Chris L

Many of you will be aware that on my weekends, I am not averse to finding a good mountain to ride up. However, I am beginning to think this obsession might be going just a little too far. This morning I got up and did the usual thing (today I chose Binna Burra, a 780m climb). However, I found it wasn't enough. So I decided to descend into Canungra, grab a feed and hit Mt Tamborine (a 584m climb, with a couple of 14% sections). Both of these climbs start from virtually sea level, remembering that Canungra is at the bottom of a stupidly hot valley.

The scary part (well, one of the scary parts, for there were many) was that I actually survived. The final assault on Tamborine is pretty steep, and my thighs were SCREAMING, and I was thinking "it's either me or this bloody mountain!". (I was also thinking 'I'm damn glad it's not summer right now) However, the mountain chose that moment to die spectacularly, and I was left to stay out of the saddle for long enough to punch the air viciously.

I have two questions here: Have I lost it completely? and if not, Did I ever have it to begin with? As I sit here tired and sore but satisfied, these two questions really nag me.

DnvrFox

Here is a very unscientific attempt at a possible answer.

Sounds to me like you are getting a "high" off of your biking. Your endorphins and adrenaline must be really kicking in. "On the Edge" kind of stuff.

Many folks become addicted to this kind of thing - it is what drives most extreme sports, IMHO. It is like reaching for a higher and higher dose of drugs.

Good or bad?

That is up to you. A heck of a lot better than taking drugs.

Hey, how is the accounting job doing? Must be okay - you seem to have a good amount of time to post to the LS. Do you like your job? Fill us in.

lotek 

No you haven't lost it completely, and no I don't think you
never had it to begin with (whoa, talk about your double negative).
Its kinda that why climb mountains thing, because its there.
However lotek is concerned that ChrisL used normal syntax for
this post and neglected the third person. Is ChrisL ok?

Marty

mechBgon

As long as you are primarily concerned with climbing the mountains, and not descending them at crazy speeds, that's the main thing We have a twisty mountain ascent/descent here and it would be bad news to go over the edge into the trees from descending too fast. Which of course, I would NEVER do...

LittleBigMan

Hm?

I don't think I am qualified to answer this post.

ljbike

Since LBM/PC feels unqualified to comment upon the sanity of our illustrious friend to the south, I deem it necessary to take it upon myself to spread light on the subject of ChrisL's sanity. Is it malignant or benign? Ah, yes. That is the question. Is it so malignant that the disease can spread its venom through cyber space, or is it docilely benign and therefore of no concern to any member who happens to read his post?

It is my learned opinon --after examining the facts and confering with my colleagues, who happen to be 12 lovely ladies in a rest home-- that ChrisL is ChrisL no matter his mental state and we should revere and trust him because, after all, he is an Accountant, and accountants are always responsible people and never do anything CRAZY. Therefore ChrisL is NOT crazy.

ShawnSR

You ask those questions like the answer of 'yes' to either of them is a bad thing.

LittleBigMan

Let me rephrase that!



I meant, I am not qualified because I have no eye-deer what it's like to ride so ding-dong far up a "hill."

Nobby

Seems to me that if there is a problem at all it might be linked to the fall frequency that the good Chris L has grown accustomed to.

Chris L

Yeah, I actually wasn't totally sure I could pull it off, I think that might have had something to do with the reaction. Still, as you say, at least it's better than taking drugs (unless I start going for EPO or something like that)

Generally I post in my lunch breaks, which seems to give me a bit of time. It's pretty cool working here (am I allowed to say that?), after all, my office does have a nice view of the ocean.

Chris L

Chris L only posts in third-person on occasions. There are some members who do not like Chris L's third-person prose.

danr

Chris L

I hope I didn't lose anything in the translation of that!

Goatbiker

Chris L,

Awesome climbs. But perhaps you could reduce the load a bit by shaving your..er..uh..everything?

Tom

Chris L

That would take too long. Mind you, if I started now, I might have it all shaved off in time to be more comfortable this summer.