I said I wouldn’t challenge you to do anything too ridiculous or too difficult as long as I’m the Czar of the Challenge. This one will be pretty easy. All you have to do is ride your bike somewhere and take a picture of it. OKAY, that isn’t ALL you have to do. You also … Continue reading "Announcing the October Challenge"
Read MoreMonth: September 2021
Closing Out The September Challenge
Hi everybody, I’m back from my bike tour just in time to come up with a new challenge. Before I tell you what it is though, I want to apologize once again for my very poor participation in September’s Happy/Sad/Earworm Challenge. Being that I’d be bike touring, which is my absolute favorite activity, I thought … Continue reading "Closing Out The September Challenge"
Read MoreHappiness is … (30)
Happiness is 30 happy days in September! Happiness is being in the mountains again! My new journal on our little trip to a different part of Austria is here.
Read MoreSEASONS CHANGE
…and change is a challenge for some people. I am one of those people. The stellar weather we had for much of September helped to ease my tight fisted grip on my beloved summer season. Here a sun drop illuminates a thoughtful something. Reminding us how important friends are, and how fleeting friendships might be. … Continue reading "SEASONS CHANGE"
Read MoreHappiness is … (29)
Even if I have little time for a ride, I can still get out and enjoy my surroundings without having to pedal far. Happy to live where I do.
Read MoreRide Photos
Nothing of huge importance or interest, just stuff seen along the way Pretty ho hum stuff, but always good to see such while pedaling Video: Riding north on CR990E aka Range Line Road
Read MoreHappiness is … (28)
An unexpected splash of color on a grey day. Happy hollyhocks (I think that’s what they are)!
Read MoreCycling happiness and sadness
Cycling Happiness And now the sadness Well then I was in for a major overdose of cycling sadness. News on Facebook emerged that there had been a fatal accident of a cyclist in Bunbury (200km south of Perth) which I posted on my cycle touring clubs Facebook group site. It was upsetting but there are … Continue reading "Cycling happiness and sadness"
Read MoreSugarloaf
One year ago today the Glass Fire ignited in Napa County and suddenly blew west into Sonoma County. For us, it became the third mandatory evacuation in four years. It was the first time I obeyed the order, because this time the flames came right up to our back fence. We were lucky. When the … Continue reading "Sugarloaf"
Read MoreMUSIC IN THE PARK, A FACE IN THE WOODS, AND THREE BARN QUILT DAY
We did not have strong enough wifi connection through my phone to post anything here. So this is after the fact from our little weekend outing. We drove north from home for maybe an hour to our destination in Arlington (WA) and would camp at River Meadows Park for two nights. One of Susan’s fly … Continue reading "MUSIC IN THE PARK, A FACE IN THE WOODS, AND THREE BARN QUILT DAY"
Read MoreHappiness is … (27)
Are autumn leaves a reason to be happy? Autumn in the sense of end of summer, then no. But autumn for all it has to offer, yes. Let’s enjoy the beauty of autumn.
Read MoreHappiness is … (26)
The last day of our four-day tour, and no rain. When we started out last Thursday, rain had been predicted for Sunday. We figured we would just take the train home. But this morning the sun was peering between the trees at 9 a.m. A dry day and a bit warmer than the previous days. … Continue reading "Happiness is … (26)"
Read MoreHappiness is … (25)
More sun and more mountains, third day out on our little tour
Read MoreHappiness is … (24)
On tour and sun and mountains!
