Rationalizing the irrational

I enjoy riding my bike. Up until 2005, I didn't really think about bike riding. Getting a job at a bike shop helped increase my interest in biking. Living one mile from an outdoor center that holds weekly races, has loads of sweet singletrack, and even a bike camp for kids increased my interest even more.

Then, I learned that I live smack dab in the middle of a mountain bike paradise. I still haven't ridden all the "local" trails, and I would rather ride than do most other things. I guess my point with all this is that biking has become a huge part of my life, and I really enjoy the experiences I have had, the people I have met, and the opportunities that await me because I ride my bike.

From racing at the foot of Mount Washington for 24 hours

To seemingly endless climbs out West, that lead to even longer downhills,

Biking makes me happy.

So I guess it isn't too crazy that I want to attempt the Colorado Trail race next summer. I have read numerous blogs, articles, and even talked to people who did it this year. All of this has helped me realize that I have no idea what I am getting myself into. 500 miles? HIGH altitude? 60,000 feet of climbing? What the hell am I thinking? I know that I am going to have to train, train some more, train a little bit more, and then train a lot more, but I think I can do it. I believe that I am going to have fun, and have an unforgettable experience.

But........I feel a bit selfish. So, I think that my ride should have some positive effect that transcends testing my self, because I may fail. Okay, it is a strong possibility that I will fail, but hey, at least I will have tried.

SO, the positive affect I am going for is sending kids to bike camp. For the past few summers I have worked at Catamount Outdoor Center as a camp counselor. Catamount Mountain Bike Academy (MBA) was started in the 90s by Eric Bowker. If you have ever met him, you know that he is a great guy, and that you will never forget his laugh for as long as you live. He has taught more kids how to mountain bike than Justin Bieber had fans, and he remembers a surprising majority of them. He makes sure that every camper gets to enjoy the nature preserve that his family has created at Catamount, a non profit organization with the mission "to promote family and community well being through activity and education in a natural environment"

So I want to help raise money to send less fortunate kids to camp. I set up a fundraising page, and have a goal of $1,000, which would send about ten kids to camp, and hopefully change their outlook on life, but at very least give them the opportunity to fall in love with the bike.

If you could, please check out my fundraising page, and help me send kids to camp!!!