SDS on Saturday

So we did the Sunday Dirt Services this morning due to the even colder and more rainy forecast for tomorrow. I may still try to head out if there is a break in the weather, but the Rev made the call to move the SDS, and since I had nothing else going on I said sure. Nobody else wanted to join in, not too surprising considering it was 38 and raining lightly when I drove in to Woodloft. The rain let up and it warmed up into the low 40's. We kept a safe distance between us, had a good ramble adeventure, and there weren't too many other people out and about. So my brief foray into the world is over for now, very little exposure. But I will probably have to venture out to the grocery store next week at some point. The social isolation continues. Over and out.

Still Rolling

It was a bit chilly yesterday, but I bundled up and headed out on the Graham 29+. What a fun bike! I was only able to hit a small amount of dirt via the single track in the Readmond Township Park and Lamkin Drive. Traffic was light, and I ended up with a 15 mile trip around the block. I popped in and said a quick outdoor hello from a safe distance to a couple of friends along the route as well.

Today the weather wasn't quite as nice. It rained all night, and the temps didn't quite get up over the 40 degree mark. So it was a good yoga practice this morning and a light tempo ride on the trainer in the shop this afternoon. Both felt surprisingly good. Tomorrow is supposed to be really nice, so I'm planning a good long ramble out on the bike. The quarantine chores continue unabated. Yesterday I went through all the old half used cans of paint up on a high shelf out in the shop. 2/3 of them now rest out under the covered camper parking area awaiting a trip to the transfer station once things normalize. Thus some valuable storage space opened up in the shop to continue the purge and general reorganization I've got going on out there. The rain last night knocked down a fair amount of snow but we still have a little bit before we'll be able to start working on the trails so the shop overhaul may get done yet. Not at all surprising, but the Arcadia Grit and Gravel got cancelled today. So my first race of the season is out, I'm not holding out too much hope for Lumberjack in June. Over and out.

Baking Bread at Home

Since I can't be small scale mass producing bread at work these days, I decided to try my hand at some homemade bread baking to fill some time. I've got a good friend down the hill that is going to help me get my own yeast strain going too. I have a feeling pizza and bread will be making a pretty steady appearance in our quarantine cuisine. Took the day off the bike today. Did a couple of short sessions in the yoga room, took Billy for a brisk hike at the neighborhood nature preserve, and capped the afternoon off with a sauna. Over and Out.

Three Weeks Out

The governor of Michigan made the call today, three weeks of very strongly recommended self isolation for all residents. We aren't the first state to take such drastic measures, and I'm sure we won't be the last. All businesses to close up shop. No work that is deemed non essential, Sarah and I both fall squarely into that category. So we're one week in, and at least three to go. So far so good. Been doing a little more on all the good for you physical well being stuff every day. The fat biking has been pretty good, albeit alone for the most part. I've been able to incorporate a little more yoga and into my routine as well. I've even been trying to get the sauna fired up every other day or so. If I can keep it up, I should be moving along pretty good once the single track is snow free and cleaned up. Had a good route on the fat bike this morning.

Looks like it's going to just get cold enough to make it good again tomorrow early as well. Good luck out there in the world.

Social Distancing in a Social Media World

Does it work anymore? If words get typed on a page, a virtual page that is and posted somewhere on the internet but nobody every reads them do they really exist? What about pictures? Weird times these be for sure. The pandemic is upon us. Social distancing is the new normal, my store will be closed for the longest time ever since 1972 before wave one is all said and done.. We're giving it three weeks to start with, but without any clear idea from the powers that be as to what to expect moving forward it's hard to imagine that somehow things are going to be looking up to the point that we'll all be encouraged to go out and mingle about in three weeks time. In the meantime I will continue to use my days as productively as I can.

So this was just a test. If nothing else it may serve as a good way for me to chronicle the northern Michigan pandemic experience from the woods.