One For All

2011 End of Season Report

2012-01-09T15:46:00.004-06:00

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

2011-07-16T09:10:00.000-05:00

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

2010-12-04T21:53:00.010-06:00

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

2010-11-29T20:31:00.008-06:00

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

2010-11-21T21:32:00.000-06:00

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.

Sunday: final ride of the season?

2010-11-19T17:23:00.003-06:00

If you believe the weather forecasters, this weekend could be my last opportunity to ride in 2010. If the rain holds off, Sunday's conditions looks much warmer and more comfortable than Saturday's. All I need is 6.2 miles to surpass the 2100 mark.

Temperatures are forecast to fall sharply in the middle part of next week. If so, will they stay there? Or will they rebound once more? Stay tuned for my cycling report late this weekend . . . and beyond.

Henceforth . . . short, cold rides?

2010-11-14T21:31:00.003-06:00

Current Seasonal Total: 2,093.8

It's very likely that any further rides that I take this year will be relatively short . . . and cold. In Chicagoland's fickle weather, it's difficult to say when temperatures will permanently dip into the "uncomfortable zone," but it probably won't be much longer.

Today, for instance, I left the house in the mid-afternoon "heat of the day," but that was still only in the upper-40s. Above the waist, I wore a cycling jacket over a cycling jersey, which in turn was over a long sleeve base layer. Below the waist, I wore my long tights over cycling shorts. I also wore my new cold weather gloves, which actually felt a bit too warm, but I couldn't complain. Overall, I felt quite comfortable, despite a noticeable wind chill. In the end, I rode 11 1/2 miles, bringing my seasonal total to 2,093.8 miles. . . less than 7 miles shy of yet another personal milestone -- the 2100 mark.

I will now set my sights on next Saturday afternoon, when the long-range forecast suggests a slightly warmer afternoon, which could be the perfect setting for me to reach further into the proverbial stratosphere of my own expectations.

Racing the mid-autumn sun

2010-11-10T22:31:00.007-06:00

Current Seasonal Total: 2,082.3

Today was one of the few times that my astronomy knowledge proved helpful on the road. In general, taking a late-afternoon ride this late in the season has its risks -- especially if you misjudge the timing of your route and end up too far from home as darkness falls. Keeping an eye on the sun's altitude, I had no such problem today, returning home at 4:28 p.m. . . just seven minutes before sunset. Today, I raced the sun and won!

Although my ride began two hours earlier, at 2:27, it really started this morning, when I realized that because today's only group had re-scheduled their planetarium show, I could take yet another half-day off from work and take advantage of this week's abnormally mild weather. Like yesterday's ride, I added only arm warmers to my warm weather wardrobe of cycling shorts and jersey. I was very comfortable throughout the ride, which was just over 24 miles in length.

Today's ride took me south and east via President Street to the Great Western Trail, then east along the GWT to Kuhn Road, then north and west through the West Branch and Hawk Hollow Forest Preserves. In the last few miles of my route, I took a few camera photos of the long shadows of a late-autumn afternoon, one of which is posted here. [More can be found in my Village Ride Flickr album]. The long shadows are symbolic, for they represent the fact that the end of my 2010 cycling season is on the horizon and fast approaching. This Sunday, with temperatures forecast to be 20 degrees colder (in the mid-40s), I may embark upon my final ride of 2010.

A beautiful November afternoon

2010-11-08T20:03:00.000-06:00

Current Seasonal Total: 2,058.1

As I now peruse the various long-range weather forecasts, I feel confident in saying that today will be my final ride of 2010 in which I was able to wear cycling shorts and jersey. To be honest, I did augment my wardrobe with arm warmers, but it was a borderline situation; I could easily have not worn them and still completed the ride, albeit a bit less comfortably.

On this Monday, I took the day off, primarily to have service done on my Honda del Sol, but also to plan a reconnaissance mission to the Apple Store at Woodfield during this four-hour servicing. I returned home around 2 o'clock, and by 2:22, I was pushing off for my afternoon ride . . . with sunny skies, temperatures in the mid-60s (16 degrees above normal), and light southerly breezes. With our return to Standard Time having occurred the day before, I knew I didn't have a long time to ride, but I was sure that I wanted to make the most of this abnormally beautiful November afternoon.

The ride was nothing special (20.5 miles), but the fact that I could ride wearing only cycling jersey, cycling shorts, and arm warmers fueled my already high level of enthusiasm. I rode along familiar routes in Bartlett, Hanover Park, Schaumburg, and Roselle. I made no stops, since I far more desired extra cycling minutes than a sweet concoction at Starbucks. [Plus, I was caffeinated enough from two earlier cups of coffee].

Maybe it was the warm air, or the aftermath of a most enjoyable morning spent at the Apple Store, but whatever the reason, I felt stronger than I had in awhile. This surprised me a bit, since I am typically a little weaker -- not stronger -- on the day following a longer ride. Not on this day, mate! Pumping the pedals at an average speed of over 14 mph, it was my fastest ride in 7 weeks.

When I returned home at 4 o'clock, I chanced upon the early evening weather segment on TV, which foretold a significant cool-down in the middle of next week. This Sunday, I noticed, could possibly be my last ride of 2010. If it is, I will mourn the end of the season, but I will simultaneously be celebrating a season that I will always remember.

A meeting of the elks in Busse Woods

2010-11-07T19:12:00.003-06:00

Current Seasonal Total: 2,037.6

Today, with sunny skies and temperatures in the 50s, I made what was likely to be one of my final rides to Busse Woods this season. To break the monotony of the trip to and fro, I planned a rather unusual return route that brought me along the northern spur of the Busse Woods trail to Woodfield Road, then followed paths, sidewalks. and roads westward through the northern parts of Schaumburg before turning south toward home. While I was riding the Busse Woods loop, I came across an especially large gathering of elk in the clearing near the path. A small crowd had gathered to watch, and I turned off the path to the parking lot and played spectator to nature . . . and took a few pictures, too. Chicago has many suburbs bearing names with words like Forest, Glen, and Oak. Of these, Elk Grove Village may have the most accurate name of all. For within its boundaries, and plainly visible to resident and visitor alike, there are elks, there are groves, and there's a village there, too.

By the time I had returned home, I had added another 34 miles to my seasonal total. I will add a few more miles tomorrow, when I take the day off to service my car, visit Woodfield Mall and the Apple store, and take a short afternoon ride in temperatures that will likely be even warmer than today.

2,000 miles!

2010-10-31T21:10:00.005-05:00

Current Seasonal Total: 2,003.6

On this final day of October (Halloween), I surpassed the 2,000 mile mark for the season and set a new monthly mileage record! I had been contemplating and (more recently) pursuing the 2,000 mile mark for several weeks. Ironically, I didn't even notice that I was on the verge of the latter record until the night before, when I entered the mileage of my previous ride and realized that it brought my October total to within 15 miles of my previous monthly high. With one more day in October, and with a favorable weather forecast, I quickly mapped out my Halloween ride.

Today's ride was nothing special -- it was only 21.1 miles --but I will always remember it. My route followed familiar roads in Bartlett, crossed through the Hanover Park Metra Station into Hanover Park, continued along the new Hanover Park-Schaumburg path, and followed a generous stretch of Weathersfield Way before turning back through Roselle toward home. Fifteen miles into the ride -- on Devon Avenue in Roselle -- I attained 321 miles for the month, surpassing my previous monthly high, which I had only set this past June. What makes this particularly remarkable is that in previous years, October was a rather unimpressive mileage month for me, with figures of only 90.1, 123.4, and 122.2. This year's October total of 327.0 is largely due to the length of the rides I've taken, which is attributable to my discovery of the Salt Creek Greenway Trail and how it so conveniently connects Busse Woods with the Great Western Trail. This October, I had 6 rides over 30 miles long and 2 rides that surpassed the 40 mile mark.

