A Bike Ride Awards

Jim, will you be able to do it Monday?

Tell me again, a bike ride from where.


Jim, we're going to meet at Foster ave beach and ride our bikes downtown and back. So, will you be able to do it. Pat Blair, a police bicycle rider says you won't make it.

Of course I can make it. I finished my coffee at the outside table at Panera and rode my bike home. Then rode back to the boys and raced home again.

Thats not enough, I have to work up my stamina. So about 6:30pm I took another ride. The clouds looked mean but I had to exercise. I rode to Park Ridge like I usually do and was stopped at a railroad crossing.


Hey Jim, a voice that sounded familiar. I looked and didn't recognize Don Hoppa, a fellow St. Pats H.S. student and friend.


Don is a CPA and been living with his partner Bill for 34 yrs. I last saw them
about 25 yrs ago on Lincoln ave near the Biograph Theater..you know Dillinger and the FBI.


We exchanged emails and had a few memories laced with laughs.

I continued on my way and heard music. Next to the library was a Blue Grass band playing. Its sounded good so I raced home to Karolyn and suggested we return with some lawn chairs.



We returned and sure enough the rain clouds moved on and our feet and hands were moving for the next 45 minutes.


I was so surprised that Karolyn was willing--hesitently to go with me. Especially since our daughter family is going to Fla for 2 weeks.


But you never know what a bike ride will result in. Tonight, meeting an old friend and a lovely evening concert with my wife.