The next generation

Racing at LGR VeloCX race - just rode over the barrier.(Photo: Bruce A - Skinnyski.com)


I went to bed smiling last night, because I was thinking about what today held for me. This morning it happened and I am very proud of it- not in an arrogant way, but rather with a satisfied feeling of accomplishment.

My son, 7, has ridden his bike to school before (4.25 mi) which I thought was pretty neat. It has always been his idea, I'v never pushed him to do it. Since winter has settled in, we have not ridden to school in quite a while. He asked me if we could again. I thought that's cute, but not really feasible. I offered to pull him in the trailer, bundled in a down sleeping bag. He liked the idea, but really wanted to ride. I gave it some thought and figured we could try it. Worst case is he gets cold and miserable and we don't do it again.

So last night I found some of my riding gear that he could use (balaclava), and readied a few items for our ride. As I tucked myself in, I smiled, thinking of his little excited face.

So, we struck out this morning. It was 22 degrees when we left. He was wearing a few warm layers and snow boots, little fingerless biking gloves under his mittens and his full face BMX helmet. We packed a Thermos of hot tea for a mid-ride break. The trip went well. He never complained and got excited when we saw his bus headed the same direction- his buddy Peter, waving from inside.

I ride a lot of places rather than drive. It saves money/gas/emissions - keeping me fit to boot. Seeing him get that, and enjoy a bike as transportation is enough to make this dad smile. I have hope for the bike revolution to become a little more permanent. If he can go 4 miles in 20' temps, think of how many others could do that(adults, I'm looking at you). I'm willing to wager he'll be more alert in school today too. I'll have to ask his teacher. If you see us pedaling around NE Minneapolis this winter, give us a toot.

Blackpowder Deer Hunting

A few weeks ago I spent a warm fall day in the woods with a group of deer hunters. This is the 2nd time I've had an assignment to follow a deer hunting party. This was a little different though, as the guys were using blackpowder, flintlock muskets like they used back in the 18th century. The rifles are long, skinny and generally ornately decorated. They use a peice of flint to ignite the powder- that you have to measure and load into the gun yourself. They also use hand-poured lead balls ( instead of the classic bullet shape ) and cotton ticking between the ball and the powder. In some cases material from abandoned horned nests will be used as wadding. No kidding.

It takes a special kind of hunter to want to use a blackpowder gun for hunting. They can be pretty accurate, but are not nearly as convenient as modern rifles. Any moisture will potentially dampen the powder and either fire with a delay, or not at all. Odds of a downed deer are decreased a bit for sure. But the guys I followed were tired of hunting being so easy and wanted to notch the challenge up a bit.

If you'd like to read and see more, take a look at the NY Times article HERE.

There is a slideshow of images, so don't miss that. It shows the details of the hunt from a rifle firing down to the (often) antiquated dress of the hunters. Check out the beautiful guns too.