Your Riding Videos Go Here

[onekgguy]

I drove to Michigan's Upper Peninsula from my home near Minneapolis this past weekend to attend a memorial service for an uncle who passed away nearly one year ago due to complications from Covid. This was our first chance to safely gather and pay tribute to him.

I spent Saturday afternoon out on my bike exploring roads I'd never been on. You can easily go for many miles and not see another vehicle along these desolate but inviting roads. It was very hot and very humid and I had a difficult time staying hydrated with the lack of convenience stores along the way. Being able to top off my water bottles with crushed ice and water at a bar in the city of Kenton was like finding an oasis in the desert. It was some of the most refreshing water I've ever had!

It was a beautiful day to be out riding. C'mon along and let me show you!

Riding in Michigan's Upper Peninsula

Kevin g


Deadwood by Kevin Gilmore, on Flickr


Treelined Road by Kevin Gilmore, on Flickr


Michigan's U.P. by Kevin Gilmore, on Flickr


Train Tressle by Kevin Gilmore, on Flickr

[onekgguy]

It wasn't until about 10 years ago that I first tried trail riding. I'd been content as a road cyclist since the mid-'70s so this was entirely different for me. I was riding a fat tire bike and fell in love with both the trail and the bike instantly! I don't cover as many miles riding trails but I have more fun than a guy my age should be allowed to have! I'm never more alive than when I'm riding more technical trails and hitting my marks. It's so much fun.

The river bottoms (in the video below) aren't at all technical but they're a place where you can find a rhythm and lose yourself in the moment, forgetting other worries of our world. I love riding there.

I pretty much had the trails to myself today. This morning's rain left a few puddles but otherwise, conditions were fine. Surprisingly, I noticed no bugs in the humid air with an overcast sky. That was fine by me! 🥂

River Bottoms

Kevin g


Minnesota River Bottoms by Kevin Gilmore, on Flickr


Minnesota River at I-494 by Kevin Gilmore, on Flickr


Minnesota River Bottoms by Kevin Gilmore, on Flickr


Minnesota River Barge by Kevin Gilmore, on Flickr[

[onekgguy]

Our drivetrains are taking a beating in our bone-dry weather where each ride requires a thorough rinse and likely some added lube afterward. Last night's ride was so much fun on one of my favorite routes we ride — a route that takes us through some winding, hilly gravel roads between Northfield, MN, and Cannon City, MN.

Tuesday Night Gravel

Kevin g


Tuesday Night Gravel by Kevin Gilmore, on Flickr


Tuesday Night Gravel by Kevin Gilmore, on Flickr


Tuesday Night Gravel by Kevin Gilmore, on Flickr

[d_douglas]

wow, actually riding on gravel roads! That looks amazing - reminds me of a (beautiful version of) where I grew up in the Canadian prairies.

[onekgguy]

Originally Posted by d_douglas

wow, actually riding on gravel roads! That looks amazing - reminds me of a (beautiful version of) where I grew up in the Canadian prairies.

While I still enjoy road riding, lots of us have been migrating to gravel roads, of which there are plenty to choose from here in Minnesota. There's less traffic and the views are generally much better. The occasional farm dog that gives chase is about the only concern we have.

Kevin g


In Pursuit! by Kevin Gilmore, on Flickr

[onekgguy]

The Minnesota River bottoms are my happy place. They're familiar trails with a nice flow. When I've got a couple of hours to kill and I want to leave the worries of the world behind me, this is where I'll be.

River Bottoms at Dusk

Kevin g


Minnesota River Bottoms by Kevin Gilmore, on Flickr

[onekgguy]

The Cannon Valley Velo Club out of Northfield, Minnesota has two Tuesday night group rides leaving from Bridge Square. The 5:30 ride is a more casual, social pace than the ride leaving at 6:00 (both groups ride the same course). It's an entirely different vibe than the 6:00 ride and one that I enjoyed very much. This is some video from last Tuesday night's 5:30 group ride.

