Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Frosted Donuts

Anyone who knows me knows my penchant for junk food. It seems that I eat all of the time! If there was any justice in the world I would weigh 300 pounds, and my wife would cook all kinds of delicious, wholesome food. Thank heavens for small miracles!
It was a blessing when I heard that there was going to be a Dunkin Donuts opening in Ames. The rumors and speculation started swirling around about two and a half years ago, then an official announcement, opening date, and actual OPENING! I thought I would be there all of the time. Every day off (Tuesdays) and any chance to "happen to be going past there" would be a great reason to indulge in their particular brand of magic. It's a nice 20 mile ride each way, and about 75% gravel, so I thought I would be there frequently, but have actually only been in 3 times.
Today, however, I had some donuts in Ames, riding my bike the whole time, and didn't injest a single calorie! I rode my Ralph fat bike down Squaw Creek, and the 1/2 inch of snow we received Monday morning had created the perfect storm of ice and traction. This creek is dry as a bone right now, with the exception of a few pockets of water that naturally stay in any water way. At the confluence of the Squaw and the Skunk River, however, there is a small body of water that still flows. This has mostly turned to ice with a little snow on top. In a five mile stretch of creek I came across this 30 X 50 foot area that looked perfect, so I made my own donuts! You have no idea, unless you have turned donuts for yourself, just how much fun this is! Just stand on the pedals, weight the front wheel with about 70% of your weight, and start the rear wheel spinning. The trick, besides the balance part, is when the donut is half turned and the front wheel wants to flop in the other direction. You have to keep the counter steering locked and pedal through this part, but the front wheel wants to pop and slide out from under you. If you look carefully at the dark tracks (Rear wheel) you can see where I had one almost turned and then swung around at the moment of truth and started turning one in the opposite direction! It was so much silly fun I couldn't stand it! I crashed a few times and lay there laughing at the whole crazy thing. A guy in a garbage truck was driving over the bridge near bye and honked in approval. Or maybe he just likes donuts. Later!


                                                     Straight line donuts, "Long Johns"


                                              Donuts with sprinkles, "Frosted Donuts"


                                        The tires even look like donuts. Ralph loves 'em!