Biked, hiked, yikes...

Well, I signed up for the benefit ride out by Dekalb, IL, to raise funds for multiple sclerosis research and committed to ride the 100 mile first day "century". Two aspects of this adventure amazed me:

People's generosity. I sent a few emails, spoke to some people about it, and asked to have a notice put in the church bulletin. So far, my total is over $2,800. I would have never guessed that it would have reached that amount, and I'm humbled by that.

Also, I not only made the first day's 100 mile ride (104 miles, actually), but I rode the entire "75" the second day (82, actually)! And, while I didn't get on the bike again until a couple of days later, I was not really all that worse for the wear. We had a great time with our small team, led by WXRT DJ Jason Thomas (who finished the 100 mile ride on Saturday in record time). He promises to do it again next year, and have a bigger team (with jerseys, maybe??).

Not being willing to not be sore, I went hiking with my brother the next weekend (this past one). We strapped on our new 40 pound packs and hiked every trail they had at Mississippi Palisades State Park in Savannah, IL. NOW I'm sore... There are some pretty significant inclines there, with the big bluffs and all, and of course declines to go with it. We didn't end up staying in one of the "primitive" campsites, but it's not like we hung around our campsite all that much anyway. Check out the photos at http://tinyurl.com/69y585.

Tonight was one of those "Golden fifth Tuesdays". No Scout stuff, for once in a while. Except that I spent awhile on the phone figuring out how to find a new place for the troop to camp this weekend and how to find enough adults to drive them. Oh, well. This is the third campout in quick succession, as it turns out, and our regular adult attendees have stuff backed up at home. I guess. Between that and trying to transfer some videos from DV tape to DVD I've used up most of my evening.

Caryl will be award the Silver Beaver award this Friday. She was greatly surprised when she was told about this in front of the troop meeting a few weeks ago. The Council annual dinner is where it's presented, which is why I can't go to the campout (at least not until Saturday). I call this award the coolest thing with the dumbest name... It's not given to just anyone, of course (there were only two women in the entire council that got it this year).

Does it seem like we do nothing but Scouting? Hmm...

Backpacking for practice, biking for training

Last weekend my brother Roger and I went to Rock Cut State Park near Utica, IL, and hiked every canyon there. I packed my 5200 CI internal frame pack to the gills, and had it on my back all day, both days. We cooked backpacking meals, stayed in a cramped little tent at the campground and in general tried to pretend we were really in the back country. I definitely learned some things about how I can be better prepared, and what additional gear I'm probably going to need (like new boots...).

The waterfalls were ALL active, it being the Spring and rain just having happened, which is pretty rare there. Got pictures of them, posted on my Picasa account.

I'm still mulling over what ride(s) to do this summer. I have a chance to do a benefit for the L&L society (cancer research), but would need to commit to a $2300 fundraising minimum. The ride is the Apple Cider Century, which is one of the most popular and highly recommended ones. I will need to decide soon.

In the meantime, I rode to work today, it was pretty nice going in (a bit chilly for my shorts, but ok). Then, the snowstorm hit. Really. None of it ended up sticking, but it was like a blizzard out there for a little while. By the time I went home I had multiple offers for rides, and it was 39 degrees and falling, and raining. It wasn't that bad of a ride, though. I just wish I had leg warmers (next on the list starting now). I had numb kneecaps when I got home.

TTFN...

In the Beginning

Up to now, I've resisted creating my own blog, perhaps due to my pretending to be more humble than I really am. Or, perhaps because I just never got around to it. I suppose that it's time, though, and these things are pretty easy to do now days.

I hope to make a regular habit of posting some things that would be of interest to those that know me, and almost certainly of no interest whatsoever to those who don't.

That said, here goes. Good night, and good luck.

Alan