I love preparing for backpacking trips. Making lists, assembling gear, thinking about new gear… Watching Youtube videos has become a standard part of that preparation. Shug’s videos are a favorite in our crew. Getting ready for our Sioux Hustler Trail trip in a month, Shug’s hike of that trail was a must watch. And any … More Preparing is Half the Fun
As I mentioned in my previous post, I picked up a Knog “The Boxer” rackless pannier system, but mostly with the intent to use it with a traditional rack. By removing the internal frame and threading a bungee through it, it worked well with a traditional rear rack. But recently I tried the rackless system, … More Knog The Boxer: Don’t Walk, Run Away!
Just a quick post here: I purchased a Knog “The Boxer” rackless pannier earlier this year from Cambria Bicycle Outfitter; they had a heck of a deal on them. I wasn’t so thrilled about the whole rackless thing, but I really wanted a “Dutch Dog”. The Boxer is pretty much a Dutch Dog with a built-in frame so … More Bike Commuting: Knog The Boxer Rackless Pannier
If I could only choose one minimalist shoe, it would be the Merrell Road Glove. It’s not the ultimate minimalist shoe (if that exists), and it might not even be my favorite, but I think it’s the most versatile and functional minimalist or “barefoot” shoe out there. They are quite light weight at 13.2 ounces per pair … More Go-to Minimalist Shoe: Merrell Road Glove
Good livin’. That’s apparently what they call it. No matter what you call it, it looks interesting to a bonehead like me. The GORUCK Challenge is either a ‘team building’, ‘leadership training’, or ‘gear test gone haywire’ event. Possibly, all of the above. I’m pee-my-pants excited. And the preparation for it is all part of the … More Fresh Endeavor: GORUCK Challenge
It was a perfect Minnesota fall morning for trail running. A light rain the previous night had dampend the ground and all of the leaves have left the trees. The trails in Theo Wirth Park are fairly well used, so they are mostly hard pack dirt. The mountain bike single-track trails are a blast and … More Trail Test: New Balance MT100 – REI Trail Running Gaiters
I’m not sure what’s so different these days. Maybe I’m getting older. Perhaps I’m a bit less tolerant than I used to be to some of the issues that come along with running long distances. One of these issues is chafing. Chafing only seems to become an issue on my longer runs, probably those over … More Fighting the Chafe
Everybody enjoys a good paddling, and to help you out with that The Kansas City Paddler is having a truckload sale of Wenonah Northfork canoes (33% off). I love my Wenonah, and would recommend the brand to anyone. The Northfork is a recreational, multipurpose canoe. It looks like the emphasis is on stability and capacity. … More Tis the season for paddling
In part 1, I mentioned my ankle injury. In January, I was increasing my mileage (from 20 to 25) and my long runs, when I developed some soreness and bruising on my inner left ankle. My first thought was that it was an ankle sprain. This didn’t develop from a traumatic injury, but inner ankle … More A Wrench in the Works, Part 2
I used to be a pretty serious runner, and I still try to stay in shape. I probably hover somewhere around 20 miles a week. Every once in a while, I work my way up to 30 or so, but it’s been a while. It’s not quite like college when I used to log 50 to … More A Wrench in the Works
Monkey with Chainsaw 