I guess this is my end of 2023 reckoning, but what can top my 2022 Australia crossing? I guess that is my excuse for not posting anything to the blog for so long. (I still have a ton of video to post. I only have the WA videos up and there is lots left to share, soon I hope. It will give me a chance to relive the adventure with you. It is still an unbelievable memory.)
A whole year plus has passed since that Epic adventure across Australia. Now what? Everything seems a bit anticlimactic. I have transitioned back to life as usual in MN since coming back from Australia Sept. of 2022. I’ve found activities to keep me engaged with life since then. Bikes of course have been a major part of those activities. Planning rides and adventures with teammates, highlights being the third annual AGA (Allen’s Great Adventure), planning and implementing a Grass Track series hosted by MN Cycling Center and run by me and Eric Ware, a variety of interesting rides around the southern end of Lake Superior, a last ever official Team Psycho Bikers Ragbrai ride with a special surprise guest rider, my Aussie buddy “Bushy” (Chris Bushell), a reprise of an old favorite ride in Wisconsin, the Autumn Trek with Allen and Jerry, a fun ride at the Mankato River Ramble with a few mates, then a second annual “Ride Around Lake Pepin”, and an end to the warmer season ride with the 3rd, maybe 4th annual “Black Friday Ride”. I squeezed in a trip to Kenosha Wisconsin for a velodrome track clinic that was less than enjoyable for me. (First time back on a velodrome since Manchester in 2019)
Sailing on Lake Superior was not as rewarding during the summer of 2023 although the time spent at the marina was good. The weather on the lake dictates a lot of what happens, especially when the size of my boat is 22 plus feet overall. Cautious and safe excursions are at the top of my list. Planned “trips” didn’t occur, but time spent was enjoyable. Plus, a chance to, yup, ride a bike in a less populated area and plant some future trip seeds.
My life has been filled with lots through the year, some nonprofit volunteer work for the local neighborhood association and the MN Cycling Center. Some bike repair pop ups at the local Dancing Bear Chocolate Shop summer Sunday markets, and just the hum drum things like finally replacing my 2009 Dodge Caliber with a new Subaru Impreza hatchback. Sad to see the Caliber go, it shuttled me and other racers all over the USA from Penn, Texas, LA, and numerous trips to CO. Lots of great memories and adventures.
Thanksgiving Holiday is past and it’s time to get back to indoor home trainer Zoom group rides. (Kind of like club spin classes of old in the comfort of your own training room) I am a few weeks into them, Sundays, and Tuesdays. A good way to keep training and share some of the fun and challenges with others. Thanks to my coach in Glasgow, Robert Ferguson to allow me to share the personal plans he creates for me with the MN team. A good way to have some social engagement and train as well.
The end of December holidays is either happening or getting planned. I’m trying to maintain a positive outlook going into 2024 even though the world overall is in chaos. I’m not sure what else to say about that and not go down a dark hole. Such is a world filled with humans.
Enough for now, hope all who read this are doing well and have success in 2024.
View the picture summary here https://pjwracingadventures.com/2023-in-pictures/
Or go to the menu on the right to find the 2023 pics
Enjoyed your post!