Run for the Bridges 2019

Saturday was the 8th annual Run for the Bridges, a fantastic event that has raised a ton of money to help replace the aging and fallen bridges in Wilderness Park over the years. Gary and I are on our 4th year volunteering; making sure that everyone goes the right direction and has a good time. Sarah and Todd were recruited about two years ago and they have been a welcomed addition to the shenanigans.



While probably not the coldest Run for the Bridges we've been a part of, it certainly was the snowiest. With several inches of snow still on the ground and temps hovering just above freezing everything was turning to mush quickly, getting to our designated positions within the Park proved to be quite challenging at times. Once in the Park we found the horse trail, turned Deer super highway to be the easiest and fastest route to the bridge.




The plan was to get there with plenty of time to setup and get ready before the runners hit the trails but with the softer snow slowing us down more than expected that didn't quite happen. We did get to our designated post before anyone started running but not as soon as we would have liked. On the positive side, the forecast the night before was calling for rain all morning. As luck would have it the forecasters were wrong in our favor this time and there was not a drop of rain for the start of the run. Actually it was pretty nice as far as temperature was concerned and standing around in the fog was kind of cool.


With a new start/finish line and a overhauled route, this map became a vital instrument in making sure that runners made the correct turns.


Todd and Tracy had brought some hot cocoa with a splash of Bailey's in it and I had just enough time to get a little into my Surly Silipint cup before the official start of the race. These cups are pretty amazing, it's mid boggling to think nobody came up with the concept sooner. Made entirely out of dishwasher safe silicone, they are the perfect vessel to throw into a pack or bike bag and take along with you on a ride. The Hoffman's cocoa and Gary's coffee really hit the spot and helped to keep folks warm from the inside out.







I think the snow on the ground and the threat of rain in the morning kept the numbers down this year but those who braved the elements and decide to come out and ran anyway were all grins. As a bonus, despite Mother Nature's best efforts to throw the worst at the runners, I don't think there was a single twisted ankle or injury of any kind yesterday, not an easy task as the trail was very slick at times.


Gary brought a stove and eggs, Todd brought bacon and so it was shortly after the start of the race that the smells of  Wilderness Park breakfast was wafting in the breeze.




We didn't get many runners that wanted to stop and eat, preferring instead to just take in the smells  but the 7 of us at or near the bridge were pretty well fed that morning. This might become a regular happening in the years to come, between the food, the music and the general positive vibes going on out there; it was like a mini party in the Park.





We weren't the only ones living it up in the Park however, some of the runners were kicking it up a notch as well.




With the weather being what it was and the numbers being slightly down this year, we finished up about an hour faster than we normally would have and we were still on this side of noon. That ended up being a pretty good blessing as the rain was starting to fall off and on the closer it got to 11 am.



Gary, Todd and I decided to take the trail that had been packed down by the runners out instead of going back on deer highway, that was a good call as it was much easier riding as long as you stayed on the ribbon of packed snow.


The snowman will show you the way. Well we were technically going the "wrong way" since we were heading out of the course but you get the idea. We headed toward Pioneers to pickup Sarah if she was still there but we found the feed station abandoned by the time we got there so we continued on, just the three of us.


The Jamaica Trail was still a mess and we ended up walking most of the 3/4 mile to the pavement, man was I glad to see that smooth, snow free cement.


We rode it all the way to D Street and back to Gary's house as much as we could, 4th was just a sheet of ice with standing water on top; not what I would call an idea surface for riding on two wheels.




Gary had to get home but Todd and I rode up to Method to meetup with Carlos and Roy for a quick adult beverage before heading over to pickup our super soft, super comfy Bohemian Sto Mil hoodies and then ending up at Yia Yia's again for a slice of pie. Perfect end to a perfect day if you ask me, can't wait to do it again next year but hopefully with some nicer weather.

