2013 End of Season Report

Final Seasonal Total: 1,512.3

My 2013 riding season has ended. Complete details can be found in my 2013 End of Season Report web page, which can be found at www.bartweb.net/One_for_All/2013.html.

I've received official approval from the Livestrong Foundation to resume my One for All fund raising initiative in 2014, which will be my eighth consecutive season.

2012 End of Season Report

Final Seasonal Total: 1,700.2

My 2012 riding season has ended. Complete details can be found in my 2012 End of Season Report web page, which can be found at www.bartweb.net/One_for_All/2012.html.

I've received official approval from the Livestrong Foundation to resume my One for All fund raising initiative in 2013, which will be my seventh consecutive season.

2011 End of Season Report

Final Seasonal Total: 1,525.3

My 2011 riding season has ended. Complete details can be found in my 2011 End of Season Report web page, which can be found at www.bartweb.net/One_for_All/2011.html.

I've received official approval from the Lance Armstrong Foundation to resume my One for All fund raising initiative in 2012, which will be my sixth consecutive season.

Last summer, I changed web hosts for my "One for All" website. Its new address is www.bartweb.net/One_for_All.

Best wishes for a Happy 2012.

I've moved on

As you've noticed, I've largely stopped updating these blog entries. It simply became too much duplication of effort, since much of the same information has always been primarily entered onto my Bike Journal pages, albeit in a less narrative fashion. You can access that page at http://www.bikejournal.com/journal_public.asp?rname=Antares for ride-to-ride coverage. I will likely post major riding accomplishments here, as well as End of Season Reports, but that's probably all.

2010 End of Season Report

Final Seasonal Total: 2,128.4

Now that winter weather has taken residence in my part of the world, it's time to prepare my annual "End of Season Report." In the end, I rode a total of 2,128.4 miles, which shatters my previous seasonal record. This year's figure was 653 miles more than 2009, 902 miles more than 2008, and 1,246 miles more than 2007. As a result of my efforts, I personally contributed $533 to the Lance Armstrong Foundation. So far, I've collected an additional $718 from friends, yielding a total contribution in 2010 of $1,251. Special thanks to Sean Sullivan, who for the third consecutive year matched my personal contribution with his own. My four-year contribution to LAF now stands at $4,109. Complete details can be found in my 2010 End of Season Report web page, which can be found at www.bartweb.net/One_for_All/2010.html.

I've already received official approval from the Lance Armstrong Foundation to resume my One for All fund raising initiative in 2011. Next year will be my fifth consecutive season.

Merry Christmas to all and best wishes for a Happy 2011.

To the Edge of the Precipice of Winter

Current Seasonal Total: 2,128.4

On Sunday, with sunny skies, temperatures in the mid-40s, and southerly winds that made it feel more like the 30s, I completed a 17 mile ride that took me on a moderately large loop through the villages of Bartlett, Carol Stream, and Bloomingdale. The highlight of the ride was "discovering" a wonderful little lake within Bierman Park in Carol Stream. I further discovered that this lake (known as Heritage Lake) has a newly-paved 1.3 mile path around its perimeter, which I followed on my bike. It added an additional element of newness and natural beauty to an otherwise routine ride. By completing this ride, I tied my previous record for the latest ride in the season (Nov. 28) and raised my seasonal mileage into the 2120s.

As I look ahead, I see a long-range forecast that looks cold. I don't recall ever riding my bike with the mercury still in the 30s, but that's about as warm as it's likely to get this weekend. Will there be a temperature rebound after that? Stay tuned!

Surpassing 2100

Current Seasonal Total: 2,111.2

Today, I surpassed the 2100 mile mark! With cloudy skies and temperatures in the mid-50s, my ride began a few minutes after 11 a.m. Although I had originally planned to ride along the crushed stone paths of Hawk Hollow and the West Branch Trails, the wet streets that greeted me early this morning changed my plans. Instead, I opted to ride along familiar paved streets in Bartlett, Hanover Park, Schaumburg and Roselle. Throughout my ride, a thin layer of moisture remained on the pavement, stubbornly refusing to evaporate. Thankfully, I felt no rain nor drizzle as I rode.

Today's ride was my 86th of the season. Will there be another day suitable for riding in the next few weeks? Only time will tell. If not, I could easily live with 2111 being my final figure for the season.