Time running out!

In my haste to achieve 7,000 miles on my bicycles for the second straight season — all outdoors, I might add proudly — I totally forgot to issue my monthly report for November and updated statistics for 2022. As they say, better late than never.

For the eleventh month of the year, I hopped on a bike 22 out of November's 30 days. There were two highlights for that period of time: pedaling in the warm climes of Sarasota, Florida, and going for a 30-mile scoot on my 70th birthday. All the rides were performed on my Trek Domane road machine, which by the way is my favorite, with the exception of the "mystery" bike I utilized in the Sunshine State. All I can tell you is that it was painted black and not built for speed.

Studded tire on the left, regular on the right.

Regrettably, every pedal during November was of the solo variety, while I journeyed a total of 593 miles. So with 22 rides, the average per trip was nearly 27 miles.

For the 2022 season, thus far, I have ridden a bicycle on 242 occasions and I have accumulated 6,532 miles. That means I still have 468 miles to go to reach the magic number. All in December; a month that tends to have a bit of a chill in the air. The real question is, will I make it in time?

In the event that when — and not if — more seasonable weather finally arrives here in the great state of Maine, i.e., snow, ice, and sleet, I have equipped a second two-wheeled beast with studded tires. One must be prepared for crappy conditions in the mad rush to obtain miles.

For road riding, I've thrown on a pair of 45NRTH Gravdal tires on my Specialized Crux cyclocross/gravel bike. They are 700c by 38mm in size, with 252 steel carbide studs. They are described as a high-traction winter commuter tire. For off-road riding, and specifically the always handy Kennebec River Rail Trail, I had already fitted my Specialized Fatboy fat bike with the 45NRTH Dillinger 5 maximum-float studded tires. These beauties are 26-inch by 4.6-inch in size, with 258 concave aluminum carbide studs.

The brand of 45NRTH is based out of Bloomington, Minnesota. So the folks there know a thing or two about brutal conditions and what cyclists need to keep riding ... no matter what Old Man Winter throws in their biking path.

Anyway, I'm going to keep pumping the pedals to see if I can reach 7,000 miles. I will let you know what happens. For now, stay safe!

(Editor's note: With it being a busy time of the year, my next blog posting will be on Friday, January 6, 2023. As always, thank you for being a part of my peloton and happy holidays. I hope Santa Claus brings you some really cool bicycling gear.)