"Well, we're fully into the new year." "Like I needed YOU to tell me that." "Sorry ..." "What?!" "Oh ... I thought you were sleeping." "Shut up, freak!" "Uh, was I talking again?" Now, new year's reflection may seem a bit long in the tooth at this point in January, but it is warranted. The dawn of the year means something special in the Great White North surrounding Surlyville. Sure, the days begin to stay lighter longer and, believe it or not, it actually feels like winter is going to end in the not-so-distant future. The days just drip with wonderful potential as ice melts a bit each afternoon. After all, spring is right around the corner, eh? Yeah, right. The special something I'm specifically referring to is far more significant than weather. After the calendar adds a fresh numeral the per annum assortment of party rides is reset and we get to start counting all over again. You have to seize these opportunities by their collars and rough 'em up accordingly. You see, the seasons, they'll keep on a-changin' and there's nothing you can do about that; but that next party ride, it could be your last chance, or your last -- period. Who can ever know? Now the pagans, they had a different set of chronological references. It is even conjectured that the most inebriated among them cared nothing for the new year at all. For those hearty bastards the party rides had no beginning and no end. Winter, summer? Who cares? Lucky souls. The weaker and less reformed among us look to mile markers along the path -- faint etchings, faded photos, tattered tighty-whities. Enough of the dubious fanfare! I present the jolly good news of the First Annual Hiawatha Cyclery Pub Crawl. Check it out. There's even a map. The HC folks, they're good people. Locally owned with loco operators, they sell good gear and aren't afraid to tell it how it is, or perhaps how it should be. Like most of you, dear readers, they get the fact that the bicycle is not only a practical transportation machine, but it's a social engine as well. After all, aren't some of the best friends you've ever made also fellow cyclists? I'll drink to that. Now what the hell does a Minnesota winter pub crawl by bicycle have to do with god-less debauchers who can't remember what month it is? Ha! Funny you should ask. I will tell you I looked deep into the sordid details of this ominous affair and made a startling discovery. The HC Pub Crawl is no less than a preamble to the real pagan kickoff to 2009 -- the Lunar New Year. That's right, the event goes down on Lunar New Year's Eve. That's this Sunday, January 25th, folks. Saddle up yer steed and put on yer layers, because Jim and the crew will be lucky if the mercury cracks the positive side of the dial by the start of the ride at noon. Soon after the first stop at the Bulldog Nordeast, however, the antifreeze will kick in and there's no lookin' back. Just don't count on the moon to light your way home. Have one on me. Sir Fleck is off to the Kingdom of the United for a generous helping of fish and chips and some English lessons. Trip report pending successful debriefing at Scotland Yard. Tootles! -----

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