RR: Call to Glory (Giving Thanks)

[DISCO]

When others only talked I chose to step up and DO something. A great man known as “SAR Boats” heard the call and willingly chose to give me the honor of his company. Our goal was simple, to ensure the trail would be safe even if those on it were not. It was not for profit, nor were we asked, but the job was not going to do it’s self.

Here I will share a story of preparation, faith, and patience. A man named Krakauer told the tale of another man who was determined to travel from sea level to the highest point on earth entirely solo. He journeyed from Holland to Nepal powered by nothing more than his own pedal strokes. During the journey he was robbed in Pakistan, despite the setback he was patient enough to resupply and continue on. So thorough was his preparation before the climb up to Everest that no issues were encountered all the way up to base camp at 25000 feet. Unlike most of the other teams that year he had no Sherpas or other hired help to share his burden nor did he rely on supplemental oxygen to compensate for the altitude. When in sight of the summit, so close that it could have been reached with only fifteen minutes more exertion, he turned around. He had enough faith in his judgment that if he used all of his reserves on the way up, the way down would be too perilous.

This example illustrates how our thanksgiving day ride progressed. I put the ride together with much haste and even less sleep. Though I had the tools for the job, I neglected to pack a helmet in my rush out the door. Luckily my wingman was far more prepared for contingencies that I was as he had packed a spare. I also had not accounted for the time we would need to complete our journey. His plans had called for a return much sooner than would have been feasible and I wished to respect his plans since they were likely made far in advance of my own. Along our journey we learned that the trail was in the able hands of some of the fiercest Warriors in my tribe. They too had heard the call and did me great honor by succeeding where I would eventually fail.

With time constraints upon us, 9 miles of trail and two thousand feet of climbing already under our belts we were still barely getting started. In haste I attempted to rush through a boulder strewn creek bed and fortunately did not fall hard. Reflecting on my bleeding arm and how lucky I was not to snap it in the jumble of rocks; I recalled the story of the solo everest attempt. It was then declared I would proceed no further, to do so would only impose an unfair burden on a man whom I hold in high esteem. Though I knew he would willingly bear it, the weight of “failing to plan, Planning to fail” was not something I wanted to share. We headed back, enjoyed some fantastic single track and scenery, and ran out of water when we got back to the truck. Funny thing is we were right on time to keep previously laid plans for cooking with the family.

This experience taught me valuable lessons, chiefly that I can not do everything right, and most important that as a team anything is possible.

Happy Holidays;

[FONT=&quot]Disco. [/FONT]