Finally. This is my new bicycle. After realizing I was destroying the environment with my excessive breathing while biking, I now will ride this vehicle, with the flowers, to absorb excess CO2 emissions. Also, note the location of the flowers. Another environmental safety feature. Any inadvertent methane emissions not only will be destroyed, but the smell of fresh flowers will be the only odor emanating from this practice. Life is good!!

Just returned from my second trip to Florida this year.  Looked into rental properties for January in the Naples area.  Found a great place and in the meantime rented a bike from the local Trek bike shop.  Biking the area I found it to be very bike friendly.  Not only were there trails but most roads had a specific bicycle lane.  Even the very busy Rt. 41 had a bike lane.  Looking forward to spending January there and avoiding the miserable winter weather in central Illinois.

http://www.seattlebikeblog.com/2013/03/02/state-lawmaker-says-bicycling-is-not-good-for-the-environment-should-be-taxed/
Two negative comments from politicians posted on facebook the last week.  One was from ED Orcott from Seattle Washington who declared that bikers were causing environmental problems.  His reasoning was because bikers exhale excess CO2 we are destroying the Ozone.  Because of this he advocates having a bike tax.  He is obviously an idiot.
And, Limburger, the radio ranter stated that older people should not bike.  His was a reaction to John Kerry falling and breaking his leg.  Another example of complete stupidity.  However, I'm still trying to do my daily 40 knowing it is destroying the environment and occasionally I will let flatulence stream behind me.  This is also known to destroy the environment as studies from cow farts seem to produce the same effect.  Oh well!
On another note, I will not be meeting with the cross country people this June in Champaign.  I will be out of town but wish the riders and Tracy well.  More later.

                                                               Riding buddy...Flat Stanley
The 2015 cross country tour begins Sunday.  Can't believe it is 6 years since my adventure.  And yes the book is completed.  Waiting for permission to use pics of riders.  Good luck to this years riders.  It will be an adventure...guarantee.

First century (101.2 miles) bike ride of the year from Washington to Champaign. I was going to wait two days until April 15 but thought the ride would be....wait for it......wait for it..... too TAXING!! Ha. And, if you didn't like that one how about this. I had to lean my bicycle against my brothers garage because after the ride it couldn't stand alone.It was...wait for it..........two tired!! I know, I know too much time on the bike. The video is coming down Freddies Hill located between Goodfield and Congerville. Lance Armstrong speed without the drugs!!
Two rides planned.  Hopefully, in July,  I will be able to meet Harry in New Jersey and ride with Bob and Tom before they do the Anchor House ride.  Then in Sept. I am doing the Fat Tire Ride in Lake Geneva.  I did that last year and had a blast.  Still in the planning stage for the Great Alaska Highway ride.

Biked outside 4 days last week.  Rode 200 miles with a trip to LeRoy...55 miles.  This week looks like it's back to the rec center as the temp will only be in the mid 40's and very windy.  Yea, I know I should not be so particular.  But, Spring is approaching and I will have plenty of time to do the outside thing.  Also, since Harry is coming to the states to do a ride with Bob and Tom, I may decide to join them.  The pic above is from my recent trip to Key West riding across 7 mile bridge.

Finally got out this week.  Three days 40, 40 and 50.  It's good to be back! If I were to ride cross country again the bike in the above pic would be my ride of choice!!