The Trans Am Bike Race - Experiencing A Parallel Universe | Ken Simpson | TEDxIdahoFalls
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 10 фев 2025
- Pushing yourself to do hard things that are beyond what you ordinarily would do reveals the existence of a parallel universe, one in which the participants think, feel, and know in ways that only those with similar experiences understand. Ken Simpson explains that parallel universe in the context of the Trans Am Bike Race that took him from Coast to Coast with a small handful of other cyclists. Ken grew up in Idaho Falls and because of his love for the great outdoors, moved back in 1992 to raise his family here. He is a Certified Public Accountant with both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Accounting, and has earned his Personal Financial Specialist (PFS) certification with the AICPA. Ken spent 20 years providing consulting services to Wall Street firms and in 2005, co-founded Onyx Financial Advisors, LLC in Idaho Falls. Ken loves all kinds of adventures and got into long-distance cycling around 2010.
In 2016, Ken competed in the Trans America Bike Race. When asked to describe the experience, Ken said “When you compete in a race where the clock never stops, day or night, for weeks on end until you finish the 4,300 mile route across the U.S., you have to understand that even though the physical challenge will be immense, the mental challenge will be overwhelming.” Ken describes this experience as living in the “Parallel Universe of the Trans Am Bike Race.”
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx
This is so great! Why aren’t there more views??? I road my bike across France Spain Portugal and back to Spain, solo when I was 19. Took me between 3-4 weeks. I remember it as eating may way through rather than riding my way though. I climbed some high elevation mountains on that trip, but remember the flat cobblestone roads as the painful thing. I listened to the sound of crickets for days and days across the plains in Spain. I slept under the stars, I slept in construction sites. My pace was about 35-135 mls per day. Amazing to imagine a 200ml+ pace and over 4000ml total. Though I was definitely racing myself at the time, it’s amazing to imagine there being others in the race. It’s very easy to imagine the deep aloneness you describe, the simultaneous joy and defeat turned to courage. Thanks so much for sharing.
Thanks from the comment, I'm glad you enjoyed it
Loved it, thank YOU! May have even inspired me to do it myself, haha I just might be crazy enough to give it a try.
Last year after watching this video I decided to make this race in 2021, this year my will has not changed!, Its because of you Ken! Thanks!
Thanks Nom, I'm planning on returning to the Parallel Universe of the TABR in 2021 at the age of 60. See you at the start line.
@@kensimpson5340 What do you say to 2022 braddah?
did you get to go? hope so if not a race at least a transam tour.. I have done 2 . once at age 20 and this year at age 50. would love to do it again
Happy memories, brought it all flooding back. Great video and an excellent synopsis. 👍☺
Watching this, I kept wishing I weren't 73 years old. Wonderful speech!
gmaneis trust me.. there are many older than you that ride these races
@@lesleykuramoto3943 Thank you, but after 74 years of being a total non-athlete, I'll just admire the racers. I'd make it about 5 miles in that event! :-)
I'm not 74, but I am 68. I retired in 2020, and have done distance bicycle TOURING every summer since, and plan on doing it again this summer. In 2020, I did the same route that was described in the video. And this past summer, I rode from Fort Worth to Los Angelos, turned around and rode route 66 to Chicago, and then continued on to Long Island, New York. On both of these rides, the last day was exactly as described in the video. I didn't want to quit. So I urge you to do it. Forget about racing, do it as a long tour instead. It takes all the pressure out of it. On a tour, it doesn't matter how far you ride per day; 100 miles or 20 miles. I can tell you that the experience is the same. Go for it - you wont regret it.
@@balesmachine My life circumstances won't allow it, but I love to hear about all you folks who do it. Safe travels to you always.
just finished a tour NJ to Idaho fallFalls. not a race but loved this whole description cause that's exactly how it feels. on my tour I encountered 4 of these racers..including the winner....what machines...one guy from Italy was going 50 miles further down the road..he had already done 150 miles.. GIAMPIERRO MONTI
Every year I dream of doing this. Great talk!
I have set the goal and next year i will participate.
Great talk...tears here
Amazing
According dotwatcher, Mr Simpson arrive secon place pair category, with 36 days!. Incredible
I can´t understand why there are so few videos in youtube about TABR. Almost nobody take photos and made a slideshow of this incredible race. I want to do 2021, if Covid allow.
Rodrigo, I made a video of your 2016 race. It's on RUclips. Google Ken Simpson Trans Am Bike Race. I hope you enjoy it.
Hi. Is the route 100 percent pavement?
Yes
cool
How much money approx did it take to do this
About $5k to $6k
It took me about $3000, I also primarily ate pbjs, instant oatmeal, and canned soup, but I definitely took my opportunities to treat myself often enough. Your primary expenses will be food, bike and gear, and possible repairs. Also, I only ever stayed at paid lodging if I truly needed to which really wasn't very often. I believe that I had over 45 nights of free overnight stay as well so its possible to keep that expense low.
I’m gonna do that race one day. Watch. That is a promise.
Wanna meet me on the starting line in 2022?
Totally off topic, but... The parallel universe thing reminds me of working for a touring club band. You're in this world, but you can't really relate to anybody except the rest of your group or anyone else doing the same thing. Not really. You feel like an alien from another planet.