Fifteen minutes and 2 1/2 miles later, in front of Lake Park High School in Roselle, I reached the 2,000 mile mark for 2010. I paused, took a few pictures with my cell phone camera, and then continued my final stretch toward home.

As I rode toward home, I reflected on my 3 1/2 year cycling journey. In 2007 (the year my father died of cancer), I was proud to ride 882 miles. In 2008, I was proud to break through the 1,000 mile mark and end up at 1,226 miles. And last year -- in 2009 -- I bested this number by 249 miles, ending the year at the 1,475 mile mark. And this year, with a few more rides yet to come, I've already bested my 2009 figure by over 528 miles! Wow!

As high as these mileage figures are, they perform a greater good by providing additional funding for the Lance Armstrong Foundation and the worldwide fight against cancer. Although my numbers are just a drop in the bucket, when they are combined with money raised by thousands of other grassroots fund raisers like me, they total nearly $3 million dollars -- a significant amount indeed. Onward and upward! Livestrong!

On the Verge

2010-10-30T20:30:00.002-05:00

Current Seasonal Total: 1,982.5

Today (Saturday), I rode to Busse Woods and completed most of its 8-mile loop before continuing southward along the Salt Creek Greenway Trail to the head of the Great Western Trail in Villa Park. With stiff westerly breezes, the first (northeasterly) leg for my ride was easy, while the western leg along the GWT was far more challenging. In the end, I rode 44 miles over leaf-covered trails and streets, and by so doing, I reduced my magic number to 18! I enjoyed two Starbucks pit stops -- one at the Roselle location about 20 minutes into the ride (for hot coffee) and the other on the final leg near home (for iced coffee).

With satisfactory weather tomorrow (Sunday), I am likely to surpass the 2000 mile mark. Stay tuned!

October rides, Part 2

2010-10-26T22:10:00.003-05:00

Current Seasonal Total: 1,938.2

On Monday, October 25th, which was predicted to be the last really warm day for awhile, I took a half-day off and rode an additional 37.5 miles to Busse Woods . . . then a long stretch westward to Bartlett . . . then back home. I started my ride at 2:40 p.m. and returned home at 6:00. Skies were mostly cloudy with temperatures starting in the low 70s and ending in the upper 60s.

With the completion of this ride, my Magic Number was reduced to 62. I am now poised to accomplish what I never thought I could -- riding 2,000 miles in one season.

Details for all my rides can be found at
http://www.bikejournal.com/journal_public.asp?rname=Antares.

October rides, Part 1

2010-10-26T15:35:00.009-05:00

Current Seasonal Total: 1,900.7

In the period of October 2-24, I rode 8 times, totaling 224.1 miles, and stated working in earnest to surpass the 2,000 mile mark before the end of my 2010 cycling season.

On Sunday, October 3rd, I surpassed the 1,700 mile mark for the season. On Monday, October 11th -- 3 rides and 8 days later -- I surpassed the 1,800 mile mark for the season. Finally, on Sunday, October 24th -- 3 rides and 13 days later -- I surpassed the 1,900 mile mark for the season.

SeptemberFest in Wisconsin

2010-10-26T15:28:00.004-05:00

Current Seasonal Total: 1,676.6

On Sunday, September 26th, I drove up to the western suburbs of Milwaukee to ride with my friend Gary Sampson. Gary has been a good friend of mine in the planetarium field for many years. We often roomed together at planetarium conferences, and through our many discussions, he too developed an interest in cycling. . . so much so, that in the spring of 2009, he purchased a new Trek hybrid bike (very similar to mine). He's been a regular cyclist ever since. In June, Gary and I rode the 36-mile course of the Trek 100, and he regularly rides the paved and unpaved trails throughout southeastern Wisconsin.

We called our get-together "SeptemberFest," and on its first day, I followed the Glacial Drumlin State Trail with Gary and another planetarian friend, Dave DeRemer. Just as my love of cycling "rubbed off" onto Gary, Gary's frequent rides similarly inspired Dave to start riding his bicycle a few weeks before. Gary and I drove to the starting point in Waukesha (near Prairie and Cottage Avenues), met Dave there, and the three of us (i.e. the Three Amigos) rode westward to Wales, continued to Waterville Road, and then returned along the same route. We started our ride just before 2 p.m. and completed it by 4 o'clock. The weather was mostly cloudy, with temperatures in the upper 50s and light to moderate northwesterly winds. It was a little chilly, so I wore long tights and a long sleeve base layer under my Livestrong jersey. Our ride lasted nearly two hours and was 22 miles in length.

The following day, Monday the 27th, I pre-arranged a vacation day and rode again with Gary. This time, we drove to a starting point farther to the west, so that we could ride a slightly different section of that very long trail. Beginning just before 9 a.m., Gary and I drove from his house to Wales (after a delicious breakfast of Gary's famous waffles), then began our ride westward. We passed through Dousman and Sullivan before turning around near the intersection of Route 18 and County Road P. We then retraced our route back to Wales, which we reached at about 1:00. On the way back, we visited the Bicycle Doctor (a great bike shop!) in Dousman. They were nice enough to adjust my front brake pads at no cost, eliminating the squeal that had started the day before. In part to say "thank you," I purchased a pair of winter cycling gloves and some Clif bars. Temperatures started in the mid-40s and rose to about 60 with very light easterly breezes. Our ride lasted nearly three hours and was just over 30 miles in length.

As it turned out, these were my last two rides in September, a month that featured 12 rides covering 279.1 miles, bringing my seasonal total to 1,676.6 miles. With my seasonal pace nearly 500 miles ahead of last year, I started to entertain the idea that I might actually reach the 2,000 mile mark before the season ended. By mid-October, I would elevate this "possibility" into the most significant goal of my four-year cycling effort.

Mid-September rides

2010-10-25T20:37:00.003-05:00

Current Seasonal Total: 1,624.2

In the period of September 14-25, I rode six times, totaling 92.9 miles.

On Wednesday, September 15th, I surpassed the 5,000 mile mark for my Trek bicycle since purchasing it in March of 2007. On Sunday, September 19th, I surpassed the 1,600 mile mark for the season.

Details for all my rides can be found at
http://www.bikejournal.com/journal_public.asp?rname=Antares.

Three rides . . . three new records

2010-09-15T19:56:00.003-05:00

Current Seasonal Total: 1,565.8
On Sunday, September 12th, I re-rode the "fun portion" of my recent metric century. That is, I rode south to the Great Western Trail, followed it to its eastern end in Villa Park, then followed the Salt Creek Greenway Trail northward to Busse Woods. The ride was 44 miles by the time I returned home. While riding along the GWT in Villa Park (at Westmore, to be precise) I exceeded the 1500 mile mark for the 2010 season. Here is the route, provided on an interactive RideDog map:

On Tuesday, September 14th, I rode a short 14 mile ride that pushed the total seasonal mileage ridden on my Trek over the same 1500 mark. The differential of 34.6 miles came when my Trek was in the shop after my accident in May and I rode my Giant mountain bike in its place.

Finally, on Wednesday, September 15th, I rode 20.5 additional miles along familiar roads in Roselle, Schaumburg, and Hanover Park. By so doing, I exceeded the 5,000 mile mark for my Trek bicycle since purchasing it in 2007.

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

2010-09-07T11:45:00.003-05:00

Current Seasonal Total: 1,487.3
On September 6th (Labor Day), after recovering remarkably well from my metric century ride the day before, I rode a short, late-afternoon ride of 12.8 miles. My primary motivation for this ride was to surpass my 2009 total mileage mark of 1,475.5 miles. My ride the day before had left me only one mile shy of this mark, so it didn't take long for me to reach the celebratory point of today's ride. The 1.1 mile mark was on Indigo Court, not far from home. I took a couple of photos (one shown here) and rejoiced, not just for this achievement, but for two others as well:

-- The day before, I had completed my first metric century ride in 28 years.
-- During that ride, I surpassed the 5,000 mile mark since starting my "One for All" initiative in the spring of 2007.

