My February through May cycling for LAF

Originally posted to Livestrong.com blog


I started my cycling season early this year with our vacation to Anna Maria Island near Bradenton, Florida. I rented a bicycle from the Backyard Bike Shop on Longboat Key and, over the next six days, I rode nine times and covered an estimated 112 miles.

But then, alas, I had to return to winter. After enduring a cold late-winter and a spring that seemed anything but spring-like (I only rode once in April), I logged seven rides in May, totaling 160.6 miles.

Tuesday, May 13th was proclaimed as Livestrong Day by the Lance Armstrong Foundation -- an annual one-day initiative to raise awareness and funds for the fight against cancer. To support the spirit of this day, I hosted a bicycle ride in west suburban Busse Woods Forest Preserve. Despite the threatening weather, two other riders from the Schaumburg Bicycling Club joined me, and we made one complete loop (i.e. 7.8 miles) before rain ended our ride prematurely.

On the Sunday of Memorial Day, I rode in the annual "Bike the Drive" along the lake shore in Chicago. This annual event closes down Lake Shore Drive in Chicago and makes it a "bicycle only" road until about 9:30 a.m. Upwards of 20,000 people rode all or a portion of the 30-mile loop that extends from Bryn Mawr Road on the north end to the Museum of Science Industry on the south end, with Grant Park serving as the start/finish point for all riders. In all, I rode 40 miles in gorgeous weather with Lake Michigan on one side and the Chicago skyscrapers on the other. It was a surreal and wonderful experience. Toward the end of the ride, there were so many riders on the road (many of whom were families with children) that I was actually slowed by the high volume of bicycle traffic. However, unlike automobile traffic, this type of traffic was invigorating, not frustrating.

So, as May ended, I was ahead of my mileage for this time last year -- 287.5 vs. 178.7 miles. The difference is largely due to the miles that I rode during my Florida vacation in February.

Thank you for your support and encouragement, and live strong!