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I like hearing back from you guys- it motivates me to write a bit more when I have the time!
This past week on Maui, the wind has been pretty light so you haven’t missed too much! The waves snuck in with some head high sets and that was pretty fun! Nothing like a mid June wave session at Hookipa with 10 guys out….
Yesterday, I decided to go on a KP mission. The guy is always off riding his bike and coming up with these crazy ideas. My wife was going into town and since the wind was kinda light, I figured I would drive down with her and ride my bike back home- a 25 minute drive. After doing my errands on the bike, I noticed the wind was really picking up. Oh boy…. Before long, it was almost noon. It was getting hot, and windy. I started my trek eastward straight into the wind. I was getting blown all over the place- keep in mind, I’m not a professional biker like KP- and, for the record, I’m on my Mountain bike. With 25 knots in my face after 10 minutes I knew this was going to be a long way home.
Then it hit me- this is what all the hype is about on the bikes. You sit, pedal and think. At first all I was thinking about was hitchhiking and then I decided to man up and push onward. Pedal by pedal I broke down my trip. Once I get past Sprecks, it will be easy to get to Paia. From Paia to Hookipa that should be no problem. Once I’m at Hookipa, I’m home free. The wind just kept picking up and I was wishing for my van. I got to Hookipa and had to stretch out the legs. The wind was blasting and as I watched the sailors searching for waves. It looked like fun- a lot more fun than I was having.
The final half hour was the worst. My legs were not happy with me because I was pushing them hard. My cardio was pretty impressive- I didn’t really get too winded, I was just hot and my butt was hurting from sitting on that seat…… I made it home successfully with a sense of accomplishment.
With 2 hours of think time, I really connected with myself and what I’m doing these days…. Here is a brief rundown:
Life is short and these are the days, RIGHT NOW. Do what you love to do. So many people are caught up in their jobs they get lost and before long, 25 years go bye and they wonder where it all went. I want to look back and say YEAH, those were some fun times.
Here is my trip: I have decided to take some time off the contest scene. After 17 years of traveling the world, I’m tired of going to the same far away places waiting around for wind. I want to spend more time going to places that I WANT to go to. I want to reconnect with my sailing roots and keep the stoke alive. I don’t ever want to hit burnout!
My summer plan is to be in the Gorge for the first week of July, see my friends up there and have some fun. Hopefully there will be some wind and I can get back out at the Hatchery for some big air! I’ll do some promo’s at the Gorge Surf Shop , relax and enjoy the scene. I look forward to Mtn biking in the trees, whitewater rafting, snowboarding, motocrossing and whatever else we decide to do. From there it’s out to visit Erin’s mom and then to Colorado to see some friends in Aspen! We will then fly back to LA to see my grandparents and hang in Santa Barbara for a week. The first week of August will be in the San Fran area- I’ll be doing a promo event at the Boardsports School at Coyote Point on the 2nd or 3rd. I hope to get some great sailing in the bay! After that, we are just gonna take a vacation from our vacation and see where the wind blows us! That has been my dream summer for quite some time now and finally I’m taking the time to “just do it!”
As for the poll on the Home Page, Gran Canaria will always be there. After last year, I had a blast out running around with the big slalom dudes. It was nice to come in for one shot with no pressure and show everyone it is just like riding a bike…. Ha ha. The sad reality was the fact that my 3rd place podium finish wasn’t enough in prize money to cover my trip expenses……. That really hurt.
Anyway, it’s amazing what a long bike ride can do for you! I think I’m going to have to do more of them……. After reading all this, go back to that Poll and let me know if you still want me to go to Gran Canaria….. hurry up because ticket prices are already in excess of $3,000 dollars- yes, that is in COACH. It will probably cost another $1,000 in excess baggage- if I’m lucky. Then when I get there, my weak US dollar will have me sleeping at the beach on rocks….. ha ha
» 16 Comments
1"Mr"
at Saturday, 21 June 2008 06:09
Matt,
love what you\\\'ve just said. I leave in one week for Oregon and, then on down the coast. By summers end I\\\'ll be in that boring wave spot south of the border. Who knows how long I\\\'ll stay.
Everything you have said is everything that has been going through my mind these past few months. Start living or Start dying.
See you along the way !
Axel
2"Exactly"
at Saturday, 21 June 2008 09:30
Right on Alex- sounds like we are on the same wavelength. I hope you score big down the coast! That is one of my favorite things to do- Nothing better than a good session at Florence and camping at Honeyman\\\'s RV park in all those HUGE trees! Maybe i\\\'ll see you at that spot south of the border???
3"KP on cover of Windsurfin"
at Saturday, 21 June 2008 11:41
Well the July issue of Windsurfing Mag arrived today and guess who's bald head is featured? Yes, a helicopter view of our very own KP!!! I'll read this last post by Matt soon, but I thought I'ld get the scoop on this great promo for wigs. Geez, aren't we all Goodfellas here?
4"Airbrushed."
at Saturday, 21 June 2008 12:44
Looking at the photo again, I see that it has been airbrushed. Certainly, Matt, you are the bald brother, but Kev has a receding hairline and bald spot, right? They cleverly make it look like a reflection of the sun. Interesting shot, however. The rear grip seems so technically placed.
