This year has been a great year on the bike. I got a late start not getting in my first ride of the year until May 8th, but by the end of the year I nearly met my goal of 2000 miles and had a huge amount of fun along the way.
I joined the Macatawa Cycling Club this year and met a bunch of really great poeple that share a passion for biking. The MCC Monday night rides simply made me a better cyclist. Group rides in single or double pace lines are just like home now. Whereas before I was a bit nervous in large groups. Mike Mortoff might even argue that I am too comfortable in groups…. and perhaps I need to thread the needle a little less often. I’ve even taken over some of the MCC website work giving other dedicated MCC’ers a well deserved break.
The Tuesday Night Velo City ride was the perfect compliment to the suffering on Monday nights. A gentle conversational pace with great folks from a great bike shop. If you haven’t tried the Tuesday night ride yet, please consider it next spring. To Mike, Jaqui, Tom and the whole gang… thank you for your dedication and love for the sport.
Good friendships have developed along the way. Morty you’re a great guy and I’ve enjoyed our banter back and forth very much. Mr. Mahaney continues to hold out from joining the Cycling club. Jim you really can let go of the $20… I promise it won’t hurt much. Jim is now known as that guy that rides with Randy Kuite. Ha Ha! Who would of thought. Thank you Jim for the 6+ years of great rides together…. especially this past late spring and early summer when I really needed to just talk out loud.
Thanks to my wife Sara, who cleared the deck at home up to 3 days a week to allow me time to ride. We’ve got great kids but that certainly doesn’t mean they’re any less work! I may not be a 6000 miler like Jim and Mike, but that suits me just fine. 
I hope you yearly mileage goals have been met and you’re safely transitioning to your winter program.
Catch you on the bike next spring!
-Randy