Tomorrow, scores of ultra-long-distance cyclists from as far away as Brazil will gather in Quakerstown, PA for a 775-mile race around the entire eastern half of the state. The Endless Mountains 1240K not only features some 62,000 feet of climbing (more than twice Everest) but, because it is late in the season, much of the race will be in the dark.

I figure it will take me between 80 and 90 hours (the time limit is 93) to finish the race. Also, I think it’s a great way to exercise my 60-year-old knees and raise money to support Our Daily Bread Employment Center, Maryland’s largest soup kitchen, which I helped found almost three decades ago. For most of the folks the center helps, there is nowhere to go but up.

Some wonder what possesses somebody to ride a bike so far for so long. Same thing, I guess, as climbing mountains: seeing if you can do it!