tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58654980267101733032024-02-20T03:29:44.670-08:00Cycle for Heart"To engage people - and especially kids, our leaders of tomorrow - to know that they can make a difference too - starting with themselves and healthy habits. Every day."Chris Figureidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05313266002019414743noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5865498026710173303.post-65067263548743275032014-04-14T09:49:00.001-07:002014-04-14T09:49:35.382-07:00San Diego CA to Jacksonville FL, trip #811 days ago, I was standing at the edge of a continent, the border of two countries, the beach overlooking the Pacific. A bizarre fence cut across the beach and stabbed through the crashing waves. On the other side, people were doing chin-ups, running, waiving at me. On my side, Border Patrol Agents were running the air conditioning on high in their Jeeps.<br /> <br />I started riding away from the beach that day, heading east, and begging my 8th cross country bike ride. As I type this from the Business Center of a Holiday Inn, the Deming High Class Reunion of 1964 is getting underway right behind me. Deming New Mexico. I've ridden about 700 miles through a very hot and unforgiving land since leaving the beach, and I've had a sunburned time doing it.<br /> <br />This is a short trip (for me). 2900 miles in 54 days from San Diego CA to Jacksonville FL. A high speed burn across the desert and gulf states. As always, I'm trying to raise money, speak to schools, Rotary Clubs, politicians, and make memories for myself; so that when I am at my 50th high school class reunion, I know that I lived everyday as full as I could and tried to improve the lives of others.<br /> <br />I invite you to follow along in real time on Facebook,and Twitter, and track my movements as I pedal down the highway via Satelite Tracking.<br /><br />"Know who you are, Know who you want to be, and Follow your dreams..."<br />-Antonio Figureida<br />Chris Figureidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05313266002019414743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5865498026710173303.post-91162930747022010972014-03-29T10:32:00.001-07:002014-03-29T10:33:33.741-07:007 cross country treksSince 2005, I have managed to cross the USA 7 times on a bicycle. If you were to draw a line along each of my routes, it would look something like this:<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/03/29/579.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/03/29/s_579.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='146' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />"Know who you are, Know who you want to be, and Follow your dreams..."<br />-Antonio Figureida<br />Chris Figureidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05313266002019414743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5865498026710173303.post-56814967217407796242012-09-18T08:47:00.001-07:002012-09-18T08:47:49.701-07:00In the newsRecently, I was on KNX 1070 News Radio in Los Angeles and KVTA 1520 Talk Radio in Ventura, talking about the last trip. I love being in the studio and live on air, its fun and exciting. The only downside is that once the moment is over, you walk away with just the memory of the conversation. That's why it is so nice to be interviewed for a newspaper and be able to hold and save the article. The Ventura County Reporter did a great story on my last trip. You can read it here:<br />http://vcreporter.com/cms/story/detail/?id=10149<br /><br /><br />"Know who you are, Know who you want to be, and Follow your dreams..."<br />-Antonio Figureida<br />Chris Figureidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05313266002019414743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5865498026710173303.post-7663628211689904242012-08-28T22:33:00.001-07:002012-08-28T23:16:03.496-07:00A few more pictures from DenaliMy climbing partner, Paul, sent over a few good pictures from the climb.<br />Pizza at 14200ft<br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781963828352086578'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-EB1iy9tAJeE/UD2pd70VcjI/AAAAAAAAB5I/zRx3tZm28Lw/s288/45.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br />Sunbathing at 14200ft<br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781963858254608082'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-YWhVtm26VPs/UD2pfrNpttI/AAAAAAAAB5Q/tfOpNXznqKg/s288/46.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br />Mushrooms and broth<br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781963884668965394'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-qpLvuvUt-RY/UD2phNnU0hI/AAAAAAAAB5Y/Zr_VkWD5050/s288/47.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br />That's a lot of frozen poop<br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781963914562756162'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-6O4VT8yjUAA/UD2pi8-j3kI/AAAAAAAAB5g/EIEnmUYDa2M/s288/48.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br />Tying the frozen poop to the sled<br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781963948335841826'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-5QKiD4BN8QU/UD2pk6ysQiI/AAAAAAAAB5o/yG5qYi3dzd4/s288/49.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a><br />Poop toss into the crevase<br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781963976671978722'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2YUlSSF9uAk/UD2pmkWjZOI/AAAAAAAAB5w/sdJnTksM_M8/s288/50.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br />Free ice sculpture<br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781964004418175074'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-XhZbBV4C-M8/UD2poLtwwGI/AAAAAAAAB54/hHDC-YAFqhQ/s288/51.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a><br />Easter Island?<br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781964038831397634'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-9ta2zSnzRAw/UD2pqL6g2wI/AAAAAAAAB6A/KN08_BCoAgM/s288/52.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='211' style='margin:5px'></a><br />Making snow walls at 17200 feet<br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781964069167349714'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3QnudZM79zo/UD2pr87Kv9I/AAAAAAAAB6I/lwstVC4GyvU/s288/53.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br />Decision time: go down or wait out the storm?<br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781964094840618866'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-3hkejEmTcmM/UD2ptckJv3I/AAAAAAAAB6Q/MWZsK02XAO4/s288/54.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br />Cold<br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781968999287672290'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Ad9ZesPQqIo/UD2uK7DczeI/AAAAAAAAB7Q/6YIemJMY1uM/s288/45.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781970383224717746'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YaV7GhVyAKE/UD2vbenwQbI/AAAAAAAAB7Y/PVXA-my3bgo/s288/45.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781974858623273730'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4aBmG1mXcK4/UD2zf-x6ywI/AAAAAAAAB8c/fZSdgoVFSw0/s288/46.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781974903405853362'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-1DH9hTalZgY/UD2zilm6urI/AAAAAAAAB8k/5JuoTDBORd8/s288/47.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Welcome to 14000 feet.<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781974932497243090'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Rc1eRLlMOq8/UD2zkR-2G9I/AAAAAAAAB8s/yCFUiBdwLGs/s288/48.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781974970691623218'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ZD0st7JJX2o/UD2zmgRGGTI/AAAAAAAAB80/NBOQZwBIV_Q/s288/49.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781975004331668242'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QF-OIGri0jk/UD2zodlgcxI/AAAAAAAAB88/4C8DYHZQOV4/s288/50.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Chris Figureidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05313266002019414743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5865498026710173303.post-65550340400462609102012-08-27T23:35:00.001-07:002012-08-30T12:04:41.617-07:00Week #20, the final week!A zebra in Utah?<br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781608227902611826'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Ed6nC2J3jes/UDxmDQ6cYXI/AAAAAAAAB2I/JTYccXE24UU/s288/45.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781608253750004258'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-f1VAblBAW84/UDxmExM8SiI/AAAAAAAAB2Q/Nu4v3ql0ncY/s288/46.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781608292285637298'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-lpcT2--szSE/UDxmHAwjYrI/AAAAAAAAB2Y/atTF6Dh8Wj0/s288/47.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781608328410777890'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-eY_0rBKF5WE/UDxmJHVdSSI/AAAAAAAAB2g/twVh3BuF7W4/s288/48.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781608362610700274'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-S4yPMAjsEHY/UDxmLGvWr_I/AAAAAAAAB2o/J8VJCuELSkE/s288/49.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781608404490733810'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-LKCSGfbruLg/UDxmNiwVSPI/AAAAAAAAB2w/OVSqP2xA53Q/s288/50.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781608452656520178'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-uotNp7uETG4/UDxmQWL82_I/AAAAAAAAB24/xd18J5XaCbU/s288/51.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781608485744526658'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-YipzljnfkpQ/UDxmSRcvxUI/AAAAAAAAB3A/ttQT4Mxag9w/s288/52.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781608519899279090'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-qs9y3kehe8Q/UDxmUQr37vI/AAAAAAAAB3I/1qZpsJ9CxVA/s288/53.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781608571541553810'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-t4mVClM6tOI/UDxmXREWgpI/AAAAAAAAB3Q/6L8xkc66V5k/s288/54.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781608602625756482'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ofK-RQX-flc/UDxmZE3ZzUI/AAAAAAAAB3Y/kZP5QerptRU/s288/55.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781608632678778786'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-3DM70x3rB7M/UDxma00mh6I/AAAAAAAAB3g/w5NV7CbAV0w/s288/56.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781608662230764338'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-qjQ0e2sHOIA/UDxmci6WCzI/AAAAAAAAB3o/-FyzeNxARrA/s288/57.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781608699515895010'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Mmesr-vmGQc/UDxmetzz_OI/AAAAAAAAB3w/RyVmbjMPRWQ/s288/58.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781608729425251474'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-O1RDofr2Thg/UDxmgdOwjJI/AAAAAAAAB34/RZLBNnSpLhU/s288/59.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781608785406263298'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-BteSSxP_vtA/UDxmjtxrAAI/AAAAAAAAB4A/hvwNREu1SHY/s288/60.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br />The end, back where I started 145 days earlier, after a 7761 mile bike ride up to Alaska to climb Mt. McKinley, and then ride back.<br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781608817594103362'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-MSEURLPCkC8/UDxmllr2dkI/AAAAAAAAB4I/mCu-w2Akn-Y/s288/61.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br />answering questions for Italian tourist<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5782544168175176002'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-iRV8AcDw50A/UD-5SKIWiUI/AAAAAAAAB-E/86LD0M5Rdws/s288/46.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='158' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Chris Figureidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05313266002019414743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5865498026710173303.post-78591027740738056612012-08-27T22:29:00.001-07:002012-08-30T12:05:36.539-07:00Week #19<br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781591275066963058'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZAgv_RIBUPE/UDxWoerdNHI/AAAAAAAAByo/UoFp4pMCH4s/s288/45.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br />Gates of the Mountains State Park<br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781591301131542178'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Kn0rQ57oDkA/UDxWp_xvHqI/AAAAAAAAByw/QBGY-sZ-c6A/s288/46.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br />Montana State Capitol<br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781591328817991554'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-guwqu79cDM8/UDxWrm6sz4I/AAAAAAAABy4/rcDaeihGsko/s288/47.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781591355360507698'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-xl23-OZlxbg/UDxWtJy7dzI/AAAAAAAABzA/5uy-4iMctmc/s288/48.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781591386882345074'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-u6few9UvF-8/UDxWu_OUiHI/AAAAAAAABzI/eWXrGZ6Qf0E/s288/49.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br />Sunset tour on the Missouri River<br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781591410031883810'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ZsD_DNT5qqE/UDxWwVdmdiI/AAAAAAAABzQ/kzB5ObcCQSg/s288/50.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781591442915945426'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-7lHVF2OZSaM/UDxWyP9xa9I/AAAAAAAABzY/8ZPFABELzZ8/s288/51.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br />Idaho Falls<br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781591466964099266'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-RxlrcGQ1jUI/UDxWzpjTIMI/AAAAAAAABzg/qH2RrnyV0uI/s288/52.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781591495600073042'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Mf1wWk4OjeI/UDxW1UOpaVI/AAAAAAAABzo/vNFf8Vbu32Q/s288/53.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781591525332421010'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Ad8YYwUnDJ0/UDxW3C_ZCZI/AAAAAAAABzw/7x3yOhLhLq0/s288/54.