The weather is getting a bit better for outside riding. Even though the temperature was mid 40's I did a 40 mile ride. The wind was a moderate 10 mph from the south so that wasn't much of a factor. I was glad I hadn't lost much over the winter in terms of conditioning since I was close to my usual time for that distance. It looks like the upcoming week will provide more days outside. It's supposed to hit the 60's by mid week.
It is official. After exchanging e-mails with Hank and he indicated he was going to do the ride, I signed up for the ride from Maine to Florida in September. While it ends in Datona Beach, I plan on riding all the way to Key West. While that is tentative right now, it is in the planning stage. It looks like about half of the 09 riders are going to do the journey. It should be a blast.
Also, Harry is coming to the states in June and we plan on riding with Barbie from Champaign to Crawsfordsville and maybe Indy. We'll see. Looking forward to the adventures!

Friends I met during my ride in southern Illinois

Starting out from my son's house in Carbondale

Just returned from southern Illinois where I did much of the training for my cross country trip. Completed a 52 mile round ride from Carbondale to Anna and back. Quite hilly terrain but nothing like the mountains. During the winter I ride a stationary bike at the local rec center. I program it to do random hills. After riding through southern Illinois I have determined that random hills on a stationary bike aren't!! I plan on signing up for the East Coast Reunion ride from Maine to Florida after physical exam next week. Hope it's not to late but I didn't want to sign up before some doctor tells me I am a physical wreck and assign me to a nursing home to be kept under lock and key!! It looks like the outdoor riding season will be arriving shortly and I can't wait.