The Bauer Family

Sunday was the annual MMBA Expo.  Raymond drove, Alexander and JJ also went with us again this year.  I didn't do as well as I had hoped.  JJ sold a few of my things so I let him keep the money.  He was pretty excited.  The boys seemed to enjoy it again and Raymond sold a lot of his old parts.  We got home and I took a little rest then Michelle and I did some work around the house. January has been a crazy month weather wise.  Extreme cold to near record highs, rain, snow, etc. We now are into a cold front again with no snow on the ground.  The LOHS winter mountain bike race is Saturday and I plan on racing.  Not going to preregister just in case.  Really looking forward to this.  I have not done this in several years.  The cyclocross world championships are in the US for the first time this weekend and will be broadcast live on the internet. Then the Super Bowl is on that evening.  Should be a busy week...

We are over a week into the New Year now and things are moving along.  We had a good time with our biking friends on New Years Eve.  Everyone that was invited showed up and we had a great time with great food and our friends.  The evening went by quick. We are back to work and this is our first full week of work.  It seems that it is going slow, but we are half way through the week already.  I started working out again and am trying to stay on a regular schedule with it.  I have rode the trainer three times since New Years day and plan on riding this evening.  Really itching to get outdoors on the bike.  Maybe Saturday, weather is predicting 54 degrees! We upgraded our satellite TV to the Dish Hopper on Sunday and really like it.  We will be adding internet on Friday.  No more slow wireless Verizon hot spot!  In Verizon's defense it works great in the city.  Where we are at is on the edge of 4G coverage and it only works we...

Once again Christmas was the busiest time of year yet very fun and rewarding.  We had Christmas Eve with Michelle's family here at the house.  We went to church at the Burt Methodist Church and they had a very nice service.  We then came back to the house where we had Panda House food warming in the oven.  The family arrived and we had a nice meal together and fellowship.  The kids got to open a few presents also. Christmas Eve excitement!   Micah!   Mom and Dad.     I was surprised that no one stayed late.  Everyone was gone by 10pm and we got the boys in bed so that Santa could arrive.  We were up till about 1:00am and got to bed.     So Christmas Day arrive early as Brendan woke us at 3:00am.  We sent him back to bed and he woke us at 5:00am.  Again we sent him back to bed.  He came down again at 7:15am and we got up.  We started coffee and a fire while Brendan woke up JJ...

So Christmas is almost here.  Things have been very busy here since Thanksgiving.  Many things going on at work and with the family.  Several Christmas parties and other things.  JJ's concert was cancelled and their Christmas vacation started two days early.  Craziness from what happened in Connecticut last week.  Our thoughts and prayers have been with those families.  I have not been on the bikes since the day before Thanksgiving.  Will start a training routing on New Years.  I would like to do the Barry-Roubaix in March.  I did the inaugural race and have not been back since.  I really enjoy gravel road riding and this race is really growing into something special.  It sold out in 9 days and then the promoter announced that they will finish the race in downtown Hastings and kept registration open.  This could become the biggest race in the state!  Good luck to Rick and his team, they do g...

So we all survived Thanksgiving and Black Friday.  Thanksgiving was a lot of work, but all worth while to have the family here and celebrate what God has so graciously given us.  We were only missing Scott and MacKenzie as they were with their dad for the holiday. Carving one of the Turkeys     Preparing beverages.     It was a great day with everyone.  Micah had prepared a letter that he read to all of us.  It was very touching and from the heart.  Before we knew it time was up and Michelle and I were heading for bed as the boys spent the night with Grandma and Grandpa.  Watch out Black Friday.     Friday morning came early, I did not sleep well.  I made some breakfast and we were in line at Sam's Club at 6:30am for the opening.  We got in on the first wave and starting picking out our goods.  We were done at 7:30am.  Next stop was Walmart then we spent a great deal of time at ...

So we all met at Island Lake today for a ride.  Everyone showed up as planned and the day was beautiful.  Close to 60 degrees, sunshine and the trail was in great shape.  Kyle had his new race bike from his sponsor CycleFit.  We also learned today that CycleFit will be opening a shop in Saginaw.  JJ was having a hard time so I rode with him for the 10 mile loop.  We finished in just over an hour. JJ was pretty much cooked so when the others got back he stayed at the car and we did another 5 miles.  The new bike rides great.  I have been having an issue with the chain getting hung up by the chainrings.  Not sure if this is a frame design issue or not?  I want to ride it again before I go to a single chain ring in the front.  I really like running a three inch travel fork versus a four inch.  The bike handles much better.  I only took a few photos and I will try to post them tomorrow if they are worth while.  All for no...

It is Wednesday morning and we woke to heavy fog.  The weather has been like this for several days.  I took some extra time off this week to get things done.  Did laundry all day yesterday and some work outside.  Today we are going riding at Island Lake, there should be seven of us.  Hoping to make this an annual thing.  Haven't rode with some of these guys in a year or better.  JJ even said he is going.  The prospect of food is to difficult for him to resist.  This will be a good opportunity to give a final review on the new mountain bike.  Check back this evening for more.