Back to reality

granddaughter and us at disneyworld

Bike rental shop outside Key West.  Would never rent from a place with wrecked bikes out front

Preparing to leave for ride

                                                                         Family at DisneyWorld

 Just finished our annual Florida trip. First week was a fantastic time with Christopher, Annie and granddaughter Ruthie...her first time at DisneyWorld. It was a joy watching her reactions to the whole experience. After they went home and after a brief visit with our good friend Sue, Ronni and I made our way to Key West. Our entire visit the weather was perfect... Mid 80's, mild humidity and no rain, or hurricanes. Really glad about the no hurricane thing. Anyway, enjoy the pics.  Earlier this week I intended to ride across 7 mile bridge but decided to not do so. The amount of debris is unbelievable. Driving across on our way to Key West I noticed iron bars, large strips of aluminum, large 2x4s, glass, rubber tire remains and so much more that common sense overcame stupidity. Maybe next year.

How true

The time is near.....outdoor biking in the Florida Keys.  The first week will be near the Orlando area in a place called DisneyWorld.  Taking the oldest son, his wife and our wonderful granddaughter, we are all excited about the visit to the "Happiest Place on Earth". The next week Ronni and I will be in Key West on our annual trek to that area.  For the first time I will only have a two day window for biking.  Marathon to Key West via 7 mile bridge is only an option if the weather and winds are favorable.  But, can't wait as that is currently my favorite distance ride.   The shot in my hip and accompanying anti-arthritic drugs will allow for a comfortable riding experience.  Unfortunately, I see a hip replacement in the future and that will dictate my continued biking.  Time will tell.  Stay tuned for photos and descriptions.

                                     Ha, Ha.  Thought I would re-post this during the winter

Back to the basement on the trainer.  Getting very BORING watching Game Show network and Comedy Central!!  Preparing for a biking experience once again in the Florida Keys with the big 50 miler from Marathon to Key West.  Have not reserved a bike yet because our stay in the Keys is limited this year as we are taking little Ruthie and her parents to Disney World for the first week.  Five days in Key West without staying at the little cottage we used the past three years will reduce my time I regularly spend on biking.  The possibility still exists and I would be vastly disappointed if I could not do the 7 mile bridge but with the time restraints we will see.  After a shot in the hip that contains 3 screws and the resulting arthritis. the leg is feeling much better.  Hopefully it will sufficiently recovered but that is another reason I haven't reserved a bike.  It's a bitch getting older, but time will tell.  The holiday season passed quickly and as each year passes we still enjoy them as much as we did in our earlier years.  I am very looking forward to the Spring when, I believe, our granddaughter will begin riding without her training wheels.  A ride on their nearby bike trail would be great before it is all over.  Well, enough and check in later to see how the Florida trip turns out

 

 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.

 

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.

 

 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. 

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.