So this part of Illinois is in a hot dry spell.  Many people lament the dryness.  Not me.  We don't need to mow, I don't water grass and it saves me money on gas and oil for my mower.  Now the good news.  Outdoor biking is great.  The wind is usually under 10 mph and at times 5 mph or less.  Perfect riding conditions.  An additional positive is that Ronni and I are able to do the Eureka Lake outdoor lunch.  I bike to the lake, Ronni buys a sandwich an the Breakers and we lunch in a serene spot on the lake.  I continue my ride like I would do after a SAG stop on my longer rides.  Also, since my older son has a new bike that fits his frame better, my original cross country bike has been returned to me.  I acutally like the 3 ring sproket on the older bike better the the double but the double is carbon whereas my older bike is aluminum. I will be riding my old one this weekend and probably leave it up north.  Thought about getting it tuned up but it had been ridden so infrequently it didn't need it.  Well, enough and I'm still looking for conditions to do the century.

Great day Sept. 8.  This weekend Christopher, Annie and my favorite 6 year old granddaughter Ruthie came to our house for my birthday.  What a great time.  As little Ruthie just learned to ride her bike without training wheels I looked forward to doing a ride with her.  Of course, her old bike was too small so, of course, someone had to purchase a new one for her.  Now let's see.  Who would that person be.  Ha, yea right.  Of course it was me.  And, to be sure, I thought we would go easy but as it turned out I actually needed to put forth effort to stay up with her.  Her average speed was over 12 mph and we actually did a five mile ride.  For most that's not much but for a beginner it was great.  Good time was had by all.  Still waiting for proper conditions to do my first century of the season but I will be patient.  Stay tuned