A special evening with a “Murder Mystery” Train trip on the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad.
Outside the Train in Cumberland. We boarded at sunset, and had an enjoyable evening.
There are times when ideas come from strange sources. Dianne found a Murder Mystery dinner party game and asked about trying one. We weren’t too sure about them, but the idea stuck in the back of our minds. I had signed up for a “Rails and Ales” train trip last year, but that had been cancelled. I found myself looking at the schedule again to see if they had set up another such trip this year, when I saw the “Murder Mystery” train trip. That was an easy decision – when I mentioned it to Dianne, she was immediately enthusiastic. So it was that in May I got tickets for early October.
The murder mystery was provided by a group of players, who would go up and down the train performing for the passengers in each car. A program gave us the background and some details of the characters. A nice dinner was served. At the end, we had to guess who the killer was, and among those who chose correctly, one name was drawn to receive a prize. (We didn’t choose correctly, but we still had fun with it.)
Our table. We had a nice trip, a good dinner, and a mystery to solve!
We sat with another couple and enjoyed the company and the time. The trip was at night, but with the entertainment on the train itself, we had plenty to see and do, and enjoyed good conversation, a nice dinner, and of course, the Murder Mystery itself.
We stayed in a Fairfield Inn only a quarter of a mile from the station. It was a pleasant walk. The area includes restaurants, and everything you might want is nearby. We want to go back for another trip, maybe a fall foliage tour or another day trip on the trains.
The Western Maryland Scenic Railroad Station. The platform is at the back of the building, and our hotel was a very short walk from there.
The Western Maryland Scenic Railroad has many specialty trips, including day trips from Cumberland to Frostburg, and specialty trains such as a “Polar Express” ride near Christmastime, dinner trains, and of course the Murder Mystery train. We’re going to be riding again in the future!
I’ve been working hard lately, riding my bike alone after work and generally trying to keep busy. Much of my cycling has been on my gravel bike. It’s a very comfortable and fun bike to ride. I’ve written about it here before. Mostly it feels DIFFERENT, and that’s what draws me to it. The road bike is still my friend, but I haven’t been training for any events this fall. Training for long rides is a very serious thing. It was much easier when I was riding lots of events from spring to late fall, and I had a group of friends to ride with and keep me motivated. That’s been changing too. Those friends have mostly moved on from the events if not my local area. It has become harder for me to commit the time and effort to solo training, and events can be expensive to sign up for and travel to attend. I’m still riding often, but this year it’s been shorter distances and slower speeds. Those 100 mile events that I used to be enthusiastic about started to wear on my body. That was my first clue that I had to evolve.
For the first time in 19 years the Seagull Century in Salisbury Maryland has been held without me. For a long time, I thought I would miss it, but yesterday the event went on, and I didn’t feel like I missed out. It felt more like I’ve moved on. I’ve ridden it 17 times, and most of the friends who rode with me during the best of those years stopped riding it long ago. A post on the Seagull Century Facebook group suggested that less than 2500 riders were there. When I started, there were 6000-8000 riders per year. Whatever the reason for the reduction in participation, it seems like the event has changed too, and that’s another reason for me to change with the times. I’ve been thinking of new ways to spend my time, and I’ll certainly write about some of them, but for the last 20 years or so a large part of my identity has been “hardcore cyclist”. It’s time I dropped the “hardcore” part, ride for the soul, choose different events for different reasons, and look for different activities and interests. Change is never easy, particularly not to a part of my identity that gave me good times and introduced me to so many excellent people. I have to find a good level of cycling to match my ambitions. Perhaps more than this year’s miles to keep a good fitness level, but no century rides. While I’ve loved riding them, in recent years they’ve started to take a toll on my body. I’m told that a tradition is an experiment that worked. This is true of century rides. The Seagull was an experiment that repaid me many times over for the effort to train for it and complete it. Yet both the event and my relation to it have evolved. As a dear friend asked, Am I going out of habit? Or does it serve a purpose? I think it didn’t serve me to continue. That isn’t a source of sadness, more an acknowledgment of my own evolution. I have good memories and feelings bound up in them, but they don’t serve a purpose for me as they once did.
