The company I work for really supports health. They have recently developed a department called “Wellness” which focuses on keeping employees active. A gentleman from this group created a challenge earlier this year which did just this. Employees created a team of 10 individuals, the goal was via man-powered activities to accumulate enough kilometers to cover the perimeter of Australia. This could be running, walking, rollerblading, cycling, swimming, etc…

Obviously, of your options cycling is the fastest way to accumulate the clicks. However the catch is that only 75% of your total distance can be from cycling. This was to allow runners to contribute a significant amount.

The total distance around Australia based on our “virtual stops” added up to an incredible 12,023km. Roughly 1200km per person on the team. We had from June 1 until August 31 to complete this.

The team we put together was a team of powerhouses, extremely dedicated people. 10 individuals that vowed to put in their weekly clicks no matter what (I recall several rainy rides throughout June). Our goal was to complete the challenge in 2 months, not 3. Therefore our 1200km per person turned into ~150km per week. Our team had 2 pure runners and therefore the cyclists took up a few extra clicks for them.

I used to ride my bike all the time, and then stopped for a few years. No real reason why. Just before this challenge began I thought I would try riding in from my house to work as a way to fit daily exercise into my hectic schedule. The ride was about 10km each way. The first time I rode in it was rough and I thought I was going to die. After a few weeks of this I was getting better. That’s how I was recruited for this “powerhouse” team…others saw me ride in.

At first thought 150km / week seemed absolutely insane. If I rode in to work and back, I would get 20km. That meant of course I would have to ride in 5 days a week to reach my 150km.

Long story short, our team of 10 highly dedicated corporate junkies finished the challenge in 55 days. We were 1 of 28 teams in this challenge. We were the only team that actually completed the distance within the 3 month time frame. As a result of being champions, we were awarded plaques, and jerseys.

Personally I became a machine by the end of this challenge. At the peak of it, I was riding in 29km to work, and 29km home. In less than 2 months I went from bursting a lung riding in 10km to work, all the way to riding 29km at high speeds. I joined 4 other riders on a 100km day. We all rode our bikes directly into work (between 10-15km). Then after work we all rode out of the city and back in. By the time the 5 of us all reached our homes, we had rode between 100.1 and 101.1km each. I’ve never done that in my life…it felt incredible.

Over the 55 days it took to dominate this challenge, I had put in just over 1800km of cycling for the team. I found it incredible how at first I was worried about 150km / week when my best week hit 300km. If you’re wondering, yes that meant that all I did for a while was work, bike, and sleep. But it was an incredible accomplishment.

Shortly after this challenge, I realized that although I rode 100km in one day, I had never actually ridden a “true century”. A century in cycling terms is when you nail out 100km in one ride. So one sunny summer day I decided to give it a shot. I rode out of the city and half way to the mountains. By the time I got back I had did about 105km in just under 3 hours and 45 minutes. It felt amazing. Power gels and power bars were my best friend that day.

I haven’t been on a bike for about the past month due to cooler temperatures and a craving for lounging on the couch. However, in this summer alone I had racked up an outstanding 2,420km. I started racking on a few extra pounds from pizza and beer, however all of this cycling helped a lot. During all this I ate whatever I pleased to fill the stomach, and I still lost 7 pounds. My lungs doubled in size along with the size of my calf’s and thighs.

The point of this entire story is twofold. First, you’ll be surprised what your body can accomplish if you put your mind to it. Second, if you’ve never ridden a road bike, give it a shot. Yes you will feel completely nerdy with your slicks, tiny 15 pound bike, and full out spandex, but it’s a rush. I’ve hit 63km on my road bike coasting down a small yet steep hill. I’ve reached 55km in a full out sprint on flat path. Of course you think for a second that if you bail you’re going to be in serious trouble, but it’s a risk worth taking I think.

Give road bikes a shot, you’ll be surprised.

If you’re not a fan of NASCAR, there’s a good chance you’ve never driven a stock car. There’s also a pretty good chance you don’t like the taste of Budweiser, you probably don’t have a “good” pair of sweatpants or have a buddy with a hyphenated first name ending in Bob; and there are probably no barbeque sauce stains on your wifebeater – that is assuming you own a wifebeater, which you probably don’t.

