Tuscobia 150 . Part 1 . Solo trip

Since I have already some good experience about winter camping, hiking, skiing and bike endure racing . I think my English much better than 5 years ago  and have a chance to share my stories about  it .
My part # I will be about how I came in winter endure racing.
I came in USA 5 years ago ( I won Green card).

I kept riding in USA. I opened for myself that I like long distance race. I did "Almanzo 100 , then I did "Rusty ride" 100 miles race at Cuyuna.  I saw first time Fat bike in USA. It was something unreal to me...

Bike trip .The Elroy Sparta Trail.

instead of an epilogue First of all I am SORRY for my bad English and mistakes, hope you can read and understand what I wrote in this blog. I just want to share my experience with my friends

This year I  was not able to racing a lot. I changed my priority. First of all family. But is is hard ..
I love to ride with my girls. After our 2 days bike trip from Minneapolis to Duluth  I started to dream about another. Now I know that Nadia is strong girl and could ride all day long.
I talked with my friend Alex Oenes about interesting rote, because this guy know everything . I love his wild style of riding. And he told me about this rote.He said that will be tunnel  .. Oh I saw picture one day from some of my friend and so wanted to see it.But when I saw rote I was not sure about  can we do all? Alex prepare to me all info, map ... I am lucky to have so nice friend.

Nadia had days off at school in October and I decided to use this days for our another wild trip.
I "forgot"that winter camping gear is much more heavy than in summer time.When I started to pack my stuff i had a panic : HOW i can pack all of this? How I will ride with trailer and all this stuff?????
Because Nadia's bike seat is so low I can not put anything at her bike. I put some her stuff in bike frame bag, all rest of the stuff was in my bags and trailer.

City Hiking with girls

Very often people ( and me too before) thinking that interesting life and nature everywhere except your city. It is wrong. You can find a lot of interesting place in your city and it will be big fun for your kids and for you.
Friday and Nadia did not have school camp . This is mean we need to go somewhere. As I am not working  I am able to do this. And I would love to share my lovely place in city with my girls.
 The hiking , swimming in the secret waterfall , little climbing. All this almost in Downtown. That is why I love Minneapolis.I want to share all my skills with my girls, I want that they will love nature and wild style of life as I do. I hope they will.

From Minneapolis to Duluth with kids

It was my dream to come from Minneapolis to Duluth. I did not done that before pregnancy and then was too late. But last few month I was thinking about that. I saw that Nadia (my 11 years old daughter ) in this year ride bike for long distance pretty good. And Yeva (7 month old daughter) have good experience  sitting in the trailer last 4 month  also.
After Riotgrrravel  ride|race where Nadia and me with trailer did 33 miles and did it good. I started to thinking about  ride to Duluth. And I was need adrenaline. I do not had race long time and so need some challenge )

 On Sunday I made test ride for 50 miles with Nadia and Yeva to  River bottoms . With 10 miles per hour as middle we did our distance.
The most complicated to me was  to makes Yeva happy too. That is why we need to stopped about every10-15 miles and play with her .

9 month on the wheels

9 month on the wheels 

I was active enough during the first pregnancy 12 years ago. It was in Belarus.  In my country Belarus people have  stereotypes that pregnancy it is sickness. Most doctors says that you need sit at home on the couch and be careful about everything. But my opinion was different.  I did not thought that active life is worth then couch for baby.
 

The gravel ride with baby.

It is SPRING! It is mean that gravel season are open!
I have a 3,5 month old baby and I love to ride my bikes. The best combination to me now to  ride my bike with baby in the bike trailer .
At the  last two weeks  I rode gravel roads twice in Lakeville area.
2 week ago my husband bought bike trailer.  A he makes  me much more happier person.
I love a gravel roads. It is reminds me my childhood time and place where  I grown-up: farm, gravel roads, nature... Only you and nature . It is the best way to  resting after big city.

Last weekend  I did 20 miles ride with Yeva. I tried  to  ride careful (especially on the downhills ) to keep Yeva safety. Most of the time she is slept.

 Sometimes we need to make break for feeding and rest. To be breastfeeding mom is a wonderful - you always have food for baby with you. I am enjoying this time together.

 The elevation in this area good enough for hard training.  For 20 miles about 1 500 ft elevation. For Minnesota it is  not so bad.
I am dreaming  about next ride...

Cleaning your bike. Small secrets

 For many years I used  these secrets to clean my bike.
This is what  you need: 

• a used  toothbrush

• synthetic ripped women's  tights

• water and a rag

 During the "cleaning" process   I  found  a sticker that I  NEVER saw before , on my lovely Salsa Fargo bike . This bike was "born" for gravel road. And I really like it. My husband bought this bike for himself and I stole it from him :).

 You also could find  missing part on your bike ( as I did ) .

 Now I can show you how you can use women's  tights
( Do you see my spoke card from "30 days of biking" ? DO not forgot to pledge here >>  and  ride your bike all April )

 You could see how wonderfully women's  tights work for your bike cassette

The  toothbrush could help you to clean small dirt spots on your bike
 

You see it is a cheap and easy way with nice results. And you give second life to used stuff which means - a little less trash in the world )