The word pioneer describes the life of Gary Penman. A friend, one that I admired, died yesterday.  He made a dramatic impact on my life.  And I’m just one of the thousands/tens of thousands of people that he did this to.  He single handedly created/built his surroundings to his liking.  And, he allowed anyone that came to Northern Wisconsin the luxury to enjoy the fruits of his labors.

I can’t say I really knew Gary all that well.  But well enough to know I liked him alot. Something eclectic made him tick.  And this was what made him special.  He recreated the town of Seeley, Wisconsin.  And, built the Sawmill Saloon.  This is a place that hundreds of World Class athletes have been to.  A place that is a gathering point and melting pot not found elsewhere. This is a place where Elite athletes-cyclists/skiers/skaters, etc. drink beer and eat pizza with loggers and snowmobilers. He did this on his own. I believe for his own quiet entertainment.

There are too many stories and memories to try to relate how Gary bettered so many lives.  Below is a link to an article that probably says it better than I. Please click on it and read about his life.  We should all strive to live a life as such to be so admired.    I will miss having the knowledge that he is up in Northern Wisconsin creating. But feel free to go to Seeley and be awed by one man’s work.

Gary Penman - A Pioneer

http://blogs.jsonline.com/offthecouch/

I finally feel a bit better.  I got a couple long (70+ miles) windy, rides in.  Fall is definitely upon us here in Kansas.  That usually means a bunch of wind.  I usually love the wind, it makes you stronger, but sometimes it doesn’t blow exactly like you expect.  Or from the direction your expecting it.  But, if you’re a cyclist from Kansas and you don’t embrace the wind, your life isn’t going to be very enjoyable.

I did a small cyclocross clinic the past couple days.  It is amazing how much better riders can get in such a small time period.  So I’ve come to the opinion that at least once ever couple weeks/every week most of us should go over to a local course and go through the moves.  And practice on aspects that you already feel comfortable with.  Try to do this with some other riders.  Helping other guys get better makes you think about how you do it and how to do it more efficiently.

There is a local race at the Nationals venue in Kansas City this weekend.  I haven’t raced the past two weekends, so it should be a reality check once again.  I’ll let you know how the course looks.  Other than that, I plan to get in some long rides while the weather holds.  Hopefully the wind keeps blowing.