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.