Onward and upward! My next ride will likely carry me over the 1,500 mile mark, and who knows where my 2010 seasonal total will end. At this point, all additional miles are bonus miles!

My Metric Century

2010-09-07T11:18:00.006-05:00

Current Seasonal Total: 1,474.50
On Sunday, September 5th, I completed the second metric century (100 kilometers) of my life. I completed my first such ride when I was 24 years old and living in Peoria, Illinois. Ironically, it wasn't until years later that I realized that that 62 mile ride had any significance, "metrically speaking." Having completed several half-century rides in recent years (including two so far in 2010), I thought it was time to give myself a challenge and repeat the feat 28 years later.

My route is shown in the attached, interactive Ride Dog link. [I've tried a number of online cycling mapping services, and Ride Dog is my favorite. I may comment more on this in a future post].

Briefly stated, I left from home, headed to Busse Woods, completed 3/4 of its loop, and then headed south along the Salt Creek Greenway Trail, west along the Great Western Trail, and north and east along the Illinois Prairie Path's Elgin Spur and lightly traveled roads in West Chicago, Carol Stream and Bartlett. I started my ride at 7:20 a.m. and reached 20K at 8:39, 30K at 9:11, 40K at 9:39, 50K at 10:13, 60K at 10:55, 70K at 11:42, 80K at 12:15 p.m., 90K at 12:55, 100K at 1:35 and returned home at 1:45.

Skies started off mostly sunny, but became cloudier as time passed. Temperatures were abnormally low. They started out at 50 and rose to about 70 by ride's end. Likewise, winds started off calm, but gradually become light from the south. I wore long sleeve t-shirt under Livestrong jersey and my long tights over cycling shorts. The ride was challenging, especially the back stretch along the Great Western Trail (my psychological low point) and the last few miles (my physical low point). My leg muscles began giving me troubles along the Hanover Park-Schaumburg path and thereafter. My quads and calf muscles were definitely not happy, and told me so by way of periodic cramping. Thankfully, I discovered that if I stopped riding and stood upright beside my bike, the pain would subside and I could resume riding. During the final few miles, I had to be very mindful of being in the proper gear and accelerating much slower than normal so as not to bring on another cramping episode. I was quite relieved to get back home at 1:45, and Tammy and I had a nice dinner at Olive Garden (i.e. their Unlimited Pasta Bowl) to celebrate my achievement and begin the recovery process. Mission accomplished!

Boulevard Lakefront Tour

2010-09-07T10:21:00.002-05:00

Current Seasonal Total: 1,397.5
On Sunday, August 29th, I participated in my first Boulevard Lakefront Tour, which is hosted by the Active Transportation Alliance, who also hosts Bike the Drive. Unlike Bike the Drive, the BLT starts on the campus of the University of Illinois-Chicago and diverges along different routes based on your chosen mileage option. I chose the 32-mile option.

I awoke shortly after 5 a.m., was at the Army Trail Road Starbucks when they opened at 6 a.m., and reached the designated parking deck on the University of Illinois-Chicago's campus at 6:45. I rode the two blocks to the start/finish in the Chicago Circle Memorial Grove at Morgan and Taylor Streets and waited in line to pick up my registration packet (@6:58). The start of the 32-mile ride was supposed to commence at 7:30, but late-arriving 62-milers pushed my start time to about 7:55.

The official ride description follows: The Boulevard Tour heads south through the Mexican-American community of Pilsen before crossing the Chicago River and turning east into Bridgeport. Riders continue east through Bridgeport and Bronzeville to Lake Michigan and the Chicago Park District's Lakefront Trail (@8:35) for a jaunt south to Hyde Park. Exiting the trail, participants will travel west along the Midway Plaisance and have the opportunity to pause at our water stop (@8:56-9:05; water, port-a-potties) about 11 miles into the ride. Heading north on beautiful Drexel Boulevard, riders pass through Kenwood and Bronzeville again on their way to Chinatown. Look for our rest stop (@9:50-10:14; snacks, water, port-a-potties) at the beautiful Ping Tom Memorial Park along the Chicago River about 18 miles into the ride. Heading west from the rest stop, riders weave through Pilsen to the heart of Chicago's Boulevard system. In the Lawndale neighborhood, participants will ride through Douglas Park before heading north along Independence Blvd. towards beautiful Garfield Park and our water stop (@11:08; water, port-a-potties), located about 26 miles into the ride. Continuing north, riders will follow the boulevards to the southern edge of Humboldt Park before returning south through the Ukrainian Village neighborhood and the Near West Side to the post-ride festival at the end of the 32-mile Boulevard Tour (@noon).

Temperatures started in the low 70s at the onset of the ride to the upper 80s by the end of the ride, with moderately high humidity. Scattered morning clouds over the lake delayed the sun's appearance, but skies were mostly sunny thereafter.

The Salt Creek Greenway Trail

2010-08-25T19:34:00.001-05:00

Current Seasonal Total: 1,324.6
On Sunday, August 22nd, I "discovered" a wonderful new bike trail called the Salt Creek Greenway Trail. It was a truly wonderful discovery, since I didn't even know the trail existed a week before. Yes . . . I admit that I had seen a couple of signs on Lake Street in Addison that identified some type of well-organized bike trail, but I failed to do any research that would have "connected the dots" and made me fully aware of this trail and the many places it can take me.

However, thanks to Jeff, who famously organizes many of the rides for the Schaumburg Bicycle Club, I learned about the SCGT. About a week before, Jeff posted a notice for a slow and easy ride that he was leading on Saturday, August 21st. Although I couldn't join that ride (because of a vet appointment for our youngest cat), I was intrigued by his description of the ride: "This slow and easy ride will bicycle the northern section of the Salt Creek Greenway Trail from Busse Woods south to Cricket Creek. . . This trail connects with the larger Great Western and IPP bicycle paths."

A trail that connected Busse Woods with the Great Western Trail? Wow! My interest was definitely piqued! I immediately began a Google search for "Salt Creek Greenway Trail" and found an amateur website that posted maps for most sections of this trail. I created PDF files from these maps and printed them out, but I wasn't sure when I would first attempt to follow them on my bicycle.

When I left the house on Sunday morning at 8:15 a.m., I wasn't sure of my ultimate destination. I knew I was headed to the Roselle Starbucks and then onward to Busse Woods, but I postponed the decision about the rest of my ride until later. Just in case, however, I brought along the SCGT maps that I had created the day before. After enjoying a refreshing ice coffee, I left Starbucks at about 8:55 and arrived at the Busse Woods Loop at 9:25. Feeling strong and adventuresome, I decided to leave the familiar Busse Woods Loop and strike out in a new direction -- namely, the spur path that forms the origin of the SCGT. I originally wanted only to find the first few segments of the trail, but it wasn't long before "let's see if I can find this trail" became "this is pretty easy; I'm going for it!"

The SCGT is more paved than not, and is very well-marked except for one trail fork on a paved section in Addison. One fork (that turns left) leads you in the correct direction toward Addison Road, while the other fork (that goes straight) leads to Mill Road. I went the wrong way while heading south but was able to follow the correct route coming back north. I took a picture of the infamous "fork in the road" on my way back so that I wouldn't make the same mistake in the future. The trail definitely needs a better sign there!