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='211' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781591578692824658'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-1aLaInv6YtU/UDxW6JxgLlI/AAAAAAAABz4/yLrQ2H6X-AY/s288/55.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781591606430827458'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-jK2ISAOC1mw/UDxW7xGwg8I/AAAAAAAAB0A/etIdeISYra4/s288/56.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781591637452711074'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qfmB8V1F5FA/UDxW9kq85KI/AAAAAAAAB0I/rnCFyTA3vAo/s288/57.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781591686760387138'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Sk6_8zDcqT4/UDxXAcW0UkI/AAAAAAAAB0Q/uSfa-3uNHTM/s288/58.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781591711604068658'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-tyKukCqmpE4/UDxXB46A0TI/AAAAAAAAB0Y/7_Gn6oB4nqA/s288/59.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br />Gardens at the LDS Temple<br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781591760545250882'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-cTJRrKQG0O8/UDxXEvOf_kI/AAAAAAAAB0g/avkPxLWHrxs/s288/60.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781591795057987650'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-nd4u2vD0QF4/UDxXGvy-kEI/AAAAAAAAB0o/MjUHF4QSAJI/s288/61.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781591835531199698'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PQS5ARMARFI/UDxXJGkixNI/AAAAAAAAB0w/Bp-3eagpZOc/s288/62.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a><br />Provo Canyon<br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781591865505603378'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AKU0jRv-pJc/UDxXK2O_3zI/AAAAAAAAB04/M2M1YxCMtpI/s288/63.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781591898811639058'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-GNGhUIIcDIM/UDxXMyTxpRI/AAAAAAAAB1A/sL9_cgEsrsc/s288/64.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781591930658217122'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-lPoAhziPXcE/UDxXOo8l3KI/AAAAAAAAB1I/hu74ISCHi40/s288/65.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br />nice tan!<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5782544398749382002'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dooPbr6r7Wo/UD-5flFhtXI/AAAAAAAAB-M/g-kZUeZ4ULk/s288/46.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Chris Figureidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05313266002019414743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5865498026710173303.post-86877082992743027802012-08-27T21:04:00.001-07:002012-08-27T21:04:39.983-07:00Week #18, EdmontonI had a bunch of cash in my pocket and a few checks, that I had collected for the Canadian Heart & Stroke Foundation. I could wait until I got home to mail everything, but I thought it would be a lot of fun to hand it to them, plus they have a big office in Edmonton. So I rode over and approached the receptionist with the line "Have I got a good story for you". <br /><br />After telling my saga and making the donation, word spread quickly around the office. Soon I was talking to Craig, who is the coordinator for some event called Big Bike and he wanted me to me on it, and ride through the Capitol X Parade in downtown Edmonton the following morning<br /><br />I show up and to my surprise I see 3 "Big Bikes". 30 seat, carts with 4 car tires, and a handlebar and set of pedals for every seat, 3 wide and 10 deep. Each one weighs 1000 pounds. Only 30 people could even get this thing moving, slowly at best. Thankfully were in line with about 150 other floats, so speed was not necessary, as it took us an hour to wind our way through downtown Edmonton and past tens of thousands of people - it was amazing!<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781569750716576146'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-JL2ofDB1GjA/UDxDDmOa8ZI/AAAAAAAABwQ/LfnrHbUsJFU/s288/45.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781569786451882962'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BOpRQRpnxxA/UDxDFrWYc9I/AAAAAAAABwY/7-LByxQTd20/s288/46.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />2 years ago, she had a stroke and lost the ability to walk and talk. She re-learned how to use her tongue and move her legs. She is now 18 and starting college.<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781569813836833570'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-faESHxmuU8E/UDxDHRXdoyI/AAAAAAAABwg/7xP1vTrUpQw/s288/47.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781569847604305426'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-HafMu3eF-B8/UDxDJPKQXhI/AAAAAAAABwo/kWx_iRH-bTQ/s288/48.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781569876433716930'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-DKlY4tfBklE/UDxDK6juRsI/AAAAAAAABww/g2qvlkyvYU0/s288/49.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781569905093140642'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Sg7eeZxRVPg/UDxDMlUqYKI/AAAAAAAABw4/pEk4dLIbNew/s288/50.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Edmonton City Hall Fountain<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781569938520071842'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-A7wTdCL_iCk/UDxDOh2Q3qI/AAAAAAAABxA/Zpqo44VE1aw/s288/51.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Alberta Provincial Capitol fountain<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781569977611511602'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-l6MnfYYstyQ/UDxDQzeY5zI/AAAAAAAABxI/DpkeonkHz1A/s288/52.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Water park inside the West Edmonton Mall, biggest mall in the world.<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781570016834642642'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-H-7EuuKPH54/UDxDTFl6YtI/AAAAAAAABxQ/u1FT7U4U-W4/s288/53.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781570050671166578'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LrpHAGQcUDo/UDxDVDpKxHI/AAAAAAAABxY/5k9Ue0u4stc/s288/54.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Chris Figureidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05313266002019414743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5865498026710173303.post-29458775552939687012012-08-27T19:23:00.000-07:002012-08-27T19:24:00.295-07:00Week #17Having fun in Dawson Creek<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781543880993453474'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-upzNxPXzg-4/UDwrhx_ytaI/AAAAAAAABuU/a7OfM6NXSbA/s288/45.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Winchester 300<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781543907059894866'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-q1-Ep5LPuhM/UDwrjTGhClI/AAAAAAAABuc/vUV8mslOpkY/s288/46.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Taking the ATV through muskeg swamps<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781543938804331330'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zOXZMEyhFJk/UDwrlJW-s0I/AAAAAAAABuk/accmvZOQttE/s288/47.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781543967102387570'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-POn8AKox8rs/UDwrmyxwxXI/AAAAAAAABus/S8VV0SjqqQ4/s288/48.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Temporality stuck. <br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781543993055393890'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-fTIBh_UmAuc/UDwroTdcOGI/AAAAAAAABu0/eRYtWaDWJ6U/s288/49.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Lunch!<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781544023522236578'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-pOCKqbKhkjU/UDwrqE9TWKI/AAAAAAAABu8/5758lQd0SCc/s288/50.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781544058265075122'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/--I82OFOJ0jo/UDwrsGYo_bI/AAAAAAAABvE/55CKwlCVAE0/s288/51.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Home made tipi<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781544085555059154'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-1WnKK2b82yc/UDwrtsDFGdI/AAAAAAAABvM/eD_9j47p2AE/s288/52.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781544119211271074'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ar0XqOEylV4/UDwrvpbWI6I/AAAAAAAABvU/Qt23CUUa1-E/s288/53.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Chris Figureidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05313266002019414743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5865498026710173303.post-91998177125485838592012-08-27T17:24:00.001-07:002012-08-27T17:37:52.021-07:00Week #16From the northern edge of the Rocky Mtns. to the begginging of the prairie; from cold to hot; a dramatic change in just a few days.<br />Bison<br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781512271989490130'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-NKI4VPseZdo/UDwOx5R-wdI/AAAAAAAABow/nZT3LEknfWA/s288/45.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781512302520434994'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VgJ0WeYjSRs/UDwOzrBIATI/AAAAAAAABo4/oiXBbwKjmS4/s288/46.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781512329509220434'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-zrljN1UqG10/UDwO1PjwMFI/AAAAAAAABpA/Om4V_1Vcm3g/s288/47.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781512356326889346'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-2gn5HP0nfYU/UDwO2zdlV4I/AAAAAAAABpI/qFIO04qH8P4/s288/48.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br />Caribou<br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781512399002857298'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-CuywHrciNCw/UDwO5ScU71I/AAAAAAAABpQ/sY7QysraCKc/s288/49.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br />Muncho Lake<br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781512424142754850'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-2_rvXSGLJ3I/UDwO6wGJVCI/AAAAAAAABpY/2JtizlSwBqM/s288/50.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781512456756629762'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-GVqv9mfRCUo/UDwO8pl5kQI/AAAAAAAABpg/xrTYmp0q5zo/s288/51.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781512485435497682'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ZYFIB0lqZ1U/UDwO-UbeXNI/AAAAAAAABpo/kRNekn3a4X0/s288/52.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br />I like the mullet.<br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781512515552703906'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HhajKJQOnsY/UDwPAEn-daI/AAAAAAAABpw/Htw85tvuBN8/s288/53.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br />Copper oxide in Muncho Lake<br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781512548151613442'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-AY94072wmP0/UDwPB-EKWAI/AAAAAAAABp4/bwKrcjdaD2g/s288/54.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br />Another Monet painting?<br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781512582878913698'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-zv-AJ-THUy8/UDwPD_by5KI/AAAAAAAABqA/qbaR88mPzxw/s288/55.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781512615581203682'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-J9Qk8ttT1bE/UDwPF5QoPOI/AAAAAAAABqI/yVhiLtEcn5E/s288/56.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781512644124976722'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-NdvGKWStthc/UDwPHjl_plI/AAAAAAAABqQ/ofaXIMZaJLE/s288/57.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781512683745128034'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6CZb7tfgssw/UDwPJ3MLLmI/AAAAAAAABqY/xdUP4RtSCmw/s288/58.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781512747371332450'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-2fm4MlW1Xpk/UDwPNkN2A2I/AAAAAAAABqg/rbybSi47p_s/s288/59.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781512778678680130'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-__5F2Mg-4I4/UDwPPY2GOkI/AAAAAAAABqo/4D8NT9MuxLY/s288/60.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br />Beavers<br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781512806114698418'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-tNywwbIT1cQ/UDwPQ_DWpLI/AAAAAAAABqw/HKeIlSfSNfk/s288/61.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br />Toad River Lodge hat collection.<br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781512832527867650'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-GkJUpAzB4VM/UDwPShcvnwI/AAAAAAAABq4/_LC1dJoEgEg/s288/62.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781512860570910322'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0RG0CXjhbso/UDwPUJ6ufnI/AAAAAAAABrA/D_RstoMBdNA/s288/63.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781512886712113346'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ZKuVYLDxZEM/UDwPVrTRmMI/AAAAAAAABrI/E-7LoXHixMg/s288/64.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781512932151268962'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-KH8z9O3Nz-o/UDwPYUk0FmI/AAAAAAAABrQ/O5viHkMg-UA/s288/65.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a><br />Summit Lake<br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781512960581057170'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-o-hbFVXRRwg/UDwPZ-fAOpI/AAAAAAAABrY/K3ZOhj8uO78/s288/66.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781512991126494146'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-YuEGEbnQ4sU/UDwPbwRmm8I/AAAAAAAABrg/yivZW-6GM6k/s288/67.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781513022685293522'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-deimtj9BWZI/UDwPdl1zq9I/AAAAAAAABro/iVtD_bk-xYg/s288/68.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781513083743320114'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-LGlcgAUrgIY/UDwPhJTLODI/AAAAAAAABrw/-Rc9kBIwhY8/s288/69.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br />I asked for a lift.<br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781513113056324482'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-9g52V576UKQ/UDwPi2f8K4I/AAAAAAAABr4/u6EeXhL8aR0/s288/70.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781513138557423106'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-jAuYFRRrwR8/UDwPkVf4DgI/AAAAAAAABsA/iJskLxeBd5Y/s288/71.