My Life On A Bike

In just a few days, we are heading  to Switzerland to attend our 2nd session of Camp Hillseeker!  This has been the summer of Camps for us.  Camp Georgia had its first camper, May 16th, and was such a hit that we had another Camp, June 27th.   You may be wondering, “Do you really have a camp and actually attend one as well?  Aren’t you grown adults?”   The whole grown-up thing is debatable, but the Camp thing can be explained.

It all started with our friends, Becky and Jeff, and their insatiable appetite for cycling and hill seeking.   Not long after their move to Zurich, we happened to be in Italy on a biking adventure.  Completely on a whim, we managed to meet them in the middle at the Stelvio Pass for an epic ride up the 48 switchback climb.  It was Roger’s birthday and turned out to be the most memorable ride of the trip.  That settled it, we would have to return next year with our bikes and spend the entire trip riding with them through the Alps.

Last year we enjoyed 10 glorious days of climbing every mountain that Jeff could find, and once again celebrated Roger’s birthday with a cool Swiss ride.  Becky and Jeff had us on our bikes from the moment we landed, literally.  There was no time to get over jetlag, there were mountains to be climbed!  In that week we accumulated 26 hrs of pedal time over some serious mountains with one ride having 12,000’ in elevation in 82 miles.  Thus we dubbed our time with them, Camp Hillseeker.

At Camp Hillseeker, you never know what exciting adventure lies around the corner, but one thing is for sure, it will be epic!   This is not one of those resorts where you lie around all day being pampered at the spa.  We do things like, start the day with serious core work, then run 40K through the forests,  followed by a bike ride over 4 passes while carrying an Alphorn strapped to your back (which you play at the top of every summit), and maybe wind down with a kayak across the lake.   Then, if you are still standing at the end of the day, you cook a fabulous meal and enjoy a delicious view of Lake Zurich from their magical castle on the side of the hill.  This ain’t the kind of camp I went to as a kid!

Since we graduated successfully last year, we have been invited to return for the advanced Camp.   This makes us nervous, but we are determined to earn our badges.

Therefore, in preparation we ran a little practice camp of our own, Camp Georgia.  To complete the full camp experience, our “test” camper had to be Swiss.    Our own Swiss Miss Martina has come up from Gainesville, Florida for two sessions of Camp Georgia….so it must be a success!

For those that do not know the whole story, I will tell you the connection we have with Martina, our Swiss camper.    Jeff met Martina during the run/hike leg of the incredible Inferno race in which they were both participating in Switzerland.  The 3 of them became fast friends and Raja and I were most pleased that Martina had a good influence on Becky for mountain biking!   Anyone that will get Becky out on the trails is good on my list!

We were hoping to meet Martina on our trip last year, but alas, she had just moved to…….Florida of all places!    Completing her Phd at UFL, Martina was now on our side of the pond.   After about 7 months of “getting to know each other” online, we finally managed to meet.  Martina arrived in Georgia for the first official Camp Georgia on May 16th.   She was an instant hit and a real natural at this whole camp stuff.

Being Camp Director is hard work, but very rewarding (I have new found respect for our counselors, Becky and Jeff)!   Last weekend we had an absolute ball  with nonstop action and fun!!!!   We took a field trip and headed north to Chattanooga, TN to ride the trails of Raccoon Mtn.   The next day we had another new crew of riders for Martina to meet at Chicopee trails in Gainesville (GA, not FL).   Of course, thrown into the middle of all that was plenty of Slacklining, eating, and loads of laughter.   Very little sleep is had at these camps.  There just isn’t time for that!  There is so much to do, and we don’t want to miss any opportunities for fun to be had.

Jeff, or Herr Gustav, as he’s known in SchweizLand, and Becky (Frau Buggy) can do anything that is thrown at them.  Therefore, a Hillseeker camper must be willing to try it all.  Likewise, at Camp Georgia, we encourage campers to develop new skills and reach to a higher level.  The ordinary and average are not on the agenda.

From spotting on tricky mtn bike manuvers to lending support in a new sport, every camper is expected to engage 100%.  At Camp Georgia, they do engage!   Activities are not limited to cycling.  Our favorite extra curricular activity is Slacklining.  Thanks to our resident rock climbing expert, Martina, it has become an instant hit!

Although we strive to provide our campers with a unique experience that cannot be duplicated, some things are the same as every summer camp you’ve ever attended.  There will always be the rebels that manage to undermine my authority.  Even though I try to teach excellent nutritional habits, the junk food still found its way on the scene (much to my dismay).

In spite of the appearance of donuts and bacon and other non approved camp food, my campers graduated with high honors.  New friends were made and special memories created and good byes were made with happy hearts in anticipation of the next adventure together.

It has been a whirlwind summer bursting at the seams with excitement and Great Times!  Just when I think there cannot be more fun to be had, something else comes rolling around the corner.   It is with this momentum that we head across the sea to continue our summer camp Fun in the beautiful Swiss Alps with Becky and Jeff.

Little did we know many years ago when we met Becky and Jeff in the parking lot of the Buckhead Bellyache ride what incredible adventures were in store.  The people we’ve met and the experiences we’ve shared are more than I ever could have imagined.   All because of our bikes………..how they’ve changed our lives!   It just keeps getting better and better and better.   Camp Hillseeker, here we come!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!