What is endurance and why do we submit ourselves to such torture? The big question in the media's and spectators' minds has always been, "why", and many of us find trouble answering it - even to ourselves. It's been a while since we asked ourselves this question on the ldrider list. So, let's start with a definition of what is endurance. Then, perhaps we can answer the BIG question. Endurance: My dictionary defines endurance as "the ability to withstand hardship or stress: Fortitude." Noble sounding, isn't it? However, the dictionary doesn't go into WHY anyone would willingly put themselves into these types of situations (unless you look under "Masochism - 1: a sexual perversion characterized by pleasure in being subjected to pain and humiliation. 2: pleasure in being abused or dominated."). I must say that I derived no pleasure (sexual or otherwise) from the pain experienced DURING an endurance ride. However, there was plenty of pleasure once it is over. Does that mean we're masochistic? If not, then why do we do this? Why do we ride endless hours without sleep, without comfort of our loved-ones, through blinding rain storms, excessive heat, freezing cold, our bodies aching for hours without relief? My wife says it's because we're insane. Several others have agreed with her. Although during a ride, I might agree with her, before a ride starts it always seems perfectly sane to me. Want to go to the IBA dinner party in Daytona and can't afford a plane ticket? Ride. Of course, for me, the thought of the ride is always better before and after than during the ride. Although I do enjoy parts of the ride, the pain and fatigue eventually makes me question my own sanity. I suppose that there is some ego involved in us that wants to say to others, "look what I did that hardly anyone else has done". That's definitely part of it. The sense of accomplishment you get as you shrink the map and prove that Florida or Alaska really AREN'T that far away after all is very rewarding, true. Then there's the lure of adventure that calls to us to explore new places - that's a big part of it for me. Of course, getting together with other endurance enthusiasts is always fun. Tinkering on the bikes and adding gizmos also appeals to me but only if they have purpose towards THE GOAL. Do you think that fame has anything to do with it? Not that most of us are famous by any means but the potential is there, always looming in front of us. Some have achieved a bit of fame but, from what I've seen, the few that have don't really act like that was one of the selling points for the sport. I know that I don't care about fame. I'm just a regular "Joe" who was raised by a regular family with no real aspirations for anything more than a nice home, a loving family, and some good meals. Fame for me never was part of the appeal of this sport. What about you? Do you feel an urgency for our sport? Like, this type of thing may be outlawed at some time in the future so we'd better take advantage of the freedom now? I find it hard to imagine life without the freedom to ride a cycle across America but there are rumblings from time to time against the very idea. Does this make you push the limits of distance you travel? It doesn't for me but what about you? Do you feel like an outlaw? Is that the appeal? As I stood in the parking lot at the IBA dinner party, rain pouring down, my bike making those popping noises as its engine cooled, I looked at the few remaining riders who hadn't left yet and wondered if they hurt as much as I did. Did they feel as good about it as I? My shoulders felt like they were dislocated and my collarbone ached. My jaw hurt and my bike hurt as well as my butt and fingers. So, why did I feel so good and proud inside? Was my wife right? I still can't answer these questions to my satisfaction. So, I've decided just to accept them and feel good about my future accomplishments - whatever they may be. Sometimes you have to say, "what the fuck", and just do something because you know you like to and not try to explain it. The answer "because it's there" has always seemed funny to me before but now, it just sounds like common sense - the ONLY answer that there is because if you tried to explain, you would never do the real reasons justice. Just leaving it at those three words says so much without filling in the blanks for the listener - which allows them to "fill in" their own reasons. A better answer might be a question - "why not?" I can answer that one much easier than "why?". I can't help wondering if some cosmic s/w programmer up there somewhere is looking down at us and saying, "I'm going to have to get around to fixing that bug sometime. It seems to be spreading." So, instead, ask yourself "why not?" and then go RIDE. Respectfully submitted, Joseph Zulaski