Recently, I met with a group of friends who all share my love of good Scotch Whisky. My contribution to that meeting is pictured below. We’ve been meeting over good Whisky for many years. We’ve been doing it so long that we’ve refined our tastes. We tend to agree that we like single malts from the Islay region. I’ve found that just because a whisky is aged more doesn’t make it more interesting. Smoother, yes. But the enjoyment is often in the complexity and fullness of the taste. I like whisky that is 14-16 years old for a balance of smoothness and taste. While the Jura 18 is an excellent whisky, my friends and I agree that the Jura 16 is actually a little more interesting on the palate. Tastes change over time just as people do. I enjoy different whiskies as time goes on. Whisky is a complex subject. As you can likely guess, these whisky nights with friends (which include good food as well) are deeply enjoyable and memorable times. It struck me that evolution was happening all around me.
I’m a fan of good Scotch Whisky. This is an 18 year old single malt from the Isle of Jura Distillery that I shared with close friends. It’s very smooth with a rich, smoky flavor that makes Islay malts some of my favorites.
Among these whisky enthusiasts are some whom I once cycled events with. These are times to laugh, share, sift through old memories and even emotions, and let the whisky and camaraderie flow. When I talked of backing away from these events, I was greeted with “It’s about time” and “We all change”, but of course we also set up a short (20 mile) ride in a month or so starting and ending from a brew pub, so despite our advancing years we remain committed to maintaining some of our hobbies and habits, at least for now. The point is that we have all evolved. I am evolving, and it feels odd to have this part of my identity changing. I suppose that my awareness of the changes has caused me to put a lot of thought into what I will become. I have had time to reflect and discuss my desire to move on and explore other interests with close friends, and even through a whisky haze, it made perfect sense. As time goes on, I will write about these new lines of thought and new lines of interest as they come up. This has been a cycling blog for the most part, because cycling has taken up a good deal of my time, but as I evolve, this blog will evolve with me. Stay tuned.
I had a day of fun, camaraderie, speed and scenery at the Tour De Talbot this year. This was my third TDT, and it’s an area that I like to visit, so I signed up early.
Before the start of the Tour De Talbot.
I had a strange approach to the Tour De Talbot this year. The weather was threatening and thunderstorms were in the forecast. I was tempted to simply cancel my hotel room and stay home. Though it didn’t look good, and even the organizers were making plans in the event of thunderstorms, I decided not to let the potential for rain stop me and I went to Easton on Friday afternoon resigned to accept what the weather would send my way. I got my packet and shirt, found a nice spot for sushi (Sakura on Rte 50 West in Easton), and went to bed with a “wait and see” attitude.
Normally at such times I’m excited. That implies a kind of tension, which feels normal to me. I had no such tension that day. The forecast I looked up on Saturday morning looked hopeful. No thunderstorms forecast until late afternoon. It looked like the Tour would happen, and we would stay dry. I went to the ride start at the Easton Fire Hall feeling relaxed. I had given myself plenty of time to prepare, and I got ready to ride slowly and carefully. My friend Stephanie had a group of riders that I was welcome to join, and I gladly accepted. We would all meet in front of the Easton Fire Hall at 7:30. It turned out to be a large and friendly group.
Standing at the back of a crowded group photo!
We started out at a conversational pace, around 15 mph, and it was nice to talk to new people. I spent a lot of time at or near the front of the pack, and I was enjoying myself as we rolled through town and then northeast into the open expanse of Talbot County beyond Route 50 that most travelers miss. I have a good memory for routes, and I was confident in the road markers. I didn’t need to look at my GPS, even though I had downloaded the route.
It was extremely humid and my glasses were fogged, so I took them off. Since it was overcast I didn’t need them, and I decided to clean them at the first rest stop and wear them afterward. I had planned on riding the 40 mile distance, and many of the riders in the group were riding the metric. I decided to stay with the group on the metric course for the first half of the ride, then finish on the 40 mile route after the ferry from Oxford to Bellevue. It added 5 miles or so to my total, but I had done the same last year and it felt fine to me.
Some of the roads on that part of the course had been recently chip sealed. That means they added tar and fine gravel to the surface of the road, which traffic compacts over time. For cyclists with road tires (like myself) this presents the dual danger of sliding on the gravel and getting flats from it. You have to be very careful on that surface. I wanted to be on my gravel bike with its wide tires on those roads – and true to the nature of such surfaces there were several riders who had flat tires in those sections. I was lucky and made it through intact. We were all happy to get back on smooth pavement again.
