Four more rides push me into the "700 Club"

Current Seasonal Total: 702.5

Rides on Saturday (June 19th), Sunday (June 20th), Monday (June 21st) and Friday (June 25th) have raised my seasonal total an additional 82.9 miles, pushing me above the 700 mile mark. It's the earliest in the season that I've ever reached this mark, beating last year's date by a full month.

Saturday's ride took me on a large loop (totaling 20 miles) through Roselle, Schaumburg, and along the Schaumburg/Hoffman Estates border. Sunday's ride was along a similar route, but it did not go as far north into Schaumburg and totaled only 17.6 miles. With rain showers moving out of the area, I was able to squeeze in a short ride to the Schaumburg Starbucks on Monday morning, totaling 9.5 miles.

Then, earlier today (Friday, June 25th), I rode to Busse Woods, completed two of its 7.7 mile loops, and returned home. My ride totaled 35.8 miles, which was my third 30+ mile ride so far in June.

With my monthly mileage now standing at 226, June of 2010 has become my best June ever, and the month's not over yet. A very positive trend has developed. April of 2010 was my best April ever. May of 2010 was my best May ever. However, I doubt that I can extend this streak into July, since July of 2008 still ranks as my best mileage month ever -- 311.5 miles.

Still, it feels good to be "ahead of schedule," since I will need all the miles I can to reach my ultimate goal of exceeding 1,500 miles for the season. After all, that's what I'm really gunning for!

Racing the squall line

Current Seasonal Total: 619.6

Coming off the fun and adventure of the Trek 100, it was a little difficult to return to the normalcy of my local routes. . . but I did so anyway. On Wednesday, June 16th, I left work four hours early to take advantage of the best weather of the week. On this day, I rode to Busse Woods, but took a longer route back that I had planned out the day before. Under partly sunny skies with temperatures near-perfect in the upper 70s, I rode a total of 32.9 miles.

Two days later, on a "Summer Hours Friday," I left the house at about 2:45, southbound to follow my familiar "Kuhn to Lies to the West Branch Trail" route. The weather started off partly cloudy, and I knew that thunderstorms were predicted to arrive later in the afternoon, but I did not anticipate their very rapid advance. . . at nearly 50 mph! After crossing Army Trail Road to follow Kuhn Road, I began to notice how dark the sky looked near the western horizon. I didn't really think anything of it, knowing that my planned route was not very far. I continued south . . . and then west along the paved path beside Lies Road. However, as I crossed Bartlett Road to head eastward on what I call the Wilcox Trail, I began to worry about the rapidly changing skies behind me. In some places, the clouds had a mammatus-like quality to their appearance. In other places, there were features resembling wall clouds. I pedaled faster. A few slow traffic lights delayed my efforts, and I almost made it home before the heavy rains began. But not quite! I started hearing thunder around Greenbrook and County Farm Roads and by the time I had turned onto Arlington, winds had become gusty. The skies became quite dark, and I could have used some lights for my bike. Rain started falling as I crossed from the Indigo path onto Indigo Court. As I raced down my final stretch to home along Cloverdale Road, moderate to heavy rain began to fall and leaf clusters were torn from trees all around me. In the end, I rode 14.5 miles, and my average speed was my fastest so far in 2010 -- 14.11 mph. A fast-approaching squall line is a good incentive to ride faster!

Another successful Trek 100

Current Seasonal Total: 572.2

On Saturday, I participated in my second consecutive 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 was their second ride that began at Trek's world headquarters in Waterloo, Wisconsin. Those electing to ride the 19 or 36 mile routes were asked to assemble at 9:30 a.m.

Although the weather was uncertain in the days and hours before ride time, this year's ride proved to be much warmer and more comfortable. Unlike last year, no extra layers were needed and no sustained rain occurred. This year's ride added another bonus for me -- a riding partner. Gary Sampson, a good friend and fellow planetarian who has become an inspired cyclist in the past year, made us some delicious waffles before driving us both from his home in the western suburbs of Milwaukee to Waterloo on ride day.

The day started off foggy with cool, but comfortable, temperatures in the low to mid-60s. The weather forecast suggested a cloudy but rain-free morning, followed by showers in the afternoon. Thankfully, this forecast proved accurate. Despite a few sprinkles of rain mid-way through the ride, the weather was quite good. There was little wind to fight against. . . there was little sun to burn our skin. . . and the temperature was very comfortable. Skies occasionally showed peaks of sunlight, but were cloudy most of the time.

