So it finally happened. Earlier this week I was able to attempt my goal of doing a century. After two days delay, because of the amount of rain in Champaign, I finally achieved my goad of riding a century post TKR.  My original plan was to ride on Tuesday but it rained all afternoon.  I should know because we drove over to take Ronni's mother to her eye appointment and it was rainy all afternoon.  Wednesday was the same with rain most of the afternoon.  In the meantime, I prepared my bike for the 100 miler.  Using a new cleaner/wax the bike was transformed into a prime riding machine.  New tires were applied and everything was ready to go.  Or so I thought.  Because I had not ridden for awhile I decided to do my routine on my trainer in the basement.  As I began, I was unable to shift gears.  I did everything to figure out what was going on but after awhile I knew I needed to take it to my local bike shop, Russell's Cycling and Fitness and have Joe Russell figure it out.  Fortunately as I entered the shop Joe was coming from his work area.  He immediately put it on a rack and determined the shifting cable had broken.  After about an hour it was repaired and I was ready to roll.  Now that's why I would recommend Russell's because buying a product is one thing but servicing it is just as important and Joe has always done an excellent job of servicing his customers.  All's well that ends well.

So last Thursday I embarked on my first century in two years.  To be honest, I had my doubts concerning by fitness to ride 100 miles.  But as it turned out it was easier than I thought it would be.  Planning on three stops instead of my regular two I did not follow that plan.  My first stop was to be in Bloomington.  LeRoy was to be my second but as I passed through town my energy level was good to I trekked on.  The weather was in the middle 60's and the wind was from the NW at about 10-15 mph.  Perfect conditions for my ride.  Stopping in Mahomet was my second stop and I used the Dairy Queen seating area for a well deserved rest.  The final 15 miles into Champaign was lengthened so I would crack the 100 mile barrier.  Actually the longer route was safer as there was a bike lane all the way to Larry's condo.  After completing the ride Larry, Ronni and I dined at a Bowling Alley....that's right a Bowling Alley.  Nothing to good for my people... Ha Ha.  So, I have accomplished my century goal an now I need to find another challenge,  When I do it shall be duly reported.....Stay tuned.

 

Today's birthday ride was an attempt to bike a mile for each year since my birth. Mission accomplished. At my age it is not an easy task. Seventy four and going strong.  Knee is holding up well but at times gets a little gingy.  Rode thirty five to Magnola the prior day so over the two days 110 miles.  Yesterday would have been perfect for my first century but other obligations prevented my from it. Wind was from the NW at a brisk 10-15 mph, the temperature just touched 80 degrees and the humidity was low.  A perfect day for a 100 mile trek but I settled for my age.  Next time it will be done.  I had my regular heart checkup today and all is well.  The doctor was so impressed that I now take no medications (knock on wood) and said to keep up the cycling as it appears to have real benefit.  Very encouraging so I guess I will continue that activity. On another note, even as often as I bike, I still need to remind myself to take a day off to recover.  Usually it's after 5 days but the weather has been so good lately I hate to not take advantage of it.  But I must do so and that's that. 

 Three perfect days of weather.  Rode 35-40 miles each day.  Saturday I stopped at the Washington Art Fair.  Saw two older cyclists resting under a nearby tree.  As I approached I noticed their bikes were two e-bikes.  They have been riding e-bikes for about 10 years and love them. My local cycle shop owner, Russell's Bike, recommended that I at least try an e-bike to see if I would be interested.  After talking to them at length I might consider trying one out if it means prolonging my ability to continue riding.  But, we will see.  Today's ride got interesting from the start.  The temperature was a steamy 90 degrees with a heat index of 102.  Now, I'm used to riding in those conditions but by the end of my journey I was done.  The good news was that the wind was from the south at about 10 mph.  With an open jersey, riding into it was quite refreshing and kept me pretty cool.  And once again, a near miss.  Coming to an intersection, where I did not need to stop, a car started into the intersection just as I was half way through.  At the top of my lungs I yelled at the driver or he would have hit me.  Another close call and, of course, I have it recorded on my bike cam.  More than ever, bikers need to be vigilant.  It's getting more and more dangerous out there.  Still waiting for proper conditions to my first century since TKR.  Stay tuned.

 

 Another week of almost perfect weather.  Low 80's and wind under 10 mph.  30-35 miles per day.  I need to be careful to not overdue.  It's easy to do so I need to remind myself of that fact.  Especially when body parts start "humming".  On another note, it looks like the pandemic has had another effect on social behavior.  The amount of trash on the roads is the worst I have seen in years.  Beer cans dominate with soda cans a close second.  I had the mistaken belief that with all the recycling available people would be more likely to deposit their trash in an appropriate manner.  Not the case!  One particular stretch of route 24 is littered with about two dozen Bud beer cans that were obviously tossed from a vehicle.  I wonder what the person or persons who tossed them is thinking.  Maybe they will just dissolve, some good smarian will stop and pick the up or work crews will remove them.  Hard to believe this but it is what it is.  Still waiting for my first century and it's coming up on two years since my tkr.  Sooner or later it will happen.  Stay tuned.

 

Five days.....yes, five days of almost perfect riding conditions.  Temperature in the low to mid 80's, light winds less than 10 mph, roads in good condition and body parts working makes for an extremely fine bicycling experience. My riding distances are down from pre tkr 35-40 miles down to 30-35 miles per day.  But, that's not bad so I'll take it.  Am still looking for the right conditions to ride to Champaign for my first century in almost two years but hopefully that will happen sometime before Fall.  I'm interested to see if I have the endurance to do a century but, of course, I will give it my best shot. On another note one of our cross country bikers, Barbie, just got engaged.  Best wishes Barbie. As one of our community, all your fellow riders wish you all the happiness you deserve.  Stay tuned for more updates

 

Biking update. Here we are in the middle of July and my biking, for the last four days, has been on my trainer in the basement.  The reason?  RAIN, RAIN, RAIN.  Complaints of a "drought" last month have been answered with over 7 inches of rain in the last two weeks.  Be careful of what you wish for.  On another note, their have not been any conditions all summer that would be conducive to me biking my first century since my tkr.  I have been checking the 10 day outlook on the weather channel and nothing appears to meet the conditions needed for me to  make the jaunt.  So, I'm still holding out hope I can do one before my two year anniversary since my knee replacement.  But, time will tell.  Speaking of the repaired knee, I feel it's as good as it is every going to be.  Not 100% but functional to the point I can ride.  It is what it is and I shouldn't have expected the new knee get back to perfect.  More later

                                                             Another friend met on bike ride

Rain, Rain, Rain....Most of my riding was on my trainer but I did get in a few rides outside.  Rode to Spring Valley and met this lady who was sitting on the steps outside the church.  We got our time wrong so I had about forty five minutes to wait for my ride.  Resting my bike on a brick column by the steps our conversation started as she inquired where I began my ride.  Surprised I had ridden 50 miles she wanted to know my age.  Again, she was surprised I was able to bike that distance at my age and informed me I looked good in my biking gear.  She and her husband rode motorcycles and she informed me she liked to read.  Inquiring where my book was available I gave her the sites it could be ordered.  Soon Veronica arrived and since I usually carry books in my vehicles I gave her one with a personalized autograph.  She was delighted and once again I met an interesting individual during my riding experiences.  

So, on another note, I am still looking for the proper conditions to do my first century since my tkr.  Hopefully it will be soon.  Stay tuned