Summers Gone - Where did all the Posts Go?

Arrg!!
Seems like I have all the best intentions about adding to this blog but, time seems to slip away…
So As the Fall progresses I will endeavour to catch up with what transpired in the last couple of months. Just a few highlights today.

June, July and August ended up being one of the coolest and wettest in recent years, We had the lowest attendance on average for our weekly Godspoke rides, we just got rained out to often or people just had things to do.

On a more personal note, my business really went through a tough time, it ended up being better than I thought but, the last 8 months have been extremely stressful to say the least. The current economic situation in N. A.  is effecting us and if things don’t improve … well I could be doing something else in the spring.  But that’s life. It keeps rolling along. As a good friend in high school used to say to me: ”let it ride, this too shall pass!” 

This is what helps me get through tough times (Besides relying and trusting My GOD) :


I made this poster with a modified quote from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle that hits home with me :

“When you’re feelin’  low;
when the day didn’t go right;
when the stress becomes overwhelming; 
just grab your recumbent (bike) and
go for a spin down the road,
without a thought of anything but the ride you are taking.”

I did that so much this past summer, Just got on and wondered around Calmar for 17-10 km or so, just riding.

My recumbent is so much a part of my life. Cornell, the ‘Bent rider from Cochrane that I got the GRR from, said he was always amazed how quiet and smooth it was; I hear my self thinking those same thought often as I ride it. It’s such a great ride. It gives me such, simple pleasure, adventure, fitness and a great group of friends who share cycling too!

I passed my 10,000 km ride mark
both on total recumbent riding and for my C-KAP  tracking in August. Woo Hoo!  Some riders achieve this mark yearly, But I am quite satisfied that I have achieved it and I’m pressing for the 25,000 mark. (took me 5 great years) It may take me another 10 years or so, but it’s a goal – and if you don’t have a goal what do you achieve?  If I shoot for it, I will get closer-right. Its the journey that counts even more than the destination. ( Harry Kim- Star Trek Voyager :) ) 
I really like the Journey!!!

Well this is getting long, I will post more later about the rides we had this past summer and other cycling related thoughts.

TTFN & GB

1000 km

Tonight I rode past the 1000 km mark for the year! Yea! I know as I read the totals each year for CKAP that many people do that in a month - but I have a life and .... Well this past weekend  I also past 10,000 km (that I have been charting) of riding a recumbent. A milestone.

As I have posted before riding a recumbent has changed my life and I see riding one (or two or three) for alot of years to come. Some years I may get more in others less. Will I ever own a regular bicycle again - Maybe; but I know that I enjoy cycling, its part of my life now. I hope and pray I can still ride for another 25-30 years. But I made it to 10,000 - I only have another 991 to go to get a official CKAP reconigtion for riding 10,000 km since logging with them. I hope to reach 25,000, it might take me another 15 years of life getting in the way but I will enjoy every ride until I do.
 

At least riding has enabled me to get fit enough to try. I worry about the growth of obesity I see around me and a real lack of willingness to get off the couch, put down the cheezies, turn off the T.V. and get involved in some sort of ongoing healthy excercise! Just sit down in a mall andn watch the people going by. Too many people are getting heavier younger and as they get past thier 40's. I really believe that technology ie: the net and TV is ruining the health of the nation. The people I see in the gyms and engaged in fundraising athons are not the majority of the population. I just shake my head - cause even 5 years ago I there. It took a move and a little blue BikeE recumbent bike to get me on the the road to a healthier, broader life! 

See ya along the next 10,000- Larry

I’m A Cycle Tour Wimp (wannabe)

I came to the sudden realization tonight that I am a cycling tourist wannbe. A what?  I wanna be a cycling tourist but several things hold me back:

1) No time; really I run my own business; it is really feeling the economic times, a lack of staff and work does hamper taking time off during the summer season
2) Lack of funds; see above
3) where do I go
4) I really am a social person so who do I go with
5) Fat and somewhat lazy; I don’t like to ride more than 50-100 km in a day, several days in a row
6) Time and money; see above
7) Motivation; its a lot easier to live through others ride reports, isn’t it

I research all over the net, read ride reports, about others that just plan and then do it. I feel so tied down and constrained some times. I know that its not right to envy others but it can  weigh a person down.  I am slowly getting fitter to do these things, but I am still 50-60 lbs too heavy still. Got to be disciplined to get the fat off over the next 12 months.

