Do Epic Sh*t

Today is my last day in Colorado. Last night I said good-bye to many of my Salida friends with a glass of cheer. Tomorrow morning I will start the long drive south to my special place in the desert. The past four weeks here have been wonderful. Time spent cycling, sleeping under the stars, visiting with dear friends; living the mountain life. The time has also afforded me the opportunity to consider my plans for next summer. In so doing, I’m being forced to consider what I need in life, what I want and where to find it. I’m torn, I’m struggling to make decisions.

The next few months will be spent in Texas. As for next summer, I’ve come up with three scenarios. First, while life in Toronto has lots to offer,(great friends and a great job) I’m done with living in the city, any city. It just doesn’t provide me what I need as far as view, proximity to nature and amazing places to ride. The alternative is a small town in the mountains; 5-50,000 people in British Columbia or Alberta, Canada. I’ve been offered work in Vancouver, BC, but that’s still just another city, even if you can see the mountains from down-town.

Second scenario is a return to Salida, Colorado.  This would be my ideal option. I have been welcomed into this remarkable community and that’s a great feeling. The riding here is incredible of course. However, extended time in the States brings with it certain complications; notably, employment and health care.

Third option is one I’ve really been thinking about over the past six-eight weeks. I am considering riding 23,000kms/15,000miles across Canada from the Pacific Ocean to the Arctic Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean. I would follow the Trans Canada Trail for the whole thing while riding solo and un-supported during the year of Canada’s 150th birthday. The plan would have me doing a bunch of fund-raising for the Canadian Mental Health Association while securing in-kind sponsors. Riding for six months would mean roughly 125kms a day, every day, for 180 days. It would mean tons of planning, marketing, fundraising and logistical work between now and then. The riding would not be leisurely. There will be obligations and expectations as I promote the hell out of the idea that cycling is the best therapy for most mental health afflictions. I think it’s a great plan and feel I am uniquely poised to make this a huge success. I just don’t know if I actually want to do it. I don’t know if the daily pressure of mileage and event promotion are things I want to deal with. I mean, I want to enjoy my riding. My foot is also a big consideration. Can I guarantee now that I will be fine to ride for six months next summer? If I start this event, I need to finish it, no stopping two months in because my foot has fallen off. Since there is tons of work that needs to happen before I can even start riding, I need to make that determination now. Can I? I’m not sure.

I guess there is a fourth option. Stay in Texas. But really, staying long-term in the States will require a work permit/Green Card of some sort and that’s not forth-coming.

There is further evidence of links between the two brains in our response to stress. order viagra online As per the studies and as per the studies conducted, it is told that these side effects do not last for a longer period of time they are just temporary in your life which go by the course of time. viagra in australia In case of cialis discount online a prolonged erection, sexual stimulation is still required. These healing soft cialis methods work with conventional medicine. So I sit here wondering what to do while acknowledging that having these options is a wonderful problem to have. The exercise, however, is forcing me to consider even bigger issues; travelling/migratory lifestyle vs really making roots; love, community and family versus adventure, movement and novelty. I think about constantly stopping and starting versus standing and growing, making connections then breaking them. I wonder how to enjoy the best of both worlds. Sigh.

Maybe I should just follow the advice inscribed on the gift I received from Reilly last night, hand-delivered by the artist himself, Brink: Do Epic Shit.

Or, I could just go ride my bike..