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781513168073118290'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-IJC_7jlElQo/UDwPmDc90lI/AAAAAAAABsI/EkBdf8KaJZI/s288/75.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br />It was not the steepest, and far from the longest, but it was the only hill that had such a nice warning sign.<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781516760013484994'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IZXkFkTwGfw/UDwS3IeSM8I/AAAAAAAABtY/qdVjbYseqg8/s288/45.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Canola farm.<br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781513211177335250'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-z7tJ5Wf-2mI/UDwPokBz-dI/AAAAAAAABsQ/3dsZQpqB0A0/s288/74.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781513236332615842'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-KLlKReMNUvI/UDwPqBvTGKI/AAAAAAAABsY/SQ3-QmaWh3I/s288/76.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5781513271293399922'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SXKW-A77op4/UDwPsD-mU3I/AAAAAAAABsg/GyOcxhcMumM/s288/77.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br />Chris Figureidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05313266002019414743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5865498026710173303.post-35328622287149818482012-08-26T23:22:00.001-07:002012-08-26T23:22:00.373-07:00Week #15Canada Day in Whitehorse to the northern edge of the Rocky Mountains.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5781233884400110738'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-24wQVJZ7wx8/UDsRlmsezJI/AAAAAAAABD4/h-FksNjDw30/s288/12.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5781233919522995970'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-vIBwnudoOQo/UDsRnpibfwI/AAAAAAAABEA/UqPNDXoxx-s/s288/13.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Whitehorse Rotary Club puts on a fundraiser by racing 6500 yellow rubber ducks in the Yukon River.<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5781233962614454786'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-NyizzgA83Bw/UDsRqKEO-gI/AAAAAAAABEI/YMPNRy0djps/s288/14.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5781234014018013586'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tXY8oAsnieE/UDsRtJjzCZI/AAAAAAAABEQ/pO5R4mtT09Q/s288/15.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5781234049829348450'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-X45VuH_5SNQ/UDsRvO94pGI/AAAAAAAABEY/w0I6QO1pGBg/s288/16.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />My camera has a cool setting called "19th-century French impressionist" <br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5781234082573076162'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-eDyvvF4-yPc/UDsRxI8mRsI/AAAAAAAABEg/BC7BWCOMUsg/s288/17.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5781234118182930722'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-3cmxmq24w-0/UDsRzNmpiSI/AAAAAAAABEo/zMhM15ZuQsc/s288/18.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5781234150247650482'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-KLiVJ1pexxY/UDsR1FDeVLI/AAAAAAAABEw/FlJSnB4vRvQ/s288/19.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5781234191642337346'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-UmP6RzrUyrY/UDsR3fQvIEI/AAAAAAAABE4/FGuqdMOsxLM/s288/20.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />This bear was one of 28 that I saw.<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5781234223838118498'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-O_ICpA24f0o/UDsR5XMzwmI/AAAAAAAABFA/XQTTURtcyfk/s288/21.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5781234269133292690'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-qp3wngLUIZc/UDsR7_8BRJI/AAAAAAAABFI/v4CfS3wgZew/s288/22.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5781234300738187426'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/--X5emif_9LY/UDsR91rNsKI/AAAAAAAABFQ/AK9fvpY_LxA/s288/23.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Two different mountain ranges. The Mackenzie Range on the left and the Rocky Mountains on the right. <br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5781234331842155202'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-QcKHzR1mDZI/UDsR_pi-ksI/AAAAAAAABFY/wenIce859tM/s288/24.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5781234365680800754'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Dsz0mSAzVu0/UDsSBnmvU_I/AAAAAAAABFg/_Cq-YJA9Ozk/s288/25.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Chris Figureidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05313266002019414743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5865498026710173303.post-26521860226015892662012-08-26T10:56:00.001-07:002012-08-30T12:07:27.181-07:00Week #14Crossing back into Canada.<br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5781041949015341906'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-W-r0e8tZCBM/UDpjBfqw-1I/AAAAAAAABB0/Jr9QvhEe5HM/s288/12.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5781041984083418050'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-s8Kxy3RAg9Q/UDpjDiTpW8I/AAAAAAAABB8/tuERxc2zS1E/s288/13.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5781042020838880546'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-WZekr--ciEY/UDpjFrO1NSI/AAAAAAAABCE/OjhiDUhq8kI/s288/14.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5781042053975901362'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-iZJ1ZTDKhpk/UDpjHmrUBLI/AAAAAAAABCM/WzoFd-Am7IE/s288/15.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5781042088981371682'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-JEhOJvbTS0M/UDpjJpFRGyI/AAAAAAAABCU/pye0LGAjBCs/s288/16.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5781042122981770162'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qgJA6IdCmQQ/UDpjLnvmA7I/AAAAAAAABCc/WLlSLR3Lx04/s288/17.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5781042157779850546'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ng22ZNX1N4s/UDpjNpYGlTI/AAAAAAAABCk/bvWcmYmiD40/s288/18.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5781042191667086626'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ITe_Jb8PFPM/UDpjPnncxSI/AAAAAAAABCs/6aTuwdFYjtk/s288/19.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a><br />this is a great picture, taken by Kristin Jones of Anchorage<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2012#5782544877656535474'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-eIDe1P3Y6fY/UD-57dJ48bI/AAAAAAAAB-U/nZ8YrSJ9X2Q/s288/46.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='186' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Chris Figureidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05313266002019414743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5865498026710173303.post-11440712839809828262012-08-26T07:28:00.001-07:002012-08-26T07:28:58.612-07:00Week #13Probably the most beautiful week of the trip; from Talkeetna to the Matanuska Glacier in Alaska.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5780988109829499890'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ZyP7UYXSLlU/UDoyDpEk6_I/AAAAAAAAA-M/BENtHRWS8OU/s288/13.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5780988140484562130'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-dZwdgh2m79Y/UDoyFbRUDNI/AAAAAAAAA-U/npXAE_W7FA8/s288/12.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5780988169262344930'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Rs-Mmi4abAI/UDoyHGeeKuI/AAAAAAAAA-c/yurJzhhZfVE/s288/14.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5780988205976689666'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-13gB4R9BV7o/UDoyJPP2nAI/AAAAAAAAA-k/klPbHnQJ_Zc/s288/15.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5780988228723538706'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-vOhUHWxcZgk/UDoyKj_H-xI/AAAAAAAAA-s/SSHDj66Ebmc/s288/16.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5780988263033186194'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-H3icJh1BxU0/UDoyMjzLp5I/AAAAAAAAA-0/IsOJ4J6KDxc/s288/17.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5780988298898228162'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-RrFiPYdBVa8/UDoyOpaEw8I/AAAAAAAAA-8/P7o13QniDLQ/s288/18.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5780988330859636370'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-_FlzH6R6c2w/UDoyQgeRJpI/AAAAAAAAA_E/9gqF2Ay-efc/s288/19.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5780988369306864338'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-32I3IWmzGu0/UDoySvszStI/AAAAAAAAA_M/OTGZ0J9TH8A/s288/20.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5780988397360310050'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-H19vI5GWR9w/UDoyUYNQ5yI/AAAAAAAAA_U/PrSjCxYP-SE/s288/21.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5780988431316451954'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-C6-_8nYo2y4/UDoyWWtCgnI/AAAAAAAAA_c/iU1zyKNsCMo/s288/22.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5780988464740399298'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Lxvhkj3bjyo/UDoyYTN7eMI/AAAAAAAAA_k/wjCia42p2nM/s288/23.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5780988496151500738'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ayKYO-xAXac/UDoyaIO618I/AAAAAAAAA_s/q4Y7dO6wUcY/s288/24.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5780988531441269234'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-8hMAPep3Ulw/UDoycLsp-fI/AAAAAAAAA_0/wdW8hhEMoYw/s288/25.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5780988561567701250'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-KW46o9Zz-3w/UDoyd77W2QI/AAAAAAAAA_8/GqsSCQG2YVU/s288/26.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5780988597246093890'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ZZ-rsPQKwis/UDoygA1v6kI/AAAAAAAABAE/cJgdmA7d5ZU/s288/27.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5780988632471867762'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-jKomD81uGS8/UDoyiEEOkXI/AAAAAAAABAM/Dj0tLQeSz90/s288/28.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5780988668007262962'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-yeRLhOm3Iwo/UDoykIchqvI/AAAAAAAABAU/Q-cMowCZ1Ec/s288/29.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5780988704186355346'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-NXZ0LdQEwBo/UDoymPOSzpI/AAAAAAAABAc/7xrCviR8P9I/s288/30.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5780988742065805746'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-3gW8fbOYzwc/UDoyocVdWbI/AAAAAAAABAk/3TQXJ7Q6xlc/s288/31.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5780988769475783090'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TX6HviEHsew/UDoyqCcgabI/AAAAAAAABAs/cWvn1iZYvJs/s288/33.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Chris Figureidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05313266002019414743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5865498026710173303.post-37257387506815586202012-07-16T16:20:00.001-07:002012-07-16T17:01:02.392-07:00After DenaliIt's 3 am and I'm laying in bed contemplating my something or other thoughts about my success, my failures, and what they mean. Just as I have for the past 15 nights since coming down from Mt. McKinley.<br /><br />I'm in Tok Alaska. A dusty cross roads for ignorant travelers to bludgeon the locals with stupid questions. "What time do the Northern Lights turn on?" "Where are the bears." "Are glaciers made of ice?".<br /><br />The author Hunter S Thompson (Rum Diary, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas) would have had a field day watching this geriatric crowd. Stepping out of their gas guzzling RVs, wearing an ugly T-shirt they picked up at a gift shop. And the shirts are all the same; Alaska written across it with something about mosquitoes, bears, moose, or the relatively small size of Texas. Then a guitar strap around their neck holding a camera thats resting on their bloated gut with a giant telephoto lens leading the way. I hide my camera in my pocket. They make me embarrassed to even be associated as a traveler. Hunter would have said they are all still humping the American Dream. Not that I know what that is, but I am definitely chasing a dream, and I think it may be empty.<br /><br />I came down from McKinley without reaching the summit, without traversing, without doing many of things I dreamed about. But I sat at 17200 feet for 8 days twirling my thumbs while snow and strong winds confined me to the tent. I could have done nearly anywhere.<br /><br />I watch these RV people buy every tacky representation of Mt. McKinley in the gift shops. They have no clue what they're looking at. I can name all the features and surrounding peaks on that ceramic paper weight. And I think, is that all the mountain really is, an over priced trinket? No. I can't let it be. I gave so much of myself, I must educate them. I speak up like a coward crawling out of a ditch "I was just there". Hoping to strike their interest in my story and give me the opportunity to stick my chest out and feel good about myself.<br /><br />I set them up so they always ask the same questions and my heroic answers seem genuine and inspiring. I say "I'm glad to have made it down with all my fingers and toes, the summit is not worth it", "it's scary up there. 6 people have died" and "live to climb another day". But that is just white wash, because I don't know how I feel or what I want to say.<br /><br />I am fully aware of the bigger picture: raising money for charity, being an example for children, inspiring others, living life to its fullest, and a dozen other grander meanings. I think that I am accomplishing those goals and feel great about it. But deep down, I wanted something else for myself.<br /><br />I'm ashamed that I don't know how to deal with defeat. I can pretend I'm fine but I'm really confused. I'm ashamed that I'm complaining about being a wealthy white guy who gets to live out his fantasies on a whim. But there is a persistent emptiness in my dream as I try to pull meaning from the void. The best I can tell myself is that this chapter of my life will remain open. To even think more about it, write more about it, will be an empty closure, and so I must end here.