Busy, busy, busy.  Three straight days off the bike.  Birthday celebrations, football games and various travel considerations have left me high and dry.  But the good news is, for the foreseeable future the weather and social schedule seem to be in my favor.  Russells Cycle tuned up my ride and, as usual, it is again running like a top.  Even though I feel I do proper maintenance, it always rides smoother and cleaner after my annual tune-up by the professionals. On another note, the granddaughter has not ridden her bike without trainers but I'm sure it will be soon.  Before all is said and done, I would like to have at least one ride on their bike trail with her and her family.  Stay tuned!!  

 

 FINALLY!!! Today with perfect weather conditions...wind WNW at 10 to 15 mph.....temperature mid to upper 70's I rode my bicycle from Washington Il to Champaign Il 100+ miles for my first century in over two years.  While my speed was somewhat slower than previous rides 16-17 mph I still covered the distance in under 7 hours. I did take an extra rest stop in LeRoy. I felt it is quite an a feat in that I had doubts whether I could accomplish this as it had been quite a while since my last ride of that distance.   Road conditions haven't changed much as Mansfield to Mahomet still resembled riding across railroad ties. That aside, it was a a great day for biking across central Illinois.  On a more interesting note, I had forgotten the amount of Chamois Butter to apply for long distance treks.  In addition to the "regular" areas, ample amounts must be applied to each "cheek".  This resulted in a rash on one cheek that is very uncomfortable.  A very valuable lesson that shall not be repeated!  More later

 

 

Another great week of weather for a cyclist.  Even though it rained two days, I rode a total of about 200miles.  I even took my bike in for its annual tune-up.  High school friend Brian and his wife Susan, who currently lives in England came back to Champaign for a visit.  He hasn't been back for about two years.  We continued the tradition of meeting at Hubers for a couple of pints.  After that we joined the women at the Esquire restaurant for dinner.  It is not my favorite spot as there are many better places I would have chosen, but it was their choice so I went along with it.  The food there is mediocre at best and their beer selection is limited. But who am I to complain.  While at Hubers, we called another high school friend, David Johnson. It was a great conversation as he updated us on what keeps him busy and his family activities.  Conversation topics included health, sports, family and other non-controversial topics.  Excluded were politics and religion as these may result in disagreements and hurt feelings.  Brian did relate to me that when asked if he had to choose between living in England or U.S. he indicated he would stay in England.  Reasons for that included but not limited to the high cost of living here and the current political climate.  A fine visit with the Olsons and look forward to many more. On another note, son Eric is home for a week to play in the largest disc golf tournament in the world...Ledgestone.  Pros and amateurs from around the world compete on 20 disc golf courses around the Peoria area with over 2,500 participants competing.    He is very competitive and usually does well.  Back to the bike. As mentioned earlier my annual tune-up occurred while I visited Brian.  Have ridden twice and am always amazed how different a nicely tuned up cycle differs from one that is worn down since the last one.  And, I'm still looking for that opportunity to do my first century.  Stay tuned

 

Last week a great day for biking in Central Illinois.  Temps in the mid to upper 70's with mild winds in the 5-10 mph range.  An average of 30 miles per day with one day at Eureka Park for lunch.  Another ride ended at the Tres Rojas winery and the other days were my regular route.  Nothing extra long and am still waiting for an opportunity for a century.  Maybe later this summer but we will see.  Driver's for the most part were respectful and that is the most important thing.  So for now, stay tuned.

 More great outside riding.  Another trip to Magnolia as well as picnic at Eureka and finally my usual 35 miler on my regular route.  I know, I know, it's about time for a tune up.  Keep putting it off and know full well it needs to be done before some type of breakdown.  It will be scheduled for next week.  The century is still in the future.  One another note, as I'm getting older body parts are starting to annoy me.  Screws that were im

planted years ago are bugging me but I am able to ride through the pain.  Ankle pain from riding with a clipped pedal goes away after awhile.  So, doubt enters my perspective as I contemplate my first century in two years.  It will be a challenge but as they say, if it were easy, everybody would do it.  As it goes, I will continue my biking until my body say's "stop it".  Hopefully, it won't be soon.  Furthermore, I need to help my granddaughter at some point to begin riding without her trainers.  I predict it won't be long. 

 

Heat Heat Heat.  95 plus for the last week.  Not to be defeated, I repeated my 35 mile ride to Magnolia when it was 93 degrees with a 15-20 mph wind from the SW.  Was it hot?  Yep. But I tell people I have ridden in hotter weather.  My friends reminded me that I was much younger when I rode in those conditions.  I had to remind them my Europe ride three years ago was when they were in a massive heat wave and we rode in 100+ temps.  Nevertheless, it was hot and I looked forward to the air conditioned van that picked me up.  In the interim I ride on my trainer in the basement.  I might be the Goldie Locks of bikers.  "This day, it's too cold,  this day it's too hot...this day it's too windy and on and on.  Criteria for an outside ride goes like this.....wind less than 10 mph, and temps between 60 and 85.  Those conditions prevail probably less than 50 percent of the time.  I could always change the criteria especially if I were to bike earlier in the day in the summer and later in the day in the Spring and Fall.  So there it is.  I'm still wondering when my first century in two years will happen.  Stay tuned.

 

Two days last week were perfect for my anticipated 100 mile ride.  Last Monday the temp was a nice 70 degrees with the wind from the NW at 15-29 mph.  However, other situations happened where I was unable to do the ride.  So, last Sunday conditions were similar but church and other obligations prevented it.  I accomplished 4 days of riding outside so at least that was something.  In addition, I aggravated an old hip injury but I feel that would not substantially affect my ability to complete 100 miles.  I must now wait for conditions that will enhance my chances of completing the ride.  Unfortunately, the next week the temperature will be in the 90's and I won't do long rides under those conditions.  I will continue to wait patiently for the weather to improve and feel confidently that I will be able to complete the ride sometime this summer.  Stay tuned.