New Years Eve

Well I took most of the week off from work between Christmas and New Years. This allowed for some time with family and friends and was spent doing some fishing, cycling and relaxing in general. Now I know this is not a fishing journal but that was a nice redfish.

The riding was highlighted with a nice 83 mile ride on Friday through the North end of the county. Derek rode with Bernice & I and we had a very nice pedal. We saw all kinds of animals ( horses, cows, llamas, turkeys, donkeys,rabbit, baby bulls and others).

Training now consists of mainly just getting in miles and time in the saddle. We will begin to focus more as the time gets closer. We are 164 days from departure. Time is passing quickly...it will be here before we know it.

Today's bike photos were taken by Derek. I like the composition of the one to the right with the wheel in it--- nice touch

If you are reading this click the comment button and let me know what you think. Feel free to ask questions - I will attempt to answer them

Also----If you want to help (and I hope you do) -- click the button -- HELP the MILLER's FIGHT CANCER. and make a donation online. Or you can send a check-made payable to the Lance Armstrong Foundation. Be sure to put Participant ID: 150474715 in the memo so it will be counted towards our goal. Mail them to: Lance Armstrong Foundation PO Box 161150Austin, TX 78716-1150 Thanks for your support

Merry Christmas

Well tomorrow is Christmas that means we celebrate the birth of Christ and good family time. It also means there are only 171 days till departure. Wow.... time is flying and there are still many things to do before we leave.

Tomorrow we will all be home for the day. Mike is down from UF and Bern's Mom will be here for dinner. The tree is trimmed and all is ready. We had a good day today with friends and family and a nice Candlelight service to remind us what this holiday is all about.



This past week I had to take a continuing education test in Gainesville. We went out for ice cream before the test. Bernice found the T-shirt she is wearing to the left. She said it is the way she plans to ride 3600+ miles -- "Fueled by Ice Cream"
If you are reading this click the comment button and let me know what you think. Feel free to ask questions - I will attempt to answer them

Also----If you want to help (and I hope you do) -- click the button -- HELP the MILLER's FIGHT CANCER. and make a donation. You can also send a check-made payable to the Lance Armstrong Foundation. Be sure to put Participant ID: 150474715 in the memo so it will be counted towards our goal. Mail them to: Lance Armstrong Foundation PO Box 161150Austin, TX 78716-1150 Thanks for your support

Ahhhh....nice Florida Weather again

Well after last weeks chilly riding weather; this week was back to incredible. We had temps with lows in the 50's and highs near 80. Great training weather. Got in several nice rides including a 43 mile one on Saturday with some intervals thrown in. This was done using a heart rate monitor. After about 25 miles and being nice and warmed up and on an appropriate stretch of road (long & straight) I pick up the speed to about 25 - 30 and hold it there till my heart rate goes north of 165 then ease off and when it hits 130 then time for another effort. This is repeated about 5 times.

The picture above is on they way up to Donner Pass this summer a rolling acent up to about 8300 feet. Interval training helps make you stronger and that makes mountian assents easier.

This weeks "gear moment" is the handelbar. To the right you can see the view I see when I look down. You can see the brake hoods and the bike computer (I will talk about the computer another week) and the rear view mirror. You will notice the bars are covered with padded tape to cushion my hands and there are a number of places to hold onto. Varying my hand position is critical to good bike health (meaning not getting stiff & sore.) The mirror lets me see what is happening behind -things like traffic of course but also other riders (allowing me to know if the current pace is comfortable for the group)

If you are reading this click the comment button and let me know what you think. Feel free to ask questions - I will attempt to answer them

Also----If you want to help and I hope you do -- click the button -- HELP the MILLER's FIGHT CANCER. and make a donation. You can also send a check-made payable to the Lance Armstrong Foundation. Be sure to put Participant ID: 150474715 in the memo so it will be counted towards our goal. Mail them to: Lance Armstrong FoundationP O Box 161150Austin, TX 78716-1150 Thanks for your support

Brrrrr 38 degrees this AM

We waited a little bit and it climbed into the mid 40's by about 10:00am, we donned leg and toe warmers, long fingered gloves, and a wind jacket and off we went for a 47mile ride. It was not only cold it was breezy steady winds at about 12mph, the good news was that we headed into the wind so the last 20 or so miles had a nice tail wind.

You might ask why? I would tell you things like the picture above of the Mt. Rose Summit and knowing what lies ahead this coming summer. There will be cold mornings and windy days and we will pedal; therefore we might as well learn what it is like before it counts.

This weeks equipment feature is the bicycle seat configuration. You can see the seat post serves many duties. Mine is carbon fiber with a clear Zerts insert this makes it light and it allows it to reduce road vibration. It serves as a mount for my rear flashing light used in early morning light. It holds my seat which also holds my tool kit (CO2 tube inflator, multi-tool, quick stick, extra tube).

