On my bike ride today, I passed these two lounging in a pasture. While taking their picture they both came up to the fence expecting a treat. I didn't have anything and would not have fed them if I had. I'm sure the owners would not have appreciated it. So, of course, I had to inquire of them both......wait for it.....wait for it....hey fellas, why the long face

 

195 miles on the bike last week.  One locally-40 miles.  One trip to Magnolia 35 miles.  One trip to Spring Valley-50 miles and another trip to Ottawa-70 miles.  Wind conditions favorable until Friday's trek to Spring Valley.  Half way a cold front bringing rain came at me from the west which meant a severe crosswind. That just added to the adventure.The good news is I arrived at my destination before the rain has begun.  A good day of bicycling in central Illinois.  Two distance rides are in the near future.  I still plan on a two day from Washington to Glen Ellyn Il. That's about 20 miles west of Chicago.  And, shortly I will do my first century to Champaign.  I feel I have prepared myself enough to complete the journey.  That will be the first since my TKR.  Having no close calls and respect from the truckers makes these rides very enjoyable.  More later

 

70 miler to Ottawa, Illinois (not Ottawa Canada Tom!!) 45 miles of tailwinds but 25 miles of severe crosswinds....20-30 mph with gusts to 40 mph. The 45 were a "breeze".(Pun intended) but the other 25 miles were brutal. I also had to dodge 3 yes 3 oversized vehicles that forced me off the road. At my advanced age the one thing that keeps me motivated can be credited to all those with whom I have done distance rides in the past. You may or may not realize it but you are the inspiration that keeps me biking. And, you know who you are. When things get tough, quitting is not an option and you declare....."if this were easy everyone would do it." Looking forward to my first century since my TKR later this spring.

 

Only one good day of riding in last week.  A 35 miler to Magnolia was the only day of outside riding.  Good tailwind.  Looking at my peers, I consider myself fortunate I can still bike and remain relatively active.  Have received both shots, Madurna and should be immune. Starting to do breakfast again with my retired teacher friends.  The Busy Corner is still my go to place but it remains to be quite a distance for those who live in East Peoria.  Hopefully the next two days will allow me an opportunity to ride outside both days.  I plan to do a 35 miler around the county and Saturday do a 70 miler to Ottawa.  Let hope the weather accommodates.  

On the granddaughter side of things, that baby is growing like a weed.  We see her every two weeks and she seems to grow plenty between visits.  Stay tuned.

 

 Great day for biking outside. Rode 34 miles to Magnolia.  Thought the wind would be at my back as the weather people indicated the wind was coming from the SW at between 14-16 mph.  Yea right.  If that were a fact I would have a tailwind the entire ride.  As it turned out it was coming from the West at about that rate so I endured a cross wind for 34 miles.  Yet it was still an enjoyable experience since it has been over three months since I was able to bike in the great outdoors.  No great happenings along the way and that's a good thing.  Tomorrow will be a trip over 50 miles and once again I'm relying on the weather people to get it right.  The wind is supposed to blow from the south at about 15-20 mph.  We'll see. 

 

 Another cold one.  Temperature consistently below 0 degrees.  No thoughts about cycling outside.  But, that"s why it's called winter.  Haven't had one like this in awhile but have seen many in my lifetime.  It just seems the news media likes to embellish the weather conditions.  Yea, it's cold and snowy but it just means we will enjoy the warm, sunny weather just ahead.

 

Terrible weather this week so as usual my biking in on my trainer in the basement.  I need to back off as my good knee is getting a little sore.  Hopefully a little rest will rectify the situation.  And after getting my first Covid vaccine on Monday, with the second one March 1, I will be making a trip to Florida to attend the memorial for Fred.  (From last post pic). The ceremony is March 15 so we will be fully immune, or so we hope.  Otherwise we wouldn't have made the event.  We are staying an extra day so, hopefully, I can get an outdoor ride in West Palm Beach.   We will see. Looking forward to the end of this pandemic to get to some semblance of normality.