page was last updated 11/18/2010
Well after receiving a few suggestions to include a paragraph or so “about me” I have decided to do just that.
In May of 1990 I underwent major cancer surgery and really needed to find some form of exercise to get my strength and endurance back. I am not an exercise person so I had to find something that I really liked to do.
For a very short time prior to the final opening of the Mid-County Expressway – Blue Route (I-476) in 1992, PENDOT allowed people to ride bikes and roller blade on the new section. So I dusted off my old green Schwinn 10 speed bike, which my uncle had given to me, and drove to the Springfield entrance of this new stretch of unused highway. I parked the car, took off the bike, and promptly did about an 8 mile ride. What a thrill it was to cruse along such a nice smooth surface and not have to worry about getting hit by a car or truck. I did this repeatedly until the final opening.
My oldest daughter and her husband purchased new Trek Mountain Bikes in 1993 and I got to try the new technology out in Ocean City NJ. Wow…what a difference in the shifting. My old 10 speed Schwinn was replaced that Christmas when my wife purchased me the same new Mountain Bike that my daughter had and that started my new found bicycling adventure.
After a few local club rides I soon purchased my first Road Bike and could now experience the best of both worlds and I really enjoyed both types. I now have five bikes and have biked, on average 1448 miles per year since 1996 when I started keeping records. My best year was in 2001 when I cycled 2060 miles and worked 10 to 12 hour days until June first when I retired.
My Charity riding started in 1994 with the Delaware Chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society’s "MS 150" ride. Having had a mother-in-law with this dreaded disease I had some first hand experience. I continued doing this great charity ride for 9 years and participated in the “Bike-a-Thon” American Cancer Society ride for 3 years.
Weekend riding with friends and selected organized rides is still my favorite hobby but I have added some Tennis and occasional Golf outings to my hobby list now that I am retired. Photography and computer stuff are also included in my hobby list.
Well that’s about it for me, now what about you getting involved in bicycling?
Bicycle-Bill
