My Life On A Bike

Raja and I recently returned from 10 mind boggling crazy insane fun jammed packed adventure filled days in Switzerland.   No, we did not follow the Tour de France nor did we sign up for a guided tourist package.   We attended the prestigious upsacle elite Camp Hillseeker, perched on the side of a hill in picturesque Ruschlikon overlooking Lake Zurich.   This was not just any ole Camp Hillseeker, but the Advanced Session of the Camp with a waiting list a mile long.

We qualified for the Advanced Course last September and immediately began our training here in Georgia.  Little did we know what we would be up against.  Our paltry exercise regime paled in comparison to what our Counselors were doing on a regular basis.  Our hardest efforts were the equivalent to their recovery days.   There is something about the Euros…. they are made of tougher stock than us soft Americans.  But there is one thing we have going for us.  We got spunk!  Spunk, I found, is a vital ingredient to surviving a Euro Camp.

What does it take to be a camper at Camp Hillseeker?  That’s a question many of my friends are asking themselves these days!   Besides great connections, the prerequisites to qualify are pretty simple and straighforward.   Notice, I did not say easy.  

The #1 qualification is to possess a sense of adventure.  If you cannot think outside the box and are not willing to embrace the unknown, then Camp Hillseeker is not for you.   Case in point;  immediately upon landing on Swiss soil, our counselors greeted us with an envelope in hand.   It read the following:

With no time to get flustered, Jeff and I were off, on foot to get to Base Camp.  Team RB were going by means of rental car, while Team LJ (that’s me) were to use our feet and trains.  That is what I call fun!   While most people would be frustrated that they couldn’t go to the hotel first, get showered, and rested, we were thrilled with this honor!   “Adventure can be found or created anywhere”.……….what a wonderful creed and how very true.  So many folks sit around waiting for life to find them instead of  making it happen.  Adventure can be had in life, anywhere, anytime!

Second important trait; stamina!  Here, you must be willing to stay the course or at least give it your best shot.  Just because we spent our first hours running around like college kids in the streets of Zurich did not mean nap time was next on the agenda.   There were bikes to built, bags to unpack, hills to ride, and people to meet.   When I say you hit the ground with your feet running, I mean it!

In less than 12 hrs, we had completed a treasure hunt, gone on a beautiful hilly bike ride, and enjoyed a wonderful Alphorn concert and dinner with more new friends.

Camp is not confined to the walls inside a secluded compound and the boys are not separated from the girls.  One of my favorite parts is the opportunity to meet the locals and partake of the real Swiss life.   You cannot keep your arms tightly folded here, but must be willing to embrace new ways and make new friends at every moment.  

Third qualification for Camp Hillseeker, you gotta be Crazy Tough.  It does not cut the mustard to be the mediocre kinda sorta type.  Crazy tough campers do things like take a 6 hr mountain trail run the day before an Alpine road race, or tackle a 130 mile Alpine road race on a tandem.   The crazy tough part comes in handy after 10 hrs and 30 minutes of a 14,000′ climbing course with plenty of 10+% grade ascents while trying to make the 11 hr deadline. 

Two days after our arrival, we participated in the Engadin Radmarathon, an insane 130 mile course with 14,000′ of elevation.   Chris and Heather joined us from Lake Geneva on their trick tandem and tore it up!   Starting off the race with a broken chain in the first 2k, they had their share of challenges, but it did not phase the pair at all.   It was a bit humbling to witness the grit and determination that these two and Jeff displayed as they managed to beat the deadline with 20 seconds to spare!   Well done,  you Crazy Tough Campers!

Raja and I realized quickly we were not truly in the Crazy Tough category, but our Counselors decided that since we are technically “crazy” and “somewhat tough” that we could slip through the cracks.   Just don’t tell anybody.  6 hrs and 84 miles of alot of climbing was crazy tough enough for us.    Besides, we knew we needed to save some energy for a full week ahead of surprise adventures! 

Fourth on the list, Surprises!  You must like surprises and be willing to try new things.   Becky and Jeff kept each day’s activities and destination a surprise.  Raja and I had often went to bed with no idea of what excitement would greet us in the morning.   In fact, the whole trip was like a sort of extended treasure hunt!  

We traveled to Lake Zug for a kayaking adventure after the Radmarathon.  Being a very skilled kayaker, Jeff often commutes to work across Lake Zurich in his kayak.   That’s nothing to shrug at…….it’s quite the workout!   He was very patient with our obvious lack of skill and by the end our eyes were opened to a whole new world.   Just Fabulous!

Fifth down the line, More Adventure!   Tuesday was a big day for us.   We met Kate and Howard in Braunwald for a hike up to Eggstock and then barely made it back to Ruschlikon in time for the 7 o’clock group ride topped off with a nice cookout.   I imagine most people would have a hard time fitting all that into one week, whereas we did it in a day, and we had an absolute Blast!