Otherwise, the SCGT is a delightful experience. It's not often that you discover such a well-built trail that you never knew existed the week before. It was that exciting! The SCGT begins in Elk Grove Village and winds through Itasca, Wood Dale, Addison, and Villa Park. It continues southward past the Great Western Trail, but I didn't take it that far. Instead, I stopped at "Rocket Park" in Villa Park, where the SGCT joins the Great Western Trail at 10:40 a.m., rested and hydrated a couple of minutes, then began the return trip. I wanted to make sure that I would be able to recognize the trail coming from both directions. In so doing, I discovered that it was even easier to follow the trail northbound than it had been southbound. I also noticed that there were a number of places where an underpass was built so that the SCGT could cross underneath major roads such as North Avenue and St. Charles Road. Very impressive!

The SCGT has something for everyone. There are wooded sections along Salt Creek that are truly picturesque. There are sections that parallel major roads; fortunately, the paved path is always well separated from traffic. There are places that could only be described as ugly, high-tech; that is, the trail follows a matrix of high-voltage towers that branch in several directions from an electrical substation. You can hear the crackling of electricity as you pass far beneath the high voltage cables. There's also a very impressive bicycle bridge over Irving Park Road in Wood Dale. I had seen it before while driving, but never knew it was a bike bridge until now. I also "discovered" the Cricket Creek Forest Preserve (which I drive nearby to every day en route to work).

Now that I'm aware of the SCGT, I will likely use it to create longer-distance routes that loop through Busse Woods, the Great Western Trail, the Illinois Prairie Path, and the familiar trails and roads west of me in Bartlett. It was a wonderful discovery indeed!

The 2010 Wright Ride

2010-08-24T20:41:00.002-05:00

Current Seasonal Total: 1,232.0
On Sunday, August 15th, I woke up shortly after 6 a.m., drove to my former home town of Oak Park, and participated in the Sixth 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 third year in a row that I participated in this annual ride, which is sponsored by the Oak Park Cycle Club. In each of these three years, I rode their 25-mile route, which is actually about 29 miles by their reckoning.

I left home at 6:30 a.m. and bought coffee at the Addison Starbucks en route to Oak Park. I started riding at 7:35. I reached the Riverside Water Tower rest stop at 8:30, the Western Springs water tower at 9:04, and the Spring Rock Park rest stop (and 25-mile turn around) at 9:15. Shortly after beginning my return trip, I stopped for a Frappuccino at the Western Springs Starbucks at 9:35. Their facility had a wonderful shaded outdoor patio and I had a free beverage coupon that was set to expire at the end of the day. I returned to the Oak Park starting point around 11:00 and then rode an additional 8-9 miles through Oak Park. I returned to my car at 11:37.

During the ride, skies started off partly cloudy and gradually turned mostly sunny, with relatively low humidity and temperatures starting off in the mid 70s and peaking near 80 by ride's end. Winds were light and northerly.

My total mileage for the day was 37.6 miles, which raised my seasonal total to 1,232 miles.

Mileage update

2010-08-08T21:05:00.001-05:00

Current Seasonal Total: 1,194.4
For details of my recent rides and seasonal statistics, please visit my BikeJournal page at

http://www.bikejournal.com/journal_public.asp?rname=Antares.

What a beautiful summer day!

2010-07-27T18:12:00.002-05:00

Current Seasonal Total: 1,048.9
On Sunday, July 25th, following a one-week absence because I attended the National Science Congress, I followed a nice 25.9 mile route that carried me along familiar roads in Bartlett, Hanover Park, Schaumburg and Roselle. I began my ride at 2:15 p.m. and returned home at 4:45. It was a beautiful afternoon, with temperatures around 80, lower humidity, and light northeasterly breezes.

1000 miles . . . and counting

2010-07-19T14:55:00.001-05:00

Current Seasonal Total: 1,023.8

I reached two significant milestones on Saturday, July 17th. First, I surpassed the 200 mile mark for July. At my current pace, if I don't set a record for July, it will still rank as one of my top five months since beginning my fund raising initiative in 2007. Secondly -- and more importantly -- I broke the 1,000 mile mark for 2010. Having exceeded this mark in each of my past two cycling seasons, I wasn't surprised to accomplish this feat, but I was surprised how early in the season I reached it. In both 2008 and 2009, I surpassed the 1,000 mile mark in the first few days of September. In 2010, I reached the same goal in mid-July!

My three rides this past weekend were otherwise unremarkable. Friday's ride followed a new eastern route (President Street) to reach the Great Western Trail and a new northern route (Klein Road) to get from North Avenue's frontage road to Schick Road. Friday's ride totaled 24.6 miles, bringing me to within 11 miles of the magic number. On Saturday's ride along Schaumburg streets, I stopped at the Starbucks on Irving Park Road in Schaumburg and discovered a new taste treat -- iced coffee with milk and sweetner. Only a little more expensive than coffee, iced coffee is far more suitable for the hot, sticky days of summer. It is a welcome treat at any point during a ride. I reached the 1,000 mile mark on the corner of Walnut and Warwick Lanes. I stopped, took my traditional cell phone self-portrait (shown here), and continued riding. My Saturday ride totaled 21.4 miles. On Sunday, which was the hottest and steamiest of the three days, I rode to the Roselle Starbucks and back (for another iced coffee), adding an additional 13 miles to my tally.

As I write this, I need only 476 miles to reach my goal of 1,500 miles in my 2010 season. Also, I need only 392 miles to reach the 5,000 mile mark since I began my "One for All" fundraising initiative. Onward and upward!

My annual 50 mile ride pushes me above 900

2010-07-14T18:22:00.002-05:00

Current Seasonal Total: 964.8

On Saturday, July 10th, I rode my annual half-century (i.e. 50 mile) ride. This year, I designed an all-new route that included one loop of the Busse Woods Bicycle Path, numerous roads in Roselle, Elk Grove Village, Schaumburg, and Hanover Park, and even a segment of the Great Western Trail and Elgin Spur of the Illinois Prairie Path. In total, my ride was 52.3 miles -- one mile for each year of my life. In order to reduce the negative effects of the mid-day sun, I started my ride at the ungodly hour of 6:05 a.m., bound for the Busse Woods Forest Preserve in Elk Grove Village. To save additional time, I even avoided a morning stop at Starbucks. Skies were clear and temperatures were seasonal, rising from the low 70s into the low 80s with light westerly winds. Even so, by ride's end I still felt overheated and dehydrated.

At about the half-way point, as I rode along a very long stretch of Weathersfield Way in Schaumburg, I chanced upon my brother-in-law in front of his home. He was nice enough to replenish my water bottle with some ice-cold water, which helped me immensely as I continued on the long backstretch of my route. The most uncomfortable part of the ride was the section along the Great Western Trail, where the summer sun shone upon me continuously. As I rode the final stretch of my route, I began to realize that my longer distance riding was limited more by my rising core temperature than by my aerobic threshold or muscle soreness. I concluded that, in the future, I should plan the longest routes of my season during the cooler months of September or October. I returned home a few minutes before 11 o'clock, having completed 52.3 miles, which was exactly the figure of my longest 2008 ride and slightly farther than its 2009 counterpart.

On the day before my big ride, I completed a warm-up ride that took me for the first time this season to the lakes and paths within Meacham Grove and the Lake Street Reserve. On the day after my big ride, I rode through the Roselle and Schaumburg Metra stations and along the network of roads that connect them.

In total, these three rides added 89 miles to my season total, which now stands at 964.8. With only 35 miles to go, I am poised to break the 1,000 mile mark in July, which will be more than a month earlier than I've ever reached that milestone before.

Four rides on the Fourth of July weekend

2010-07-06T21:40:00.001-05:00

Current Seasonal Total: 875.8

On my extended Fourth of July weekend, I rode four times in four days and added an additional 78.6 miles to my seasonal total.