Okay, If I really could plan and do it what/ where would I want go…

hmm …
day trips and S240’s for now
Jasper to banff in 5+ days  (2011?)
Quebec
Olympic Penninsula, Wash State or any ride in the Oregon/Wash area
Florida

Our cycling Group Godspoke and Marvelous Marv’s SDG Tours do some fun, challenging, thrifty rides. I am lucky to be a part of them. They are in my range: I guess I like to be a tourist that cycles, SAG’ed, low km days, low budget -  and they are a fun group of misfits to do things with!

Someday another real Adventure awaits; I have real fond (though some what pained) memories of the Southern B.C. trip a few years ago ( I got hurt and could not ride) but what an adventure!

It really is about time and money. At least I can take a week and Do the SDG Tour this year to Penticton. If I get fitter and keep my health, I still have 15 years or so to do a couple of bonafide cycle tours!!

Thanks for letting me vent. I am lucky, I know… I was just was planning to go to an event this summer in Kellogg, Id. the TOT. But came to the realization I don’t really have the money or time to go this year – and that sucks! The Penticton ride is not second rate in any way – its just that I have to go alone again without Alice, I wanted to go with her somewhere but we have to keep the shop goin,’ so we’ll have somewhat separate holidays again.  I had to be real in my hopes and expectations this year like thousands of others …

Well stay tuned , If you hang around long enough you can read the ride report. LOL
TTFN-& GB
Larry

Cool Day for A Charity Ride!

Saturday we set up for the the Annual MS Tour Training ride: Devon to Wilton Park Hall and back. This is a small way for Godspoke to give back to the community and help promote our group. This is the fourth year we have set up a refreshment stop for them. its always great to know that it is appreciated.

 

Happy Mothers Day Ladies!
Larry

April showers bring May....

So April is done. I surpassed my riding goal for the month with over 320 km. Cool and that was with a week of crappy cool weather. Diet wise not a great month I sort of plateaued, fumbled along, and zoned out. Partly it was weather change, partly needing a break, work and family and volunteer commitments. Mostly it has been a "okay sluff today start monday attitude. Every week. I lost motivation. Why I don't know, I really like the results and the comments I get, so what gives? I truly believe this was a hiccup. I know I need that mental kick in the arse to get back on track. So May its no excuses, every day is a new day, JUST Do IT.

I have had my Gold Rush for a month now and it is supassing my expectations. Yet  I sit here and realize that I have said that about every new bike I have gotten. But the other day I was riding into the wind for a 10 km ramble around Calmar and started to laugh. I was riding into the wind and enjoying it. All I could think about was "sorry Lance, IT IS ABOUT THE BIKE! he he he he. I am truly Blessed to have the oppurtunity to ride such a fun and efficient machine. Thanks to Keith who bought my TE and to Cornell who sold me his and to Uhaul for my over ride commissions and to Alice who puts up with it and hopes to gain a healthier hubby. And to an Awesome God who listens and hears and does bless His childern.
 My goal for May is to lose over 8 lbs and ride over 400km. Pray for me I'm going to need it. Next month I will post some pics of my ride and some of the Bling I have and a review of a couple of really cool addons.
TTFN -GB
Larry

After the Wind Ride

Finally the winds died down (after 3 days). So after getting back from lunch at Kosmos with Alice, Darrel & Carol Rachel,  Alice and I went for a ride. As we started out we heard Alices rear tire rubbing on her brakes. Jocelyn and I had tightened the rear cone and adjusted and lubed the brakes on Monday. But when Alice rode it we needed to adjust the tension on the brake springs. Jocelyn showed me how this is done and so it was easy to do on the side of the road. We got going agian and relazied the wind had picked up, after turning onto the highway I zipped ahead and noticed Alice was lingering. Once I got to the top of the rise on the east side of Calmar I didn't see her so I called her on her phone. She had decided that the wind was too cold for how sahe has dressed so she bailed. I continue to the 10k mark and headed  back. It was good to be back on the bike after 3 days. I cannot believe how more efficient the GRR is over the TE. I likey my bikey! Here is my Garmin GPS recording of my ride: . If you click on the see details you may be able to use the player to see a dynamic portrayl of my ride. I am experimenting with links here;
Anyways have a great day -  Now Git out and RiDE!
Larry

Carry All For Seat back

I always seem to be on the hunt for an alternative bag to hold the basics while I ride. Basics what basics you ask? Well you should always carry a few essentials while riding. A flat repair kit (spare tube, glue less patches, tire levers and a pump or CO2 cartridges & valve). bike tool w/ chainbreaker, phone, light snacks, and maybe a few other person things. I like using a water bladder instead of a bottle for rides over 30 min., as I tend to drink more often with it;so i need a bag that can hold this too. This year I want to ride a little lighter and don’t want to add a rack and big bag to my GRR, except when on tour. So I need a seat bag that will hold the minimum for a commute home or expand for a century ride. I was going to get Alice to sew me up  a new basic bag. I even thought out the design, made a pattern, got the fabric and notions, cut then out but then Tax season hit and Alice is way too busy for the next couple of months! Arrrggg!
While I was in Calgary last month I stopped in at MEC and was browsing around and found a small shoulder bag that I Modified.