We approached Trappe, a town east of Easton at route 50, and despite some concern in the group about route markings, I knew the way. I took the lead and pulled the group toward the first rest stop. I had to pick up the pace to get our group through a green light as we crossed Route 50, but we managed, and I made the correct turn for the first rest stop, which I promptly rode past. Thankfully my friends didn’t, so I turned back when they called and got a rest, some snacks, and some Gatorade for my water bottles.
We were less than 15 miles from the Oxford-Bellevue ferry, where we get a rest no matter what we do, so some of the team decided to pick up the pace. Naturally I picked up speed with enthusiasm. We didn’t have much wind to contend with, and with a wide shoulder and light traffic on the way to Oxford the team really got moving. I’m sure I was grinning like a madman as we set a brisk pace that I felt I could manage, knowing that I would get a rest at the ferry. Oxford is a pretty little town. I’ve stayed there on a vacation mini-break, and I appreciate its charm. It looked like they had a sports car rally there as we came in, and I watched the cars go by with interest. We cruised to the ferry dock just as the ferry came in, so we went aboard without stopping for drinks or food.
Waiting to board the Oxford-Bellevue ferry. I didn’t have time to get food or drinks before boarding.On the Ferry. Crossing the Tred Avon river is part of the joy of the TDT.
From the ferry to the decision point between the 40 and 62 mile routes we were still moving well, and I was enjoying the speed. I was riding strong in a line of riders, doing my share. Coming off the ferry I knew that I had less than 15 miles to go to get my 40 miles, but I was being encouraged to go for the full metric. I knew that my training to this point wasn’t that impressive, and I felt that it was likely that I would begin to suffer a little in the final miles if I went the full 62 mile distance, so I stayed on my course. It was a close run thing though. I wanted to keep riding. I was feeling good at the final decision point and more miles sounded inviting.
A well earned post ride beer. I didn’t know what to expect before I started, but it was a great finish!
Practicality having won out, I rode the last 3 miles on my own. I rode with joy and power, and got back feeling very satisfied with my experience. I had spent that entire ride living in the moment. No plans or expectations. I just took in the sights as I rode along and rode like a good team member when I was needed. Since I wasn’t sure if there would even be a ride for me that day because of the weather, it was a small joy just getting a ride in. I may not be riding as many events now as I once did, but I still enjoy them and this is one event that I’ll continue to ride in the future.
The rest stop on my C&O canal towpath ride. The Cinelli Nemo is a great ride.
I have had quite a few bicycles over the years. As the Spring of 2025 came in, I saw that I simply had too many of them. I thought I could let go of 3 of them, and to help me do that, I decided to get ANOTHER bike. My current road bike, a Wilier Superleggera, is a custom build that I absolutely love, and I must keep it. Two older road bikes and a very old hybrid bike could go. I would get a gravel bike to replace them. That way I exchanged 3 bikes for 1, while reducing clutter and helping me let go of the old bikes at the same time. I wanted a change, and riding off road would be perfect. There are plenty of places nearby to ride on gravel, and that would motivate me.
Since I had a general idea of what I wanted, I spoke to my friend Travis at Just Riding Along Bicycles in Laytonsville MD. He had put together the specification for my Wilier road bike, and I’ve been very happy with that custom build. I’ve received a lot of compliments on it. I decided to ask for another custom build, rather than buying a gravel bike off the floor of a random shop with a parts specification determined by the company whose brand name is printed on the down tube.
I wanted a gravel bike with a steel frame and Shimano GRX gearing, which was designed for gravel riding. Travis put together a parts specification for me, and I trusted his experience. I asked him to be creative. I ended up with a bike that feels great and rides like a dream. It’s a Cinelli Nemo Tig steel frame, Shimano GRX gearing and pedals, Thomson Seat Post, Bars and Stem, and Rolf Prima Hyalite wheels, and Vittoria T-50 40mm gravel tires. For a steel off road bike, it’s quite lightweight, built with Columbus Spirit tubing, and I think it’s beautiful to look at too. Once the frame and parts were ordered, it was just a matter of time until they all came in and Travis could assemble the bike. When the time came, I felt like a child on Christmas morning.
