The pursuit of 4,000 miles.. Update..

   When the month of December started I needed 319 miles to get to 4,000 miles.. I know I can do it.. but to do 319mi. in a very cold month like December.. plus the sunsets around 5pm.. is a daunting challenge.. I just can't let the cold weather defeat me.. I know I can do it.. just stay focus..
   So on Friday.. Dec. 2.. I got home a little earlier than usually so I quickly got on my bike for a 21.3 mile ride.. it was sunny an chilly especially as the sun went down.. the ride was a out and back route.. down to the bridge that goes over the Catawba River.. its also the border of North and South Carolina..
   Then on Saturday.. Dec. 3.. I got out for a bigger ride.. 31.1 mile ride.. this is a very scenic route that I've down before.. its one of my favorites.. its a loop with much to see..  I go on very quiet roads and goes over 3 bridges with great views..
   On Sunday.. Dec. 4.. I met with Scott & Jim on a new route.. we met early.. this way I could see the Pats game.. I had plans to see with my kids.. the game stared at 1pm.. It was a 35.9 mile route with rolling hills.. It was cold when we started and it never really warmed up.. I was dressed appropriated.. its always fun to do new routes.. I've been on these roads by car.. but not by bike..
    On Thursday.. Dec. 8.. I got out for a cold ride.. 12.6 mile ride.. do you see the theme.. COLD rides.. it was a out and back route..
   On Saturday.. Dec. 10.. I got out for a chilly & windy 27.35 mile ride.. this is pretty much the same route I did last Saturday.. it does get old riding in cold weather.. need to get more cold weather gear..
   On Sunday.. Dec. 11..  I didn't ride.. not only was it cold.. I had plans with my kids.. so if I wanted to ride I would of had to wake up early.. It was in the 20's when I woke up.. and the weather forecast said it won't warm up much.. so I passed for today.. I still feel I'm in good position.. not only that its supposed to warm up to 50's & 60's later in the week... I now stand at 3,809 miles.. I'm getting closer..
Be Happy.. Be Safe..

Breaks Over

    I had a great break from bike riding.. 9 days of no riding.. Spending Thanksgiving with my Mom & Dad was great.. Got to see my sisters, nieces, nephews, daughter, and grandson.. The only sad part was my own children didn't come.. Being in a car for as many hours as it would take was hard to over come.. it was a long drive.. 17 hours up to Boston in 1 day.. Then on the way back broke it up in 2 days.. the 2nd day was no fun lots of delays.. everyone understood..
    One of the many joys of the trip was spending time with my grandson.. Ryan 2yrs 8 months.. and talking one on one with my daughter Katrina.. we had many great conversations..
   2nd was going to my nephews last high school football game.. He is a Senior at North Shore Tech.. I think he played awesome.. Even thou I froze to death with his mom.. my sister Dawn.. I'm glad a went.. the final score was not in their favor..
   3rd was going to the Beverly vs. Salem game.. which is played on Thanksgiving at 10am.. this year was the 113th time they met.. My nephew Ryan & I went.. what a great game.. Beverly won 46-20..
   the 4th thing that made this trip so special was LOBSTER.. I've been dreaming about lobster for along time.. When you go to New England.. if you want some of the best lobster you better get it.. I was planning on it.. I told everyone.. So we actually had 2 Thanksgivings.. On Thursday we had a traditional Thanksgiving with all the trimmings.. at my sister Dianne's house.. it was very good.. but on Friday.. was a day to remember.. we talked about it for weeks.. On Friday morning my sister got a email from a friend saying he was going out in his boat to catch lobster and asked how many would we like.. we said 12.. so around 2pm he delivered to our house.. 12 of the finest lobsters all about 1.5lbs.. for a great price.. they didn't have a chance.. they took longer to cook then to eat.. we also had fried clams.. fried shrimp.. chix fingers.. onion rings, french fries.. we had our own.. seafood fest.. we will all remember this day.. on Saturday I took 3 lobster home to North Carolina.. they made the trip.. 33 hours later.. I'm cooking lobster for my children.. It had mix reviews.. but they all got eaten..
   Bottom line is I had a blast.. the drive SUCKED.. but I would do it again.. I really like living in the Carolina's.. but around the holidays it doesn't feel the same.. nothing like family..
   Now its time to get back to some bike riding.. I'm 319 miles short of 4,000 miles.. I do feel I've got a good shoot at doing this.. but I'll have to make the most of my opportunities.. the sunsets around 5:10pm.. so weekend rides are going to be were I get most of my miles.. On December 31st.. which is a Saturday.. I'm hoping to end the year with a 100 mile bike ride weather permitting.. I got my fingers crossed.. Here's to my best year of bike riding.. Be Safe..