  
MEC Sml Shoulder Carryall
This bag is great and has a lot of compartments.

First thing I did was cut off the shoulder strap and then sewed on a web belt to hug the lower part of the bag to the seat to stop flopping. I placed rivets at the stress points to strengthen them.

I then sewed and riveted  nylon male buckles to the top corners to attach onto the bike seat. A lot of seat bags use a sleeve to go over the seat to attach a bag. A couple of years ago I devised a way to attach a bag using industrial double sided Velcro and these clip buckles. I just loop a female buckle onto the seat frame on either side and then can quickly attach or detach my bags.

To finalize the bag I sewed a safety triangle and a C-KAP patch to the flap and TA –DA:

It can expand outside the seat frame for longer rides or for shorter jaunts hang inside for a lower profile.

The flap strap will cinch up the bottom and keep it away from the wheel & fender. It looks great and is very versatile!

Now Git out and ride

Larry

GRR Pick up Adventure!

I Went down to Calgary for the weekend of March 27. On my way I visited and helped Grant at Bentley Cycle Saturday afternoon (well really hung out, answered some customer questions regarding bents, accessories, blogs, etc and almost was in the way! He He) . Had a great time! Then stopped at Robs In Olds (of The Recumbent Blog) to see his Manga Velo  Cool, I think I want one in the future! We talked about velos, recumbent stuff and the TOT in Idaho this year.
I finally got to Ken & Lenores close to 11pm - kinda late for dinner!

Next morning I got up and using  new gps software for my Iphone Called Motion-X GPS Drive, drove to Bow Cycle to look around (no 'bents!) Why are all the "bigger" bike stores so hesitant to bring in ``some`` quality recumbents? They bring in the cheap stuff and then say they don't sell - duh!! I got back into my van and proceeded to make my way to MEC. While I was there I got some new rechargeable batteries (the best price for good 2650 mahs in town), a new seat bag, some clips, & glueless tire patches. After spending my allowance there I drove to Cochrane to pick up the GRR using the Motion-X Drive app. This app for $.99 works really well. It gave pretty good voice directions.

As I got close to Cornells cul-de-sac, I saw him turn a corner on his Cat Trike EXP and pulled up behind him. After razing him abit I followed Him to his house. The first thing I see is a Rans Crank Forward bike that he had built up. Neat, it would nice to have some day, for off road adventures. Sitting beside it was the Blue GRR! Wow, a beautiful cool blue and its so light. After gabbing and gushing over the bike, we went in  and had a nice lunch of homemade minestrone soup and scones. Mmm, Cornell is a good cook - Lucky for Muriel his wife! After lunch and looking at his drum, snare and Roy Rogers/Lone Ranger collection we went went back outside.

With my excitement growing about riding a GRR for the first time, we put om my Crank Bros Mallet pedals, a Planet Bike Super Flash light on rear of the GRR, adjusted the seat and went for a sunny, very windy, 25 km ride among the rolling hills and vistas near their acreage! Cornell & Muriel sure live with a majestic view! Boy, the GRR is so much more responsive and so much easier to go over rolling hills than even the TE! Being my first ride on a GRR I was very impressed. Yes, I sold a great bike and bought another without ever riding it before; but the I expected it after reading so many ride reports and talking to others about the GRR vs. TE, I had simply out grown the TE as far as performance and efficency was concerned.

When we got back and were just gabbing, I found out that Cornell was with Canada Parks for over 25 years and had been in every back woods cabin in Jasper and Banff Parks and was responsible for the furnishing of many of the historical sites in many western Parks; WAY COOL! As were going for a coffee Cornell showed me a cool battery charger: PowerEX. Another electronic gadget that the wives would roll thier eyes up on. Anyways this thing recharges, discharges, renews and tells you if the battery is toast! drooooool gadgets! With all the lights and other gizmos I run with having reliable, reusable batteries is important, green and inexpensive.