Friday morning's ride (7/02) enjoyed near-perfect weather, with highs in the low to mid 70s and light winds. I rode through parts of Hanover Park, Schaumburg and Hoffman Estates. During my return trip, I stumbled across the all-new paved path that links Ranger Park in Hanover Park with both Atcher Park (on Springinsguth) and Olde Salem Park (on Hartmann) in Schaumburg. I later learned that an "official" opening of the path was scheduled for the following day. My ride was 23.4 miles.

The weather was hot and humid for my remaining three rides this weekend. On Saturday, I rode late in the afternoon to the Meacham Grove Loop, where I spied a doe and two young deer on the steep hill bypass trail. They fled along the trail for a short distance before disappearing into the bushes and trees that line the crushed rock path. I was looking for a climbing challenge and I found wildlife as a bonus! I returned home along side streets in Roselle. My ride was 14.5 miles.

On Sunday (Independence Day), I rode to my nearest Starbucks in Dominicks Plaza en route to the West Branch Bike Trail, Wilcox Trail, and the new Schaumburg-Hanover Park path. Growing a little bored of the very same route, I detoured from my normal route along Kuhn Road's sidewalk for Woodhill and Woodlake Roads, which (I now realize) provides a better way to reach the Lies Road path. This will likely become my default route in the future when heading in that direction. My ride was 23.2 miles.

Originally, I planned to take a day off from riding on Monday, since the weather forecast called for rain. However, when it became clear that the morning would be rain-free, I took a short ride to my nearby Starbucks and then followed a new route along the perimeter road of the Stratford Square Mall to Covington, the Bloomingdale Court Plaza, Schmale Road, and the Lies Road paved path. My ride was 17.5 miles.

These four rides bring my total seasonal mileage to 875.8 miles.

Record-breaking mileage = record-breaking contribution to LAF

2010-07-01T21:19:00.002-05:00

With the end of yet another month, it is time to make my monthly contribution to the Lance Armstrong Foundation. My June contribution was a record $80, based on my record-breaking June mileage of 320.9 miles.

My fund raising effort has become personal yet again, as my aunt in Texas has been diagnosed with lung cancer. My thoughts and prayers are with her.

Relentless -- Halfway to 1,500

2010-07-01T20:53:00.004-05:00

I will need to find some new adjectives to describe my cycling mindset in recent weeks. "Relentless" is my current favorite. Looking back on my past three years of cycling, I always felt rather proud of the mileage figures that I'd posted each year, but those numbers are (so far) looking pale compared to my current season. For instance. . .

-- In June of 2010, I rode more miles on my bicycle (320.9) than I've ever ridden in a single month, eclipsing my previous record set in July of 2008.

-- As of July 1, 2010, I am 274.1 miles ahead of where I was on July 1st of last year and 319.1 ahead of this same time in 2008!

-- I am on schedule to break the 1,000 mile mark sometime in late-July or early August, about a month earlier than in years past.

-- On June 28th, I passed the half-way mark to my seasonal goal of 1,500 miles.

I am now making plans for my annual Half Century ride, which I've previously completed in late-July. I may even ride two such rides in 2010. So far in 2010, I've already ridden 10 rides greater than 30 miles, and 2 greater than 40 miles. Since my most recent ride was 44.7 miles, I have no doubt that I already have the legs for a 50 mile ride. The trick will be to find a day that's not too hot and not too windy . . . and to plan my ride so that I'm not on the road when the sun is highest in the sky.

Three rides close out June

2010-07-01T20:46:00.005-05:00

Current Seasonal Total: 797.2

During the final five days of June, I was able to squeeze in three rides, totaling 94.7 miles. My late afternoon ride on Saturday, June 26th was my shortest by far, totaling 15.5 miles and following a route that I used to take quite often -- the bicycle trail to the Meacham Grove and Spring Creek Reservoir Forest Preserves.

Two days later, I took a vacation day from work and rode down to the Great Western Trail (GWT) and Illinois Prairie Path (IPP). A less humid air mass had settled into the area, and the weather was near-perfect, with sunny skies, temperatures in the mid to upper 70s, and light to moderate northwesterly winds. Although I had ridden short segments of the GWT earlier this year, this was the first time this year that I completed the full triangle formed by the GWT, the Main Branch of the IPP, and the Elgin Branch of the IPP. The entire triangle is about 25 miles in length. Adding to this was the six mile direct route from home to the GWT and a extended return route of about 14 miles, which took me farther to the northwest through Bartlett. In the end, I had completed my longest ride so far this year -- 44.7 miles. Considering that over half of this distance was ridden on crushed stone, this ride was probably as taxing as a 50 mile ride on pavement.

Finally, on the last day of June, I took my final half-day off from Fiscal Year 2010 for what I thought would be a fairly short ride through Roselle and Schaumburg. Once again, the weather was excellent, but slightly on the cool side for late-June. My original plan was to ride about 14 miles, thereby pushing my June total over the 300 mile mark. However, as I pedaled along Weathersfield Way in Schaumburg, I conjured a plan to extend my ride by the additional 11 miles needed to surpass my all-time monthly mileage mark of 311.5 miles. I decided to go for it! I turned northward onto Walnut Lane and proceeded all the way up to Hassell Road in Hoffman Estates. I then turned westward and rode into the Poplar Creek Forest Preserve, completed 3/4 of its 9-mile loop, and returned home along the streets of western Schaumburg. In all, I rode 34.5 miles, exceeding my previous monthly record by over 9 miles and bringing my seasonal total to the verge of 800 miles.

Four more rides push me into the "700 Club"

2010-06-25T17:07:00.003-05:00

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

2010-06-18T18:44:00.002-05:00

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

2010-06-13T21:25:00.008-05:00

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

2010-06-07T21:38:00.004-05:00

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"

2010-06-01T21:37:00.012-05:00

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

2010-06-01T20:13:00.005-05:00

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."

Wear a helmet . . . Don't leave home without it!

2010-05-19T10:44:00.003-05:00

I saw this street sign while cycling through Schaumburg last weekend. Its message is loud and clear, but unfortunately ignored by far too many people: Wearing a helmet saves lives. Every rider -- regardless of age or skill level -- should wear a helmet while riding.

My fund-raising "Trek" resumes

2010-05-18T19:05:00.003-05:00

Current Seasonal Total: 353.7
This past weekend, I resumed my 2010 cycling season atop my #1 bike . . . and it felt great! On Saturday, which was forecast to be sunny but was actually cloudy, I rode 22.9 miles, surpassed 300 miles for the season, and had a couple of "firsts." For the first time, I wore my three new Specialized cycling clothes -- their Pro RBX Bib Shorts, their arm warmers, and their knee warmers. Purchased a few weeks ago at Spin Doctors cycling shop in Bartlett, the bib shorts are a step up in quality compared with previous shorts I've owned. In higher priced shorts, it is the improved design of the chamois that accounts for the improved feel (and greater cost). I was not disappointed; it felt very comfortable throughout the ride. I was similarly pleased with the arm and knee warmers, although with temperatures in the low 60s and no sun, I could have used a base layer on top instead. Since the temperature never rose, I kept the "warmers" on for the duration of the ride. This ride also marked the first time I wore my Road ID Elite bracelet. In large part because of my recent car-bike collision, I am now an advocate for wearing some type of ID in case of a cycling injury that would leave the rider incapacitated. For a modest cost, these wearable IDs are a great idea and can provide key information to first responders, thereby benefiting both the rider and the family that awaits his or her return.

On Sunday, it was forecast to be cloudy but it was mostly sunny instead. On this ride, I went to Busse Woods, followed the loop once, then followed a different (and longer) route home. The winds were a little stronger than they were on Saturday, but the sunshine felt good. Nevertheless, with temperatures in the low 60s, I wore a base layer under my Livestrong jersey and long tights over shorts. My Sunday ride totaled 32.1 miles, bringing my weekend total to an even 55 miles.

