Henry,

It's interesting how some things have become known as 'extreme sports' eh? Back in the early days (the 1970's) the expression meant doing a sport at it's most extreme level, where the risk of death was substantial, although in reality it was just a new way of describing things people had always done.
Now it apparently means any sport where the exponents wear baggy jeans, the term having been hijacked by soft drink manufacturers. I mean, how is skateboarding an extreme sport!?

I think it's interesting you divide people into those who indulge in 'deep play' and those who don't, because I think there is probably a grey area, and there are people who perhaps 'deep play' in their youth, then grow out of it!

I would never have described myself as 'extreme' (partly because it sounds so sad!) but in my youth have soloed in winter and snowboarded slopes where a muck up would have certainly meant snuffing it. But, not any more. Although I sometimes wonder if this is because I no longer do these things often enough to have the confidence in my skills, or whether I just got old and scared.

Your point about potential rewards versus potential death is interesting. I never thought about it that way. Sure, you feel pretty good topping out a hard route or leaving a monster rooster tail of pow off the bottom of a mad couloir, but is that feeling really worth the risks? Probably not, if you take it as an isolated event, but if you consider an entire life without those feelings, then suddenly the risks sound more reasonable.

Matt

PS: Please tell me you don't get loaded and solo sea cliffs!

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http://adventure-writing.blogspot.com

http://scotlandnepal.blogspot.com/

*Disclaimer* - I am not saying my bike is better than your bike. I am not saying my way is better than your way. I am not mocking your religion/politics/other belief system. When reading my post imagine me sitting behind a frothing pint of ale, smiling and offering you a bag of peanuts. This is the sentiment in which my post is made. Please accept it as such!

you can do eveything at home Walkabout. i think, the point is doing it when you are away. my first travel was with 75 kg laguage. now my target is 30 or 35 kilograms. if i can do that, maybe my second pannier will carry only my toothbrush too. thanks for the dvd advice. i'll try to find it and watch it soon.

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ozhan u.
website under construction

Yer, the Mondo boys certainly know how to travel light. Round the world sleeping under a poncho?!

Now that's hardcore!

Matt

__________________
http://adventure-writing.blogspot.com

http://scotlandnepal.blogspot.com/

*Disclaimer* - I am not saying my bike is better than your bike. I am not saying my way is better than your way. I am not mocking your religion/politics/other belief system. When reading my post imagine me sitting behind a frothing pint of ale, smiling and offering you a bag of peanuts. This is the sentiment in which my post is made. Please accept it as such!

all the answer's to the question's of why we travel are here on this website! try this link- www.horizonsunlimited.com
it's this site that reall got to me! reading other people's fantastic adventures of foreign lands and strange beings but being made welcome wherever you are.it's a good start to blame grant and sue johnson for all our bizzare dreams of going place's where there are no people or petrol garages!
as to the point of alcohol this was'nt the cause! that only caused me to buy a 3 wheeler robin reliant on e-bay last week! but i'm still blaming jack daniels!
happy trips people!:mchapp y:
on the bike that is and not from the bloke down the road!

Seat surfing on your XS650 Bill ?
Seems a little eXceSsive !

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Blessed are the cracked, for they let in the light. - Spike Milligan
"When you come to a fork in the road ,take it ! When you come to a spoon in the road ,take that also ."

Actually these are the questions to be asked to "other" people,

Is it ;

The way they grew up?
It is in their DNA and they can't help it?
That they just dont like seeing new places?
Their parents locked them in the the house when they were small?
That they afraid of diarrhea?
Their afraid to getting lost?
They dont know how to look at a map?
They cant bear to be with alone themselves?
They lost there curiosity some where along the way?

I believe they all want to "do it" ... they all want "to be there and do that" ... they are just lazy.

Dreaming but finding excuses not to, is easier than actually "do it"...

I've always assumed the opposite. Most people will SAY they want to do the adventure, because it's a bit lame to say "I dream about sitting my fat ass on the couch and doing nothing," but they don't really, which is why they spend their time watching television and their sundays in B&Q.

Matt

__________________
http://adventure-writing.blogspot.com

http://scotlandnepal.blogspot.com/

*Disclaimer* - I am not saying my bike is better than your bike. I am not saying my way is better than your way. I am not mocking your religion/politics/other belief system. When reading my post imagine me sitting behind a frothing pint of ale, smiling and offering you a bag of peanuts. This is the sentiment in which my post is made. Please accept it as such!

I travel in the hope that one day I will have my own aftershave !!

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Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

Before you have an aftershave you must shave.

Tell that to the woman who has to wax my ass !!

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.