I need to post a tribute to one of my best friends for over 60...yes 60 years. Met Fred Hampton when I was in second grade. He and his family moved into our neighborhood. Being the same age and in the same school we became good friends and remained friends though out our school days. His family treated me like one of their own and it was greatly appreciated. Fred had the nicest bicycle in the neighborhood, a Schwinn with knee action, and would often ride me on his handlebars. After high school he went to college and eventually joined the Navy while I attended college. We stayed in close contact during that time. After his service he married the lovely Sue. His brother was best man and I ushered at the ceremony. The following week I married the lovely Veronica. Fred was best man at that ceremony. By and by both he and I had two boys approximately the same age. 

     As the years passed, Fred moved to Florida and started a business....Gator Glass. We remained in close contact and visited them on a regular basis. They were gracious hosts and each family looked forward to the visits. Fast forward  to the fall of 2014. Fred and Sue were in Champaign and we attended a U of I football game with them. At the tailgate party, prior to the game, Fred mentioned he was riding his recumbent bike quite a bit. I mentioned, somewhat jokingly, that we should bike from Key Largo to Key West....a hundred miles....over two days. Our wives would be our support crew. Much to my surprise he agreed. So, at the end of January 2015 we completed that ride and a good time was had by all. While Fred had never ridden that distance he did a great job and finished EFI….Every Foot and Inch. 

     Then in 2019 Fred mentioned his boys thought they would like to do that same ride. I guess I horned in and said it would be great if I were invited to join them. Of course, he agreed. In April of 2019 Fred, Aaron, Justin and I, along with two lovely support staff, Sue and Veronica, biked from Key Largo to Key West over two days. It was quite an adventure but at the end of day two we reached our destination. Mission accomplished. Along the way there were signs of Fred’s confusion but I thought it was nothing to be concerned about. Without going into much detail, Fred was taken from us last Sunday from an illness that is affecting more and more people of our generation ….dementia. Let it be known that Fred was one outstanding individual, loving parent, grandparent, sibling and as good a friend as one could hope for. Prayers to his family. We hope to continue to be part of their lives in the future. His good nature, positive disposition and overall kindness will be missed. We need more people like him on this earth Rest in Peace my friend.

 

 Second day of riding my bicycle around Tazewell/Woodford county; a rare occurrence at this time of year. On my regular route my bovine buddies were basking in the sunshine as I rode past. As usual they gave me the "stink eye" knowing at some point they would be on my dinner plate. As this is the Christmas season I could hear them moooing in unison that great bovine Christmas Carol......."Eat More Poultry" to the tune of Silent Night. You will notice they have no concern with Covid as they are anti-maskers, do not practice social distancing and rarely wash their hooves. And yes, I am spending to much alone time on the bike

 

Getting in the last of the season's outdoor rides.  Rode 110 miles over a two day weekend.  Another 70 miler to Ottawa on Thursday followed by a 40 miler on Friday.  Weather was favorable as the wind was a brisk 20 mph with gusts to 40 from the SSW.  The temperature neared 70 degrees and the forecast  for the next few weeks prohibits much outside biking.   Obviously Ottawa is NNE from Washington so it was a nice tailwind most of the way.  Crosswinds from Magnolia to Streator were interesting but doable.  Reaching Ottawa I was very tempted to complete a century.  Riding along rt. 71 into Yorkville would have been right at a 100 miles.  Forgetting the time change, it would have been dark if I traversed that distance and it is a very busy road with not much of a shoulder.  I suspect that was my last opportunity to complete a century before the end of the year but nevertheless, I am pleased with my progress.  Friday's ride was shortened because of wind and rain so after 25 miles I rode home and put the bike on my trainer to complete the 40 miles.  All in all a good week of biking.  Stay tuned

 

50 mile bike ride to Spring Valley. Love the water tower. Don't see many like that anymore. Also, bringing back the tank to protect my property from the coming chaos

                                                Not quite the incline, but it seemed like it.
 

