Now for some final thoughts as 2021 drifts into the past.

In July, I began trying to work up to a century; and aimed to do it on October 9. Along came Hurricane Ida in late August; and as a result, I lost several weeks\’ riding. While I was staying with my sister I used her exercise bike; but that was a long way from real cycling.

So I never got around to trying that century. I was too out of condition when I first got back home; and my Sunday long rides are only now back up to 40-45 miles.

I will always have to keep my A1c in mind; and I need to work more vegetables back into my diet. Tomorrow or the next day, I think I\’ll make chimiflower. Sunday might be a better day to devote to cooking, because the weather will be better for riding tomorrow than on Sunday.

Goals. Always goals, and New Year\’s resolutions! I\’m aiming to ride 5000 miles during 2022; and am toying with the idea of doing that century ride in April. If I\’m serious about that goal, I need to start working towards it tomorrow; and if I really want to increase my pace, I need to begin working at intervals of 17-18 mph.

My final thoughts include this one: it\’s New Year\’s Eve, and I\’m running the air conditioner! It\’s been warm enough for long enough that I really need it. Sometimes I wish I had one of these:

Ontel Arctic Air

When I begin a ride of several hours, and it\’s already 80 degrees when I start; I get VERY hot before I\’m done!

It\’s 6:40 pm; and I expect the fireworks will soon start in earnest. That\’s what drives me crazy about New Year\’s Eve: all the racket!