I’ve been riding a lot but when I sit down with a blank page I’m not finding words. Keep hoping it changes.

Your observations and thoughts echo my own David. Being acutely aware of how many times I’ve circled the sun brings some dread, but also a great measure of motivation. Time stands still for no one! I’m hoping to get out on the bike tomorrow. The rain has mostly stopped now and the wind is blowing hard. By morning things may be dry…

This, after mother nature’s show, is when I most feel the passing of time. November is a dreary, dreary month which, for some reason, makes me acutely aware of the number of times I have circled the sun. But once in a rare while we might still get a nice riding day in November, so one bike is still not put away, just in case.

I’ve not had nearly enough of those 205 mile type rides. A handful this past spring and summer but I could do one every day. I’ll take what I can get though.

The dazzling autumn has passed now. Rain followed by cold will bring us closer to the gray/brown of winter. But there’s still plenty of acceptable weather to ride. Like you say, I’ll keep trying to shut up, look and ride.

Let me know when your rides turn to the west. Perhaps we can cross paths somewhere.

This weekend we’ll see temperatures drop into the 20s overnight. That’s a dramatic change from things and a call for me to break out the cold weather gear.

Every day is a good day if I can take a breath. Riding just makes it even better.

Note: I’ll be on my own recognizance for all of November (wife is taking an arts residency out of the country), so my Big Rides of the year are happening (when I’m not crazy-busy working on house-related projects). The first big foray is back to my old home in Brooklyn, hopefully with fellow Vespisti; the second is out your way. Will let you know about the latter in advance.

We have many, many overcast, gray, rainy and chilly days here too. Fortunately I kind of love the emotional energy of that particular landscape palette. I will admit a growing disdain for the cold though. I see 28F in the weather forecast later this week. I’ll be whining then!

Gratefully, all my machines are fuel injected. That makes cold weather a bit more tolerable mechanically speaking. My daughter’s Yamaha Vino is already resisting starting on these relatively mild mornings. Have to pay her a visit and see if something is wrong with the scoot.

I’ve been raking golden leaves the past few days. The township is prowling the neighborhood with their leaf truck. Judging by what’s still on the trees they’ll be coming by until December!

That is a beautiful part of the country. I bet autumn was spectacular. Congratulations on your 75th birthday. Hope it was an excellent celebration for you.