Tuesday, January 5, 2010

The biking scene currently in central Illinois consists of the indoor variety. Ten inches of snow with the temperature at -8 degrees prevents any outdoor bicycling activity. As a result, I bike in my basement (no, no not in little circles as many of my friends have suggested, but on my trainer) or on a stationary bike at the local fitness club watching reruns of the Rockford Files. Now, I know that followers of this blog from warmer climes are seething with jealousy but, to enjoy the cooling benefits of the Midwest winter climate, you should visit or move into these areas. Okay, Okay, of course I'm being facetious. I am wondering why I have not moved to California, the desert Southwest (yes, I still remember the temperature riding from Indio to Blyth) or even (omigod) Florida. No offense Mike or Nancy but I prefer the "dry" heat to the stiffling, moisture laden heat blanket known as Florida. I am really looking forward to my visit with Hank and the lovely Carol in Mexico. February is the perfect time to leave this mess in central Illinois and we are quite looking forward to the visit. For those of you in the Midwest who follow this blog, I will post pictures of the Mexico visit so you can seethe with jealousy. And, in this case, I'm not being facetious. It will be interesting to see how much stamina and conditioning I have lost when the weather gets warm enough to return to my outdoor biking regiment.

6 comments:

  1. As always, New Year's Day dawned sunny and bright in SoCal. It's rumored that the city of Pasadena has a contract with the devil to provide good weather for the Rose Parade each year. I hear you can't get a U-Haul trailer anywhere east of the Rockies for a few weeks after the parade. It's a wonder the country doesn't tilt to the southwest, there are so many people here. I rode up the coast yesterday, past the Manhattan Beach Pier, the point of departure for our ride last May. It was a balmy 75 degrees with light winds out of the east. I'm going to repeat the ride this morning and will dedicate the ride to you and your basement.

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  2. Thanks Jim. That makes me feel a whole lot better. Now I think I'll go outside and finish shovelling that 10 inches of snow off my driveway.

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  3. Champ,
    In Colorado, we look forward to the days we can ride in the winter. I imagine you do as well (although we probably have more here than you do). And we build our core strength when we have to shovel the driveway. That is something Jim cannot do in sunny SoCal.
    Tom D.

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  4. Champ,

    I think that you should get out in the snow and ride. If you get the wind behind you, it should be easy pedaling.

    Ira

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  5. I get a sense that you California folks are mocking this poor Illinois resident in his time of outdoor biking withdrawal due to the nasty weather here. Be careful, I may soon be on your doorstep begging food and shelter during the winter months.

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  6. I'll pick you up at LAX. ;-)

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