No, I didn’t spell that wrong in the title, that’s how he spells his name. His name happens to be Wonderous Mountain. He found me through a website called warmshowers and e-mailed me to see if he could crash at my place. The reason I signed up with warmshowers in the first place was because I plan on riding across the country in two years. I want to do it as cheaply as possible experiencing America, not just riding 4,250 miles. I would love to camp in your backyard or even on the floor of your basement if you are near my path. Meeting people is definitely going to be a highlight of this trip for my son and I. I figured I should also be open to house cyclists at my house if they need a place. Good Karma right?

I told Wonderous I would ride on HWY 50 and meet him and we could ride to my place together. That way I would have time to talk with him and make sure he wasn’t a serial killer or anything like that. He was definitely eccentric, but far from a serial killer, so I kept riding with him to Emporia. I figured if I had to, I could lose a touring cyclist with a fully packed bicycle weighing near 100 pounds, no problem. But that’s not quite what I found when I finally saw Wonderous Mountain coming towards me.

The first things that caught my eye where: Lots of curly red hair and a beard growing wild. A full suspension, Next bicycle from Wal-Mart that weighs almost as much as a fully loaded touring bike by itself. A hand built, wood rack bolted to the frame. No cycling clothing or gear. A chain with no lube. No camping gear. Sandals. No helmet. Gym shorts and a wind breaker. A shower curtain rod? And finally Wonderous Mountain himself with a big smile and in need of a shower.

We got to talking as I barraged him with question after question. Seems like he decided to ride across the country from Missouri to California to meet up with some other “free thinkers” at an outdoor training school. That was about as much planning as I could see. I have two years to plan my TransAm trip and am worried about all the stuff I should take. This 24 year old guy just got on a bike and started riding.

He seemed OK, yes a little different from us, but a pacifist, tree hugging sort of guy, and I felt OK about taking him home with me. He looked like he needed to eat.

A few things I found out about him:
He has a congenital heart condition and rides only around 35 miles per day. He had to take a break on the way to my house. He doesn’t have a job and a regular job doesn’t suit him much anyway. He is smart and know lots of things. He is a vegetarian and likes to eat salad dressing in his oatmeal. He wants to create a solar powered bike to help him up the hills. As a matter of fact he was carrying some of the parts in his bag.

Yes, that’s a soldering gun and a ceiling fan motor he’s carrying with him. That’s pretty heavy gear that won’t help him ride any faster, that’s for sure. He doesn’t have any real “set in stone” kind of life plans at all. He hopes to continue his journey ans someday get to Africa. I am not sure for what, but that doesn’t concern him any. What I had on my hands was a modern day hippie. He ended up being a very eccentric kid on an adventure. I planned on taking him to the bike shop to get that rear break fixed and at least the chain lubed before he left, but first a shower, wash the clothes and get some food.

It happened to be July 4th and we had a party to go to that we didn’t want to miss. Jen called our friend to make sure it was OK to bring Wonderous Mountain to the party. “I guess so,” was the tentative answer on the other line. We showed up with our guest and I do believe everyone was a bit surprised, amused or just downright uncomfortable with him. It was a little weird. He is a skinny guy, but I am not sure if he ever stopped eating at the party. I thought it was good for everyone to meet an interesting, free spirit like Wonderous once in their lives. But enough is enough and we did leave the party a bit early and ended up shooting some fireworks with him at our house. It was fun and he had a good time.

All in all it was uncomfortable having someone in our house that we didn’t know and that was, to be completely honest, a little weird. As I rode home with him that first day I kept hearing those words, “the least of mine,” and knew I should take him in. I felt I needed to give Wonderous Mountain food, shelter, and a break from the road at the very least. I needed to trust my gut and get out of my comfort zone to be able to do that. He was a nice kid and to be honest, I am a bit worried about him making it to his destination. His rear hub was not in good shape, the bike is not touring worthy and his physical condition is not that great. I wish him luck. I do believe by taking him in and getting to know this interesting character, it did enrich my life just a bit.

He slept over on the 4th and I had to go to work on the 6th, so I took him and his bike to High Gear to fix the brake and lube the chain. I got him a couple of thin rain pochos from Wal-Mart, gave him some extra food and sent him on his way. It was raining, but I had to get him on his journey. I couldn’t let him sleep another night and leave him there with my wife while I went to work, so I helped him pack up and bid him farewell. He waved goodbye as he rode off in the rain (without any rain gear BTW).

After he left, I realized how tired I was. I guess I was a little on edge the whole time. I crashed on the couch and deep inside hoped he’d be OK.

