Nick from Tonka promised this new gaiter would keep me toasty even at 20-degrees.

I almost hate to post this weird-o pic of me in my new gaiter.  It's 100% merino wool, and Nick at Tonka Cycle and Ski said I'd stay warm even down to 20-degrees.  Yeah, Nick, like I'm going to be in the saddle a lot when the temps drop below freezing.  Let us not forget that winds out here in Minnie generally come from the northwest, can be brutal, and keep most of us senior velosters inside watching CNN. 

My friend Jim, a francophile of the highest order, took this pic in Paris last month, and I'm posting with great appreciation for his keen eye, love of Paris and velos.

Aren't these miniature Tour de France cyclists simply gorgeous ! Remarkable. Unique!  Turns any bicycle enthusiast back into a kid again. Can't you just imagine the time and workmanship that went into this peleton ?
Jim reports that this procession is underway in the window of Les Vélos Parisien, a bike shop near Le Bon Marché.  
 These lead toy soldier-like replicas are exceptional in their own right: can almost imagine how cool the inside of the shop must be.  Vive la France!

Alfalfadale Farm, Medina, MN, home of the whopper (punkin', that is)

The farm's been in business since 1880, but the GMC slat-side is vintage 1960's. Just look at the cool logo: hand lettering, iconic windmill harking back to late nineteenth century, all set off against richly fading deep green.  This classic is the real deal.

The honor system is in effect at Alfalfadale: pick out your own pumpkin, deposit a 5-dollar bill in the cash box, read the helpful instructions for carving your purchase, and have a happy, scary Halloween!

How so many different varieties of fall-season gourd-kins can grow at any one farm, is beyond us.  When Nancy and I dropped by yesterday to check out the display there seemed to more "product" than we could remember seeing in Falls past.  We bought a pumpkin, of course, and dutifully dropped our five-spot in the bright orange cash box provided for that purpose.

Just had to show another shot of the truck door.  Not exactly the dark green of the foto, but the type is the only green in my palette.

Now you can see the cash box. Very cool and contemporary looking, though the vintage must be ca. 1970. 

You're going to stop for sure when you see these three scarecrows! Alfalfadale crushes it: their "marketing department" gets everything right.

Tonka Cycle and Ski in Hopkins is moving lots of Giant 2018 velos. I'm sure the price is right.

Tonka Cycle and Ski in Hopkins is moving lots of Great 2018 velos.  Here's a b&w of a few hybrids. I'm sure the price is right.

 Here's another view of the Giant inventory, as of this afternoon.  Down the line and to the left of blue machines  are the 'niners and fat bikes.

And here in the Tonka parking lot is the scooter that must have flown down the Blue Ridge Parkway, made short work of Tennessee, and provided the owner a trip he'll never forget.  

Public Art Project alongside former Lake Calhoun in Mpls, honors presence of Dakota Peoples many moon ago.

Donkey Republic

Donkey Republic!

The image of the donkey I saw on many bikes!  

A bike rental service...

What is Donkey Republic all about?

Hi there! We’re a Copenhagen-based company that’s building a global bike share platform – one app to access a bike in many locations in many cities around the world.

The Donkey Republic app allows you to find and unlock a bike with your phone in many cities around the world. That means that it’s now easier than ever to rent a bike wherever, whenever and saddle up in just a few clicks. No docking stations, no cash, no ID cards or deposits, no rental shop staff or opening hours. Just absolute freedom to explore the world on two wheels!

So far we’ve helped over 100,000 riders to take the world on two wheels.

https://www.donkey.bike/

Espresso drinks, Double dip cones, and New York Times best-sellers: You'll discover it all in Excelsior.

As you get closer to Lake Minnetonka in Excelsior, there's ice cream and great java (Dunn Bros.) on this side of the street, and the book store opposite.  Pina turned down the java offer, but I went for my usual iced skim latte. At Excelsior Bay Books I bought the new Barbara Erenreich; Nancy was searching for a couple of children's titles for the grands, but the store was out of stock.  We will definitely go back.

26th Street & Lyndale, next to Common Roots Cafe.

Common Roots was one of the first coffee shops/restaurants in the Twin Cities to do away with the "tip jar." Menu prices did go up, but no spare change needed to be left behind when time came to pay the tab. Net, net:  cost to the customer was the same.  Stress was eliminated. And staff received raises as well.

I asked the owner once how things were going. He said " ..well, very well." I stopped by CR last week for a coffee and a couple of cookies and asked the counter man what he thought. Business was reported to be strong. Customers and staff preferred the new way of doing business.

Back to those cookies I mentioned: chocolate chip with sea salt. OMG. To die. And a softy-ginger cookie? You'll have to taste it to believe its goodness.  No tipping permitted.

Cukes so Ginormous you can't Believe they're Free!

