The Bauer Family

So I thought I would post the bikes we rode in the Ore 2 Shore race.  I will post mine first.  I rode a single speed so that I would not get over zealous and out run JJ.  My goal was to ride with him and get him on the podium.  It was successful. But I don't deserve the credit here, he did it! Gary Fisher Superfly Single Speed   These bikes were first built as a prototype and avialable only to a few selcect team members who had great success on them. They were shown briefly to the public.  Everyone thought they were incredible.  The next year a limited number were produced and sold only to shop employees.  This is one of those bikes!  I came across it last year on eBay.  I had wanted one of these when they came out but the cost was out of my reach.  I put an offer on it and got it.  This is the bike I rode to Third Place at Barry-Roubaix!   This bike is incredibly light.  The build is as follows:  ...

Today started out as any other day.  The first one out of bed and a little quiet time.  Except I turned 50 today.  Hard to believe it.  Michelle got up and I helped her around the house and got a start on things for the family party.  Around 11:30am I set out on a short bike ride of pavement and gravel.  I put 13 miles in for a nice 47 minute workout.  Just enough to clear my head for the rest of the day. I did some more work around the house and then the family started showing up around 3pm.  Everyone made it this year, my mom and dad, Michelle's parents and Micah and Dawn's family.  We ran out of propane for the grill so Reuben and I went out and picked up a fresh tank and the grilling began.  Burgers, hot dogs and foot long hot dogs.  Then all the fixins to go along with them.  Baked beans, macaroni and cheese, fruit and so on.  Deserts also, cup cakes, german chocolate cake and ice cream.  I will need to ride ...

Yesterday we celebrated JJ's 16th birthday.  It was a full day of activities that actually started the prior day.  I went to work early on Thursday so I could get out early and take him to his drivers test.  He was really nervous about this.  I talked with him on what he would need to do to relax and when we got there we ran into a few issues.  With them resolved the test started.  He first had to do some parking and a little driivng on the range.  He passed this segment and then we went on the road.  He completed this and got his certificate.  He was very excited. Friday came early and I had to stop into work briefly and take care of a little business while Michelle took the boys to the Social Security Office to get JJ's card.  We then went to Genji's for lunch, a tradition for JJ's birthday.  With full stomachs we then went to the Secretary of State Office.  JJ needed to get his license, I needed to renew mine and we had to...

  I had hoped to post up a short hightlight video of the Shore Rock and Junior Rock races.  Unfortunately I keep getting an error when trying to post, so there will be no video.     I will just talk about our trip home.  We left Marquette around 12pm and headed out.  We got to Johnny Dog's in Munising for lunch and they were closed for a catering event. So we went down the street and ate at the Dogpatch.  Decent burger special that came with the salad bar, otherwise overpriced.  Service left something to be desired.   We got back on the road and our next stop would be the Garlyn Zoo. The boys really enjoyed this stop.   I always suspected Brendan had horns?   Peacocks were roaming everywhere!   Porcupine behind!   Mountain Lion was for sale in the Gift Shop.      We left the zoo and were on the road again.  At this point it was well after 5pm.  We stopped i...

I was up at 5:30am on race day, Saturday, August 10.  It was 46 degrees outside.  I made a cup of coffee and got in the shower.  I had some breakfast and then started to wake the rest of the family.  JJ got up really good for how early it was.  He was really nervous and did not feel he was ready.  I went down to the van and got the bikes ready for the race.  We were all loaded up and on our way to the race by 7:16am.  We arrive at the starting area and finished out prep.  JJ was still nervous so we went to the start line and readied ourselves.   Ready to go!     The race started and JJ started working his way to the front of the pack.  I got stuck behind some slow traffic but made my way up to him somewhere after the 1st mile.  JJ was doing good until we hit the climbs.  I would slow down and wait for him after cresting the climb.  I kept encouraging him to push on and he did.  At the top of...

Friday was a beautiful day and we went out for a short preride of the Shore Rock Course.  We parked at the trailhead that is around a mile or two into the race and rode out.  We got suited up and prepped the bikes and were off.  Brendan was doing pretty good for not riding much and Michelle was cruising along good.  Brendan stopped quick on some routes which caused Michelle to crash.  She was ok, we dusted her off and kept going.  JJ was doing good and rode ahead a bit.  I started to ride with JJ and tell him more about the race and strategy.  We got to the base of the big sand downhill and I was telling him about it.  JJ thought it would be a good idea to walk to the top to check it out, I agreed.  Before heading up Michelle called and informed us that her and Brendan would be heading back to the van.  Some riders started coming down the hill so we waited for them to get to the bottom.  Come to find out it was one of my f...

I woke up this morning at the Holiday Inn in Marquette, MI.  We left home yesterday around 11:30am and headed for Marquette.  Loaded and ready.      We stopped at my mom and dads for a short visit and then got back on the road. From there we stopped at the Clare rest area for Butterfinger coffee. Traversing the Mighty Mac  Then straight through to St. Ignace.  We had the traditional BC Pizza and climbed Castle Rock. The final steps to the top.    On top of the Rock!   The family cruiser waits in the parking lot.   Looking up.    After getting gas we were on the road again to Marquette.  There was a short stop in Munising for ice cream and then the final leg of the trip.  We checked in at the Holiday Inn and were in our room at 10:20pm.  A long day on the road. Todays plan is to get a short ride in and check out some of the course.  Then packet pick up and spaghetti fe...