The lone biker
riding in edmonton, more riding, bikes, bike pictures, music, and stellar beer reviews
Monday, May 6, 2024
Not a Soul
Saturday, May 4, 2024
Beer Friday. Arcadia Brewing. Coliseum Blonde Ale
In light of the recent success of the local hockey squad I pulled out this gem from the archives. It's gonna be an interesting series for sure as its the Oilers playing the Vancouver Canucks which must have last happened in the 80's or maybe 90's.. Let me look that up. Booh ya. Im a hockey expert! It was 1992 so I had a good guess. Apparently we lost every game to Vancouver this year so who knows but we have that very fast guy.
I have been to the new hockey arena a few times for concerts and a game and it is very nice. There is nothing like the old Coliseum though and I remember going to countless games and the beer being hypnotic. It was something to do with the pipes they said. It is sad to ride by the old arena now as it is so forgotten, The hockey history in that building is insane.
So Arcadia brewing decided to salute the old barn with their Blonde ale and we are about to pour this bad bitch in the review lab. Arcadia brewing is in the Manchester Square part of Edmonton wherever the hell that is. Apparently they say it is the soul of Europe right in the middle of Edmonton so now I am very curious.
It poured a somewhat dirty golden beer that had an heir of smugness to it. Like it knew it was gonna be pretty great. Will see beer... Will see. I appropriately poured this into my #99 Wayne Gretzky beer mug and shed a tear in memory of Dave Semenko who was one of the coolest Oilers ever.
It had a nice earthy type of hop smell to it or at least thats what I want to think as allergies have me quite plugged up so who knows what it smells like, hell or even tastes like. So that being said lets get on with the beer review.
This one is quite great and I will be sad to see this one get empty. I had kinda hoped they would have tried to create that distinctive Coliseum beer taste but that wouldn't flow with a blonde ale. They did however pull off a nice Blonde Ale. It was nice and light after a massive barbecue was had in Lonebiker Junior Express's honour as she finished another year of college absolutely killing it.
It's a lightly hopped and malted beer and goes down nice and smooth to quote every 80's beer commercial ever made. It is very nice and easy so go out and find some.
This beer gets 3.5 suds out of 5.
Thursday, May 2, 2024
Le-Duck
An impromptu after work ride after I once again hid under my wife's skirt (ok now I'm sorry but was that sexist? I kinda thought it would be funny but I am now a somewhat older guy who can be a bit clueless.)
Hold on. I gotta Google if hiding under my wife's skirt is a sexist remark.
Well now.... Google says nothing but my Mom says it is but what does she know?
The whole remark concerns me wussing out again as the weather was quite fowl hence the underskirt hiding.
A ride happened in the usual Leduc area. It was fine but a bit too cold and windy and in the beginning I was a bit grumpy. I came to life before the loop around and decided to do the little extension to the cool airplane park which should be named after a former local air force hero.
It sounds boring but I am really digging that gravel bike and find it so much fun to ride. So in the end it was a great little rip.
Saturday, April 27, 2024
Hanger 11 Farewell Ride
Sunday, April 21, 2024
The Winds Blow in Alberta This Time of Year
Alberta is windy as fuck in April. Hence...you yourself may have complained about the insane wind we have been having lately. I have spouted off a few times to the fine looking Lonebiker sidepiece aka Mrs Lonbiker to which zero cares are given back. Like come on man... "you are the one that chooses to ride out there" she says. I guess but could it not be so windy?
Wind has never been much of an issue as most of the riding is in enclosed sheltered trees. The gravel bike has introduced me to wind and this year has been a bit rough but manageable with no wide open headwinds on long straight aways. I can see how that happens with this kind of bike and today it took me a bit to get going as every time I stepped out of the car the heavy winds made me tuck my tail and sit in my car and contemplate life...
So after I sucked it up I started the ride at the dog walk outside legends golf course somewhere in Strathcona county which takes you to Fort Saskatchewan.
Usually a damn good ride and today easily topped yesterday as I hit Fort Saskatchewan and rode the easy part of the loop singletrack looping back to the car.
Singletrack is not easy on a gravel bike. My forearms were killing me after that little bit from holding on and using the brakes. It was still cool and gave a whole new experience on these trails and now am wondering if an end to end run from Turner park would happen soon.
The wind was never an issue and it was in my favour along my way back through some wide open fields.
This almost didn't happen which would have been a shame as it was quite fine overall. That dang gravel bike is too much fun.
Saturday, April 20, 2024
Ken Discovers AI Imagery and Goes for a Ride
Yes I discovered and quickly fell in love with artificial intelligence imagery and this was the first picture I made and as you can see.
It's a fuckin masterpiece.
I typed a demon wearing diapers chasing a mountain biker and voila! It is a bit creepy to be honest and I may now have weird dreams for the next four and a half months so thanks for nothing AI.
The ride with real pictures below took place from Strathcona High School where I rode through Old Strathcona and found the High Level and crossed thee almighty High Level Bridge (I saluted the whole length) because hot damn! What an epic bridge!
I rode the LRT trail and was amazed at how cleaned up it was compared to my last roll through where the homeless were out of control. I knew the city did a big clean up so that must have been one of the areas. A few tents were in the area though still.
I crossed through Rundle and rode out into Capilano. I tried to find my way back to Strathcona High School avoiding every busy like road I could and found bike lanes and back alleys or many residential streets and soon found the Old Strathcona infamous bike lane and made it for home.
An odd ride as I wasn't really into it one bit at any point.
Whats going on in the background? Is it other demons carrying mountain bikers away? I'm that much more creeped out now.
And is he wearing a speedo? Come on AI. Get your shit together.
Friday, April 19, 2024
Beer Friday. Annex Ale project. Evolution Revolution
Yes the weather won, And yes I have been a bit of a chump as of late due to the weather but I don't care. A seemingly ok start to the newfound riding schedule which has been hampered by weather and my weak inner soul.
Not a Soul
*this song should be in everyones wet weather riding playlist Not a soul on the trail the entire way around Telford on yet another impromptu...
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It was a productive day as the orange Winter wonder bike was put back together with new pedals and a brake bleed where it was successfully d...
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I know every car guy has that one car that car that drives them crazy with feelings of lust. In some cases extreme feelings. They would give...
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A short and quick ride to Terwillegar was made today because I had matters to take care of afterwards. The trip out was made all to see ...