Dateline: 2023. Today is New Year's Eve 2023. I'm keen 2023 is drawing nigh. The year started nicely with a (cold!) 70-mile bike ride in the wine country south of Portland, Oregon. Fortunately, I dressed properly for it. Drove with Norm, 6 hours each way. He picked me up and drove each way, I kept offering to help drive but he declined. We drove over a pass on the way, through a slushy blizzard. Glad we had his fancy SUV with all wheel drive. Halfway point, 30 degrees F -- At the start, 27 degrees F -- I rode the 70 miles mostly solo. Took my slow bike as knew I would. The others rode 125 miles that day, gak. I used to rub out those big miles with nary a care, but no more. I waited for Norm in a Mod Pizza a few hours, glad they had Wi-Fi & unlimited iced tea as I chugged a gallon I reckon. Stayed in this crappy motel he booked the night, separate rooms at least. And his heater didn't work. Overnight temps in the teens, he had a bad night. Stop me when this gets too ex