Last Saturday was the second time my Surly Pugsley and I participated in Global Fat Bike Day.
This year it was a beautiful 30°F sunny day in Minnesota.
26 of my closest friends and strangers met at noon in front of Tonka Cycle and Ski to scare the ski and snowboard customers that were flocking to the store.
27 Fat Bikes and riders take up a lot of space. We partialy blocked car traffic at the busy end of the parking lot. The ride leaders sensed the tension in the air and got the group moving before there was any real trouble with cars.
Previously I was told that we were going to ride to Excelsior Brewing Co., in you guessed it, Excelsior Mn. She Who Must Be Obeyed was going to meet us there so we could all enjoy their new tap room together. That daydream was shattered when the lead riders went south out of the TCS parking lot.
Shouts of glee could be heard from the other patrons of the mall as we departed. I was confused.
Most of us thought we were going to go north to get on the trail to Excelsior. The evil ride leaders had other plans.Instead we went south, rode to Shady Oak Lake and then across it while Bobby D. filmed us. After that we rode up onto a trail that I had not a clue where it might take us.
Steph popped a tube ascending the lake up onto the trail of the unknown. A minion circled her to help. Pugsley rode slowly ahead attempting not to lose the front runners while the puncture was being repaired.
We paused at a railroad crossing where I saw the front group turned right. When the puncture people arrived we followed and moved ahead riding on and off road until we found our way riding west on Highway 62/Crosstown. I voiced my concern to deaf ears that we were riding in the opposite direction of our destination.
By this point I had been informed that our final resting place was now the Tonka Cycle and Ski parking lot to block traffic, eat bratwurst, drink beer and test whisky from our next door neighbor, Ace Spirits.
The group ended up in Purgatory Park. It split up into two. The Young And The Restless, and The Rest Of Us. I was in group 2. Even so they made me ride on single track. I fell once on an icy climb . Once was enough for my bad hip. I was by no means the lanterne rouge.
From Purgatory we took the trail north and then east towards Hopkins for beer, brats, booze and bs. When the trail crossed Lake Street Extension l went right and left the trail and headed home.
The rest of the brave souls went back to TCS to ingest and imbibe. I never made it. I wish I had, but there was too much work waiting for me at home. The men were coming to drain tile the basement.
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