Feed Your Monkey!
Eric

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Sorry to sound repetitive, but I just can’t stomach the corporate environment. I am tired of corporate goals, initiatives, mission statements and visions that mean absolutely nothing. I am having trouble holding it together and coming to work this week.

If you know me, you may be eye rolling me because of what I just wrote. I have a job that pays well and has great benefits. All I have to do is show up and make the corporate propaganda look good. Pretty easy and with relatively low stress. So what is my problem?

I can’t point to one thing or even really explain what the deal is. I have been like this since I can remember. It was easier to take the BS in school because I was learning, doing the busywork and dealing with the educational BS in order to graduate and land a great job (like my current one right?). Now I am no longer learning, I am just making money doing the same old thing in a cubicle everyday, having no effect on the world around me. Living in the corporate world most of my waking hours leads to this feeling I have in the pit of my stomach. You ever have that? It resembles the feeling of stress, but different.

What I know for sure is that another job is not the answer, but rather just another set of corporate goals, initiatives, mission statements and visions to deal with. So what to do…

…well today I am venting to you to deal with it. Is that going to make it better? Well, it feels a bit better, but I am still here in this cubicle hating my job. It is time for action.

My loyal readers (all 41 of you) know that I started this blog out of the desperation I feel working in the corporate world. I dealt with it by getting on my bike, riding into the hills and Adventure Monkey was born.

Adventure Monkey gives me hope. Adventure Monkey has the potential to not only free me from the confines of a cubicle, but also to go global freeing people everywhere ( I hear The Matrix soundtrack in the background). Adventure Monkey has the power to get people to turn off the TV, get off their couch and go make a difference in this world.

Yes, Adventure Monkey is about Feeding Your Monkey – getting your adventure on by climbing mountains, riding bikes, jumping out of airplanes, surfing the big one, whatever – but it is also about taking risks in life. That may be as simple as losing some convenience in order to recycle or it could be selling it all to go somewhere to make a difference in people’s lives, including your own.

I have some plans in the hopper, do you?

Feed Your Monkey!

Eric

BTW, I am riding 100 miles to Nowhere to raise money in the fight against cancer. Please go HERE to read the details and give what you can. Thanks!

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I had been emailed by a woman about a great story I hope to have in the next issue of the Adventure Monkey magazine. She wrote about riding on the road she lived on called Diamond Creek Road. Sounds like an adventure to me, so I included it in my route. It looked to be around 80 miles total. Perfect, I needed to start doing longer rides in preparation for the Dirty Kanza.

I had adjusted the Woodchippers at home and within 8 miles into the ride I had readjusted the bar another four times trying to get it right. That added quite a bit of time and frustration to the ride so far, not to mention the wind trying to make me forget about riding and go home.

I made it to Americus, adjusted the bars for the final time and continued pedaling. I had my doubts at this point if I would finish my intended route. I had ridden in stronger winds before, but being on boring pavement in dreary cold weather added to the misery. So far, I wouldn’t say that I was enjoying myself too much.

I finally made it to Bushong, turned in to take a look and take a quick rest stop. I am not sure why this little town exists. There is nothing there except some rundown buildings and a few houses. I want to go back for some pictures of the gritty brokeness there. Here’s a few shots of the Fargo and an old bank.

I rode around the dreary town before getting back on the highway to face the headwind again.

After turning onto HWY 56 and heading West towards Council Grove, I was hoping for a reprieve from the wind, but to no avail. The wind wasn’t completely a North wind, but was coming in from a Northwesterly angle. That meant I had a strong crosswind that wanted to blow me into traffic along with a slight headwind. It didn’t make for easy pedaling. This would all be easier to handle on a scenic gravel road, but on the boring pavement, it was becoming quite a chore.

I made it to Council Grove and stopped for another potty break. I bought a Snickers because they are delicious and refilled my water. I had two liters of nuun enhanced water left along with two water bottles with plain water. It wasn’t hot out, so I figured I’d be fine.

I had mapped the route out and knew I would have to pedal West out of Council Grove to find Road 2200. I didn’t write down or recall how far that was, but Road 2200 would lead me to Diamond Creek Road. Having a mileage goal helps me keep going to reach that next mark. Being unsure about how far I have to go makes it worse for me when the going gets tough.

HWY 56 has pleasant rolling hills just West of Council Grove, but I would be lying if I said I thought they were pleasant last Sunday. I couldn’t find that zen, that perfect feeling of cycling joy. It had been more like work up to that point. Then I started feeling really negative.