A tale of two rides.   Last week as the wind blew from the SSW at between 15-20 mph I decided to layer up and ride 50 miles to Spring Valley Il.  It's a straight ride down rt. 89.  The only shoulder wide enough to bike safely is about a 6 mile stretch between Casinova and Washburn.  The good news is it is less traveled than route 150 from Goodfield to LeRoy.  Hence, I felt comfortable with that road.  I could have taken all county roads but it increases the mileage and parts are gravel with oil/chip.  Not the conditions I prefer. Low 60's was my starting temperature.  But as the day continued the temperature rose to mid 80's,  While I removed my jacket, I still had three more layers to contend with.  After the 48 mile mark, I was starting to feel the effect of the distance and heat.  To add to the situation a road sign showing a truck on an incline meant that a severe downhill was ahead.  As a cyclist, we all know for every downhill, there is an equal and severe uphill.  Coming over the ridge and on the downhill slope I could see what looked like a straight uphill ahead.  It was the bridge that crossed the Illinois river at that point.  At the bottom of the slope sat the Lovely Veronica sitting with the van that would take us home.  I stopped and had to decide whether to hop in the van and eschew the climb over the bridge or use what little energy I had left and climb.  In the past there would have been no decision....climb baby climb.   But being older and wiser,  I hopped into the van and rode home.  However, as I related this to friends they all were surprised at my decision.  And, it bugged me.  

Today the wind was a brisk southerly wind at 15-20 gusting to 30 mph.  Riding north to Magnolia would have given me a respectable 35 mile ride, so that was the plan.  The temperature was mid 50's thus heat would not be a problem in terms of sapping my energy.  Upon reaching Magnolia the Lovely Veronica awaited with the SAG back to Washington.  Realizing I have plenty of energy to continue I decided to ride to Spring Valley to complete a 50 miler.  At the 48 mile mark I again realized the severe climb awaited me.  In the past, I have climbed paths with higher grades but none since my tkr.  I decided to attack it full on.  Low and behold, it had a very wide shoulder so that a biker could ride safely across.  And, the climb was not as severe as I had imagined it.  Another two smaller climbs followed but they were both quite reasonable.  Climbing the third hill I saw the Lovely Veronica on the opposite side of the road so I decided that "mission accomplished".  Lesson learned.  Accept the challenges and do not equivocate. That has been my "modus operendi" for quite some time.  Now is not the time to stop that attitude.  Looks like there will be more outside biking in the coming weeks. 

                                                     At Washington Park in Ottawa Il.
  

This was a most interesting week of bike riding in central Illinois.  It has been very windy all week but I still felt the need to ride outside.  Wednesday, with the wind blowing at 20-25 mph from the south I decided to ride north to Streator, a 55 miler.  The first 30 to Magnolia was a "breeze".  Pun intended.  But the next 20 to Streator was due east.  So, I had a severe crosswind for that 20 mile trek.  It was a battle and all I could think of was the Dalhart section of my cross country ride.  After arriving in Streator, I decided to reward my effort by riding north to Ottawa, another 18 miles.  So, another 70 miler.  Then, on Friday I decided to do my regular circuit around Tazewell/Woodford county.  I planned on a 40 miler but as I began I realized that may be a mistake.  The wind was from the wind at a blistery 20 mph.  As it turned out I shortened my distance to 25 miles and riding into the wind was brutal.  But it looks like my knee is holding up well but I don't think I will be doing any riding outside when the wind is that brisk.  All in all a interesting week of biking.

 

Got my route to Glen Ellyn figured our.  Unfortunately after I get past Ottawa the roads are crowed with traffic.  There are numerous roads but it looks like they are all pretty crowded.  I will use sidewalks and bike paths as much as possible.  Hopefully, the motorists will give me my space but we will see.  On another note, I am amazed that the primary road from Ottawa to Oswego, route 71, has a nice shoulder but for some reason they put "rumble strips" right in the middle.  That means I will use the road.  I know it pisses off motorists when a cyclist doesn't use the shoulder but other than finding another route I can't ride the narrow part of the shoulder between the rumble strips and edge of the shoulder.  Oh well, it is what it is.  I'm currently getting about 150 miles outside per week and the rest of the time I'm on my trainer.  And for the first time I was able to clip my right side for the first time since the tkr.  Can't wait for this pandemic thing to get over so I can return to my rides where I stay at hotels.  We aren't comfortable doing that at this time.  I still think I can get a century in before the cold weather sets in but we will see.  Enough for now.  Stay tuned.