Read MoreSad: Ending a Fun Bike Tour. Happy: Special Dispensation from The Feeshko to Continue On. And a Surprisingly Happy Ear Worm
I know I’ve been largely absent from my own monthly challenge and, again, that’s because I’ve been preoccupied with my bike tour in Idaho. But I check in on this site once in a while and I appreciate the participation. I cannot believe there is still a German gal who continues to post something happy … Continue reading "Sad: Ending a Fun Bike Tour. Happy: Special Dispensation from The Feeshko to Continue On. And a Surprisingly Happy Ear Worm"
Read MoreHappiness is … (23)
Happiness is sunny days in September and a short tour planned at the last minute. After reading so many tour reports over on CycleBlaze on riding in the Alps and Dolomites, I had a yearning for some mountains. Here we are in the Ammergau Alps in Tirol. The write up of our days on the … Continue reading "Happiness is … (23)"
Read MoreHappiness is … (22)
First of all, Happy Autumnal Equinox! However, I didn’t get any pictures of shadows or sunrise for the occasion. Am I pigging this website? LOL I passed those cute pigs again today and had to stop for more pictures. Sooner or later they are going to end up on someone’s dinner plate, but it looks … Continue reading "Happiness is … (22)"
Read MoreHappiness is … (21)
Now I am riding my commute to my tai chi class and the gym, more or less the same route a couple of times a week. I am hard pressed to find something that interests me enough for a picture. Today finding a fairy ring, also known as fairy circle, elf circle, elf ring or … Continue reading "Happiness is … (21)"
Read MoreHappiness is … (20)
I had a lot of busy things to attend to today, but I still got out for a mini-ride. Although it was very overcast, it didn’t rain. That was happy number one. I decided to check the state of progress on the new bicycle path going in to Munich. I was happy to see they … Continue reading "Happiness is … (20)"
Read MoreHappiness is Group Rides Coming Back
I do most of my riding solo, or with my wife. Maybe once a month I’ll join a group ride with Potomac Pedalers, my local club. But, even with the club having ride speed categories, my natural riding speed is kind of a tweener – I usually end up doing a solo ride during the … Continue reading "Happiness is Group Rides Coming Back"
Read MoreSOME PEOPLE JUST NEED TO BE EARLY
In addition to leaves changing color and chilly air, we know there are other signs of fall. Here is the first and only one of this kind I have seen for this season. This neither makes me happy nor sad, it is just there. But it is indeed early on the 20th day of September. … Continue reading "SOME PEOPLE JUST NEED TO BE EARLY"
Read MoreHappiness is … (19)
Kind of cool today, could it be that the summer is really over? Do I really feel like going out for a ride today? Okay, Eddy, I’ll go for a ride, maybe just a short one, though. A short ride for Eddy Merckx was probably something like 100 km, and as far as I know … Continue reading "Happiness is … (19)"
Read MorePerfect Morning for a Ride
Weather was beautiful, bright sun, cool temperatures, light and variable winds Doesn’t happen often in Illinois but occasionally it does and this morning and a few preceding mornings it did. Take advantage when it happens. Next decision was: Where to go? Decided to head down 7th street to CR 4000N and make the decision then. … Continue reading "Perfect Morning for a Ride"
Read MoreHappiness is … (18)
A beautiful day for a ride. I was hoping I would find this fence and that the garden would be the way I remembered it. It wasn’t where I thought it was, but I stumbled upon it anyway. These bright and colorful dahlias always make me happy.
Read MoreHAPPY HIGHLIGHT OF THIS RIDE
I have said many times that riding with a group allows little to no stopping for photos. I made this one different. Riding along on the bike trail we came upon this and I just could not pass by without a photo. There are 13 of them. The others kept riding but I stopped — … Continue reading "HAPPY HIGHLIGHT OF THIS RIDE"
Read MoreHappiness is … (17)
I didn’t get any blue sky today, I was out too early. Later in the day I might have had more luck. This morning I was on the way to the gym and at kilometer nine, just two kilometers before I got there, I realized I had forgotten the lock for my bike. I can’t … Continue reading "Happiness is … (17)"
Read MoreHappiness is … (16)
At least I don’t have to sit and ponder to think up a title for my posts this month. Yesterday I got a call from the bike shop – the faulty suspension has been repaired, I can come and pick up my bike – very happy. So this morning I took the city train in … Continue reading "Happiness is … (16)"
Read MoreHAPPY ON MY BIKE IN SUNSHINE
Much like Suzanne (and Scott) on September 15 (today) we have had 15 days of beautiful weather (plus we had a few at the end of August). Gorgeous for riding my bike. That streak will change this weekend, but we do need the rain. I have updated my blog to reflect on this half of … Continue reading "HAPPY ON MY BIKE IN SUNSHINE"
Read MoreHappiness is … (15)
Another dry day, although it wasn’t exactly sunny. Rain had been predicted but in the afternoon some blue broke through the clouds. Who wouldn’t be happy? 15/30, I’m half way to my goal.