I was out in the middle of nowhere some forty miles away from home spending time away from the family. Melissa had softball practice later that afternoon and I was feeling so slow, I didn’t know if I would be home in time to take her. I figured Jen would be mad at me for being gone so long too. I started doubting my run at the Dirty Kanza and wondering what I was doing on my bike in the wind anyway. Feelings of self doubt and loathing where beginning to overtake me. I was in a dark place. It was the opposite place the bike usually takes me. Cycling is very much as mental as it is physical.

I looked ahead and saw nothing but hills and I heard nothing but the wind screaming past my ears. I just looked down at the road and kept pedaling. I suddenly felt very alone. At that moment it no longer made sense to keep training for the Dirty Kanza. Giving up was making more sense. But how many times have I given up in the past? Too many to count. “Life is short, keep pedaling dammit!” I needed to get home for Melissa’s practice. I asked God himself for help out there. I think that’s why the wind kept blowing. If I made it through this dark place, I could make it through other dark places too.

Road 2100 passed by. I was close now. Finally I saw a sign ahead for Marion, Kansas and then there it was – Road 2200. I turned left and finally got off the highway. I was so relieved to have made it and to finally have the wind at my back. Without the wind blowing my face off, I warmed up. I stopped and stripped down to bare white legs and a breathable long sleeve jersey. I stuffed my bag full of clothes, bungeed my jacket to the top and got on the bike ready to start pedaling hard with the wind. That’s when it happened – pure cycling joy.

I was moving at 22-25 mph with the wind. Diamond Creek Road is one of the most curvaceous, scenic roads I have been on in this area. I was moving fast, getting off the seat to maneuver over the low maintenance section of road with ruts and exposed limestone chunks. The road meandered to and fro, up and down, through scenic old farms and rolling prairie land. I looked up and saw dark colored cows dotting the hilly landscape below a fair-weather blue sky painted with puffy clouds. It was a Kansas photographer’s paradise, but I let you down. I had shifted from photographer to cyclist at that moment, maneuvering on the gravel road maintaining control on the curves, getting out of my seat to pedal hard up the hills and hopping over bumps and jumps. Diamond Creek Road became the ride of my life. I had left that self doubting, whiny boy far behind on Highway 56. I had a softball practice to make. I set my mind on that and pedaled hard.

Leaving the camera in the bag was a first for me especially with such beautiful scenery, but I was on a mission. I definitely will go back to Diamond Creek Road for a leisurely picture taking ride this Summer. It is a great road and this ride will most likely never be forgotten.

Before Diamond Creek Road, my average speed was just over 10 mph, pretty slow. While on Diamond Creek Road, I was in the 15-25 mph range depending on the hills and curves. All in all even with the 20 or so miles after Diamond Creek Road riding East with a crosswind, I ended up averaging 12.9 mph over 85 miles, Dirty Kanza contention. I have to maintain at least a 10 mph average to finish the race. I made it back home 20 minutes before Melissa’s softball practice. Things were good. Going through that mental anguish on Highway 56 now felt great because I didn’t give up. I was better, stronger because of it. The feeling of accomplishment my bike gives me is like no other.

Yesterday, my family celebrated Passover. It is a great family celebration with lots of symbolism of God’s love for us. What an awesome way to finish this story. My story though, has just begun.

Feed Your Monkey!

-Eric

The Seder Plate

Jennifer's yummy dessert

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As I was pulling a rag across the chain to clean off the dirt, grime and cleaner, I noticed it getting caught at a certain point on the chain. Hmmm, time to investigate. Looked like one of the pins that holds the links together was coming out and the link looked a little out of place. While riding home (see last post) it was making a funny noise that seemed cyclic and I thought it may be a chain problem. No big deal, I used my chain tool and pushed the pin back into place. Good as new or so I thought.

I went riding with my friend Shawn the next day.  We left on a cool morning and rode to the Reading, Kansas area and back. I was riding hard trying to keep up with Shawn, and this makes for less pictures. We crested a hill and stopped at some rail road tracks. It was definitely a beautiful morning. I pulled out the camera to take a shot of the tracks that went on forever.