We had  a great cup of coffee and Cornells homemade blueberry bran muffins (mmmm) while talking about ‘bents and BROL, TOT and diet stuff.(TOT 07: a video) We then concluded our transaction, then he showed me his horses (well mostly Muriels) and acreage. Around 6:45 pm, I loaded up the bike into the van, said bye, and started the drive back to Edmonton. Stopped off in Bentley to drop off a trike rack to Grant; picked up a friend of Kara’s and drove home, got there around 11 pm.

Over all an Utterly Wunderbar Weekend!

This Guy IS GONE!!!!!

 Today I hit my 1/2 way point to my immediate weight loss goal

Since January 1, 2010 I have decreased my body fat from
37% to 28%

over 35 lb of Fat Gone

 over15 lb of lean muscle gained

Jan 1- 307

March 24 -276

my goal 245 by July 1

Discipline, Exercise, Diet

Some Days it is really tough to do the calorie burn, some days easy..

I expect the next 12 weeks to be the same...

So Long Rosie!

Today was the end of a beautiful relationship. Its bitter sweet one, both sad and happy. I shall miss Rosie, we had alot of wonderful times and yet like all relationships there were some incidents. She tossed me a couple of times, but I was either foolin' around or I took her where she really didn't belong. She was a great stress relief and comfort. A wonderful traveling companion. She carried her fair share and more. From her I learned how to press on when things are tough, and little by little you can accomplish great things. She helped me make alot of new freinds; But she has moved on to another guy. 

Yes, today I sold my Easy Racer Tour Easy Recumbent bike "Rosie".

 Her new owner is excited and very happy tonight. All week as she sat in my shop lobby waiting to be picked up, I wondered what was I thinking. She looks so good. She rides so well. But another has taken her place; prettier in some ways, faster, stronger, just a little bit more lively. Hopefully she will come up to Edmonton real soon and I will introduce her to you. Like me she is from cowtown,
her name Bleu....

Wilton Hall Ride

Today I was able to ride 30 km to Wilton Park Hall. It's a nice ride 8 km west of Calmar, then north 5km to the Hall, Then I did a loop around town to pick up some wings for supper.

The ride to the hall has some nice rolling hills and long grades of 2-3 degrees or more, so I get a nice burn out it and some nice speed. Its about 2/3 highway with wide shoulders and 1/3 quiet paved rural road.

The ride and a visit to the gym today earned me 2350 calories. It was still a bit cool +6 but sunny. It will be nice to ride with out face protection in a couple of weeks.

 I also stopped and raised my fairing 1.5 inches. In emails with Lonnie Morse from Portland (Long time Easy Racer Rider and tech guru) he advised me to raise my fairing after I had sent him some pix of me on the TE. It might create a bigger hole in the air this way but he says it is more areodynamic and it would help my speed and agianst the wind. My Ride back was into the wind for 1/3 so I thought I would try it. Yep, it worked, instead of the wind coming off the fairing and into the top of my chest, it was hitting me in the eyes. I may need to raise it another 3/4 of inch so it hits my visor and over my head. We'll see how it goes.

Well I reached 1/3 of my goal weight loss today. I am down 21 lbs towards 62 or more!  I can really see the difference in how my clothes are fitting. I have a wall I hit around 280 -275. I have not made it past this mark in 5 years of trying. Pray for me that I keep on exercising and watching what I eat. Once I hit 275 I know I can do it and the next 25 - 30 will be just as tough/easy as this first bit. Stay Tuned ....

Have a great day and get out and ride!
GB- TTFN

First Commute Home

Wow! This is the earliest I have ever started commuting from the shop! It took me about 51min odo time and probably a total of 60 min all together for lights and stops for a drink or 2. I also rode to Wendys to grab lunch and rode the long way back to the shop for a 23 km riding today. I sure can tell I have been sick for 2 weeks AND its my first commute. I was wasted by the time I got home. I had a cross wind that wasn't to bad, averaged 19.5 kph hiting 30 a few times. Over all I feel stronger this year already, so it could be a good year (I hope)

It was slower at the shop this week so I took the oppurtunity so clean up my recumbent. I also took the plunge and today I split my Garmin Speed/cadence sensor, so I can finally use use the speed pick up on the back wheel and get a bit better accuracy on the Garmin 705. Man them wires are small! I had to crack open the sensor to get the longer cord soldered. It took alot of patience but I finally did it. I wasn't sure for a while and thought I had screwed up the whole thing at one point. But tonight I can say it worked great on the way home SUCCESS! whew! Next week I will seal up the sensor real good with some urethane and then make a better mount for the rear speed sensor using some remouldable plastic

(ShapeLock).

