7/9/09

The bike took me on the old highway out to the Cozad road and back. I then went home to replace my new saddle with my old one. Back out...and the bike decided to go the south road nearly to Cozad and back. Kind of a hard ride, but not hard enough to deter me from getting 54 miles today.

Weather Conditions: Dark black clouds for a bit, southwest winds while heading east, southwest winds while heading north and east, north winds when heading south. Misted on me a bit, skies remained overcast. Temp was perfect!

Solo Sunday 7/5/09

What a beautiful morning for a 35 mile ride...not much wind, blue sky, white puffy clouds and very friendly folks. Went the old highway to Cozad, then took the south route back to Gothenburg. Stopped for a bit and watched the crop duster. I don't particularly like the chemicals, but it is fun to watch the flying.

I am so lucky to be able to ride here in the summertime...the people really are amazingly friendly and give me plenty of room when they go around me. Add that friendliness to the wide open spaces, the green fields and hills, and we are truly blessed to be here.

Oh yeah, I did have one dog try to give chase on Highway 47, but since I was already cruising at 18 mph, I just bumped up the speed enough to leave him in my dust.

Solo Saturday 7/4/09

Cut my planned 35 mile ride short due to very iffy looking clouds and strong winds. Old highway almost to Cozad road and back. Fought the wind on the way back, but it was a fair fight and I won. Besides a good hard workout, I needed the fight because I'm still perseverating on my friend's email. Gotta stop...gotta put it behind me.

7/2/09

Solo old highway out and back. Had only planned on going 5 miles to Willow Road and back, but my bike had other ideas. I love it when that happens. Had me some good healing tonight from a recent incident. Is there anything that heals better than a bike ride??????

6/14/09

Have I mentioned lately how much I like riding bikes in Nebraska? I finally felt well enough to ride this morning, and although not a long ride, it felt great. As usual, I headed out on the old highway. Most of the time I ride to the Cozad road, turn around and come back. I decided not to go that distance this morning, so I just went to the Willow Island road, up to Highway 30, then on back home from there.

I don't think there was one car on the old highway, and even highway 30 wasn't too busy. And all vehicles that passed me gave me plenty of room, and some drivers even waved. Very nice, indeed.

GB Biking Dude

This is Robert, my former high school wood shop teacher. He is an amazingly strong bike rider, I can never keep up with him. One of these days I'll be stronger than he is, I swear!!!

Taiwan Construction Dude

I love how Taipei lets motorists know of construction zones. What you can't see are the dudes arms waving up and down. From a distance you can't believe how real he looks.

Time to Update?

Just arrived back in the states on Sunday night for the summer. No biking yet, even though yesterday was perfect for it. A cold decided to lodge itself in my system while I was flying home, so I need to get rid of that before I have energy for the bike. I really was hoping to get in some training for the upcoming Tour de Nebraska next week, but I figure I can do it anyway...I'll just ride more slowly and stop more often than normal. The first day is just 57 miles, so it should be doable.

I'll Fly Away

This was one of the songs sung at Sandy's memorial. It was a comfort to me then for Sandy, and is a comfort to me now for Polly. I listened to it a bunch of times on the airplane yesterday while winging my way home.

It's a song of sadness and comfort. Sadness in knowing I won't see Polly again in this lifetime, but comfort in knowing Polly is in a land where joys will never end.

I'll Fly Away

Some bright morning when this life is over
I'll fly away
To that home on God's celestial shore
I'll fly away

I'll fly away oh glory
I'll fly away (in the morning)
When I die hallelujah by and by
I'll fly away

When the shadows of this life have gone
I'll fly away
Like a bird from these prison walls I'll fly
I'll fly away

Oh how glad and happy when we meet
I'll fly away
No more cold iron shackles on my feet
I'll fly away

Just a few more weary days and then
I'll fly away
To a land where joys will never end
I'll fly away

Good-bye Polly

Godspeed, my friend and most excellent mother-in-law...

Pauline Ellen "Polly" Kibler
1925-2009
Pauline Ellen 'Polly' Kibler, 83, of North Platte died Thursday, April 30, 2009, at her home in North Platte.

Polly was born June 30, 1925, to William Steen and Celinda 'Grace' Curtis Porter at LaJunta, Colo., where she grew up. She graduated from LaJunta High School in 1943 and later worked for the Air Force in the PX. She lived in California before returning to LaJunta. On Sept. 6, 1958, Polly married Sidney Jefferson 'Bud' Kibler, Sr. in Raton, N.M. They made their home in LaJunta before moving to North Platte in 1962. She worked for 24 years at J.M. McDonald Colo., and Herbergers.

She is survived by her daughter, Paula (Tom) Richardson of Hershey; five sons, Russell (Brenda) Huff of Gothenburg, Jim Huff of Nashville Tenn.,
Jay Huff of North Platte, Sid (Brenda) Kibler, Jr.of Council Bluffs, I.A., and Sam Kibler of North Platte; five grandchildren, Randy, Brian, Annie, Sabrina and Kacie; eight great-grandchildren; and other family.

Polly was preceded in death by her husband, Bud; her parents; four sisters, Violet Hamilton, Hannah Madsen, Jeanne Watters, and Leorah Thomas; and two brothers, Harlan and Raymond Porter.