<br /><br />"Know who you are, Know who you want to be, and Follow your dreams..."<br />-Chris Figureida<br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5765912794807324322'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-K4NWJnsRtXM/UASjI0RezqI/AAAAAAAAAyg/9MfxwTxhbkk/s288/102.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5765912832175335266'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-zFOV6v8x2Tg/UASjK_etZ2I/AAAAAAAAAyo/d5hXKth8wvE/s288/103.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5765912865480087186'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PA5kG0jbzo8/UASjM7jLlpI/AAAAAAAAAyw/cKXXhqU2VAQ/s288/104.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' 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href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5765919893298101170'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-AZ-_D7z2PrM/UASpmANkO7I/AAAAAAAAA60/pvFTL5f_Upw/s288/22.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5765919926647716130'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Zd1SkNccywE/UASpn8cu-SI/AAAAAAAAA68/mCRQLo70JIc/s288/23.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5765919960587633858'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-R9fRLDtMnqk/UASpp64pBMI/AAAAAAAAA7E/YrX262ckkjc/s288/24.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5765919996851765458'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-6_eutmtglok/UASpsB-rwNI/AAAAAAAAA7M/ap209UCs7qo/s288/25.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5765920030967464994'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-q8EXT3UD9u4/UASpuBEgBCI/AAAAAAAAA7U/gLhuJ3r-6tw/s288/26.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5765920068442572258'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-O8LhPlkpGzY/UASpwMrQxeI/AAAAAAAAA7c/GOsD2A3OgcM/s288/27.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5765920103365137410'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-E6EaeO_klZc/UASpyOxc1AI/AAAAAAAAA7k/DJtzSiS5t-A/s288/28.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5765920133624226578'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-pxsqpmQmByY/UASpz_fx4xI/AAAAAAAAA7s/G6RLwWXKrNM/s288/29.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5765920164773252418'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-NnSirsffbCU/UASp1ziSTUI/AAAAAAAAA70/DNMbC0r47Fg/s288/30.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5765921114099049186'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-mZAaAzoKocI/UASqtEDMYuI/AAAAAAAAA78/sUcgqdZnmiw/s288/11.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5765921153074279714'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-pNhPB-K_oG8/UASqvVPnNSI/AAAAAAAAA8E/zHr6DrUMHII/s288/12.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5765921186282058418'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-89v4O62dKBI/UASqxQ89srI/AAAAAAAAA8M/LgzrabwbZEc/s288/13.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5765921220873872162'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-FSkIX7T20aA/UASqzR0S4yI/AAAAAAAAA8U/KeNu23NppqU/s288/14.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5765921262455228018'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PO8R1zpO8qY/UASq1suEBnI/AAAAAAAAA8c/-3eb_3PX5_o/s288/15.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5765921301177912706'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Jf4_AqYW_24/UASq38-RTYI/AAAAAAAAA8k/tMMMJP6_L14/s288/16.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5765921332701564658'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-VC9VnNEWpbk/UASq5yaGDvI/AAAAAAAAA8s/BhLZcFO_tnk/s288/17.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5765921369565542978'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ze5bjrAm3Zg/UASq77vJukI/AAAAAAAAA80/y2fd0ya4JvA/s288/18.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5765921402590302354'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lcknL9GeSTU/UASq92w3kJI/AAAAAAAAA88/n61Yi-uKPkQ/s288/19.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5765921439390131922'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-S9xpctnnxoU/UASq__2oZtI/AAAAAAAAA9E/04UeUXZtEaw/s288/20.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5765921481242084162'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-3f2iNr5OIT4/UASrCbw6g0I/AAAAAAAAA9M/cg93BrqPwUQ/s288/21.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5765921508788454690'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-esOZtShCmaA/UASrECYexSI/AAAAAAAAA9U/px6UPjKFu38/s288/22.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5765921549005822690'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-IWLJ4ibN7U4/UASrGYNDGuI/AAAAAAAAA9c/oaGrdP9jLB4/s288/23.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5765921582013575522'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iqcBoN08hP8/UASrITKtcWI/AAAAAAAAA9k/dHbkIJ9_b54/s288/24.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5765921623857718386'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pujyF3evTHE/UASrKvDIZHI/AAAAAAAAA9s/mSQc5pbL-eE/s288/25.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5765921662384893394'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-YeiMyBU9sxk/UASrM-kubdI/AAAAAAAAA90/Vt1C0-GeeR8/s288/26.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5765921699610214386'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-LhMsgLV2EBM/UASrPJP7v_I/AAAAAAAAA98/xF0gNLP7sb8/s288/27.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Chris Figureidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05313266002019414743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5865498026710173303.post-77195063653117723772012-06-27T09:49:00.001-07:002012-06-27T09:49:39.123-07:00After Denali fun in Alaska<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5758759414853068098'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-xTZjf-Lyors/T-s5LTVA5UI/AAAAAAAAAcw/bogmjGMKUsw/s288/8.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5758759481508261586'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-e4ZUIi8ctq0/T-s5PLo2btI/AAAAAAAAAc4/Q3tHgPNvEOk/s288/10.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5758759535426401874'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-m7zrHI8d-Gs/T-s5SUf79lI/AAAAAAAAAdA/W9q8tbvJB4U/s288/11.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5758759590862068546'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Jamcr7_gSyQ/T-s5VjA1G0I/AAAAAAAAAdI/cTpg2sRGWqs/s288/12.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5758759645105296514'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-jlvgC7mHzvk/T-s5YtFbFII/AAAAAAAAAdQ/HGuWaHNV8ik/s288/13.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='187' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5758759694293414530'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-oYQ2If1-y7Q/T-s5bkUyMoI/AAAAAAAAAdY/A6JmjA7OyUg/s288/14.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='187' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5758759737507455442'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-kb13QxfJRy0/T-s5eFT0IdI/AAAAAAAAAdg/tffGoQCwN2U/s288/15.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5758759780135877378'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-HD1Ww0k2Meo/T-s5gkHOOwI/AAAAAAAAAdo/ehsxj28yVe8/s288/16.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5758759819702455154'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dIYJn9rtE0M/T-s5i3goS3I/AAAAAAAAAdw/QwZVEYghqtA/s288/17.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5758759862398059218'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-_qjEE9eeYXE/T-s5lWkDgtI/AAAAAAAAAd4/2wKuu29xzuM/s288/18.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5758759915744660162'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-lRxtXtdRFkY/T-s5odS4CsI/AAAAAAAAAeA/kn-N5WzyHDI/s288/19.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Chris Figureidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05313266002019414743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5865498026710173303.post-57437652778424097782012-05-10T23:05:00.001-07:002012-05-16T21:03:32.137-07:00Week #8, Tok to Talkeetna.<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5743347103827593026'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-0G016WPpaM4/T7R3wulph0I/AAAAAAAAAaU/xGLDv2Au5uw/s288/8.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5743347134010497586'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-5505xLQyTNw/T7R3yfB0GjI/AAAAAAAAAac/wUN5EuXg7hw/s288/10.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5743347177638106562'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/--7o_q3sehoc/T7R31BjclcI/AAAAAAAAAak/TQ1gQScinc8/s288/11.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5743347207853877538'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-qdO2pg1ZzPE/T7R32yHcqSI/AAAAAAAAAas/AE1Y5ETxT4s/s288/12.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5743347245869028082'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-yRlF5GKH-a4/T7R34_u90vI/AAAAAAAAAa0/N2sG6KAv_tE/s288/13.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5743347282449285090'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-IyQua6gesrM/T7R37IAYP-I/AAAAAAAAAa8/tE9p3yps4uU/s288/14.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5743347318866108130'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Em75f6K_RBQ/T7R39Pq03uI/AAAAAAAAAbE/uLrCVy_Q-jQ/s288/15.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5743347346445508882'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-2uQ_uZX6Zk4/T7R3-2aRIRI/AAAAAAAAAbM/1PDfeeSHpmA/s288/16.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5743347598261463122'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-OlPRG4N8Rzg/T7R4Ngf3qFI/AAAAAAAAAbU/OsyqSxTo2k4/s288/17.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5743347633284545314'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-hO6vwrNTkUg/T7R4Pi-BeyI/AAAAAAAAAbc/BitfWBlMYB4/s288/18.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5743347689398411394'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CVin7Y7FtHM/T7R4S0AnIII/AAAAAAAAAbk/dYVhxWomClg/s288/19.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5743347745475292226'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-6p_DSWkzjLg/T7R4WE6YbEI/AAAAAAAAAbs/Me5qAmGVwkk/s288/20.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5743347789718275570'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-AvylCBIMR3M/T7R4YpuuxfI/AAAAAAAAAb0/38KVYYlGnmA/s288/21.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5743347839059728402'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-RlgSGArV-RE/T7R4bhipmBI/AAAAAAAAAb8/FhJX66vT_Ro/s288/22.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5743347889933039970'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-4xs91Bdbf4c/T7R4efDyuWI/AAAAAAAAAcE/Yr69r4BbtQ8/s288/23.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5743347923916485442'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-TvR5XHCT-lE/T7R4gdqE80I/AAAAAAAAAcM/7SPsD6bGHKE/s288/24.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5743347962963319698'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-X5D0dmobo8Q/T7R4ivHkW5I/AAAAAAAAAcU/JUM9rcxPJHY/s288/25.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5743347996894083106'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Jf6QWxRdITM/T7R4kthSuCI/AAAAAAAAAcc/Hba2NIWS6Jc/s288/26.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Chris Figureidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05313266002019414743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5865498026710173303.post-31939869706684444132012-05-10T23:03:00.001-07:002012-06-27T00:22:13.986-07:00Week #7, Whitehorse to TokVideo of week #7:<br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyec-ZubZ3I<br /><br />A portrait<br /><br />After 7 weeks on the pedal, my body is slowing down and wearing out. I'm trying to be careful. Mindful of every muscle, every fiber, every twitch. Trying to be gentile and conservative. This is a three part adventure and the second is about to begin. I just need to hold on. But I am getting so tired. Every time it snows or gets really cold, I feel like I have to wait another day before Spring arrives. But sometimes, motivation and compassion finds me on the side of the highway. Lifts me back up and pushes me onward. <br /><br />I sat facing the wind, bike laying in the gravel next me, looking at the snow blown tundra and hanging glaciers on the mountains in the distance. Even after I tried to warm it in my pocket, the Cliff Bar was stiff and chewing it wore out my jaw. <br /><br />I could hear the approach of the vehicle but didn't care to look behind until it sounded unusually close. As it passed and nearly drove off the road I notice a young girl smiling and waving towards me. She must have forgot that she was driving. I watched her correct the wheels back onto the road and off into the white distance, she disappeared. Not the first time this has happened.<br /><br />Quiet. The cold wind gently whispering through the tiny bits of brush not covered by snow. I can hear another car approaching, this time I look up and can see that it's the young girl, driving back towards me and she is slowing down and pulling over. I don't move. I'm waiting for the crazy reason she has to talk to me.<br /><br />The car door opens and from behind it pops a tall blond in coke bottle glasses with a long dress that is too thin for this time of year; she says "What are you doing? I mean, I see this guy on the side the road in the middle of nowhere, sitting next to a bicycle in the snow; and I think to myself, I have to ask him what he is doing." She sits down in the gravel next to me. For the next half hour we talk about strangers meeting in the snow on the side of the Alaskan Highway. <br /><br />No other cars go by. She gets up to leave and ask "can I take your picture?". This is not unusual and I have a well practiced pose. A lot of people take my picture but this time it feels different. She shows me the black and white portrait. I love it. Me and nothing in a picture.