Rode my last century of the season today.  Washington to Champaign il. 102 miles.  A very odd thing on this ride.  Two stretches of rt. 150 that used to have comfortable shoulders now have "rumble strips" carved into them. The first runs from Bloomington to LeRoy and the second is from Mahomet to Champaign.  What is that all about. Perfectly fine shoulders where bikers could ride safely now have rumble strips grooved into them.  The only reason I can see for this phenom is it is for distracted drivers.   That is, because the law will not stop drivers of vehicles from texting and using their cell phones, to keep them safer, rumble strips will alert them when they wonder off the road.  To hell with anyone else who might use them.  What that does is it forces me to ride on the road instead of the shoulder.  Cars who now pass must give me at least 3 feet and I am entitled to the entire lane.  I could use all county roads on my ride,  but I would be accused by the "moron from Sunnyland" of being an "Isis of Rural Roads.
Closing in on another 10,000 miles recorded on the bike computer.

Finished Fat Tire Ride in Lake Geneva WS.  The ride around the lake is short, 23 miles, but quite hilly.  1,700 feet of climb in that short a space involves several severe climbs.  The last major uphill was a 16% grade.  While it was only a mile long it was challenging.  And, it is the only bike ride I do where I will have a beer.  Starting at the Mars bar, Bloody Mary's were in order.  The second stop was with no alcohol.  Stop three I had one beer.  Stop 4 a brat and a beer.  Then the "climb".  Stop 5 one beer.  The actual riding time was only an hour and a half but with all the stops it was around 5 hours. So, the beer consumption was not a factor.  My friend, Roger, and I were probably the oldest riders of about 2,000 bikers.  Many, of course, were novices and few made it up the "climb" biking but most walked.  Roger and I were one of the few who actually rode the entire hill.   Looking forward to next year.
    As it turned out we were very helpful to fellow riders.  At the beginning we put air in the tires of 7 people who did not bring anything to fill their own.  During the ride we fixed the chain of one of the bikers who did not know you should not shift gears when climbing hills.  Another had a very low tire and stopped to ask if we had an air pump.  All I carry is CO2.  So I used one to fill her tire.  She was very grateful. All in all a great time was had by all.

Trying to get in as many miles as possible until the weather turns.  Biked 7 days straight and I usually get a rest day after 6.  The wind is non-existent so they are easy rides.  I started last Tuesday with a ride to Champaign=100 miles.  This was followed by two days of 40 milers and on Friday I did my usual "Friday 50".  Saturday I had a function in Highland Il. was so I only rode 30.  Sunday, my usual rest day was so nice I did my regular 40 and today, Monday, I was back on schedule.  So in the last week I rode 340 miles.  Not bad for an old man.  Now the down side.  I had several close calls and the one on Sunday involved a teenie bopper making a left turn right in front of me.  I thought for sure I was going to hit her in the driver side.  I yelled at her to stop and the look on her face was one of shock.  Fortunately, I was able to avoid the collision but by doing so rode over a hard curb.  The best I could hope for was two flat tires and maybe two bent rims. But fortune smiled on me and even though it was rough, no damage to the bike.  Yea!! Next major ride is the Fat Tire Ride in Lake Geneva in a couple of weeks.  Check back then.

Great week of riding.  Rode to Champaign a week ago, LeRoy twice.  Bad news.  When I ride to LeRoy, a 55 miler, I always stop at DJ's bar to rehydrate.  My favorite bar owner Doris would always have a beverage waiting upon my arrival.  I have mentioned her before in this blog.  This wonderful 70+ lady even called to make sure we were ok after the Washington tornado.  I first met her during my training for my cross country event.  Yesterday I decided to ride to LeRoy.  Ronni was waiting for me with the van.  I began changing and she went to the front of the bar.  It was closed.  We thought it might just be a temporary thing and drove home.  Ronni called and her daughter answered the phone.  Doris died about a week ago.  She fell and hit her head leading to her demise.  She was a fine lady and always found time to talk with us when we visited.  Doris will be missed.

Just returned from a ride with Tom and Harry.  Two day ride in Ocean City Md.  First day we rode with Tom's friends.  They ride three times a week and were nice enough to let us join them.  That's the good news.  Now for the downer.  Riding along the shoulder on a roadway, one of Tom's friends ran over a stick and wrecked.  Harry, Tom and I were behind him when he went down.  The person right behind him ran over his wheel but didn't fall.  Somehow Tom was able to divert to the left, Harry braked hard and just miss hitting him and I hit the ditch to the right.  Tom, Harry nor I were injured or had any bike damage.  Unfortunately for the guy who crashed he scrapped both elbows and skinned his knee.  Lots of blood.  So, here's the thing.  As we were riding Harry looked over at me and said in his best British accent.  "You know you are responsible for that guy crashing".  I started laughing as he describe how, given my history of disasters on bike trips, just be being there meant there would be some kind of mishap.  So, once again the blame falls to me.  But, my shoulders are broad enough to carry the burden so I accept the blame.  Ha!!

Finally. This is my new bicycle. After realizing I was destroying the environment with my excessive breathing while biking, I now will ride this vehicle, with the flowers, to absorb excess CO2 emissions. Also, note the location of the flowers. Another environmental safety feature. Any inadvertent methane emissions not only will be destroyed, but the smell of fresh flowers will be the only odor emanating from this practice. Life is good!!

Just returned from my second trip to Florida this year.  Looked into rental properties for January in the Naples area.  Found a great place and in the meantime rented a bike from the local Trek bike shop.  Biking the area I found it to be very bike friendly.  Not only were there trails but most roads had a specific bicycle lane.  Even the very busy Rt. 41 had a bike lane.  Looking forward to spending January there and avoiding the miserable winter weather in central Illinois.