Home Improvement

This pass summer saw some construction at my house as we added a sunroom over an existing patio. We have been thinking about this for a few years and finally decided to go for it. We wanted the sunroom so that we could extend the summer and enjoy the outdoors when the weather starts getting colder. So we now have a sunroom and when the sun is out the room heats up quickly and we can sit in the warmth and feel like we are sitting outside. The room has floor to ceiling windows and a couple of skylights so it feels very open.

As with any construction project it took longer than we expected and cost more than we wanted to spend but the results were what we wanted. Although this will improve the value of my house this expense was definitely a unnecessary luxury but one we will really enjoy. The other unnecessary luxury we decided to spurge on for the room was an indoor pool. Now this is not a large built-in pool like you would see in a hotel but more like a portable above ground pool. It was relatively affordable and is going to make this winter a lot more fun.

My wife is a water aerobic instructor and loves the water. During the summer she lives in our pool. The saddest day of the year, for her, is when the pool is closed for the winter. I'm don't enjoy the pool as much as my wife but there is nothing better after a ride to take a dip in the pool to sooth my tired muscles.

So now that we have an outdoor room and an indoor pool winter is going to be a lot more enjoyable because when I get home from a cold winter ride I will be able to take a soak in a pool no matter what the weather is outside.

The Long Cold Winter

Although my Vegas trip was fun I rode by myself so it’s been nice to get back home where I can ride with my friends again. The days are getting shorter and the weather is getting colder. This usually means shorter rides closer to home as I try to maintain some level of fitness through the winter. Riding to me is more than just exercise it also very social as I usually try to do a least one ride each weekend with some of my friends. I have been with the Princeton Freewheelers for almost 20 years and have come to know a lot of people in the club. Even though I don't see most of these people out side of biking when you ride 3 or 4 hours a week with some one over the course of many years you get to know them pretty well and become good friends. I am lucky because I have a good core of people that I ride with that I really enjoy being around.

During the winter I don’t see as many of these people because of my shorter more local rides. It’s always fun in the spring to reconnect again. This year unfortunately I will not be able to reconnect with one of my friends, Joe McBride, who was killed in a tragic bike accident just over a week ago. Laura posted a good Eulogy about Joe in words and pictures that describes him pretty well. There is also a Facebook page that has similar words about how much he will be missed. I really can’t add much more about Joe that hasn’t already been said. He was a great guy who's colorful language and sarcastic nature made him unique and fun ride with. Although riding during the cold weather can be fun and interesting in its own way, it is a little tough at times and makes you wish for the longer days and the warmer weather of the spring and summer months. This winter will be a little tougher as I know during some of the rides my thoughts will turn to Joe and how much I will miss him.