Looking back at 2015
Mon, December 28, 2015 
Enjoying a "Cold One" at Empire Bikes in Chino Hills, during the West Coast Tour. (Oct. 2015.)
As another year draws to a close I find myself looking back at quite a few achievements this year. The Bike Blog reached ten years just last month, and the Bike Registry reached five years.
The success of the Blog and the Bike Registry and people’s interest in my past work, inspired me to get out and actually meet the people who had shown this interest.
I went on a three week West Coast Tour in October 2015, and traveled from Portland, Oregon, to the Bay Area, San Luis Obispo, and made several stops in the Los Angeles area.
I had chosen the West Coast because that is where the largest concentration of owners of my bikes are. It was a wonderful experience, one that my wife Kathy and I will not forget.
As I met with, and spoke to people along the way, I couldn’t help but wonder, was I there because of them, or were they there because of me? Some were old friends I had not seen for many years, many I had never met face to face before, but somehow felt I already knew them.
The West Coast Tour was definitely the highlight of the year, but not the only event. I won two prizes in the Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest. It was a big deal for me, some recognition for other creative work, other than bikes, that is.
This was the year I finally got a handle on my weight. Actually this was something that Kathy and I did together, which made it easier, because it involved changing our eating habits. We had always ate a healthy diet, and were riding 100 to 150 miles a week, but we could not shake off the extra weight we were both carrying around our mid-section.
We started at the beginning of June, my target was my racing weight of 154 lbs. which I achieved after two months. Actually, after reaching that weight, I lost another 4 lbs. and I have maintained 150 lbs. ever since. Even through the West Coast Tour, the Holidays, and the winter months when we are not riding as much. I went from 168 to 150 lbs. Kathy went from 144 to 130 lbs.
Above: Fast Eddie and Fat Dave. (November 2014.)
2015 was the year Fast Eddie got his bike back. It had been stolen right after Christmas last year, and it was found in May this year. Due mainly to some honest people, my Bike Registry and the Internet.
Looking back over the stuff I posted in 2015 I feel these are worth a re-read:
The Story of a Thousand Crowns.
I would like to take this opportunity to reach out to my many friends. Those I met on the West Coast Tour, especially those who opened their homes to Kathy and me, and made us feel so welcome. Thank you again.
To people like Mitch Pullen who started a Dave Moulton Bikes Facebook page, and to the membership there that is creeping up towards 300, this goes out to you too.
To all those who follow here, some from faraway places. I wish all of you, health and prosperity in the coming New Year. Most of all I wish you Peace and Happiness.
Reader Comments (7)
Thanks Dave, its been a blast let's keep it going in 2016 !
Hi Dave. IF you are thinking of going to Eroica California April 2016 You can save by registering by 12/31 $150.00 then it goes up after that. I know Wesley would love to have you and would probably set up a table for you at the swap meet show etc. You can read the rules re the bikes etc on the web site. I will riding my 1962 Legnano
Looking back to 2015 i remember most unique memory of cycling holidays in Spain. With my group i enjoyed lot riding cycle. Similarly i am planning in 2016.
Peace, happiness and safe cycling to you and your family in 2016 Dave.
If you decide to come to the Midwest be sure to bring your FUSO canoe!
http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/flood-closes--mile-section-of-interstate/article_786b0086-fc40-5f7a-9227-f2b5107bdeb5.html
Congratulations on those 10 years and may there be many more.
Best wishes to you and all the community for 2016.
Thank God for people like you and Maynard, our link to the past. More good things and good health this new year.
Great! You are doing very good things who serve in the name of good! Because the Bike is the thing that creates an alternative to industry and pollution! Need something to take with you - put on a backpack, got on his Bicycle and went where acceptable and what is not depends)