I looked the other way and wanted to zoom in on the curve to take a shot and noticed that my lens would not focus to infinity if it was zoomed out. I tried a number of things, but it wouldn’t focus. Weird. Looks like I will have to send it into Nikon for repair, bummer. I have been wanting to get a prime lens (fixed focal length, non zooming) or two anyway. They are smaller and sharper than zooms. This lens is the Nikon 18-200 AFS and is very convenient to take with me on rides (besides its weight). It’s like having a whole camera bag of lenses, but it is not the sharpest lens in the world and has some weird distortion. It is a good lens, but not fantastic on the professional level. I have been wanting a smaller camera altogether for the DK, but I want great picture detail and point and shoots aren’t there, although they are getting better. I may have to refer to Gnat on this one. He shoots great images with smaller cameras. I am not well versed in the small camera scene. It’s not the camera, though people, it’s the shooter. I just need all manual settings to make me happy. I did shoot an image, just focused on the closer tracks.

We continued on. All of the sudden, my chain began to act up again. Luckily I was riding with Shawn who used to own a bike shop. I told him about the problem I had “fixed” and he noticed right away that the pin was working its way out of the chain again. He told me I had a hyperglide chain and the pins are not reusable. Nice. I am used to old school equipment. My old bike was 19 years old when I upgraded. I never replaced a chain or gears on that beast. In fact I can still ride it today if I air up the tires. Having problems this early in life of my new bike isn’t the best feeling in the world. Anyway, Shawn replaced my messed up link with a masterlink and we were back in business. I had to make a few more adjustments on the way back to his house because the chain chattering a bit.

A busted lens and bike mechanical problems. Just as I want to feel sorry for myself and my bad luck, I remember something I have learned in life. Attacks always seem to happen when things are getting exciting, big things are happening, or plans are starting to come together. I don’t want to get all spiritual on you, but I see this as a test. Sometimes doors are closed in our path and we need to stop, regroup and find a new way in life. Other times, we are required to show how much we want something and tests and attacks are thrown our way. It takes a little wisdom and experience to tell the difference between a test and a closed door.

When I closed the studio in 2004, I knew I was staring a closed door in the face. It didn’t matter how hard I worked or how much money I spent, If I would have continued in that same direction it would have been a long, hard road to nowhere. I don’t feel that these days. In fact it is quite the opposite. I don’t feel like I am doing this on my own. I have combined two things I love to do and the Adventure Monkey found me. The magazine was not even an intention, but now it is gaining momentum and more people than me are excited about it.

When we want something in life we have to go get it. There will always be trials, and overcoming those makes us stronger. I see that on the individual, social and corporate levels. We learn from our mistakes and trials and become better, stronger, faster and more efficient. Just beware of the hard work that comes before the success. Look up and listen to discover the direction you should take. Sometimes it is as easy as just seeing the path of least resistance and taking it. For example, Adventure Monkey is easy and people are beginning to follow without me having to do a whole lot of earth moving activities. I am doing it on a shoestring budget and seeing were it leads. On the other hand, I love bikes and cameras. I could open a store selling those or I could try to make a bike camera (hmm, good idea). Those may be great ideas but would take some earth moving activities and a lot of cash for them to happen and I just don’t want to do that. I am just going with the flow these days and seeing where it leads me. Don’t get me wrong, Adventure Monkey takes a lot of my time and the magazine took some doing, but the support I got from everyone sure did make it easy for me.

OK, for you cyclists, I dropped Shawn off about 38 miles into the ride, refilled my water and kept going. I ended up riding  just over 60 miles. I put nuun tablets in all my water. It is an electrolyte supplement without calories. It is for electrolytes only,  not fuel. My legs did get pretty tired, but never came close to cramping up even at the end of the ride pedaling up hills. I used their berry flavor. It tasted refreshing and it did not make me feel thirsty at all, like other sport drinks. The other thing I noticed (turn your head if you’re squeamish) is my urine never turned the bright yellow it does after I sweat a lot on a ride, even when drinking a lot of water. Now, it wasn’t 90 degrees out, so I need to try them again, but overall, they seemed to do what they are supposed to do – keep me hydrated. I also tried some accel gels for energy. I didn’t feel any sort of boost from them, but I never came close to a bonk or feeling hungry. I did add a banana and a PB and honey sandwich in the middle too, so I can’t be completely sure on these. The good thing is they didn’t hurt my stomach and seemed to keep hunger away for quite awhile. Again, once it gets hotter out, I think it will test these supplements better. I am going to try a lot of different things before the DK, to figure out my nutritional needs on the 200 mile race.

I got in 53 miles on Friday, 11 miles on Saturday, and 60 miles on Sunday. I was pretty tired on the end of Sunday’s ride and believe me, I was having doubts about the Dirty Kanza. Finishing is bigger than me right now though.

Feed Your Monkey!
-Eric

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I added some new links on the links page (under favorites)of this blog. Looks like some of the insane cycling posse also have blogs. Check them out.  

