The 6,000 mile Nacho Ride!

When I first started biking 3 years ago I read an article about a guy who rode 6,000 miles a year. At the time I thought that was amazing. Now I realize it's not, and that many of my readers and cycling friends get 6,000 miles every year.

But for some reason that number has always stuck in my head. 6,000 miles was my goal for 2010, and tonight at the shack 1/2 way to Eagle I rolled over the 6K mark for the year with a bang (Patches!). We stopped to celebrate then continued into Eagle where we ran into a few other biking friends. The guys decided to commemorate the occasion by dressing to the nines. They are always so fun and great to ride with. Tonight's accomplishment felt great, and gave us a chance to remember all the great times we've had riding this year.

There was a killer West wind all day that made riding a challenge. After riding to work and the Nacho Ride I ended up with 48.8 miles for the day.

The Austro-Daimler's first Nacho Ride.

I took my swap meet Austro-Daimler on this weeks Nacho Ride. The bike performed well, I'd like to switch out the brake levers for a set that are easier to pull, otherwise I'm loving the bike.

Most of the regulars were there along with plenty that aren't. It was nice to ride without stifling heat and we ate outside for the first time this month. I'm ready for the fall weather and can't wait to see the leaves turn on the Nacho Ride in the weeks to come.

Today's miles including the work commute and Nacho Ride = 48.45

The Mopac - Lincoln to Wabash

I took the day off to do some biking and began by taking a leisurely spin in town. I rode from 84th down the Mopac, around Oak Lake, to Roper Park and home. While on my morning ride Patches called and said he'd like to take his families' motor home to Wilbur for tomorrow's Fox Hole 100. I offered to follow him down and bring him back. We got back to Lincoln in time to meet up with Craig and Council at the Mopac trail head for a ride to the end of the trail in Wabash.

Since I'd already been to the West end of the Mopac this morning I'd be able to say I'd rode the full length of it today. I was still feeling a little ruff from having the flu earlier this week and was a bit dizzy and ready for a drink and some air by the time we got to the shack 1/2 way to Eagle. After that I was feeling strong and getting into a rhythm. We sped through Eagle and into Elmwood when Craig got bucked off in a washout on the trail. (stay tuned, this gets better)Council demonstrated his cyclocross skills as he shouldered his bike and smoothly crossed a nearby asphalt barrier.

The last few miles were easily passable, but littered with twigs and leaves from recent storms. Wabash is microscopic with no services. After touring the town we turned toward the setting sun and rode hard again.

As we got back into Elmwood Council hit the same rut that Craig did earlier and executed the most beautiful endo you've ever seen! Realizing he was unscathed other than his pride and reputation (thanks to me blogging about it) he checked his steed for injuries. It was ok except the wreck rearranged his brake/shifter lever. He was able to muscle it back into place and we were ready to go. That's when Patches realized he'd flated. The boys fixed it in a jiffy and we were finally set.

I was feeling the pain of our aggressive ride the last few miles before Eagle and we were about all dry. Thanks to our weekly Nacho Rides the staff at the One Eye'd Dog Saloon treated us like kings and filled our water bottles without flinching and sent us on our way. By this point Craig was getting some leg cramps and ran over to the store for a banana.

Back on the trail we hit it hard and were making good time. I stopped to finish off my water in Walton and Craig caught me. He was still fighting cramps and needed to stretch and take a break. Even though we'd each had trouble it was a great ride and a lot of fun. We got back to the trail head with 43.3 miles and I had a grand total for the day of 63 miles.

Nacho Riders Count.

I neglected to snap a picture, but volunteers from the GPTN were set up at the trail head on the Mopac counting trail users.

The Mopac has had brush trimmed back, but last night's storms left twigs scattered along the way. Evidently Patches tried to clear off debris by picking up branches with his bike.

We pushed against a bit of a head wind and rolled into Eagle as the wind died down. There was a fun group out tonight and we talked about this weekends Fox Hole 100 ride.

I had fun showing off my new Felt ZA tonight and it seemed happy to be on the Nacho Ride.

Shortly after leaving the trailhead I hit my 5,000th mile for 2010, my goal is 6,000 for the year, it'll be close!

Today's miles on the work commute and Nacho Ride = 48.5

A big crowd came out for a perfect night on the Nacho Ride.

Today should be the last full commute on my loaner Surly Cross Check from Bike Pedalers. My new Felt ZA frame is in and if they have the bottom bracket parts I should be able to pick it up tomorrow after work! The morning was crisp and by the afternoon it'd become perfect outside for biking.

Tonight was another fun filled Nacho Ride down the Mopac to Eagle. We took off hard and fast and made it to Eagle in record time, getting there in 34 minutes. Scott was celebrating his birthday during supper. We spun home at an easier pace passing more nachoers still making the trek to the OED.

Today's work commute and Nacho Ride came to 47.9 miles.

It's nacho driest Nacho Ride ever.

Tonight's rain was coming, but didn't stop a big crowd from riding out for the Husker themed ride. The Bike Pedalers Surly Cross Check worked flawlessly on the trail and made itself at home inside the One Eye'd Dog Saloon.

We left for home well before most, but only made it to Walton before the rain hit. Nonetheless it was the perfect way to unwind after work and catch up with friends. Tonight's miles = 28.1 giving me 701.5 for the month of August.

2010's Hawaiian Nacho Ride.

Tonight was the annual Hawaiian themed Nacho Ride. We had rain last night and during the middle of the day today. It cleared up in time tonight for the Nacho Ride, but it was cool and breezy. I think the weather today kept many riders from coming out. The trail was soft and mushy, but not real muddy and didn't have standing water or puddles anywhere there isn't usually.

Nonetheless there were still a bunch of fun loving bikers who rode from Lincoln to Eagle for food, drinks and time with friends.

With the ride to work and back, then tonight's Nacho Ride I ended up with 48.4 miles for the day.

Hawaiian themed Nacho Ride is Tuesday!

Tomorrow is the annual "Hawaiian Nacho Ride" come as you are, or swing by a thrift shop to pick up a Hawaiian shirt or lei. Last years Hawaiian Nacho Ride was the biggest ever and this one promises to bring out another fun crowd.

A group of us will leave the trailhead on 84th just South of O St. at 5:30, otherwise there are bikers leaving throughout the afternoon/evening on the 10 mile ride to Eagle. There will be Nachos, 75 cent tacos or anything else off the menu at the OED. Click here or here to find out more about the Nacho Ride - hope to see you there!

The Nacho Ride brings out a big crowd tonight.

Another good crowd made their way to Eagle tonight. We finalized plans to Taco Ride in Iowa on Thursday. Talked about Friday's hustle and planned for Sunday's 4th of July ride in Seward. We had a great ride out and back and with today's commute I racked up 48.6 miles for the day.

Nacho Riding for TDN fuel.

I came home from work to find out that our basement water problems were worse than expected and our carpet pad had to be replaced.

I had to Nacho Ride, but spent the rest of the evening and into the night moving two bedrooms worth of furniture and a rec room full of stuff out so the carpet can be removed and replaced with new padding. Ugh! What a nightmare! And it's raining again as I write this. Nothing like staying up late before the tour.

Anyway, back to the Nacho Ride. It was warm & muggy but still around 80 cyclist made the trek out to the OED. And speaking of Trek, check out Sam and her brand new Trek 7.2 on her first Nacho Ride! This week's storms downed a tree for us to ride around. Otherwise the trail was in pretty good shape. It was a great ride that got me an extra 28.1 miles for a total of 47.9 for the day. Now, a shower and a few hours of sleep, then TDN!!! :)