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All images property of Gnat Productions.  All rights reserved.   If you wish to post an image found here on your blog or website, please give full credit to Gnat and please link to www.gnatlikes.com.   To contact Gnat about purchasing any of the image(s) found on these pages, please click on the "ABOUT GNAT" page and use the submission form.   Thank you.  

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Thursday
Sep022010

Important Changes & Guest Contributor

DateThursday, September 2, 2010 at 4:00AM Comment3 Comments

Hey folks, just want to let folks know that I will be making some changes in the coming days.   I'm thinking starting next Tuesday if I can get it all done in time.   I figure I have a little extra time.  

The first big change is that I will be moving back to Wordpress.  It will be a new site with a new name.  I will be moving over my content from here and rearranging it.   Why am I doing this?   The number 1 reason is SPAM control.  This site has become over run with spam comments and it does not have a good enough filter.   I am also looking for more features and options and Wordpress has a lot more functionality and programability.  

The second big change is that I also will have a new domain name that is more appropriate to what this blog really is, a photo cycling journal.

The final big change is that I will be moving to a sort of scheduled blog posting of 3 times per week.   Occassionaly after a big trip or something, I may write more, but my goal will be 3 times per week.    I'd also like to get some guest bloggers and/or contributors.    

So...With that I leave you with my first guest blog photo sent to me by Jim Sayer, the Executive Director of Adventure Cycling Association.  He just rode down the Pacific Coast with his wife and twin daughters.   He rode a Salsa Vaya and shot these photos in Oregon.   Thanks Jim for sending those my way.   

Photo credit - Jim Sayer

Check out his Vaya with Burly trailer in the back ground.    Jim, you are an inspiration.   

Late morning edit - I figured out a new way to ban IP's and some specific SPAM from this site.   Yeah!  I will see how it goes this week.

 

AuthorGnat |
Wednesday
Sep012010

Heading out

DateWednesday, September 1, 2010 at 4:00AM Comment2 Comments

While I have been away doing mostly other non bike things, there has still been a lot of bike stuff going on.   I'm 2 bikes into my 3 new bike build, OK one is only a rebuild but it is almost a complete build.   To follow up on yesterday's post, I still am not sleeping but I need to ride so I am headed out for a ride in the country.  I just need to install my Revelate frame bag and then I'm headed to my favorite gravel and dirt roads in the county.   I'm taking my Fargo and my camera.  I suspect I'll come home muddy as it looked like this area got hit last night with rain.  I need it.  I can't wait.  

Also, last evening, I received a comment from a reader suggesting I move to a Monday, Wednesday & Friday posting.   In all honesty, I've been thinking about that for a long time.   I've talked with some of my friends about it too.   I do think it would help.  But....It still doesn't make the thoughts go away in my head.    Writing stuff down here and sharing it has a soothing effect on me.  It's almost like my brain is full and then I write and it is empty.   I do think it is the right thing to do, but I just haven't been able to do it.    It's also really hard for me after a big trip last week because I have so much to share.    Regardless of when/how I get to it, I sure appreciate the suggestion.    

Today I suspect that my work will increase due to some Eurobike news & action.  We shall see....

Have a great day folks.

 

AuthorGnat |
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Tuesday
Aug312010

Thoughts about my future

DateTuesday, August 31, 2010 at 4:00AM Comment10 Comments

Whenever I travel I think a lot about my life and my choices.  I think about what and who I want to be.   When we travel together as a family, it is the same and every road trip has meaningful conversation.   I've written this before and it probably isn't news or all that interesting.    However, it is fresh in my mind and I need to write it down to process and to make certain declarations.  

Whenever I, or we, travel, I like to see what is out there?!   It's a big and beautiful world we live in.   If you don't look, you don't know.   Don't sit back and let others explore the world.  Do it yourself.   It's an amazing world we live in and it is filled with amazing people and places.    

