SCOLETRAIN

Fifty Degree Days Finally!
With yesterdays frozen 45 mile morning jaunt behind me, it's good to see that the weather is making a turn towards warmer temps. The highs will hit the 50's for the next three days with the lows being close to the freezing mark or higher. You always can tell when it's cold out on a ride when the bottom half of your water bottle full of nuun turns into a frozen slush.

Yesterday at work it seemed like Christmas again with the arrival of my PRO-built Russell SUNringle wheels and Manitou Minute 29'r fork from my great home state sponsor Hayes Brake. Now the adrenalin is going to start flowing as I get closer to having my bikes built up for the season. Too bad the snow might delay the county park from opening on time this season.

Only 24 days before the BIG TIv4 gravel dance in Decorah, IA. It's time again to get the bike and nutritional supplies figured out for 24+ hours on the bicycle. The puzzle is trying to figure out the right mix of items without carrying unnecessary weight. Below is the most recent update that was just posted by G-Ted about this years event.

Published by Guitar Ted on Monday at 8:00 AM.

04/03/08: More Trans Iowa Thoughts: The laying awake at night, thinking mode has started with Trans Iowa and here is some of my initial musings. I felt that this years course has even better scenery than last years does. Problem is, a lot of you folks will be running through these areas at night. Oh well! Speaking of night, better get some good lights. Ones that throw some lumens up the road, 'cause you're gonna need 'em! Checkpoints: Yes, plural. Checkpoints will be at about 100 mile intervals. Same deal as before. You reach a checkpoint, you leave, you get new cue sheets. This will cut down on the amount of sheets you carry, and help us keep track of you better. Convenience stores: By my accounting there will be only three convenience stores open 24 hours along the route this year. There are other convenience stores, but none that do the 24-7 gig besides the three I know about. Let's just say this: You had better be prepared going into the night Saturday. Okay, this is going to be a brutal course. Don't expect the cakewalk conditions of last year either. While there is always that outside chance that the winds will favor you, and the weather will be kind, I wouldn't bet on it. I still think last year was a fluke and that those conditions will never be repeated again for a Trans Iowa, but I could be wrong. We'll see! More sleepless nights thoughts to come............