[Paddlewise] THOUSAND MILERS was Kayak Community

From: Doug Lloyd <dougl_at_islandnet.com>
Date: Tue, 07 May 2002 23:10:58 -0700
Sid said:

<<<<
I've always been curious and since we're on the subject how about an
informal poll? 1. How many of you have paddled one, two or three
thousand miles cumulative? 2. How many of you have paddled the ocean for
ten or more consecutive days?
>>>>

1. Lost count at three thousand a decade or more ago. After the first
five years the Orthopod opened up my shoulder joints and said the two
bursa, respectively, appeared to be similar to that of a 70 year old man
- once he found them. Of course, the first five years I purposely always
planned my trips so I'd be paddling against the tide. Some would say
that that kind of "planning" was oxymoronic. I figured the tactic
increased my perceived mileage. So, if I said 10,000 miles to-date in
actuality, I could have covered 15,000 with "better" planning. Hey, was
the question nautical or statute miles? And what about accumulated
vertical travel over the years? Does all the paddling in big swell,
uphill over the years, deserve a figure? Oops, now I'm sounding elitist.
Heaven forbid! (so says the sassy sick man who's sitting out this season
so far).

2. Right on 10 days, that's my max. That's my max 'cause I paddle a
Nordkapp. Can't bring my Thermarest if packing for more than 10 days,
and you are not a real sea kayaker without your Thermarest. I do know
one interesting thing: when I go on longer, multi-day, wilderness sea
kayaking trips, I never get migraines, I sleep like a baby after the
first two days, I loose weight no matter how many carbs eaten, I never
get stressed-out (unless I've chosen to paddle with poorly-skilled
paddlers on rougher coasts), and I finally feel like I'm really in a
church. I'd love to spend a month or more on a continuos trip. Maybe one
day. Right now, I'd just like to go for a day. Maybe in June.

Doug Lloyd (who hopes he never comes across as elitist -- passionate
yes! -- but not elitist)


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Received on Tue May 07 2002 - 23:10:13 PDT

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