Bicycle touring in my retirement years, but not as much as during my great vacations while at work.

For a few years, I've had some arthritis in just one ancle. It bothers me some while walking, but not while bicycling. Bicycling is still my means of transportation and it still feels good. These days, there are more wildfires effecting areas I used to do long tours in.

Another situation, in my retirement years, is prostate cancer. I have a mild case of that which is treatable. It's serious enough so treatment is recommended, but still only in one area. I'm getting radiation treatment. A 28 weekday schedule of treatments from late July to the end of August.

There was a time when mid to late summer was prime bike touring season for me. Not anymore. Smokey late summer is when my treatments are happening this year.

Typical smoke pattern with Western Washington sometimes under morning clouds while much of the rest of the country seems to be burning.

This map was before the big Spokane fires. Today, because of that and other fires in places like Okanogan plus British Columbia, the smoke and fires are even worse. I'm okay riding through some smoke, but crossing Eastern Washington is another story.

Mid to late summer travel isn't that appealing. Climate change and the increasing amount of traffic on highways creates a new normal. Yes, bike paths are improving, but many rural areas don't have them. Cities, like Bellingham and Seattle area become more appealing by comparison.

Back when I was working, I cherished my long vacations and leaves absence for bike tours. My custodial job, at YMCA, was low stress and nice people to work with. Still, it was a bit monotonous. I'm glad I did a lot of that bike travel during my working years. I still plan to do some, depending on circumstances and the weather.

So far, the treatments are going well and the cancer is curable.

There are so many fun and social things to do in Bellingham that being on the road is less appealing. I'd miss something for sure. We can't clone ourselves.

I live within one and a half miles of Peace Health Saint Joe's Hospital campus where I get the treatments. I usually ride through Cornwall Park.

Biking to the clinic. Each day's treatment just takes a few minutes.

Part of a nice stainglass art piece at the clinic.

See some of my photo memories from bike touring as well as local rides