Almost biked outside this week but weather would not quite permit this.  It looks like it will get into the 50 degree range this week so I will try an outside ride again.  Another note, it looks like fellow biker Barbie will be getting married in March.  Wishing her all the best.  Maybe see her and her new husband on next years Iowa Rag Ride. 

Getting bored doing winter inside biking.  Stationary bike at the rec center and trainer in the basement.  Getting wanderlust.  Used google-earth to follow the Great Alaskan Highway.  Making plans to ride it after the lovely Veronica retires.  In the meantime I will vacation soon in Florida and do some biking there.

Old computer will not allow pictures to be posted so I'll just use this one.  I think the above saying applies to most bikers who ride great distances

I guess Christmas ties  are a thing of the past. That's probably a good thing.  I've got more ties than Carter's got pills. Unlike many older folks, I am an easy person to buy a present for.   Now I get many gifts I use with my bike and that's a good thing. This year I received two new tires, a head sweat, long biking pants among other gifts.  Maybe Santa will give me a belated present: a new bike!  One can only hope.
On the biking front, I suspect my outside biking is finished for the rest of the winter.  I alternate between using my trainer in my home fitness center and stationary biking at the rec center.   Come on spring!!

Hard to believe.  December 14 did my Friday fifty-five mile ride outside in 50 degree weather in central Illinois.  There are some positives from this global warming thing.  I can't remember ever riding outside this late in the seaon around here.  Also, because many of the fields have been full tilled I checked with a farmer and he said it was tilled in this manner because it allows moisture to enter the soil easier and more efficiently than conservation tillage.  I realize that you non-farm dogs out there don't have a clue as to what I'm talking about but the trade off is that more of the top soil will be blown into the rivers this spring.  Enough about that. This is supposed to be a blog about biking and here I'm sounding like a Farmer John.  And yes I did survive the grizzlie attack!

So, it's Nov. 30-Dec. 1 and I'm still biking outside.  Global warning! Perhaps!! But it's still nice to get outside and ride the local roads in December.  Now the intrigue.  Biking yesterday, about 20 miles into the ride, I get a flat tire.  Not your normal slow leak flat but an out right blowout.  Normally not a problem.  I've changed many flats and am quite adept at doing so.  But, unfortunately it wasn't your normal flat.  My tire had worn down to the point that the tube came through the weakening and flatted.  My tire was toast!! Also, before the ride I knew the tire was not in good condition.  I thought I wouldn't be doing any more riding outside until spring so I didn't change it.  Upon inspection, before starting, I thought I had at least one more ride before changing tires.  No such luck.  And, because I had not brought a spare tire, I needed to call the lovely Veronica to come pick me up.  Thank goodness for cell phones and good reception.    But, all in all, it was still nice to ride in central Illinois in December outside as opposed to inside on a stationary. 

Still biking outside even though the temperature hasn't reached 50 degrees.  But, its been sunny so it doesn't seem as cold. Haven't had any near misses to report which is unusual.  Maybe the drivers have automatically become more courteous to bikers.    
     On another note, Barbie who started her cross country ride with the 09 group and finished it in 2011 just got engaged.  No, it didn't take three years to do the ride, she did it in sections over a three year period.  I rode a day on the Iowa Rag Ride with her.  (see prior posts)   She is a fine young lady, an excellent bicyclist and I wish her the best. 

     The picture attached to this post was gleened from Al Newman, who sent it to the 09 group.  He was one of the cyclists in the 09 group.  The  caption was "when helmets make no sense".