Monthly Archives: October 2015

Back in Cable

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Yesterday we made a 90 degree turn and headed north and drove the 800 miles to Cable.  It was an all day adventure.  I would call the drive east coast crowded, but there are so many more trucks, construction and just general congestion between Louisville, all the way up north of Madison.  Actually, the whole way.  It took close to 12 hours and I was driving pretty quick. There were lots of accident, one where we waited, stopped, for 20 minutes or so, then had to exit and get back on again.

We got up to Cable just in time to meet up with Dennis and visitors at the Rivers Eatery.  The visitors at Dennis’ at the moment are Pat Lemieux, Gwen Jorgensen and Jamie, their friend and Gwen’s coach.   Gwen is still in training, which isn’t the norm.  I think she is doing triathlon in the Bahamas soon and doesn’t want to be so out of shape she embarrasses herself.  I doubt that could happen.  Maybe she want to keep her 2015 winning streak in tact?  Whatever the reason, she is down in the lake swimming an hour right now in a wetsuit.

Pat and I going out and riding trails today.  Hopefully Danky Dank to the Rock Lake trails, then, who knows.  I only have my road shoes and pedals, so we’ll see how that goes.

It is pretty warm in Dennis’ house now.  It is cool outside, but Dennis has bought the temperature up to the mid 60’s.  Gwen is pretty thin and probably gets cold easily.  It would never do that for me.  Wonder why?

Okay, took a break.  Decided to head down to the lake and swim with those guys.  Luckily for me, Gwen was heading back and pretty much done.  She had a full wetsuit and neoprene swimming cap.  I probably didn’t need the wetsuit, but the cap was key.

The water is really cold, like cold enough I could barely stand it.  And it wasn’t because of my body.  My head got so cold that my forehead hurt.  Actually, after just a few minutes, my whole head was aching pretty good.  It was refreshing.

I rode a borrowed fat bike there, so got back pretty quickly.  Gwen had the sauna heated up and was already in it.  Man, did that feel great.  I stayed in there something like 20 minutes and still didn’t get that warm, even though it was 180 degrees and humid.

Okay, we’re ready for the next project.  After 2nd breakfast.  These guys eat a ton.  And eat great.  Eggs, avocadoes, etc.    I’m going to put on weight the next few days.

It seems truck drivers can't read road sign.  That is mildly worrisome.

It seems truck drivers can’t read road sign. That is mildly worrisome.

Mick brought out a little treat after excellent pizza, salad and wine.

Mick brought out a little treat after excellent pizza, salad and wine.

Dennis was on a paddle board, excorting Gwen, who swam an hour.  Guezz.

Dennis was on a paddle board, excorting Gwen, who swam an hour. Guezz.

Hawkeye and Harley came down to the lake to play.

Hawkeye and Harley came down to the lake to play.

 

 

 

 

 

Typical Northwoods Day

This entry was posted in Racing on by .

Yesterday was the typical day up in Cable.   Eat, swim, sauna, eat, exercise, eat, chop wood, eat, drink wine at the Rivers Eatery.  It takes a few days to get used to the whole routine.  Gwen makes the rest of us look super lazy because she swam for over an hour, so everyone else is playing catch up and that is impossible.

Pat, Gwen and I rode over 3 hours off-road yesterday afternoon.  I only have road pedals and shoes, so I taking it a little easy.  Pat has a big tired Surley that rolls over everything.  Gwen was riding a stupid light Specialized dual suspension bike.  She has dramatically improved technically the last couple years.  She doesn’t recognize it, but she is going so much faster than even last fall, the last time she really road a MTB.

She was going so well that once Pat and I rode pretty fast for a longer section, then stopped and waited at an intersection.  We barely had time to take a drink and she showed up. I just looked at Pat and we started cracking up.   I told her I was embarrassed that we weren’t further ahead.  In reality, she was just going super good.

Dennis got a new chainsaw.  A couple weeks ago, during Chequamegon, the Stihl that he has had for 28 years, quit working.  It actually didn’t quit, but I noticed that the chain wasn’t getting any oil.  The oil pump blew.  I’m going to fix it for him, but in the meantime, he got 2nd one. Dennis hasn’t fired up the new saw, so I went out and split a bunch of wood that had already been cut.  I think that splitting wood is cathartic.  I’m not so big at picking up the wood, putting it in a wheelbarrow, then moving to the pile and stacking it.  But the splitting part I enjoy.  It’s good exercise.

Today, Gwen has already been down at the lake for a good bit.  We are trying to watching Lombardi and the Super Prestige cross race on the internet.  Plus, Dennis is making waffles, or at least preparing the batter.  Pat and I are going to ride trails again.  They are taking off later today.

Tomorrow I am going to drive down to Winona and see my dentist friend there.  Then probably head back to Topeka, maybe through Ames Iowa.  My friend, Michael Fatka had a hip replacement and had a couple complications.  One which was a pulmonary embolism.  He’s at home, but feeling shitty.  He needs some chores done, so we can help him out some there.

Gwen told me to try the avocado/egg smear. I'd already put butter and jam on the other piece, my normal toast coverings.

Gwen told me to try the avocado/egg smear. I’d already put butter and jam on the other piece, my normal toast coverings.

Pat and Gwen on an open section.

Pat and Gwen on an open section.

Not sure what we were doing here.

Not sure what we were doing here.

I split most of this section yesterday.

I split most of this section yesterday.