But all those little extra bonuses that come with being a NASCAR fan will happen with time, trust me and don’t worry.

The first thing you have to do is experience a race. And I mean have to.

Let’s be clear though, I don’t mean experience a race by watching it on television in HD on surround sound; or even going one better by purchasing a ticket and seeing a race in person. (Actually, this might not be a bad second option. The sound of the cars racing past your spot in the crowd is deafening and when the stands shake, you know you’re part of something special. Depending on how fast you acclimatize yourself to the aforementioned taste of Budweiser, will also affect how exciting the live experience is.)

You do not actually have to drive a racecar to appreciate the beauty of the sport, but experiencing a race from inside one of the famous left-turn only vehicles, is a must. And, actually inside the car; not theoretically in the car via a camera strapped to the driver’s helmet and witnessed on HD.

You have to physically get inside the car.

Many speedways across

However, for about the same price as taking a date to dinner and a movie, you could sit in the passenger seat of a NASCAR Nextel Cup Series car for a few laps around the track at speeds in excess of 160 mph, which is roughly 258 km/h. Which is exactly what should happen when you’re in

Climbing into a fire retardant suit and strapping on a helmet in 100 F temperatures, was not exactly a prime selling point; but anything billed as a “Ride of a Lifetime…” is enough to peak my interest. Climbing into the racecar through the passenger window, instantly made it a unique experience, but it was about to get 160 times better.

Reaching speeds that actually force you into the contours of the seat and toss your body as far right as the numerous safety belts allow, is an amazing experience. Reaching speeds that for no explicable reason will make you want to scream, but you can’t because the air is rushing past your mouth faster than the sound comes out, is again pretty amazing.

But what makes it incredible is being in the midst of the pack.

Being surrounded by nine other cars, just inches from the front and back bumpers, and close enough on the side to reach out and touch – if your arm stayed attached while reaching out the window, that is. Traffic so tight, if you were in the city it would not be moving faster than 5 km/h.

The calmness and control of the driver is amazing. The fact that you will somehow walk away from this is amazing.

Coming around the first bend, you’ll instantly reach for your brake pedal – which is imaginary since you’re in the passenger seat – and think that what if this a#$hole in front of me brakes? After the first lap, the sheer terror will fade. For the next two or three laps it will be nothing but pure enjoyment and bliss; and within a couple of days the colour will slowly return to your cheeks.

If you find yourself in a NASCAR city, it’s worth a trip down to the track for the “Ride of a Lifetime…” and it may even make your next Budweiser taste a little better, while adding a bit of dignity to that stain on your wifebeater.

1. Tectonic Plate Diving ($2,000 including flight & hotel) – Dive in between tectonic plates off of Iceland.
2. James Bond Bungee Jump ($1,200 including flight & hotel) -Jump off of the famous Verzasca Dam, just like Bond did in Goldeneye.
3. Shark Diving in Cape Town ($4,000 including flight & hotel) – Crazy. Nuff said.
4. Fly a MiG-31 ($27,000 including hotel) – get taken for the ride of your life above Moscow in a fighter jet.
5. Bolivia Challenge ($4,000 including flight & hotel) – a week of biking and ice climbing in Bolivia, including a stint on the famous death road. And yes it is named that for a reason.

Check out the entire reviews at CNNmoney.com

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•  The Photographer. Some guys won’t care about the photographer or photographs at all, but most women want to preserve the historic moment forever. I’ve got mixed feelings on the photographer since I’m a photography enthusiast myself. I’m all for capturing memories and I can appreciate the skill involved in taking a well composed photo, but the photographer can cost an arm and a leg. If you haven’t budgeted much for a photographer then read PeteB’s note on photography.
• Gifts. Everyone I know who isn’t married can’t stand the idea of a gift registry. They tell me that if you don’t know what to buy someone then just give money instead. I disagree. I don’t know what everyone who invites me to a wedding owns or doesn’t own. A registry is a good way for people on both ends of the gift to save time. If you want to get money, then don’t register. If you want gifts then register somewhere. Honestly, this is one area where the retail marketplace could use some work. It would be nice if there was a unified registry that would take any UPC, not limiting you to the items in stock at your local department store.
• The Menu. If you’re doing a meal then pick a meal that you’d like, and offer an alternative for those who won’t. Buffet style meals are a good idea if you have the space.
• The Bar. Often times the families will have stronger feelings on the bar situation than the bride and groom. It might be a custom or tradition to have a host bar so be aware of this when you are booking your venue. You might not have the option to bring your own booze and tender.
• Tuxedos. If you have brochures on hand then take a look at them in advance of going out in public and trying to find something you and your bride will like. Classic styles are classic for a reason: they’re simple and they look good. Contemporary styles and materials can stray from the typical tuxedo look and fit. I wouldn’t shop around a whole lot for a cost savings here unless your time isn’t worth much.

