I grew up riding my bike everywhere in Chicago's south suburbs. Of course, it was much safer then, but my craving to explore reigned supreme, and I often found myself 25 miles away from home on my Sears Free Spirit 10-speed.

But off I went to college, and I gained the obligatory Freshman Forty. Or more. I carried these pounds off to grad school as well. But I had an awakening around age 24, and dusted off my bike.

I haven't look back since. I have pedaled some 365,000 miles since 1983.

A couple of things really shaped my cycling "career," though:

• While in grad school, I decided to become an event director. I started the Ride Across INdiana (RAIN) in 1987, as well as the Hoosier Ultra-Marathon Overnight Ride (HUMOR). Of these, RAIN is still in existence.
• In 1991 I launched Hell Week Bicycle Adventures, consisting of base camps and supported tours. We're still going strong with them, and are approaching our 50th event ever.
• Seeing the Race Across America on ABC in the early-1980s inspired me. I wanted to know what it was like to push the human limit. You know what? I haven't found that limit yet. In 1993, Becky and I did RAAM on a tandem bicycle in 11d9h20m. Totally insane.