The Disco Hot Spots Hold No Charm For You

The week of Spring was nice this year, maybe a little windy but not too bad over all. Saturday we were definitely into summer like heat already with the high forecast at 85, thankfully the humidity hasn't found us yet.




The plan was to head out to Malcolm for some BBQ and a nice 35ish miles of gravel.



Took N 1st out to McKelvie with a right hook onto NW 27th, Pat and I scooted on down McKelvie to check out the progress on the bridge that has been out since last year. It's coming along nicely, still probably a few month out from being completed but at least its starting to look like a bridge again. I guess the plan to take this part of McKelvie back would have to wait for another time; out and back the same route it would be.



Pat and I had to get out hustle on to catch the rest of the crew at the bridge beer stop, it's not everyday you get dropped from your own no drop ride.






Temps were already ramping up by the time we made it out to Malcolm and our Lippy's oasis.



The new location, across the street from the old location, is pretty swanky and triples the capacity of the indoor seating; almost too swanky for a bunch of sweaty cyclists but they never complain.






Since the way out was also the way back, a second bridge regroup was in order.


Temps and speeds were both soaring on Saturday, Garmin at one point said it was about 93 degrees but I do think direct sunlight kicks those digits up a few degrees but it was hot whatever the temps were and the speed was also up. Fast group and we were moving right along in comparison to our usual more leisurely pace but everyone seemed to be keeping up so we just rolled with it.




We quickly found ourselves back in Lincoln and the usual splintering started taking effect, thus ending another Saturday Morning No Drop Fat Bike Ride. Temps look like they are going to stay warm and only get warmer from here on out and I for one am OK with that; lets just hope it's a somewhat dry summer to go with the heat.

There will not be a SMNDFBR next week as most of the usual crew is going to be riding the gravel route and supporting the Wear Yellow Ride at the SAC Museum. There is still time to register and come out and ride for a great cause, hope to see some of you out there with us.

They Burn All The Ends

It's currently wind season in Nebraska, that time of year that usually occurs in late summer after the humidity starts to dissipate but the warmth is still sticking around or in late winter into early spring when the temps start to climb but again before the real heat of summer arrives. If it weren't for the relentless wind, we would almost have two enjoyable seasons in the land of corn and sweat.




The plan was to head out to Malcolm and check out Lippy's new digs. The forecast had said it was going to get to be about 60 degrees with winds up to 20 mph, they were wrong on both parts. At the height of the day the temps reached 72° and the wind whipped up to a sustained 27 mph at one point, the temps were great but that wind left a little to be desired.


Fargo at the customary bridge beer stop, ain't she purdy?

Once we hit the gravel we had more of a cross wind than a head wind heading out to Malcolm but the bridge stop was much appreciated none the less. Even bucking the cross wind required more effort than is normal and the legs were feeling the difference.




Another longer break before Malcolm was not really in the plan but David is the consummate team player and decided to break his chain and allow the rest of us to recover for a bit while the chain was repaired.





As I said, Lippy's new location, across the street from their old location, is now open and it looks great; much bigger than the previous spot but with the same great food. I never made it out here when it was the Branched Oak Inn but I heard the stories about the place and I can see Lippy's becoming something similar for Lincoln and Malcolm. I have heard that the upstairs is going to return as a dance floor and live music venue when all is said and done. It's always good to see the little guy make it work in the age of conglomerates and chains.


Of course no stop out to Malcolm would be complete without a stop at the Malcolm General Store, also a local mom and pop place and Malcolm gravel icon.




Since the winds were picking up and were not going to subside anytime soon, we decided to head back the way we came and take the relatively flat NW 27th back into Lincoln. Of course we got in another bridge stop along the way back. Took the Fargo out for the ride on Saturday which might be breaking the fat bike part of the Saturday ride but it's such a great bike that I think it warrants bending the rules just a bit. I continued to be amazed by the bike every time I ride it and it makes me wonder why I waited so long to give the Fargo a legitimate try as a gravel bike, for me I think the thing that made me change my mind about the Fargo was the plus sized tires. To my way of thinking plus size, while folks can argue they aren't necessary, really make for a more comfortable gravel experience. I'm not the only one who has caught the Fargo bug this year, off the top of my head I can think of 5 other purple Fargos that are rolling around or will be rolling around Lincoln here soon. There is still a medium at the shop if you want to throw a leg over and see what it's all about.


Not many pictures once we turned onto NW 27th and headed straight into the teeth of the headwind, it was a full out heads down effort just to maintain a decent speed and drafting was a necessity. Once back in the confines of Lincoln the usual peel off started and folks went whichever way took them home.




Also as usual, some of us decided to get a few extra miles and hunt down something cold and malty to drink.




Method has been displaying art each month from a different artist and they've all been good but the two current artists on display in March really intrigue me more so than previous artists. A little darker than previous displays but despite that the art is solid and really good and floats my boat.




As is always the case, eventually it was time for the rest of us to part ways as well or head back to the shop to gather our vehicles. We even ran into Sarah on the way back... IN A CAR! I know she owns one but to be honest this is the first time I've ever seen her driving it in person, little bit weird if I say so myself.

Thanks to everyone who made it out, always a great time riding with you all. No ride next weekend as I'm helping out with the Run for the Bridges but we should be back in two weeks.