My cube at work

I must set the record straight. I have a great job. I should love my job. I get to work on a Mac, my platform of choice, and create graphics, photography and video. I get paid well and have good benefits. In this day and age I should be happy and shut up about it. 

So what’s my problem (besides never being able to keep up with Matt on a long ride)? I dislike the circumstances. I have had many jobs and a few careers in my short life. I have never found that perfect fit. Yes, I realize many of you hate your jobs and they suck way worse than mine and I sound like a cry baby. So what are YOU waiting for? 

We all have choices. The life you want is out there, if you are willing to make the sacrifices to get there. Sometimes those sacrifices may be too great, but usually it is US that isn’t great enough to suck it up and make the necessary sacrifices to change our lives. Live without TV, internet, gasoline, new clothes? I have been on photographic trips with mission organizations and have witnessed first hand families with nothing for material possessions living very simple lives. Were they miserable? No. In fact, they seemed happier in those circumstances than most Americans I know with much. 

Thinking of people with less and people with really tough jobs, does make me feel like a cry baby. But the feeling I have inside, sometimes physical, on Sunday evenings thinking of work the next day, is very real. I know in my heart that there is something for me to do here, and this isn’t it. Let me give you some history. Maybe you can relate. And you youngsters in the insane cycling posse, maybe I can impart some wisdom (OMG, did I just become an adult? No it will pass). 

Disclaimer: I believe life is a journey and there are no mistakes, just choices. When I say mistake, it is just to say, if I could do it all again (which I can’t because that would cause a rip in the time-space continuum, butterfly effects, and who knows what else) I would make different choices. Thank God I can’t go back. In my infinite wisdom, I am sure I would screw things up bad if I went back. 

I went straight to college. That was a “mistake.” I should have taken some time off. I should ridden a bike across America and Europe. I should have gotten some real experience while I had no commitments and really gotten to know myself. The problem was I didn’t know myself, didn’t realize the power of a bicycle and didn’t have my own mindset yet. I was still a drone, living to the expectations of society and my family. I am completely OK with my kids doing something at this time in their lives after high school they are passionate about. As we grow older and gain more commitments, this becomes very difficult to do and one may end up in a job that seems like prison. I want my kids to realize that they can do anything, seriously anything they want to at this age. They don’t need to follow everyone else to a school. Maybe there is a great idea inside them that they should put their energy towards instead of learning all the names and functions of the cell in College Biology. 

I just got done typing a long, boring description of the path from college to here. Then I deleted it, because no one cares. Here is the nutshell version. 

Photographer (paid for college in a darkroom) 

High school science teacher (2 schools, 3 years) 

Graphic designer and photographer 

Car salesman 

Manager of a photo lab 

Owner of a portrait and wedding studio 

Nuclear chemistry technician 

Media specialist of a nuclear energy company 

More than one person has called me a renaissance man and was impressed at that convoluted path of jobs. My wife wasn’t so impressed and it caused some marital problems. 

So if you are still reading, all that was to say that now at 37 years old, I have a better idea of who I am and what I want to do. I am glad I have been such a screw up. That crazy path and a few failures has made me who I am and has shown me that I am capable of much. Dealing with failure is priceless in finding yourself. Also, and most importantly, if I hadn’t taken that convoluted path, I would not have met and married the love of my life, the best thing I have ever done. (I wonder if she is still reading. I wonder if anyone is.) 

Is it too late for me with three kids still at home, a mortgage and a set lifestyle? 

Discovering and feeding my Adventure Monkey by riding a bicycle so many miles has shown me that anything is possible. Am I prepared to make some sacrifices? Is my family? This is definitely something we will be working through. I know for sure that working a job that is full of meaningless busywork and this feeling in the pit of my stomach I have at work has to go. I feel a calling to do more. It’s more than just plain old fashioned job dissatisfaction. It’s a need to make a contribution to this world, a need to be creative, a need to work with a motivated team of like minded individuals, a need to be independent and a desire to be able to have a job that goes hand in hand with a bicycle. Sound impossible? Keep reading this blog. I have faith. 

Feed Your Monkey! 

–Eric 

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What a day I had today, One of the best I have had in awhile. I think I turned the corner mentally while I was riding today and it made a huge difference. Let me explain.

