New Bike Alert

Big news in Lanville.

I gots me a Surly Pugsley.

It's white with mud and road dirt highlights. It's mostly stock but I had Mongo add twist grip shifters (which completely transformed it for the better) a rack and, as you can see, a frame pack.

My physical condition has not allowed me to thrash it as much as it deserves, but if slow and unsteady wins any races, I'm a winner.

I find it remarkably comfortable and have done a couple of 25 mile days on it. So far it's not drawn blood, but I'm sure it's plotting my downfall even as we speak. The false sense of security that it engenders will surely be my undoing at some point, but for now I'm enjoying life on the hairy edge.

Perhaps the biggest transformation is that it allows, encourages and requires that you look at your environment differently than while riding "normal" bikes. Limitations on where you can ride, or when, are largely gone. Railbeds, narrow trails, big rocks, little rocks, snow, ruts, dirt track or gravel are all fair game.

For sure it's a fun winter bike, but I suspect that my Pugsley and me will have a year-round relationship.

Big Canoe, Small Bike

I wish we had better footage, but you get the idea.

This worked remarkably well, by the way.

Thanks to my friend Eric for loaning me the Brompton. It's being used and loved, as you can see.

2011 Winter Pedal Pub Crawl

Save the date.

Sunday, January 30, 2011.

Noon.

Someplace in Minneapolis.

More details to come. In about 4 months.

La Trappe is Back!

A rare business post here.

One of the breweries with whom I have worked the longest is La Trappe. For years it was known as Koningshoeven in the United States for reasons to arcane to recount.

Well, the old and better name is back.

Join me tomorrow night (July 27, 2010 at 7:00PM) at the Bulldog Lyndale as we toast the returned La Trappe Trappist Ales. Dubbel, Witte and Quadrupel on draft and Tripel in bottles. The first 24 get to keep their glass.

I'll be there in the corner texting Father Isaac and keeping him updated.

All's Quiet on The Western Front

Been not so much a blogging sort lately. Not since February. Jeez.

I hope to have some bike related stuff up soon, but I want you all to know that life is good. My wife is well, my son is a joy and I have been trying to spend as much time with them as possible.

All is well, all is well and all is well.

Now some tiny bike-related stuff.

1st Annual St. Arnoldus Day Bike Pub Crawl, Sunday, July 18.

To celebrate the Patron Saint of Belgian Beer, we are going to visit three outstanding bars on bike.

Meet at the Bulldog, Lyndale at 1:00 to start and then onward to the Muddy Pig in St. Paul by about 2:30 and finishing up across the river at The Blue Nile at about 4:00. Bonus stops are not outside the realm of possibility.

We'll be giving away some schwag and sharing some good Belgian beer action. I will be talking smart at every turn and doing my best to entertain. Prizes for the most Belgian-y bike.

Contact Lanny at lhoff@artisanalimports.com to get any questions answered.

Snow Has Fallen

Quite a lot of snow has fallen, actually.

All winter long, in all kinds of places, all sorts of snow has fallen. Even here, in Minneapolis, we have had an unusually snowy winter and I have awakened many mornings to the sight of small, perfect snow drifts adorning my winter bike.

It's a mid-70's Schwinn Le Tour and I've written about it before. I still like it a lot for what it does for me. And sometimes it looks nice.

Map and Schedule (As It Is) For Pedal Pub Crawl Sunday

Here it is, the official map of the 2nd Annual Winter Pedal Pub Crawl, now with 100% St. Paul content.

• Starts at noon, Muddy Pig (at Selby and Dale). They will offer us a $6 lasagna special to provide strength, carbohydrates, cheese and booze-soaking ability. They know how cyclists roll.

• Time are approximate.

• Prizes are to be awarded more or less at random. Acts of kindness may be rewarded. Make me laugh and maybe win a prize. Might do a drawing.

• Bring cash. Don't irritate the bartenders with goddamned credit cards.

• Try to avoid being a drunk dope until the last stop, if you must be a drunk dope. This is meant to be a social thing. A pint an hour sort of deal, not a sprint to lasting brain damage.

• Wear appropriate clothing, bring a light. Be smart, think ahead.

• Invite your friends!

Pub Crawl 2010

It's coming up fast, yo!

January 31, Sunday.

Not sure what time. Not sure where.

But I will let you know soon.