Read MoreSpoiled for choice
So what’s the most uplifting thing we saw today? So much to choose from: cows, a pigeon, sheep, a lovely young lady on her bike taking her pony for a walk? The thirteenth straight day of fine cycling weather? Maybe seeing a Bixnmacherie, which of course we all know is a Bavarian ritual to shower … Continue reading "Spoiled for choice"
Read MoreHappiness is … (14)
Happiness is getting out for a ride in the morning while the sun is still low in the sky and the air is fresh. By the way it is the 14th beautiful sunny day in a row (if I count the day when the sun didn’t come out until 4 p.m. and Scott says that’s … Continue reading "Happiness is … (14)"
Read MoreHappiness is … (13)
Happiness is another sunny day, and that I rode to the gym today. I haven’t been there all summer and I am really happy to get started again. I have a good program with exercises for strength, balance, coordination, cardio – boy, I need it all. I guess I’m not so happy about the red … Continue reading "Happiness is … (13)"
Read MoreHappiness is … a riding partner back in action
I’m so happy because My Beautiful Wife BJ has that famous trike grin back on her face. She has a brand spanking new trike pimped out with electric assist that I find hard to keep up with. She used to have a trike and we loved riding together, but for various reasons she had to … Continue reading "Happiness is … a riding partner back in action"
Read MoreGals and gulls
Well, you already knew what a fine visit we had with Suzanne and Janos. That was old news yesterday, so it’s really old news today. You’ve even seen video for the second day already, because Suzanne has been so hot to post first and hog all the attention. if you’ve still got any attention left … Continue reading "Gals and gulls"
Read MoreBetter Late Than Never
I’m sure you all remember a few months ago, we had the face challenge. I really enjoyed all the faces that people found, but I never really got into a groove finding my own. I just couldn’t seem to see those faces when I was out and about riding. So today, I was very happy … Continue reading "Better Late Than Never"
Read MoreHappiness is … (12)
Happiness is an afternoon like this in September and twelve beautiful days in a row – well, with one exception when it only got nice at the end of the day..
Read MorePondering happiness
So I was trying to think of the things that make me happy or sad. There are lots of things that might bring a smile to my face when I ride, but does it truly make me happy? Probably not. I think happiness isn’t as shallow as that for me. I think happiness transcends pleasure … Continue reading "Pondering happiness"
Read MoreHappiness Is Being In The Snake River Canyon. Sadness Is Having To Leave It.
It was real easy to get down into the canyon — like, 40 mile per hour easy — and it was easy to ride in the canyon. Maybe that’s why I’m so happy. But possibly the happiest part was the 10 mile, 2,000 foot climb out of the canyon on a road that I can … Continue reading "Happiness Is Being In The Snake River Canyon. Sadness Is Having To Leave It."
Read MoreHappiness is … (11)
If you like gear, gadgets and toys or are at least tolerant of people who do, read on. If you look askance at cyclists who indulge in newfangled equipment, stop here. But before you go, if you had trouble watching the videos from our time with Rachael and Scott, I have now replaced them with … Continue reading "Happiness is … (11)"
Read MoreSome old news
By now you know that at long last we met up with Suzanne and Janos yesterday and again today. I feel remiss in seeing that Suzanne has already posted three times about our visit these last two days, and we’re finally getting around to our first one. We have our excuses though: the WiFi in … Continue reading "Some old news"
Read MoreThe videos are here
And here is some footage from our two days. Big thanks to Janos! Thursday: We meet – ride through Gauting – ride to Starnberg – arrive at the hotel Friday: Some sightseeting – ride to our beer garden – lunch
Read MoreHappiness is … (10)
Another wonderful time with Rachael and Scott. They met us half way on our way to meet them at their hotel in Starnberg. Pedaling doesn’t offer a lot of occasion for conversation so before we set out on our morning ride we stopped at a cafe at the edge of Lake Starnberg for some more … Continue reading "Happiness is … (10)"
Read MoreHap-Hap-Jeff
After my usual run out the Greenway, I detoured downtown for a quick spin around Old Courthouse Square. Then I ran into Jeff. That always cheers me up! By the way, that’s not him in the photo.
Read MoreHappiness is … (9)
Happiness is when you see those two vagabond cyclists appear on the horizon. I was very excited (and didn’t get the best pictures) when we finally saw Rachael and Scott riding down the road. For three years we had been talking about meeting up some time some where. So here they are, my cycling heroes, … Continue reading "Happiness is … (9)"
Read MoreHAPPINESS ALSO IS…
Knowing that others care about the ducks too… And Suzanne — we are having the same string of perfect weather!! ;’-).
Read MoreHappiness is … (8)
Happiness is finding cows out to pasture in the late afternoon sun, and having eight consecutive days of good weather.
Read MoreWhat can make you happier than a stork in the field?
Two storks in the field, naturally. We know they’re around the region in the summer but had about concluded they’d all flown south for the winter when we found these two on the way to Dinkelsbuhl. The highlight of the day.
Read MoreI’ll Tell You What Makes Me Happy . . .
