A favorite passtime of mine is goin' into the woods. There are plenty of ways a person can accomplish this; I've become partial to backpacking. Fortunately, Minnesota has TONS of places for a person to do this. I've begun compiling trip reports from different hikes in the area. Check out my map of the locations. In 1999 I gave up on working for a living and hiked the Appalachian trail. This 2100 mile trip took me just under 6 months to complete, with my hiking buddy Heidi. Check out my AT info and my buddy's Simon Tracking System.
Midwest hiking map with trip reports
Heidi, the hiking dog
Dog first aid
Superior Hiking Trail info
Backcountry Homepage
Peak to Peak (trail info)
Midwest Mountaineering The place to go in Minneapolis for outdoor gear.
Appalachian Trail Conference
Appalachian TrailI know a couple people in the Twin Cities (Minnesota) area who are trying to make BioDiesel available in the area. Possible options include forming a Co-Op or convincing a retailer to start carrying the fuel.
For basic BioDiesel information in Minnesota, call the BioDiesel Helpline, run by the Center for Diesel Research:
National Biodiesel Board
Home-made BioDiesel info & discussion![[XS excess]](moto/images/bri_xs650.jpg)
![[BSA project]](moto/images/dismantled_bsa_20011020.jpg)
So, in 97, I finally got off my butt and took the MSF class. Whats the MSF, you say?? The Motorcycle Safety Foundation. They're a national organization promoting rider safety through proper training. You can, of course, learn more at their site, but I'll give you my unbiased opinion right here (don't even have to follow a link!): **You're a fool if you try to learn to ride without their or some kind of formal training.** If you're local to Minnesota, you can checkout the Minnesota Motorcycle Safety Program site too (well you can obviously go if you're non-local too, but if you are local, and looking for a class, DEFINATELY go). The MMSP sponsors MSF classes, and is where I took mine, for a very reasonable $95. While I'm on the safety kick, I'll also point you to another guy who maintains a page related solely to safety: Motorcycle Tips & Techniques. I did a bit of reading there before learning to ride, and have been back a bunch to reread and read more. A great source for new & experienced riders.
The bike I bought is a 1977 Yamaha XS650. There are a couple decent sites maintained by other 650 enthusiasts:
In my first season of riding, I was only able to do local (Minneapolis) riding; but if you're really interested, you can read more about one of my longer rides of that season, and some of my ruminations about the first 'year' of my riding.
In May of 98, my girlfriend took the MSF course, which of course, necessitates the acquisition of a scoot for her... Read about our Cycle Buying Adventures! And other rides, like our trip through the WI Kettle Moraine.
In the year 2000, I extended my hike sabbatical and did some travelling overseas. On this trip I did a little motorcycling, first a 3 day trip in Northern Thailand, then a month long motorcycle trip in New Zealand. That country is an absolutely awesome place to ride. Beautiful scenery, good roads, little traffic. I rented a bike from New Zealand Motorcycle Rentals, though it would have been more economical to buy a bike then resell it. I decided not to spend time monkeying around with this and just rented. About two weeks into the trip, I returned to Christchurch (initial point of rental) and switched bikes; the bike I started with had electrical problems, so they swapped it for a newer one (both Yamaha XT 600s). While there, I joined them for a group ride & photo shoot. You can't make out my face, but I am in the group shot on their website at: the gallery. I would have more photos of this trip up, but seem to have run out of space on the server. For now, the few shots online are at my travel page.
Finally, in this fine state, its inevitable that the bikes must be put away for the season. Check out winterization directions if you also suffer through an extensive PMS (parked motorcycle season). At this time (Feb 99), I've put my bike away for at least a year. This spring I'll be taking the whole summer to hike the Appalachian Trail (see above), so the bike is parked at least until 2000.
New Project bike arrives! I've been looking at this bike in a buddy's garge for years. He doesn't ride anymore, and this classic Brit ride has been screaming for a restoration for years. Or at least for someone to get it running. That'll be my long term project, though I'm not sure at all what it will take to get it on the street.
![[new bsa c25]](moto/images/new_bsa_c25.jpg)
Cycle Buying Adventures
Ruminations on the first season of riding
Nice December ride - the last of 97
Kettle Moraine ride
Ride To Work - Work to Ride
Jupiter's Travels - Feel like a ride around the world?
Iron Butt
Ontario Dual Sport Club
Vintage Japanese Bike Restoration
Do Loud Pipes Save Lives?
Riding Tips & Techniques
BSA C25 Barracuda
BSA B25 Page (a close relation to the C25)
In '93, I bought a 1990 Jeep Wrangler. I drove it stock & on the road only for three years, or so. Finally, in '96 I went on my first off road trip. I was hooked! Since then, I've learned that I really have a 'YJ', have been on several more trips, have modified my Jeep a bit and in 1998 am helping to start a new club: the Trailriders. Our club is part of the MN Four-Wheel Drive Association, an association of clubs advocating off-road vehicle use in MN. We work with other clubs and the MN DNR to insure that public lands continue to be available for all users, whether pursuing motorized activities or not.
Check out some of the local hardcore Jeepers:
Mike Knorr, one of the THBs.
John Nutter, (former president, as the job is now mine) of the Trailriders.Or maybe the best online technical resource for Jeeps:
Jeep TechOr those crazy 4-wheelin Canuks up in British Columbia:
WWW.BC4X4.COM![[ryan sta]](images/t_red_sta.jpg)
Ryan ST
I've been nuts about aviation for a long time. I grew up just under an hour from Oshkosh, Wisconsin, an aviation mecca for tens of thousands every summer. The annual convention is run by a group called the EAA (Experimental Aviation Association), which got me interested in homebuilt aircraft. I've since become quite interesed in various aspects of aviation. One goal in fact, is to start flying aerobatics. One excellent way to learn more about aerobatics is through an organization called the IAC , or International Aerobatic Club. They're a division of the EAA. Both groups stress that grassroots involvement is the key to any successful organization. In my hometown of Minneapolis, I've become involved with IAC Chapter 78, and EAA Chapter 25. Of course, before any of these dreams can be realized, I have to get my license. Anyone can get a pilots license, but its taking me longer than planned.
A couple excerpts and memorable days from
my flying lessons Photos and some info on the beautiful
Ryan Sport Trainer A brief bio, courtesy of the Oregon Aviation Museum, on
pilot extraordinaire Tex Rankin Info the Oregon Aviation Museums restoration project:
Tex Rankin's Great Lakes biplane
Experimental Aviation Association Minneapolis EAA
Chapter 25
International Aerobatic Club Minneapolis IAC
Chapter 78 AOPA
(Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association) A great organization for
pilots. Bush
Flying Tips on flying to remote places. Be
a Pilot
A brief page on a 2000 visit to Asia, Oz & EnZed.
The ART of Travel
Its not quite a lonely planet
The page of an Aussie I met in Vietnam.
National
Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI) The best & safest
SCUBA instructors. World
Champ Green Bay Packers The Pack is Back to Back (uh, or not... )! MN
Four-Wheel Drive Association Muddin' in Minn' Foothills
State Forest My first off-road trip! My
Jeep® & some how-tos and links to a bunch of other Jeep®
stuff. My
buddy Kev Someone else's view of the world...Thanks for visiting! I hope you've had an enjoyable trip, and will visit again.
All photos and text copyright (©) brian simon 2000-2003
Brian Simon