Looks like I have gained quite a few new followers, so for you newbies to Adventure Monkey, I have Fridays off from the cube, and that means Fridays are for riding. I look forward to my Friday ride all week. I had a lot to do today, so I wanted to get an early start on the ride. I took Melissa and her friend to school and then it was daddy’s time. I checked the Adventure Monkey Facebook page to see if anyone had told me where I should ride the night before. I thought it would be fun to ask where I should ride and if it looked possible, I would go where my fans wanted me to go. I am going to do this again. It was a fun way to create a route.

I took the advice from Mr. Story, another photographer that made suggestions on the FB page. I would ride to Saffordville and the to Bazaar and back, about 60 miles. The gravel roads were still mushy, so I was going to ride pavement. I checked out the window and it looked a little foggy, but not too bad. The temperature was supposed to get into the 50′s. My thin but very warm outer layer stayed at home along with the thick gloves.

My glasses became wet and hard to see out of within 2 miles. I put the cover on my beloved Brooks leather saddle since I was riding in a thick cloud. It has been like Portland without the hip bicycle culture this past week with all the fog. I turned on my rear blinking light and my blinking headlamp too. I would be riding on Kansas highways and I wanted to make sure people could see me before they ran me over. Midwestern people are pretty nice and respectful, but not always towards cyclists. Seems a lot of Midwesterners don’t like to see somebody not using gasoline.

Riding in the cloud layer made the cold breeze feel colder than usual. I went riding in the snow when we were in negative temperatures and I felt colder on this ride because of the dampness. FYI – Please don’t ride on the highways when it’s foggy. This is not a smart thing to do. My Adventure Monkey didn’t want any advice from the Logical Monkey, so away I rode.

Weatherwise, it was a miserable morning. It was 35ºF with a blowing SE wind, strong wet fog and thick clouds overhead. I was cold and damp. My Adventure Monkey loved it. I was warmed up and pedaling strong.

I made it to Saffordville without any problem. It’s only about 12 miles away. Well I made it to the sign anyway. I wasn’t about to turn down the gravel road and cover my bike with mud. I didn’t want to clean my bike or ride in mud. I took this picture and called Saffordville done. On to Strong City.

Saffordville done

I don't have a lens for wildlife, but these are two bald eagles. They were tearing apart some kind of carcass when I rode by, then they flew into the tree.

Tree in the fog

I made it to Strong City, stopped in the gas station to use the bathroom and headed towards Cottonwood Falls. I was now pedaling south and into a headwind that was supposed to get stronger as the day progressed. I rode the mile long bicycle path to Cottonwood Falls, saw some geese and rode over the old bridge. I was having a good time. I stopped a little too long calling to the geese and taking pictures of the bridge. I was wet and cold, a bad combination. I needed to start pedaling again to build up some heat.

This cornfield was covered in geese. I tried to yell to get them to fly for a picture but I guess I wasn't annoying enough. I was getting cold and had to go.

Cottonwood Falls bridge; what worried me was the flag was flying and the wind was picking up.

Cottonwood Falls. I love the old hotel in the background. I'll have to check that out someday.

The city of Cottonwood Falls. It looks like a movie set to me and I can't resist taking a picture every time I pass through.

Another history lesson for those that are interested - click on the picture to make it bigger

Here's a history lesson for those that are interested - click on the picture to make it bigger

After passing through Cottonwood Falls I was on the Scenic Byway 177. It is a very scenic route, but it was so foggy, that you couldn’t see far into the hills. I didn’t even take any pictures off the scenic overlook. I would have just shot a picture of gray fog. This part of the ride was when things became a bit harder. Riding into a headwind and being cold can turn anyone’s spirits low. As I was riding my brain was in active mode. I was thinking about my attitude and how I am negative quite a bit. On long rides and really in any endurance event, if one lets negative thoughts invade the mind, it’s over. I began to practice being positive. Not just on the surface like saying, “hey I’m on my bike and not at work, so this is great!” I needed to go deeper. I had some experience with biofeedback in college, basically trying to control the body (heart rate, breathing, blood pressure, etc) to deal with stress. I visualized while I rode. I’ll try to explain.

I was visualizing a bright positive white light within me, coming from deep within my bones where the blood and immune system components are made. This energy from within was activating my stem cells to go to work and create what my body needed and flowed to the surface and out of me cleansing me of negativity. It was the light, the life, the power that God put in me. I know it sounds weird and new agey, but I have used visualization to help me on tests in college and even get rid of a wart. The mind is a powerful thing if we put it to use.

With this visual of a strong body, I also reminded myself that my body is very capable, it’s my mind that I have to get on board. I saw my body as a well oiled machine. Even though it was miserable outside, I saw the beauty in every breath I took. I was basically doing everything I could to be positive from my bones to my brain. I was trying to make the mind-body-spirit connection on my ride. Did it work?

