My End of Season Report

My final ride for 2009 was on November 28th. In the end, I rode a total of 1,475.5 miles in 2009, which is a personal record for me. This year's figure is 249.3 miles more than 2008 and 593.2 miles more than 2007. As a result of my efforts, I personally contributed $370 to the Lance Armstrong Foundation. Because some of my donors contribute only after they've seen my final results, I do not yet know the total amount of money that One for All will raise for LAF in 2009. I will, however, know this by year's end, and I will subsequently add this to my 2009 End of Season Report webpage, which can be found at http://77illinois.homestead.com/files/cycling/season09.html.

More good news! I've already received official approval from the Lance Armstrong Foundation to resume my One for All fund raising initiative in 2010. Next year will be my fourth consecutive season.

Merry Christmas to all and best wishes for the new decade of the 2010s.

A final ride . . . to the top of the slide.

On Saturday, I rode my bicycle for the final time in 2009. I know . . . I know . . . I've made that prediction several times before. But looking at the weather forecast for the upcoming week, it appears that the bottom will fall out of the thermometer mid-week, with no rebound in sight. We're finally beginning our long slide into the abyss of winter.

On this day, I started my ride sometime around 11:30. Skies were sunny and temperature were in the upper 40s with a light southwesterly breeze. Overall, it was a pretty comfortable ride, warmed mid-way through by a visit to the Roselle Starbucks, where the barista didn't even charge me for my tall cup of coffee. I visited some familiar landmarks for the last time this season, including Springfield Park, the Lake Street bike bridge, Meacham Grove trail, the Schaumburg Metra station, and the Wilcox trail. With the completion of this ride, my seasonal total stands at 1,475.5 miles. I will provide more complete details in my End of Season Report. Unless the weather forecasters do a complete about-face, that will come out soon.

I give up . . . I can't predict the weather!

As my wife and friends point out, I've declared the end of my cycling season on several occasions so far this year. However, each time, the fickle weather of this atypical year makes a liar out of me. So I give up . . . I don't know when my cycling season will end.

My latest late-autumn ride was on Monday, November 23rd, when I took an afternoon off from work and rode a little more than 21 miles. The weather forecast called for sunny skies and temperatures in the mid-50s. What I actually got was cloudy skies and a temperature that peaked at 49. However, those conditions were still abnormally warm for late-November, and with virtually no wind, it was a reasonably comfortable ride.

As I write this blog entry, I notice that the forecast for Saturday is about the same, but with sunny skies. After that, however, the temperatures drop considerably. So will Saturday the 28th be my final ride? Or will we have a mid-December heat wave to make a liar out of me once again?

+ 200

It's hard to imagine that we'll get many more days as nice as Saturday, November 14th. Although it was almost ten degrees cooler than last Sunday (low 60s instead of low 70s), the sunny skies and light winds made it a delightful ride, especially during its first hour. I was quite comfortable wearing a long sleeve t-shirt under my Livestrong jersey and long tights over my cycling shorts. Sensing that this ride could be the last comfortable ride of my 2009 season, I decided to go much farther than yesterday's 17.8 miles. My route took me south to Lies Road, then west to the Hawk Hollow Trail, then north and east through parts of Bartlett, Hanover Park, Schaumburg, and Roselle. In total, today's ride was 28.1 miles.

My seasonal total now stands at 1,435.5 miles -- more than 200 miles more than last year's total. My new monthly total of 130.6 is the most miles I've ever ridden in the month of November. Also, November 14th is the latest date that I've ridden in the past three years (and perhaps ever). Finally, today's ride was my 64th ride of 2009, eclipsing last year's number by one ride. With each of my rides averaging more miles this year, I wasn't sure I would break this record . . . but, lo and behold, I did.

Someone remarked that this year, we had our November weather in October and our October weather in November. That's certainly a good way to describe the topsy-turvy weather during the past six weeks. Metaphorically speaking, the dark storm clouds of winter are gathering in the west. About mid-way through today's ride, dark clouds started moving in from the west. Prophetic? Only time will tell.

1400 miles!

I'm not a superstitious person, but there is irony in the fact that on this day -- Friday the 13th -- I broke out of the 1300s and into the 1400s for the season. It happened at about 2:50 p.m. on the corner of Duxbury and Salem in Schaumburg (see photo).

I took half a personal day from work and started my ride at about 2 o'clock. There was nothing special about today's destination. I rode through streets in Bartlett, Hanover Park, Schaumburg and Roselle, and enjoyed a nice, warm cup of coffee at the Starbucks on Irving Park Road. Rather, it was more about the journey itself -- a journey that has broken new ground for me and (sadly) is now nearing its end.

Today's ride also pushed me over the 100 mile mark for the month, which is the first time that I've ever ridden that far in November. Last year, in fact, I only rode one time for 25.6 miles.

The weather forecast is rather optimistic for tomorrow. Perhaps there will be one more ride this season . . . maybe two?

A Gift

The best way to describe the weather this past weekend is ... a gift. In a year that saw a very late onset of summer, a very cool and wet summer, and a very early start to autumnal weather, a weekend like this was hard to believe. But we'll take it! We certainly deserve it! By late morning on each day, the temperatures had risen to the mid to upper 60s. They would peak in the low 70s, which is very uncharacteristic for November -- especially so this year. Realizing that this may be my last opportunity to plan longer rides, I decided to ride the Illinois Prairie Path one day and Busse Woods the next.

Saturday was my Illinois Prairie Path day. I drove to Prairie Path Cycles, where I rode "The Triangle," as I call it. I first headed northwesterly, along the Elgin Spur of the IPP. At Prince Crossing Road, I joined the Great Western Trail and followed it eastward until it rejoined the IPP in Villa Park. I then headed westward along the Main Stem of the IPP (into a rather stiff headwind) and back to my starting point. The only surprise was in downtown Wheaton, where I discovered that the bridge over the railroad yard was closed for construction. Bikes were routed on a well-marked detour that only added a few minutes to the route. Skies were sunny with temperatures starting in the mid 60s and ending at 70 but with moderate southwesterly winds. I wore base layers of a long sleeve t-shirt and long tights in addition to my shorts and Livestrong jersey. I needed the layers when I was riding (due to the resulting wind chill) but I quickly heated up whenever I stopped.

On Sunday, I knew from the start that I wouldn't need to wear long tights, and I hadn't gone too far before I realized I didn't need the long sleeve t-shirt either. For most of the ride I simply wore my Livestrong jersey and shorts. Sunday was my day to ride pavement instead of crushed stone. The Busse Woods Forest Preserve was my destination. Like Saturday, the skies were sunny. Temperatures may have been a degree or two warmer, but they felt significantly warmer due to the reduced wind. It really felt like summer again! I began my ride at 12:10, rode to Busse Woods, completed two circuits of the loop (the first counter clockwise and the second clockwise), and returned home.

Collectively, I rode 62.6 miles this weekend, and I now find myself only 10 miles short of the 1400 mile mark. I am bold and determined to find those missing miles, regardless of the weather. Stay tuned! The 1400 mile mark is my new goal!

Two More Rides . . . Three More Records

This weekend, I rode both days. Saturday's ride was cold -- a brisk 45 degrees rendered much colder by the lack of sunshine and a rather significant wind chill. Despite my discomfort, I rode nearly 11 miles to and from the town center of Bartlett.

On Sunday, the temperature was (thankfully) nearly 10 degrees warmer, with only a light southerly breeze. It felt much more comfortable as I rode through sections of Roselle, Schaumburg and Hanover Park. I rode a total of 22.1 miles before the setting sun forced me to quit. Curses to the Return of Standard Time.