Here again, we were with some of the Crazy Tough crowd on their terrain.  The playing field was not level, but Raja and I were not about to give in.   The hike was stunning.   No more words can justify the experience.   I have been a big fan of Howard’s photography before we ever met, and we knew of Kate, the trail runner from another planet.   I wanted to absorb all their powers, but was too dazzled by my surroundings to do so.   Instead, we played and laughed till our sides hurt.  

Without much time to worry about how that evening’s group ride would unfold, I was rudely awakened about 3k into the race, er uh, ride.  

Sixth on the list; you must be Strong, a strong cyclist to be exact.   This was a weeknight ride.  How hard could the course be?   Very hard, that’s how hard!!!!   The 31 mile route took us up long lush green climbs with dazzling views of Lake Zurich over our shoulders, by grazing cows and quaint Swiss houses, and down fast twisty tiny roads.   It felt more like our Saturday training rides.   With 3,000′ of climbing, we definitely got our money’s worth.

These roadies were strong.   Surprisingly, the number of females almost equaled the males and the competition amongst them was fierce.   Try as I might, I could never take on the likes of Buggy or Matilda on the climbs, but I certainly gave all I had.   That’s expected of a Camp Hillseeker camper.   We’re tough and we’re strong………at least I am good at pretending.   Mind you, we spent the day hiking up Braunwald and my legs were already spent,   but that’s no excuse.   The Camp mantra is always, “climb climb climb, happy happy happy!”    We were climbing and we were happy!

As if our day had not been filled with enough excitement to last a lifetime, the fun continued well into the night.  All the tough strong cyclists joined in for a camp cookout hosted by Chef Jeff and Frau Buggy.   The room was filled with the sound of varying accents, from French to Aussie, and our Southern drawls blended in with the crowd.  Not the usual apres ride smack talk, we enjoyed a refreshing time of cheers and laughter  amongst a diverse group of people that share a common bond - a passion for cycling.

At this point in the game, it was quite clear that Raja and I had slipped into Camp Hillseeker’s Advanced Session by a glitch in the system.   Nonetheless, we were here and had not gotten kicked out yet.   We could play tough and strong because we love adventure.   Bring it on!

They continued to bring it on.   A few hours drive from Ruschlikon took us to the bottom of the Gotthard Pass for yet another epic Alpine Pass Extravaganza.   The 60 mile route created a false sense of security for our ride.  What Gustav failed to mention is that it climbs over 9,000′ in 47 miles over 3 mountain passes!    Do you have what it takes?!   Fortunately, we did that day.  Wow!  Most excellent!

Up 8 miles of the cobblestone of Gotthard to Furka Pass ending with Nufenen Pass (the highest pass in Switzerland), we were treated to a sweet 23 k downhill all the way back to the start.   For all your hard efforts at Camp Hillseeker, you are rewarded adequately!

Next, we took a field trip to Bellagio, Italy for the classic cyclist pilgrimage ride up to the Ghisallo del Madonna (the church of the cyclist).   With just a 14% grade climb, we were so tough at this point that it didn’t phase us.  

In between rides, hikes, and paddles, Herr Gustav led us in core work and drills.   It did not matter where we were, in fact, the more obscure the location the better it was.   Parking lot?  Perfect.    Ready, set, go………Dot Drills, Leg Blasters………Bam!

Raja and I learned one thing.  It did not really matter if you are crazy strong or tough, as long as you are willing to dig down deep and put forth your best effort, you will reap all the rewards and satisfaction of the true Camp Hillseeker Adventure.   That’s really what it takes…….to be happy, don’t worry, and climb!   That’s the Hillseeker way!

Raja and I were humbled throughout the entire trip surrounded by great people fueled by fire, determination, and grit.   I believe it does one  good to get outside your comfort zone, see a new way of doing things and find inspiration by being a part of a bigger picture.

We were the tourists on the trip, but our fellow adventurers were not on holiday taking the easy way.   These are hard working Phds, students, dads, and CEOs making the time to live their passion.   It’s too easy to let life sneak on by and put those dreams on hold until the right moment appears.   The perfect moment is not going to appear, you have to seize the moment.

I would not trade our adventures for anything in the world.  The people we meet, the friends we make, the places we see, and accomplishments we reach are worth far more to us than fame or fortune.   You can’t always bank on money, but you can find great wealth by simply living each day to the fullest.  Whether it’s Switzerland or hometown, USA, adventure and life are waiting.   You can bank on it.

What does it take to be a Hillseeker?  Repeat after me, “climb climb climb, happy happy happy!”   That’s all it really takes.   Always reach higher and always be happy.  That’s a true Hillseeker.  

Thank you, Camp Hillseeker, for the time of our lives!  Words cannot express our gratitude to the best most genuine Hillseekers we know.  Genau!