Following Jan's blog for this years cross country group. First week was hot, hilly, headwinds. After their rest in Flagstaff was a day with a 20 mph tailwind. How lucky. Lets hope their luck holds. Looking forward to meeting them in Champaign on June 11.

Livin the dream 55 mile ride today. Finished in two hours and forty five minutes. averaged 20 mph. Now before one thinks I was doing Lance Armstrong type PED's I must admit I had a 15-20 gusting to 25 mph tailwind. My bike snob friends mock and hassle me for not turning around and riding back into the wind. I have to remind them of the Delhart ride which made today look like a summer breeze. Been there and one that. So a long ride of 50 plus miles with the wind at my back is a nice way to spend a beautiful afternoon. I make no apologies!

The new cross country groups begins their journey next week on Mothers Day. Looking forward to reading their posts.

Actually took a week off the bike except for a two hour spin on the stationary bike at the fitness center at the hotel. A week in New Orleans was my excuse. There were not many opportunities for outdoor biking. And besided, it would have interrupted my carousing, partying and general roudiness Saw this guy in the bar. He looked despondant so I asked him "why the long face?"

Windy, windy, windy. Biked outside yesterday in 18 mph gusting to 25 mph wind. Swore I would not bike in those conditions again but I figured what the heck? The temperature was 80 degrees and the forecast for later this week is rain and cold. If I didn't go I may not have been able to ride outside the rest of the week. On a positive note, while it was grueling riding into the wind, when I turned around it was great. Wind noise was not evident until I hit 30 mph. All in all a good day. Hank's bike arrived and it is being assembled at the local bike shop. Looking forward to seeing him in June.

I violated one of my riding rules; Sunday is a rest day.  Monday through Thursday were inside rides, but Friday was an outdoor fifty miler so I felt I had put in enough miles for the week.  Yet, it was so nice outside, today, with virtually no wind and temperature in the 60's, I decided to ride.  Also, I looked at the forecast for next week and it looks like it will rain most of the week.   My only decision, then, was not if I were going to ride, but how far to go.  Feeling ambitious, motivated, and a little frisky off I went.  Todays route took me to one of my favorite places; the public square in Leroy.  And yes, I have ridden there many times, usually to visit a re hydration station; DJ's.  But since DJ's is not open on Sundays, the town square would have to do.  It was a 55 mile jaunt with no helping wind but it was a good ride with no near misses, dog attacks, punctures, or other impediments.  Looking forward to more good days so I can revert back to my usual Sunday rest.