I remember sitting in front the the television last year, mouth agape, watching the Isle Of Man TT race last year.
In this time trial race, dauntless contestants with blood for ice and nerves of steel race along a 37 mile course, reaching speeds of up to 200 miles per hour. In the 108 years that this event has been held there have been a total of 237 deaths. Winding through towns, hamlets, and open road, the unforgiving course allows for no mistakes. Those who hesitate will quickly find themselves sliding on the pavement (or much, much worse).
Death-defying. Awe-inspiring. Audacious. These adjectives are trifles and do not do the Isle Of Man racers justice. Here’s hoping that you have a few minutes to watch this video for a sample of what the Isle Of Man TT is all about (please refresh your page if video doesn’t pop):
I climbed nearly every single day. My training ground of choice was Mt. Woodson in Poway, CA. Several times each year several friends and I would camp out in Joshua Tree for days at a time to climb. And I actually got pretty good at it. Not great, but good enough to lead 5.11 climbs on the sharp end of the rope, and even bagged a few 5.12 routes.
I did have a few accidents, but nothing major. Broke a finger, lost a finger nail, and twisted my knee pretty good peeling off a solo route while bouldering out at Red Rocks. Luckily I never got too crazy, unlike Alex Honnold here and his solo climb of Half Dome in Yosemite.
Even I got a bit nervous watching him tackle this.
I understand the need to excel, but at what point is enough enough?
It’s been a few years since I’ve climbed. I’m thinking that it might be time to break out my shoes and chalk bag and hit up Mt. Woodson or the Santee boulders. It’d be neat to introduce Tyler to climbing someday…
Ever since reading Bill Bryson’s book A Walk In The Woods I’ve been dreaming of taking a few months off from work and hiking the Appalachian Trail. But with the work environment as it currently is, I don’t think it’d be very smart to quit my job. But a man still can dream, can’t he?
I managed to get home an hour early last night, and while dinner was cooking I thought I’d waste a few minutes and scan the web for interesting hiking info when I stumbled upon this fellow Condor who hiked the entirety of the Pacific Crest Trail:
Bonus points if you spotted the butterfly.
Hmm…living on the west coast, the Pacific Crest Trail is much closer to me (practically right outside my front door), and I might be able to hike it in weekly stages. Hmmm….
Great, I feel another obsession creeping up on me (I’m great at collecting these). Excuse me while I hunt down a few maps…
I glued…GLUED!…to this clip. I couldn’t wait to see how it ended, and I was not disappointed.
Apparently, the goal of this race is to go as slow as possible, baiting your opponent to ride ahead of you so you can surprise him with a quick burst of speed at the end.
This clip is nothing short of fascinating:
I know this is a slightly longer clip than I tend to post, but it’s well worth the view.
My San Diego Chargers won their opening game against the Vikings this past Sunday, and nobody could be more excited about that game than me…
…well, let me take that statement back. It seems as if this guy is a bit more excited.
After watcing the Viking’s Percy Harvin return the initial kickoff for 103 yards, this football fanatic was unable to contain himself.
One football fan is just a bit too excited about the start of the season...
I mean, I feel for the guy. After several beers, a Red Bull, two shots of Bulgarian Rakia and 20oz of Gatorade I too feel the call of nature. But at least I have the good grace to seek out a restroom and not let loose in my seat. On national TV.