It's perfectly understandable that when you surpass your seasonal best (as I did on October 4th), every ride sets a record. However, this weekend set a few records that were more significant than normal. On Saturday, I surpassed the 1300 mile mark. On Sunday, my ride added enough additional miles that my 2009 seasonal total now surpasses my 2008 total by over 100 miles. Also, on Sunday I surpassed the 100-hour accumulated riding time mark. I've never done this before. My prior record was just over 94 hours. This 100 hour figure represents actual riding time, since my cycle computer stops counting whenever I stop riding. To put it into perspective, 100 hours translates into 2 1/2 40-hour work weeks.

Every time I now ride, I am conscious of the fact that this ride could be the last one of 2009, even though I hope it isn't. In 2008, my final ride occurred on November 3rd. In 2007, my final ride occurred on November 11th for "Roll the Tollway." I still hope to add a few more rides to my 2009 total.

A Brief Respite from the Cold

On what may be the last 60 degree plus day this year, I enjoyed a delightful 21.3 mile ride today. Wearing my cold weather gear (i.e. long sleeve t-shirt, jersey and cycling jacket above my waist and cycling shorts and cycling tights below my waist), I was perfectly comfortable for the duration of the ride, which passed through Roselle en route to the eastern edge of Schaumburg and then back along Weathersfield Way. When I started my ride around 11:30, the skies were partly sunny, but within a half-hour, the clouds moved in. By completing this ride, I surpassed the 100-mile mark for October and extended my seasonal mileage total to 1,294.1 miles.

I felt surprisingly strong during today's ride, especially given the fact that I had just returned from the hectic schedule and short sleep cycles of the annual GLPA planetarium conference. My body almost seemed anxious for physical activity, and I willingly accommodated its request.

On my next ride, I will likely reach three more milestones -- exceeding the 1,300 seasonal mileage mark, setting a new October mileage record, and exceeding 100 hours of total riding time this season. If I can complete 32.1 more miles this season, I will better last years seasonal mark by an even 100 miles. Stay tuned.

Nearing the end of my season

Although it was still an abnormally chilly day for mid-October, today was a full ten degrees warmer than last Sunday. Hooray! With sunny skies and light winds, the weather conditions were much better for today's ride, which will be one of the last rides of my season. Today, I rode 20.8 miles, pushing my seasonal total to 1,272.8 miles. My seasonal total is now 46.6 miles greater than my 2008 total. Will there be more miles to come? Only time (and weather conditions) will tell.

On this day, I rode familiar streets within Schaumburg, Hanover Park, and Bartlett, but in a counter-clockwise fashion. I'm not sure why I typically start this great loop in a northwesterly direction through Bartlett, but today, this segment of my route was at the end of the ride instead of the beginning. As I rode today, I tried to soak in the full Zen experience of cycling -- the life energy contained in my breathing and the rhythm of my pedaling, the natural beauty that surrounds me as I ride, and the feeling of "oneness" that characterizes each sojourn into this parallel world. Soon, my cycling season will end, and I will once again long for the experience.

Brrr . . . I should get bonus miles for this!

Well, I'm finally getting around to commenting on the two rides that I endured last weekend. I say "endured" because the air temperatures at ride time were in the low 40s -- uncharacteristic chilly for early October. On Saturday, I rode to Starbucks on Irving Park Road (the hot coffee did indeed help!) then through parts of Schaumburg and Roselle. My total ride was only 13.8 miles, which would have been a short ride under normal circumstances; today, it posed a challenge given the 41 degree temperature and light winds that further added to the wind chill.

Although the temperatures were predicted to be colder on Sunday, that day's ride was actually two degrees warmer and felt even warmer than that, with no wind to speak of. This day, I rode to and through the Hawk Hollow Trail and through parts of Bartlett, totaling 11.6 miles.

Adding both rides together yields a respectable 25.4 miles. So perhaps I should simply consider my weekend effort one ride divided between two days. Given the extreme weather, that should be allowed. In any event, I added to my record seasonal total, which now stands at 1,252 miles.

The Sweet Taste of Victory

On Sunday, October 4th, I surpassed my seasonal total of 2008, which had been my personal best. What's more, this sweet taste of victory came almost a full month before I attained the same mileage a year ago. Given the strange and unseasonal weather that has plagued 2009, I am pleased that my many late-summer rides were able to offset the early-season deficit.

I am particularly pleased by the timing of my achievement -- the weekend of Livestrong Day -- the day to remember people we've lost to cancer, love and support people who are fighting cancer, and take action in the fight against cancer. Although the Chicagoland weather on the actual Livestrong Day (Friday) was rainy, I was able to ride on both the Saturday and Sunday that followed. By so doing, I also broke a 13-day cycling drought due to my recent trip to California. It felt good to be back in the saddle.

Saturday's 14.8 mile ride took me to the Irving Park Road Starbucks in Schaumburg and then along a well-traveled section of Schaumburg. Skies were mostly cloudy with a couple of sprinkles near the end of my ride. Temperatures were in the upper-50s (well below average for the season) but winds were (thankfully) light. Within an hour of my return, steadier rains moved in.

Sunday's 29.1 mile ride was well planned the night before to ensure that I would break my seasonal record. My route was also chosen to be representative of all my previous rides. Portions of my route included crushed stone surfaces of the Great Western Trail, the Elgin Spur of the Illinois Prairie Path, and two sections of the Hawk Hollow Preserve. Other portions were ridden on paved secondary roads and subdivisions, representative of the matrix of lightly-traveled roads that I have . I broke my 2008 seasonal total within my own subdivision, with only 0.4 of a mile to spare. Skies were partly cloudy, with temperatures starting in the low 60s and ending in the upper-50s and light northwesterly winds.

Henceforth, my miles for 2009 will be the proverbial "frosting on the cake." Every additional mile that I now ride will extend my seaonal record and contribute additional funds to the Lance Armstrong Foundation. Me . . . my bike . . . my cause!

September ends cool and rainy

I have returned from a wonderful vacation in Southern California. My brother-in-law Michael married Leah on Saturday, September 26th, and the entire Basile family shared a wonderful time at the St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort in Dana Point. Prior to arriving there, Tammy and I flew into San Diego and visited Sea World. Although I considered renting a bicycle while I was in California, I thought (correctly) that there wouldn't be many opportunities to ride. It was a pretty action-packed week!

With the end of yet another month, it is time to make my monthly contribution to the Lance Armstrong Foundation. My September contribution was $50, based on my September mileage of 205.2 miles. In retrospect, considering that I was gone for two of the four weekends in September (one for the Prairie Skies star party and the other in California), I still had my third best month of 2009 and my fifth best month since 2007. My seasonal total now stands at 1,182.7 miles.

It's now been 11 days since my last bike ride, and the weather has turned decidedly cool and rainy. The forecast suggests that my next ride will have to wait until Sunday, at which time I can start chipping away at the remaining 44 miles that I need to break last year's total.

Do I earn extra miles for sleep deprivation?

Today, I returned home from the self-imposed sleep deprivation exercise known as a star party. Amateur astronomers from Illinois and surrounding states converged this past Thursday through Sunday for the annual Prairie Skies star party held near Kankakee. Arriving on Friday afternoon, I stayed for two of its three scheduled nights. Fortuitously, all three nights offered good observing to the nearly 200 amateur astronomers who attended. On Friday night (actually Saturday morning), I stayed up until about 2:45 a.m. and slept about 4 1/2 hours. On Saturday night (i.e. Sunday morning), I "only" stayed up until 1:45 a.m. -- blame cloudier conditions, a colder breeze, and a sleepier mind -- and slept about 5 1/2 hours.

