Earning a Few Badges

This email went out a few weeks ago.

I'm guilty of all seven requisites. I blurred out the eighth, because it's a little inappropriate for my PG-13 blog. I was guilty of it, too :/

A closer look at the badge:

Regardless of your sport-of-choice and athletic ability, I'm pretty sure everyone has earned a Schlup Badge at one time or another. Nothing to be ashamed of.

Going out for a 40 mile ride and turning around after seven. Earned.

Getting up at 6:00AM for a five mile run only to jog the first and walk the rest, all while being mindful to run and look strong in front of all bus stops, regardless of student age. Earned.

Going out for ice cream after earning a badge will get you another one. That one's not in the rules, it's just self-evident.

Gotch, Jason and I decided a few weeks ago we were going to ride our packed bicycles down to Ohiopyle for Beer & Gear, then ride the remaining 20 miles of road to Big Bear. We'd ride home on Sunday. This was the perfect opportunity to earn a few badges.

Ian and Ry signed up to do coed at Big Bear, and we had a bunch of friends camping down there, so we had the motivation. But, really. Who were we kidding? We knew we'd never make it down there, and of course we didn't.

We spent an hour playing in the river, then another hour waiting in line. We met a bunch of cool people we didn't know and saw a bunch of friends we did know. All-in-all, it was mucho fun.

We camped Saturday night then rode home in the pouring rain with Rob and Chrissy on Sunday. It was warm enough, so other than some muddy faces and gritty gear, the day was super great.

My badge and sea-salt caramel pretzel ice cream was earned. Well earned.

Rail-trail drafters.