After a full check-out, bike fitting and bedding in the brakes, I got together with friends the following day and rode 26 miles on the C&O Canal towpath. It was a lot of fun! I felt I’d made the right decision.
Every time I ride my Cinelli, the bike feels better. I’m still a road biker, but now I have the option to ride on dirt and gravel trails, and I am starting to feel comfortable riding on new surfaces, as long as they’re not too technical.
At the towpath with the Cinelli Nemo. It feels better every time I ride it.
My bikes are unique. They’re not mass produced corporate machines you can find in a catalog or the floor of your standard shop. For example, one TREK Checkpoint ALR 4 is just like any other, and they’re common. My bikes are not like anyone else’s. Both frames are made by Italian companies that aren’t common in the US, and they stand out in a crowd of generic bikes.
Now I’m looking at more off-road adventures. It’s exciting to go new places and ride new terrain.
March is here, the forecast is looking slightly warmer, and the time has come to get outdoors again.
Spring cycling time has arrived, and my road bike is ready to go!
For me, the worst time of year is the winter. There are good things about it, but the days are short and cold and to be honest, working out indoors just doesn’t appeal to me. That sweet weekend when Daylight Savings Time comes in really gets me started. Daylight Savings Time is finally here, and I’m getting excited about getting outdoors. My bike is back from the shop for its yearly service and it’s time to get out and ride. I’ve already had some rides on my backup bike. I have some new things to try as well. I have a new kite design to refine, I have some new fishing spots to try as the weather warms, and I have recently found a meetup group for steel bicycle enthusiasts. When I get the chance, I want to ride with them after my bike has been serviced. The combination of daylight and new ideas has me feeling excited about the spring. I have another new idea that I’m excited about – a different kind of cycling adventure for me. I will write about that in a few weeks, and by then I expect to have many more springtime miles under my wheels, and other ideas to end those wintertime blues!
A simple new fighter kite design that I created to build from cellophane floral wrap.
The front side of the first Zen Fighter. No bridle yet.
This week I decided to design and build another fighter kite. I recently found some new clear floral wrap to use as a sail material. It comes in a variety of colors and using it as a sail material gives a kite a stained-glass look in the sky. The sail material can be found on Amazon. It’s called Shareluck Colored Cellophane Wrap Roll. The other materials needed are clear packing tape, loose leaf page reinforcements, bamboo for the spine, round graphite rods (.05) for the bow, and contact cement.
The back side of the Zen Fighter.
I designed the Zen Fighter to be small and simple. I will use a 3 point bridle to make it easy to adjust the balance. I didn’t use battens on the sail to keep the look clean in the sky. I don’t expect it to be fast like many other North American fighter kite designs. Since I designed it for use with cellophane, this will not be a high wind kite.
Once I’ve bridled and flown the Zen Fighter, I will post my impressions of the kite’s performance, and also post the plan!
On September 28th, 2024 I rode my 17th Seagull Century. Barring some special circumstance, it will be my last century ride.
Enjoying a well earned beer after the 2024 Seagull Century
I began riding centuries at the 2006 Seagull Century at Salisbury University in Salisbury Maryland. Every year until now I’ve felt excited about the next year’s event. After 2023, I wasn’t entirely sure of my willingness to ride another. In the spring I felt better about it, and I signed up. However, through spring and summer and into the fall I realized that I had lost my taste for century training. Almost all of the friends who once rode that ride regularly no longer go to the event. I had given up riding other century rides, but this one was special. It was my favorite. I started there, and it was a challenge. Then it became social, and eventually it became a kind of personal tradition. I’ve ridden it 17 times over 19 years, with one not held because of hurricane Joachim and another because of the Covid 19 pandemic. I haven’t missed one in all that time, but I know now that for me, the time has come to turn the page and walk away. I have nothing to prove any more, and I don’t train as I once did. I have other things that I want to focus on, and while I still love to ride, I don’t need to take on huge efforts like a century to stay fit. Much as I loved riding them, and as many good memories as they’ve given me, I have begun to see riding centuries as a step too far for my cycling enjoyment. I want to ride for the soul rather than train for events. I’ll ride events, but I don’t want to suffer for them. I’m scaling back the distances I ride when I ride events now.