Surprisingly however, a little sleep deprivation didn't seem to bother my cycling early this afternoon. It felt good to be back on the bike after a five day absence, and I felt surprisingly strong. I rode through the heart of Bartlett, then on to Hanover Park and Schaumburg, totaling 19 miles, reducing my magic number to 44. My current seasonal total now matches the 2008 seasonal total that I attained on October 18, 2008. It now seems a virtual certainty that I will exceed the magic 1,226.2 figure that I set only last year.

My Magic Number is now 63

With the length of daylight dropping much faster than the leaves, I took a short ride this evening through the Hawk Hollow Bike Path and through parts of Bartlett. The weather was ideal, with temperatures in the low 70s, partly sunny skies, and light breezes. I reduced my magic number -- that is, the number of miles I need to exceed last year's total mileage -- to 63.

Three more days . . . three more rides

Three more days . . . three more rides, and when I add it all up, it comes to 67.2 additional miles, which reduces my Magic Number to only 74.5 miles.

On Friday, September 11th, I rode a tribute ride for the victims and families of the September 11th attacks, now eight years past. Even though media coverage of the anniversary was minimal, I reflected upon the many tragic events of that day as I rode. At times, 9/11 seems like a very long time ago; at other times, it seems like only yesterday. While I was pondering the events of that day, I rode my bike to the Roselle Metra station, then north and west along lightly traveled roads in Schaumburg. My ride totaled 17.6 miles.

On Saturday, September 12th, I rode down to the Great Western Trail, then followed the Elgin Spur of the Illinois Prairie Path to Bartlett Road. Along the way, I discovered the hard way that the Elgin Spur was closed at Dunham Road, forcing me to ride along Dunham Road and Route 25, neither of which are bicycle friendly. Fortunately, the detour was not too long. I next navigated south from Bartlett Road through a subdivision and along prairie paths leading to the Bartlett Nature Center on Stearns Road. I continued eastward on Stearns and worked my way down to the south portion of the Hawk Hollow Preserve before heading home. The ride totaled 32.9 miles.

Today -- my 50th ride of the year -- I rode an additional 16.7 miles through Bartlett, Hanover Park, Schaumburg and Roselle, bringing me to my current seasonal total of 1,151.7 miles. Last year, I didn't reach this figure until my ride of October 12th. I am well positioned to exceed last year's total sometime during the next 4 or 5 rides.

A glorious Labor Day!

Wow . . . what a glorious day. Actually, what a glorious five days we've had, and I am pleased to report that I cycled and raised money for the Lance Armstrong Foundation on each of these days. At the end of it, I've rode 107 miles and am now within 142 miles of my 2008 total.

But first . . . a brief on yesterday's ride. It was cloudy most of the day and even looked like it could sprinkle at times, but it didn't. I rode a little "chip shot" of a ride totalling only 12.4 miles, exploring the industrial park pond trails near home, then continuing on to familiar side streets in Roselle before returning home via the Lake Street bicycle bridge route.

Overnight, the clouds cleared away, yielding a spectacular Labor Day, with clear skies only occasionally punctuated by stray clouds and temperatures in the mid 70s. My ride resembled a large misshapen loop through Hanover Park, Schaumburg and Hoffman Estates. I rode along Martingale Road and side roads leading to it for the first time, which was a delightful experience with so little traffic to contend with. Actually, extremely light traffic was one of the headlines for this ride. I don't remember ever seeing so little traffic along these very familiar roads. It felt like I was riding along an enormous network of bike trails. No cars . . . no worries!

Here's an even bigger headline -- I am now 48.6 miles ahead of last year at this time and within 142 miles of my 2008 seasonal total! For the first time, I really feel confident that I can break my own record.

September (and the countdown) begins

Happy Labor Day weekend! As of Saturday night, September 5th, I've already ridden three times this month, with more likely to come.

On Thursday, September 3rd, I broke the 1,000 mile mark for 2009, my second consecutive year of achieving that goal. Ironically, last year I also exceeded 1,000 miles on my first ride in September. On this day, I left work early and started riding at 5 o'clock. The weather was great, with sunny skies, temperatures in the mid-70s, low humidity, and very light breezes. I retraced part of my earlier route in reverse, passing the spot in Hanover Park where I camped out awhile on my last ride to fix a flat tire. This time, my 22.8 mile route carried me through Streamwood and Schaumburg before turning southward toward home.

On Friday, September 4th, I left work an hour early (again) and started my ride at 4:40 p.m. This time, I rode to the Starbucks on Irving Park Road, had a refreshing cold beverage to celebrate the start of the holiday weekend, then continued northward through Schaumburg roads. On my way back, I passed through the Meacham Grove Preserve and along the Lake Street bicycle bridge. My ride today was only 17.1 miles long.

On Saturday, September 5th, I started my ride shortly after 4 p.m. The sky was much cloudier, due to a weather disturbance in southern Illinois, but the temperatures were still in the low 70s with light easterly winds. My ride carried me through Bartlett along the Wilcox Trail, the name of an otherwise unnamed one-mile paved trail that parallels Wilcox Drive. I then worked my way to the Bartlett Trail, another paved trail (in somewhat disrepair), and then along Struckman, Bartlett, and Schick Roads to the Hawk Hollow South Trail, which I traced to Lies Road. I continued south and westward along residential roads, passed Sonny Acres, then joined the Elgin Spur of the Illinois Prairie Path and the Great Western Trail before following Kuhn Road back home. My ride this day was 25.4 miles, bringing my seasonal total within 184 miles of my new goal -- exceeding my 2008 seaonal total.

All this year, I've consistently stated that I wasn't specifically trying to exceed my total mileage for 2008, which was 1,226.2 miles. However, now that I realize that I'm almost exactly on par with where I was last year at this time, it's hard not to re-think my position. So . . . I guess I'll go for it. Reviewing my rides during September and October of last year, I see nothing out of the ordinary that makes my job this year any more daunting. So why not break my own record? With all these factors floating in my mind, I can think of no good reason not to.

So my "One for All" webpage now carries a small number underneath the "Miles ridden in 2009" number that shows the remaining miles needed to match 2008's total. As the days (and rides) pass, this number will drop.

August Ends

With August now ended, it is time to make my monthly contribution to the Lance Armstrong Foundation. My August contribution was $60, calculated from my August mileage of 237.8.

August was a little unusual for me. Since starting my "One for All" initiative in the spring of 2007, this was the first year that I rode more miles in August (237.8) than I rode in July (216.6). August of 2009 was also my third best month of the past three, bested only by my mileage in July of 2008 and July of 2007.

In August of 2009, I rode 51.7 more miles than in August of last year. These extra miles allowed me to catch up with the pace that I was riding at this time in 2008, an achievement that I wasn't sure I'd be able to do. Although I've said many times this year that I wasn't specifically trying to beat my total mileage for last year, I'm beginning to wonder if that may actually be possible. As of September 1st, I need only 22.5 miles to reach 1,000 miles and 248.7 miles to exceed my mileage for 2008.

Stay tuned!