Welcome back, my two wheeled friend!

2010-05-12T20:09:00.002-05:00

Tonight, I picked up my newly repaired Trek 7500. It now has a new front wheel, a new front brake lever, and a new bell, each of which were damaged in my May 2nd accident. My "return to Trek" will likely occur this Saturday, at which time I will break through the 300 mile mark.

My Giant to the Rescue

2010-05-10T16:19:00.002-05:00

This past week was a rather anxious time for me. Not only did I have to endure a week of sore muscles in my lower back and side, but I also worried how the injury would effect my short-term riding schedule. Since April's good weather had put me nearly a month ahead of last year, I didn't want to waste this good fortune. Thankfully, the soreness in my side improved dramatically on Friday morning, paving the way for my return to the saddle on Saturday.

Since my Trek bicycle was in the shop undergoing repairs, I rode my "back-up bike" -- my Giant Iguana mountain bike. This had been my primary bicycle from 1990 through 2006, but it had been relegated to basement storage since I purchased my Trek 7500 in the spring of 2007. Although my mountain bike needs some adjustments to its derailleur and probably a new chain, I was still able to coax 36 miles out of it on two separate rides this weekend. In so doing, I confirmed that I can now resume my riding unabated.

But I did not yet know that when I saddled up late Saturday afternoon. Despite the chilly, windy conditions, I was determined to assess my relative fitness. It didn't take long for me to realize that neither the riding position nor the action of pedalling posed any problem whatsoever. I rode a total of 12.1 miles, following bike trails that took me to the nearby twin lakes of Meacham Grove and Spring Creek Reservoir Forest Preserves. While I rode, I breathed a sigh of relief and thanked God that I had escaped serious injury six days before. Had any of the circumstance of the accident been different, I would be in far worse shape. I really was very lucky!

Sunday was forecast to have much more sunshine and slightly warmer temperatures. Skies were partly sunny with temperatures in the mid 50s and light southeasterly breezes. With big knobby tires, my mountain bike is far more at home on trails than on pavement. Knowing this, I planned a route that was 1/3 trail and 2/3 paved streets. I rode along portions of the Great Western Trail, Illinois Prairie Path, West Branch Trail and Hawk Hollow Trail. I started my ride at 11:25 a.m. and ended around 1:40. When it was over, my Sunday ride was 22.5 miles long.

Although my trusty old mountain bike served me well, I missed the more comfortable ergonomics and silky smooth gears of my Trek hybrid. I also missed not having a cycle computer. To collect that data that I needed for my "One for All" fund raising initiative, I wore a wristwatch with a stopwatch feature to maintain my elapsed riding time, and I used Google Earth after the ride to calculate my distance travelled and average speed.

Unbeknownst to me, I fell short by just 1.3 miles of the 300 mile mark for the season, which I will likely surpass this Saturday. With repairs to my Trek likely to be completed on Monday, my cycling world will soon be back to normal.

My guardian angels were working overtime

2010-05-07T13:04:00.003-05:00

Last Sunday, I was riding for the first time in May. Having just recovered from a cold, it felt good to be nearly at full strength and to add an additional 20 miles to my ever-growing seasonal total. I had essentially completed my ride and was on the final approach to home . . . and then . . . BAM . . . I was hit by a car. I guess it was bound to happen sometime in my cycling career, but instead of occurring on a busy road, it took place at a normally lazy intersection only 4/10 of a mile from my home. But I was very lucky . . . or perhaps my guardian angels were working overtime that day.

So here are the details: I was struck by a car (luckily at very low speeds) whose driver didn't see me. He had stopped (or nearly stopped) at the stop sign and had just started turning left from Frisco Street onto Cloverdale Road as I was turning left from Cloverdale onto Frisco. The timing of his acceleration couldn't have been worse, and I had no time for an evasive maneuver. The impact of his front bumper scooped me off of my bike, and I slid on my butt across a portion of his BMW's hood before falling to the pavement on my back. Subsequent x-rays showed no broken bones, but I strained a number of muscles in my back and left side. I started taking prescription-strength doses of ibuprofen and icing the affected areas whenever I could. Each day, the body part that was most sore was different. At first, the pain was only in my lower back . . . then it migrated to my left side, below and slightly forward of my left arm pit.

My Trek bicycle sustained damage to its front wheel and front brake system. My front wheel was bent enough to render the bike unrideable, so I had to walk my bike home from the accident scene. The front wheel and front brakes will be replaced, and a complete inspection of the bicycle frame and drivetrain components is being performed to ensure that my bike is not damaged any further and is still safe to ride. My bike bag, fastened by velcro straps in four places to my rear rack, was catapulted off the bike by the impact, but suffered no damage. Amazingly, my cycling clothing, helmet and sunglasses sustained no damage whatsoever. Apparently, I impacted the pavement without skidding, which would likely have torn the material.

The driver of the car lives in Phase I of my subdivision, and I pass his house every time that I ride. To his credit, he did stop, offered assistance, said that he was willing to pay for the damage he caused to my bike, and willingly provided his contact information. The following day, when I filed a police report, he was similarly cooperative and admitted fault to the investigating officer.

So, for the first time in 3 1/2 years, I may ready my Giant mountain bike for short rides this weekend, since repairs to my Trek probably won't be completed until early next week.

Many years ago, a friend of mine who rode both bicycles and motorcycles offered me advice: cyclists should always assume that they are invisible, because that's how many drivers see (or actually don't see) them. On Sunday, I discovered this cautionary note to be painfully true, and I am lucky the outcome wasn't far worse.

A record-breaking April ride

2010-04-24T22:25:00.000-05:00

With the weather of Spring 2010 dramatically better than last year's, I continue to set new records for April mileage.

Since I worked on Saturday, April 17th, I decided in advance to take a vacation day on Monday, April 19th, thereby giving me two possible riding days that weekend. Since the weather forecast predicted a warmer day on Monday, my plan was to ride a relatively short ride on Sunday -- basically to keep myself in shape and add a few miles to my total -- and then stage a longer route on Monday. Little did I know how long it would be.

On Sunday, April 18th, with temperatures hovering around 50, I set out around 3:30 for what would be a modest ride of 13.5 miles along the Bartlett and Hawk Hollow trails. Despite the fact that skies were mostly sunny, the moderate northeasterly breezes made it feel quite chilly.

The following day's ride started around 1:30. Originally, I set out simply to ride to Busse Woods and back, perhaps taking a slightly less direct route back along Schaumburg's Weathersfield Way to ease the boredom and slightly increase my mileage. Skies were partly sunny to partly cloudy with temperatures in the low to mid 50s and light easterly breezes. Thankfully, the wind was not the enemy it had been in previous rides.

I arrived at Busse Woods, completed one loop in a clockwise direction, and headed back. I felt really strong on the way back, in part because my clothing layers were perfect for conditions and because there were far less headwinds to fight than in previous outings. So I kept riding . . . to the Starbucks on Irving Park Road . . . and then continued westward on Walnut Avenue to Bartlett, where I paid a visit to the Spin Doctors Bike Shop. I turned south, and when I reached the start of the Wilcox Trail on Bartlett Road, I decided not to take the trail back home. Instead, I would push myself onward from a 30+ mile ride to a 40 mile ride. I still felt pretty strong and I was confident that I could break my own record for such a long ride so early in the season. So I continued southward along the West Branch bike trails before heading east on Lies Road and back north along Kuhn Road to home. In the end, I not only reached 40 miles, but I bested that figure by 3.7 miles. Later, I determined that this had been my third longest ride in the past three years, exceeded only by my July half-century rides of 2008 and 2009.

