A little late to close out the year but been a little busy. All photos have now been added. For the masses who continue to read, thanks for your patience. Drop me a note sometime and let me know if you enjoy the exploits.

Concluded the short visit with the parentals. Initially considered bringing the Kickr and trainer bike but decided to tough it out – it was only 6 days. Successful but experienced temperatures hadn’t faced in several years. Most of the temps were upper 30s and barely breaking 40º. Even delayed a ride until the afternoon hours to allow for the overnight dusting of snow to melt. But hey, at least the water bottles never froze! Received confirmation from the neurological tests that my mother’s memory loss is greater than that attributable to the aging processes. No surprise there. Definite changes in the parietal lobe affecting short term memory. Prescription strength was doubled and return in 8 weeks. Did cook for the parentals the entire week. Nothing extravagant but ensured they ate well. Only made one trip to Toft’s for ice cream.

Had an awesome time visiting the boy child in Mexico. Much better accommodations than while in Mexico City. Stayed in the Polanco region and not right on top of a busy, multi-lane highway. Spent most of the time in Oaxaca eating way too much food and items not found it most North American restaurants. There are pictures but not labeling them – you figure it but some of the items included ant eggs (escamoles) and grasshoppers (chapulines) and of course mezcal. Sightseeing attractions included a couple of ancient ruins, a rock formation resembling a petrified waterfall, the second oldest tree in the world, and remnants from the several Day of the Dead parades. Very comforting and relaxing traveling to a foreign county with someone (i.e., boy-child) fluent in the language. Rather enlightening observing him interacting with the locals and a few of his work peers. While having an interpreter along, didn’t like being so dependent on his linguistic skills. Made a pledge that my language skills would be much improved on our next visit. Even downloaded the app, Duolingo, and started the lessons while still south of the border. Not sure how effective it’ll be with only a few minutes a day and no real conversation capability (a supposed necessity to truly learn a language), but it’s a start and better than nothing.

Thanksgiving isn’t the same without the entire family being together even with spending six full days with him a couple of weeks prior. Made one change to the menu from a magazine no one remembers subscribing to: sausage stuffing. The Missus was a bit apprehensive but I think it went well with the turkey. Naturally the Missus made pies, both pumpkin and cherry. As usual, ate too much but had a great day with the girl-child and hubby. Leading up to Turkey day I baked a few items: apple and pear crisp using the last of the fruit from my Dad’s trees;  pumpkin cream cheese bars, and: cinnamon rolls.

The Missus started the Christmas cookie baking a little earlier and moved the sugar cookies towards the top of the list. It’s a significant effort overing three days: making the dough; rolling, cutting, and baking, and; frosting. Girl-child was under the weather for the day 2 and didn’t make it for day 3 but was admirably subbed by hubby. Continuing the recent trend, a few new types were added to the standard menu of sugar (GF too) cookies, buckeyes, chocolate yogurt melts, date pinwheels, no-bakes, peanut butter, and molasses. Augmenting this year’s list were red velvet cream cheese, Oreo’s and M&Ms and a rice-crispies style cookie. Pictures of new only? As the recurring line-up looks the same as previous year’s. Wasn’t a record crop but the Missus still baked over 1800 cookies! 

Continuing the mileage build-up in preparation for the 2024 randonneuring season became challenging with colder weather. Not interested Zwift worlds for 3 plus hours which isn’t even sufficient as 6 – 9 hour rides are the norm. Did have some quality road and noteworthy gravel rides in November before beginning FL Winter Camp. Most of the road rides were local with the exception of one local club ride and the annual Black Friday ride. That event pales in comparison to the Black Friday affair hosted by the crotchedy old man in Rixeyville, VA. Always awesome routes with rollers, well attended by great people, and an awesome post-ride bbq. Alas, the curmudgeon up and got married and moved out west. Good for him but the Black Friday rides haven’t been the same.

Gravel – new climb up Mount Weather with not enough gearing the required two walking segments and destroying the chainring on a different. Not exactly sure of the cause but thinking a bad shift got the chain caught between the chainrings and while underload, badly warped the smaller ring. Limped back to the start solo via paved surface but the bent ring rubbed against the frame at the bottom bracken enough the Cannondale offered a frame replacement. Not a free bike but around $1200 for a 22 Topstone frame built with the same SRAM Force AXS components. Hopefully it doesn’t take as long as the SuperSix Evo frame replacement. 

Heeding the call of warm weather, spent 22 days in December in the sunshine state cycling outdoors for all but one of them. Unfortunately, it also meant no cookies until after Christmas. However, did make a single batch of first-time cranberry-orange cookies. They tasted good but just didn’t firm up. Good reason to leave the cookie baking to the Missus. Made a variation to the Missus’ standard, but excellent, chicken parmigiana by first searing the chicken breasts in a cast iron skillet on the stove then placing it in the oven. Chicken was very tender. Also made a different breakfast casserole for when the Missus heads down after Christmas. Increased longest ride from 85, to century, and finally a 200K. Felt better and stronger during each progressively longer ride although the final 15 miles or so were completed on spent legs.

Returned to NoVA the week of Christmas with the tree and decorations already up. Had a fantastic experience accompanying our neighbors at the White House open house for staff members and guests. Stopped to view the decorations at the Willard before standing in line while being serenaded by a street musician, who really wasn’t very good, before navigating security and entering the White House. The decorations were pretty awesome and a special tribute was paid to the century anniversary of “A visit from St Nicholas,” more commonly known by the first line of the poem, “Twas the night before Christmas.” Had the opportunity for a brief visit and photo stop with President Biden and Dr Jill. Still waiting to receive a copy of the photo. After the photo, able to walk around and into rooms normally not open to visitors. Alas, the Oval Office was still off limits. The food spread was quite spectacular with beverage options including water, champagne, and red and white wines (none of which were top shelf but it was all you can drink). The 8 pm closing time was serious business: started with quietly ushering folks out of the various rooms and closing doors and ended with a phalanx of security personnel, both in uniform and not, herding everyone towards the exit. Regardless of the individual occupying the Office of the President and your particular political persuasion, it was an honor to meet the President, shake his hand, receive a hug from the First Lady, and hang out in the White House for a couple of hours.

Christmas dinner menu received a significant shake-up on a suggestion from the Missus – prime rib. First time making the beef but not overly complicated – good seasoning and slow roasting. Had a re-do for fresh cinnamon rolls to start the day and made a Holly Jolly Crescent Ring for dessert. Great to spend the day with family (minus boy-child) especially after being solo in FL for nearly 3 weeks. 

Decided not to accept the near-prescription-less contact as a permanent solution to the chronic eye irritation caused by corneal scarring and the lasik calcium deposit combination. Returned to the retinal specialist and requested a referral to see a corneal specialist to actually treat the underlying condition and not just the symptoms. He suggested the Wilmer Eye Institute in Baltimore, MD. Scheduled an appointment with the PCM in Tricare and submitted the request for a referral. Will be interesting to see how this plays out with TRICARE and Humana.

Returned to FL with the Missus a couple of days after Christmas for a week of together time. Nice way to end 2023 and begin 2024. Here’s to hoping 2024 is a better year.

Finished the cycling year with 14,124 miles, 453,333 ft of climbing, and nearly 637.5 hours of time on the bike including virtual and outdoor riding. Snapshot of outdoor cycling only was 9,402 miles, 252,629 ft of climbing and nearly 333.5 hours of saddle time.