48 Hours to SHOWTIME...

            In 2 days the "24 Hours of Booty" event will begin.. This will be my 3rd time.. I really enjoy doing this event.. Especially the mass start.. Usaully 1200 riders.. And the best part is.. all cancer survivors that you meet & talk to.. there is such energy at this event.. that even when I'm tired.. I always say.. "I can do a few more loops"..
           The Booty event started 11 years ago.. Its a 3 mile loop around Queens University in Charlotte, NC.. Lots of volunteers, vendors with food, bike support.. Its difficult to ask for donations.. but I know its for a good cause.. this year I've raised over $500.. and in the 3 years of doing this event.. I've raised over $2000.. deep inside I feel good about that.. 76% of all donations go to the charities themselves.. The weather is always hot.. with a chance of thunder storms.. and this year should be know different.. heat index over 100 degrees.. I've promise myself not to make any bold predictions.. about how many miles I'll do.. Just go and have FUN.. enjoy the event.. talk to a few more cancer survivors.. cause this is what this event is all about.. I"ll still finish with over 200 miles.. having fun on 2 wheels.. and be safe...

10,000 MILES

    I've been bike riding for over 30 years.. Wish I've recorded all my miles.. it would be a impressive total.. I wouldn't be surprise if it was over 40,000 miles.. I've biked across Florida twice.. Boston to Manhattan.. and all over Long Island, NY & the state of Florida, NC, MI & Mass.. and the training miles to go with it...
   Since 2007 I've got into the habit of recording my miles...and later this month I will participate in my 3rd "24 Hour of Booty"event.. and in the next few months I will be fast approaching 10,000 miles.. And why stop... I'm always looking for new roads or trails... always looking for new motivation and challenges.. passing 10,000 miles has a great ring to it... I've found my passion.. Hope you can find yours..The one thing that bike riding does.. its a great way to manage the stress that life can bring.. its for all abilitys.. easy on the joints.. its even better to bike with friends.. or a great way to meet new friends...
be safe..  And I'm having fun on 2 wheels...

Happy Father's Day.. The Fanning's Go Hiking

    Crowder's Mountain is in Gaston County, NC.. between Gastonia & Kings Mountain.. they have many hiking trails.. with great veiws.. I've wanted to hike it with my kids for a long time.. but chores, projects, or sports always pervailled.. But as Father's Day approached.. I knew that this could be the day.. So the kids & I headed out early..cause we knew it be a hot day.. I packed a cooler with Powerade & water.. and some watermelon.. So, Conner, Kevin, Kellie, & I started at the base of the trail called "Backside Trail".. it was a strenuous 1 mile hike.. and just as we got to the top we had to climb over 300 steps to the top.. We had a great veiw.. 360 degrees.. you had to be careful.. there weren't much safety precautions.. You could see the tall buildings in Charlotte, NC.. but the veiw was not crystal clear.. there was a hazy from the hot temps.. We spent about 45 minutes moving to different vantage points to see all we could.. took plenty of pictures.. we took another trail back called "Tower Trail" it was about 1.6 mile trail.. that weaved up & down.. both trails were very shaded.. we didn't see much in wildlife.. Did see one person running up the "Tower Trail" with 10bls weights in each hand.. Hiking the trail is free.. I could see myself back for a workout..
    After the hike we went to Tony's Ice Cream.. its been around since 1915.. They make the best shakes.. and we weren't disappointed.. we had shakes, burgers, and fries.. guilt free.. what a great way to end the day.. hope you all had a great Father's Day.. be safe...
"having fun on two wheels"...