Photo from our ride tonight.

Every year leading up to the fest I say it's the last but then at the fest I see/hear people having a great time and afterwards they're already making plans for next year and I change my mind. Past few years I've gotten additional help which makes a big difference. All the details here or check out this video...

Today was our bike clubs Fall Gravity Shoot-Out. It's gravity racing down an old Soap Box Derby hill in the big city. We do this twice a year. In addition to racing my old klunker made from 2 bikes, I had the privilege and pleasure of racing a fine example of what a gravity racer should be. It's one of three that was built by a friend of ours. A lot of the racers are bikes and those that are trikes and cars are generally made from bike parts. More on the event here.



Pictured above: My klunker. Me in the silver car "Second Wind". A view from the cockpit of Second Wind with the top up. My cheerleader and myself..

This morning we took a 25 mile ride (round trip) to the nearby Ninnescah river. Mostly on gravel roads. Once back in town we stopped at the Sonic for lunch and a limeade which really hit the spot. Riding home we spotted a couple of old bikes in a "seniors" residence complex. I don't know if they are for decoration or riding. View track here.

This is the contents of the 2nd box that showed up on my doorstep the other week. At my place of employment every 5 years you get to pick yourself out something from an awards catalog. This is my 6th such gift. It's a Columbia "Journey" hybrid. I assembled it a few nights ago and rode it around a little. It has 24 gears, a suspension fork and a suspension seat post that I almost bottom out. I don't really have a use for it so I'll probably try to find another home for it.

On our way back home from Ft Collins and the TDF last weekend we stopped in Boulder to check out University Bicycles. One of the nicer shops we've visited. A nice collection of vintage bikes hang from the ceiling and a lot of cool bicycle decor everywhere.

This Labor Day weekend we took off for Ft Collins, Colorado to attend the Tour De Fat put on by the New Belgium Brewery (makers of Fat Tire and many other beers). This was our 4th TDF, our 2nd in Ft Collins (the Mother Ship) and the biggest one yet. What a great time! They estimate 15,000 bikes rode in the parade. Food, beer, vaudeville acts, great costumes and bikes, music by Mucca Pazza and a lot more. A few others from our bike club were also there.

Here are photos from the day.

Videos...

Riding in the parade...



We stopped to watch just a small fraction of the the parade go by...



The festival...