I also like to take time to reflect on the past.   What's gone well and where I've gotten off track?   Right now, for me, things are changing in my world and I need to make some changes along with it.   My kids are growing up.   School and schedules are changing.   I'm staying up later and later and still getting up early.   Something has to give.  In my case, it is my weight and my health.   Sure I've been riding a fair amount this year, but I've grown tired and when I'm tired I eat.   Sometimes it takes putting it all down, walking away and being with the people you love to be able to see it.   Thankfully, I've not gone too far.  I just need to get back on track.  I need to go to bed at night.  I need to come to grips and deal with my sleep disorder.  I need to ride my bike in the mornings instead of sit behind my computer.    I need to do the things that impacted my life so powerfully just a couple of short years ago.  

I also like to take time to think big.   Not too long ago, my daughter asked me "What is my dream job?".  This is part of a question book that we use at the dinner table at night.   I sort of laughed because frankly, I am pretty much living it.   I want to keep doing what I am doing, travel the world, take pictures AND I want to take my family with me.   I've been doing a lot of solo stuff and I need to change that.   Given the fact that I've got commitments through October and a tentative trip to Asia later this year, it won't change right away but we've hatched a trip to a far away place that will include all the things I love; family, adventure, bikes (my Fargo), and photography...There will be some official work in there too.  

It was a really great trip that filled me with hope and enthusiasm.  We've got plans and a tentative destination.  I can see, feel and taste it.   Time to get busy and make it happen.   

AuthorGnat |
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Monday
Aug302010

Up North & Unplugged

DateMonday, August 30, 2010 at 4:00AM Comment8 Comments

Wow time flies! I can't believe my sabatical is over. For those of you coming here today looking for a big post with a lot of writing, you'll have to come back later. I got in last night and downloaded almost 1000 images. Thanks to all of you for the kind words, emails and notes wishing me well during this time. It was a special time for me and my family. We went north, I mean way north, for some time in the woods. We left with food, a desitination and gear. Our home for most of the week was a primitive cabin in the north woods. No electricity. No running water. No internet. No cell phone coverage. In short, it was amazing and better than I imagined when my awesome wife booked this trip. We came home a closer family. I'd be lying if I didn't say I came home with some new thoughts, new goals and a new perspective. However, it will take me a bit to process all this. So instead of words, I'll share just a handful of images from last week. Hope you enjoy. A view of West Bearskin Lake Our private little beach view on East Bearskin Lake N & N tearing up the north woods gravel An early morning reflection on East Bearskin Lake Magnetic Rock Trail - (The start of the Border Trail and site of the severe forsest fires a few years back) N & N exploring XC Ski Trail at Bearskin Lodge Split Rock Lighthouse Our first sunset on the Gunflint Trail

As you can see, we did and saw a lot. Honestly, just skimming photos last night I could have posted a couple of hundred here. I can't wait to dig into the images, process them and put words to them. Should be a fun week to share with all of you. Enjoy your week and thanks again for coming back after my week away.

Ps. For all of you that have sent me emails that requested a response of some sort, I will get to them starting tonight. Thanks for your email and your patience.

AuthorGnat |
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Friday
Aug202010

Photo Friday - Soothing Sunrise

DateFriday, August 20, 2010 at 4:00AM Comment4 Comments

It's been a while since I posted one of my morning  sunrise shots.   I've said it before, but for me there is no better time than the early morning to be out and about.   This particular sunrise is one of more impressive I've witnessed this year.   Simply stunning and peaceful.  It has such a soothing feeling to it.  It's perfect for what I've been feeling this week.   I just stopped, set my bike down and took it all in.  

Speaking of putting some stuff down, I'm also announcing today that I'm taking a sabatical from blogging next week.   I've never done this.   I'm taking some time away to think, process and plan.   I'll be back in full force again a week from Monday.

Hope your week has been great and that today is even better!   

Ride your bike!   Take some pictures!  

 

AuthorGnat |
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