Wow? How’s that for a sensationalistic headline? And it was backed up with an equally attention-grabbing cover photo. As always, the story itself will not be as exciting as all that. (I probably should have been a tabloid reporter. I’m sure the National Enquirer would have appreciated my journalistic skills.) What really happened was this: … Continue reading "MENTALLY UNBALANCED MAN WEILDS HUGE ICICLE IN THREATENING MANNER"

Off to Sugarloaf for a quick spin through the park on hilly dirt roads…. Read more at Bill Bikes

Ran into both of my brothers — we’re identical triplets — while riding through Sugarloaf today. Everyone is always surprised that we have the same taste in shirts.

I have finally given in and started walking when it’s too uncomfortable on the bike. I resisted but find I am enjoying my little wanderings through the neighborhood after all and I don’t feel cold at all – as opposed to when I ride my bike. First the pictures from no walk or ride Some … Continue reading "Riding and Walking"

When it comes to bicycle maintenance, I am the WORST. I am not only an incompetent mechanic, but I don’t even keep up on basic routines like lubing the chain, checking the brakes, cleaning the drive train and washing the frame. Being so negligent in the summertime is one thing. Continuing such bad habits in … Continue reading "BIKE MAINTENANCE DAY: An Essay"

It was an utterly amazing day of riding here in MY Town, which is sometimes known as SHangri-la. Chimneys and CH, SH, TH, WH, RH, PH and GH words jumped out at me from every direction. I took several hundred pictures and I’m going to share every one of them with you in this post. … Continue reading "A WHirlwind day of THrills & CHills, GHastly RHetoric and other SHocking PHenomena"

After a couple of days off my bike, it was good to get out for a little ride today even if the weather wasn’t particularly inviting. But above freezing is not to be scoffed at. We did have sun on the week-end but I had just gotten my shingles shot and had a strong reaction … Continue reading "Three"

I was going to take a day off from riding today. I really was. At 7:00 a.m. it was snowing heavily and the weather forecasters said it would continue throughout the day. So I shoveled the front porch & sidewalk, sat in front of the computer and read the latest updates from a couple of … Continue reading "Snow Day"

After my dermatologist ordered me to avoid sunlight for a couple of weeks during skin treatments, I was finally cleared to go outside during the day. Bingo! Back on the Ogre! Read more at Bill Bikes

The obvious reason for my great success is the warm weather MY Town was blessed with today. The temperature rose up to the mid-30’s (or should I say, the mid-1’s for the benefit of my international friends) and there was no wind. As a result, I was able to ride longer than I can when … Continue reading "My Longest and Most Successful January Challenge Day Yet"

I’m not finding an abundance of subjects for the challenge, and not a single chimney for this post. Today and yesterday I found only ch’s. To start with, both rides were chilly with temperatures hovering around freezing. Yesterday I did a tried and true asphalt loop, no muddy paths through the woods. Today I cycled … Continue reading "CHASING CH’S"

I told Nancy I was going to rip off the “FROTY” acronym she used yesterday. I gave her at least 5 minutes to object. Since I haven’t heard anything back from her, I figure I’m good to go. (I’m pretty sure that’s how copyright law works.) My actual FROTY was on a cold January 1st … Continue reading "FMROTY and FRATIT"

No, the weather was not inviting. It was windy and wet, temperatures around freezing. But in the afternoon the sun broke through the clouds for a moment or two and I decided to go for it. Not just the weather is a challenge, finding h-words is also a challenge. Finding Q’s was easier. Here is … Continue reading "A SHort Winter Ride"

We went out in the late afternoon to get some shopping done. It was the kind of day that you have to kick yourself out the door, grey and cold, and a run to the supermarket was about all I had in mind. When we finally got out, it started to snow. Much nicer than … Continue reading "Shopping in the schnee and a show"

Yesterday I looked at the weather forecast and said, No more riding for me this coming week. But this afternoon, after snow flurries all morning, the sun came out. 32 degrees isn’t as nice as the 57 we had a couple of days ago, but it was good for a short ride and a few … Continue reading "The SHining"

What kind of kids eat Armour Hot Dogs? Fat kids, skinny kids, kids that climb on rocks. Tough kids, sissy kids, even kids with chicken pox . . . Forget that! Today my theme is “What Kind of Chimney’s Dwell in Hastings?” I never realized how many chimneys MY Town has until this year, and … Continue reading "I Can’t Think of a Clever Title Today"

Again warm weather, 14C/57F! No sun today but it didn’t matter, no cold toes or fingers either. And lots of chimneys. We rode a familiar loop but the cHimney challenge made it interesting. I hope I don’t use up all the chimneys and H-words in the area in the first week of the challenge, or … Continue reading "Chimneys and Whatnot"

What a fabulous first day of the year! It was 14C/57C and the sun was shining. What a feeling! I even saw someone in cycling in shorts but wasn’t fast enough with the camera to get a picture of shorts, shins and thighs.Of course, later in the afternoon the temperature dropped and as the shadows … Continue reading "Chimneys and Consonants + H"

Before I start showing my chimney pictures, I want to acknowledge some of the difficulties some Cycle365-ers have expressed regarding the January Ch-Ch-Chimney Challenge. I also want to provide some relief. For the folks who might be experiencing some serious anti-bicycling weather, or who might be having their bicycles overhauled this month: Please remember that … Continue reading "New Year’s Day Chimneys"