May 21, 2015

Start 7:00 AM

200 miles, (24 hours) sleepless to

chicago's Buckingham fountain.

This years theme is

"Every path ends!"

THE PLAN

I planned on this final bike ride Challenge/Exploration to Chicago, a couple of years back, during that year's ride. I hoped to be lighter in my weight, I hoped to be stronger. I just hoped. But that plan did not happen. Great plans never work out exactly the way we want it to happen. I see that as "living." Paths we choose always come to an end. It could be this way because we are suppose to take each paths' experience, and use it to find a better path to follow. These experiences stay with us for life. Some paths we wish we could forget. Other paths, we wish could go on forever. It is up to us to decide when our experiences are done, and it’s time for a change. Last 9 months, life gave me even more reasons to think more about "life and death." I have concluded the secret to life and death maybe just, "living." And "living" has a different definition within each one of us. It is up to us to end things, and move on to the next path of “living.” With the hope to "Live Big," in the next path, in our own eyes. Or just hope.

MY GOAL IS TO BEAT MY PERSONAL BEST (PB) OF 140 MILES. I will be thankful for every mile after 140 miles. This PB occurs a little before the Illinois boarder. Buckingham fountain, Downtown Chicago, is my ceiling (200 miles). I can tell you that I will not put my leg over that bike on that morning and start, without believing I can finish and visualizing that last mile toward that fountain.

I have a photo of my son’s face, when he finished the horribly hilly 2014, bandaged and bleeding after a bad fall going down a hill. I love seeing that face in people during that time of doubt. During that time when they have to push their limit one more time to reach their goal. This is when ceilings shatter and one has to make decisions above their comfort zone,. These people reach so far outside their own comfort zone, that they achieve a change, that will effect their own future generations. Not just during an event, but in life while "living big." I have heard these unique athletes use a descriptive phrase to describe this to other unique athletes whom have been to that point when their "will" shatters a achievement ceiling. They call it:

"LEAVING IT ALL ON THE COURSE"

My prayer for this ride is that I ask God to give me the strength and the will to achieve. If I don’t make the 200 mile ceiling I pray that my body gives out, before my mind. Also Lord, when I get to hold my grandchildren after I complete this challenge, some day, please gift my grandchildren reading these stories, the understanding to reach outside of ones comfort zone for that next path less traveled, and reap all the rewards that come with those non conforming choices that shatter ceilings for their generations to follow.

Click on links for map of route:

Website contains pages of tidbit stories of unique experiences , Bicycling and Personal.

Lawrence J teeling I

Stories disclaimer: These stories are in draft mode. I am not a writer.  I publish in draft mode, in order to get my words and feelings out of my head, as soon as possible, and I hope to have time in the future, to proof and improve.  If you feel the urge, then please send grammar corrections, via email.  Paragraphs, and up to whole story appreciated, Larry.

Geronimo3:38
Highwayman3:02

HOME PAGE;

Geronimo:
I have been doing some reading on this warrior, likely because of recent music.  The tradition of jumping out of a plane, “Geronimo,” was shouted by paratroopers.  This is done to show that one had no fear, to do such an illogical task. In their case it is, jumping out of a good plane!