shot at winning. The race was sponsored by Nutcase.

Everything was coated in a thin sheet of ice and lots of hardpacked snow was still left on side streets. Besides riding fast (without wrecking) racers also had the 'shotgun challenge', golf, Nintendo, a raw egg and a pepper to contend with.

It was a fun and challenging night. After riding to the starting point and home from the finnish I had 20.67 miles on my old Marin.

KC Sprints in Lincoln this Saturday night.

This'll be so cool. Come out to Duffy's on 14th & O St. for the fun. Click here for the low down on KS Sprints. See you there.

TDN here I come!

All this snow lately has ruined the bike riding for a fair-weather cyclist like myself. But, there is a sweet irony... I spent several snowy evenings moving that bike hating white stuff. And sure enough, today, I found a nice check in the mailbox from the snow removing company I helped during the recent storms.

Not one to hang on to money when biking opportunities present themselves, I quickly filled out the form, and a check, and put them in the mail.

Last year's Tour de Nebraska was a ball and I'm stoked to head out to South Central Nebraska at the end of June for the 5-day tour. I'm also hoping to ride the first day of RAGBRAI in July. This is going to be a great summer to be on two wheels!

My new vacation home and a Brooks bag for the bike.

I picked up this great looking matching leather Brooks bag today at Bike Pedalers to carry my spare tube, patches, bike tool, Co2 inflater, and tire wrench. I love the way it looks on my bike and should last a life time.

Then headed over to Scheels for a clearanced tent that I've had my eye on that was left over from last year's line. After having trouble last summer on TDN with my 15 yr old Wal-Mart tent keeping me dry, it was time for an upgrade. Thanks to my in-laws, grandparents and parents, my birthday and Christmas yeilded enough for a nice two man tent that should keep the weather out.

Never say never.

I used to say I'd never ride on an indoor trainer, but with all the snow we've got I had to do something. I don't know if I've got the drive to use it regularly like my wife, but it did feel good to get back on the bike, even if it was indoors.

Couch Sledding at Holmes Lake

Our 17yr old and his friends took an abandoned couch they found on a curb and put old snow skies on it to use as a sled. It was a lot of fun and very fast. It got a lot of attention from the other sledders at the park today. Pushing it back up the hill wasn't as easy.

GPBC Holiday Dinner

Tonight was the Great Plains Bike Club's annual holiday dinner. Members came out for food, a gift exchange and conversations about cycling. I came away with an awesome Tour De France print after some under-the-table negotiations.