Gary and I arrived just after 9 a.m., prepared our bikes, and rode them to the starting point less than a mile away. We were in the first group that they released onto the roads at 9:30. and we first rode through the city of Waterloo before turning southward onto what would prove the hilliest portion of the route. By the time we reached the first rest stop on the northern edge of Rock Lake (near Lake Mills, Wisconsin), we were ready for the bananas, oranges, apples, Gatorade, cookies, energy bars and more that was provided at the well-stocked and well-staffed "watering hole." Brimming with confidence and eager for more, we resumed the 36-mile route, which curved around the perimeter of Rock Lake before turning southward . . . and then westward. We stopped briefly at a farm, whose owner had graciously turned into rest stop #2. Finally, despite a few sprinkles of rain, we turned northward, passed luxury homes located near the western bank of Rock Lake, stopped one more time at the main rest stop at Rock Lake, then followed a slightly different route back to Waterloo. After about three hours of actual riding time, we returned to our starting point and enjoyed a Frappuccino or two courtesy of Starbucks before loading our bikes and driving back.

Compared with last year, I rode 12 minutes longer, 1.3 miles farther, and my average speed was only 0.4 mph slower. It was a great time, made better by the fact that I had a riding partner, which is rather rare for me. Combined with a short ride (9.1 miles) that Gary led the afternoon before, my Trek 100 mileage (37.6) raised my seasonal total to 572.2 miles. I'm still several weeks ahead of last year's pace . . . and hoping to continue that trend into the weeks ahead.

My Trek 100 pictures can be found at http://www.flickr.com/photos/80922822@N00/sets/72157624261971538/.

Early June rides bring me to 500 miles

Current Seasonal Total: 525.5

On Friday, June 4th and Monday, June 7th, I rode a couple of modest rides to keep in shape for next weekend's Trek 100 in Waterloo, Wisconsin. With spits of rain falling, I thought I would simply ride to my nearest Starbucks and back to add a few extra miles to my seasonal total. However, as I enjoyed a cup of coffee and a scone, the rain became less frequent . . . so I kept on riding. From the Dominicks Plaza, I worked my way southward to Kuhn Road and turned west onto Lies Road, just as I'd often done to ride the West Branch and Hawk Hollow bike trails. However, with rain a constant threat (and the trails comprised of crushed rock on compacted soil), I instead chose to stay on pavement by following a network of small roads through Bartlett, Hanover Park and Schaumburg. My total mileage was 20.3 miles.

Three days later, I took another vacation day, and the weather was sunnier, but about 5 degrees cooler. For the first time in 2010, I rode to the Poplar Creek Forest Preserve Trail between Streamwood and the Northwest Tollway. I started my ride at about 10 a.m. Skies were partly sunny to partly cloudy with temperatures in the low- to mid-60s and light northeasterly winds. I followed a more direct path to get there, stopping en route at the Starbucks on Irving Park Road. Since it was a work day, the Poplar Creek Forest Preserve was relatively empty, and I enjoyed riding through the picturesque landscapes comprised of woods, prairie grass, and wild flowers. I completed its large 8.9 mile loop without much difficulty before returning home via a slightly longer route through the streets of Schaumburg. My total mileage was 28.9 miles, bringing my seasonal total to 525.5 miles!

My current seasonal total is about three weeks ahead of last year's date when I reached this same mileage figure. Only time will tell whether I can maintain this pace.

A picture-perfect "Bike the Drive"

Current Seasonal Total: 476.3

On Sunday, May 30th, I participated in my third consecutive "Bike the Drive." As before, Tammy and I made a mini-vacation from this Memorial Day weekend, staying at the Fairmont Hotel from Saturday afternoon until Monday morning. We visited Navy Pier, saw the Shrek 3-D movie, and enjoyed the beautiful landscapes and cityscapes in and around Grant Park.

On the morning of the ride, I awoke at 4:45 a.m., dressed, and affixed my rider number to my Livestrong jersey. I packed my knee warmers and wore my arm warmers, along with black shorts and Livestrong jersey. This year, I brought along an old digital camera with me to capture better photographs then my Razr phone is able to take. [I ended up taking pictures with both]. I took the elevator 14 floors down to the lobby, where I spied fellow cyclists preparing to ride. We were staying in the official hotel for "Bike the Drive," which explained why I saw many more cyclists in my hotel than in my two previous years.

When I stepped outside, I was surprised to discover how warm it felt. The temperature was in the mid-60s with no wind, and it took me only a few seconds to realize that I didn't need the arm warmers that I had slipped on just a few minutes before. I removed them and placed them in my bike bag. I would need no extra layers today! Starting at the Fairmont Hotel, I rode south on Columbus Drive and turned left onto Upper Randolph Drive. I spied a few cyclists ahead who appeared to know exactly where they were going, so I followed them to the walkway that leads south past the Cancer Survivors Garden and to Monroe Street. I took Monroe to Columbus to Jackson. After riding almost exactly one mile, I approached the starting point on the corner of Jackson and Lake Shore Drive.