The seat itself is very comfortable. Notice several things: wide enough to rest my pelvic bones on - no wider. Gel inserts for comfort. Cut out in the middle to avoid excess pressure on the prostate. We can ride all day in comfort.

If you want to help -- click the button -- HELP the MILLER's FIGHT CANCER. and make a donation. You can also send a check-made payable to the Lance Armstrong Foundation. Be sure to put Participant ID: 150474715 in the memo so it will be counted towards our goal. Mail them to: Lance Armstrong FoundationP O Box 161150Austin, TX 78716-1150 Thanks for your support

December means it is only 7 months away

Well it seems as if time is moving forward at high speed. We will embark on our journey in just over 7 months from now. We have the dog, the lawn, and the pool issues taken care of; yet there is still much left to do.

This week we took my Dad back to the airport, we enjoyed His two week visit, and miss having Him here. The dog misses him too. She was his constant companion and liked all the attention she got from him.

Riding this week was impaired by weather and travel. I got a good ride in the woods on Monday. Wednesday it rained and I climbed on the trainer for an hour (not nearly as much fun as real riding-- but a good workout. Friday I got no ride in due to an all day meeting. Saturday it was wet and drizzling but we hit the road anyhow as the radar showed nothing scary. It ended up being a nice ride just under 50 miles.

I have been getting questions as to equipment. So I decided to feature some of the gear we use. At the left are my cycling shoes. They are very comfortable with lots adjustments as to fit. They have a very stiff sole ( mine are carbon fiber) to spread out the pressure from the pedal and this reduce foot fatigue.
If you notice on the one that is upside down there is a cleat like thing on the ball of the foot this actually locks into the pedal making it very efficient. It does release if you need it to.

If you have a question or comment please click the comment button.

We passed the 6 percent mark in fundraising. I am starting in earnest to ask people to make a contribution. This is a very good cause and one that has or will affected all of us in some way. So.... go ahead and click the button -- HELP the MILLER's FIGHT CANCER. and make a donation.

You can also send a check-made payable to the Lance Armstrong Foundation. Be sure to put Participant ID: 150474715 in the memo so it will be counted towards our goal. Mail them to: Lance Armstrong FoundationP O Box 161150Austin, TX 78716-1150 Thanks for your support

Thanksgiving Week

Thanksgiving is a good time of year as it gives us cause to reflect on the things that are important to us. For us it is our faith and our family; and it was nice to have Mike down from UF for the long weekend and my Dad here for 2 weeks. We had a total of 26 to our home for Thanksgiving. We are missing 3 regulars from our midst due to death from Cancer - One more reason we are on this mission.



Riding this week was good.
Monday in the woods by myself - good day to stretch the legs after a long ride on Sunday.
Wednesday Michael was home from college early enough to get out to Santos and play on the Red trails. These are the challenging trails that some would call scary - we call them FUN!!
Thursday- a nice 20 mile ride at Santo's; we went to land bridge and back with a neighbor "JT".
Friday and Saturday we were on the road. Bern & I on Friday did a nice 30 mile ride and then on Saturday (Bern, Michael, Dr. Don & I) went on a good 48 mile ride looping through the Ocala National Forest. The above photo of Bern & Michael was at the Moss Bluff Dam.

I should say that the days I am in the woods Bernice is riding the road - she does not like the woods for bicycling -- just camping.

THANKS to all who have donated so far to the Lance Armstrong Foundation. We are up to $600 ($100 - that was sent in by check is not shown on the tally board). That is 6% of the way to our goal of $10,000. I am encouraged and challenged to ask for more. If you have been touched by cancer or you just think it is a good cause .....Log in and make a donation. THANKS again.

November - cool weather and sunny skies

This week was similar to last week and hopefully like many to come. Two rides in the woods and two on the road. It has been much cooler (lows in the high 30's and high in the low 70's.



Today was a great day of hills as we rode the Horrible 100 in Clermont. Though it is called the Horrible 100 we did the 76 mile choice. My Dad is down and he was waiting so we chose the shorter option.


It was 40 degrees when we pulled into the Waterfront Park. There were over 700 preregistered and many signing up the day of the event. This was a very hilly ride many many hills. I am talking 30 x27 gearing being used.




The ride was very enjoyable because we were able to spend time with some friends from our ride the past summer from San Francisco to Salt Lake City -- Monica and Jenny. (shown above)

It was so good to see them and ride with them again. It was just like being on the road again. Thanks for the company ladies.

On the fund raising side of things we are now at $550 - that is only 5.5% of the way to our $10,000 goal- but it is progress. If you have been touched by Cancer in any way.... I would ask you to consider making a donation to the Lance Armstrong Foundation. Click the Link to the left and help us fight Cancer. Thanks

November Ramblings

This week was rather normal as far as riding goes. Two days in the woods about 1.5 hours each and then 53 miles on the road on Friday and 47 miles on Saturday.

