My husband and I have a weekend vacation planned to travel to Sparta, Wi and bike the Elroy-Sparta State trail. This trail is considered the first rail-to-trail in the world, and it’s considered Wisconsin’s best rail trail! We wanted to go on a vacation before school started but COVID-19 has made us leery about travelingContinue reading “Weekend Vacation: Biking the Elroy-Sparta State Trail”
Author Archives: AshleyM
Using Exercise To Cope
My grandma passed away on Friday morning. She’s the one who I spoke about in my post about writing and storytelling (“So You Wanna Be An Author”). Her passing was expected but it doesn’t lessen the pain and the grief. My sister and I went on a leisurely (ok … semi-leisurely) 16.5 mile bike rideContinue reading “Using Exercise To Cope”
Should We Kill The Author?
Over the past few years, many troubling truths have surfaced in Hollywood and in the literary world about media that I either consume(d) or held near and dear to my heart. As a child, I admired Bill Cosby. Mom and I bonded over his family friendly comedy. As a teenager and college-aged woman, I religiouslyContinue reading “Should We Kill The Author?”
July Mini Biking Update
I’m working on a longer post about non-biking stuff, but I wanted to leave a quick biking update now that July is almost over. Overarching Goal: Bike 2,100 miles by December 31st 2020 Current Progress: 790 miles out of 2,100 Optional Goals: Bike from St. Croix Falls, Wi to Siren, Wi (one way) Bike fromContinue reading “July Mini Biking Update”
Bike Touring in Maple Grove, MN
The Elm Creek Park Reserve is a biking paradise unto nothing I have ever encountered before. The bike path is well-paved and clearly marked. The trail features rolling hills and twisty turns that make riding feel exciting and like a proper adventure, and the mixture of wetlands/marshland, suburbia, scenic creeks, rivers, and lakes, make bikingContinue reading “Bike Touring in Maple Grove, MN”
It’s Nice To Slow Down and Smell the Roses
After my 50 mile soul-transforming odyssey last Monday, I decided to take all of Tuesday to rest and relax. By Wednesday, I was back on my bike and I did a cool 10 mile tour around St. Croix Falls. I’ve been so focused on speed and distance because I have a distance-based goal, but IContinue reading “It’s Nice To Slow Down and Smell the Roses”
Doubt Comes In (But I Beat It)
I accomplished another biking milestone! I completed my first Imperial half-century (50miles) on the Hardwood Creek/Sunrise Prairie Rail Trail. I started in Hugo, MN and turned around in North Branch, MN which is the half-way marker and the natural end of these rail trails. I initially planned to do this feat today (Tuesday) because theContinue reading “Doubt Comes In (But I Beat It)”
Virtual Cross Country Expedition Pt. 1 (The First 700 miles)
On yesterday’s ride, I crossed the threshold for 700 miles biked in 2020. When I first set the goal of biking “cross country” in a metaphorical/virtual sense, I arbitrarily chose a number I thought was reasonable. At its core, the intent of this goal was to simulate the distance I’d bike if I were toContinue reading “Virtual Cross Country Expedition Pt. 1 (The First 700 miles)”
Depression Is A Disease Of Perspective
Earlier this week, I was watching a video game critic’s deep-dive analysis of The Last of Us Part II. For the non-gamers of the world, The Last of Us is a two-part video game series created by the publishing company Naughty Dog. It’s part shooter, part survival horror, and part grim post-apocalyptic role playing gameContinue reading “Depression Is A Disease Of Perspective”
A Metric Half-Century and An Obsession With Broadway
A month ago, I tried to tackle a metric half-century (50k) but I miscalculated the imperial distance needed and I actually went 49K which is close but not enough. So today was the day for redemption. The temperature was pretty pleasant and the wind was 5-10mph coming out of the North so I’d only haveContinue reading “A Metric Half-Century and An Obsession With Broadway”
Couch to 29K: A Health and Fitness Journey 