The Hollis Benjamin Memorial Ride

Today -- the second anniversary of my father's death -- I rode in his memory. On an abnormally cool day for late-August, with temperatures in the mid 60s and moderate northwesterly breezes, I remembered my father's voice, his laugh, and the admiration and respect that he received from his fellow attorneys, clients, and friends. But most of all, I remembered the love and guidance he provided to me, and how my life would have been very different if I had been granted a lesser man for a father. Although cancer may have claimed his life in 2007, nothing could ever claim his eternal love and spirit.

My ride today was modest -- only about 18 miles -- but it reduced my magic number to 52 miles of the 1,000 mile mark for 2009. Weather permitting, I will reduce that magic number a little further when I ride again tomorrow -- on what will likely be another abnormally cool day that has come to typify this very strange summer of 2009.

Multiple Milestones

Today, on a rather short ride that was otherwise mundane, I achieved three personal milestones. About halfway into my ride, I surpassed the 3,000 mile mark for my cumulative One for All initiative, beginning in the spring of 2007. Near the end of the ride, I surpassed the 900 mile mark for 2009, which exceeds my annual total for all of 2007. Finally, I surpassed the 70 hour mark riding time for 2009, which is also more hours than I rode in all of 2007 and just 24 hours short of my record time on the saddle in 2008.

Looking ahead, I am fast approaching my next goal -- 1,000 miles for the 2009 season! With a day off scheduled for tomorrow, I will likely ride again and get closer still.

The 2009 Wright Ride

On Sunday, I woke up shortly after 6 a.m., drove to my former home town of Oak Park, and participated in the Fifth Annual Wright Ride, which derives its name by the many Frank Lloyd Wright homes that cyclists pass as they course their way Oak Park, River Forest, Berwyn, Riverside, Brookfield, La Grange Park, and Western Springs. This was the second year in a row that I participated in this annual ride, which is sponsored by the Oak Park Cycle Club. In both years, I rode their 25-mile route, which is actually about 29 miles by their reckoning.

I left home at 6:45 a.m. and bought coffee at Starbucks en route to Oak Park. I started my ride at 7:52. At about 8:20, while riding the final segment of the initial Oak Park/River Forest loop before the course turns southward, we encountered a moderate rain shower lasting about five minutes. Our group reached the Riverside water stop at 9:00, the Western Springs water tower at 9:50, and the Spring Rock Park (and rest stop) at 9:57. After very nearly retracing our route back, returning to our starting point at 12:03. I then set out on my own to visit my first apartment on Washington Boulevard (which I reached at 12:18) and rode back, extending my overall ride by about 30 minutes and 3 1/2 miles. I was back at car at 12:33 and left for home at about 12:45.

This year, by chance, I ended up riding with four other people. Although riding with cyclists of varying abilities lowered my average speed, it was a nice change of pace from my usual practice of riding alone. Unfortunately, one woman in our group crashed her bike on a stretch of road in Brookfield, but she was able to escape the mishap with only some moderate road rash on her legs. [Today, I learned the term "concrete loofah" from another member of our group]. A woman from a passing support vehicle (kudos to the ride organizers) did a superb job of dressing her wounds, and she was able to finish her ride with only minor discomfort.

Although weather forecasters had predicted rain for the afternoon, we were a bit surprised and concerned by a rain shower arriving so early. Fortunately, the skies soon turned partly cloudy, and no more showers were to dampen our ride. However, the evaporating rainwater added to an already humid day. Temperatures started off in the mid 70s and peaked in the mid 80s by ride's end.

My total mileage for today was 36.7 miles, which raises my seasonal total to 884. I am just 7.5 miles short of 3,000 overall miles since starting my One for All initiative in the spring of 2007.

Twenty minutes after beginning my drive home, as Lake Street fed traffic onto the Eisenhower Expressway, I drove headlong into a deluge of rain. The rain fell so hard that visibility was severely limited, and some cars even pulled over to the side of the road. The rains, heavy at times, continued through much of the afternoon. I felt very lucky to have completed the ride before the rain arrived. I would guess that everyone associated with the 2009 Wright Ride felt the same way.

800 miles . . . and counting!

On an absolutely beautiful evening, with temperatures hovering around 80 degrees and light breezes, I rode through the village of Bartlett, along the Bartlett Trail, along the crushed rock of the Hawk Hollow South trail, the Illinois Prairie Path's Elgin Spur, and the Great Western Trail and north along Kuhn Road back home. This 25 mile ride pushed my seasonal total over the 800 mile mark and brought me within 88 miles of the 3,000 mile mark since starting my "One for All" grassroots initiative two years ago.

Speaking of milestones, my cycle odometer exceeded the 2,800 mile mark on this ride. The mileage difference is explained by the 111.8 estimated miles that I rode on a rental bike in Florida in February of 2008.

August opens with a great ride to Busse Woods

Today, with spectacular weather (but still slightly cool for July), I rode to Busse Woods via Meacham Grove and the Roselle Metra Station, made two circuits along Busse Woods' looping bike path (one clockwise and one counter-clockwise), and then returned home via Weathersfield Way and the Schaumburg Metra Station. Each time I ride along the paved bike path in Busse Woods, I enjoy seeing its diverse landscapes, from woods to prairie to grassy recreational fields. I also enjoy seeing the steady stream of cyclists, pedestrians, and in-line skaters who share the path with me. Even though I rarely interact with any of them, their appearance provides me with a nice break from my normal solitude of riding.

Today's ride was a half mile shy of 40 miles. Now that the weather has turned more summerlike (although its temperatures are still below average), I'm making up for mileage lost in prior weeks. My last three rides have been 51.2, 27.5 and 39.5 miles, making a total of 118.2. These three rides have raised my seasonal total from 661 to 779.2 miles, and there's a good chance that my next ride will crack the 800 mile mark.

Today also marks the day that I make my monthly contribution to the Lance Armstrong Foundation. My July contribution is $55, calculated from a total July mileage of 216.6.

Cycling on a beautiful July afternoon

Today was a rarity for the summer of 2009 -- a nearly perfect weather day. Having anticipated this, I opted to take 1/4 of a personal day to ride my bike, my ride starting at about 4:45. For only the second time this year, I headed east to the Meacham Grove and Spring Creek preserves, which were frequent destinations in prior years. I then turned north on Medinah Road and coursed my way along neighborhood streets to Weathersfield Way, which I then rode westward for very nearly its full length. I next rode through parts of Streamwood and Bartlett before returning home, with the total mileage for the ride reaching 27.5.

I also take pride in the fact that my average speed for this ride was 14.2 mph, which matches my previous fastest pace for 2009, which took place just eight days ago. However, today's ride was twice the distance of that earlier ride, which confirms the fact that my average riding speed is improving.

This is probably my last ride for July, so it's time to review my riding statistics to date. My total mileage for July was 216.6, which is my best month for 2009 and my third best month ever. [My three best months have always been Julys -- #1 in 2008, #2 in 2007 and #3 in 2009]. I also completed my second "age in miles" half-century ride, which boosted my seasonal total over the 700 mile mark. With today's ride added in, my total mileage now stands at 739.7. My July contribution to the Lance Armstrong Foundation will be $55 and my total "One for All" contribution for 2009 now stands at $337.

Looking ahead, I need 152 more miles to crack 3,000 miles for my three-year "One for All" total and I need 261 more miles to surpass 1,000 miles for 2009. I am confident that both milestones can be achieved -- almost certainly in August for the former and probably early in September for the latter. Although my July 2009 total fell nearly 95 miles short of my all-time record month of July, 2008, I am still very pleased at where I currently stand.

Most importantly, there are still many more miles to ride and more money to raise. Onward!

