Year In Review - 2012

Since I haven't been riding lately, due to laziness, a persistent cough, and being busy at work, I figured I'd do a "year in review" for this week's post.  I tried to pick one photo to highlight each month; for some months it was tough to find even one, for others there were too many to choose.  I thoroughly enjoyed looking back through my 2012 photos; it reminded me of how great a year it really was...

January

We started the year in the middle of a short, mild winter... at least by Minnesota standards.  I got out for a few rides, but a lot of my free time was spent researching how to build a frame.  The slow process of collecting fat-specific components began.  The photo below is a now defunct bike set-up with studded tires... 

February

I continued collecting parts for the fat bike, along with assembling the jig and buying basic metalworking tools.

March

Spring came early in Minnesota and it wasn't long before I was riding in warm temps on dry trails.

April

Throughout the late winter and spring I did most of my riding with a group of Mpls locals, usually at night. 

May

The month of May included a fair amount of riding, both solo and with others.  Prep work continued on the fat bike project, along with a custom rack for the Surly 1xWonder, which was now reconfigured as a city bike.  The majority of my time off-road was spent on the fat front Fargo. 

June

The highlights of June were completion of the custom rack for the 1xWonder, spectating at the Powderhorn 24, a bunch of relaxed solo rides, and quick trip to Cuyuna for a day of riding the red dirt.

July

The front triangle of the custom fat bike was completed during July, but the month also included a fair amount of riding; both pavement and dirt.  Looking back at these photos makes me want to start another frame project...  

August

The lion's share of the work on the custom fat bike was completed during August, and by the end of the month I was taking it for its maiden voyage.  Below is a photo from its first ride in the MN River Valley.  

September

I spent the month getting to know the new fat bike, and testing it on a bunch of local trails.  It was awesome.

October

Every weekend, and even a few weeknights, included a fun ride in October... everything from group rides to solo excursions, from skinny tires on pavement to fat tires on sand.    

November

November may have been the highlight of the year... both for riding and taking pictures.  My favorite rides of the year, which resulted in some of my favorite photos, were along the Minnesota River in November.  I couldn't decide on just one photo for this month (and probably could have picked 6 or 7) so I'm including one pic from a solo ride, and one from a group ride. 

December

It's been a rather lazy December so far; with the highlights being a huge fat bike group ride, and the Winter Bike Expo at Midtown Freewheel.  I'm hoping the last week of the month will make up for the lack of riding during the first three weeks.  And I'm hoping for more snow.

Hope you all have a happy holiday!