TNG 5:30

Kevin g


Tuesday Night Gravel by Kevin Gilmore, on Flickr

[onekgguy]

This is some video from last night's 5:30 edition of our Tuesday Night Gravel ride out of Northfield, MN. A dusty and fun time was had by all! 🥂

A Dusty and Fun TNG

Kevin g


TNG by Kevin Gilmore, on Flickr


TNG by Kevin Gilmore, on Flickr


TNG by Kevin Gilmore, on Flickr


TNG and Elk by Kevin Gilmore, on Flickr


TNG, and Marty Capturing a Shot by Kevin Gilmore, on Flickr

[onekgguy]

I came upon a hawk that was frightened and in distress on the pedestrian walkway along the Cedar Ave bridge. It somehow managed to descend down through a gap in the overhead fencing that envelops the walkway but it was unable to find its way out. I summoned help via an officer from the Raptor Center. She was able to make quick work of safely wrapping the hawk in a blanket and taking it away for observation. Its head was bleeding a little but I'm hopeful it's going to make a full recovery. Otherwise, it was a beautiful day to be on a bike riding the river trails.

Video from my ride

Kevin g


Minnesota River Bottoms by Kevin Gilmore, on Flickr


Trapped Hawk by Kevin Gilmore, on Flickr


Trapped Hawk by Kevin Gilmore, on Flickr


Raptor Center Officer by Kevin Gilmore, on Flickr


Minnesota River Bottoms by Kevin Gilmore, on Flickr


Me by Kevin Gilmore, on Flickr

[onekgguy]

Here's some video from Saturday's Dawn to Dusk ride — a 215 mile / 346 km ride. This was the 25th edition of the group's ride. One of our club's riders turns 71 next month. I turned 64 last week. We've slowed a little over the years but the desire to ride still burns strong within us!

Dawn to Dusk 2021 Video

Kevin g


Dawn to Dusk 2021 by Kevin Gilmore, on Flickr


Dawn to Dusk 2021 by Kevin Gilmore, on Flickr


Dawn to Dusk 2021 by Kevin Gilmore, on Flickr

[onekgguy]

I'm still wanting to get a drone to use with my videos but none of the current smaller size drones have ironed out the 'follow me' feature yet. I figure another year or two before that happens. In the interim, I've added a selfie stick with an incorporated tripod to add some different perspectives to my videos. I’m pleased with my first attempt.

Some Different Points of View

Kevin g


Selfie Stick POV by Kevin Gilmore, on Flickr


Fall Color by Kevin Gilmore, on Flickr

[onekgguy]

I've been an avid cyclist since the mid '70s. I can see where I'm not as strong as I once was, no matter how hard I work to find my form. But I'm becoming more and more okay with that. I'm working on aging gracefully and being more accepting of my ever-evolving physical abilities. And I'm reminding myself how thankful I am to still be as active as I am. The boy in me will never age.

Here's some video I put together from the Fulton Gran Fondo in Minneapolis today. Two of my friends and I did the 106-mile route. What a fun ride we had! Come on along and let me show you.

Fulton Gran Fondo

Kevin g


Hynek, Jason, and me! by Kevin Gilmore, on Flickr

Fulton Gran Fondo by Kevin Gilmore, on Flickr

[onekgguy]

The Cannon Valley Velo Club out of Northfield, MN puts on a Tuesday Night Gravel ride from the spring through the fall. Last night was our last TNG ride of the year, and what a beautiful night to ride it was! If you haven't considered gravel riding, you may want to have a closer look. A gravel bike affords one so many additional roads for riding not easily accessible with a road bike. And I find the views so much better!

TNG 2021 Swan Song Ride

Kevin g


TNG Ride by Kevin Gilmore, on Flickr


TNG Ride by Kevin Gilmore, on Flickr


TNG Ride by Kevin Gilmore, on Flickr

[Repack Rider]

A bunch of old guys like me meet daily at the same location for a gentle ride. A couple of days ago no one else showed up, so I took the opportunity to take a little tougher ride.

I found myself poised at the top of "Heart Attack Hill" for the last run back into town, so I turned on the GoPro and got an amazing ten minutes of video as the DH trail was empty except for three other mountain bikers on their way up. Check out the "horizon leveling" feature of the GoPro. Even as the bike tips through a banked turn, the landscape stays level.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKT9MRt3qGQ

[weisan]