<br /><br />We don't exchange names, emails, Facebook accounts. She just leaves me as she found me. Again, I love it. I like thinking that somewhere, there is this black and white image of me on some girls computer. Just a face on the side of the road in her journey along this highway. It is as simple as I can be boiled down to. I hope it goes into a gallery somewhere. Guy on bike, in the nowhere of snow blown tundra, having his portrait taken. <br /><br />Green Tea<br /><br />Standing in a clearing on the side of the road. I always make sure to stop in wide open areas so that I can see what's coming out of the bushes. I'm trying to eat a Snickers Bar but when they freeze, it can break your teeth. Snow flakes are gently blowing through the shivering trees. It's late, really late. I'm hoping to make it to the next town by 9pm but as the minutes fade away, so does my strength. <br /><br />A small pickup truck drives by. I wish I had a vehicle right now. I'm shaking, hungry, and a little worried that I don't have the strength to make it into town before the last restaurant closes and I'll have to go to sleep with an empty stomach. I gnaw off a small corner of the Snickers Bar and break it in the back corner of my mouth. <br /><br />From around the corner the small pickup truck that passed me a minuet earlier, pulls around and swings right up to me. The window squeaks down and this long grey hair flys out. A wrinkled, sun blown face is unveiled. She says "would you like some hot tea? I just made a pot and have plenty to share". <br /><br />I'm shivering. My lips won't stop shaking to let me speak. The rattling in my bones is vibrating my brain. I'm stupid and don't like tea so I say "I'm good, but thank you". She looks at me with a bit of earnest and tries again "are you sure? I just made it". "yea, I'm okay" I mumble back. All I can think is that I don't like tea and this old woman should leave me alone to shiver in peace. Cant she see that I'm trying to be miserable. Her persistence is impressive as she says again "are you sure? It's really cold out here and you look like you could use something warm. It would only taken second."<br /><br />I want to please everyone, so for her sake I agree "okay, I'll take some". I'll suffer through some boiling hot tea and waste 5 minutes of strength and daylight that I don't have if it will make her happy. Besides, I can probably slip into the conversation that I am not too proud to accept rides from people if they offer.<br /><br />She pulls over and pulls out two well worn bamboo cups, a dented and scratched metallic thermos, and pours me a cup of green tea. I stuff my Snickers bar into my pocket and reach out a shaky fist. Oh the warmth as my hand latches on to the cup. My other hand unfolding from my chest to squeeze the cup in front of my face. Steam rising up, kissing my nose and melting the snow flakes on my checks. How foolish I was to defy this woman.<br /><br />This is the best damn cup of tea I have ever had. It's bitter and burns my tongue but I want to dive into this cup. Wait, she's taking to me; I should try to listen. Ah who cares. I'm probably near death but too cold to notice. I need to drink this tea and save myself, pay attention latter.<br /><br />I finish my cup. I think she can see a bit of color coming back to my face. I didn't get to slip into the conversation anything about accepting rides from strangers, but I think I can make it to town. She packs up the tea set and wishes me luck. I still don't like tea, but I love this old woman.<br /><br /><br />"Know who you are, Know who you want to be, and Follow your dream<br />-Antonio Figureida<br /><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5743344082986382274'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-JrCACLLsga0/T7R1A5E-s8I/AAAAAAAAAW8/wapKfoUuync/s288/8.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5743344137646043154'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jVen3OfR3Tc/T7R1EEs28BI/AAAAAAAAAXE/UrHuKqAPFbs/s288/10.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5743344195842394914'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-E2xgLLdrrI4/T7R1Hdf8yyI/AAAAAAAAAXM/JXjrotrOZ_s/s288/11.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5743344248137687074'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-QUDAK-4w_bk/T7R1KgUHoCI/AAAAAAAAAXU/zCrRwZyyI9Q/s288/12.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5743344312916216402'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LU-njW9jBLk/T7R1ORohilI/AAAAAAAAAXc/iabUVbjxqMk/s288/13.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5743344364160200914'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-roMoQzOvNL0/T7R1RQiCsNI/AAAAAAAAAXk/E2I81_5UuoE/s288/14.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5743344409181157234'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jQNYNgyrpQc/T7R1T4P393I/AAAAAAAAAXs/9c81Du89Wts/s288/15.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5743344482449397250'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-taZvaOb-0Fc/T7R1YJMYlgI/AAAAAAAAAX0/57rvpS3ixlE/s288/16.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5743344545835694226'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-3uqlJWuvrPo/T7R1b1U2uJI/AAAAAAAAAX8/hHqcWgC5_EI/s288/17.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5743344625932292786'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-_EKjLArXA2M/T7R1gftX0rI/AAAAAAAAAYE/uMzeBBrKock/s288/18.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5743344714920227794'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-zPagqKaG1XA/T7R1lrNv89I/AAAAAAAAAYM/xZBPafmkfPs/s288/19.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5743344750977578514'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tr0Oq9j414E/T7R1nxifdhI/AAAAAAAAAYU/v7zMyHuTF5k/s288/20.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5743344811700455874'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UCcaVNsOvsY/T7R1rTv9CcI/AAAAAAAAAYc/WvFv7nl5cQs/s288/21.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5743344871041757202'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-LdacJ2ST5mk/T7R1uw0BcBI/AAAAAAAAAYk/d1sgTRmkESc/s288/22.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5743344928707249634'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-DzBre-XARmQ/T7R1yHojBeI/AAAAAAAAAYs/6Laf_b48pNA/s288/23.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5743344984983485778'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-jW7oXnUZ0tY/T7R11ZR2PVI/AAAAAAAAAY0/3xH9P--ShVY/s288/24.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5743345042309444050'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-4Ybs6RmI_xs/T7R14u1a8dI/AAAAAAAAAY8/t6ICgfaQssg/s288/25.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5743345094094042802'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-vNfo7hEIUJM/T7R17vv1NrI/AAAAAAAAAZE/E3UMqDt7Fxw/s288/26.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5743345149178089250'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-H0Y1TN5kpgs/T7R1-885DyI/AAAAAAAAAZM/QRq5WNwwJpE/s288/27.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5743345198034740978'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-41m67XbPsKU/T7R2By9OZvI/AAAAAAAAAZU/ZF0aVREH6BU/s288/28.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5743345256849716466'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ZIGUOk-RaEU/T7R2FODztPI/AAAAAAAAAZc/J_32lH3qn1c/s288/29.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5743345330462099810'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-30ElxGk6R-Q/T7R2JgSXiWI/AAAAAAAAAZk/-8oVPSM2Uxg/s288/30.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5743345442059341650'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--5elWvvWiN8/T7R2QABOT1I/AAAAAAAAAZs/bClTYaCpDHM/s288/31.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5743345485357258178'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MxkrlYRLhTk/T7R2ShUQFcI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/pXjFIyh7rJc/s288/32.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5743345534501170594'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ZYYfWu8tGkc/T7R2VYZEraI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/MU61YUjCl9k/s288/33.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5743345577741605170'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-q9nVyDDJoKI/T7R2X5eZWTI/AAAAAAAAAaE/fZrgc3wK_ic/s288/34.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5743345614295054274'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Zdizfv2H_34/T7R2aBpat8I/AAAAAAAAAaM/Ens5jHmybns/s288/35.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><br />Chris Figureidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05313266002019414743noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5865498026710173303.post-85626260901770403492012-05-02T20:42:00.001-07:002012-05-06T14:13:27.927-07:00Week #6, Muncho Lake to WhitehorseVideo of week #6:<br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vY_x2ir7h5c<br /><br />As I wind my way north. The mountains are giving way to hills and the road is becoming wobbly as it flows over the melting permafrost on the flat tundra. In some places the highway crews repair and patch the road with a thick layer of tar and cover it with gravel for a sand paper like finish that is as course as my unkept beard. They call it Chip Seal and I think it is worse then the hole or frost heave that it is covering. Slowing me down with every vibrating bump while shorting the lifespan of the tires.<br /><br />The only benefit is that I'm not the only one that the roads force to take heed. The cars and trucks would be stranded for weeks if they busted their suspension, and so they too have to navigate the drops, heaves, holes, and soft spots with care if they want to make their destination on time and in one piece. Otherwise they fly past me as if they had wings and were trying to take off. And who is to stop them? When you have one Highway Patrol officer for every 8,000 square miles, it's not likely that anyone gets caught for speeding.<br /><br />The days are getting longer and longer. It's strange because time starts to not be very important. You can start anything at 5 in the afternoon and still have 6 hours of sunlight to finish it. I can wait till 3 in the afternoon to begin a 100 mile ride, and a lot of time I do; it's the warmest part of the day. As magical as this never ending visibility is, there are a few down sides. Most notably, it is hard to go to sleep at 11 pm when the sun is still up and it's hard to not wake up at 4:30 am when the sunlight is nearly bright enough to read by. Also, I've succumbed to the fact that I will not be able to catch an Alaskan sunrise because I will not be getting up 9 hours before noon to catch it. And similarly I don't think I will be filming any sunsets as I need too much sleep to stay up that late.<br /><br />But the long days are bringing warmth and the possible arrival of Spring. Every day feels like the last day of winter and I have so much hope that it is. With every additional snow flake, ball of hail, freezing night in the tent, I tell myself that it will be the last. And though this has yet to happen, I have to believe and convince myself that it will. Otherwise I don't think I could keep on going. I have to pretend that I will know what it feels like to be warm again and that it will happen soon. If I thought that I would make it all the way to Mt. McKinley with ice on my back, freezing wind on my face, and clouds in the sky, I'd rather just drive there and save what little enthusiasm I have left for the climb.<br /><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5738146534053630962'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--ffbX_sIQzI/T6H93udn0_I/AAAAAAAAAT4/ibcgoO6wdSA/s288/8.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5738146570247711010'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-3eWuYHmxfk8/T6H951S9qSI/AAAAAAAAAUA/bLu2Is0vYbY/s288/10.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5738146603563640354'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-z9n_f-vCf_4/T6H97xaGZiI/AAAAAAAAAUI/IyVyxR3lKg4/s288/11.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5738146639486763650'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-HZ3acRWGI3s/T6H993O1woI/AAAAAAAAAUQ/gKsqrVx4FuA/s288/12.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5738146661067344738'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-EEEckbPN3Co/T6H9_HoDS2I/AAAAAAAAAUY/oTqwAeo34UY/s288/13.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5738146682748145586'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-AZPm71WBudk/T6H-AYZKD7I/AAAAAAAAAUg/BbhrDLYtxuI/s288/14.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5738146702131151922'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3s4cgJqR5Dg/T6H-BgmbRDI/AAAAAAAAAUo/0nMRhnx-qXg/s288/15.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5738146721728167154'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ZlVljx5g6ro/T6H-Cpmt_PI/AAAAAAAAAUw/Fx35OQH3sRA/s288/16.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5738146760998266626'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-rnosl4Ym60o/T6H-E75cJwI/AAAAAAAAAU4/PGzOxjFR_ac/s288/17.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5738146788365324546'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-mJZEEkwIE-Y/T6H-Gh2QUQI/AAAAAAAAAVA/Ycxk1gKpzI8/s288/18.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5738146834724108146'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-zUHXhvopGrw/T6H-JOjDN3I/AAAAAAAAAVI/J6GVkn5t9w0/s288/19.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5738146859070793794'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-PdtJRauIp0E/T6H-KpPwKEI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/7rMpwcRVE1E/s288/20.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5738146885596942610'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gdwoCwh51vs/T6H-MMEFERI/AAAAAAAAAVY/q5ifzJXoUQ0/s288/21.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5738146918150974802'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-PXuJaORXZ4k/T6H-OFVkLVI/AAAAAAAAAVg/0WrTxm1OAMk/s288/22.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5738146954415673778'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-5u4y8DQCIBA/T6H-QMbvkbI/AAAAAAAAAVo/QeKxNIAC3bE/s288/23.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5738146978813234018'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-cNUe61a8X48/T6H-RnUky2I/AAAAAAAAAVw/YERVpBwpmTM/s288/24.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5738147008730669266'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mUzRlq3Zt3I/T6H-TWxcoNI/AAAAAAAAAV4/DpOUC-Vd6ac/s288/25.