I’m starting to put some thoughts into structuring some activities for 2020. I haven’t really solidified much yet other than riding my bike at Lutsen at the end of June. That event has become a nice long weekend with the family that includes a timed bike event for me, and some fun kids’ events the day after on Sunday morning.
I have not ridden Lutsen’s showcase distance, the “99er” yet. I’ve ridden the “69er” the past two years, and the “39er” the year before. I’m hoping to get the training in for the 99er this year, but if the training doesn’t come together, I will likely ride the 39er, which I think is actually more like 45 miles now. Pretty sure they even dispensed with the “niner” designation last year based upon some slight course changes.
I have some other thoughts about events or objectives, but I haven’t really settled on anything specific. Last year, the high points adventure was the focus, and it was a nice objective with the type of aesthetics I’m drawn to. Without another objective like that, part of me thinks another go at that would be worthwhile. Though I don’t have a great desire for the bushwhacking. Doing Minnesota’s low point to high point might be a nice option for a focused harder mid-length effort.
I also have a little itch to try a longer distance on foot. I have done several 50k events in past years, so 50 mile is the next distance that is commonly offered in the ultra world. 50k has typically stretched me fairly thin though. I’m injury prone when it comes to running, so I don’t know that I can absorb the training necessary to get fit for a 50 mile. An 8 hour race could be a good alternative, where I can cover more than 31 miles and see how that goes. The only event I have in mind on that front is the Icebox 480 as of right now. That isn’t until early November.
I could also just focus on some local-ish fkt that has yet to be established. I have been eyeing up the Sioux-Hustler trail, which is a nice 50k lollipop in northern Minnesota. This discussion is a long way of saying I’m unsettled on the events/objectives front.
I do have a goal to commute more by bike. My bike commute is 29 miles one way, so I typically take the bus downtown, then ride to work from there. Then its 15 miles. To ease the time commitment of bike commuting, I often ride home from work, leaving my car at work, then ride in the next morning. My goal this year is to commute round-trip at least once in every calendar month, and to have 100 total one way trips, or to commute 50 days. So I’ll be keeping an eye out for a good window in January to start 12 months of commutes, where its not super cold and the roads are either clear, or at least predominately packed snow instead of ice.
I want to post more here, too. Making a habit of writing is important for me. Recognizing that no one really visits this blog yet, and that I have no interest in sharing or promoting my own content, I’m still going to make more of it. I also got a GoPro for Christmas, so if I can get decent using that thing, I may link a video or two. Cheers! Happy New Year.
Sub-urban Adventure 