Tuesday, December 31, 2024



 

 December 27th is usually very cold, snowy or both around these parts. But today it was so nice, 50° plus and a light wind, I was able to do a 40 miler. At the end of December in central Illinois it is very unusual but I'll take it. My winter biking usually occurs when I go to Florida but if this continues I may have to forego my Florida trips. Yeah right not going to happen.

Tuesday, December 17, 2024


 

Update- All rides now are on my trainer in the basement.  Unfortunately, as I get older, many of the joint problems that were incurred at a younger age are now catching up with me.  While the replaced knee is not a problem, the hip that was broken and repaired with screws, is now acting up on me.  The nonsurgical  shoulder is having attacks which are quite painful.  I suspect it's arthritis but it has not been diagnosed as such.  This is the same shoulder I have had two shots in and the last one didn't last long.  Afraid to have it checked because I know a shoulder replacement is forthcoming. These afflictions are currently being controlled with doses of Tylonal. So, I will continue as long as I possibly can until I can no longer endure the pain. Then I will take the appropriate steps.   Hopefully, my next big cycling adventure will be my annual trek to Key West.  Doing the Marathon to Key West 50 miler is still on my agenda so let's hope it happens.  Enough of my whining and complaining.  Stay tuned.

Tuesday, November 26, 2024



 

 Been awhile since last post.  Most outside riding days are over.  I did do a ride to LeRoy last week as the temp was in the low 60's and the wind was a brisk 15=20 mph from the WSW.  While improvements have been made to the roads into Downs, the shoulders still have those bothersome rumble strips in the middle meaning riding in the road is a must.  Autos are somewhat displeased but other than a few blares of the horn, most give me what the law requires....a three foot clearance.  As stated in previous posts, route 150 from Downs to LeRoy is in need of resurfacing.  Very bumpy and uncomfortable riding this stretch.  But, it's been like this for years and the state doesn't seem to notice or for that matter care.  On another note, friend Larry who lives in Colorado has recently undergone should surgery.  His doctors informed him he was not allowed to bicycle on a regular bike and he has been biking for decades.  I think it is more of a suggestion rather than, "not allowed". To resolve his dilemma, he purchased a three wheeled trike.  Were it me, I might have considered an e-trike.  He will need to adjust his riding style but I'm sure he will be back at it in short order.   Therefore, as a conclusion, it looks like I'm back on the trainer watching re-runs of Rockford files. 

Sunday, November 3, 2024


Dry, Dry, Dry.  Biking in ultra dry conditions often involves traversing "dust outs" where visibility is severely limited.  As the farmers are harvesting their crops and preparing the land for the next planting season, extremely dry weather causes these conditions.  But, the good news is they don't last long and riding a bike on days like these is quite enjoyable.  Last week, a high school friend was in the area and contacted me.  We met for lunch and during the course of conversation he inquired if I ever road route 89 north.  I informed him I ride that route often, especially if it is quite windy from the SW.  Don indicated that his early ancestors grew up in Magnolia, has a family Roberts cemetery with a house built in the early 1800's and asked if I knew the area.  Of course, I am quite familiar with this small berg.  It is actually 35 miles from my front door resplendent with long flat areas combined with very hilly terrain. That doesn't even take in the number of semis that have numbered as high as 30 total.   All in all a fun and diverse ride.  After lunch we said our goodbyes so he and his girlfriend returned to the home.  The next day, as fate would have it, the temperature was to be in the high 70's with a SW wind of 20+ mph.  Yep, I road to Magnolia, (should have continued to Spring Valley for a 59 miler).   I thought how ironic the day after my interaction with Don I would be biking through the area of his ancestors as we discussed.  Sent him the above picture and once again another exciting adventure biking in central Illinois.

Sunday, October 20, 2024

                      My new biking buddy.  He couldn't ride today as he had to keep an eye on the worms
 

Busy, busy, busy.  In addition to the grand parenting duties in Glen Ellyn and sons birthday in Carbondale, my outside rides have been drastically reduced.  Also, it was a windy week so the bulk of my rides were inside.  The good news is that today was a perfect biking day.  Temperature ranged in the mid 70's with a little wind at 10 miles per hour.  Eureka lake was my destination as the lovely Veronica suggested we dine on sandwiches and drink.  As is the nature of things, after a photo op from the above pic, I began my trek back to Washington.  At the east end of the lake is a sharp but short climb.  I usually get up to  speed to traverse the climb.   Everything was going to according to plan but I spied our van stopped at the corner before the climb.  I was wondering why  Veronica stopped so I attempted to pass her.  Just as I began to pass, she began making a right turn into my path.  Wouldn't it be interesting to have my third hit by vehicle be from my own wife.  Luckily she heard me yell and stopped the turn.  Asked why she was there she said she wondered what was taking me so long to catch up.  How ironic that if she hits me, our friends would contend she did it intentionally and they would have no problem with that.  Ha, Ha.  The house that has the worm sales were having a family gathering in their driveway and I had a quick conversation about the worm business with the wife which is why I was delayed.  She asked if I would post the above pic on their website so I did.  Anyway, another great day to ride bike in central Illinois.

Thursday, October 3, 2024

 

 

 

 


 

Interesting ride of 55 miles yesterday.  Wind was favorable, temperature low 70's and a beautiful day for biking in central Illinois.  As usual, with a NNW wind of 15-20 mph and I want to do an outside ride, I decided, on the spur of the moment, to ride to LeRoy.  I use route 150 which includes several climbs and a 45 mph downhill known as "Freddies Hill".  Things were going well until I passed Downs.  A wide load semi began passing me.  I'm on the far right shoulder as far to the outside as is safe, and, as the vehicle passes I see it is taking the entire roadway including on-coming lanes.  As it passes, and unfortunately I had not turned on my camera, it misses me by less that a foot and, to make matters worse, blared its horn as it went by.  Of course, I gave the driver the "one fingered salute".  My thinking was, where was I supposed to go to avoid this jerk.  Maybe, he thought I should ride into the corn field near the road.  Continuing along the highway, it wasn't long before his buddy in another "wide load" taking up the entire road passed. It too came as close as it could and barely missed hitting me. The trailing vehicle blared it's horn as it passed.  Again, I indicated my displeasure by giving him the finger.  Afterward, I thought if I really wanted to piss them off, I could have taken the entire half of the highway which is my legal right. In addition, they are required, by law, to pass me by three feet.  My many, many miles riding the highways and byways of this country were fraught with near misses and twice actually being hit by motor vehicles. While I rant about this I do recognize this is part of biking and there is nothing I can do about it unless I stop biking.  Of course, I won't do that and hope my demise will not be by some ignorant motorist who is a hater.  Enough and stay tuned.

Tuesday, September 24, 2024

 The seasons "they are a changin'".  Ninety degrees most of last week allowed many miles outside on the bike.  This week looks much cooler but rainy.  Going to bike as long as the joints, other body parts allow and the weather allows.  Long distance rides (50+) probably are finished until next spring.  But we will see.  On another note, and of a political nature, this is going to be a very interesting election.  Hopefully, the result will not affect my ability to ride a bicycle.  But, who knows.  More later.