The Wall Street Journal recently ran a story 'Rise of the five-figure bicycle.' The story led with mention of a Ted Perry, who dipped into his 401(k) to buy a $20,000 bicycle. Perry said, "Once you buy it and ride it, it becomes an extension of you, almost." I'd argue that with my three-figure bike and its one gear, no shifting, no coasting and no nonsense, there's also no 'almost.' It's cycling at its most pure. And it leaves me plenty left over for post-ride ice cream, without dipping into retirement. Silly Wall Street Journal. Silly Ted Perry.

Weekly activity log:

Swim: 0 (ytd 137,200 yds.)

Bike: 0 (ytd 2,485 mi.)

Run: 32 miles (ytd 1,122 mi.)

Photo: 12-mile run, 7:00 a.m., 55 degrees, Linn County, Iowa

Weekly activity log:

Swim: 0 (ytd 137,200 yds.)

Bike: 0 (ytd 2,485 mi.)

Run: 34 miles (ytd 1,090 mi.)

…must be marathon season. Or time for socks.

Photo: 20-mile run, 6:30 a.m., 40 degrees, Linn County, Iowa

Weekly activity log:
Swim: 0 (ytd 137,200 yds.)
Bike: 0 (ytd 2,485 mi.)
Run: 49 miles (ytd 1,056 mi.)

…they say it's not worth getting up at dawn to run 20.

Photo: 5-mile run, 32-mile ride, 9:00 a.m., 70 degrees, Linn County, Iowa

Weekly activity log:
Swim: 0 (ytd 137,200 yds.)
Bike: 54 (ytd 2,485 mi.)
Run: 39 miles (ytd 1,007 mi.)

Chasing the pot of gold…both of them.

Photo: 5-mile run, 6:30 p.m., 75 degrees, Marion, Iowa

Weekly activity log:
Swim: 0 (ytd 137,200 yds.)
Bike: 0 (ytd 2,431 mi.)
Run: 45 miles (ytd 968 mi.)