The road into the wind on Scenic Byway 177

I made it. This area had so many gravel roads I wanted to ride, but too muddy.

That just sounds weird to me

Something happened that’s for sure. Even on the way back riding into the wind, I was pushing harder than I have in a long time. I felt great, mentally and physically. Any negative thought was captured and removed before I let it fester in my mind. It was a dreary morning with a strong headwind, and it felt great to be alive. Part of this was because I was on a bike. Bicycles are magical and have the power to let you experience the world first hand in a way that can only be felt while powering yourself on a bike. When I had made it home and completed my ride, I felt incredible, invincible. My adventure Monkey was curled up in a ball, sucking his thumb, asleep with a full belly. Oh don’t get me wrong, there were a few moments of negativity, but working at being positive in this deep way was very empowering. I am going to need this if I am going to complete the DK 200.

Hopefully I will recover well because I will be riding with the High Gear cyclists again this Sunday. That last ride was so good, it was also posted HERE and HERE.

Boots on the fence posts

The Fargo

The road towards Cottonwood Falls

The Fargo taking a break

Check out THIS blog. Why? He talks about the Adventure Monkey that’s why. He’s my 41st real fan. I have 280 fans on the AM FB page, but I can’t get much response from them. All true fans post comments at the bottom of the blog post (hint, hint). That’s how cyber discussions start. Thanks to those that have. I got linked from HERE too! Wow, I am going to have to start practicing my autograph again (used to do that as a kid, like you didn’t). You’d think companies would start giving me free cameras, lenses and bike parts with at least 41 people reading this. That’s quite a market share.

Any finally, (if you are still reading this you ARE a true Adventure Monkey fan) I need something other than Cliff Bars. Putting a Cliff bar into my system is like a chemistry experiment. First I have to ingest it. If I broke off a few teeth, I probably wouldn’t even realize it. Second and more importantly, something in those Cliff bars creates the most foul smelling gas inside of me. If my gas makes ME disgusted, then it’s pretty bad. It’s almost instantaneous. Cliff bar in, gas up. Wow. Then I feel bloated. I need to maintain my energy levels with some kind of nutrition for long rides. What do you use? I need to try something new. I am looking into nuun tabs and hammer gel, but what works for you?

Feed your Monkey! –Eric

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Currently, I drive to and from work in the dark. I walk to my office from the car in the bitter cold winds of Kansas and begin to wonder what it’s like in North Dakota. And the most significant fact is that my time in the saddle has been relegated to weekends. I restate, winter is not even officially here yet.

I have vowed to not let myself go this winter and I want you to hold me to it. I rode like a fiend this year, making my previous years of riding look like child play. I was medicating myself. Going to work every day to do mindless things really brings me down. A 60 plus mile ride makes it all go away. Riding makes everything OK. If you aren’t riding, you should be. It is good for you and the planet. It feeds your and my Adventure Monkey.

If it was safe, I would commute to work on my bike, but a two lane highway without shoulders for 45 miles each way in the dark doesn’t seem like a good idea. And I have to be at work at 6:30 a.m.

So yesterday, I bought some running shoes and also set my old bike on the trainer in the basement. I decided I would add some jogging and stationary biking to my workouts during the week along with using the Total Gym like Chuck Norris (and he is awesome right?). So jogging along with pedaling and going nowhere suck, but I have to get into shape. Why? You wonder (or have I bored you with my incessant whining)?

I am going to be a part of the Dirty Kanza 200 next year. It is a race I never even considered because those people are crazy. Have I gotten to that point? No, that makes me even crazier than them. If you don’t know what the Dirty Kanza 200 is, it is a 200 mile endurance race through the Flint Hills in June. It is a very challenging place to ride and the milage is insane. Read more about it HERE.

I mentioned in the last post that I would have a role in the DK200 next year. Here it is. I may pass out on mile 180 or so maybe earlier. Oh there’s more. I will be supplying one of my Flint Hills images as a prize to be announced later. I am thinking a large framed landscape or better yet a huge canvas panoramic of the Flint Hills. I will also serve as an official DK 200 photographer as much as possible since I will also be participating (200 miles with a 25 pound Nikon strapped to the bike sounds like fun). In the coming years, I hope to act as the official photographer being able to photograph the participants as they muscle out a grueling 200 mile race through the “nation’s last great expanse of tallgrass prairie.”

There – it’s out there. I can’t back down now. I plan on training so that I can make it to the finish line. I am excited. I have never trained for something like this before.

