I’m Feelin’ 22

I’m Feelin’ 22

Well another year has passed. Happy New Year to everyone in the Biking for Baseball family! For me, another year is in the books. I celebrate my birthday today, January 7th, with an outlook for one of the most exciting years of my life ahead of me. It’s easy to get fearful of growing old, as my grandmother even warned me after 21, all your birthdays fly past you. I suppose that may be true, but I’m not letting the fear of growing old, prohibit me from enjoying life.

This past year, I’ve been able to accomplish a lot. I graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison this past December. Go Badgers, I’ll take the bowl win as a graduation present!

I lived abroad in Kenya for 5 months. I woke up alongside elephants, baboons, giraffes, and all sorts of African wildlife. 

I rafted the whitewater rapids of the Nile River, fortunately, with no crocodile encounters.

I hiked in Yosemite National Park.

I even managed to go to a few baseball games, ate a few brats, and drank a few beers. All in all, it was a great year. However, there’s more to be done. 

With less than 100 days until the trip of a lifetime begins, I’m ready to get it going. Without classes to attend, I’m able to turn my focus towards Biking for Baseball.  Everyday, my routine consists of working out for about 4 hours at my local YMCA, commuting through the cold Wisconsin winter. With the windchill it was -40 this morning. I’m not kidding about the cold. My workout routine typically consists of some cardio on the stationary bike, where those around me wonder if the roof is leaking above me because my shirt becomes so soaked by sweat. I also do some cross training on the eliptical, as well as some cross country skiing. I’m doing the Birkebeiner, a 54km cross country ski race in Northern Wisconsin, in late February. I also hit the weights quite a bit. Rotating between arms and legs keeps my body in great shape. For my upper body workouts, I mostly just am trying to tone my muscle, as I realize most of the upper body strength will simply be dead weight when the ride comes along in April. I also do a great deal of core work to round out the ordeal. 

I’ve begun to compile everything needed for the trip. From tent and sleeping pad, to panniers, bags, and most importantly a bike, I’m beginning to pack and get ready for the ride. I’m hoping to keep the weight of what I carry, under 60 lbs, which is easier said than done. Living off of 60 pounds for 6 months is not the easiest task. However, I’m hoping I can pull it off. There’s something intriguing at powering yourself with your own two legs, and all of your belongings across the country for six months. My house, my water, my food, my clothes, will all be packed upon the bike. That’s what you call a mobile home.

I keep getting more and more excited as I anticipate the beginning of the ride come April. I can’t wait to climb aboard the Amtrak, and hear the all aboard call (they still do that right?) as we depart for Seattle. I can’t wait to bike through the cold Northwestern rains, mostly because it beats the freezings snow and cold of a Wisconsin winter. I can’t wait to attend my first few games, turn strangers into friends, and eat any carbohydrate I can get my hands on. I look forward to sleeping beneath the stars, early morning coffees, and strong tailwinds. At the same time, I dread the rambunctious drivers, agonizing soreness, and a very tired butt. One thing is for sure, April can’t come soon enough. On this birthday, I remember the past year, while looking forward to what’s in store. Although the rest of my years may fly past me for the rest of my life, I know that right now, I’m feeling 22, and I’m feeling ready to ride.

Just keep pedaling,

Matt