Saturday's ride took us west of town and by some very pretty horse farms. As you can see by the photo to the left. We rode with a good friend and long time riding friend - Don. Always nice when there are several of us; it allows for more drafting.

Next weekend we are doing an organized ride in Lake County. It is called the Horrible Hundred;
though we will only be doing the 72 mile option.

We will riding with two friends we met on the ride we did this summer from San Francisco to Salt Lake City.

Some very good news is that the money is starting to come in we went from $200 to $425 this week which is still a long way from our goal of $10,000 but none the less double what we had.


To the left is a pic of Bernice and I with two good friends and supporters of our cause - Lil & Ruth. We happened to run into them as we were on our ride on Saturday.

On a side note, my Dad is coming to visit for 2 weeks for Thanksgiving. Yippee.....always fun to spend time with him.

As to the Fund raising.... you may click on the link on this site "Help the Miller's Fight Cancer" and make a donation online with a credit card (preferred) or you can send a check made payable to the Lance Armstrong Foundation. Be sure to put Participant ID: 150474715 in the memo so it will be counted towards our goal.

Mail them to: Lance Armstrong Foundation
P O Box 161150
Austin, TX 78716-1150

November happenings

Friday the wind was blowing
(15 -20 steady) and Bernice and I ventured off into the North end of the county - horse farms and rolling hills.
Headed into the wind to start... so the ride home was FAST.

I did enjoy the two rides in the woods earlier this week . I guess it is kind of like being a 12 year old catching air and sliding around the turns.


For those who think Florida is FLAT, look behind Bernice at the right. I am not sure if she is smiling because we are at the top or because she is getting a short break.

For those of you who want to make a donation to help fight Cancer click on the link to the right. It is easy, secure and tax deductible. If you would rather send a check mail it to me, payable to the Lance Armstrong Foundation with Participant ID: 150474715 in the memo. Either way let's get the donations coming.

Fall is here

This shot was taken yesterday in Blue Ridge, Georgia. I was up there with Bernice visiting some friends at their cabin. Nice & Cool and very pretty foliage.

As the seasons change so does my riding. This time of year I divide my time :

• 2 days in the woods (mountain biking)
• 2 days road riding
• 2 days lifting weights
• 1 day of rest

We are beginning the process of nailing down the logistics of our trip. We have our dog care and lawn mowing nailed down. Working on travel to Astoria and other details. There is a lot to be done when you will be away from home for 60 days.

The boys are really looking forward to being back on the road

Please visit our link: Help the Miller's fight cancer on the right and make a donation.

The Santa Fe Century went well. A century is a one hundred mile ride and we did an organized one yesterday.





Actually it was:

• 102.3 miles
• it took us 5 hours and 25 minutes
• we had an average speed of 18.5 mph.

And of course we got a tee shirt. I asked Derek to model it because he got his braces of this past week and has been smiling more ever since.

Derek, Michael and I did the ride as Bernice was heading to the mountains of North Georgia ( I will be heading there to join her there Wed afternoon. )

I have been asked by several what kind of bikes we will be riding on our trip next summer

Here is a picture of my bike. It has 30 gear selections, skinny tires (120 pounds of air), carbon fiber frame and fork, weighs right at 17.3 pounds.

Don't forget to go to the link on the right "help the Miller's fight cancer" and make a donation. We are trying to have all the money raised before the trip. It is a great cause, one we have all in some way been affected by, and tax deductible.

This week we logged 150 miles, including a 50 mile ride yesterday - escorting a "Five Points for Life" ride from Gainesville to Ocala thru the horse farms.

This coming week the week of the 16th I expect two days of riding - a 25 mile ride Monday before work then a Century (100 miles) on Saturday. The century is the Santa Fe Ramble and I will be riding with both boys which should be fun.

The middle part of the week I will be in Chicago on business


The picture (above right) is from last fall. Bernice and I did a trip around the central part of Maine.

It is nice riding in Florida now that the weather has changed; why we even needed vests a couple of mornings.
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on a side note we had the first $100 donated this week .... be sure to click on the link on the right and make a donation.... we are 1% of the way there.

Miller Family Cross Country Adventure

3637 Miles in 50 days

A little background as to why we want to raise money for cancer research:

My mother died from cancer when I was 14. A couple years later I was blessed to have a step-mother unfortunately 27 years later she died of cancer - in 2001.

I have two sisters who have both had cancer, one of which is still fighting her battle with the disease.

My family and I have dreamed of this ride for many years and the time is drawing near to embark on our journey. We decided to ride with purpose of raising money to assist in eliminating cancer.

If you are able I would ask you to join us in this fight. Dig deep and let's do our part to fight this disease.

Simply click on the link and make a tax deductible donation to the Lance Armstrong Foundation.

Thanks for your support.