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!