Awake and Alive

When my faith is getting weak

And I feel like giving in

You breathe into me again

I'm awake, I'm alive

Now I know what I believe inside

Now it's my time

I'll do what I want, 'cause this is my life

Here (Right Here), right now (Right Now)

Stand my ground, and never back down

I know what I believe inside

I'm awake and I'm alive

Awake and Alive, John Cooper and Brian Howes (2009).

Don't overthink this.

Trust God. He'll show you the way. 

Be still. Listen. Your path lies in front of you. His light will show the next step.

For me, it's pretty simple, for now. 

Ride, Write, Repeat.

Awake and Alive, Skillet (2009).

A WarmUp on the Mickelson Trail

Guess who just got back today?

Them wild-eyed boys that had been away

Haven't changed, haven't much to say

But man, I still think them cats are great

The Boys Are Back In Town, Phil Lynott (1976)

Enjoying the shade and cooler temperatures through a Mickelson Trail tunnel.

The Mickelson Trail is a 109 mile rails-to-trails treasure that winds through much of the Black Hills of South Dakota, from the gold mines of Deadwood to the railroad center of Edgemont. Folks travel from all over to ride it, and many locals ride it over and over.

Although I've ridden it many times, in many different ways, I have not been out there this year at all. In fact, since my truncated 24 Hours in the Old Pueblo race in February, I haven't ridden much of anything longer than an hour or two. For some reason, I always find a reason not to ride long these days.

So, when long time cycling friend Mark Almer of Colorado (finally) retired and announced he was (finally, no really this time) riding the Mickelson Trail, I suggested a fully loaded bikepacking tour from Edgemont to Deadwood to Edgemont. In addition to riding every bit of the entire trail, both directions, such a multi-day bikepacking ride would also be a nice warmup ride before the upcoming Black Hills Bounty.

The Mickelson Trail is a natural gear shakedown ride for an aspiring bikepacker like Mark:  no navigation, no technical riding, very few road crossings, frequent trailheads with water, multiple re-supply opportunities, and little motorized traffic other than the ubiquitous e-bike rentals around Hill City. With all that simplified, Mark can focus on gear, the bike, and time in the saddle, while enjoying the off-road experience of a beautiful rails-to-trails system. He readily agreed.

Just a week after that conversation, we eagerly pedaled north out of Edgemont on our little excursion. Four hot summer days and 218 trail miles later, we returned sun scorched, less than fully hydrated, and perhaps a bit saddle sore. But we're fully charged for a run at the Black Hills Bounty next month. 

Not every ride is epic or life changing. But this was my best ride this month. And I can't wait to get back out there.

The Boys Are Back In Town, Thin Lizzy (1976).

Where To Go From Here

Where do we go from here, now that all of our children are growing up?

And how do we spend our lives, knowin' that nobody gives us a damn?

I don't wanna live here no more, I don't wanna stay, 

Ain't gonna spend the rest of my life quietly fading away. 

Games People Play, Alan Parsons & Eric Norman Woolfson (1980). 

Choose, you must.

Even a less traveled road has an occasional fork. 

A decision here shapes your short term experience, not always as expected. The more developed road may eventually dead-end, while the more rugged road may be but a short connector. Or not. You won't know until you go through it.

Choose. Ride. Adapt. Persevere. Learn. Take ownership of all of it.

The decision here, and your response to it, shapes you. Builds you. Prepares you for the next fork.

But first, you must choose.

Games People Play, Alan Parsons Project (1980).