Finished the 105 mile two day bike ride from Key Largo to Key West with the Champton Group (me, Fred, his boys Justin and Aaron and our lovely wives, Sue and Ronni.) The guys rode and the girls provided needed support. And trust me they were invaluable both days but especially on day one as the wind came from the west (our riding direction ) at a strong 15-20 mph all day. Justin thinks it may have been around 40 or 50 mph and since he was riding a beach cruiser it probab...ly felt that strong. Our first day we rode 50 miles to Marathon and after a 10:00 start time, our last rider arrived at 6:30 p.m. However, we did take several breaks and lunch lasted around 5 hours (well acutally only one, but it seemed longer.) Day two the wind turned around and was at our back all day. Balance in the universe prevails! It was great fun and I enjoyed my time riding the keys with the Hamptons. Enjoy the video crossing the 7 mile bridge. 

So on April 14 we had 4 inches of snow.  I have already mowed my lawn and have ridden outside several times.  Now this.  It's not going to last long but boy what a shock. Enough of the snow.  Lets get this Spring thing going.
Two good rides over the last 4 days.  Preparing for the Florida ride I rode my usual 55 miler to Leroy.  Without a strong tailwind my time was not as good as I would have liked it to be but it was 55 miles so objective achieved.  My recent ride was short but it was on a trail through Glen Ellyn and Wheaton Illinois.  The temperature was a balmy 78 degrees and the wind was howling from the south at between 15 and 20 mph.  The trail was mostly gravel and there quite a few stops.  Not my preferred ride but at least it was an outdoor trek and not the stationary bikes at the rec center.  Looking forward to the Florida trip and another biking adventure.

Finally......the weather was good enough for three days of outside biking.  I rode 120 miles over those three days.  After a 40 miler Sunday, Monday turned out to be a travel day.  On Tuesday, there was virtually no wind, the temperature was in the low 70's and my average speed was 16.5 mph for another 40 miles.  So, yesterday was another day in the 60's but the wind picked up quite a bit.  During my 40 mile ride I once again realized that bicycling, for the distance biker, is a metaphor for life.  There will not always be a tailwind.  There will not always be a downhill.  There will be obstacles.  When the wind is howling into your face, and the road takes an uphill turn, and some idiot in a car has come into your lane, drop the bike into whatever gear that will get you through and push on.  There are no obstacles on the biking road, or the road of life, that cannot be overcome with determination and effort.  Strive for excellence, never settle for less and at the end of the day you can look back and say "hey, who was that asshole on my side of the road"  or something as prophetic. Anyway, enough philosophizing.   Just sayin!

Wow, yesterday was my first ride outside since November. I forgot that riding inside all winter is vastly different than riding outside.  It was a little on the cool side, 50 degrees, and a tad windy at between 10 and 15 mph but at least I was able to go outside. My goal was 30 miles but I finished 35 so I feel good about that.  Now, a few observations.   For the first time since I began riding I was chased by 5 dogs.  One or two is usual but 5 is crazy.  In fact, after passing one particular farm house, two dogs double teamed me with one on each side of the bike.  The smaller bitch was actually catching up and I was doing 20 mph.  It got close enough to try and nip my biking shoe.  After much cussing and yelling they finally backed off.  I should have figured something like that was going to happen because the night before I was listening to.....wait for it......3 Dog Night.  And it begged the question....Who let the Dogs Out? 
Another observation from the ride,  was that every one of the motor vehicles that passed me showed a considerable amount of respect.  All gave me the entire lane when there were no approaching traffic.  For that I was particularly grateful.. It would be great if the entire biking season were like that.  But, as we distance bikers can acclaim, there will be close calls and that's just the way it is.  So, at the end of the ride, I was surprised at the soreness in my legs but after a warm shower and replenishing fluids I was fine.  Looking forward to more rides outside next week.  Need to get into shape for the Florida ride at the end of April.  Later!!

Another week and the weather is simply awful.  Temps in the low 20's and it is snowing with an expected accumulation of 3 inches.  I realize it's only March 5 but the weather needs to improve and soon.  I guess Paxatonny Phil missed another prediction concerning the length of winter.  Need to decide whether to take my bike to Florida or rent one down there when Fred and sons ride from Largo to Key West.   The cost is approximately the same so I need to decide which is more convenient.  I'm leaning toward taking my bike but Ronni thinks renting one would be better.  I will decide soon.  And, I'm getting antsy and need to do the outdoor biking.  Enough complaining.  Did the grand parent thing last Saturday.  Here's how it worked.  When the baby was smiling and cooing I held her.  When she was cranky Ronni took over.  Now that's grand parenting.  Okay enough foolishness.  More coming soon.

Another week of biking inside on the trainer and at the rec center.  Come on spring lets get going.  On another note, while my knee is still a concern, my left shoulder needs attention.  Got a cortisone shot and it is much better but the next step is a replacement.  Odd that I thought my next surgery would be the knee replacement but it looks like it might be the shoulder.  Plans are complete for the bike ride at the end of August from Key Largo to Key West.  Looking forward to it.  But in the meantime, I am enjoying my time this winter with the new grand baby. 

                                                             -22 and felling great!!
No riding the bike outside lately except for a minor episode in my driveway.   -22 degrees and three days below 0 meant no biking outside.  So, again, day three days  at the gym on the bikes and three days a week on my trainer in the basement.  The good news is that the local ground hog did not see it's shadow so winter will soon be over.  Ha!! Fat chance.  On another note making plans to ride with friends from Key Largo to Key West.  I did the ride three years ago and my Florida friend would like to do it again.  So in late April we are doing the ride.  Two days at 50 miles a day is our plan and appears quite doable for those on the ride.  Looking forward to it. More later