October 2, 2001 — Kristian Svitak and his skateboard were flying. They launched and landed. They soared above cement. They did so as one. This has always baffled me, the way board and boarder stay connected in midair. There are no straps or adhesives. I watch and wait, always expecting …
Read moreDecember 5, 2000 — There was a moment during my nighttime mountain bike ride with members of the Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association when I felt totally free. I was in midair, flying headfirst over my handlebars into the pitch-black forest of Chicopee Woods. I had no idea what hazards stood …
Read moreJune 20, 2000 — It was barely light out, not yet 7 a.m., as Team Reality Bikes arrived at the transition area of the Hi-Tec Adventure Race Sunday at Fort Yargo State Park in Winder, Ga. Team members Bill Oyster, Brian Grizzle and Anna Barnett walked their bicycles forward sleepily. …
Read moreNovember 16, 1999 — Imagine teeing off with Tiger Woods, going one-on-one with Michael Jordan, shagging flies with Ken Griffey Jr. Pretty cool, right? Well, I went inline roller skating with Derek Downing. And if you were from Bogota, Colombia you would be drooling right now. Trust me. Derek, a …
Read moreAugust 31, 1999 — I love the smell of paintballs in the morning. Good thing, too, because they were being shot in my direction at a furious pace. I was crouched behind a dirt pile, and the enemy knew it. I’m not sure how many of them there were. One? …
Read moreMarch 23, 1999 — Sara Ballantyne and Chris Haggerty looked tired. Even world-class athletes aren’t immune to Sunday-morning interviews, I assumed. “I’m sorry,” I offered. “I’m sorry for dragging you guys out of bed.” “Oh, I’m awake,” said Ballantyne. “I’ve already climbed Stone Mountain this morning.” I should have known …
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