" DING "

   On Sunday I reached my goal of 3,650 miles..My goal was to reach my goal this weekend so when I go to Boston I could relax and not ride.. but to reach it I biked a ice cold late Friday afternoon ride.. I got on the bike @4:55pm..I was racing the daylight as the sunsets at 5:20pm..I didn't get off the bike till 5:40pm...The temps were dropping fast with a good breeze..temps were in the 30's.. I finished with a 12.4 mile ride..
   On Saturday I got my car checked out.. so when I go to Boston I had nothin to worry about.. so by the time I got done it didn't leave me much time for a ride.. thats why I had my bike with me.. I ended up parking my car by a school.. getting on my bike around 3pm.. I hit the road heading south.. as I head south I had no idea were I was going.. I figured I head south 11 miles then turn around.. My turn happened to be Buford,SC.. when I saw the sign I immediately thought of Jackie Gleason's charator in "Smokie and the Bandit"..."Buford T. Justice"..this was a fast course with easy rolling hills.. I finished with 22.4 miles.. it was a mild day..

    This set me up to pass 3,650 miles today.. a couple of days ago I called a couple friends.. Jim & Scott.. to see if they were interested in a ride.. they both said yes.. so the plan was to met at Jim's house 9:30 am.. So on the way over I bought some bagels.. make sure I had some carbos in me.. I only needed 32.06 miles to reach my goal.. just to let you know.. Both Jim & Scott like to go at a fast pace.. they didn't let me down.. I could feel my legs were getting tired even before the ride.. between riding late yesterday and not sleeping well.. through the first 20 miles we were averaging 19 mph.. a very fast pace.. I was not going to back down.. I did all I could to keep up.. My thighs felt like a motor with a fan belt that was about to explode.. but I kept going.. kept pedding all I could this was a important day.. and nothin was stopping me...NOTHIN...Scott was still recovering from a car accident.. he stopped at 30 miles..Jim & I kept going.. we were having a great time.. at 32.06 miles we took a celebratory break.. it was @11:45am and took a quick pic.. Jim is such a strong rider.. For a Sunday in November it was a mild day..started with sunshined ended with clouds.. this ride was going to be about 46 miles.. but we wanted to end with 50 miles.. so we did a couple loops in his neighborhood.. ended with 51.03 miles.. It was great to share this with good friends...YAHOO.. thanks Jim & Scott...it was great to be pushed today....I go to Boston to visit family & friends knowing this is behind me.. I can celebrate.. Sam Adams are on me...knowing I passed 3,650 miles... Turkey & Lobster is going to taste sooo GOOD.. can't wait......Be Safe...

4 Straight Days of Bike Riding...4 Totally Different Rides

  On Friday I finally got a chance for a bike ride.. After 5 days of not riding.. with the days being shorter.. the sunsets at 5:25pm.. now it makes it difficult to get the ride in.. But I was determined to get it in..I had a long day at work..so I finally get on my bike at 4:45pm so I made sure I had my lights on..Cause I would be racing the limited sunshine I had..With temps dropping fast it was getting cold.. I got 10.7 mile bike ride in..
   On Saturday.. I had a great ride.. I left at 12:30pm with abundance of sunshine and a slight breeze.. Lots of things to see with the fall colors.. not all the leaves are on the ground.. plus this is a new route which includes going over the Catawba River and by a boat landing were the boats launch to go to Lake Wylie.. My mp3 player wasn't working.. dead battery.. so I had to go without it.. And was I glad I left it.. I was able to enjoy the sights and sounds so much more.. with the mp3 player I get into a zone and even though I enjoy it.. its not the same.. today I got into a medium tempo and maintain it.. this loop begins with hills and ends with hills.. I ended with a 31.2 mile ride.. a funny note my little girl Kellie and I went to the movies.. right in the middle of the movie I felt a cramp coming.. I'm thankful no one was sitting beside me.. that way I could straightin my leg..
   Its amazing how the weather can change drasticly 24 hours later.. On Sunday my friend Ray was comimg over to do this new route.. I wanted to skip some hills so we drove to this Charter school and started from there.. this day was cloudy and breezy day.. the weatherman says it was 59 degrees but it felt a lot colder.. we had a perfect pace.. we took a detour to South Carolina.. then made a u-turn to our car.. we went by a renivated gas station.. looks right out of "Back to the Future".. we finished with 23.4 miles.. we went to downtown Belmont for a cup of coffee with expresso shots..a great way to finish the day..
   On Monday.. I got done early.. and it was warm for a November day.. so as soon as I got home I grap my gear.. plus my mp3 player.. I played it loud with lots of high tempo music.. and I hit a fast rythem and never let up.. nothing like a good workout right after work..I finished with a 15.1 mile ride.. for a total 80.4 miles for the 4 days.. I'm getting very close to my goal of 3,650 miles.. I'm at 3,583 miles.. hope to be there by Thanksgiving.. That turkey is going to be so good.. I'm getting 2nds...Be Safe...

The Code Word Is...."DING" !!

    As Ray & I approach 3,650 miles.. the reason 3,650 miles.. is it gives us a 10 mile a day average for the whole year.. Ray & I have done alot of miles together..but lately we been riding solo... cause we both work a different schedule.. and our kids have a different activity schedule.. He does alot of commuting to and from work & I bike on the weekends and if I get home early try to do a quick 12 mile ride.. So we came up with this code word so when it happens 3,650 miles we would text each other...DING...It looks like next week I'll pass the mythical magical number..with Ray not far behind...The Turkey will be extra tasty this year.. Be Safe & Enjoy some Turkey...