Took a week to Florida to escape Illinois winter. Key West was where I was able to do my biking. Talked to a female biker who, with her nephew, were biking from Ft. Lauderdale to Key West. I inquired which route they followed and she indicated it was quite doable on Highway 1. As a result, the next time I'm in Florida visiting my friend in West Palm Beach, I will take a few days and ride to Key West. My route from Key West was a 40 mile round trip from Maple Key. 30 of those miles were not on the highway, rather a nice bike trail that paralleled route 1. Had a great time but when I returned the icy cold hand of winter awaited me as I had to shovel snow off my driveway.

My guys at the bike shop inferred that because I rode 10,000 miles last year I have no life. Here's how it worked out. I rode 40 miles 5 days a week and 50 on Friday=250 miles per week. Sundays rest, of course. Then I bike 5 centuries to Champaign last summer. With a relatively warm, dry winter I was able to ride outdoors approximately 38 of the 52 weeks during the year, including the week we spent vacationing on the Outter Banks, North Caroling giving me the 10,000. So while it might appear I have no life........well the more I think about it they're probably right!!

Mission accomplished. Today's temperature was mid 40's and the wind was out of the SSW at 15 mph. The forecast for the next week drops into the mid 20's so I figured I had a small window to finish my year biking 10,000 miles. 59 miles was the number of miles I needed to ride which was doable. Nearing the finish the bike computer reached 9,999.9 I was about half a block from my house. So, I stopped and carried my bike so it wouldn't turn over to 0. That was the most I had ridden in a year so next year I am going to cut back. Mission accomplished

Still stuck on the 9,941 mile mark for the year. Weather is too harsh...6 inches of snow and -2 degrees temp. Friend said if I weren't such a wus I would bike in those conditions to get the 10,000 miles in by the end of the year. That was my goal. I must be a wus cause it ain't gonna happen unless the weather improves. Looking at getting a new bike. Possibly like the one above. Ha!! Yea, right!!

Getting closer. Rode outside on Dec. 1 on my way to finish the year with having ridden 10,000 miles. Currently only 59 miles to go. When it happens I will take a picture and post it. After tomorrow the rest of the week goes to single digits with a high in the 20's. No riding on those days so if possible I will to the 59 tomorrow.

This is the view one block from my front door. Ninety miles to my goal of 10,000 for the year. Nevertheless, I will be taking time off the bike to help friends during these trying times. Keeping everything in its proper perspective.

This is my new mantra