Funny, a friend told me that before he met me, he often saw me riding in full regalia and thought I was a homeless guy living under the bridge!

Thanks Kathleen. I watched the video and, as you suspected, I already knew all that stuff. I hope nobody else clicks on your link, because it might steal some of the thunder from some stuff I've been working on for my next journal page.

Now THAT was the most Minnesotan thing I've ever seen. From the friendly faces, to the stereotypical church basement, to all the white and beige food (even rutabaga), to the snowy parking lot--it was an amazing video. Thanks for sharing it.

My mom was 100 Swede and Lutheran (not Minnesotan though), so I got to attend quite a few of those church suppers in Upper Michigan and Iowa. Whenever she'd come to the Twin Cities, she always liked to go to St. Olaf Lutheran Church in downtown Minneapolis. I assumed that was the one you were referring to when you mentioned the largest Lutheran congregation in the U.S. I see I was wrong about that.

The last time my brother and I ate lutefisk together at that big Lutheran church in Mpls. I filmed it with a Kodak Playsport. That was almost exactly 12 years ago. Andrea edited it and put it to great, local, Scandinavian music. I think you would really enjoy it.

Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeMTCzKEPPM

It's a little hard to hear the dialogue. The Kodak Playsport was one of the first phone-sized video cameras.

Just saw this on social media: Winter Bicycling in Minnesota. A how-to, I suspect. Put together for a local bike club. I have not watched it. I wonder if they know as much as you do.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVWGFGyIQr4

Gregory, It's not really the most Minnesotan thing ever because a Minnesotan would never even utter the word 'brag'. But they would secretly think about it.

If one were to read my CycleBlaze profile, my first sentence is, "I emigrated from Minnesota to Portland, Oregon in 1982 to improve upon my winters." I used the word 'emigrated' because Minnesota seems to have a culture all its own - the other reason I left! No one talks. You are obviously not a native Minnesotan but my entire family is still there not talking. It's like their voices are frozen but only for certain topics that can't be talked about. It drove me nuts and to Oregon I went where I can be myself, talk about anything with anyone and brag away. But I do love Minnesota and even miss it for brief moments every year or two. I miss going to the annual lutefisk dinner with my brother at the biggest congregation Lutheran church in the U.S. And canoeing, I really miss that, and speaking my native ojibwa tongue of course. But I would never dream of riding my bike in a Minnesota winter. I can't wait to read all about it while I swelter in SE Asia.

So then Greg, I was wondering; Have you ever toured in January? Best of luck on this super human adventure, I'll sip hot coffee and follow along while sitting next to the fireplace.

As we say up here, "you don't GET to shovel snow in Arizona." Even so, I really hope you have fun down there, and thank you for checking in.

People always think of Alaska as being like Siberia. Where most of the Alaskans live--along the coasts--the climate is actually quite temperate, even in winter. But I'd be the first to admit that the unpopulated interior areas of Alaska probably get much colder temperatures than my state.

You're absolutely right that this whole page is very Minnesotan. I didn't think of it that way when I wrote it, but I can see it now. I'm not a native Minnesotan, but it seems that insincere "Minnesota nice" thing snuck up on me when I wasn't looking. Also, sometimes when I hear my voice in some of my videos, it sounds like the "Minnesota accent" has also snuck up on me.

I knew Bruce had Minnesota roots, which includes being a St. Olaf alumnus. (GO OLEs!) I should mention, it was his last comment on the "Cycleblaze Stalker" forum topic--the one where he said he kept handwritten journals for 40 years--that got me to thinking about the real reasons for going public with my own journaling.

George, I can't believe I forgot to mention that I've never toured in January. Thanks for the reminder. And I sure appreciate that "superhuman" comment. I can't deny it. Ha!

I had an uncle who spent many decades living and working in and around Bethel, Alaska. After he retired he moved to rural Minnesota where, he opined, the winters were far colder and harder to endure.

You go, Greg! I'll follow vicariously from the comfort of my recliner in Maryland, draped with blankets, fortified with warm beverages, and with a cozy fire going.

I shiver just looking at that snow and ice!! Give me warm Arizona any day now. As they say down here, you don't shovel sunshine!!

That was the most Minnesotan thing I’ve ever read, worrying about bragging but not really 😂. Full disclosure: Bruce is from MN and can express similar contradictions. I grew up in a family of ten, and “You’re just trying to get attention” was a stock shaming phrase. My response nowadays: “Damn straight I am.”

Wow! How exciting! I hate snow and winter, the only purpose of which is to perfect soup recipes. But I’m intrigued by your plan and applaud your gumption. Standing by for dispatches from the Big Snowbank.