The new year brings a host of new adventures so why not start off with a bang…100 miles on my first week.  Now that might not seem like much since my goal is to do that in ‘One Day’ but we all must start somewhere.  Upon completing the 100^th mile I got a phone call that my new road bike has been delivered to our local bike shop.  Problem is…it’s all in plastic bags and cardboard boxes.  It looks like a couple of days will be needed to get all the pieces in the right spot and resemble a rideable bike.  This new bike has been made possible by 15 generous contributions in helping me reach my ‘Scholarship for Students’ goals.  To each of them I graciously say THANK YOU and I’m ready to show how to pack on the miles.  No, that doesn’t mean my mountain bike will begin to collect dust.  It’s a great workout bike and I’ll use it to develop muscle strength and the new road bike to develop endurance.  Don’t forget to check in on my progress as what I’ve learned along the way.  If you have a few extra dollars burning a hole in your wallet, check out my Pledging opportunity.  Total miles: 3,588 and many more to come!

In closing out 2022 I’d like to apologize to all Florida cyclists.  It seems that when I came back from an Indiana trip, I forgot to close the door and all their cold air flowed right into Florida.  Our heat finally prevailed in pushing the cold back up north which meant cycling time was once again upon us.  This past week’s ride saw a lot of deflated Christmas scenery laying on the grass and some beginning to disappear.  This year brought the creation of my Cycling for Scholarships program while raising money for a new road bike to pack on the miles for scholarship awards while working towards my first Century ride (100 miles).  I’ve met new friends Dannielle, Doris and Darlene Donkey that I introduced to you on September 10th, tested my restraint by not asking why the chicken crossed the road when that is exactly what I saw on September 4th, and saw such beauty Florida has to offer on December 10th.  I end the year adding 1,943 miles for a grand total of 3,487 towards my goal of cycling around the earth.   How could anyone not be ready for an exciting 2023 and what cycling adventures have to offer…I can’t wait!  

Last couple weeks have seen a lot of business travel and mighty cold temperatures to be riding.  I decided to take a look at the imaginary Pacific Ocean below me and noticed a school of curious looking fish while I’m pedaling my way to Hawaii.  The internet connection is still good out here so I was able to learn that I’m seeing a variety of Mahi Mahi which means “very strong”.  Pretty amazing fish as they have a top speed of 57 miles per hour.  They can avoid the dinner table for up to five years and release 33,000 to 65,000 eggs each spawning season over a 2-3 day period.  They live in water up to 280 ft. deep mostly near the shores and under floating sargassum seaweed.  Mahi Mahi feed during the day on small ocean fish, tuna, and crabs.  While looking for food they are on the menu list for predators including larger tuna, marine mammals, sailfish, and swordfish.  After waking up from my imaginary dreams weather forecasts show plenty of riding ahead of the New Year….Stay tuned and see how much I add on to my 3,455 miles so far.

I was blessed not once but twice this week with a visiting friend who travels with his bike.  Showed him the South Lake Trail around Lake Minneola then visited the connecting Lake Louisa.  In 1944 a training pilot in a P-51 Mustang crashed into the lake and his plane was later discovered when the water level was extremely low.  A monument commemorates the event.  The rest of the lake is a candidate for a scenic puzzle with wonderful reflections.  This week added 68 miles for a total travel of 3,455 miles.  As I use my imagination on my voyage around the world I’m currently heading to Hawaii over the Pacific and notice several unusual fish.   Hmm…I’ll have to zoom in a bit and see what’s there!

One of the best parts of cycling are rides in new scenery. The Pepper Creek Trail is a beautiful 8 mile long trail hugging the tree lined creek with a frisbee golf course within. A little dam with a monument for visiting children is the centerpiece of a colorful ride among the countryside and an occasional stray frisbee overhead. Was on a fully suspension borrowed bike for this ride so a comforting cushy ride was felt the whole way. Forty seven miles was all that could be completed until the weather dipped into the 40’s.

The past couple weeks have been a whirlwind of interruptions sprinkled with some bike rides here and there.  A lot of the Halloween decorations were deflated as you needed to see them at night with some households going all out like the attached pics.  Thanks to a group of donations I have been able to order a new road bike.  Yup, that means training for my first Century ride will begin shortly and I don’t think it means 100 miles in a full week!  Total mileage creeped up slowly this week to 3,232.

The last couple weeks dipped into some travel time with a visit back home for our 50th High School Reunion. It was a great time for my wife and I as we met in high school and had a chance to reminisce our childhood times. My first 10 speed was a Royce Union and I remember how much I liked my aluminum rack on back. A visit to our house….and it was gone! A scrape to the foundation with something new forthcoming. My 10 speed saw a lot of action as numerous trips ended at the top of Mt. Diablo as well as Lafayette Reservoir, San Pablo Reservoir, and every neighborhood surrounding us. Hmm, that kind of sounds familiar. I’ve covered every neighborhood within 15 miles of where my bike calls home today. Great memories and look forward to adding to the collection with future rides.

A little rain on a path from the previous weeks journey was overshadowed by Hurricane Ian.  Gone were the small puddles and replaced by rising lake levels, tree branches breaking off, and a new ground cover made of leaves.  This made it difficult to ride with only a few miles added to the Garmin.  We decided that since there was so much water around, we’d go where all the water was supposed to be.  A cruise it was to be with a great time and my legs not understanding why they haven’t been peddling for so long.  I reminded my legs of the conclusion of Tid Bit No. 1…..because you missed it!  Yup, I do and look forward to the upcoming week.

This week saw 66.6 as I was dreaming I was riding Route 66. Of course, the dream can’t be complete without some show cars to match and wouldn’t you know it I rode right by a community car show.  Vehicles from a 1950’s Olds Delta 88 to a 2020 Shelby Mustang GT 350.  Total miles at 3,158 and it looks like the next week might bring some wind and rain with hurricane Ian heading our way.  If the hurricane’s path is like many routes I take, I’m sure it will most likely miss us.

The rain passing over the southwest seems to be piling up in Florida as we’ve enjoyed an abundance with some of the trails covered over with a few inches.  Even through the little kid in us says go fast and spray everywhere it’s a slow trajectory to keep my back from the infamous skunk streak!  This week saw 76.7 miles to inch my total up to 3,092.  Splish, splash, I could have taken a bath!