5"Biking"
at Saturday, 21 June 2008 12:59
O.K. Matt, I read half way through that lengthy blog entry. I used to be an avid bicyclist (Let\\\'s leave biking out of this in that I also did my time on motorcycles). I put my near 80 year old mom on her bike last summer, and she loved it. It\\\'s a terribly grueling sport at times because you are punished often for having too far a goal. You can\\\'t think that you can jump on a bike and then see the world!!! (Thank God or spell check on this one.) Riding in the rain can be fun, wind can be brutal. Whatever. With both Motorcycles and Bicycles, it\\\'s the open road that makes the trip. Nothing wrong with hitching if you are going somewhere far or are in a hurry. I once did a 90 mile bicycle ride on a three geared girls bike and then hitched to get where I am now. It\\\'s all a question of where you want to be. Sometimes that\\\'s just by the s
6"Finished the blog entry."
at Saturday, 21 June 2008 13:07
Well, you certainly are gong to get around your neck of the woods, Matt. However, you didn't include the word airplane or jet once. Coach? I road a coach a few times. Try SanDiego to New York on the same bus. How about Denver to Wheeling, W.Va. Then there was London to Birmingham. Oh, Ya, Atlanta to Zero Beach. Then, again, I went from Nice to Italy on a bus. Great trip, for sure. Ken Kesey didn't know what a bus was. Definitely go where you want to go and do it on a bus. It's the best way to travel. My heart broke when I learned that Trailways went out of business. Get on that bus, Gus. Make those new plans!!!
7Comment
at Saturday, 21 June 2008 17:44
Matt,
That sounds like an amazing summer. I had similar thoughts a few weeks ago about time passing by and caught a plane to the gorge. I've had some fun at the hatchery, dougs and arlington. I'll see you south of the border this fall if you're there or maybe a bit later at your home turf. I'd like to learn forwards.
8"Mr"
at Saturday, 21 June 2008 18:08
R.B.s on the drink for sure. You'll defo have less a wig someday
Certainly enjoy seeing you on and off the water Matt.
Remind Kev to keep us in the loop. Canaries will provide some breeze 4 sure.
A
9"Some day?"
at Sunday, 22 June 2008 03:20
Yes, I was juiced last night. However, I don\\\'t feel so bad that I can\\\'t windsurf today. I already have more of a tan on my head than hair which is gray, Axel.
10Comment
at Sunday, 22 June 2008 07:10
Matt, great post. Thats great that you are coming to the gorge. I always think it would be fun to see and to learn from the Maui guys and how they would rip up the river swells. Looking forward to a San Carlos trip in the fall !!
Have Fun
11"Bike rider"
at Sunday, 22 June 2008 08:23
Love to hear about your bike riding.. See at first is it kinda bad, but then it is a release like nothing else. For me I love the time it takes to go riding and just manages to make the day go by so quick. i get to have all these wild ideas that I come up with and it is just another one of my addictions that is actually good for you.. so I figure I will keep doing it. I have been riding like crazy over here and it is so much fun.. you would love it! i was going to get you a bike for your birthday but with this story i dont know if you would use it.. I guess I will have to get you the CRF 250.. Well let me win the Slalom world title this year and then I can grab us a couple bikes with all the prize money!!
12"Do it now"
at Sunday, 22 June 2008 10:49
I totally agree that you have to do it now. I came to that realisation about 2 years ago after a series of unforseen events and now I spend every moment that I can on the water. I have a job that allows me to work from practically anywhere and my car is always loaded with my gear. Check out the New Zealand scene on www.deepfried.tv and my cousins blog http://roaringfourties-nzl727.blogspot.c om/.
Don't do the racing, just get out and go wavesailing where you want.
13Comment
at Sunday, 22 June 2008 17:14
taking a break is good too, especially when you're doin' it with your honey. Talked with Capt Greg today, he's camped out in style at a 4 star hotel near Pozo. He doesn't think he has a small enough race sail for the forecasted winds. yikes, we think it gets windy in Maui, it sure looks unbelievable there!
14Comment
at Sunday, 22 June 2008 17:54
Hi Matt,
We talked most recently briefly at C Street earlier when you and Kevin McG sailed earlier in the year. Some fun sailing, no doubt. Timing can be super sweet on the conditions.
It's interesting that you're focusing so pragmaticallly on your future direction and soul in life. I spent a lot of years working like a dog, but I still dedicated myself to surfing, then windsurfing, yet that doesn't even begin how I've leveraged off of beachcombing in Santa Barbara for many many years. The side stuff that draws personal interest is often the core of your being.
Your're really on the ball thinking early about the aim and style for the next stage in your life and career. Believe me your on the target for a great future. After I retired in 2004, it like a whole new path. Also, during my more regular walks, I enjoy those thoughful moments that one can consider and reflec
15"One more for the road."
at Monday, 23 June 2008 02:38
Matt, most people don't find gratification in their work. I feel for you for losing money on your third place finish last year, but it still gives your pro status up-to-date credence. Like windsurfing, you have to ease into a regular bike riding routine. You never forget how to ride so often you can just jump on a bike and having set too far a goal wish you hadn't started. Once away from home, you have the wind, rain, and the saddle as potential sources of pain. Go ahead, Kevin, win that prize money. Glad to see that you are riding there. I never got that chance. I asked around when I was in Lyon about rentals but couldn't find one. Tour de France is coming up. Whatever, I felt poorly yesterday until I finally got out on the water in Wacko Bay which made me glad. If you were pro bike riders, you'ld wish you were windsurfing instead.
16"great summer"
at Tuesday, 24 June 2008 23:56
Hey !
I had fun reading about your biketrip :-) and since i am going to Maui in two weeks, iŽll try to make that trip too ! it sounds like fun :-) ! well have a great time and dont stop writing, it is so entertaining to read ! and Kev go for the title, maybe if Matt has a great bike and rides with you more often it will be not as hard for him :-)
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