One Year!

On 22 November 2010, I began working at the cannon. OF course I can't just be content with driving to work, so I began my usual form of commuting, on the bicycle. I estimate that I've ridden about 3500 miles in the area, over about 300 hours. (This is based on my garming connect account. allowing 1000 miles and 100 hours for rides in other locations, mainly the abq area).

It's been quite a year. When spring and longer days came, I began riding west and northwest, into the wind, when leaving the office. I saw many, many miles of farmland, cattle land, and flat to rolling terrain. I enjoyed going through the northern valleys, on dirt or pavement, and coming back on the highway from the north, through Ned Houck Park.

When the standard winds calmed a bit, I started riding south a little; one day to Oasis Park and back into town. Heading out the south gate gave me route possibilities that led to a loop ride, used on the weekly evening rides from the Quest building. I enjoyed the ride south, east, north, west, and south back into town. Made for a great evening activity. And this provided turns, and curves, to an otherwise straight road section of the state.

Even after a year, and that many miles, I still have unridden routes to do, destinations to reach, and friends to meet. I met a large group of folks, mostly non-cyclists, who come together to assist the Texas 4000 ride each year, with lodging, meals, and such. I've met a local who rides year round, and even crashes ocassionally, but gets back on the bike. I met a local mountain biker, who is getting into endurance series type races. I met a rider who wants to do every century in the state. I met some triathletes, who stay very busy with events in the east side of NM and west Texas. I met the Bicycle Guy, (local rqadio personality and bike shop owner). I met a kid whose bike was stolen.

I know there are many, many cyclists there that I haven't met. There are about 60 people on the CloviCycle email list. As the next year of my time in Clovis begins, I want to help more people ride bikes. I have set up a lunch ride schedule at the cannon, and I hope to formalize this with the base. (I actually saw a rider out at lunch two weeks ago, on the backside! I was driving.) How long will I be in Clovis? I don't know. It's danged tuff being away from family during the week, even though it's only 14 nights a month, max. Where will I be on 22 November 2012? Probably on a bicycle somewhere, riding to work, in the cold, thinking of Clovis, or Albuquerque, while I pedal, and smile!

Moo!