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5738147164191966242'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ZocGh-Ra_Lc/T6H-cZ6TxCI/AAAAAAAAAWA/QrENWwGhtcc/s288/26.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5738147204983256434'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-cOeIqGsYqOk/T6H-ex3tdXI/AAAAAAAAAWI/M2aHWNpouJk/s288/27.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5738147230206420946'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-mLMI99x7i1k/T6H-gP1YZ9I/AAAAAAAAAWQ/1Y1WfR5IeRs/s288/28.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5738147262670220418'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-9MpOPj_BeRY/T6H-iIxWrII/AAAAAAAAAWY/rkCNC4iOxEo/s288/29.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5738147285190682882'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-bac4UDCL1PE/T6H-jcqpqQI/AAAAAAAAAWg/h8q9C60aLR0/s288/30.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5738147321386454098'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-1HU7ORrBHL4/T6H-ljgZTFI/AAAAAAAAAWo/8QpYMAhpvwA/s288/31.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5738147343953863330'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-3mkF_UgZvTE/T6H-m3k4oqI/AAAAAAAAAWw/0UEs_YQkopE/s288/32.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><br />Chris Figureidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05313266002019414743noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5865498026710173303.post-39268480195769135722012-04-24T22:54:00.001-07:002012-05-02T21:18:30.828-07:00Week #5, Dawson Creek to Muncho LakeVideo of week #5<br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eI4birPzSNw<br />Food is by far the biggest part my day. Where am I going to eat, how much will it cost, what will it be, how far away, what time, and where will I eat after that. I estimate that I go through 4000 calories per day, over 5000 on the longer days. It's hard to eat that much. Even if I am hungry from riding, my stomach can only hold so much at a time. I get tired of force feeding myself till it hurts. Food is probably the last pleasure of an arduous solo journey, but it looses all luxury, texture, taste, and enjoyment when it gets reduced to counting how many calories I can hold down without having it come back up while climbing over some mountain a few miles away.<br />But through all the antacid, I still eat. I need to. Without a massive and costly amount of calories, I would not have the fuel to sustain this effort. So when food becomes hard to find, I get weak and worried.<br />110 miles south of Ft. Nelson. The guy at the restaurant assures me that my lunch spot, a gas station and small market on a First Nation Reservation, would be open and have something for me to eat. So I buy a bag of almonds and small bag of beef jerky and set off. 3 hours later, I sitting on a bench outside this market, looking for anyone. The reservation is empty, there are a few scattered trailers and burnt down buildings but otherwise this place is a ghost town. I eat my almonds, all the beef jerky, and start to ration out my remaining water. <br />20 miles south of Ft. Nelson. My body is hitting the wall. I'm shaking, I can't exert myself like standing up or pushing hard on the pedal. I have to take every hill in the easiest of gears and conserve all my remaining energy to crawl in. I can't quit. I have to get there so I can eat. This is do or die. <br />10 miles south of Ft. Nelson. My stomach is in massive amounts of pain. I can feel my body starving. As a car goes car goes by I think about it arriving in 10 minutes and I'm looking at another hour if there are no more hills.<br />5 miles south of Ft. Nelson. I squeeze the last half mouth full of water from the bottle and focus on all the things I am going to eat at the first store I see. I'm moving on experience. I've ridden way past empty before and know that I can do it. I'm grabbing my stomach in pain while riding with one hand. I'm not sweating anymore, I'm out of water. Every muscle is starting to cramp up with each vibrating stroke of the pedal.<br />1 mile south of Ft. Nelson. The road takes a nasty turn for the worst and climbs up and up, and up. A 7% grade to reach the city. As slow as a snail I grind my easiest gear up the shoulder, pushing through winter's pile of road salt and gravel. I can see the first store, a gas station. As I pull off and coast to the door I'm weak and shaking. Stepping on the ground is like having sea legs. Inside the store I'm trying to compose myself but surrounded by options my brain is numb and unable to process what I want. Eventually I buy juice, candy, muffins, chips, soda, nuts, beef jerky and a more to satisfy my eyes. But my stomach hurts. Every bite is hard to swallow and again I am forcing myself to live. <br />About half an hour later and things have started to calm down. The shaking has stopped and I feel a bit of strength. I go to where I'll be staying that night, get cleaned up, and go out for pizza. I eat and spend the rest of the night laying in the sleeping bag, rolling back and forth in pain. I think I gave myself an ulcer.<br />Determined to not have that experience again, the following morning I stop at the Ft. Nelson Visitor's Center and work out the rest of my schedule with the staff about which places are open and where I can find food. We make a bunch of calls to find out who is open and if they have anything to eat.<br />Confident with a slightly adjusted schedule, I head out for Tetsa River. a small campground, 70 miles away. To get there I had to climb over one of the highest passes on the Alaskan Highway in light rain and snow. It was a nice climb with amazing views, but it took all day and after not eating the day before, I was still very weak and my stomach in a lot of pain. I stopped along the way, ate my snacks, took pictures. Tried to enjoy the ride and take things easy. <br />A man drives up to me and says that a black bear was just ahead. After listening to the locals stories about all the different ways you can get killed by the wildlife, the bear sighting puts me on a heightened notice. I ride while constantly scanning to my left and right looking for anything. The way the locals tell it, you would think this was Jurassic Park and that a Velociraptor is about to flank you.<br />I made it to Tetsa, no bears, no Velociraptors. But no park and no food either. I go inside the store and a man says hello. I recognize his voice as the person I spoke to earlier in the day. One of the people who said they were open and had food. Looking around the snow covered park, everything broken from the winter snow, the only reason he is open is because he lives here. Looking around the store, he has 3 bottles of Pepsi, and 6 snack size bags of salt & vinegar chips, you know, food.<br />He says that I can pitch my tent anywhere that's dry and when I ask him about getting something to eat he just says sorry buddy and walks away. I decide that all I can do is buy all the chips and soda and make a meal out of it. I'm so mad. This guy said he was open, but for what? <br />And this has been typical of the people in these little towns and rest stops. They don't know what is 30 miles north of south of them on the highway, even though they may have lived there for years; you just can not get any reliable information from them. When they say a place is closed or open, you have to pry more information out of them to figure out if it is just closed for winter or if it burnt down 50 years ago. Or if it is open, how late do they stay open and if they have anything to offer.<br />I pitch the tent, and ration out 2 Pepsi, and 3 bags of chips. It's cold, it's dark, and I don't have enough calories in me to be warm and strong. Laying in the tent I can hear the wolves howling a few hundred feet away. There are steps in the ice around the tent. I am so scared, my heart is about to burst out of my chest. It is thumping so hard it shakes my sleeping bag and fills my ears. I desperately calm myself down just so I can hear. I'm waiting for that Velociraptor to rip the tent open and eat me alive.<br />I slowly reach up and give the tent a good shake. It startles the animal and I can hear it run off. The wolves howl again, a little bit closer. I have never wanted a night light so bad. I open my iPad and stare at it's brightly lit screen. My breath is forming ice on the glass. As it would go dim, I would touch it and keep the light on. Around 3:30 in the morning, it was finally quiet. It was finally cold enough and late enough for everything to pause for the night.<br />In the morning I finished my chips and soda and continued heading north. The wind was strong and cold. The next place was Toad River, 50 miles away. In between was the highest climb on the highway, covered in ice. 6 hours later I finally pulled up to the restaurant, a real working restaurant, with real food. As it was two days before, I struggled to push the pedal down from a lack of calories. I felt like the wind could have blown my weak, pale, skinny body, like a sheet in the wind. <br />After being scared the night before, I got a room, cleaned up, and then surprised the waitress by eating a Turkey Burger, Buffalo Burger, 2 bowls of beef and rice soup, 3 milkshakes, 5 cookies, and a frosted cinnamon bun. You could see the relief on her face when I paid the $48 bill.<br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5735210165342509986'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-c5HH7lYaPkY/T5ePQklzG6I/AAAAAAAAAQU/dXvep4WdQmA/s288/11.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5735210214484725874'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Z_hBEIa8HyE/T5ePTbqN0HI/AAAAAAAAAQc/wcG3N0-HrOk/s288/8.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5735210265293922066'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Tb5z7ZacgJY/T5ePWY8EnxI/AAAAAAAAAQk/R3ruKn--zAI/s288/10.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5735210437208355218'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-P-hRxK0V27c/T5ePgZXqsZI/AAAAAAAAAQs/rl9Jojz0_JI/s288/12.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5735210478345496722'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-DjbwssTgVTg/T5ePiynhqJI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/nNMzQ_P4kNw/s288/13.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5735210521625629762'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-oPaCLQswGOE/T5ePlT2UFEI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/8C43w2_TfUY/s288/14.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5735210562398841410'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EYwRElGY_Zo/T5ePnrvZ6kI/AAAAAAAAARE/cMTa75d7f3c/s288/15.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5735210610779766802'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-lanUNpfzw44/T5ePqf-UQBI/AAAAAAAAARM/P9L-PFdVddQ/s288/16.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5735210682358847810'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-x39WFRF6hGg/T5ePuqoGWUI/AAAAAAAAARU/hGUx4tlta0k/s288/17.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5735210711462241570'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-FO4aOBKGoyM/T5ePwXC45SI/AAAAAAAAARc/d_YdIlE9U5U/s288/18.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5735210749034342962'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XnKtVOmwgTI/T5ePyjAxqjI/AAAAAAAAARk/uyTqpGEM9tA/s288/19.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5735210783026555890'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2vacEN4Gb6k/T5eP0hpJq_I/AAAAAAAAARs/lIsFkflqwvo/s288/20.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5735210883549632978'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-c-9GZ8Q8k48/T5eP6YHuGdI/AAAAAAAAAR0/vAy2nEjaufk/s288/21.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5735210995273306562'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-E6N7zfa3OdQ/T5eQA4UuEcI/AAAAAAAAAR8/7XdIRX1CkTQ/s288/22.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a 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src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-SiqpkSSLbGY/T5eQwN-YSOI/AAAAAAAAASk/_BnjfFM6v8k/s288/26.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5735211849249253490'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-j7rXUJQmACY/T5eQyloc6HI/AAAAAAAAASs/KwdaZ4zMw30/s288/27.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5735211888488444882'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-KbWtGWN5Ook/T5eQ03zzc9I/AAAAAAAAAS0/XjTynrV2EQg/s288/28.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5735211934728701954'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kr1ZY47ZVZg/T5eQ3kEVyAI/AAAAAAAAAS8/CxjvaF0Lr0k/s288/29.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5735212098785462370'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-4P9FQedY_1o/T5eRBHOhSGI/AAAAAAAAATE/Ynx-xeOo1tw/s288/30.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5735212136527908418'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-XXAy_6LW7BI/T5eRDT1BTkI/AAAAAAAAATM/DAkk03KH2yI/s288/31.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5735212180335078066'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-2r-AovDLUT8/T5eRF3BdqrI/AAAAAAAAATU/u_KyuAmUXOg/s288/32.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5735212459955124690'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-fIgn7ON7j2I/T5eRWIsE-dI/AAAAAAAAATc/u69CBtqpIRc/s288/33.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5735212523981560642'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Lx2pSy4I3u4/T5eRZ3NK20I/AAAAAAAAATk/CBEUSA34F2M/s288/34.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5735212638397227970'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-AAVefTZJP4Y/T5eRghb_Y8I/AAAAAAAAATs/5qvFnMnRw84/s288/35.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><br />Chris Figureidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05313266002019414743noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5865498026710173303.post-72083337249475881752012-04-22T01:17:00.001-07:002012-04-22T01:17:14.062-07:00Week #4, Calgary to Dawson CreekVideo of week #4:<br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwfuYzBu4QA<br /><br />When I am in the forest, I complain that I can not see anything. When I am in the desert, I complain that there are no trees. And after 2 weeks of riding through the prairie, there is too much dry grass. It gets hard riding for hours every day looking at hundreds of miles of dry, brown, open grassland. The wind rolls over it completely unhindered, picking up speed, slamming against me like the shock wave of a bomb. It's slow going and mentally exhausting.