The weather is cooler; but it is so nice and sunny; Don't be a wuss, bundle up and go for a ride - you'll be glad ya did
I have My recumbent (an Easy Racer Tour Easy) for sale as I have an oppurtunity to get a similar but upgraded version (GRR) this spring. so if you are interested or know someone, let them know eh?!

GB TTFN

A Nice ride

Today, while the Canadain Mens Olympic team was battling the US for Gold, I was out for a nice prespring Ride with My Daughter Kara. 20 Klm later I had burned off 1135 calories, spent some quality time with my youngest, and the Canadians WON Gold! Not being a hockey enthusist, I feel like a minority. But I still take pride and I know alot of my friends will be happier for a day or 2. I look forward to riding in warmer weather (+3C Today) and not having to bundle up so much and seeing something other than white scenery. I have a couple of acquaintences in Portland - they say they don't go riding until it gets
+45F - Humph ... no wonder the Canadians Win in Hockey!
GB TTFN
Larry

After the Cold...coff, coff

Well finally I decided to just get out and ride after suffering for two weeks with a really bad chest cold.  The weather is starting to change as it slowly melts the roads clear. I only had to put my feet down as outriggers on snowy patches a few times. The main roads are clear, its just some of the sides that are loose and treacherous. Funny how when you are riding that the cold symptoms seem to disappear until you get back home and indoors. This was the first time I got any exercise for 14 days, feels good to be out again.

All that I have been able to do lately was look at other 'bents online - and that can be potenually expensive. I miss riding. Maybe I can get out tomorrow- I'm a bit behind '09 already in ride km.

I was out taking a few pics also today -  here' one for ya
 Larry

Family Day Ride

So today was a really nice Sunny mid winter day, So I loaded up the TE and went for a spin and some intervals. Just as I was leaving Calmar I heard a honk on a horn, looked over and there was Lyle and Carol driving by, so we stopped and got caught up on the Thai Wun On trip. Lots of laffs and remembering, It was great to see and talk to 'em. Then I headed west to the Buford turn off for a nice ride. On the way back I tried out the interval setting on my Garmin 705 GPS. Worked out great! found out that using the scroll button I could go back to my general screen and it would buzz me at the right times, SWEET. I could switch back and forth between the two screens easily with my big ole winter gloves too. Did a total of 19km. to day, NICE. A bit behind last year but I think I will catch up ! I want to ride over 3000k this year!

The progress bar on the top shows I am making progress on the fitness strategy. Learning that fitness is the ultimate goal with a healthy level of body fat around 20-25% is the ultimate. I started somewhere around 36% at the beginning of 2010. I have lost 17lb, gained some muskel, so I don't know what percent I am today. Tammy from believe fitness will not test us again until the class is over at the end of march. My goal is have lost 30 lbs and near 32% body fat. weight wise I have a 2 goals - 245lb by july 1 and to settle around 25% (205lb?) about this time in 2011.  We shall see if I obtain these goals - steady exercise and balanced calorie intake will get me there soon enough. Keep watching and encouraging. So far I am 4 months ahead of any time in the past 5 years when I was this svelt! I always seem to start at Jan 1 for a goal near The MS Tour in June, as a bench mark.
GBTTFN - Larry
okay the picture was from Last year but hey.....

Fitness Goal

Well I decided to go for it once again and LOSE the weight I have been boomeranging with over the last couple of years. So I have pass to the LRC and I am involved with a class with Believe Studio (Tammy) and I'm just going to do it.
I have the head knowledge and resources, I just have to stick to it! I signed up with Livestrong.com to track my calories and fitness (As you can see from me progress bar above)  I have an intermediate goal of 54 lbs to shed. So If you can, please occasionally leave a comment to encourage me. Its really motivating to get a sporatic encouragement or butt kicking from others. So Hang on here we go....
Oh yeah; This year I will endeavor to write at least 1 paragraph report from every ride I do. So with the great weather we had on jan 16, I got all bundled up and went for a bright, brisk, bike ride Saturday afternoon to my 5.5 mile mark west on hiway 39, for a great total of 11 km. was a really nice ride. And this week I read some essays from Covert Bailey on fitness training - I learned the importance of doing sprints or intervals in areobic excercise. So I'll incorporate them into my training; beware I may even add them to the regular ride nights with Godspoke this year.
TTFN - Larry

