Kayaker dies in Apostles Islands National Lake Shore

http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/articles/index.cfm?id=44845
This is the kind of story that makes my heart break. If these poor guys had done several basic things the story would have been different. 1) Wear a PFD 2) Wear a wet suit or at least clothing that will keep your core warm. 3) Learn a basic T rescue. I am sorry to hear about this.

Darn Tough Socks in the news: Alan Sparhawk has worn out his Darn Tough Socks

I had to put this up for my buddy Roly. A few years ago the Black Eyed Snakes played a pirate set at the OR Winter Show (On Snow Demo) and then I snuck Alan Sparhawk into the show later on in the week. Anyway, Roly is the head cheese at Darn Tough, he is going to see Low (Als main band) open for Wilco this week in VT. Might be a news item for you Roly?

Mont Du Tuesday tonight!

I love doing the ride out at Mont Du Lac on Tuesday nights and now it is going to be even better because we cut a new downhill section! The guys in the picture are the blessed souls who sweated it out to cut a sweet snakey downhill to replace the old one that was getting a bit rutted out. This weekend was the DirtSpanker Classic so the new trail should well ridden in at this point. As always, 75 cent tacos and ice cold beers at the Wobegan bar right next door!

Disk Golf with my cousins and bro

A great weekend for a family reunion. The disk golf game that erupted was awesome, especially when the rules involve beer and balance........

A wonderful day with the Anikins

I had a life changing experience yesterday. I was lucky and blessed enough to have a chance to interview Nikolai Anikan Sr. Nikolai is a gold medalist in the 4x10km nordic relay at the Cortina 1956 games. He was also a Bronze medalist at the 1960 Squaw Valley games in the 30km. After his life as a gifted athlete he then became the coach for the USSR in Nordic skiing from 1960 to 1989, the longest run as a head coach in nordic skiing and subsequently the most rewarded. This man coached such notables as Vladimir Smirnoff. Through an amazing story he ended up here in Duluth and has been here for some 15 years. His wife Antonina and son Nikolai jr live here as well. Unfortunately Nikolai sr was diagnosed with Colon cancer last week so the ski community is in shock and mourning over his illness. Before my interview I decided to look in one of my old thrift ski books to see if there were any info on Nikolai and low and behold here was a shot of him on his Gold Medal day. He had never seen this photo and it made him smile. 75 or so he could still tell you the snow conditions, air temp, all the people and the full play by play of the race.

More Inland Sea Kayak shenanigans

The last night of the symposium there was a talent show, pretty crazy what some people call talent! It was so funny I saw some people literally snorting beer out their noses!

WILCO in Duluth

Huh,
Low goes on tour with Wilco, now Wilco is suddenly coming to Duluth. Is there any question that good culture breeds better culture?

Antics at Inland Seakayak Symposium

Kelly Blades prepares for his "kayak Fun" class.
Photo Greg Maino

Bear Paw Tornado from Space

Hey folks,
Sorry for the infrequent posts, life is a bit on the busy side these days and will be for a few weeks so be patient. This image came from Kevin Haro, he went up and helped out at the Bear Paw Clean up. The diagnol line you see on the image is the actual storm track. A huge loss to our community for sure.

Inland Sea Kayak Symposium this weekend

Should be a great weekend on the big lake. Weather is predicted to be warm and sunny with good vis. Cant beat paddleing on 10 percent of the worlds fresh water with a bunch of cool people.http://www.inlandsea.org/
Plus Big Top Chataqua at night as well. http://www.bigtop.org/
Chris Thile of Nickle Creek is on Sat and the Yonder Mountain Band is on Friday

LOW starts its tour with WILCO today

I just want to wish a big "break a leg" to Al, Mim and Matt today as they are opening for WILCO tonight and starting a one month tour with them as well. Hell yeah...

Charlie "Dark Horse" Farrow seconds in the RED ASS 300 miler

Not to out scoop the scooper on this one but somebody has to pay attention to this stuff. Check out this crazy race at
http://www.olympiacycle.com/redassposters.htm
Charlie, I have to hand it to you, you are a hard man.

About time, the Bike Film fest has anounced its Minneapolis dates

SEPT 12-15th
If you can make it to this event it is super fun. The site is http://bicyclefilmfestival.com/2007_site/minneapolis/ it is also coming to at least 10 other cities, especially east coast.

Scary stuff

Just when you feel good about the state that you live in you read something like this.
http://web.mac.com/stephanorsak/iWeb/Site/Welcome.html

I found this on the Cars are Coffins site at
http://www.carsrcoffins.com/

This story reminds me of the time I had to ride my bike from the Rekyavik Airport in Iceland. Not the bas ass cops, but the fact that there was no safety lane or shoulder for any human powered bikes to use at all. I had never really looked at the Minneapolis airport that way but now that you mention it, it is impossible for cyclists to get out from it. FYI however, now you can use the Light Rail, it has bike slots and will take you to the bike trail system and sweet riding from there.....

THE MARGS BDAY TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THE MARG, AKA THE WIFE AKA, MARGARET MARIE HARSTAD IS AN UNDETERMINED AGE TODAY..............SEEN HERE IN ROLDAL, NORWAY
The Marg thanks you all for the good wishes. I thought that I would post the Margs bday activities.
1) Sleep in until 9.30am
2) Paddle up the river, brew some JetBoil Coffee, fish for Smallies
3) Garden all afternoon
4) Road Bike ride 30 miles
5) Drive up the shore to eat at the Scenic Cafe (Hi to Anne FLuke)
She can really pack it in a day that one.

Tornado hits Bear Paw Resort

Ughg my heart goes out to Jamee and the crew at Bear Paw. If you have not been to this place you missed out on a very unique experience. All I can say is that the only place I have felt more relaxed at was Costa Rica. All I can say is that if these people need help, go out of your way to do it. I am. Check out the link to Bear Paw previous to the storm at.....
http://www.bearpawoutdoors.com/

Good music, great cause even better price.

I think I found my new Chairs for the cooling room in my Sauna!

http://www.bikefurniture.com/pagesSeating/lcvred.htm
Made in the U.P. Eh!

Summer surf season is upon us!

Save the Wild U.P.

Everytime that I head to the U.P (Michigans Upper Peninsula for all you Mountain State folks) this issue hits me square in the face. Literally, because there are bill boards all over pushing this issue. Read up on this little game that is going on north of the McCormack Tract in the U.P. These mining guys are telling the locals that 1) they are going to create more jobs and 2) that sure they can put a Sulfide mine, UNDER the headwaters of the only river known to spawn "Coaster" Brook Trout (one of the few Native Trout Species in Lake Superior) and not create any ecological damage. Why is it that big biz always assumes the public is so dumb? Maybe because they are? The permit is due up any day now and they are starting to mine ASAP once it does...
http://www.savethewildup.org/

On the road in Marquette and loving it/also Kolapore Highlands case

I am on the road working a demo and doing clinics in the UP this week. The trails are dry and awesome. Anyway, I saw this article on the Kolapore Highlands. This is a pretty cool, pretty gnarly area of trails just off the Niagra Escarpment. It is an interesting nordic ski network that has become a seris of MTB trails as well. In any case a lawyer took a beater and is sueing the area for liability. Pretty interesting case, I wont comment on it, although I am sure most people know what I would say! Ha.
http://www.nsmb.com/shore_news/beardwinter_04_05.php
PS Photo is by Mike Berards