. . . the first day of a bicycle trip makes me happy. You can tell by the ‘thumbs-up”. I’m especially happy because it’s my first real tour in over two years and I get to start it out in the beautiful Palouse country of Eastern Washington. The only thing that made me sad today … Continue reading "I’ll Tell You What Makes Me Happy . . ."
Read MoreHappiness is … (7)
Happiness is discovering a new path that I hadn’t ridden before, and a very nice path it was. Happiness is having seven nice days in a row. Happiness is a field of colorful gladiolas waiting to be picked.
Read MoreRide Down 7th Street
A rogue shower had just passed thru town, and after the sprinkles stopped, a short ride down 7th street sounded like a good idea That’s the shower down there, but not going that far right now, so all is good 🙂 On the way south on 7th I noticed an interesting plant/weed and made a … Continue reading "Ride Down 7th Street"
Read MoreHappiness is … (6)
Happiness is seeing that progress is being made on the new bicycle path from Gauting to Munich – it seems to be going kind of slow, though.
Read MoreA perfect match
Happiness is finding yourself in Rothenburg ob der Tauber with your perfectly matched partner.
Read MoreHappiness is … (5)
Happiness is a field of sunflowers in the late afternoon sun and to have the fifth sunny day in a row.
Read MoreHAPPY OR SAD, GOOD OR BAD (2)
I try to balance them out. If I am saddened by something, I keep my eyes peeled for something that can make me happy. I have, so far, been successful at doing this. Here are a few of those that I have come across over the past couple of days of riding. I am truly … Continue reading "HAPPY OR SAD, GOOD OR BAD (2)"
Read MoreNew York State, One More Time
Just for fun, I decided to make a quick one night visit over to my son’s house before the end of summer. When I was there a few weeks ago performing cat sitting duties (remember that meet-up with Team Anderson?), I was really impressed with the number and quality of the rail trails in his … Continue reading "New York State, One More Time"
Read MoreHappiness is … (4)
Happiness is when we have a blue sky and I can ride my bike and don’t even need a jacket at five in the afternoon, and when Janos waits patiently while I tramp through the field for a picture.
Read MoreLunch buddies
If we don’t count the political arena and that forty percent of our country has gone stone cold crazy I don’t get sad or angry that often; but I’ll be on the watch for the next time and let you know about it. In the meantime though we have so many things to be happy … Continue reading "Lunch buddies"
Read MoreHap-hap-happy
Happiness is having sufficient health and gumption to pedal out the Greenway on a lovely day in September with no immediate threat of wildfire on the horizon.
Read MoreHappiness is… (3)
What a fun ride, but I almost had to post something sad. When I got home my computer didn’t recognize the memory card. It seems to be damaged but Janos coaxed it into showing its contents on his computer. I would have been so sad to lose my fun pictures for today.
Read MoreLeaving Bacharach
If being in Bacharach doesn’t pop at least a few ear worms into your head, you don’t know your Bacharach. Biking down the Rhine as we left Bacharach I had three of his infectious tunes rotating through my head as we hoped the rain would hold off until we reached our next hotel. We did … Continue reading "Leaving Bacharach"
Read MoreHappiness is… (2)
Happiness is riding into town to meet my oldest grandson and his girlfriend for a walk and lunch. The picture is in front of the main buildings of the Ludwig Maximilian University where we met up. They came by bike, too. Why didn’t I get a picture?!
Read MoreHappiness is Putting An Old Form of Transportation on an Even Older One
For some reason, putting a bike on a ferry makes me really happy. Even putting a car on a ferry is fun, but biking onto a ferry just always seems to make me smile. Recently, my wife and I spent a long weekend in Burlington VT and I rode the Island Line Trail, an awesome … Continue reading "Happiness is Putting An Old Form of Transportation on an Even Older One"
Read MoreHAPPY OR SAD, GOOD OR BAD
Happy or Sad, Good or Bad… ;’-) When something makes me smile, I suppose that means I am happy. So I will use that as criteria for “happiness”. What makes me smile about sunflowers, besides their bright and happy faces, is that they are so true to their name. I bet you can tell from … Continue reading "HAPPY OR SAD, GOOD OR BAD"
Read MoreHappiness is…
… when I get caught in the rain and have the right rain gear with me, the “rain legs”, rain jacket and rain cover for my cargo bag. … riding into Munich and finding new backgrounds for my bicycle portraits. I am hoping for 30 happy days on my bike in September. Let’s see how … Continue reading "Happiness is…"
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