Also, I plan on talking about more than just cycling. Cycling will always be the central theme of this blog, but I want to discuss the struggles of trying to live an adventurous life. There is adventure in all things – work, faith, love, raising kids, everything. I struggle to find the adventure sometimes and maybe you do to. A life without adventure is called death. That’s why I am riding the Dirty Kanza 200. That’s why I bought a new bike. That’s why I am researching things for the Adventure Monkey to become a business that might even allow me some freedom from the 10 hour numbing workdays I currently have. Who knows? Maybe it’s time to buy those paints, brushes and canvas and enroll in that painting class you always wanted to take. Next year is dedicated to more adventure, more living.

Feed Your Monkey!

–Eric

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Just a deep thought at the end of the year as I think about next year’s goals. It’s that time again. Without making attainable goals and plans to meet them, another year will slip by.

Feed Your Monkey!

Eric

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Inside this box is my new Fargo. I will pedal it into many adventures. We will become one as I pedal across North America with my son. Am I excited? Yes. Am I a little too deep for a Monday? Maybe. But I choose to see the spiritual side of everything even the box that holds my Fargo. It is not the answer to my need for adventure, it is the vehicle and I will ride it.

More pictures will be posted of the Fargo build soon. I have been busy and ill. I am feeling better, but missed out on a cold Sunday ride yesterday. I was hoping to ride far on the new Fargo. I have ridden it twice for a total of 28 miles. Bummer, but we will definitely be going far soon!

Take care and don’t forget to Feed Your Monkey!

– Eric

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 I am sure everyone does, but I get caught up in what I am doing. For me it has been the development of the Adventure Monkey. I am working on posting new fine art photography on my Etsy store, expanding a network of resources for Adventure Monkey’s social network, ordering a new bike, looking at events for next year, and investigating resources for a clothing line featuring the cute Adventure Monkey logo, along with other business tasks that will allow the Adventure Monkey to start growing into something more than this blog.

 Things happen in life that bring everything to a crashing halt. Sometimes these events are tragic, sometimes glorious but they get us to stop and reevaluate our priorities. That’s pretty much what happened to my family this weekend. Thank God, we didn’t have a tragedy, but we could have.

 I have a teenager in the house. As a child, he was one of those kids that other parents wished they had. He was never any trouble. He would play by himself for hours at a time. He would come to the photo studio with me and help get the babies to smile, help clean up or just keep me company. He was and is still good at everything he tries, from sports to academics to music. We were very close. We giggled at stupid stuff including reciting the Dumb and Dumber dialogue at appropriate moments. As a kid, my father-son relationship was strained to say the least, so I felt very blessed by the relationship I had with my son.

 As he grew into a teenager friends, girlfriends, school activities, social activities, music and other things took the place of the usual family time we had when he was a kid. Nothing seemed too out of control. He got in a little bit of trouble here and there. We grew apart and that was hard, but I figured that is what happens as kids grow up.  Seems pretty normal as I think back on my growing years.

 Last weekend, the feeling of something not quite right had me up at around three in the morning. I got out of bed to check the usual things around the house. Everything looked secure until I checked in my son’s room. It was empty. I had already confirmed the status of the windows and doors in the house. There was only one other place I hadn’t checked. As I opened the door to the garage, I was greeted by the cool outside air and a missing car. In that instant I knew things had to change.

 The feelings of anger, rage, disappointment, fear, sadness, more anger, and confusion all swirled around in my head. How did we get to this point?

 Last Sunday, instead of riding, was spent making changes in the house. Many of these are physical changes to the living arrangements. I refuse to give up on my son and let him continue on this destructive path. He is a good kid caught up and heading in the wrong direction. I feel if I don’t take action now in changing his direction I will lose him. Instead of a priority changing event, I will have a tragedy on my hands. I will have failed in my most important job – being a father. No other job I have comes close to the importance of being a dad. The sad thing is, we hold a job that makes money in high regard compared to being a husband and father. Because of this we let our duties as a father and husband lack while we try to be “successful.” That, to say the least, is messed up. You will hear more in the weeks and months to come. I have to put more effort into this relationship. He will be riding more with me. I have a job to do. I still have a dream of riding across the USA with this son of mine before he begins his journey on his own. I pray we can make it to that point and experience an awesome, life changing ride together.

 My next post will cover my experience, a review if you will, with the Pearl Izumi AmFIB bib tights and Kodiak long sleeve jersey with pictures. Just didn’t seem appropriate to cover now.

 Love, Peace and Happy Monkeys

–Eric

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