Thank you, 2008

Another year full of memories, full of life. Suffering and bliss, darkness and light. Attempts at making the highs higher and the lows lower.

Another year of not really knowing what I’m doing, but a happy contentment with the direction I’m pointing. Just don’t ask me to describe what direction that is–I cannot, and it is anything but static. If I knew where I was going, I’d already know. I may as well have already been there. Life is full of potential, and I see it every day. I see many paths, and all of them are good.

Happiness is the road.

Thank you, 2008. And to everyone that’s been a part of mine.

A few 2008 highlights:

January

Completing the first Antelope Peak Challenge, followed by a faster race.

February

RATS – Ride around the Santa Ritas with Chad Brown, Dave Chenault and Max Morris.

March

Bicycle canyoneering / bikepacking with Lee Blackwell on the Grand Enchantment Trail.

Ripsey Flowers, meeting Grand Enchantment Trail mastermind Brett Tucker on the trail.

April

Speed touring the AZT 300 with Fred Wilkinson, Pete Basigner and Mike Curiak.

May

Bikepacking another big chunk of the Grand Enchantment Trail in New Mexico, with Lee Blackwell.

June

Snow bridge surfing in Alaska with Mark Elfstrom and Adam Johnson.

July

10 days of Oregon bikepack singletrack bliss with Paula.

August

Bikepacking the Continental Divide Trail in Montana with Mike Curiak.

September

Cloud magic on yet another mellow “suburban assault” ride.

Launch of bikepacking.net.

October

Bikepacking the AZT to Patagonia with Paula, from the house.

Wrapping up the Grand Enchantment Trail to Albuquerque, with Lee Blackwell.

Nov

Area 52 freeriding with Louis Gomez.

Dec

Exploring the Gila River / White Canyon, along the Arizona Trail, with Lee Blackwell.

Simply cannot wait for everything 2009 has in store.