Finally got outside last week. My first century of the season was a ride to Champaign to visit brother Larry. It looks like the winter rides on the stationary at the rec center kept me in shape. Did the ride in under 6 hours. Unfortunately this week weather prediction is rain and cool weather so it looks like awhile before another outside bike trek. The good thing about the Champaign ride was there were no close calls, no drivers cussing me and the weather was perfect. On another note, an individual from Chicago commented when he found out I biked across the country stated to my wife, "he doesn't look like a bicyclist. He looks like a football player". I don't know if that was a compliment or a criticism. I guess maybe I should shed my natural physique and try to be more like Lance Armstrong!!

Finally Spring is here. Outside biking!! Yea!! Did the southern Illinois ride last weekend (got diesel smoked twice. Something about those southern hillbillies driving diesel pick up trucks that makes them act stupid) and my 55 miler to Leroy on Tuesday. Doris was glad to see us and inquired into the amount of damage we incurred during the tornado. Thought about doing a charity bike ride to raise money for the Washington Tornado Relief fund but it's just in the idea stage at this point. Looking forward to my first century of the season. Climate conditions dictate when this will happen.

Getting ready for the first outside ride of the season. Fifty Friday to Leroy. Although the wind is from the WSW at 20 mph at least it will not be a headwind. Temperature is middle 50's and I "a chompin at the bit" to get outside. There will be snow on the ground, the roads will be wet but it's time to get outside!!

Again getting a bit restless. Looks like my outside biking will not happen for at least another 2 weeks. Just heard another "polar vortex" is coming our way. Making plans to visit Europe this fall. Hopefully Harry and Dougie still remember me. I will make it a point to visit them as well as a friend (ok, I've got at least one friend) who currently lives south of London. Maybe I can get some biking in over there. I haven't been able to bike outside since last November so I hope I still remember how to do it as well as how to keep my balance.

Got the mid winter blues. Since returning from Key West all my biking has been in my basement on the trainer or at the rec center on the stationary. I'm about ready to ride outside. The weather for the weekend is supposed to be in the 40's so maybe I will risk it. On another note, I had a nice discussion with a young lady who is going to attempt a cross country bike ride in May. She is raising money for CASA; a program associated with helping children. I wish her success and explained the pros and cons of riding alone or with a group. Looking forward to following her journey through her blog.

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!!