No Journal Is Complete Without A Fourth Introductory Page - Ersatz Cowboy Lassos The Wild West - CycleBlaze

February 26, 2025

No Journal Is Complete Without A Fourth Introductory Page

So I Wrote One

(I Used to Think Three Introductory Pages Were Enough.) 

My wife, The Feeshko, was instrumental in convincin' me to abort my original Ersatz Cowboy movie.  She was concerned about me goin' into the Covid Territory of West Texas by myself.  I wasn't too happy with her at the time, but in retrospect, it was smart advice.  

I don't know how it works with other solo bike tourists who are married to non-cyclists, but for me it's a little scary bringin' up the idea that I want to go on another bicycle tour sometime in the near future.

I suppose some of the more macho cowboy tourists out there just tell their spouse, "This is what I'm gonna do, and that's final."  In my case, I feel the need to use a little more finesse.   Naw, I ain't afraid The Feeshko will hang me from the highest tree or nothin' like that, but I've always thought it was important to find the right time and place to announce that I'll be leaving her all alone for a few weeks . . . AGAIN! 

The right time arrived yesterday when The Feeshko and I took our daily walk, which was just after I got back from my daily bike ride.  In the first block she asked, "How did your bike ride go?"

"AWESOME," I replied.  

I wasn't lyin'.  It really was awesome because it was the first day this year that my ride was conducted entirely above the freezin' temperature.  The sun was out.  The snow was meltin'.  I had two fewer layers on my body than I had last week when the wind chill temperature was below-zero Fahrenheit for three consecutive days.  All that added up to my longest ride of the year so far.  

With amazing subtlety, I added this to our conversation: "My ride got me to thinking about another bike tour."

"Oh yeah?" 

"Yeah.  I'm thinkin' of goin' to Kansas."

She didn't object at all.  That provided me with the confidence I needed to start plannin' the next phase of The Ersatz Cowboy Movie.  Well, maybe "plannin'" ain't quite the right word.  For now, let's go with "dreamin'."

Thank you for puttin' up with a fourth introductory page.  I hope you stick with me until my movie is released.

Oh, wait, I can't go away without displaying a few pictures and a video from some of my recent bike rides:

 

I did not set up this timed photo to make it look like I'm diving from my front tire in this picture.
Heart 9 Comment 3 Link
Steve Miller/GrampiesPerspective is a grand thing, ain't it?
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1 month ago
Gregory GarceauTo Steve Miller/GrampiesIt sure is--not only in regard to perspective in photos, but also to perspective of world events. I try hard to consider other people's perspectives, but here in the U.S. it's becoming increasingly difficult.
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1 month ago
Steve Miller/GrampiesTo Gregory GarceauSadly, that is so true.
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1 month ago
Snow angels are a cool thing in Minnesota.
Heart 8 Comment 6 Link
Karen PoretNot cool, Grampies..COLD..🥶
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1 month ago
Gregory GarceauTo Steve Miller/GrampiesWell, cool in the northern climates at least. But I did make a sand angel in Arizona once.
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1 month ago
Gregory GarceauTo Karen PoretKaren, it's not cold if you are wearing enough clothing.
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1 month ago
Bill ShaneyfeltTo Gregory GarceauA sand angel??
You mean I'm not the only one?
:-)
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1 month ago
Karen PoretTo Gregory GarceauNot according to my chilblains!
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1 month ago
Figure skatin' on hikin' shoes is cool too.
Heart 7 Comment 5 Link
Karen PoretUntil you fall..or, fall through, or..oh, just shut up, Karen..
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1 month ago
Gregory GarceauTo Nancy GrahamThank you for the "10." Sadly, the Russian judges only gave me a "7."
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1 month ago
Bill ShaneyfeltI know about falling through... Not fun!
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1 month ago
Nancy GrahamTo Gregory GarceauThose Russians!
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1 month ago
Heart 7 Comment 3 Link
Bill ShaneyfeltNice! Our trails here in Dayton, OH were treacherous last week with the 4 or 5 inches of snow stomped by walkers and festooned with wavy ATV grooves that had the slicker than snot thaw-refreeze ridges that grab the rear wheel and sling it forward so ya gotta put down outriggers or go down, sometimes both.

Temps in 50s this week cleared it all off! Spring is in the air!
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1 month ago
Gregory GarceauTo Bill ShaneyfeltYeah, it's tough to ride on trails like that. Usually, MY Town does a pretty good job of plowing the trails within a few days of a snowstorm. On this particular ride, I found the sun and 40-degree temperatures did an even better job of clearing the trails than the plows.
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1 month ago
Bill ShaneyfeltTrail plows? You got trail plows???
All we have is crazy swerving ATV drivers and walkers that turn the snowpack into "ripio washboard!"
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1 month ago
Heart 5 Comment 0 Link
Rate this entry's writing Heart 14
Comment on this entry Comment 13
Nancy GrahamSkatin’ and walkin’ and divin’ and angel makin’ make you a busy biker man. Ride on.
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1 month ago
Bill ShaneyfeltThat' one sure way to skip rocks on water! :-)
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1 month ago
Gregory GarceauTo Bill ShaneyfeltI hate to brag, but I'm pretty good at skippin' rocks on liquid water too.
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1 month ago
Gregory GarceauTo Nancy GrahamDon't forget rock skippin' and actin' the fool.
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1 month ago
Bill ShaneyfeltTo Gregory GarceauYou really don't need to lie...
You don't hate to brag!!
:-)
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1 month ago
Gregory GarceauTo Bill ShaneyfeltIndeed, you've got me pegged. Bragging is a big part of my essence. That's why I write these journals.
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1 month ago
Bill ShaneyfeltTo Gregory GarceauAs a long time follower...

Grin!
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1 month ago
Steve Miller/GrampiesTo Gregory GarceauHey, if you've got it (or think you do) you might as well flaunt it.
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1 month ago
marilyn swettLooking forward to your always entertaining reads! But I'm sure happy to be able to spend the winters here in snow-free AZ (at least where we live!)
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3 weeks ago
Gregory GarceauTo marilyn swettThanks, Marilyn. So, I take it you live in Arizona full time now--except for when you're traveling in the Airstream. Do you ever miss Colorado?
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3 weeks ago
Rachael AndersonI’m glad to hear you’re planning another trip! I’m amazed you bicycle in such weather. I need the temperature to be 50 degrees or more and definitely not have ice or snow on the road.
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3 weeks ago
marilyn swettTo Gregory GarceauYes, I miss Colorado a bit but not enough to move back there! We enjoy living in AZ which is always surprising us and traveling in our Airstream during the summer. We've even gotten bit by the cruising bug and are doing 4 this year!!
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3 weeks ago
Gregory GarceauTo Rachael AndersonI've come to enjoy winter cycling, but just for an hour or so at a time. No 40-mile days when it's below zero, that's for sure.
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3 weeks ago