WOW! It was approximately 5:36 a.m. and I was beginning the 2010 edition of "Bike the Drive!" Turning northward on LSD, I followed the natural curves of this most beautiful drive and (for the second straight year) witnessed an orange sun rise over the carousel wheel at Navy Pier. I took a couple of photographs before resuming my ride. About a half-hour later, I reached the northernmost point of the loop at Bryn Mawr Avenue, where ride organizers had set up a very well-stocked rest stop. I parked my bike at 6:16 and enjoyed a banana and a couple of mini Clif bars before heading southward the full 15 miles to the course's southern limit. The sky, which had turned partly cloudy after a clear sunrise, was clearing once again, and I felt the sun warming my left cheek. I now rode with sunglasses.

Just like 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. I passed trees on my left and high-rise Gold Coast condos on my right, and stopped several times to capture a photo or two. I retraced my path back to the start/finish line, rode past the rest stop there (since I had eaten enough "up north") and continued southward past the Museum Campus, Soldier Field, and McCormick Place en route to the Museum of Science and Industry.

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 at about 7:52. At MSI, ride organizers had set up another large-scale rest stop, which was absolutely crammed with people. Mini Clif bars were replaced by mini muffins, but otherwise the provisions were similar. After about 15 minutes, I resumed my ride, heading back north toward downtown. This section of Lake Shore Drive, with the looming, extraterrestrial appearance of Soldier Field and a panoramic view of the entire Chicago skyline, is another picturesque segment. At about 8:40, I passed Grant Park for the second time, heading north.

Realizing that my time was limited, I only rode to the half-way turn-around at Fullerton Avenue, which I reached at 8:53. I turned around and headed south for my final leg. Two hours 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 9:19, I turned from Lake Shore Drive onto Monroe Street and worked my way onto Butler Field, where the post-ride festival was in full bloom. I eventually found my wife, who 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.

At the post-ride festival, I met up with childhood friend Bob Gould and his girlfriend Liz, and we chatted awhile before listening to some songs by American English, an outstanding Beatles tribute band. Tammy and I left the field and walked back to the hotel, with my bicycle in tow. The shower back at my hotel room felt wonderful, and signaled the transition to Chapter 2 of our Sunday, which would start with lunch at Harry Carey's Tavern at Navy Pier. A speedboat ride and 3-D movie followed.

The weather had been perfect, with mostly sunny skies and temperatures that rose from the mid-60s at the starting time through the 70s by ride's end. Light winds had blown from the southeast. It was a big improvement over the 2009 ride, when it was so cool that I wore long tights and long sleeves the entire ride. In the end, I rode 38.3 miles, bringing my seasonal total to 476.3 miles.

My pictures can be found at http://www.flickr.com/photos/80922822@N00/sets/72157624176456858/.

Late-May rides push me above 400 miles

Current Seasonal Total: 438.0

In the final week of May, my goal was to ride enough miles to keep my seasonal total well ahead of last year. My thoughts were also focused on what has become my favorite ride of the year -- the May 30th "Bike the Drive" along Lake Shore Drive in Chicago.

On Sunday, May 23rd, I rode a slightly extended version of my normal route to the Busse Woods Forest Preserve in Elk Grove Village. I took a direct course to get there, but my return trip was longer, largely following Weathersfield Way westward through Schaumburg. On what was an abnormally warm day with high temperatures that reached well into the 80s, my total mileage was 34.5, raising my seasonal total to 388.2 miles.

Four days later, on Thursday, May 27th, I took a half-day off from work to ride an additional 22.2 miles through Bartlett, Hanover Park, and Schaumburg. Temperatures were more seasonable in the mid-70s. About half-way through my ride, I surpassed the 400 mile mark for the season, a feat that I did not achieve last year until June 15th.

The following day -- Friday, May 28th -- was my first day off as a result of Triton College's summer hours, which mandate that full-time employees work four 10-hour days, followed by the closure of most campus buildings on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. On this day, I rode down to the Great Western Trail and Illinois Prairie Path and followed them northwesterly to lightly traveled roads in Carol Stream and along the West Branch Trail. This led to streets in Bartlett and Hanover Park before leading me home via the Schaumburg Metra Station. Skies were clear with temperatures in the low 70s with light northeasterly breezes. My total mileage was 27.6 miles, raising my seasonal total to 438 miles.

I took the day off on Saturday, in anticipation of Sunday's "Bike the Drive."