bobthib

Today's ride of 75 mi put me over the 4K mi. point. My goal for 2011 is 7,500 mi so it seems I'm well on the way. However, one can never tell. Life gets in the way, so I can't let up.

My daughter had an unexpected surprise a year ago when against all odds she found herself "in the family way." My 3 month old grandson is already putting a bit of a crimp on my ability to ride. I'm not complaining, mind you, as babysitting him on the days when mama and daddy both word days is as much fun as riding. But it does have a price.

Another way that our new friend impacts my riding is that for the past several years I've been able to ride my tandem to pick up his big brother at school. Mama had 6 weeks of maternity, and dad took a few weeks of vaca. Now I find I have to resort to the van when I have to take the little guy to pick up big brother. Next year I'll look into a trailer for the little guy when he has stronger neck muscles. Till then, that drops 30 or so mi per week.

My wife was sidelined with 3 months of meetings on Tuesday nights that impacted out evening Urban rides. Now that the meetings have ended she has slipped and it's a bit tough to get her to clear her schedule to ride. It's been a bit spotty. That drops 20 - 40 mi per week.

In July I'll start 3 months of Tuesday night meetings. Nix 20 mi / wk for that period.

Today was the last day of school. My son in law just started a new job and he's been working a lot of days, and that will continue until the training is complete and he get's his own store. Meanwhile I'll have both grandsons. My son helps, and that gives me a bit of flexibility, but he has stuff to do so I can't expect him to cover all the time.

I may be buying another business in the next few weeks. That will really suck up some time. Affect unknown, but it will really keep me busy.

We're going up to NY for a few weeks of vaca at the end of June, beginning of July. I'll bring my bikes, but I won't be able to do my usual 150 - 200 mi for those weeks. Hopefully I'll link up with Cyclingfool for a ride or two.

In Nov we go back to Upstate NY for thanksgiving. No riding that week.

The holiday season in Dec is a big "?." If the weather is good, and if there is not TOO much going on, I may be able to rustle up some real miles. But the past few years it has been unseasonably cold and windy here. It's really tough to get anyone out, and, honestly, I sometimes choose the blanket to the saddle. Ok, I'm a wimp.

So, the 7500 mi goal for 2011 is no cake walk. I need to rack up the miles when I can, and it won't be until the last few weeks till I know if I'm going to make it. I was about 2.5 weeks short of making my 2010 goal.

Kurt Erlenbach

Bob - You've got to plan on our Second Annual Disorganized Ride Across Florida, in which we ride from the gulf to the ocean. It's not organized, so I'm not sure when it will be, but my guess is Sunday, Nov 13. Or maybe Nov 6th. We ride from Fort Iron Park on the gulf west of Crystal River to the Atlantic at New Smyrna Beach, mostly along SR 44, 128 miles. Let me know if you're interested.

bobthib

I love it! Sounds good. I'll play it up with our club, and pass it on to my friends in The Villages.

Kurt Erlenbach

People from The Villages can't come. Just because they're from The Villages.

Bob Pringle

Can a guy from Ormond Beach play?

Bob P.

Kurt Erlenbach

Glad to have you Bob. Watch this space sometime in August for details, but I expect we will schedule it for Nov 6 or 13. If you have a preference, let me know.

Garilia

hahahaha +1

bobthib

FIFY! I went a bit crazy trying to find Fort Iron Park in google.

So is this the route? Across FLA on 44

I'm glad to see it is not conflicting with the Horrible Hundred on 11/20/2011. I guess you might consider 11/6 so that people don't have to do 2 centuries in consecutive weeks. I'll pencil it in, but I'm not sure we're able to get away 2 x in Nov as we will be leaving for Thanksgiving in NY right after the HH.

Kurt Erlenbach

Here's the Garmin Connect track from last year: https://connect.garmin.com/activity/56771307. We'll keep in mind the dates - there are a lot of centuries in Florida in November - the Space Coast Intracoastal is 11/6, I think. I'll let you know when we schedule it. I look forward to you coming along.