Lynette Knackstedt

I learned today that Lynette Knackstedt passed away Dec. 7, 2007. I was surfing youtube videos for old Skankin’ Pickle videos and came across a comment that said “RIP Lynette”. I was surprised by this and continued to do a google search where I learned that she had indeed passed away. The details aren't clear except that she passed away in her current bands recording space. She was 37 years old.

Lynette was the guitarist and back-up vocalist for the band Skankin' Pickle, and then went on to perform in 78 RPM.

I consider myself lucky that at one point in my life I could call Lynette a friend. Over the past 10 years our communication faded. Unfortunately this tends to happen when people move, bands break-up, relationships break-up and addresses and phone numbers change. Even so Lynette was one of those people who you never forgot. She had a way of making everyone around her laugh and want to spend time with her. She truly was a great lady. My life is richer knowing I got to share laughs with such an amazing person.

I don’t know what else to say. I have typed and erased a million different things, all I am left with is the world lost an amazing person, musician, and friend oh too soon.

Making a List, Checking it Twice

Since submitting my waiver, payment, and officially joining a team for RAGBRAI this week, I have been obsessed with what I will need to bring for 7 days of road bike riding and camping. All in one bag weighing less the 40 pounds. Nevermind, we won't learn until May if our team got in the lottery this year.

I maybe 4 months premature, but the thought of forgetting something haunts me..I do this in preparation of adventure trips. Thinking back to my trekking trip in Peru, I think I started the same process about the same amount of time before hand. (OCD? ME? na...) my list of what to bring is curretnly 4 pages long...

I know I'll need a huge ass duffel bag and multiple pairs of cycling shorts with ''bug cush'' chamois' and ultra comfy clothes for when I am not on the bike. It is the things I am not used to like camping with over 90 percent humidity in the air and 90+ degree days. We don't know humidity in Colorado. Lucky for me my childhood was filled with quite a few summers in Iowa, so I feel I have a slight advantage of knowing what to expect, although, the hot sticky nights, maybe I don't remember how hot and how sticky they were. How do I prepare for that? I wonder if a battery operated fan will fit in planned big ass duffel? At least I have time to think, plan, make my list, and most importantly ride my bike...

Tanya Update

It’s almost like I had a birthday and fell off the face of the earth…

I didn’t

Instead I have been playing and working a lot.

Playing in little forgotten, small ski resorts:



Like Ski Cooper. Outside of Leadville, Co. Where you can still buy a lift ticket at the local Safeway for $30 and ski all day making fresh tracks in powder until the last lift stops and you are unlucky enough to have to walk 15 feet from the base of the mountain to your car. E was lucky and had enough momentum to coast on his board to the car door. Showoff! Although I was able to display my snowboard/sledding skills in the parking lot, most people forget snowboards make great sleds.

Becoming an Official Jack Quinn’s Runner:




Last Tuesday I became an official member and was “shirted”—Ignore the bad picture and the weird spot on my cheek… That is a camera error of some sort. The twisted hair band…that is a Tanya error of some sort.

Spring has been teasing us here in Southern Colorado and the past couple weekends I have been back up hiking the incline trail and riding my beloved road bike. On one particular road bike ride E and I stopped in too see our friend John at Bicycle Experience and I ordered my new mountain bike.

I really wanted the woman’s version of this bike, and was sold on it until I test road it and finally came to the acceptance that I am not built like most woman, at least in the eyes of bicycle manufactures. I have long torso and short legs for my height, versus the stereotype that all women have long legs and shorter torsos.


Speaking of Bikes…I am working on the plans to ride in my first RAGBRAI this year. I am also recruiting any friends that would like to join our team. The bigger the team the more likely we are to get in. Yup, I plan to ride my bike across the state of Iowa in July with 10,000 of my closest friends. Wanna come?

This weekend I also learned an important lesson. I not able to drink like the rockstar I used to be any longer. At least I was a rockstar in my own mind. E and I went out with Matt and Jess for some sushi, sake, car bombs and then to see the Supersoakers and the Railbenders at the Black Sheep. Unfortunately the Sushi, Sake and other drinks did not mix well and I tested my bathroom floor as my bed that night. Not such a good idea. Needless to say didn’t feel so hot the next day. Note to self: Don’t do that again.