Today, I rode my "51 at 51" ride

Well . . . I didn't plan it . . . but it just sort of happened. Today, I rode my annual "age in miles" half-century ride, known this year as my "51 at 51" ride.

When the day started, I was planning a 35 mile ride with a possible 7 mile extension if I felt particularly strong. Leaving the house shortly after 9 a.m., I had traveled almost a mile before I discovered that I'd left my two water bottles behind. Since water bottles aren't exactly something that I can be without, I returned home and departed once again, with 1.8 miles already on my odometer. As I rode, I began to realize that this extra "mistake mileage," when added to the mileage of my extended ride, would bring my total mileage to around 44 miles. "Hmmmm," I thought to myself, "why not just go an extra seven miles and complete my '51 at 51' ride today?" As my ride progressed, I liked this idea more and more. Ironically, my water bottle mistake might actually have been a blessing in disguise.

I first rode south to pick up the Great Western Trail, then westward and northwestward along the Illinois Prairie Path's Elgin Spur to where that trail passes near the intersection of North Avenue and Route 59. I then left the trail for paved roads as I passed Sonny Acres Farm (as shown in photo above) and large homes situated on even larger lots that border the Old Wayne Golf Course. My ride carried me through the villages of Bloomingdale, Carol Stream, Bartlett, Hanover Park, Streamwood, Hoffman Estates, Schaumburg and Elk Grove Village. Since I hadn't planned to ride 50 miles, I had to chart my path on the fly, and I came pretty close . . . but no cigar. As I approached home, I was three miles short of my 51 mile objective. So, even though I didn't particularly feel like riding sprints up and down local roads, that's what I did on Cloverdale and Lawrence roads. As I pulled into my driveway, my odometer indicated that I had ridden 51.2 miles, bringing my annual total to over 700 miles . . . 712.2 to be precise.

Oh, and by the way, today's weather was finally summer-like. Temperatures started off in the low 70's and probably reached near 80 by ride's end. Winds were nearly still at first but then became light and westerly. Had I known that I'd be riding this long today, I would have started earlier so I wouldn't have had to ride when the sun was so high. Fortunately, I had applied enough sunscreen before leaving.

This ride brings my July total to 189.1, which is just below my June total of 203.7 and well below my record July 2008 mileage of 311.5. I am hoping to squeeze in another ride some evening this upcoming week. If that ride exceeds 14.6 miles, then July will become my best month of 2009 and 2/3 as good as my best month ever. Yes . . . spinning statistics can be fun!

Is this really July?!

I do believe that this past weekend marks the first time EVER I've had to layer clothing for a bicycle ride in July. Both of my weekend rides -- a mid-afternoon ride on Saturday and a late-morning ride on Sunday -- featured temperatures in the upper 60s that required more than the usual summer wardrobe of cycling shorts and jersey. My Saturday ride was the worse weather of the two, with slightly stronger winds and even a short bout of light rain.

Both rides were shortened by other personal obligations I had to attend to. (Can you believe that I have other things to do than ride a bicycle?) ;-) A string of such obligations, coupled with sub-par weather, has limited my mileage so far in July. I have one more weekend to go and perhaps a weekday evening or two -- assuming that the rainy weather pattern can change.

Overall, I now stand at 647.2 miles, needing 352.8 miles to reach 1,000 miles for the seaons, but only 244.3 miles to reach 3,000 miles for my cumulative "One for All" effort.

Tour de Schaumburg

Today, I rode 28.4 miles in what I am calling my "Tour de Schaumburg." Feeling adventuresome, I decided to avoid my regular routes and instead explore a number of neighborhoods in Schaumburg and Hoffman Estates that I had not visited before. Although I often needed to consult my "book of maps" to ensure that I didn't get lost, I made only a few minor mistakes and traversed a total of 22 new streets in the process. By so doing, I discovered some interesting street names, such as Juli, Orange, Treebark, Paris, and -- my favorite -- Slingerland. Who comes up with these names, anyway?

With SPF 50 sunscreen applied, I began my ride around 10:30 with temperatures in the mid 70s and light northwesterly winds. Although the height of the sun made it feel warmer than the thermometer indicated, it was still a most delightful day! During the noon hour, I enjoyed a snack at the fountain and lake at the Schaumburg Municipal Center (see photo).

On this day, I surpassed the 600 mile mark for the season. Although I now lag behind my record-breaking pace of last year, I'm still less than 300 miles away from the 3,000 mile mark for the 2007, 2008 and 2009 seasons and I now need less than 400 miles to reach the 1,000 mile mark for this year.

My Independence Day rides

Throughout the Chicago area, the Fourth of July weekend provided comfortable temperatures and light winds, but with light rain dampening much of Saturday. On Friday, which was a holiday for most people (including me), I rode 25 miles during the afternoon along lightly traveled roads in Bartlett, Hanover Park, Schaumburg and Roselle. On Sunday, the weather was so nice that I rode twice in one day, something I haven't done since June of 2008. Both rides explored areas that either I had never visited or rarely done so. My first ride, taken late-morning, explored subdivisions near Nerge Road in Schaumburg in addition to roads I often travel en route to Busse Woods. My second ride, taken during the late afternoon hours, explored the subdivisions just east of Springfield Road in Bloomingdale. Collectively, these two rides amounted to 32.1 miles, bringing my seasonal total to 580.2 miles.

As my cycling season progresses, I am beginning to formulate some new goals. Goal number 1 is to reach 3,000 accumulated miles since I began my "One for All" initiative in the spring of 2007. I only have to ride an additional 312 miles to attain that goal. Goal number 2 is to reach 1,000 miles for the current cycling season. To reach this milestone, I have to ride 420 more miles. Both goals are quite attainable. Stay tuned on my progress.

Over $2,000 . . . and counting!

With June coming to a close, it's time to add up my miles and make my monthly contribution to the Lance Armstrong Foundation. This month's contribution totaled $101, which included my own contribution of $51 (for 203.7 miles), along with a friend's contribution of $50.

I've reached another milestone! This latest posting brings my "One for All" initiative's total mileage to 2,631.6 and its total contribution to $2,075 since its inception in the spring of 2007. My total mileage for 2009 now stands at 523.1.

Today -- my final vacation day in FY2009 -- I rode an additional 20.8 miles through Bartlett, Hanover Park, and Schaumburg, stopping along the way at Starbucks and to deliver a gift. It was a very comfortable ride, with temperatures that started near 80, but fell to the mid-70s as the clouds rolled in from the north. The biggest problem -- again -- was the wind, which blew from the northwest with occasional gusts. So ends my four-day riding streak, my longest such streak since July of 2008.

A Tale of Three Unremarkable Rides

This past weekend, I rode three times in three days. Although none of my rides was particularly noteworthy, I reached a noteworthy milestone.

Ride 1, on early Friday evening, was ridden in perfect riding conditions, with temperatures in the low 80s and light winds. I traveled a little over 23 miles through the villages of Bartlett, Hanover Park, Schaumburg, and Roselle. In so doing, I discovered another route that allows me to cross the Milwaukee West railroad tracks without having to share a major thoroughfare with rush hour drivers -- the Hanover Park Metra station. Understandably, city planners and railroad companies plan villages so that only major roads (which are usually bicycle unfriendly) have crossings. Thank God for Metra stations; three of the four safe pathways from the region "south of the tracks" (where I live) to the bicycle-friendly region to the north are the Roselle, Schaumburg, and Hanover Park Metra stations.