<br /><br />The oasis of civilization is always a welcome relief from any extreme environment, at least until I get bored of it too. But there really is something so comforting about being in the middle of a bustling city. I become so much more aware of the modern convenience of basic necessities like food, shelter, and support. Things I generally take for granted. And even though I enjoy the silence of the open road, unless I am stopped and there is no wind, all I ever hear is the roar of air moving past me. It comes from the wind, the cars, and my own forward movement. Nothing but a rushing sound all day long. So now that I am standing on a street corner in Edmonton, I can hear people talking and walking, cars breaking for a light, busses accelerating and all kids of other sounds and noises that I never hear out on the open range.<br /><br />With the snow storm this past week, Calgary and Edmonton seamed like distant refuges from the cold snow. It's hard to ride through snow that is more then 2 inches deep. If I push too hard, the rear tire spins out. If I relax for just a moment the front tire slide out. The snow and sand packs into the gears until the chain just spins around a ball of ice. The entire bike and all of my clothing becomes one giant dirty ice machine, picking up extra weight. If I try too hard, I will sweat too much and develop ice inside my clothing, and won't be able to dry my clothing out in the tent that night. If I go too easily, the bike goes nowhere. As the shoulder and first lane become covered in ice, I have to ride by brail, occasionally running over the rumble strip to feel my way safely down the shoulder so that I don't ride off the edge. As the snow plows or cars go by, I get pelted with a sandy, salt flavored icy. It drips down my face, blinds my glasses, and cakes the bike.<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5734135921255114722'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-gZbJr764rDI/T5O-PVg35-I/AAAAAAAAAO4/bCzuRUgthgw/s288/8.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5734135944175133874'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-0LYKMmB9nw8/T5O-Qq5bpLI/AAAAAAAAAPA/mf_QtwnwEhU/s288/10.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5734135976878128738'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-zBKU9ybg2aU/T5O-SkubvmI/AAAAAAAAAPI/zzmwoYagLIM/s288/11.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5734136012660137570'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TyEONk1Q4Ww/T5O-UqBh3mI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/IbdK6ltDfio/s288/12.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5734136078404858146'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Yk-CmyLPYlw/T5O-Ye8SsSI/AAAAAAAAAPY/tm6varcTKek/s288/13.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5734136100930641474'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-SCAO0KL2yZw/T5O-Zy223kI/AAAAAAAAAPg/7vFaE4WgEts/s288/14.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5734136128254043106'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-VVEV5dKGDcY/T5O-bYpQ4-I/AAAAAAAAAPo/UOSk_yfDWjs/s288/15.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5734136161022995810'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-bVHqR3KCMjI/T5O-dSt_bWI/AAAAAAAAAPw/wCw_DdrbgGg/s288/16.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5734136185670136978'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-lltXJLeYZDM/T5O-euiU9JI/AAAAAAAAAP4/PUANB3D4uWw/s288/17.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5734136215221306178'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Bk6TUxMk1Yc/T5O-gcn4A0I/AAAAAAAAAQA/Ah_bzoCUU1w/s288/18.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5734136245773676162'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ITik7Sm80Tk/T5O-iOcILoI/AAAAAAAAAQI/PKOoKzUwFlc/s288/19.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Chris Figureidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05313266002019414743noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5865498026710173303.post-82662538101525519652012-04-11T11:33:00.001-07:002012-04-11T11:33:25.119-07:003 weeks in.A week after I started this ride, two girls I know headed out on their own bicycle journey. They left on a similar path that I had ridden in 2007. It was a humorous flash back down memory lane to read about their observations on things I had seen 5 years ago. Humorous, because nothing had changed and it was like reading my own words, nearly word for word. And it was refreshing to read their enthusiasm and innocence about life on two wheels. Every hill, weather, problem, success, and endless sights are all new to them. And I envy them for it. After 6 tours, I have lost so much innocence that it is a rare day that I see something new, challenge I have yet to face, or feeling that I haven't felt before.<br /><br />People always ask, "what do I think about?". I usually joke that I have solved world peace a few times, forgot it, the solved it again. But actually, after spending so much time on the road, my mind is filled logistical calculations. I wish I had the innocence and thirst as those two girls, but I would never want to be that inexperienced again. I am focused less on the experience and more on the problems at hand.<br /><br />When cars are approaching, I look to see if their windshield wipers are moving, lights are on, or car is wet. This gives me a tiny bit of information about what weather might be ahead. When I am climbing hills, I look for radio towers or electrical lines for markers on where the summit might be. I watch for flags, leaves, or anything blowing in the wind to give me a sense of what direction the wind is blowing. I know that if I am climbing a hill that the next town will probably be at the base on the other side, never on the top. If I go through a town near a river, I will have to climb some hill to get out of town. I'm always checking the map on the GPS to see where the road is going, and then compare that with what I see on the horizon so I can figure out if I will be going into the mountains, or heading down a valley.<br /><br />As I move along, I am watching my speed, time of day, miles to destination, and if I'm going up or down in elevation. With these 4 numbers I can calculate down to the minuet what time I will arrive at my destination. And I am usually on time to within a few seconds. But the wind can ruin even the best and strongest predications. The past 5 days I have been fighting my worst enemy, the wind. When people ask what is the worst or hardest part of these rides, being lonely is #3, finding motivation when I am tired it #2, and fighting the wind is by far #1. I can't think of any trip where I have not had a spell of wind that nearly broke me and sent me packing for home. After 5 days of this cold wind, I am early at my breaking point. I am spending all day going nowhere and arriving at my destinations just before sunset. And as each day wears on me, I get no recovery and begin to slow down with every day as I get weaker and weaker. The wind is so demoralizing and leaves me feeling uncertain about my own abilities. And when I have only myself to rely on, doubt becomes a scary and nerve racking train of thought; the kind of thoughts than can wreck a trip. Fighting the wind all day makes me want to vomit. The slow rate of progress makes me angry. And the difficulty of finding motivation to continue when I am tired because I am doubting myself, make me want to cry<br /><br />I like to tell people that I have a masters degree in suffering. And I believe that I am a master in the art of suffering; and it is an art. It takes an understanding about yourself that can only be achieved through lots of practice. A funny thing about suffering is that it never kills you. As long as I can keep that in mind, and push onward, I'll make it through anything.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5730212075208681298'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-BBMPp7Qya00/T4XNhb53p1I/AAAAAAAAALQ/TvE5h1v1yZE/s288/18.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5730212112843256018'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-RgZDHo1poeI/T4XNjoGpsNI/AAAAAAAAALY/8Myz52-LrCo/s288/19.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5730212144430396658'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-kaTtlA7lYBo/T4XNldxnNPI/AAAAAAAAALg/WmCZ3uCBpec/s288/20.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5730212186153816450'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-7Z13e-wEa98/T4XNn5NQEYI/AAAAAAAAALo/g4ORWIt_iAA/s288/8.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5730212226112138242'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-96QIEVm8pyo/T4XNqOEDrAI/AAAAAAAAALw/s0TGkVy63LI/s288/10.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5730212271640989090'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jBwDTFvaLA8/T4XNs3q-zaI/AAAAAAAAAL4/i5RI_xtIMtM/s288/11.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5730212319291464082'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wn_IKVrN_vI/T4XNvpLvWZI/AAAAAAAAAMA/vqA4pbbxlys/s288/12.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5730212357771412370'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-lkRRkTMLNnM/T4XNx4iEw5I/AAAAAAAAAMI/O0uRBpgcJhU/s288/13.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5730212392213504690'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-pYdEyUQ2Rq4/T4XNz41tYrI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/LJ_QK2eAbGo/s288/14.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5730212489102560274'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bK_Cvu8Iov8/T4XN5hx3DBI/AAAAAAAAAMY/Pl998DwLKkM/s288/15.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5730212539678547874'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-LPJtiRVw2XI/T4XN8eMHX6I/AAAAAAAAAMg/vT1nnljRx18/s288/16.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5730212574731951506'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0eTAnq3neMU/T4XN-gxf3ZI/AAAAAAAAAMo/aeOE4UqwzZg/s288/17.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5730212608741014130'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7daqOSZi8G0/T4XOAfd4-nI/AAAAAAAAAMw/pHdHA0dgHXI/s288/21.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5730212641537277554'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FiYvQ3vM6oI/T4XOCZpIPnI/AAAAAAAAAM4/Ija7yg9iaWI/s288/22.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5730212672653489090'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-XYaqmIItDN0/T4XOENjz88I/AAAAAAAAANA/OCSW4jxJZls/s288/23.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5730212698633087138'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-8SjC5xVb7Cs/T4XOFuV1KKI/AAAAAAAAANI/a3aGC4XZrUU/s288/24.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5730212721979332210'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-MO1eIsavUbc/T4XOHFUAlnI/AAAAAAAAANQ/-km2Bc6XweA/s288/25.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5730212751005726226'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-pGaTTpfFX5c/T4XOIxccNhI/AAAAAAAAANY/VlNPGnRZR_o/s288/26.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5730212789621651122'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-YSQCoUHBpMU/T4XOLBTMdrI/AAAAAAAAANg/hSNHqED31VI/s288/27.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5730212817802703842'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-aTYFWBBvi9I/T4XOMqSFM-I/AAAAAAAAANo/6aFGPAyTOMo/s288/28.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5730212853152305234'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-MhO2u6WrGvA/T4XOOt-FUFI/AAAAAAAAANw/F56Lo0sMGZo/s288/29.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5730212897146074210'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LpAI-_uqZZY/T4XORR3A9GI/AAAAAAAAAN4/J5xi4tnY6T0/s288/30.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5730212943265693442'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ox8yTwHrhP4/T4XOT9qyfwI/AAAAAAAAAOA/NJc3PzLNlMc/s288/31.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5730212973260463122'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-hE-LGxlTcZs/T4XOVtaGXBI/AAAAAAAAAOI/PjC_D66mSUo/s288/32.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5730213002273134274'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uELczM3ardk/T4XOXZfQlsI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/7vQR1hFKQ-M/s288/33.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5730213042626976866'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_hyUNdpAMN8/T4XOZv0XXGI/AAAAAAAAAOY/vMLU7_Yi70k/s288/34.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5730213084908784354'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-S3U8zhMimKY/T4XOcNVIiuI/AAAAAAAAAOg/DtYJq2gY88M/s288/35.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Chris Figureidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05313266002019414743noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5865498026710173303.post-74202559668124704262012-04-04T11:47:00.001-07:002012-04-04T11:47:36.399-07:00Short videosVideo of week #1<br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99lbSql2PPU<br /><br />Video of week #2<br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-uweHX_Kvs4<br /><br />"Know who you are, Know who you want to be, and Follow your dreams..."<br />-Antonio Figureida<br />Chris Figureidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05313266002019414743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5865498026710173303.post-37083821758305762982012-03-26T23:52:00.001-07:002012-04-04T11:41:22.440-07:00The first week30 minutes into the start of this trip, I felt as though the last five months had just disappeared. I finished 4200 miles last Thanksgiving and now I'm already back on the road. I'm having a hard time remembering what is real about my life. It seams like I have never gotten off the bike. <br />In one way, this is good because it only took me a few minutes to slip right back into my rhythm. But in another way, I don't feel or know if I have had any time off.