Mar 23 - more on extreme sports

I got to thinking after I published that last blog that I'm still not sure about the extreme sport thing. I got a handle on my definition -- adrenaline. I think of extreme sports as risky, taking-your-life-in-your-hands, a huge adrenaline rush -- hang gliding, multiple somersaults with skis or snowboards, that sort of thing. Riding 250 miles in a day is not about adrenaline. It's about grit and determination, perseverance (ok, and a little stupidity).

When I told people that I was going to ride around the country, or around Lake Superior, the reaction was wow, sounds great, good luck -- a combination of curiosity and a little amazement that they know someone who is going to do such a thing -- never a reaction that it cannot be done.

That's in start contrast to the reaction from one fellow who came up to us as we were loading our bikes after the ride Saturday -- "you guys on some bike marathon or something" -- "well, not quite, just a very long ride, starting at 4am this morning going 250 miles" -- and what was his reaction ??? -- "250 miles, no, that's impossible" and he walked away.

When I told people that I was going to ride my bike across the country no one questioned why -- well, some did, but not an "are you stupid" type of why. When you tell people that you're riding 100 miles they are amazed. When you tell them that you're riding 250 miles the reaction is more "why would anyone do such a thing ?".

It is somewhat addicting. While riding, I think "why am I doing this to myself" ... but as soon as I'm back off the bike, I'm thinking about the next ride, not in an "I need a fix" kind of way, but in a planning kind of way. There's no "high" involved, no adrenaline rush, I'm not going to win any races,

I asked Sandy a couple of days ago if my biking bothered her. She said no, but it did seem as if our lives revolved around my biking schedule. I said, well, if there was something that we wanted to do, I would adapt the biking schedule to that. On the other hand, as I said, if I was not biking I couldn't just sit around this place for a couple of months without doing anything -- we'd have to be taking driving trips around the state, whatever, but I cannot sit still for very long.

I'll still be biking up north, but the off days will have more project work. I've got a basement ceiling to do and undoubtedly some other things. Life is busy there once summer begins with friends around. Living takes more time -- cutting and moving wood, grocery shopping, you name it.

Ah well, more later ...

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It's morning again and I'm late getting to this. We got rain and more rain yesterday but it cleared up mid afternoon. I got my hair cut, kind of a chop job ... but it will grow out. Sandy went looking for Teva's again, but didn't find anything. She also went out for a facial. I fussed with Arlene's PC some more, installing a free DVD writer that I found on the internet and tested that ... it worked. I'm about to pack it up and mail it back, clearing up some of the mess here in the den, or at least removing any further excuse for a mess.

Ah -- I was trying to think of where the day went -- I finished my taxes and did the e-file thing. That's the first time that I've done that. Within 2-3 hours I got an email back that the IRS had accepted my return and my refund was being processed. Yes, I admit it, I over payed my quarterly installments, some capital losses later in the year that I was "able" to claim ... hmmm.

We had a stir-fry for dinner, that's right, no fish. It was some leftover steak from a while ago that we'd saved for just such an occasion. We used to have stir-fries all the time, quite simple things with cut veggies, some cubed meat and a little sauce. It's probably a better way to have steak because then I don't tend to eat a pound of steak and regret it later.

Today -- I'm going for a bike ride. Sandy has an appointment at 10:40 ... the weather is *windy* in the forecast, and sunny. I'll be able to ride my sports car instead of the hummer for a change. I'm planning on riding the 123 mile Permanent from New Smyrna to Maitland and back on Thursday ... I'll decide later which bike I'll take on that. Perhaps it's time for a long ride on the lighter bike. Will my butt handle the firmer saddle for that length of time ? Actually, that ride hits a 12+ mile section of very rough pavement twice, so perhaps it's not the greatest for the narrower, harder riding tires.

Tomorrow we'll go for a boat ride. Abby has had a boring few days with no long walks, no beaches, no boating -- but once Sheryl arrives, then the rest of the gang, she'll get her exercise just from being excited.

That's it for now ...