Driving south on Homestead Trail on my way back from Baker, my car seemed to stop on its own accord when it spied the word "Free." And when I stepped out to check these epic cukes, well, of course I helped myself.  I also wrote a note of thanks and tucked it between the table top and one of the cucumbers. Why other cars you see in the foto here didn't stop to load up on the freebies ..... well, that's their loss.   Table was empty last night, but/and I'm hoping Farmer Brown (isn't there always supposed to be a Farmer Brown?) has picked a second growth from his garden, and re-stacked the table in front of his spread.

About to take Three Rivers Parks Survey, Kevin from Medina will reveal Trail Use stats to Baker Park's summer intern, Lindsey.

Lindsey from Three Rivers Parks System engages Kevin from Medina with urgent Trail Use Survey.  Kevin and his stunning TREK electric were in Baker to conquest the challenging 6.2 mile loop I  had just completed on my GIANT foldy. Lindsey could see that I was dripping wet, thirsty and dry, and gifted me a Gatorade from her blue and white cooler.  Not sure how many surveys were collected, but it's comforting to know Park officials listen to the velosters, walkers, bladers, birders, runners and others who use Baker Park.  

Poppy flips a few burgs, hungry fam members could be seen drooling in anticipation.

90-10 top sirloin to fat, 400-degrees on the barbie, a little Worcestershire drizzle, maybe 4-5 minutes per side, and we had ourselves some might yummy burgers for dinner this week. What looks like a tent at the front of the grill is a corn tortilla pretending to be a standard Pepperidge Farm hamburger bun.  One of the guests was observing a wheat-free crusade, and the tortilla did the trick. 

A young fisherman's gentle hands, a young fish rests safely in them.

One of the fisherboys working the Wayzata docks the other day  pulled in this little pesce.  My guess is that the fish was returned to the teeming waters of Lake Minnetonka from which it was lured by a yummy night crawler on a hook.

Long Lake paddle board regatta with the help of two young friends.

Under direction and guidance of  accomplished young sailors, Poppy the neophyte learned to kneel on the board, gained courage to stand, wobbled for too long, then hit his stride.  Only fell off the board one time! 

TREK Twins? Czech Twins? Which shall it be?

Super good friends and colleagues from the publishing industry here in Minneapolis.  Cathy (l) and Margaret (r) are avid pedalers, have done some touring, plus occasional long rides to benefit non-profit causes important to each of these ladies. The TREK is brand new, was ridden from Uptown to a watering hole in Edina, where we all (plus Tom) had lunch together recently.

Bare-ass Bicycling: all the rage along Florida beaches.

My bro Joe was walking along the Atlantic at New Smyrna Beach, FL, when he spotted this Very Naked Veloster.  There's a story here, no doubt, but we never learned the cyclist's name. The bike he's riding has some uber-fat tires, of course.  Wouldn't want to get bogged down in the sand with no means of cover-up for most private parts. 

Mid-century classic velo dreamboat was "ultimate kids gift."

The Huffy Radio Bike wasn’t manufactured for long which is strange considering these were the ultimate gifts for any kid. Between 1955 and '57 only around 8,500 bicycles were produced. Available in three color schemes: Flamboyant Red, white & black trim; Flamboyant Blue, white & black trim;  and Flamboyant Green with white & black trim. The 1955 model had a headlamp mounted on the front fender while the 1956 version was equipped with a front carrier. 

Twin Cities Adaptive Cycling: Bringing Hope to Riders with Disabilities.

Volunteer Mary sports unique safety helmet: rear view mirror, communications gear, camera. At home base along the Greenway Mary is in constant touch with knowledgeable staff and velo clients. I watched as an elegant tandem recumbent -- one one of the 25 adaptive cycles available to individuals with disabilities -- pulled in to HQ. Passenger was an enthusiastic young woman who, though blind, rides at least once weekly, more if she has time.

Twin Cities Adaptive Cycling co-founder Caito, a South Minneapolis native, got her "adaptive" training in Berkeley, CA.  2018 is first full year of operations here in the Cities, and the boss reports growing interest in, and demand for, services of TCAC. The organization is a 501(c)(3), 

Secure equipment storage is available inside a former railroad boxcar, converted to meet needs of TCAC. The velo fleet comprises 25+ adaptive cycles, including hand cycles, recumbent foot trikes, tandems and therapeutic cycles. 

Beautiful custom made recumbent had just been donated to the non-profit, and I believe I witnessed its maiden voyage. Tandem "captain" Dale, who you can see on right side of the foto,  is long-time volunteer.

Real Art is where You Find it. And please check out what I found in NE Minneapolis last weekend.

One of my Texas artist friends took one look at the peeling paint, general condition of exterior, and the bricks and reported: "I'm a sucker for the bricks, especially.  The texture, colors, infinite possibilities of use and re-use."

As for your humble scribe here, I like vertical format more often than the horizontal. The rusted iron railings and stairs juxtaposed to (or is it, with?) the corrugated metal; a hint of peeling green paint; and, of course, the bricks.  Man, this is simply magic.  I'd like to wrap up this scene, lay it gently in the back of my KIA, take it home ... then do what with it?