That’s it for this round. Keep your blood pressure on the level with good friends and good times along the way and you’re wedding will be a breeze.

1. Realize what your goal is.  Your goal should not be to get from point A to B. Your goal should be to survive. It only takes a quick glance at any beach to see the scars and road rash that a ton of tourists get when they decide to head out on a scooter, with tires smaller than my mountain bike.
2. Forget about your own traffic laws. In a lot of places formal traffic laws are forgotten. You’re an obstacle on the road, not a vehicle. Watch out for cars, trucks and other scooters.
3. Don’t try and figure out how fast your scooter can go. Remember that the scooter you’re barreling down the highway in, was probably built before you were born. So don’t try to top it out. Oh and the ones in Thailand only go up to 65-70mph if you’re interested. Doesn’t sound too fast but when you’re on a sandy highway in shorts and a t-shirt it feels pretty quick.
4. Take a tour with the pros. In any major Asian city they’ll have scooter taxi’s. They’ll whip you around the city between cars and make you wonder how much closer you can squeeze into the driver. It’s a great experience, super quick and will make you appreciate life when you reach your destination.

Bombing around in a foreign city with a scooter is a blast and well worth the experience. Have fun, don’t fall and try it out at the end of the trip. Just in case.

• The Ring. If you’re anything like me, this will be in the top three largest purchases you’ve made to date.  Without giving away how much I spent, the three purchases in descending order are: house, car, ring. Being in the top 3 purchases there’s one obvious tip I can give, that’s to spend a LOT of time thinking about it. You know your girl like nobody else so you’ll know what she’s going to like, but here’s something I learned about diamonds: 2 diamonds of the same color and clarity will not necessarily look the same. That means that you’ll want to actually see the diamond you’re paying for before they put it into a setting to be sure that you’re happy with it. Take a look at all the ring designs you can before deciding on one, or deciding to design your own. I didn’t see anything in stores that matched what I had in mind so I got the jewelry shop to custom make a ring, and now my fiancé literally has a one-of-a-kind ring.
• The Proposal. I can offer no advice here, as I’m fundamentally romance-tarded, just remember that bit about tact and etiquette.
• The Guest List. This should be the first thing on your list of to-do’s. Not the hard-and-fast guest list, but a close enough estimate of numbers that you are able to start looking for a wedding and/or reception venue.
• Budget. Number 2 on the list of to-do’s, and can be done in tandem with the guest list since it might be a limiting factor on the number of guests you will be inviting. Keep the initial budget as low as possible because it’s inevitable that costs will spiral out of control. Small spirals > big spirals.
• Pause. If you’re at this point and it’s only been 24 hours, grab a beer and relax. You’re in great shape.
• Set a Date. You don’t need to set a date the second after you are engaged. If you set the date for 3 months down the road and there are slim pickings for venues, you may want to change the date to get the place you really like.
• The Format. On the beach in Mexico? Drive-through in Vegas? Cocktail party? Plated meal with formal dance and all the bells and whistles? This decision will lay the groundwork for the rest of the planning process. Make it something you can both agree to and that doesn’t piss off the family.
• The Venue. There are tons of venues that are beautiful and expensive, and there are tons of venues that are tacky and cheap.  Look at all that you can; the internet is your friend here. Request information packages with pictures and menus, and ask about availability. We saw a place that looked like my Grandma’s living room. There’s nothing wrong with Grandma’s living room when it’s in Grandma’s house, but I’m not paying Grandma to have my wedding there.