I have started to see rides from 30-40 miles as good days out, and metric centuries (62 miles) are still fun without being too hard on the body. The difference between 62 and 100 miles often depends on training and nutrition, but for the average person 62 miles is near the limit of both stored energy and energy easily gotten through eating and taking in electrolytes. You will feel tired (depending on how well trained you are) and you probably will feel fine the next day. 100 miles is a different animal. You may be trained well enough to shrug off a 100 mile ride without caring too much. There was a time when this was a good description of my cycling fitness. For the most part, 100 miles will test your legs to their limit. You will need to eat and drink during the ride to avoid the dreaded “bonk” where you run out of muscle nutrients and are forced to stop. It’s a test. There have been 4 times in the past when I’ve ridden “back to back” centuries, that is 100 miles on a Saturday and another 100 the next day. That was many years ago, and every time I was testing extreme exhaustion, and it took about a week to recover. Recovery from a century will typically take a day or two for the average rider with decent training. Age is also a factor, and needless to say, as I’m in my 60s and I’ve lost my training mojo, centuries are getting much tougher.
I knew going in that this Seagull would be my last, and I decided that it would be a success as long as I finished, and it wasn’t my slowest Seagull. I stuck to my personal traditions, and set out to make it a memorable ride. My steel Wilier Superleggera was ready to go. It seemed the perfect ride for the event. On a flat course and a warm and pleasant day like that Saturday, my Wilier is smooth and comfortable, and it suited my mood perfectly.
Almost ready to set out on the 2024 Seagull Century.
Starting out I was surprised at how FEW people were in the parking lot, in front of the gym, and particularly near the starting banner after going through the tunnel under Rte 13. So much has changed since I started riding this event! in past years, it would be crowded in these places. I started out about 7:15 in the morning and warmed up quickly. I was trying to hold a steady pace, but not necessarily a fast one. The point wasn’t to go fast, but to ride steady and finish with a time and pace that was at least averaging 16 mph. That would satisfy me at this point. I wasn’t expecting much, because my training wasn’t as good as it could have been. I had a lot of rides, but not a lot of long training rides. Still, I felt good and once I got warmed up, I was enjoying myself. The first two rest stops found me holding on to a faster pace than I expected. I knew that I would pay for that later, but holding on to a speed that was good when I was better trained was a hopeful thing. I had one point where a kid was drafting me for a couple of miles, and I asked him to pull through. I could have used a pull. “I’m just following you” he said. “I know!” I replied. He disappeared, being unwilling to give me a rest. Thanks, kid. Some people really don’t understand cycling etiquette. If you’re unwilling to return the favor, or you don’t have an agreement to be there, please don’t draft people!
On Assateague Island, 69 miles in. Getting there is a big part of the Seagull Century.
I reached Assateague Island as I began to feel fatigue. Had I stopped there I would have felt fine the next day. I could have bailed out then. Many riders apparently do. There are SAG wagons available. I ignored that possibility. I was going to finish the entire ride even if I had to crawl across the finish. I had been enjoying the ride so far, but I knew that I would have to slow down in the last 37 miles. I expected those to be difficult miles. I took a good rest before I set out again. By the time I reached Berlin on the way back I had begun to cramp up a little. Nothing major, but it was a concern. When I reached the final rest stop at mile 88, I needed a break, and I took a long one.
At the final rest stop, 88 miles in. Fatigued and cramping a bit, but enjoying the ride.
I knew that I had another 18 miles to go. I knew that I was beginning to cramp, so I did my best to stretch out, hydrate and fuel up for the final leg of the ride. It’s funny how you can suffer a little and still find it all so enjoyable. It was a good day to ride, and I was doing something I had enjoyed for years. Discomfort didn’t matter. The beer garden at the finish was calling to me, and I was listening. I got back out on the road.