The next morning -- Saturday -- was a few degrees warmer, but considerably more humid. Ride 2 carried me through Schaumburg and Roselle, resting for a brief time at the bike-friendly Metra stations in each of these villages. I rode 18.3 miles and finished my ride as the summer sun reached the meridian. In retrospect, I should have forced myself to start my ride earlier. It was uncomfortably hot by ride's end, and the fact that I ran out of water certainly didn't help.

A cold front swept through the area late Saturday night, bringing rain, a slight drop in temperature, and (more importantly) a significant drop in humidity. As a result, my Sunday ride was much more comfortable, with one exception -- the wind. Earlier this year -- in the spring -- the rare warm day was accompanied by stiff southerly winds. I grew to dislike the wind, despite the fact that I knew that their existence was the very reason it was warm. Now, the winds were back, but there were westerly now and considerably warmer. On this day, whenever I traveled west, it felt like I was perpetually riding uphill. When I was eastbound, I felt like Superman. Starting my ride in mid-afternoon, my ride was a modest 16.9 miles in length.

Although none of these rides exceeded 25 miles and my total mileage for all three rides was only 58.5 miles, it still pushed me above the 500 mile mark for 2009.

Feeling philosophical, I liken these three unremarkable rides to the individual days of our lives, which are often similarly unremarkable. Despite this, each person's collection of unremarkable days often accumulate to create very remarkable lives. Throughout our vast universe are similar instances when the whole is greater than the sum of the individual parts. They call this synergy. With that in mind, I continue to pedal onward and upward, toward a greater goal that adds my modest effort to the efforts of countless other people who work tirelessly to end the scourge of cancer. By so doing, we make a difference, thereby illuminating the better angels of our nature.

Back to the tranquil triangle

Wow! What a beautiful day! Weeks ago, I selected this day as a vacation day, since the fiscal year was almost over and I had some extra days. Boy, did I luck out! The temperatures were in the upper 70s (perhaps even touching 80) and the winds were light. This is the kind of weather a cyclist (including me) dreamt of during our long, cold winter and spring.

On this glorious day -- and for the first time since early last October -- I rode the Great Western Trail - Illinois Prairie Path triangle, which courses its way through the villages of Winfield, Wheaton, Glen Ellyn, Lombard and Villa Park. Although I've never heard anyone else refer to it as "the triangle," its shape clearly suggests that nickname to me. Since it was a work day, the bike paths were lightly populated and I could travel as fast (or as slow) as I wished. There were times that I did both.

I had forgotten how lovely the Illinois Prairie Path was, especially with the recent rains having transformed the surrounding plants into a lush "tunnel of trees." Only after the ride ended did I recall that I would surpass 400 miles during this ride. My seasonal total now stands at 415.3 miles.

Beautiful Busse Woods

Well, for the first time in 2009, I broke a sweat riding my bike. And for the record, that's not because I've only ridden easy rides. Instead it speaks to the fact that our weather has been so abnormally cool this season. Yesterday, temperatures finally climbed into the upper 70s, and I could finally leave my long-sleeve layers behind. Yippe! To celebrate, I rode to the Busse Woods Forest Preserve in Elk Grove Village, largely along Weathersfield Way. Although Busse Woods was populated with people enjoying their leisure time on a beautiful Sunday afternoon, the bike trail never seemed overly crowded.

Busse Woods is a perennial favorite of mine. When you're amidst its paved trails, large lakes, expansive meadows of tall grass, and sections of dense woods, it's hard to believe that you're in a populated area, less than a mile from Woodfield Mall. On some previous occasions, I've driven to Busse Woods so that all my miles could be spent within it picturesque confines. Yesterday, however, I chose to keep the car at home and bicycle the whole way, which amounted to 35.3 miles.

I am fast approaching 400 miles for the season and (surprisingly) I'm ahead of last year's record pace. I doubt that trend will continue in June and July, though, since I rode an unprecedented amount during that same period last year.

The Trek 100

On Saturday, I participated in my first Trek 100 ride, which supports Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer (the MACC Fund) and research into critical pediatric cancer and related blood disorders. This year's ride, which was their 20th anniversary ride, began at Trek's world headquarters in Waterloo, Wisconsin. Those electing to ride the 19 or 36 mile routes were asked to assemble at 10 a.m. On an abnormally cool and rain-threatened day, I arrived on-site around 9:45, with light rain falling. There were a large number of people assembled there, so they were started in small groups every few minutes. I started riding around 10:15. Fortunately for the balance of my ride, there were only a few minutes of steady light rain, an additional hour or so of sprinkles, and the remaining two hours were ridden under rain-free cloudiness. Temperatures started around 63 and dropped to 59 by ride's end. The wind was very light at the start, but increased as the ride progressed. Because of the cool temperatures and rain threat, I wore my red nylon cycling jacket for extra warmth, wind protection, and waterproofing.

The route was very rural, with rolling hills typical of southern Wisconsin. I passed farm fields (and cows), lovely Rock Lake (near Lake Mills), and wooded sections with lovely homes on the western edge of that lake. There were three well-stocked rest stops along the route, but I didn't linger very long at any of them. I rode a total of 36.3 miles, bringing my seasonal total to 355.7. At some point during the ride, I reached a speed of 32.2 mph, which is the fastest I've so far ridden on my Trek 7500 bicycle.

Despite the very atypical June weather and the nagging worry of rain, the Trek 100 was an enjoyable ride. If I elect to ride the Trek 100 again, it will hopefully be on a far warmer and sunnier day!

A memorable ending to May

On the final weekend of May, the Chicago area was blessed with some great cycling weather. I took full advantage of these circumstances and rode each day for a combined 55.7 miles. On Saturday afternoon, I followed a south and western route that brought me through Bartlett, along the Elgin Spur of the Illinois Prairie Path, along a segment of the Great Western Trail, and northward back home. On Sunday afternoon, I went the opposite direction, riding eastward and northward through Schaumburg to the Busse Woods bicycle trail. The 7.8 mile loop within the Cook County Forest Preserve in Elk Grove Village was crowded with pedestrians, cyclists, and in-line skaters, but there were fleeting moments when my travels took me through serene forested sections devoid of people. Very relaxing . . . very Zen. After each ride, I felt strong and pain-free, which indicates to me that I am well prepared for my next official challenge -- the 36 mile section of the Trek 100, which takes place next Saturday morning in the rolling landscape of southern Wisconsin.

The annual Trek 100 bicycle ride supports critical pediatric cancer and related blood disorder research through the Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer (MACC) Fund. The primary beneficiary of the Trek 100 is the Midwest Children's Cancer Center of the Medical College of Wisconsin. This year, the Trek 100 returns to the birthplace of Trek Bicycles in Waterloo, Wisconsin. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the rain-free weather forecast holds true.

My 2009 mileage now stands at 319.4 and I have so far raised $181 for the Lance Armstrong Foundation.

My "Bike the Drive" experience

For the second straight year, I participated in the annual "Bike the Drive" along Lake Shore Drive in Chicago. In the days leading up to the ride, the weather was predicted to be anything but ideal. Fortunately, the rain held off until late Monday, but the temperatures were below normal, with daytime highs along the lake in the mid-60s and lows in the mid-50s.

