Fox-Hole 100 Fall Edition Day 1

Patches and I met up at 8:30 this morning and turned toward downtown for the start of the Fall Fox Hole 100 2-day ride from Lincoln to the Fox Hole Tavern in Wilbur.

We began with breakfast at Bread And Cup then went South on the Salt Creek Levy Trail to the Jamaica North Trail then the Homestead trail to Cortland. We had lunch in Cortland then took gravel to Clatonia. Took another break and went West into Wilbur.

I got the flat today. We avoided the rain that was forecasted for today and lucked out with a good tailwind. It was pretty cool and the group was small. But we had a great ride and were treated to supper and goodies from the Fox Hole Tavern. We'll head back tomorrow. Today's miles = 49.5

Looking sharp for a road ride to Cortland for water.

I met up with Chris and Council at 7:30 mmm, er, ah, make that 7:36 in Council's case. I should feel lucky I got a chance to ride with him since he often bows out of ride opportunities, so I won't write about my deep disappointment in his tardiness.

He made it up to me by letting me suck wheel all the way down 77 to Cortland. There were questions concerning my steel steed. And my humor that was as stinging as today's South wind, was just as well received.

I was dressed to the nines for the trip, and offered to reach up for a drink for the boys. After stopping for water we turned back to the star city and let the tail wind push us home.

Back in the city I continued North down the Rock Island Trail where I ran into the infamous barkeep himself from the Legendary Fox Hole Tavern who was promoting the upcoming Fox Hole 100 2-day bike tour from Lincoln to Wilbur on September 18th and 19th. The Fox Hole 100 is an awesome ride that you should make plans to be on!

Later back at home I went for a short spin with Ruby and her rider. I got along well with the Surly Cross Check today, it was comfortable and predictable. I'm still struggling to get used to the bar end shifters and miss the quick acceleration of my Felt. But once it's up to speed it floats like a Cadillac. Today's total miles = 50.2

Ride to Cortland, LPD bike auction & commute.

Dan, Shane & I took a morning spin down Hwy 77 to Cortland for breakfast. We were disappointed to find the cafe closed. As you can see they were feeling so famished CRAP (Cortland Rescue And Patrol) had to radio for assistance to keep them pedaling.

We then took the Homestead Trail back to Lincoln. I then split off to ride to the LPD abandoned and seized property auction to check out the bikes on the block. I didn't see any that I needed today so I continued down the trail to the office to get a bit of work done before riding home.

The heat & humidity were crazy and we even got rained on a little at times. I made it home with 71.0 miles for the day.

Staightnin' the curves, Flatnin' the hills...

Nothing like a great fall bike ride in the country to bring back old memories!

I had the day off work, so late this morning I derailed into the little ring and spun into the wind. I took the Billy Wolff to the Rock Island then South to the Jamaica North then down the Homestead about halfway to Cortland before turning back to Lincoln. Then some effortless sailing in the big ring all the way back. Back on the edge of Lincoln, I tried some single track in Wilderness Park before heading home.

Then, tonight our youngest and I took our bikes to church.

One of my most vivid childhood memories was laying on my side with one elbow on the floor and my head in my hand with the Dukes on the RCA and my orange Matchbox General Lee straightnin' the curves and flatnin' the hills of our green shag carpeted living room floor.

Then, riding my orange bike the next morning through autumn leaves as fast as I could at our rural Hall County farm, trying to get them to fly up in the air like Bow and Luke did as they tore through rural Hazard County. Yes, I would yell "Yee-Haa" too!

Today's ride reminded me of those early fall boyhood adventures. And while I denied yelling "Yee-Haa" today, I admit I did look back after plowing through drifts of dry leaves on the trail to see if they would fly up behind me like they did over 25 years ago... Sure enough, they did! "Yee-Haa!" (Oops! Did I say that out loud?)

Sure the weather is a little 'iffy' this time of year, but here's hoping you'll find some time to get outdoors for a little nostalgic fun, just be sure to get home in time to watch 'The Dukes'. Today's rural ride and trip to church = 39.94 miles.

A ride down the Homestead to Cortland.

My blog photographer/personal trainer and I started at the Homestead trail head on Saltallo Rd and rode south the 15 miles to Cortland before riding back.

The Cortland trip along with my morning ride to the office totaled 40.05 miles for Saturday.

My first century!

Yea! 100 miles today!

I began early by taking the Billy Wolff to the Rock Island then South to 14th St. I got on the Jamaica North and took it to the Homestead. I stayed on the Homestead to Prinston then rode on the sholder of 77 to Cortland for breakfast and continued on to Beatrice.

At Beatrice I tooled around downtown before eating lunch then took Hwy 77 to Cortland then got on the Homestead and took it back to Lincoln.

Once back I went North on the Rock Island to the John Dietrich to the office at 56th & Superior and did some work. I then took the Murdock Trail East. I hit 100 miles on just South of the 84th St. Trail and Murdock junction.

The wife met me there for a picture and offered to take me home. I said 'yes'. And ended the day with 100.40 miles.

Find a drink and some shade in Cortland.

That didn't last long. Time to hit the road again

A day off to ride.

I decided to take today off to get some riding in I left about 6:15 this morning and now I'm in Cortland hunkerd down with a great breakfast. Got a nice tailwind that should die down as the day goes on, hopefully the forcast is right and I won't have to fight a strong wind on the way back.

Cortland & back. What a difference wind makes!

Took the morning off work. But had time for a early ride to Cortland.

Started at the Jamaica North trail head off Satalo Rd. between 14th & 27th at 6:30. Saw a ton of wildlife including squirles, cotton tails, turkeys, deer, a coon and an owl perched on a branch right beside the trail.

The wind out of the South was unbelievable on the way there. I struggled to keep it between 10 & 11 mph!

Once there I had to settle for a Snickers and a Mountain Dew from Ampride since Leanne's is closed for remodeling. Did you know that a Snickers has more nutrition than an apple? It's true! Paul Harvey said so, so you know you can take that bit of dieting knowledge to the bank. Paul is never wrong.

On the way back I flew with the wind at an average of 18 mph the entire 15 miles back. It's a great crushed limestone trail called the Homestead Trail that picks up where the Jamaica North trail leaves off on the South West corner of Lincoln.

It took me 1 hour 32 min. To get to Cortland and 50 minutes to get back. Total round trip = exactly 30 miles.

(as Paul would say) "Good day".