The Bauer Family

  So we all survived Thanksgiving!  On Friday Michelle went out shopping in the morning.  I stayed home with Brendan.  After he got up he went over to the neighbors and brought the boys over to watch the Lego Movie and play.  I did laundry and some other things around the house.  On Saturday Michelle went out shopping again, this time for my mom.  She got home and I took the Green Machine out for a short spin at the park.  Michelle worked on Mom's scrapbook and I helped her finish it up.  We then went our and spent some time with mom.   Sunday arrived and I loaded up the Green Machine for the ride home from church.  I had a nice 12.7 mile ride home.  Pushing the Vee Snowshoes is not easy on pavement or gravel, especially into 20mph gusts.  Very good work out.  Will be changing the front ring to the 30 tooth before Saturday.  Saturday is Global Fatbike Day!  There is a ride at Sleepy Hollow that I...

  The Thanksgiving Holiday started a day early for me this year.  Two years ago we tried starting an annual mountain bike ride at Island Lake State Recreation Area.  Last year we were not able to do it due to lack of time and vacation time.  So this year I revived the ride and hope to continue the tradition as long as I am able.  Ended up having Raymond, Mark Abbe, Don Miller, JJ and myself.  We arrived early and were the only ones in the parking lot.  Guess the cold weather was keeping people away.   Green Machine ready to roll! Don arrives.   We got the bikes prepped, got in our riding gear and were ready to go. Raymond and Mark. Don Miller   The trail was in great shape!  We only encountered one other rider and a few hikers.  JJ did really well for the amount of time he has spent on the bike.  He really seemed to have fun. Mark at one of our pit stops.   JJ getting out of fr...

  Friday was Halloween and the church had the second annual Harvest Party.  We were ready to go with chili, nachos, candy, games and prizes.   The weather was another story.   The temperatures dropped during the afternoon to the low 30's with winds as high as 45 mph.  By 3:15pm it was snowing.  The weather stayed like this through the entire evening.   Gaurdians of the Galaxy "Rocket Racoon" stopped in!     A couple of felines.   Pastor enjoying the chili!   The garage filled at one point.   Prize celebration!   My favorite Kitty! Love you Sweetie!   The weather definitely kept people away this year.  I still feel it was a success as we were able to spread the word of the Lord to those that did brave the weather.  Even if you reach one it is a success!   So we now need to take the things we learned from the last two years and put it in to ac...

It has been a busy fall.  A lot going on as always.  School is in full swing and the kids are doing well.  We celebrated the fall birthdays.   Brendan is 9!   Scott is 19!   We finished some landscaping at mom's house. Front is done.   We made a visit again to Uncle Bill's.   This past weekend we cut down three pines at mom's.  We will grind the stumps in a couple weeks after they dry out a bit.  Mom is doing good.  She has good days and bad days, at times she is very depressed.   The church will be having our annual harvest party Friday evening at Dawn and Reubens.  Next Friday is Michelle's birthday.  This year there will be no Iceman.  Thinking of doing a few fat bike races this winter and maybe a long weekend with the family if it will work out.   Stay tuned.   

Between early this morning and early evening I completed the process of putting the Snowpack Fork on the Green Machine.   Work completed.   With the job done I took the bike out for a short ride.  Mostly pavement with a little gravel and some off road at the Taymouth Township park.  It felt good.  Did seem to ride smoother than the factory aluminum fork.   Looking good!   The 1x10 drive train seems to work well. Just need to get it out for a real test one of these days. 

I had to leave work early today due to a dentist appointment.  I am having a crown replaced.  When I arrived home I found this on the porch.   A package for me!     And it contained this!   White Brothers Snowpack Carbon Fat Bike Fork.   So I pulled the factory fork off the Green Machine.  Waiting for the new fork.   I was surprised to find that the new fork does not appear to weigh much less than the factory fork.  However, I believe it will provide a better ride.  It is also 20mm shorter than the factory fork.  This should make the head tube angle about 1 degree steeper and possibly speed up the steering.   I still have to cut the steer tube down a little bit.  Don't want to take to much off in case the fork may go onto another bike at some time?   Stay tuned for the final results. 

Michelle and I were still not feeling the best when we got up this morning.  I needed to go to Begick's Nursery to pick up bark for mom and deliver it to her house (a project we have been working on there).  Still was having a hard time with my body temperature.  I was either really hot or really cold on the way there.  The rain was supposed to hold off till afternoon but decided to come early.  Begick's was great and loaded the bark for me and when I got to mom's I was able to pull the truck in the garage and unload. I had a nice visit with mom and headed home.   Michelle ordered take out at Pando House and I picked it up on the way home.  We had a nice meal when I got home and then Michelle took a nap.  I worked on some laundry and then headed for the basement.  I had been working on a friends bike and was able to finish that.  Then it was time to clean up the bike shop.  I got the cleaning done and then did some more photos ...