<br />I sat on the side of the highway yesterday, eating a Poptart. Trucks slowly climbing the hill in their low gears. I felt like I could relate and wanted to clear them on. It's just an empty spot on the road, nothing around for miles, but I'm there. As my mind settled into the break, I could begin to feel not alone, but solitude. I could see myself from above, sitting there; and I began to zoom up and out. Farther and farther my mind got a birds eye view, like a Google satellite image.<br />I was a speck in the middle of a vast, dry, rugged, wilderness. I could see how insignificant I am. When I got back on the bike, my imagined importance roared back to give me strength. I felt victorious as the road squeezed under the tires.<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5727617162219318626'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-xI1wMLiDGuI/T3yVdnuDbWI/AAAAAAAAAJs/nUP7_rGKK9s/s288/8.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5727617176878575250'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YvAPhdFF-Q4/T3yVeeVF7pI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/GUPCZwWDPms/s288/10.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5727617197673323346'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZHS4Rsu5t68/T3yVfry8m1I/AAAAAAAAAJ8/JjnDatXOgHs/s288/11.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5727617376861399122'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-mBuuMVjykq8/T3yVqHUtqFI/AAAAAAAAAKE/aBwzIELwOhs/s288/12.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5727617405903893938'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-4ejqGrRQWoo/T3yVrzg-9bI/AAAAAAAAAKM/-QhdvvnG_1U/s288/13.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5727617429428041234'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-41SO9Ob8j_U/T3yVtLJk9hI/AAAAAAAAAKU/RUrhp3fR42A/s288/14.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5727617446569799778'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-I0dwlOOatwY/T3yVuLAfcGI/AAAAAAAAAKc/8KhpUuzUlsk/s288/15.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5727617462407068578'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-0DA_xIFCZy8/T3yVvGAY-6I/AAAAAAAAAKk/RfScI5L3cFI/s288/16.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5727617478453017346'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xAMn2ncoSQ0/T3yVwByCuwI/AAAAAAAAAKs/WLN7GvqKFWY/s288/17.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5727617507977960354'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-xle-MiMIrUo/T3yVxvxVm6I/AAAAAAAAAK0/_f5We4_aWK0/s288/18.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5727617523189734258'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-VEuUoroNfto/T3yVyocG23I/AAAAAAAAAK8/Y-pho7lnPUI/s288/19.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5727617548703078290'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-BY3okx1X6xM/T3yV0He9l5I/AAAAAAAAALE/eRwq9VIiuhM/s288/20.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Chris Figureidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05313266002019414743noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5865498026710173303.post-32272874409360534492012-03-26T12:54:00.001-07:002012-03-26T12:54:32.054-07:00California to Alaska and backLast Saturday I set out from Badwater in Death Valley California. It was the first day of 144 day trip to cycle solo to Denali National Park in Alaska where I will try to summit Mt. McKinley; and then if all goes to plan, I will cycle back to Badwater.<br /><br />Badwater is -282 feet below sea level. Mt. McKinley in 20320 feet above sea level. They represent the lowest and highest points in North America, and they are separated by 3750 miles. So this ride is from low point to high point and then back to low. <br /><br />My goal is to do this ride all by my own power. In particular that means hiking 45 miles to Mt. McKinley, foregoing the normal plane ride from Talkeetna to the base camp at 7200 feet. And once on the summit, turning around and hiking back out to my bike, for the ride back.<br /><br />The cycling route is taking Interstate 15 from Las Vegas all the way to the border with Canada, then up to Calgary and Edmonton, then over to Dawsons Creek where I will pick up the Alaskan Highway towards Fairbanks. This route is flatter, dryer, and a bit warmer then going along the coast.<br /><br />I'm averaging 68 miles a day, and riding for 55 days in a row just to get to Alaska I took all the rest days out of the trip to push the start date as far into Spring as possible and try to avoid as much snow and cold weather. Round trip, the ride will be 7800 miles over 110 days.<br /><br />After hiking in from the south side of the mountain from Petersville, the combing route will be the less technical West Buttress, a very common route for most of the climbers. After reaching the summit, The climbing team and I will head North and hike/climb down the mountain into Denali National Park and to Wonder Lake, 25 miles away. While the climbing team will board a buss, I will switch back to my bike and begin the ride home. I all, the climb and hike will cover 116 miles over 31 days.<br /><br />After the first week on the road I have made a short video and took a few pictures:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99lbSql2PPU">Week #1</a><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5724296203714862690'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-jAfrJKOhb6k/T3DJEZOKnmI/AAAAAAAAAG8/9jvV3gFogbs/s288/8.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5724296220083687986'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ht0DCtC5Lsk/T3DJFWMzEjI/AAAAAAAAAHE/NIXCEew5LYw/s288/10.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5724296272682287282'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-w_GJvvEVGMI/T3DJIaJSALI/AAAAAAAAAHM/RyqZhQaM8Pw/s288/11.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5724296288792081234'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fXjHrcXuvs4/T3DJJWKJ81I/AAAAAAAAAHU/ZzKOfH83oJA/s288/12.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5724296311195157682'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-jtRTUgXBvdM/T3DJKpndxLI/AAAAAAAAAHc/ktNxF02RelQ/s288/13.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5724296330803187730'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-u8bf2i46P24/T3DJLyqYkBI/AAAAAAAAAHk/j4oURi42INU/s288/14.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5724296347709630610'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-VUR63u1pyI4/T3DJMxpMaJI/AAAAAAAAAHs/tbROQKIVzQQ/s288/15.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5724296365047497410'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6AR_Im1k1WE/T3DJNyO3QsI/AAAAAAAAAH0/aNrA5dp1KWk/s288/16.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5724296390433548466'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-R-iRbdnXbec/T3DJPQzXqLI/AAAAAAAAAH8/2tgVgerOIOA/s288/17.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5724296412126146002'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-CcLaRNYoMRA/T3DJQhnSbdI/AAAAAAAAAIE/vpW7E7rLUlU/s288/18.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5724296431881783042'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-xGFDITScTII/T3DJRrNZhwI/AAAAAAAAAIM/IXCn34m2p0k/s288/19.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5724296447804718066'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-u9e8FqE53VI/T3DJSmhuO_I/AAAAAAAAAIU/Y9w6QV_WVTM/s288/20.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5724296464419275634'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KSkC0c9T63c/T3DJTka8Q3I/AAAAAAAAAIc/BcmODP-Co6c/s288/21.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5724296487436826674'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-WgXATs91sOE/T3DJU6KwODI/AAAAAAAAAIk/XjgoeFTEX38/s288/22.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5724296508934167154'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-PJXJEbzYsnY/T3DJWKQHmnI/AAAAAAAAAIs/aUp7MJ_8_RQ/s288/23.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5724296531718032610'><img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NZRTinWGaBo/T3DJXfINzOI/AAAAAAAAAI0/d7ciLhalpxg/s288/24.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5724296550715869602'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Ak32SW-U9EE/T3DJYl5pyaI/AAAAAAAAAI8/8CsI1fMqCkk/s288/25.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5724296572173443730'><img src='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-zslPvE-_A34/T3DJZ11iYpI/AAAAAAAAAJE/05CKQeI0Kc8/s288/26.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5724296599526102770'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-EGliFnHBq8k/T3DJbbu61vI/AAAAAAAAAJM/zD82e6PEgHM/s288/27.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5724296633835514530'><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-oxsRfeFkYdU/T3DJdbi66qI/AAAAAAAAAJU/pfNGaVd17Ks/s288/28.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><p class='blogpress_location'>Location:<a href='http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Layton,%20Utah&z=10'>Layton, Utah</a></p>Chris Figureidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05313266002019414743noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5865498026710173303.post-74552148991149777092012-03-23T20:06:00.001-07:002012-03-23T20:06:39.559-07:00Death Valley to Denali and back144 days, 7800 miles, lowest point to highest point and back.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5723294732532548290'><img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-mU7NamH7H1g/T206PGV3gsI/AAAAAAAAAGw/KF5fAxMgFsM/s288/7.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='214' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />"Know who you are, Know who you want to be, and Follow your dreams..."<br />-Antonio Figureida<br />Chris Figureidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05313266002019414743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5865498026710173303.post-64332708671033030192011-09-20T07:14:00.001-07:002011-09-20T07:14:08.621-07:00Through New York and PennsylvaniaLast week was busy and a lot fun. I spoke to over 1000 students across New York, at 7 different schools and the TV news showed up 6 times to interview me. I was also able to speak at the Rochester Latino Rotary Club, attend a gala for the Buffalo Rotary Club, and the Rochester AM Rotary club held a dinner party so I could meet their members.<br /><br />Right now I am in Cleveland and trying to salvage a week in Ohio where the AHA was not able to help me out. But thankfully the Rotary clubs have come to my rescue and got me into a few schools in Toledo on Friday. Next week in Michigan is also shaping up to be really busy.<br /><br />The rain has softened a bit, but it seams to be on an every other day schedule. Thankfully the roads are flat, and the prevailing wind has not been too strong. <br /><br />Riding along Lake Ontario through apple and peach orchards was fantastic. And it smelled almost as good as riding along Lake Erie through Concord Grape vineyards. That smelled like I was riding through grape jam or jelly.<br /><br />As always, I ride past our country's history. By chance, the place I decided to touch the water in Lake Ontario also happened to be the home of Samuel Cuyler, who was the northern terminus of the Underground Railroad for the southern slaves. And only a mile or so away from there was the Enchanted Forrest and home of Joseph Smith, who wrote the book of Mormon.<br /><br />But one of my favorite parts last week was a interview by a FOX news affiliate in Rochester NY. It is so far the best story a news cast has done on Cycle For Heart:<br />http://rochesterhomepage.net/fulltext/?nxd_id=270707<br /><br /><br />Probably one of the most unique state houses in the country, this is the New York Capitol in Albany.<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5654444838781610850'><img src='http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_Bpj9Gc5kxc/Tnifn1Gea2I/AAAAAAAAAGQ/ynUDkdPAhDI/s288/3.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />On the shore of Lake Ontario, my first great lake.<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5654444850646629666'><img src='http://lh3.ggpht.com/-KUKt2iEKAVw/TnifohTUPSI/AAAAAAAAAGU/2ctfSZbyEFg/s288/4.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Niagara Falls. I know that the view is better from the Canadian side, but I don't think they get to see the rainbow. <br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5654444861913138418'><img src='http://lh6.ggpht.com/-LJrXvYrA_3k/TnifpLRdhPI/AAAAAAAAAGY/x07195Go7oU/s288/5.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Rochester Latino Rotary Club, they donated $100 to the American Heart Association.<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5654444874965465874'><img src='http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Ug-AYFCuX5M/Tnifp75YOxI/AAAAAAAAAGc/N8BfLDnhP5g/s288/7.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Sprinting with the Students from French Road Elementary, the American Heart Association's #1 school in the country for fundraising, over $1 million in 13 years.<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5654444882995700594'><img src='http://lh5.ggpht.com/-025As6xtzLA/TnifqZz743I/AAAAAAAAAGg/gyNztIahj5U/s288/8.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />When it's not raining, and the sky is not gray, I see the most amazing parts of this country in all it's beauty<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5654444890213155810'><img src='http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZijU5iWBY_8/Tnifq0stg-I/AAAAAAAAAGk/N2qVRPLWgx0/s288/11.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/116859532418403624035/CycleForHeart2011#5654444907260282994'><img src='http://lh4.ggpht.com/-EnrfgIQw60Y/Tnifr0NECHI/AAAAAAAAAGo/YseIdGR6yd8/s288/10.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />"Know who you are, Know who you want to be, and Follow your dreams..."<br />-Antonio Figureida<br /><p class='blogpress_location'>Location:<a href='http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Cleveland%20OH&z=10'>Cleveland OH</a></p>Chris Figureidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05313266002019414743noreply@blogger.com1