Take a 180 from the peeling green paint, walk into an entirely new and magnificent art gallery. So new it doesn't have a name yet.  I saw some wild, fresh, provocative work - on the walls, on the floors, even hanging from the ceiling. In the foto above, the artist has his back to the camera.

Recognition: one day you see that you are the bait, the trap and the prey. 

"Velo" Joe, just back from pedaling and photographing in Europe, thought the Poppy Blog would be a fine medium for his work.

Even the best lock in Spain could not keep vandals at bay. A bike in Barcelona is a shell of its former self. 

Mini Van, packed to overflowing with a family's bikes, heads to Morocco for a velo vacation. Cool foto, Joe. 

"Bicing" is the municipal bike share program in Barcelona.  You'd think that a rack of bikes like these, in a city like Barcelona, would be rented out or borrowed, in no time. 

This is NOT a ghost bike. It's a "point of purchase promotion" for a Parisian bakery. Baguettes in the basket were pulled from the oven only minutes before Joe came upon the bike, took this shot.  Can't you almost smell
the bread ??

Long Lake town trail supports velosters with damned near a complete outdoor shop.

Giant Cypress propped on mechanic's work rack, all the tools you'd ever need tethered to concrete pad by indestructible steel cables. No one's stolen an Allen wrench yet.

It's easier to use these tied-down tools than it looks. 

Can't recall whether this is a tire iron or a bottom bracket tool. 

You know what this is, probably carry on your own bike. No further introduction required. 

Dean Phillips's "Conversation Cottage," aka Phillips for Congress HQ in Excelsior.

Minneapolis business leader Dean Phillips is running for election this fall to the U.S. Congress from District 33. Dean's HQ has been named  “Conversation Cottage,” and it sits right on the main drag in Excelsior. When I drove past the "Cottage" today I had to park my car and go inside to investigate. 

I'd met Dean once before, and the idea of a conversation with the candidate in the cottage was very appealing.

  The office was buzzing. Young volunteers on laptops doing research and outreach to voters. Grace and the finance department in the back. Then there was 'Jo,' recently retired from the office manager's position at a big insurance company, now the admin coordinator for the Phillips campaign.

Dean was there.  I reminded him we'd met at an event earlier this year. When you meet Dean you'll be impressed with how he connects with you. He has a firm handshake. Dean looks you right in the eye when you talk to him.  And he engages and listens!

I bought a Dean for Congress t-shirt (suggested donation $25.00) and intend to wear it proudly as I'm out riding my bike. There's an opportunity to do some volunteer work on the campaign, and I'll follow up, find out if and how I can be useful.

As for the thirsty doggy water bowl on front steps of the Cottage: one more fun idea that sets apart this man's run for office. 

Back-back of the house at Bellecour

5-star gourmet restaurant, watering hole and coffee/pastry bar in Wayzata -- Bellecour -- pumps out trash in proportion to the number of customers lined up outside this new 'it' spot waiting for a table.  I much prefer being inside Bellecour (where I'd bet Pina and I go 4 times a week for iced lattes, cappuccinos and short bread cookies), where the service is personal and very professional, and the java as tasty as you can find around here. 

Intrepid Travelers Nancy and Joe filed this Velo Venture report from aboard the "Cielo de Sol" en-route from Genoa to Barcelona.

So, we met this great guy on the bluff above Saturnia, a hot spring bath spot near Pitigliano.  The SURLY Troll name caught my eye.  We fell into a friendly chat.  He is from the Basque country, San Sebastian.  An ardent cyclist if there ever was one.  He rattled off the countries in which he has ridden:  All over Europe... Morocco, Turkey, New Zealand, Japan, China... his Surly frame broke there.  The company gave his a new frame, gratis..  Cheerful, friendly, and looking for a place to pitch his tent, as it was starting to rain.  Bare to the bone, slim and trim.  He stated in well trimmed English, that he had ridden 15,000 km last year and 12,000 the year before.  Had to love this guy.

Mini electric delivery vehicles get pizza to hungry Italians before the pies get cold.

Bro Joe writes that he saw this little cutie out front of a pizza parlor near the university in Sienna, Italy. The cord hanging from the car's snout id's the vehicle as a plug-in electric.  The diamond-shaped "badge" on the front suggests the manufacturer is Renault. Old and narrow streets in continental Europe were made for Lilliputian delivery cars like this one. How cool would it be if here in the States mini-electrics began to deliver orders for Jimmy Johns, Domino Pizza, Panera and other leading fast food chains.  Write your favorite CEO for action!

Too much fun for the Reilly's in Mystic, CT.

A very clever watering hole in Mystic, CT pays tribute to a significant portion of their customer base. Velosters Dan and Liz, thirsty after pedaling along the CT coastline, pop in for a cold one, then another, then ..... Well, the barkeep suggests the Reilly's left their bikes chained up out-front and Ubered home, not daring to take their wobbly chances in rush hour traffic.