This should get you started down the road to eternal bliss. I’ll add more as my own wedding date gets closer. If you’ve got something to add, please do, us men need all the help we can get.

Now if a normal river raft is a car, then a bamboo raft is a semi-truck. It’s about 25 feet long, 6 feet wide and handles worse than grandma on hockey skates. It doesn’t instill confidence and so I asked our guide – Jungle Tom – “where are our life jackets.” Jungle Tom looked at me like I had sprouted horns and in his Thai accent “ah you won’t need one.” Now I’ve never been a great swimmer, but it was either go down the river in 30 minutes or hike 7 hours to the bus through jungle. I decided I’d chance the river.

The journey starts out a little timid and we received a little more instruction. “When we hit the rapids, kneel down and hold on.” Oh that’s reassuring. Shortly after this we’re cruising down the river and our confidence is building. Then we hit our first set of rapids and we drop to the raft. You can hear the bottom of the raft scraping the rocks, the water is about 6″ over the raft and you’re just trying to hold on. Then -crack- I look behind us and the other raft has hit a rock. Straight on. People are falling, crying and well we’re laughing. Not callously, just the subtle calm laughter that always seems to come when you see a ridiculous situation.

The other raft is now falling apart. The guide tries to tie the broken raft together and puts one of the team in the lead. Well he’s had about 15 minutes to learn how to pilot a semi-truck down a river, I’m sure he’ll – crack -. Crash two. More crying and a few bamboo pieces fly off. They’re stuck now too so we have to wait for them. About five minutes later we see them and it’s pretty clear they’ve had enough.

The last 15 minutes went off relatively smoothly with the standard pattern of pushing your bamboo pole into the river, holding on to the raft when rapids hit and enjoying the scenery. We landed, patted ourselves on the back for a job well done and headed off to the next adventure.

I highly recommend doing some bamboo rafting if you ever get a chance. It’s not pretty, it’s not comfortable, but it’s fun and a better story than walking around shopping in the cities. Just pick the oldest guide and the raft with the most rope around it. Oh and if you ever find a tour company with life jackets let me know. I sure would like to have one of those next time.

Overall this is a fairly basic procedure taken to some extreme. The top of the Skyline resides at the top of the 90-meter ski-jump tower at CODA’s Canada Olympic Park. Of course the first thing to be done on the Skyline is to sign a contract making you personally responsible for WWII, then you’re off to suit up and go for a practice run. The harness system makes for a fairly nice ride and softens the blow of the braking system. It essentially produces a chair to sit in while cruising down the line. You are also outfitted with your own set of ‘wheels’ which you use on all three of the zip line runs.

The ride itself was relatively uneventful: you gain speed, you max out and cruise, then hit the brakes. You are taught to make yourself as large a wind target as possible to keep your speed under wraps and not kill yourself, which is a good thing. The most fearful part of the ride I found to be the step off the edge of the tower because I wasn’t sure if this thing was going to drop me hard and fast or gently ease me into the ride; it turned out to be the latter.

The braking system on the Skyline is rough and leaves a little something to be desired, but if done correctly it’s exhilarating and painless. This being my first time through, I tucked into the brake position a little early and in doing so essentially turned myself into a cannonball hurtling toward the spring at the end of the line, ending up with only a slight neck kink from the impact.

Overall, I would recommend everyone try this at least once. Even those who have a slight fear of heights (read: me) can enjoy this. It’s pretty cheap thrills at $50 CAD, or $40 if booked with a group of 12, per person. I was finally able to walk in the footsteps of Eddie the Eagle; my life is complete.

But, if you want a real thrill then take one of the Indy racing school programs. There are programs that have two seater Indy cars and you can just sit back and feel the thrills and g-forces of pure Indy racing. Or you can take a course and actually drive one yourself. And all for under $500. Racingschools is a good place to see if there is a course nearby as the company doesn’t mark up the programs.

Of course the best Ferrari advice is from Ferris Bueller “if you have them means, I highly recommend picking one up.” But if you can’t pick one up for good, pick one up for a day.