Finishing the paddling in our borrowed super canoe. Try not to notice that I am not keeping up with Nikole’s race pace paddling

Nikole’s journey to the Row Ride Run podium began with a visit to master paddler, Judson Steinbeck. He loaned us a Wee-no-na canoe and paddles worth more than our minivan. He gave us instructions and pushed us away from his dock for a practice paddle on the backwaters of the Mississippi. We almost did not return – not because we were having fun, but because we could not steer. As we endeavored to return to his dock, I think I saw the St. Louis Arch in the distance. On race day, we switched and I paddled and steered from the stern while Nikole sat in the bow playing the part of the motor. We stayed on course a little better on race day. Our canoe was the fifth out of the water. Nikole was the first woman out of the water.

Your author demonstrating advanced triathlon bike mounting

Nikole and I employed different techniques when we transitioned from canoe to bike. She slipped under the rope supporting the bikes, put her helmet on, and jumped on her bike. She was already wearing mountain bike shoes that clipped into her clipless pedals. I stepped over the rope, tripped and laid myself out in the grass, just to give other competitors a false sense of security. Above, you can see me mounting the bike like the pro triathletes with my fancy road shoes already clipped into my pedals. As I fumbled to get my feet into my shoes I only rode off the bike trail once into the soft wet grass and came to an almost complete stop. It took me two miles to catch up with my wife already far out on the bike course.

No Ed! Don’t look at the photographer! Lame.

I entered the bike-run transition area five seconds in front of Nikole. She still got out on the running course before me. I chose not to trip and fall in the bike-run transition area.

Powering up the final climb to the finish line. (That doesn’t look like powering)

I finished the run portion of the race one second in front of Nikole. She tried for five kilometers to drop me, but I held on and was able to eek out a tiny sprint at the end. But I was disqualified for having the most hideous running wardrobe on the course.  How could they not like cycling shorts and black, wool socks?

First Place Female

I had known that Nikole had the stuff to win the Row Ride Run, but she would not let me express my opinion lest she succumb to race nerves too soon. She would not even acknowledge other female competitors the morning of the race for fear she might go into psych-out mode. But she was forced to acknowledge reality when she crossed the finish line minutes in front of the next female racer.

Below are more photos from race day.

My sister, Laurie, took first place in the Saint Mary’s Business Office Employee Catagory

Nikole in the winner’s circle with some adoring fans.

A cute little girl with a broken arm

I looked and thought, “Three teenagers talking together… Wait! One of them is my wife!”

Nikole actually owes her victory to Lydia who moved many of the course markings sending several women way off course.

Isn’t the brooding teenager supposed to be the one texting? Can’t you just imagine Marilyn texting “I’m stuck at this race and its like so boring!”

More of our support crew: Roger in charge of canoe security, Steve in charge of transition smoothness, and Maddie in charge of pooping in embarrassing locations.

The Row Ride Run was a super fun time, and we were very blessed to have Roger and Marilyn, Josh and Mackensie Hale, Steve Haase and all our kids to help us. And thanks to Laurie and Steve for throwing the best pre-race carbo feed and slumber party ever. It would not have been half as fun without all that help.

Ruthie: "It's Me and Dad on the tandem. I'm smiling because I love riding on the tandem for the first time. You're smiling because it's such a beautiful day."

Saturday dawned gray and cold. We planned the ride the night before, and though it was 41 degrees when we left, my wife would not let us back out. We had planned a Saturday activity and we would have a Saturday activity. For me, it was the least of many evils. If I had not taken her and the family on a freezing ride, she might have made me paint the trim, or remodel the basement. I would rather risk hypothermia on a bicycle than work… with tools.

Young Cyclists taking a break at Riverside Park. My kids, a couple neighbor kids and two statues. (Not pictured: Lydia and Nikole and your author)

This next image has nothing to do with our ride, but it is very cute and must be shared with the world.

Ruthie: "That's me in high heels, and I'm walking Daisy around the block with Mom's earrings."

Thanks for checking in. May your bike rides be warm and your high heels be comfortable.

Father’s Day

The whole family ready for a Father's Day bike ride. (Lydia is back there in the trailer.)

On Father’s Day I wanted one thing – a bike ride with my family. We had a great day at church and then at a celebration for my dad. In the early evening Nikole insisted we go on our family ride. We got about four blocks from the house and were all riding around a new roundabound in our neighborhood when Edward Luke hit some sand and slid across the street. It made a sound I never need to hear again.

Altruistic Ed

Would you be disappointed in me if I admit that a part of me said “Really? Four blocks into the only thing I wanted to do on Father’s Day and someone has to perform a ride-ending slide out!” I am a fount of compassion.

Days after the crash, Edward Luke shows his cycling injuries

We rode slowly back home, washed and bandaged the crash victim and left him on the couch under the supervision of Grandma and Grandpa. Then we went back out on our ride. The Whiner got his wish on Father’s Day.

A New Biker in Training Camp

On a whim I invited three-year-old Bethany to try riding on our trail-a-bike. First I delivered a long lecture entitled ‘It’s Tippy – Don’t Freak Out.’ But the lecture was probably unnecessary as Bethany is the only Hale child born with the courage gene.

Bethany riding on the trail-a-bike with Dad.

Since that day about a week ago, Bethany looks up at me at least twice a day and says “Dadda, can we go on a bike ride?” The answer is always “Duh… Yes, of course!”

Bethany Jane wearing her sister's helmet after her first ride

Bethany’s new addiction to cycling is the most fun thing going on lately. I wonder as I ride slowly and predictably around the neighborhood “Why do I like this so much?” In the old days I enjoyed a ride in direct proportion to its length and difficulty, but now I am getting a kick out of these slow meanderings on sidewalks close to home. Don’t tell my studly biker friends.

Edward Luke riding past the Road Closed sign at the foot of Bliss Road. The road is closed to cars only.

Edward Luke has wanted to go on a ride up to the Human Powered Trails for most of the Spring. Today we finally found the time to go.

Edward Luke after riding around the Pump Track

While up there, we rode around on some trails. My dear son said, “Dad, do you think we are the first people on the trails this year?” The innocent child does not know that real bikers have been riding up there since the snow melted and the trails dried out.

Later while we were on the trails he said,

Dad, we must be the craziest people in La Crosse! We rode UP the bluff, then we rode around the trails, and then we are going to ride down.

Yes! Nobody else in this town is as crazy as us! Our mileage and courage put the rest of the local cyclist to shame! (Let’s not discuss how we gingerly ride over obstacles that other mountain bikers hardly notice or bunny hop without touching.)

Edward Luke and I take a break after some time on the pump track.

The video below is super gnarly (NOT). It is really more about me practicing my YouTube skills in conjunction with with blog posts. Still it might be worth two minutes of your time. It shows Edward and me riding home from our mountain bike ride.