Just trying to thaw out...

I'm sure it's not just me, but this has felt like one of the longest winters ever. Too cold to ski, too much snow to ride the roads or ride most trails on a standard mtn bike... oi, I am quite ready for it to be over.

Got out two weeks ago, though, when the temps finally passed the 40's by. It was awesome! About 16-17 of us took of on one of Timmer's best routes for a great 53 mile cruise out to Farmington and back. It was perfect! Sure, my legs felt a little slow but the hills didn't intimidate me like they did last spring.

This past weekend, we did it again, even though the temps were about 20 degrees less than last weekend. The air was chilly, but it got our legs pumping that much harder, rocking out the full route without losing a minute.

I just wish the snow would melt and the ice would disappear already! I've commuted a couple times, but decided to hang up my fender bike for a couple more days til the ride is a little safer in the morning... sure, I know people commute all year 'round, but it's just not in my bag of tricks just yet.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for great weather to come - I gotta ride!

Other than sleeping and watching the tube all winter, we've tried to walk a little on the wild side to keep the blood pumpin'. The best was rockin' out at Motley Tuesday's for Jay's 40th birthday!

The whole crue came out to ring in 40 years at the Star Bar. The drinks were cheap, the music awesome, and the laughs endless.

Jay's brother John even flew in from NY to celebrate!

Riff raff... 'nuff said.

If you've never seen it - get yourself out there! Every Tuesday night!

Hollywood & his band, DNF, rocked out and kept us all entertained.

John even brought the bagpipes with to jam out my favorite AC/DC ballad.

Partyin' on until the snow melts,

Kristy Kreme

Ice Ice Baby!

Mmmm, ice racin.....

Check out the excitement at: http://www.hwoodcycles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/2011_winter_carnival2.jpg

Double Ice Victory

Out on Lake Minnetonka in Excelsior last weekend, Hollywood helped design a killa new ice race course. It was the second year for this event, and it was HANDS-DOWN the best one yet!

With a couple inches of snow fall the night before the race, Hollywood, the Chucker, and I went to the lake a couple hours early with shovels to make sure it was perfect come race time. Chris McCormick and his team of helpers puttin' on the race were there with shovels in hand and we attacked the course right away, shoveling right down to glare ice for almost the entire course. Three sections were left with 10" deep worth of snow to navigate through, making it a sweet, tail-floating addition.

The Hardcore race went first, and twenty-some tough MN-mutha's toed the line, under layers and layers of thermal gear. As Jay pointed out when we first met, I must be part 'Dude', because I was the only chica to take on the Hardcore race. Forget the easy win... it dialed it up to 11, making it that much harder since now I was out to beat the men!

Hollywood, the Chucker, and I went balls out for the holeshot once the race began, and we went through the first turn together in 1st, 2nd, and 4th (DeathRider snuck in front of me for third). I pushed my lungs to the limit, trying to maintain contact with Hwood & Chucker, holding on to a top five position for longer than I thought I could.

The studs in my tires grabbed the ice and never let up, allowing me to fly through the course without touching my brakes. Hollywood and Chucker were takin' it to DeathRider and the rest of the ice-hungry racers, tearing away off the front of the race. I held my position well, maintaining a top-ten placing throughout the race (eighth place maybe?). Coming up to the finish on our last lap, Hollywood had the hammer down in first, Chucker was giving it to DeathRider by holding the 2nd place finish just outside of his reach and Caveman was riding out an impressive 5th place!

At the final turn, Hollywood came up on me and we rolled the finish line together with arms held high! After 200+ races, this was our first win ever on the same day - and we got to finish together! It was awesome! ... by the way, if anyone has a photo of it, please let me know - I would love to see it....

What a perfect day - great weather, awesome course, tough competition, spectacular win! We got into warm clothes as fast as we could and watched the beginners take on the course. After the finish of their race, we all retreated to the basement of Jake O'connor's for some tasty brews and awards.

Yeah, Black n' White! Another great ice race on the books, with more to come. Keep your eyes open for the St Paul Winter Carnival's Ice Race (put on by none other than Hollywood!) and the Loppet Ice Race in February.

Stay Warm!

Kristy Kreme