RAGBRAI!!!

The picture says it all. Sadly enough and I hate to admit, this is the first time I've actually transported beer on the bike rack. I've carried beer in my Timbuk2, but never actually on my bike. Of course, in Iowa, one has to enjoy the best...nothing but Busch Lite.

Riding with 20,000 other cyclists = this is what Ragbrai is all about. It is a moving party on 2 wheels. You meet tons of people from across the US. I highly recommend it. Seriously, if you have a bike (any bike) partake in the Ragbrai adventure.

The crew that I have rode with on Ragbrai for the last two years are referred to as the Skanks. There's quite a lengthy story that goes along with team name. More importantly, though, is that the name stirs up conversation. We are very fond of the name, and we'll be proudly bearing the licenses on our bikes for Ragbrais to come.

The cute couple

My sweet, cute, intelligent girlfriend--here we are at one of the many weddings that we've attended together (normally, she's a bridesmaid and I hang out with her family). All right, so here's the scoop (Sarah likes this word) on how we met. A mutual friend, who I happened to date at one time, set us up. She thought there was no way that we'd get along and that we had almost nothing in common. As they say, opposites attract. And, as we talked, or as I listened to Sarah talk, I learned that we have lots in common. Suitably, our first date was a bike ride (at a very casual, chatting pace (Sarah only rides at this pace). I guess you could say, from there it's history. We've been dating now for 2+ years and honestly, she's the best. I couldn't be happier.

It's a rock...shaped like a chimney!

NE at its finest. Chimney Rock and all its glory. Seriously, I was a little disappointed. Look - the windmill is even taller than Chimney Rock. The cow skull also adds a nice touch.

The farthest north I've been...Alaska!

First and foremost, Alaska is amazing. There is so much natural beauty in this state. Literally, everywhere I went, there was another picture opp. Restaurant recommedation = Glacier Brewing Company. As expected, it has the best Alaskan salmon and some wonderful micro brews. They have a cask beer that was incredible, too. On a warm day, it's worth the time just to walk around the city (it's pretty small). Definitely one of my best trips ever. Here I am in downtown Anchorage. Rightly so, Anchorage is the "Air Crossroads of the World."

This picture was taken on our way down to Seward for a whale-watching tour. This drive along Highway 1 (Seward Highway) was undoubtly the most scenic of my life. During the course of the drive, there are inlets where you can park and take pictures on rocks that jut out from the shore. Here I'm popping a squat on one of these rock ledges with Cook Inlet in the background.

So, for those of you that know me, I have this slight addicition to riding. It started with skiing, then I learned of the snowboard, and it went all downhill. Particularly, in the winter months, I discontinue riding the bicycle and ride the snowoboard. Here I am riding at Alyeska with Cook Inlet in the background. Officially, it ranked at the most scenic vista from any mountain summit. And, believe me, I've snowboarded at a lot of resorts (don't have me count). For those Coloradans, yes, it's even better than Keystone which overlooks Lake Dillon.