Me and grand daughter

The best advantage of doing all your business with one cycle shop.  Sure, I could have ordered my bike supplies on-line and probably cheaper but my recent incident proves what an exceptional individual Joe Russell from Russells Cycle Shop is.  Coming around a turn on my recent ride to Goodfield, as I applied the brakes there was a distinct thump, thump.  Since I was only 5 miles from home I decided to press on.  After arriving at home I spun the rear tire and sure enough I could see where the rim was rubbing the brake pads.  Having that problem in the past I figured I would need another truing of the wheel.  Immediately I loaded into the van and drove to the bike shop.  The attendant looked at the bike and came to the same conclusion.  The wheel needed truing.  He stated I could drop the bike off and pick it up the next day.  That would be fine with me so I asked if Joe were around.  I always like to see him when shopping at his store.  The attendant alerted Joe of my presence and soon he met me in the front of the store.  After looking over my bike the showed me the spoke had cracked my wheel which meant I would need a new rim.  My first thought was it would be a few days before I got my bike repaired.  Instead Joe said, "if you would like to wait, I will repair it now".  That's what I call service.  As busy as the shop was, he moved me right to the top of the list and about an hour later I had my bike back in great shape ready for my next ride.  That's what I call service. Was it expensive?  Sure, but worth it.  The next day a 35 miler illustrated what I knew about Russells Cycle.  They take care of their customers.  I am grateful for that and will continue to give them all of my cycling business.  

As the weather is getting colder, it looks like my outdoor biking will be limited but I still will enjoy the time available an continue my cycling on my trainer in the basement.  So until next time RSRO...

 

Yikes.....a whole week and no outside biking.   I know it's the end of October but I would expect one or two days where outdoor biking is enjoyable.  Wind (15 mph NNW)and temperature (mid 40's) were the culprit but it looks like next week conditions will be more conducive to riding in the great outdoors.  Hopefully another long ride (50+) miles is in the offing.  But we will see. Until then, more riding the trained in the basement watching the Game Show Network.  Later

 

 Riding during the autumn season....the good, the bad,  and the ugly.  The good is the changing of the colors, the fantastic scenery and the ability to see forever since with the crops removed the fields are wide open.  The bad are the little caterpillars trying to cross the country roads.  My objective is to avoid running over any of them since they all seem to be on an important mission.  Whatever that mission is I will never know but they seem determined to cross the road so I won't interfere by crushing them with my bicycle tires.  The ugly are the semis filled with grain.  Using the county roads they have turned into my lane, passed me with minimal clearance and generally are extremely rude when passing a cyclist.  I will admit on state routes I get more respect.  On my recent trek to Magnolia, most truckers gave me a load of respect.  Often they would change lanes well before they were near me and if there were a car in the on coming lane, they would slow down a place on there emergency flashers.  Tractors and other farm implements make up the second part of the ugly.  They too take most of the road and present a clear and present danger. On another note for the first time in a long time, I actually passed a tractor; a rarity. So, there it is, the good, bad and ugly of bicycling during the fall season

 

 

                                                From my first century since my TKR

 More excellent days for outdoor biking.  Had two near misses on one ride.  My normal route, 35 miles, to Goodfield via Eureka was the first.  This time of year is the harvest season so there are many grain trucks, tractors and various other farm vehicles that occupy the country roads around Tazewell/Woodford county.  Coming to a T intersection the road from my left is controlled by a stop sign.  Me having the right of way with no stop, a semi-truck full of grain pulled into my lane from the left.  It made a right turn and headed directly for me making no attempt to avoid a collision.  Of course, I had to detour into the corn field to my right or get hit.  On my return along DeeMack road, two cars going into the opposite direction  approached me.  All of a sudden the second car decided to pass the auto in front of it which put it in my lane going into the opposite direction.  Once again I had to hit the ditch.  Two close calls on one ride is highly unusual.  Indeed I have it on my bike cam and unfortunately made a mistake of showing it to the lovely Veronica.  She was not pleased and suggested I might need to give up my biking.  I normally do not show my near misses and probably should have not done so here She's probably right but ain't gonna happen.  I can hit the ditch with the best of them.  Other than that many good days of biking with more to come. 

So it finally happened. Earlier this week I was able to attempt my goal of doing a century. After two days delay, because of the amount of rain in Champaign, I finally achieved my goad of riding a century post TKR.  My original plan was to ride on Tuesday but it rained all afternoon.  I should know because we drove over to take Ronni's mother to her eye appointment and it was rainy all afternoon.  Wednesday was the same with rain most of the afternoon.  In the meantime, I prepared my bike for the 100 miler.  Using a new cleaner/wax the bike was transformed into a prime riding machine.  New tires were applied and everything was ready to go.  Or so I thought.  Because I had not ridden for awhile I decided to do my routine on my trainer in the basement.  As I began, I was unable to shift gears.  I did everything to figure out what was going on but after awhile I knew I needed to take it to my local bike shop, Russell's Cycling and Fitness and have Joe Russell figure it out.  Fortunately as I entered the shop Joe was coming from his work area.  He immediately put it on a rack and determined the shifting cable had broken.  After about an hour it was repaired and I was ready to roll.  Now that's why I would recommend Russell's because buying a product is one thing but servicing it is just as important and Joe has always done an excellent job of servicing his customers.  All's well that ends well.

So last Thursday I embarked on my first century in two years.  To be honest, I had my doubts concerning by fitness to ride 100 miles.  But as it turned out it was easier than I thought it would be.  Planning on three stops instead of my regular two I did not follow that plan.  My first stop was to be in Bloomington.  LeRoy was to be my second but as I passed through town my energy level was good to I trekked on.  The weather was in the middle 60's and the wind was from the NW at about 10-15 mph.  Perfect conditions for my ride.  Stopping in Mahomet was my second stop and I used the Dairy Queen seating area for a well deserved rest.  The final 15 miles into Champaign was lengthened so I would crack the 100 mile barrier.  Actually the longer route was safer as there was a bike lane all the way to Larry's condo.  After completing the ride Larry, Ronni and I dined at a Bowling Alley....that's right a Bowling Alley.  Nothing to good for my people... Ha Ha.  So, I have accomplished my century goal an now I need to find another challenge,  When I do it shall be duly reported.....Stay tuned.

 

Today's birthday ride was an attempt to bike a mile for each year since my birth. Mission accomplished. At my age it is not an easy task. Seventy four and going strong.  Knee is holding up well but at times gets a little gingy.  Rode thirty five to Magnola the prior day so over the two days 110 miles.  Yesterday would have been perfect for my first century but other obligations prevented my from it. Wind was from the NW at a brisk 10-15 mph, the temperature just touched 80 degrees and the humidity was low.  A perfect day for a 100 mile trek but I settled for my age.  Next time it will be done.  I had my regular heart checkup today and all is well.  The doctor was so impressed that I now take no medications (knock on wood) and said to keep up the cycling as it appears to have real benefit.  Very encouraging so I guess I will continue that activity. On another note, even as often as I bike, I still need to remind myself to take a day off to recover.  Usually it's after 5 days but the weather has been so good lately I hate to not take advantage of it.  But I must do so and that's that.