New year first ride

So the weather wasn't too bad (-12) and the gravel roads are packed with snow. Hmm ... BIKE RIDE!
I convinced my daughter Kara (14 y.o.) to join me for a 8.5 km ride around Calmar this afternoon. For 36 min, we jousled along the packed snow roads around town trying to keep our glasses from fogging and icing up. We passed 4 vehicles, (who musta thot we were nuts). I only slipped on loose snow once and that was enough for my first pedal scrape of the year, yea :(.  But its a great beginning to a wonderful year of riding when my 'lil girl wants to ride and spend some of her precious, teen, angst filled life, with her dear ole 'bent demented pa!

a relaxing sunday afternoon, crisp winter weather, a great recumbent bike, my lil girl, man I have a great life!
TTFN
Larry
yes the pic is from last year but I looked the same ...

So where has Larry Been?

Hmmm… its the second day of January 2010. The last month has been a cold one and my posts this year have been nearly nonexistent.

2009 was a year of cycling adventure and a year of financial pain. Its been hard to be motivated to blog when I have been stressed at the shop. Riding my recumbent alone and with Godspoke was a great relief from daily pressures. My business has gone through the ropes as have many others in the economic climate that surrounds us. Between staffing and a lessened work load my biz has survived. But has left me numb and not to motivated. Anyways Life goes on….

So what did I do this past year?

I rode 2101 km this year! WAHOO! I have 9075 km since I started riding a recumbent, and 8009 km for my C-KAP mileage. I will get my Bronze medal from C-KAP next winter as I cross the 10,000 km mark in 2010. If you have read this blog in the passed few years you know that I attribute getting and riding a recumbent to changing my life. I am healthier, happier and motivated to do more than sitting around watching TV.

A big part of life is being associated with Godspoke cyclists.

These are a great group of adventurers. we have a lot of fun riding and socializing together:

I was able to get a ride in every month this past year; even in the cold winter months. Most of my riding for the first 5 months was commuting and riding with Godspoke;
I didn’t do any rides over 35 km until the end of May. I rode the usual amount that I normally do for this part of the year. Then in June I did the MS Tour to Camrose (180km)

and back and left on a tour to Drumheller called the You Do Hoo Doo
.

The U DO HOODOO trip was a blast. 10 days of riding and adventure with 17 hearty souls from Godspoke. (465km?.)
Nadine Lemming drove the SAG trailer -We never knew where lunch would be, more often than not a clean ditch sufficed quite nicely.

We stayed in cabins, church basements and moderized Teepees.

A typical Marvino adventure put together by the Greers mostly with great food arranged by chef Lyle and Carol Garstad. Best food of all our trips so far yummm.

The other two major rides we did this year was Bike for Bibles In Aug around Pigeon Lake with a campout at Eillens’ and Barry’s.

Just a word in for Barry here; while on the U Do Hoo Doo tour I kicked my front derailleur and it got bent just as we were riding into our camp site one night at one of the others riders relatives farm.

Barry along with an old 10 speed derailleur was able to get my bike in action with some patience and a lot of finagling!

If you need a bike mechanic in the Leduc area, Barry can Help!

On Labour Day 5 of us rode from Drayton Valley to Leduc.

A Century ride that I have been wanting to do for a while. It was a great day with nice scenery and rolling country riding! The companionship was great to Alice, Lyle and carol shared the Swag vehicle driving which was really nice.

Again this year I slagged off riding during Aug and the fall. I think it was a combination of work stress and cycling malaise. I have sloughed off riding in Aug for 2 years now. I gotta find a reason for this. It greatly hinders my weight reduction scheme. Hey I was the slimmest for Christmas that I have been in 10 years. I have find a way to be motivated to ride more consistently in the next few years If I wanna live longer and healthier.

Well for 2010 I have some goals and tentative riding I want to do. These include:

- commuting to work more in the mornings instead of home at night (wind in right direction)
- doing a 50+km ride every month between March and October

- Going to Vancouver @ Easter for the Pacific Populair

- An s24o to Sunnybrooke

- the MS tour 6th year

- Back to Cour D’lene for the TOT maybe some riding in Banff and
    Radium on the way

- ETBC Ride

- Bike for Bibles

- A 4 day 4 night self contained ride- where? with? we will see

I will continue to reduce my weight (goal of 250-225 some day)

So drop in once in a while and see how I am doing.

P.S. I rode out of 2009 and into the New Yea 2010 it was –35 out at 12:00am and Alice was shivering when she took this Pic!

TFN

Larry