There and back again

This Saturday I got on the bike for a grand adventure "there and back again".  Where there would be was undecided, and when I'd get back again was also up in the air.

EB of Pedal-Omaha got the grand idea to have an epic ride this Saturday after the weather man waved his magic pointing device to whip up some 40º+ weather for the last day of January. From there the snow ball kept rolling gaining speed and mass and by Saturday morning we had a ride crew of over 10 people willing to brave the Omaha streets and make a mess of their bikes.

Most of the group met up at EB's house for eats in the morning. I opted to fix French Toast for my family prior to deserting them for the rest of the day. After eating breakfast with the family I mounted up and rode down to Blue Line Coffee to meet up with the posse. They pulled up around 11:00 and after some introductions and some caffeine intake, we mounted up and headed out. As of yet the destination was unknown, other than to just get out there and pedal.

EB took charge of the route planning and we headed down to the Bob Kerry Pedestrian Bridge and over to Council Bluffs. We started working our way to the Wabash Trace via the paved trail system in Council Bluffs. On our way past Lake Manawa we noticed a large number of people out on the lake fishing. EB, the wild and crazy guy that he is, took us over to the lake. Some of us pulled up short of heading out onto the frozen lake, but a few kept right on going. After watching for a while, I decide to put on my big boy pants and ride out onto the frozen lake. A few less manly men (cough..Munson..cough) just couldn't muster up the courage to join us. It turned out to be fairly easy riding (even though I had removed my studded tires just prior to heading out on this ride), but you had to watch out for the fishing holes that were everywhere. However, it was a blast, and one of those experiences that you remember for a long time.

After the ice biking adventure we went to the Wabash, to 370 via the Wabash, back to Bellevue, then north into downtown Omaha with a welcome stop at The Upstream Brewing Company for some food and "Beverages". After refueling, I rode a bit with the pack before breaking off to head back home 10+ miles solo along Cumming Street, then NW Radial. Good times riding those roads I tell ya. When I got home I was spent. It's been nearly 3 months since my last long ride. I would guess that I rode close to 60 miles yesterday.

It was a blast riding with a group of guys that use their bikes for work, play, and transportation YEAR ROUND. Almost every bike had fenders. It was also a very fun loving group of guys. I think my stomach hurt more than my legs by the end of the day from laughing so often.

When I finally got home, it was almost 5:30. I had been out on my bike for over 7 hours (with a few stops along the way). So my Sunday ride plans were canceled in favor of spending Sunday with my family.

Now excuse me while I go play "tickle monster" with B&B.