What a gorgeous Winter weekend in Minnesota to enjoy the Art Shanty Projects. On Saturday, I loaded up my single-speed stallion (aka SS Amnesty) and drove out to Medicine Lake for the BIcicle races. The track is about one-half mile in length and we had to race twice around. In the first race, there were about 8 to 9 [correction - 10 or 11 based on videoclip] of us riders ranging in age and type of bicycle. Among the more serious entrants, there were probably about 8 of us. After riding in the middle of the pack, I got a lucky break when Paul who was in the lead wiped out on a turn and took out another rider. So with not much left in the race, I was able to slip into a second place finish. Afterwards, I enjoyed the beauty of the lake, visiting other shanties, talking with friends, and snacking on some food. At 3 pm, I decided to compete in the third race of the day along with good friends Erin and Liesl (and again with Paul). At one point during the first lap, I was actually in the lead, but Andrew M. sped by me on his 21-speed mountain bike and I just stared at his back the rest of the ride. Then, near the end of the race, I hit a patch of ice, got off-course, and ended up 4th. Not bad given that my legs were burning and I was exhausted. Phew! Nothing says Minnesota like riding a bicycle in the middle of Winter on a lake! After warming myself up in Paul's woodworking shanty, we went to eat some bbq and then had a private karaoke session in the Norae Shanty. A perfect day.
Posted by richlee at January 27, 2008 09:05 PM