On Sunday, a double shot of Mississippi Choo Chew & Tour Day Kota.  Mississippi Choo Chew went From Mendota Plaz to the SSP Regional Trail, across the Wacouta Bridge, up to Point Douglas.  Then down Warner-Shepard, across 35E, and back to the plaza via Wachler & Evergreen Knoll.

After lunch it was Tour Day Kota.  A trip to Salem Church Road, and over to Babcock, and down Courthouse Road to 96th.  Then it was up Rich Valley to Tyne and Dodd Road.  A right on Cliff to Schulze Lake and the Lebanon Hills Visitor Center.

After a rest stop, it was up and down the hills of Inver Grove Heights, then home.

Total miles (including commute): 66, pace: about 16 MPH Cities visited: Mendota Heights, West St. Paul, South St. Paul, Newport, St. Paul, Sunfish Lake, Inver Grove Heights, and Eagan.

On Monday it was Urban Wildlife again.  On Monday the city of Eagan sealcoated Dodd, so we got creative and avoided as much as possible.

Miles (including commute): 37 pace: 15.1 Cities visited: Bloomington, Eagan, Mendota Heights, Inver Grove Heights, Rosemount, and Apple Valley.

The route was very scenic with great climbs and descents.  The ride was marred by Steve B.’s crash in Interstate Park.  He hit a couple of dips in the road and down he went. The ride ended with Mary N. & me finishing at about 5:15.  The wind took alot out of us.

Distance: 80 miles, Pace: about 16 MPH, Cities visited: Lino Lakes, Centerville, Columbus, Forest Lake, Chisago Lakes Township, Chisago City, Center City, Lindstrom, Taylors Falls, St. Croix Falls, Osceola, Scandia, & Hugo.

Tomorrow: Mississippi Choo Chew & Tour Day Kota

Hey everyone, what does a Nice Jewish Boy do on Christmas Eve? He goes out with friends and has chinese food (come on, everyone knows that). In that spirit I will be attending the 3rd Annual Jewbilee at Grumpy’s Bar. If you get sick of being with your cousin Fred, join the fun.

Welcome to my blog about two of my favorite subjects:  sports and politics.  I am hoping to update this blog more frequently than my last blog. 

As I am writing this, the Vikings are losing 9-0.  IMO, if they lose tonight, they won’t make the playoffs.  The Redskins take on a Dallas team that has nothing to play for, and probably without TO, and likely Tony Romo.

Meanwhile, Gopher basketball is one win short of last year’s total, and will likely surpass last year’s total in Las Vegas this week.  The 3 seniors are playing very well, but the surprise player on the team is Damian Johnson.  Last season, Johnson looked like he didn’t belong in Division-I basketball, let alone the Big Ten, but this year he is moving much better defensively and is shooting better than last year.

On the Timberwolves, the less said the better. And I will comment on the Wild a little, too.

Politically, we are a little over 6 weeks from the caucuses. While the Presidential race will get most of the headlines, the senate race will be very interesting. Even though Jack Nelson Pallmeyer supporters think otherwise, it is a 2-man race between Al Franken and Mike Ciresi. I supported Ciresi 8 years ago, but am on the fence this year.  Hey campaigns, convince me in the comments section.

OK, more later.