The final leg was accentuated by leg cramps. Nothing severe, nothing to stop for, but I did find myself standing on the pedals to stretch from time to time. Yes, I could have trained better, but I knew I would finish. I took in the sights and smiled as familiar landmarks rolled by. I entered Salisbury with nobody nearby. I picked up the pace near the end, just because it felt right. I rode through the tunnel with a smile. I got to the finish line and pulled over feeling like I had nothing more in me. 106 miles, at 16.5 mph. Not great, but good enough. I went back to the car, stowed the bike, put on sensible footwear, and went back for pie and ice cream in the beer garden. Then a beer to celebrate. It was a good ending. I headed back to the hotel hot tub. I needed it. After the Seagull in 2022, I knew I wanted to come back. After 2023, I wasn’t sure. This year I am certain that this was my last century. I started riding centuries with a Seagull, and I ended with one. It was a perfect day.
I’m turning the page on century rides, but not cycling. Just rides over a metric century in length. We all have to grow, change and evolve as we age. It would take something special to get me to ride another century. This just feels right. I had a good century ride to end on, and I look forward to new and different challenges.
At last I’ve taken vacation in 2024! It took until early September but I took a trip to Lunenburg Nova Scotia, and enjoyed a cycling event in Maine and a visit with my son in Massachusetts on the way home.
Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. A UNESCO World Heritage site, and a great place to visit.
Dianne and I had a good vacation in Canada. We spent some time seeing the sights in Lunenburg, and looking at the historic schooners in port, including the Bluenose II, the vessel that is shown on the Canadian 10 cent coin. We also went whale watching, which was interesting, but we saw more seals than whales. We did see whales on the ferry to and from Bar Harbor Maine through. We took a trip from Bar Harbor to Yarmouth NS on “The Cat”, an oceangoing catamaran ferry. We didn’t get to sail on the Bluenose II, that was booked months in advance, but we did get to see her under sail, and I got a good photo (see below). Spending a few days in a new place does wonders for your peace of mind. There were a lot of things to do, and we got out of ourselves and just had a good time. We stayed in a beautiful bed & breakfast in Lunenburg named Ashlea House. I loved it. Breakfast was fabulous and the rooms were terrific. We had great weather. We found good food and got to know more about Nova Scotia. It was worth the time and effort to get there.
The Bluenose II under sail.A dockside view of the Canadian dime. We walked the decks of the Bluenose II, but didn’t sail on her.
On the way home we spent some time in Portland Maine, where I rode the Maine Lighthouse ride again. As always, it was a beautiful event and we visited some of our favorite places.
In front of Portland Head Lighthouse during the Maine Lighthouse Ride.
I have to admit that most of my vacations involve activities like cycling. I’m not the sort to be found lying on a beach or in a lounge chair poolside for a week. It would drive me insane. I know that this may change because it’s a dynamic life and I’m getting older, but for now I’m happy to merge my vacations with my hobbies. We also took the opportunity to visit the L.L. Bean campus, because it’s 20 minutes from Portland and it can be fun to do. I’m not much of a shopper, but that place is enormous and walking through the multiple buildings filled with different goods can really turn my head. Dianne and I had a good time throughout.
Dianne and I. It’s always fun to have someone with you when you vacation to enrich the experience.
Our final stop was in Worcester Massachussetts to visit my son. I haven’t seen him in a very long time, and it was wonderful to spend time with him.
My son Paul and I.
There is really nothing like taking some time and getting away. This time was well worth waiting until September to take!
Meet the Pileated Woodpecker. This one brings a little color into my day from time to time. I see him from my window as I work.
Mid-summer already! I need to spend more quality time with my keyboard. The spring was eventful, and my time hasn’t been wasted. Bird watching is a kind of default, as shown by the interesting bird pictured above. He likes the tree outside my window. I look for birds when I ride as well, and it’s amazing how many different birds I see from the bike, quite apart from the handsome woodpecker that visits me regularly.
I’ve been adding new lines to my life this spring. Fishing lines! I’ve also started to make headway in coping with changes to my activities. The last 19 years of bicycling have been glorious, but many of the people I once counted on to ride with have retired and moved on, and my training has been on my own. I don’t feel the drive to train. I ride for the enjoyment of moving through the landscape by bike, enjoying what I see and feel as I go. I think that’s a natural development. I still ride 3 to 5 times a week, but the mileage has decreased and as I write this, in the heat of the summer, it’s been harder to grind out the same number of miles I once did. 20 years of serious riding doesn’t just go away overnight, but the social aspect of those past cycling seasons has changed, and I’m changing with the circumstances.
