It's all over but the ice and snow.

 If this El Nino winter is anything like the last I saw, we can look forward to soooo much.   Winter here will be condensed into 7 or 8 weeks of freezing rain to glaze over a meager snowfall.  Already we are seeing floods from all the snow that melted on it's way down.  Nothin' to do but put on the studs and plan for next year.  This past year was full of bike ridin'.  

I made an epic journey though the Great Allegheny Passage.

to the CO canal trail to start off the year.

met new friends dealing with their first flat since childhood, 

climbed a few hills,

and crossed a few thresholds in the process.

I found my way all the way around the bottom of Lake Michigan and was able to make the trip through Chicagoland exclusively on bike infrastructure.  Have we come a long way or what?

I met more nice people on that trip, like the ones who heard me screaming and lifted the tree off me at the Indiana Dunes Nat'l Park.  Let that be a lesson, if you spend enough time in the woods,
 you will see a tree fall.  Don't let it hurt ya. 

Riding trails this year I met lots of nice people

 with a similar brand of insanity

.  The trip across Illinois and back further illuminated
 the growth in bicycle travel.
On the way too and from my 45 year class reunion,

 I found one can travel from Rock Island, on the Mississippi
, across Illinois and past Chicago to Michigan
and only spend 5 or 6 miles on the street.
 Yes, we have come a long way.

Oh, yeah, 

there were, ah, people, in the woods and stuff.

Even on the roads we are finding more accommodations.

The western coast of Michigan has been labeled USBR 35.  A designated route has been identified and dedicated all the way from New Buffalo to Sault St. Marie on the Canadian border.

Of course there were plenty of club rides

a weekend with a Rivendell riding group, 

as well as a Barry Roubaix get together 

for those with vintage inclinations.

Bicycle themed pieces actually took some honors at Art Prize this year.

I got to see my first cyclocross race.  Hey, if that chick can do it, 

maybe I have enough blood and guts for next year

The club rides didn't stop in the fall and 

more people are showing an interest in gravel grinding.

I'm pleased to say that my stable only required one modification this year.

Although the fancy, colorful tape was cool looking and all

I have to admit I still like leather.

I started the new year by hanging over at the Hair of the Dog Ride

at Rupert's Brew Pub downtown in Kzoo.

I managed to drive my car just 2573 miles during 2015.

Another year in history and it was.....