Round and Round is an annual event based in Riverside State Park in Spokane. I rode in a 5-person relay 2 years ago and did so again this past Memorial Day. Last year, I volunteered. Not because I didn’t want to ride, but because I needed the cash for my trip to Scotland.

When I rode two years ago, the first lap was a lot of fun. The second lap was pretty good. The third lap was miserable. And the fourth lap was unpleasant.

This year was better. The first lap was a lot of fun. The second, pretty good. The third was just hard, but enjoyable. And the fourth? In a word, “slow.” I had nothing to prove, and had been battling with the … unpleasant side effects of oral antibiotics for nearly 24 hours at that point. I was happy to finish without extra streaks.

But every lap was worth the go. I never wanted to just roll over and go back to sleep when it was my turn to go out. Preparation is key, I suppose.

In the end, in 36 hours, I rode 75 miles. In the 24 hours of the race, I rode 60 miles, 4 of the 19 laps our team completed. I was the slowest member of the team, and I’m ok with that. Because it’s fun just to be alive and enjoying it.

And it’s fun to tell people about a 24 hour race and watch their reaction. It only sounds crazy.