Riding on the Oxford-Bellevue ferry across the Tred Avon river during the Tour de Talbot in June.
I look at it as an evolution. Last year I found myself talking to an old friend who gave me advice for my first century ride 18 years ago. She doesn’t ride those events any more, but she still rides. That feels like my direction. I could sing the blues about aging, but that would be giving up. I will never stop moving, stretching and following my interests. I will simply adapt as I go. I have centuries to ride this year, but next year I may not enter any long events. I like events, but shorter distances and slower paces sound good to me now. All that means is that my riding will enter a new phase. Events will take a more relaxed tone. I doubt anyone will criticize me for it! I’ve ridden events this spring and they feel great – like old times. When I’m back to the familiar, I find myself thinking of past years in autumn when the events were over for the year and I felt strong. I called those cool weeks “riding for the soul”, and I defined it by a lack of training pressure and the pure enjoyment of the autumn scenery around me. The pressure was off, the days were enjoyable, and my soul was nourished. I think in the end, when I don’t have training pressure, this is what I want cycling to become. I want that line in my life to have a more relaxed tension, take a different course, and present itself with a different style. I like the sound of that. Perhaps I’ve been changing for quite a while now, and my consciousness is finally catching up to my circumstances.
When I was a boy, fishing was a way to find some quiet and peace and solitude, and it gave me time to think and experiences to enjoy. Lately I’ve come back to it. I’ve had all the fishing skills I’ve needed since childhood, and I’m connecting to that childhood quiet time again. Even if I catch nothing, I still feel good about fishing. My freshwater ultralight and light weight fishing gear won’t net me anything big, but it makes even small fish fun to catch.
A healthy bass caught from Lake Elkhorn in Columbia, MD. He was gently released.
My favorite fishing lure is the simple inline spinner. You can catch anything on one. Including the fish pictured above. They’re good for panfish, bass and trout, and while I have no idea exactly what a spinner is meant to simulate, they can be amazingly effective.
An assortment of inline spinners. My favorite fishing lure!
Fishing clears the mind. It requires focus, and it’s a simple pleasure that I’m happy to indulge in from time to time.
To make a long story endless, I’ve been active, healthy and happy, and I’ve been making a few changes. I look forward to exploring new and interesting lines of thought and activity.
The time between New Years and the start of Daylight Savings Time are the hardest days of the year for me. There are very few distractions, it’s cold outside and the days are short. My workouts are mostly indoors, spinning in place. The best thing to do at this time is to use the time the best way I can, and set goals for 2024.
This year’s goals will be more modest than in years past because I’m getting older, and most of the people I used to ride with aren’t available anymore. Most of my cycling miles will be ridden alone. I can’t expect to keep up a fast training pace or plan my time the way I did 10-15 years ago. I’ll plan on riding events, perhaps half a dozen or so to keep me motivated. The goals this year don’t come with times attached. Just miles. This year I want to ride at least 2000 of them. Once the weather improves I’ll be riding 3-5 days a week. I don’t count indoor miles and I never have. (I know, I know… they should ALL count, but trainer workouts just aren’t the same!)
As for setbacks, I’ve been spending a lot of time in doctor’s offices recently. First, I needed a checkup, which came with changes to help control my blood sugar and blood pressure. Then I broke my nose in a fall – for which I got surgery. While I recover, I have been working on my diet. I am determined to get my blood pressure and A1C numbers in the right place. I also want to lose weight. This is the perfect time to start. It’s never easy to address concerns like these, but I am determined. I’ve tried to add good habits such as stretching in the morning to help my flexibility, and I’m proud to say the weight and blood sugar are both heading in a good direction! I know this doesn’t sound like a setback, but you can’t tell what medications will do to your exercise routine, and a broken nose is weeks worth of bother about simple actions like breathing! I’m just glad this happened in the winter. Anything that would hold me back during the good weather months would make it harder to reach my goals.
It is really difficult to change old habits and ways of thinking. I’ve been told that it takes three weeks to develop a new habit. I suppose that includes things like dietary and lifestyle changes, and you really have to commit to a change to make it stick. If I do my best, then come springtime I might make 2024 a very good year!
Lines and My Life 