The definition of insanity is doing the same things over and over and expecting different results. ~ Albert Einstein

Folks tend to question one’s sanity when one attempts this ride once much less three times. Even folks with an adventurous spirit tend to seek out new thrills, but I tend to repeat what I view as successful and worthy of improvement. You learn a lot about doing something of this scale by doing it multiple times.

I also like how Tracy and crew handle the ride. Tracy’s goal is our experience and getting usual safely from LA to Boston. Her aim is to make this a lifelong epic experience, that it is her career is secondary. I consider these folksy friends and we all have  a common love of cycling.

Lastly each ride is different, the people, the weather, the issues one contends with along the way. Nothing is cookie cutter and you get the unique experience of reliving great memories from the prior rides.

In a parallel universe, most of my training is done in Forest Park and I tend to take the same route over and over again, literally thousand and thousands of iterations. I have a 5.59 mile loop that I ride. Some folks have questioned why I don’t ride to other places or stick my bike in my car and go somewhere to train. I admit that I do this on occasion but I don’t think there is a better place in St. Louis to train that the park.

It is one of the most, if not the most beautiful spot in the city and county. It has both running AND cycling paths. It is many degrees safer than constantly competing with traffic. I can ride there from my house. It is a challenging course with some good climbs and places to do intervals so I choose. I seldom have to dismount or stop on the route that I have mapped out. I get to see a few friends who train there. A shout out to Melanie who is the daughter of my childhood friend Mark and is a running machine and occasional cycling partner. The parks beauty and athletes in motion are a source of inspiration. Lastly since it is pretty much a wobbly rectangle, I have many wind profiles to deal with on a single lap.

So one year ago just as the 2o15 ride was arriving in Boston, I signed up for my third try.  I followed the blogs of some of the other riders and was somewhat in training for the next year.

As in year’s pat, I am riding for The Wounded Warrior Project. A few folks that I met along prefer to give their money to other institutions that help our Veterans. That’s fine with me. If you enjoy my blog, I’d ask that you just send a little extra their way than you would normally. Otherwise the WWP link from two years ago is still open.

Many thanks for following !

Tailwinds

Chuck