When it was done, I had catapulted my seasonal total to 237 miles, a figure that I didn't reach in 2007 until June 20 . . . in 2008 on May 25th (at Bike the Drive) . . . and in 2009 on May 24th (also at Bike the Drive). I don't know what the rest of my 2010 season will hold, but it is certainly off to a fantastic start!

My early-April rides, part 2

2010-04-12T21:10:00.003-05:00

My fourth and fifth rides of April were on the weekend of April 10-11. By completing these two rides, I set a record for the number of miles that I've ridden in the month of April (110.4), and I'm less than halfway through the month!

On Saturday, April 10th, with temperatures approaching 70, I rode to Busse Woods, completed two loops of their bicycle path, and rode home. I started my ride at 10 a.m. and returned home at 2:00 p.m. The skies were mostly sunny with temperatures that started in the upper 50s and ended near 70. Winds started out light but increased with time and became moderately strong from the southwest. The return trip was largely spent riding directly into these strong headwinds, which provided an unwelcome bout of resistance training. I rode most of the ride with Livestrong jersey over base layer and tights over shorts. However, as temperatures edged near 70, I removed these extra layers on the return trip. My total mileage that day was 37.2 miles, which is the earliest date that I've ever ridden such a long ride. I never rode that far in 2007, and it wasn't until the Memorial Day weekend that I did so in 2008 and 2009 (at Bike the Drive).

On the following day, I rode an additional 18.5 miles, bringing my April subtotal to 110.4 and my seasonal total to 179.8. This day's ride was a familar ride through Bartlett, Hanover Park, Schaumburg, and Roselle. I started my ride at 2:15 p.m. Skies were partly sunny to partly cloudy with temperatures in the low 60s with moderate easterly breezes. I wore base layers under my Livestrong jersey.

Largely because of the favorable weather that I've enjoyed so far in 2010, my current mileage figure is far ahead of this same date in previous years. In previous years, the 179.8 miles that I reached on April 11, 2010 wasn't achieved until June 9 (in 2007), May 8 (in 2008) and May 10 (in 2009). Hopefully, I will have good weather for the latter part of April, so that I can add more miles to this total.

My early-April rides, part 1

2010-04-12T21:10:00.000-05:00

My first three April rides were on my "extended" weekend of April 1-4, during which time I rode a total distance of 54.7 miles.

My April 1st late afternoon ride took me to the Spin Doctors Cycle Shop in Bartlett, then along side streets in Hanover Park and Schaumburg. The ride covered 13.3 miles. Skies were mostly sunny with a record high temperature of 83 and moderate southerly breezes. For the first time this season, I rode without base layers -- just my Livestrong jersey and shorts. It felt great!

My April 2nd ride took me in the opposite direction -- to the Roselle Starbucks and Metra Station and then in a wide loop westward through Schaumburg, Hanover Park and Bartlett. The ride covered 27.1 miles. I started my ride at 10:35 a.m. Skies were partly sunny with temperatures in the upper 70s and moderate southerly breezes. Once again, I did not need base layers for warmth.

After a Saturday cold front laid down some rain and cooled things off, my Sunday, April 4th ride was considerably cooler. Skies were partly sunny with temperatures in the mid 60s and moderate southerly breezes. As a result, I had to wear base layers under my Livestrong jersey. I started my ride at 11:45 a.m. and ended it around 1 o'clock. I rode a significant part of my ride off-road, following the Hawk Hollow and West Branch trails in Bartlett. The ride covered 14.3 miles.

Three more March rides

2010-03-29T19:40:00.003-05:00

Last year, as cool weather forced me to wear extra layers of clothing more often than normal, I reasoned that if I were willing to wear these extra layers in 2009 to extend my season well into November, I should also be willing to wear these same layers to start my 2010 season earlier than normal. That was my plan for the onset of my 2010 season, and I set my target temperature at the low to mid-40s. January and February passed without such an opportunity. Finally, temperatures were forecast to approach 50 degrees on Sunday, March 14th, and that day became my first ride of the season, which I described in my previous post.

My second ride came four days later, on Thursday, March 18th, when I took a half-day off from work to enjoy temperatures in the 60s. Starting my ride at about 2:30, I followed a route that kept me on paved roads, since I didn't yet trust the condition of nearby crushed gravel trails. My route carried me through parts of Bartlett, Hanover Park, Schaumburg, Roselle, and Keeneyville, stopping once at the Starbucks on Irving Park Road in Schaumburg. I wore my new base layers under long tights and my original Livestrong jersey. In retrospect, I could have worn shorts over my base layer, as I felt a little warm at times. I rode 21.3 miles.

My third and fourth rides occurred on the weekend of March 27-28. I had expected to ride on Saturday, the day that weather forecasters were calling the better of the two weekend days. I started my ride at about 1:35 and (once again) rode primarily on paved streets. Temperatures were in the low 50s with moderate easterly winds. As I've observed before, it's rare to have a warm day in March without strong winds; today was no exception. I followed Schaumburg roads north and westward from the Metra station to the Starbucks on Barrington Road, then through Streamwood and Hanover Park to Bartlett. When I reached the point on Bartlett Road where a paved path (which I call the Wilcox Trail) extends to the east, I paused to re-think my route. Prodded by a desire to better the mileage of my previous ride, I decided to extend my ride and follow Bartlett Road southward to pick up the southern portion of the Hawk Hollow trail, which starts at Schick Road and courses its way over rolling terrain past Army Trail Road and ends at Lies Road. I knew that this route would take we well south of my home latitude and add several miles to my total. In the end, my ride was 25.5 miles, but my muscles felt it was more due to the stiff winds I fought whenever my heading turned eastward.

I never expected to ride on Sunday, since the forecast called for cold, rainy, and windy conditions. In reality, it was sunny, cold, and windy. The temperature was probably 3-5 degrees colder than the day before, and moderately strong winds blew from the north rather than the east. My second ride in as many days was short by comparison, but I was simply excited to receive this "bonus day." I waited as long as possible in the afternoon to begin my ride, hoping to seize whatever "heat of the day" might build. I started my ride just before 4 o'clock and rode a little more than 12 miles.

In the end, I rode four times and 69.4 miles in March, making it the best March I've ever had. Of course, that's not really saying that much, but these extra miles did bring me a little closer to staying on par with the likes of my 2008 and 2009 seasons. I'm still behind them both in total mileage, but warmer weather is expected on Easter weekend, which may allow me to catch up.

My first ride of 2010

2010-03-14T19:31:00.001-05:00

Today, with temperatures in the upper 40s and winds blowing briskly from the northeast, I rode my bicycle for the first time in 2010. Although quite unremarkable in its length (10.4 miles), it was nevertheless a very important ride.

For me, the first ride of the season allows me a proverbial litmus test for my own physical conditioning. It doesn't take many miles of cycling to ascertain how much the long, winter break has robbed from my core strength. On this day, I faced two additional opponents -- chilly temperatures and a strong northeasterly headwind that was felt most keenly during the first half of my ride.

My goal today was simple -- to ride to the Schaumburg Starbucks on Irving Park Road, have a cup of coffee to warm up, and ride back. For the first time, I wore the Craft base layers that I recently purchased online, which worked much better than the layers of clothing I had previously worn. Expressly designed for such use, these new base layers wick moisture off the skin, allowing the skin to remain dry and warm. Over these base layers I wore long woolen tights, one of my red cycling jerseys, and my red cycling jacket. Despite the wind chill, I never felt chilled, and when I stopped for the coffee, my undergarments didn't get sweat soaked. The base layers were a very good purchase indeed!

Even more importantly, my first ride of 2010 revealed that I'm in remarkably good aerobic shape. Despite minimal off-season exercise, I discovered that I'm not in as bad a shape as I feared. The worry is behind me. Now, it's simply upward and onward! Livestrong!

