Castle Shima

Know how sublime a thing it is - To suffer and be strong.
-- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

::: Tower View :::
Pain And Suffering
This past weekend was the big event of the year; the MS Bike ride. With over 2,300 cyclists participating, its the main event that Team Blue trains for. Its what we hurt ourselves over for and struggle to complete.

And in the end, the accomplishment outweighs the pain.

Then you end up with silly little stories like this one. Apologies must go out to Peter King, the NFL writer for Sports Illustrated, for "borrowing" the title.

The 10 Things I Think I Know -- 2008 MS Bike Ride Edition
1. The predominant cycling announcer, Phil Liggett, has always said that "Cycling is all about the suffering." This probably explains this year's most said comment: "My ass hurts!"

2. The most used high tech device used this year: the plastic freezer bag.

3. This is because its now a requirement that the last 15 miles must be ridden during a huge rain storm of biblical proportions.

4. One rider earned the name "Captain Nemo" for having to take their recumbant bike thru all the flooded streets. It was so bad that there was actually water inside the frame and it had to be drained.

5. If you ever want to have fun, when a cyclist comes into the finish area after riding thru a torrential downpour, ask him if they would like a bottle of water.

6. If you ever need to get your heart rate up, try almost dropping your wallet through an open hole while going over a bridge.

7. I can do without seeing yet another PB&J sandwich until next season.

8. The snowcone flavours were actually kind of bad this year. Root Beer?!

9. The Powerade was an excellent idea for Day One. Too bad we drank it all so there was none left for Day Two.

10. The pain and suffering we go thru for this is nothing when compared to the folks who have to deal with their MS throughout their life. Its no wonder cyclists want to keep going despite crashing across a metal grate bridge.

Cheers, mates.

Time to get ready for next season.
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I'm not giving into security under pressure
I'm not missing out on the promise of adventure
I'm not giving up on implausible dreams
Experience to extremes
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