Here it is middle of April and my outdoor biking is at a minimum. A few 35 mile rides to Magnolia when the wind is right is about all I have accomplished.  Mostly biking on the trainer in the basement but looking forward to warmer less windy weather.  On another more positive note, many of the 09  cross country rides are inquiring into a reunion.  I think that would be great as I would love to get together again with that group.  I offered my help if anyone wanted to undergo the task of putting it together.  My first suggestion would be the meet wound be in Chicago.  It is centrally located as the riders came from all sectors of the country.  Hopefully that will come to being but I suggest I will be the one that will do the major logistic work it involves.  But I think I would up to the task.  Stay tuned!! 

 

Wow, time really does fly.  Update--my two favorite people when visiting Florida have now passed.  Two rides with Fred and Sue from Key Largo to Key West among numerous other visits always hi-lite our visits to that state.  Fred died four year ago and now his beautiful wife passed last Saturday.  Waiting for the announcement for Sue's funeral arrangements as Ronni and I will be going to Florida when we know for sure.  In the current environment, deciding whether to fly or drive is still up for discussion. With Trumps war, the cost of gasoline is over $4.25 per gallon.  Flights have increased 20% so either way will be expensive.  Going nevertheless!!  

Now for biking news.  While I am doing most of my biking on my trainer inside, I rode another 35 miler to Magnolia as the outdoor weather was conducive to achieve this distance .  I always start out with doubts that I can navigate over the 10% plus grades but am still able to do so.  Given that my repaired knee now has good days and not so good days, my goal for biking this year will be to do a century to Champaign.  Time and conditions will tell!!  Stayed tuned

 

Here it is the first week of March.  The weather is getting very spring like but the opportunity to bike outside is still on hold.  LIke today0, it was near 70 degrees but the wind was from the SW at 15-20 mph.  Typically I would take a journey to Magnollia.. But last  Wednesday I made that trek and I don't necessarily want to overdue it since I am required to share the road with semis on state route 89.  With lesser winds riding my usual country roads I rarely encounter the big semis unless it is the grain trucks during harvest season.  As a tribute to last season, I was unable to do my normal century to Champaign.  I will try again this year but we will see.  As I am getting older and the "new" knee ages it now has moments that reminds me of the knee before replacement.   Hopefully, I will be able to work out the kinks and return to pain free biking.  Time will tell.  Getting old is a bitch!!  Looking forward to more outdoor biking. Later!!

 

Mid February and the weather here in central Illinois, for the last three days, is in record territory....mid 60's.  However, since I am recovering from a nasty cold, I have been unable to take advantage of outdoor biking.  So, tomorrow with the temp to reach high 60's I will make a trek to Magnolia.  While it's a mere 35 miles, at least it's an outdoor ride in February, a feat rarely accomplished.  I will take it and while it may be a result of global warming I will do my best to take advantage of it. Now, here is the big question, will I be able to complete a ride with all the hills and valleys or will I give up because at my age it may be too hard.  Time will tell!!

Well it finally came about.  Yesterday, at my advanced age, I rode my bicycle from Marathon Florida to Key West a total of 50 miles across the notorious 7 mile bridge. While I have done this many times in the past, I was unable to do so last year. Why? Kudos to the Florida Department of Transportation. Many of my biking friends will recall last year I refused to ride across 7 mile bridge, one of the most dangerous bridges in America, because of the massive amount of debris (twisted iron rods, bunji cords, nails, old tires broken glass bottles and an assortment of other items) on what is a relatively narrow shoulder. I said at that time, "I might be ignorant but I'm not stupid. You can't fix stupid". Yesterday I checked the route and it was relatively pristine. Here's the good news. The FDT must have been responsible for clearing the shoulder. Additionally, none of the drivers cursed me, at least I couldn't hear) and no one attempted to run me off the road. All in all a great day to ride a bicycle in the sunny 78 degree weather in the Florida Keys in January

 

So, here is the plan.  Fly into Key West, get my bike from Eaton Bike Shop, pack it into the rental car and drive to Marathon about an hour east.  Next morning, do breakfast then Ronni drives to our cottage in Key West and I bike the 50 miles back.  However, wind direction is not the most desirable but it is doable.  Plan B.  Stay in Key West until Wednesday, then drive to Marathon with bike.  Ronni drives back and I bike back.  The wind direction on that day is perfect and the weather will be in the mid 70's.   Plan C.  Don't bike at all and spend all of our time on the beach and in the bars.  Ha!  

 Close, close, so very close.  The temperature has hit the magic 60 mark on Dec. 28.  Planned for a 50 miler to Spring Valley as the wind was supposed to be between 15 and 20 mph from the SW.  Perfect outdoor biking conditions.  Now the problem.  Heavy rains from 5:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m.  Then, another round of heavy rains at 2:00 p.m.  There would be a small window of biking opportunity that would allow me my annual outdoor December jaunt.  Having checked the last three years is appears the 27th and 28th I initiated a long outdoor ride.  So, as I began my preparation I assumed the weather channel would be somewhat accurate.  Not so fast buster.  At 11:30 it was still drizzling.  To get a proper ride I needed three hours and it looked like it wasn't enough time unless I wanted to ride in a deluge! Once again I was relegated to my trainer in the basement.  Sure enough the rain subsided by noon but by two the torrents of rain arrived.  Close, so very close.  Missed opportunity so maybe one later.  Nevertheless, my Florida trip will include biking every day with the 7 mile bridge on the horizon.  Stay tuned