Lightly used Kurt Kinetic bicycle trainer with front tire block. It’s been taking up space in the basement for a few years now and probably has less than a hundred miles of use. Perfect opportunity for someone else to have a low-cost way to stay busy this winter! Available for in-person pick-up in south metro, cash only. $150 or best offer. Please email with any questions.

UPDATE (10/28/2011): Sold – thanks again for the interest.

The Lebanon Hills Regional Park borders Eagan and Apple Valley and contains a really fun series of mountain bike trails.

I think my bike is a little too small, but I got it as a free credit card points reward way back when. It will have to do for now, but I may invest in a pair of $35 riding gloves at some point.

Last night was my third time on the trails and I like it more and more each time. I love that it’s so close, has great scenery and variety, isn’t too difficult for a beginner like me and (probably best of all) is free.

The parking lot is almost always full of cars, but I never see too many people on the trail itself. Since it’s around six miles all in the same direction, I can see where that would happen, though. The only thing missing is a drinking fountain in the parking lot.

Way to go Dakota County!

I used to bet on the horses a lot during my high school and college days – handicapping has a lot of appeal to people who like math and numbers. Never was really very good at it, but I have a lot of theories to use to help me place bets.

Before leaving home, I printed out the jockey and trainer stats for the current meet, along with the Daily Racing Form’s listings for the night. My biggest strategy to making picks is to look at which horses have the best jockeys and trainers. I placed about $45 in bets and left with about $110, so it was a good night for gambling.

It was also fun spending time with our group of friends. We love our kids, but you really need to get away every once and a while. Happy birthday to Gina and thanks for the invitation. Oh, and where are we runnin’?

I knew things were bad across the river compared to the Wild, but wow. I sort of felt the same way I did when going to Circuit City just before they shut down. Attendance was supposedly 13,119, but I’d be surprised if there were half that many in the building.

The Wolves lost their 11th straight home game 110-99 to the Washington Wizards, a team that ranks lower than Minnesota in the standings and lacks any big-name stars. I felt sorry for the guys trying to sell season tickets after the game – even at $5 per game, that’s a hard job…