2010 was a great year spent outdoors!

2010 was another great year to spend time outdoors! The NOA blog had 362 posts. Now has 27 followers and 13,785 unique hits during 2010. And I have 771 facebook friends. I've had a great time sharing my adventures with you and hope you've made an effort to spend more time outdoors.

You've seen our family have a ton of fun outside and watched me mature as a cyclist. I started riding in 2008 and put on 2,000 miles that year. During 2009 I racked up an additional 4,681.78 miles on the bike. This year brought 6,270.43 more miles giving me a total of 12,952.21 for my first 3 years as a cyclist. During 2010 blog readers have followed me on the following outdoor adventures:

129 round trip commutes to work and back (aprox 20 miles)

18 one way work commutes (aprox 10 miles)

We attended the Big Buck Classic in Omaha.

I rode in 6 of Lincoln's Critical Mass rides.

Tried my luck at the KC Sprints.

16 Hustle alley cat style races.

You saw me try and fail at riding an indoor trainer.

Couch sledding with our oldest.

Participated in the following GPBC events: Holiday Dinner, Easter Candy Ride, Spring Fling Ride, Full Moon Ride, Just Do It Ride, Lied Bridge Ride, Ride Of Silence, Wabash Trace Ride, and the Heatstroke 100 Ride.

Riding to Pepe's for the Sunday 'Biker Special'.

The purchase of Trusty Rusty.

Riding gravel with the Adventure Racers to Branched Oak and Beatrice.

Riding gravel in Kansas.

The opening of the Antelope Valley Trail.

18 Tuesday Night Nacho Rides.

Biking to church 7 times.

You saw me Demo the Bike Pedalers Marin Mount Vision 5.9 and Pivot Mach 4 mountain bikes.

I put together and hosted the 1st annual NSFW ride.

Attended the LPD bike auction.

The Cycle Works Tomac open house event.

I was a spectator at the following races: ACA 12 hour MTB race at Wagontrain. Xterra Bolt Branched Oak race. Flatwater cyclocross races at Van Dorn Park. Lincoln Cyclocross races at Pioneers park. And the Capital City Criterium.

You saw me get road rash in the shape of a heart from a tight turn on a downhill section of bike trail during a wet work commute.

We attended the Joyride Specialized demo event.

Spring and fall turkey hunting with our youngest.

Camping, air boating, and catching monster catfish on the Loup River.

I spent 9 nights in a tent and 5 nights in campers during 2010.

I rode single track at: Wagon Train, Branched Oak, Wilderness Park and Bike Pedalers' secret MTB area.

I rode with the BP crew on the Bread & Cup ride and the Yia Yias ride.

Two Fox Hole 100 rides.

Did my 2nd Tour De Nebraska 5-day bike tour.

We did the Taco Ride in Iowa.

Took Gravel to Parkers Smokehouse in Ashland.

Rode day-1 of RAGBRAI and attended the Expo the day before.

Canoed at Holmes Lake a couple of times with the family.

Met Tom Snyders the bicycling comedian on RAGBRAI, saw his show in Omaha and rode to Pepe's with him in Lincoln.

Checked out the Cycle Works Giant ladies bike demo.

Rode in the 2010 GLGA Gravel World Championship.

Bought the wife a Specialized Ruby.

You saw the Felt Z70 frame become fatigued and separated.

I rode a loaner Surly Cross Check from Bike Pedalers.

Then got a new Felt ZA frameset from Felt free on warrantee.

Attended the Monkey Wrench Cycles grand opening.

Found the Austro-Daimler & a cruiser for $30 at the Bicycle Swap Meet.

Rode the Flint Hills Nature Trail in Kansas.

Rode a century going to Nebraska City and back.

I had 6 flat tires during 2010.

We attended the 2010 Ducks Unlimited banquet and the 2010 Quail Forever Banquet.

And, we deer hunted again on the Loup this year.

I'm not bragging, just wanted to see a tally, but it's not about the numbers, it's about the fun I've had. And I'm so thankful for all the great people I've met and spent time and miles with again in 2010.

I'm healthier, happier, greener, more responsible, fun and social than I've ever been. I'm looking forward to building on the time we've spent outdoors and making 2011 another unforgettable year of outdoor adventures.

My big cycling/blog goals for this year were:

10,000 unique hits on the NOA blog during 2010. *CHECK*

25 NOA followers and 500 facebook friends by the end of 2010. *CHECK, CHECK*

Another year with no serious wrecks. *CHECK*

6,000 miles on the bike during 2010. *CHECK*

5 Centuries during 2010. *NOPE, JUST 2*

125 round trip work commutes during 2010. *CHECK*

And another tour during 2010. *CHECK*

I'm not setting any specific goals for 2011 other than to finish Gravel Worlds and maybe get a MTB. Otherwise I just hope to keep doing what I have been.

Hope to see you spending time with friends and family outdoors in the year to come!!!

Have a Happy New Year!!!

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.

Don't be scared, do the Tuesday night Nacho Ride.

The crowd is dwindling but some hearty cyclist are still making the weekly trek out to Eagle for food and biking fun. Join us next week at the 84th St trailhead at 5:30 or at the shack at 6:00 to celebrate the 6,000 mile Nacho Ride. Today the work commute and Nacho Ride totaled 48.6 miles.

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Survey says! The Tuesday Nacho Ride shouldn't be missed.

The NRD has a new survey box up at the trail head, Jon and Craig were happy to take part. We got to see the turning leaves on the way to Eagle. On the way back Council was sporting his new light. I can't believe he finally broke down and bought one! Today's miles on the commute and Nacho Ride = 47.9

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The unofficial fall Nacho Ride started today.

I was running behind and had to catch up with everyone in Walton. We had a good night for the ride and a nice sized crowd biked out for food, drinks and fun. We'll continue to Nacho Ride on Tuesday evenings as long as the weather holds out. With today's commute and my shortened Nacho Ride I totaled 34.6 miles today.

2010's last "official" Nacho Ride. The "unofficial" Nacho Ride starts next Tuesday. Yeah!

The Nacho Ride is listed with the GPBC and tonight's ride was the last one on the schedule this year. But that doesn't mean cyclists have any intentions of quitting. Make plans to Nacho Ride in the weeks to come.

I rode to work and back today. Counsel is still complaning about the wall of gnats that were out on the trail. Other than that, tonight's Nacho Ride was gorgeous! We made good time and Patches and I had time to kill before our curfew so we took the 84th Street Trail to the Antelope Creek Trail to extend the ride a bit before going home. I ended the day with 53.2 miles.

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

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 is a Lincoln favorite.

There was a steady stream of cyclists throughout the evening riding the Mopac trail from Lincoln to Eagle for the weekly Nacho Ride.

Despite the heat and humidity lots of us rode. The NRD has been working in Walton where the rock is real loose.

I drove to the trail head and left early with our youngest to take him on his first Nacho Ride giving us both 20.2 miles tonight. It was a fun way to spend a little time together outdoors.