Starting at Grant Park at 5:34 a.m., I rolled through the giant red inflatable "Bike the Drive" arches at Jackson Drive and LSD and turned north. Following the natural curves of this most beautiful drive, I witnessed a dim orange sun rise over the carousel wheel at Navy Pier as I rode with a surprisingly large number of equally hardy cyclists. Wearing a long sleeve t-shirt under my Livestrong jersey and woolen tights over my cycling shorts, I was reasonably comfortable as my cycle computer indicated a temperature of 53 degrees. Just after 6:20, I reached the northernmost point of the ride at Bryn Mawr Avenue, where they had a wonderful rest stop set up. Manned by a corps of hard-working volunteers, tables were stacked with energy food -- bananas, mini muffins, cookies, Clif bars, and (of course) water. I had a couple of bananas, a couple of cookies, and saved two mini Clif bars for later. At 6:40, I resumed riding, now heading south with the wind at my back and the sun starting to warm the air. I now rode with sunglasses.

Unlike last year, I had chosen to start my ride northbound so that I'd have the opportunity to travel this section of LSD twice. In my opinion, the southbound section of LSD just north of the Drake Hotel and the John Hancock building is the most picturesque segment of the entire ride. A light fog slightly shrouded the tall buildings ahead as I passed trees on my left and high-rise condos on my right. The sky was now blue and I felt the sun warming my left cheek. My
worries about the weather melted away. I was in hog heaven.

I retraced the classic curves of Lake Shore Drive back to the start/finish line at Grant Park, where (surprisingly) they had another food-stocked rest stop set up. They didn't have that last year. "Nice touch," I thought to myself as I grabbed a couple more cookies, swallowed some water, and momentarily played spectator to a steady stream of cyclists rounding the curve from Columbus to Jackson en route to LSD. At 7:20, ready for more riding, I mounted my bike and joined the ever-growing river of riders.

The south route took me past the Field Museum and Soldier Field. With a less picturesque stretch of road now ahead of me and with the wind behind me, I felt the urge to increase my speed. My cadence increased, and I reached the Museum of Science and Industry shortly after 7:45. A scene right out of Woodstock greeted my eyes as I followed the river of bicycles past the front lawn of the museum and into its main entrance. There were cyclists everywhere, along with many more tables of food, many more port-a-potties, and legions of people, relaxing, eating, taking pictures. What a sight!

Shortly after 8 o'clock, I started northward again, knowing that the wind would once again be in my face. Thankfully, the breezes were lighter and warmer now. The weather gods are with us! The ride would maintain its glorious effervescence!

Shortly, the distant skyline of Chicago came into view, with only traces of the light fog I'd seen before. This section of Lake Shore Drive, with the looming, extraterrestrial appearance of Soldier Field and a panoramic view of the entire Chicago skyline, is one of its most picturesque segments. I passed Soldier Field at 8:35, passed Buckingham Fountain at 8:38, passed the start/finish line, and continued northward for the second time in three hours.

Realizing that my time was limited, I only rode to the half-way turn-around at Fullerton Avenue, stopped for a moment to enjoy the early morning beauty of Lincoln Park and the Chicago skyline and began my final home stretch. Two hours and twelve minutes after passing the same manicured landscapes and cityscapes, I tried to look everywhere simultaneously, knowing that my Bike the Drive experience was nearing its end. At 9:20, I stopped on the bridge overlooking the Chicago River, where many people had similarly stopped to take pictures and re-gain their breath after completing its uphill approach.

Sometime just before 9:30, I turned off of Lake Shore Drive and worked my way back to the start/finish area and the post-ride festival, where my wife Tammy greeted me enthusiastically. Once again, cyclists were everywhere. An ocean of cyclists, bicycles, and vendor booths filled much of Butler Field with an aura of excitement and positivism -- a natural high.

I have not yet heard what the estimated attendance of Bike the Drive was this year. If I were to guess, I'd say that there were fewer riders this year than last. Also, Butler Field seemed to clear out faster this year. Perhaps last year's appearance by the Beatles tribute band American English held people a little longer than Funkadesi did this year. This year, I took a number of pictures with my RAZR phone while riding, a maneuver that I hadn't yet perfected by last year's ride. These photos, along with whatever professional photos may have caught me along the route, will keep the Bike the Drive spirit alive in me for months.

Another challenging ride pushes me over 200

Did you ever hear the joke about the grandfather who told his grandson that in order to go to school in "his day," he had to walk 10 miles, in the snow, uphill (both ways). Well, today I took a vacation day from work and had an afternoon ride that reminded me of that. During the first part of the ride, I rode into a brisk, westerly wind as I coursed my way through Schaumburg and Hanover Park to reach the Poplar Creek Trail and its pastoral 8.9 mile loop. However, by the time I started back for home (this time in a largely southerly direction), the winds too had shifted southerly, so (once again) I rode into a moderate breeze. The ride was 26.5 miles, but its mileage felt more like the mid-30s.

As I have said before, this may be a blessing in disguise. The challenging nature of many of my recent rides are working out my quads, knees, and cardiovascular stamina. I'll try to remember this fact when I Bike the Drive this Sunday and ride a 36-mile segment of the Trek 100 on June 6th. Perhaps this is the personification of the saying "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger."

Today, I exceeded 200 miles for the season. My current seasonal total of 210.6 miles is only 9.5 miles behind last year's total at this time, which is pretty impressive when I factor in that I didn't have the 112 miles from my February, 2008 Florida vacation this year. Although I've done my share of complaining about the wet, cold, and windy spring we've had so far, I obviously wasn't deterred too much. For a year in which I've already stated that "breaking my distance record of 1,226 miles is not my primary goal this year," that's not too bad.

A Mother's Day tribute

Today . . . Mother's Day . . . I rode a relatively short distance, but my heart was with the two breast cancer survivors in my family -- my Mom and my sister. I am very grateful for their good health, my sister's successful surgery last week, and the advances in medicine that have enabled them to defeat their own bouts with cancer.

On this day -- yet another with below normal temperatures and breezy conditions -- I rode a little over 16 miles on side streets in Roselle and Schaumburg. Occasionally, the sun would peek through, reminding me that its warming influence will soon be taking charge of our weather, bringing summer-like weather to our area. Like many others in the Chicagoland area, I can't wait!

In preparation for . . .

My last two rides -- 14 miles last Saturday and 20.2 miles this evening -- bring my seasonal total to 167.8 miles. But more importantly, these rides are preparing my body for the day when warm weather will return and this prolonged rainy pattern that we've endured so far this spring will finally end. I eagerly await the day when warm temperatures and dry trails will finally allow me to plan routes that are longer, more interesting, and encompass a variety of landscapes and terrains. Poor weather has so far limited my routing to paved trails and local roads. [I'm not a big fan of mud!] Last year, it wasn't until the latter half of May that our weather improved. It looks like history may repeat itself again this year.

My immediate goal is to be ready for the May 24th "Bike the Drive" and the June 6th "Trek 100." "Bike the Drive" will be 30 miles, assuming I complete both the north leg and south leg of the ride, as I did in 2008. Perhaps I will even go a little bit extra if time permits, as I was able to do last year. Only time will tell.

I'm more concerned about the 36 miles that I plan to ride in the "Trek 100," which starts at Trek's world headquarters in Waterloo, Wisconsin. Whereas "Bike the Drive" is quite flat, the "Trek 100" route likely consists rolling hills that could prove more challenging.

Perhaps all those windy rides served a purpose after all!

An unexpected window of opportunity

Throughout the past week, I watched the weekend forecast gradually deteriorate with each passing day. Friday was spectacular, with sunny skies and near record temperatures in the mid 80s. Unfortunately, I had to leave town that afternoon for a planetarium meeting. Apparently, I didn't miss much on Saturday, with rainy conditions off and on all day.

