So, yeah...I've made a decision. For those living under a rock, I had dreamed of, planned on, and conditioned for a motorcycle riding adventure from Kathmandu, Nepal to Mount Everest in Tibet that was to take place in May, 2020. I blogged about my preparation on my Daily Shrug page. That adventure was squashed by the China virus pandemic and while there is a possibility of rescheduling sometime in 2021, I've thrown in the towel and decided instead to return to the Arctic Circle next June.
I'll combine this trip with the 11th annual Road Glide Shark Week pilgrimage, which will take place in Lake Tahoe next summer. Doing the math on the dates for Shark Week has me departing Texas on almost the same date I left in 2011. I can ride up to Prudhoe Bay and then catch the Pacific Coast Highway
101 south from Washington and across to Nevada on my return. Knowing what I know now, I'll probably slow the pace a bit and bake in a few extra days. If I ride with company this time, they might appreciate the relaxed pace. Given that I will be 58 years old, I know I will.
There are but a handful of riders with whom I would make this trip. I know I am not the easiest guy to get along with and when I'm focused, I'm even worse. I'm not retired with unlimited time on my hands and I certainly don't have unlimited funds.
There are two stark realities at play here.
- I have to ride very long, hard days or I'll be on the road forever.
- The more days I'm out, the more financial expense I'll incur.
In preparation for Everest, I had committed to a harsh conditioning and dietary routine and seriously shaped up; losing fifty pounds and slimming form a 38-40 waistline to a loose 33. Despite knowing that trip was off since March, I kept up the routine and I feel better that I have in decades. Now I have almost a year to keep up the regimen and keep the weight off. Time will tell.
Stay tuned for updates. I'm excited again.
Alaska 2021 & Shark Week XI Route |