Well, I suppose it was bound to happen. Due to the lack of flexibility with my new knee I have changed my spinning method.  As a result, I am finally getting pain on the inside of my ankle on the right side.  Hopefully, I can ride through this but if not I will just put up with it as long as I can.  Its tough getting old I suppose.  Anyway, it's been excellent weather and biking has been great. Looking forward to some distance rides but we'll see.

 

Trying to get my stamina back.  Off the road too long. Good weather so outside ride are the rides.  To mix it up I still alternate inside rides with outside.  Unfortunately, I tried a ride into a 20 mile wind last week.  It was a disaster. I could only manage 8-9 mph.  It took the fun out of the ride so I have to be smarter about those things.  As mentioned earlier I now ride with a front flashing white light.  It didn't do much good as a car passed another into my lane.  Wonder what they are thinking because obviously see a flashing white light.  Oh well, that's how it goes.  Can't wait to do longer that 30 milers and get my mojo back.  Looks like this years cross country group have begun.  I enjoy following them as it helps recall our adventure riding across America.Later

 

Aaah.  Back outside on the road.  With the weather unseasonably warm the last week I was able to get in 3 good days of riding.  First was a short 20 miler to Eureka and back.  A short lunch with the lovely Veronica.  The next day was a 35 miler to Magnolia. A 20 mile wind at my back made for a nice ride.  Then the next day my 30 miler around the area.  Unfortunately, the weather this week is back to cool and windy so its back to the trainer in the basement.  On another note, we traded up a size to our granddaughters bike.  It looks great and she loves it.  Can't wait to do a ride with the little one.  Looking forward to biking this summer.

 

 Still no outside biking.   Horrible cold the last two weeks and have been on the bike only twice. Still looking forward to some spring riding but getting impatient.  It will be here at some time. Later.

 

Try again.  Ever hit a wrong button and wipe out a complete entry?  Just did. GRRRRR. I hate that. I was lamenting that my current riding situation is biking in my basement on my trainer.  There is so much Cash Cab one can watch.  Next week it looks like weather conditions may be favorable.  Upper 50's and mild winds.  On another note a friend is doing the "Brag Ride and asked if I would like to join the group.  No thanks.  Did two days a few years ago and most of my fears were realized.  Overcrowding, drunk bikers, amatures with no knowledge of group riding protocol make accidents with injury a reality.  So, no thanks.  Maybe my next entry will include outside riding info.  RSRO. 

 Waiting for winter to end. Getting impatient since coming back from the Keys. Lets go spring. Biking in the basement is getting old.  Maybe this week.

 

 

 

Just returned from a two week vacation in Key West. The weather was a perfect 78 degrees the entire time we were there with light and variable winds.  I rented a road bike from Eaton bike shop.  It is the best place for bike rentals in the keys.  The owners and workers are very knowledgeable about bikes and biking routes around the keys.  Rode over 250 miles in my time in the keys.  A great time to bike in mid winter.  On another note, I have a huge respect for friend Fred.  As a novice biker he and I rode from Key Largo to Key west twice.  It hadn't occurred to me before because I had ridden miles and miles in heavy traffic.  But, I haven't ridden in traffic in over a year.  County roads and state highways were the riding areas for my trips.  My first encounter with all the traffic and it took a while to get used to all the attention needed to ride safely in those conditions.  Then and there the realization that those conditions existed in Fred's world when he and I rode enhanced my respect for what he accomplished. The last day of my daily rides was a 55 miler from Marathon Key to Key West, Florida. I would like to dedicate it to good friend Fred Hampton. He and I rode this distance twice. Fred is no longer with us in person but his spirit always will be. I would also like to dedicate the first 7 miles to biking friend Mike Sorn. Mike is legendary for his affinity for bridges. Ha, ha. This distance is on a two lane bridge with a relatively narrow shoulder, short restraining barrier and nothing on the right except the Gulf of Mexico and nothing on the left except cars with people who are in a hurry to get off the bridge. Just so my biking friends don't freak out Fred and I, obviously, wore biking helmets but took them off for the picture.  All in all an excellent two weeks biking in the Florida Key.