My 2010 Livestrong Fundraising Page

2010-03-05T18:44:00.002-06:00

I have created my Livestrong Grassroots Fundraising Page for 2010! It can be found at www.livestrong.org/grassroots2010/oneforall.

Updated: 2009 End of Season report

2010-01-24T10:11:00.003-06:00

I finally updated my 2009 End of Season Report page, which now lists my record-breaking grassroots contribution to the Lance Armstrong Foundation -- $1,065. It can be found here.

I'm now looking forward to the 2010 season and trying to spin occasionally to stay in shape. I hope winter loosens its grip a little sooner than last year. Stay tuned!

My End of Season Report

2009-12-10T16:30:00.002-06:00

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.

2009-11-29T21:45:00.003-06:00

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!

2009-11-25T14:21:00.002-06:00

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

2009-11-16T20:00:00.003-06:00

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!

2009-11-13T16:50:00.006-06:00

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

2009-11-08T21:47:00.007-06:00

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

2009-11-01T19:51:00.002-06:00

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

2009-10-25T21:29:00.001-05:00

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

2009-10-18T18:04:00.002-05:00

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!

2009-10-17T21:52:00.001-05:00

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

2009-10-05T11:03:00.003-05:00

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

2009-10-01T19:56:00.004-05:00

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?

2009-09-20T20:10:00.008-05:00

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

2009-09-15T21:37:00.002-05:00

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

2009-09-13T22:22:00.002-05:00

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!

2009-09-07T20:10:00.002-05:00

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

2009-09-05T20:31:00.003-05:00

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

2009-09-04T14:25:00.002-05:00

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

2009-08-29T19:27:00.003-05:00

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

2009-08-23T19:34:00.003-05:00

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

2009-08-17T20:43:00.010-05:00

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!

2009-08-05T20:15:00.004-05:00

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

2009-08-02T21:23:00.007-05:00

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

2009-07-29T21:41:00.003-05:00

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

2009-07-26T21:16:00.005-05:00

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?!

2009-07-19T22:36:00.001-05:00

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

2009-07-11T20:16:00.004-05:00

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

2009-07-07T10:23:00.001-05:00

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!

2009-06-29T15:28:00.007-05:00

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

2009-06-28T21:23:00.012-05:00

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

2009-06-15T20:13:00.003-05:00

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

2009-06-15T11:17:00.006-05:00

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

2009-06-07T21:53:00.003-05:00

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

2009-06-01T18:31:00.002-05:00

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

2009-05-26T20:38:00.002-05:00

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

2009-05-18T20:07:00.003-05:00

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

2009-05-10T21:05:00.003-05:00

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 . . .

2009-05-08T22:00:00.004-05:00

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

2009-04-26T20:40:00.002-05:00

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!

2009-04-18T18:57:00.003-05:00

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

2009-04-12T20:59:00.005-05:00

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

2009-03-22T21:50:00.007-05:00

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.

2009-03-22T19:07:00.001-05:00

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

2009-03-17T18:47:00.004-05:00

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

2009-03-14T11:09:00.003-05:00

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.

2009-03-05T19:54:00.003-06:00

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

2009-02-11T20:35:00.002-06:00

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!

2009-02-11T20:27:00.002-06:00

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!

My updated 2008 stats

2008-12-29T22:03:00.005-06:00

Having received a few additional donations from relatives at Christmas, my updated 2008 stats are as follows:

Number of rides: 63 (22 more than last year!)
Total mileage: 1,226.2 (343.9 more than last year!)
Total ride time: 94 hours, 14 minutes (24 h, 37 m longer than 2007!)
My own contributed funds: $308 ($80 more than last year!)
Friend and family support: $657 (updated)
Total funds that One for All raised in 2008: $965 (updated)

COMBINED 2007 & 2008 STATISTICS
Number of rides in 2007 & 2008: 104
Total mileage in 2007 & 2008: 2,108.5
Total ride time in 2007 & 2008: 163 hours, 49 minutes (6.8 days)
My own contributed funds in 2007 & 2008: $536
My friends contributed funds in 2007 & 2008: $1,257 (updated)
Total funds that One for All has so far raised: $1,793 (updated)

My 2008 End of Season Report

2008-11-19T22:22:00.011-06:00

As my 2008 cycling season ends, I am proud to report that I accomplished all of the personal goals that I set for myself, such as hosting a bicycle ride on Livestrong Day in May, participating in Chicago's "Bike the Drive" ride on the Memorial Day weekend, planning and riding my own "50 at 50" half century ride in July, participating in Oak Park's "Wright Ride" in August (as well as the Trek Breast Cancer Awareness Ride in October), and riding over 1,000 miles for the season. I also started this blog to chronicle my "One for All" initiative. My final 2008 stats are as follows:

Number of rides: 63 (22 more than last year!)
Total mileage: 1,226.2 (343.9 more than last year!)
Total ride time: 94 hours, 14 minutes (24 h, 37 m longer than 2007!)
My own contributed funds: $308 ($80 more than last year!)
Friend and family support: $567
Total funds that One for All raised in 2008: $875

COMBINED 2007 & 2008 STATISTICS
Number of rides in 2007 & 2008: 104
Total mileage in 2007 & 2008: 2,108.5
Total ride time in 2007 & 2008: 163 hours, 49 minutes (6.8 days)
My own contributed funds in 2007 & 2008: $536
My friends contributed funds in 2007 & 2008: $1,167
Total funds that One for All has so far raised: $1,703

My final ride for 2008? . . . perhaps.

2008-11-05T16:05:00.007-06:00

On a Monday afternoon that saw near-record temperatures throughout Chicagoland, I elected to take a half day off from work to ride what could be my last bicycle ride of the season. Even if I ride again in '08, it will undoubtedly be with extra layers of clothing, none of which were needed today as the mercury climbed well into the 70s, cooled somewhat by moderate breezes. Today, I rode for nearly two hours until the onset of twilight, which now comes well before 5 p.m. On my final warm weather ride, I chose to combine two of my favorite routes for a total of 25.6 miles.

On this beautiful day, as I rode through the villages of Bartlett, Schaumburg, Hanover Park, Roselle, and Bloomingdale, I reflected upon my 2008 cycling season. I recalled its start -- just days after my 50th birthday -- when I enthusiastically pedaled along the streets of Anna Maria Island on winter days that would normally be spent indoors. I also recalled the transcendent qualities of my first ever "Bike the Drive," which still puts a smile on my face as I remember the sensation of cycling along skyscraper-studded Lake Shore Drive. I also recalled my "50 at 50" ride in July, when I accomplished another personal milestone that I had planned for this special year. But most of all, I reflected on my overall accomplishment -- the sheer number of rides, the sheer number of hours, the sheer number of miles. My "end of season report" will summarize all of these statistics later this month.

One milestone that occurred on this ride was reaching the 2,000 mile mark -- the total mileage that I have accumulated since purchasing my Trek bicycle in March, 2007. When I also factor in the mileage ridden on my Florida rental bike, my two-season "One for All" mileage grows to 2,108.5.

1,200 miles!

2008-10-19T21:41:00.003-05:00

Although not nearly as warm as last weekend, the weather this weekend was satisfactory enough to get in two rides -- a ride through Schaumburg and Roselle on Saturday that was just shy of 20 miles, and a 17 mile ride through Bartlett on Sunday.

On the latter ride, I reached another seasonal milestone -- 1,200 miles for 2008!

My next goal is to ride another 26 miles before my riding season ends. If I reach that point, my Trek odometer will register 2,000 miles since purchasing it in the spring of 2007. [Note: I already surpassed my 2,000 mile mark for the combined 2007 and 2008 seasons on October 11th, but 112 of those miles were on a rented bike in Florida].