At first, Sunday didn't look much better; in fact, it started off worse, with chilly temperatures and frequent thunder showers. By mid-day, however, a warm front brought improving conditions. The threat of rain finally ended by mid-afternoon, when I began the ride that I didn't think I would get this weekend.

Temperatures during my 1 hour, 45 minute ride were in the mid 70s with moderate southerly breezes. I rode 22.7 miles, and my average speed was just shy of 13 mph. This is my fastest average speed so far this season, which is a sure sign that my body is beginning to adapt to the rhythm of cycling. This is a very good sign indeed!

Finally . . . a thoroughly satisfying ride in 2009!

This afternoon, I cruised 30.1 miles along the Great Western Trail, the Illinois Prairie Path, and countless low-traffic roads with a smile on my face! This ride was satisfying on so many different levels.

First, it was finally warm enough to leave the outer wind jacket at home and start wearing my Livestrong colors, albeit with a long sleeve t-shirt and leg warmers. [It really is amazing how much better muscles work when they aren't fending off hypothermia].

Secondly, I wasn't fighting strong winds for the first time this year. What a welcome relief!

Thirdly -- and perhaps most importantly -- I was able to ride a 30 mile ride with no ill effects whatsoever. I now feel confident that I will have little trouble with Bike the Drive and the Trek 100. I feel as if I am finally "back in the saddle again."

Alas, cold winds and rain will return for Sunday, but warm weather is expected next weekend. I'll be ready!

Back on the chilly saddle

Today, in yet another attempt to ready myself for the 2009 cycling season, I bicycled on roads near my home. The weather conditions were anything but springlike, with temperatures in the mid 40s and chilly northeasterly breezes that absorbed my energy and enthusiasm as effectively as it absorbed my body heat. Although rather uncomfortable for much of the ride, I still rode nearly an hour and pushed my seasonal mileage total to 80. (I really do need some warmer clothes for these occasions!)

One statistic that makes me feel good is that at this time last year, I hadn't ridden a single mile outside of the miles I rode in Florida. Also, I'm only 20 miles behind last year at this time. Perhaps my next ride (hopefully in warmer conditions) will allow me to crack the 100 mile mark and bring me toe-to-toe with last year's April benchmark.

The Zen of Cycling

As I've grown older, I've also grown more spiritual. I've come to believe that there is more to my Being than the thoughts that I think and the actions that I take. Like many others, I believe there is a spirit within me that is shared by all living things -- an invisible energy field that gives life to what we perceive as the physical body. I can feel a connection to this, as well as the beauty, power, majesty, and wonder of the natural world in an unlikely place -- on the saddle of my bicycle.

Cycling -- specifically, outdoor cycling on a moving bicycle -- is the only form of exercise that I've ever enjoyed. All others feel like manual labor. I readily accept the fact that walking on a treadmill or stair master will improve my cardiovascular health, but that doesn't make me enjoy it any more. As I see it, if the best part of an exercise regimen is its completion, then it's clearly not "my thing."

Cycling is "my thing." At some point during each ride, the feeling that I am sitting on a bicycle and moving my legs to propel it forward gradually fades away. At that time, cycling is no longer about exercise . . . it's no longer about getting somewhere . . . it's no longer about the destination. Instead, as the saying goes, it's the journey that matters.

For me, cycling provides a doorway to a Zen-like state of mind. Everyday thoughts and worries are evicted from my mind. As the steady stream of constant thoughts becomes quiet, I feel the oneness that I have with the world that I ride through. As this Zen-like state of mind replaces my normal way of thinking, I feel and appreciate my surroundings. I sense the flow of air across my body. I hear the sounds of nature near and far. I feel the rhythm of my own pedaling and the life energy contained in my own breathing. My focus changes . . . like changing channels on a radio . . . to another frequency, where babbling voices are replaced by a relaxed (yet alert) awareness. My goals become simplified -- like perhaps reaching the top of the next hill. There is no past. There is no future. There is just NOW.

Doctors and journalists often remind us that aerobic exercise is critical to our health, and that one of the main reasons that obesity is such a problem in America is that few people exercise on a regular basis. Although the physical benefits of exercise are certainly valid, there is another, equally significant, benefit of finding a form of exercise that you enjoy -- a mental health/stress reduction benefit. It seems that any activity that allows us to quiet the steady stream of thoughts (many of which are counterproductive to our mental health) is beneficial to good health. By embracing the Zen of any sport, you can benefit in mind as well as body. For me, this happens whenever I ride my bicycle. For you . . . well, you must find your own path, grasshopper.

A little cooler . . . and less windy.

Today, with temperatures in the low 60s and light to moderate southeasterly breezes, I took my third ride in March and fourth ride of the season, riding 18.1 miles through parts of Carol Stream, Bartlett, and along the the Bartlett Trail and southern section of Hawk Hollow Trail. My 2009 total mileage now stands at 70.2. A few more rides like this, and I'll be ready for rides in the 20-30 mile range.

St. Patrick's Day -- warm and windy

There seems to be a meteorological rule that in order for warm weather to make an appearance in March, it must be windy. I've now validated this rule for each of my three rides in 2009. As before, I took another half day off today to resume my 2009 cycling season. Although the temperatures were in the low 70s, moderate southwesterly breezes gave me a better workout than the mileage alone would indicate. My ride today through parts of Schaumburg, Streamwood, Hanover Park, and Bartlett was just over 20 miles. My 2009 total mileage now stands at 52.1. Let's hope that I can soon enjoy a ride in relatively calm air.

Trek 100 Ride for Hope

Earlier this week, I registered for the 20th annual Trek 100 Ride for Hope, a bicycle ride in southern Wisconsin on June 6th that benefits children afflicted with pediatric cancer and related blood disorders and supports research of these diseases. For more information about the Trek 100, please visit their website at http://www.trek100.org. To support my riding in the event, please visit my Trek 100 donor page at http://maccfund.kintera.org/trek100-2009/benjamin. I plan to complete the 36-mile course. By doing so, I will raise money for both Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer (MACC) and the Lance Armstrong Foundation.

Another warm day . . . another ride.

As I had done on February 10th, I took another half day off today to resume my 2009 cycling season. Although the temperatures were (again) in the low 60s, the fierce 30 mph southwesterly winds made it feel like I was cycling at Olympic speeds at times and riding on a sandy beach at others. Riding into the wind was good training for my cardiovascular system and my legs, though. As before, I stayed exclusively on pavement. My ride today through parts of Schaumburg and Roselle was 17.3 miles and my 2009 total mileage now stands at 31.9. That figure may not seem too impressive, but after all, it's only March 5th!

Plans for 2009

My preliminary plans for 2009 include a return to the Chicago lake shore for Bike the Drive and participation in my first ever Trek 100 in the Milwaukee area, which benefits Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer. I would also like to organize some type of ride on Livestrong Day, which is planned for early October this year.

Although I will continue to raise money for the Lance Armstrong Foundation by my accumulated miles, breaking my distance record of 1,226 miles is not my primary goal this year.

Stay tuned for more later.

My 2009 cycling season has begun!

Despite a lingering upper respiratory infection, I took a half day off of work yesterday to officially start my 2009 cycling season. In near record temperatures in the low-60s with moderate southerly breezes, I rode 14.6 miles on local streets. With snow melt and soggy grounds everywhere, I didn't dare ride on anything but pavement. Despite the fact that I hadn't ridden in three months and (unlike last year) hadn't regularly exercised to stay fit, I felt good on the bicycle and kept up a good pace. It was great to be back on the saddle!