Saddle Sore 1,000 -- T-minus 22 Days

I probably should do a little more "working out" before I tackle my first long-distance motorcycle endurance ride, but seeing that I'll be sitting all the time, does it really make a difference?

I may not be totally prepared for the distance, but I know my Honda Shadow will be.

I bought my motorcycle during the summer of 2004 and I currently have almost 59,000 miles on it. Every time I take it in for maintenance, the Honda guys are just dumbfounded that I could actually put that many miles on a bike in so little amount of time.

Whereas most bikers you see out on the road are just fair-weather riders, I ride my bike constantly. Rain, shine, hot summers, cold winters. To me, my bike is my transportation, and I don't let it sit in the driveway for long amounts of time.

For the Saddle Sore 1,000, I'll be taking very few things along. Some food to snack on, several bottles of cold water, and a bottle of aspirin. Oh, and maps. I'd hate to get lost.

Other than that, I'll be taking along a journal to write down my mileage, a ziplock bag to store my receipts, and a camera to record anything I might want to take a photo of -- maybe the state signs as I enter each state.

I've told a few people about my little one-day adventure, and several of them blabbed that I was out of my mind. One specifically said, "You're crazy."

Well, I believe the crazy ones are the ones who sit on their couches and naysay those who go out looking for adventure. The sole purpose of these naysayers is to make you see the "error of your ways" so you'll stay on the couch, too.

I see these people as sad, frustrated individuals who would go on adventures if they didn't have to miss "The Wheel of Fortune," but they can't, so they don't.

I don't listen to those people. I listen to my butt, and my butt says, "Get off me and go do something worthwhile. You wanna be a big lazy ass for the rest of your life?

So, me and my butt (excuse me, my butt and I) are heading down the road in a week or two. You can tag along on Twitter if you like. Or not. I'd hate to interrupt your "Wheel" watching.