Snowy Tightrope

March is arriving in much the same manner as February left off and I can't say as I'm a big fan. I am really hoping that the cold weather breaks soon and we get into at least the low 50s by mid month, probably optimistic thinking but it would be more normal than this ice box we are stuck in now; will it happen, only time will tell. We had a bit of a smallish group for the SMNDFBR but with the chilly temps, mountains of snow on the ground and the forecast calling for more during the day; that wasn't all that big of a surprise that some folks decided to beg off. Then, of course, there were the streets; in true Lincoln fashion the ice on the residential streets is so shiny that I swear they must be plowing them with a crew of Zamboni. I swear I could see the blue line under the sheet ice at one point; thankfully the puck had already crossed, so we were good in that aspect.


Came across a guy walking down the bike path in the middle of winter in full Army battle gear just before we got to N Street, not sure what that was all about but that's something you don't see every day.


2 for 2 on things you don't see everyday, Plasma Center is changing names and taking up the entire street to do so at least the N Street Bike Way was still opened and I suppose it was Saturday so probably not too much traffic.




The plan was to get back into Wilderness Park again this week, with all the snow and ice, the gravel might be a tad sketchy in places; plus I had an appointment in the Park later that day so the Park just made sense. I imagine most non Fat Bike folks probably think that the Fat Bikes are having the time of our lives this winter but they would be wrong. Without the ability to properly groom the trails around here to keep the tread packed down there is a point where the snow is just too deep to be much fun; even with 4" tires until it gets ridden in. Even after it gets ridden in, it becomes a balancing act in the snow, using tires to groom the trails, you end up with an 8 inch wide ribbon of packed snow; if you can stay on that ribbon then life is good. Fall off that ribbon by even an half an inch and your tires start to sink and pull you off the trail even further, sapping all of your momentum. Due to this falling was the norm on Saturday and quite a few of us went down at one point or another; mostly due to being unable to unclip in time when you came to a dead stop but at least the snow is a bit softer than dirt.




It wasn't all bad though, actually it was mostly good as we have had a few folks riding in as many of the trails as they can and those sections are rolling good.



We did a brief attempt at breaking new trail on a section that hadn't been ridden in yet but only made it about 200 yards before we got passed by a lady walking her two small terriers and we decided to give it up and retrace our steps. Plowing through the snow does work up quite the thirst though, Gary and Joe had just the remedy for that in the form of two delicious bridge beers.


We only made it as far as the suspension bridge south of Old Cheney Road before we ran into Ed and Schmidty coming the other way. Both of them had ventured a little bit further down and reported that it was pretty tough going since nobody on two wheels had been down that way yet, so we decided to just turn around and head back to the bridge. We were meeting some folks there soon anyway to discuss the new route for the upcoming Run for the Bridges so it was like life was telling us we didn't need to slog along any further today.





Despite the colder temps and the deep snow, the Park was full of folks on Saturday; lots of Rastas out there also. Even met up with a cross country skier or two out enjoying the white stuff.



Wasn't long after we made it back to the bridge that the rest of the Bridges folks started showing up, Chase was leading the way and having a blast. Looks like it's going to be a snowy one this year but should still be a good time and honestly it might be easier to run in the fresh snow than it is to ride in it right now.


With the official business portion of the ride over and the snow starting to fall, it was time to hightail it back downtown and find some food and drink. We earned it on Saturday.


With State Basketball in town, we were a little concerned that Yia Yia's would be busy but it was actually as empty as we'd ever seen it; we had the place to ourselves for a short period of time before about a dozen other folks showed up for a slice of pie and a pint of barley pop.



Pizza was good as it always is, the Polynesian is my go to favorite. The view wasn't too bad either with the new snow falling, big flakes for a brief time too.


Full of pizza it was time to throw in the towel and head back to the shop, ending another SMNDFBR for the week. No ride next week due to the Run for the Bridges but hopefully we can get out on some gravel here soon and get in some decent miles.