Inc. Link

I posted here awhile back about an article to run in Inc. Magazine, written by my former entrepreneurship professor. For my work in Multisport Maps, and really, my work in following my passion for triathlon, I’m held up as an example of the type of kids thriving in, and coming out of his program. It was great to bring some attention to the fantastic job they're doing down there, and for me, it was pretty cool to see Multisport Maps get that sort of attention this quick. Check it out here if you’re interested.

The picture that ran in the paper-version:

Vermont (Part 2) – They Took the Bus Away?!

A couple days ago, I posted about a bus being towed away near my childhood house. It was a sort of tongue-in-cheek example of Vermont culture. I mean, where else would this old bus even still be there? And where else would it be such a big deal when it got towed away?

Well, since I posted it, I’ve gotten four calls from friends and family members, living anywhere from Colorado to South Carolina, saying: “They towed that bus away? You’ve gotta’ be kidding me!” I just had to laugh. I found it somewhat funny that this was big news around here. Well, it turns out, it’s big news everywhere.

For those of you still enthralled, here’s another picture of the bus, being towed away:

Vermont (Part 1) - Pulling a Bus

As Multisport Maps grows, it will cover more and more places. It’ll expand to other cities, other states, and just maybe, other countries. Perhaps even this year or the next, I’ll be moving out to Boulder, CO, and setting up main offices there. Sometime soon, Vermont won’t be much more than another location we cover.

But by the nature of things, just as much as by planning, the company is, and will continue to be, rooted in Vermont. That’s where I’m from, and that’s where the company has been born. The culture of Multisport Maps, the one being created right now on this blog, is one with an inherent Vermont influence. To honor this influence, and really, to define it, I’ll post here every so often about the state… about a particular aspect or feature that speaks to the nature of Vermont, and by association, the nature of Multisport Maps.

I figured a couple pictures would be a good way to start. Here are a few from yesterday, when a couple locals towed away a neighbor’s bus, that had been sitting there for, about 25 years now. It has been a playhouse, storage, and for a few months awhile back, my older sister’s bedroom. Now, it’s off to the crusher.

The bus:

Hooking it up:

Drawing a crowd:

Who We Are (Part 4) – More Than Money

I was giving an interview the other day, about being a young entrepreneur. I was asked how it felt to be successful this early in life. Well, I had to laugh. The thing is, Multisport Maps won’t start to make money until next spring. Even then, it’ll probably be a few years until it’s really churning. And don’t get me wrong, I’m looking forward to it. I want the business to be successful, and I want to make money. But, even now, I can see that the company gives me more than that. I’ve had the opportunity these past few months to travel the whole state – to see a lot of places, to meet a lot of people, to train a ton, and to spend more than half my nights under the stars. More than the enjoyment of all these things even (and there’s been a lot), it’s been a formative experience that as a 22 year-old, I’m thankful to have had.

So, while I had a chuckle with the question about success, my answer was serious. I may not yet be financially successful, but so far, I’ve been successful in creating the life I want to live. It feels exhilarating, challenging, fulfilling, and ultimately, it feels right.

Me at my primitive campsite a couple days ago:

Checking in From the Kingdom

Well, it’s not a real kingdom, just the isolated northeast corner of Vermont (called the northeast kingdom) – known for farming, wilderness, and bitter winters that start about now, and last through April. I’m up here on what will be my last major mapping trip of the summer, and really enjoying it. I like the isolated, open feel, and the laid-back pace to life. I can relate to the no-nonsense working style of the people, and feel comfortable amongst all the farms. Most of all, I like the dramatic landscape, and I love all the untouched wilderness. I’ve been driving the roads, doing a lot of pool swimming, and best of all, lots of primitive camping. Oh, and this morning, I saw a moose… it was standing right in the middle of the 4WD road to my campsite. Pretty Cool.

Some pictures:

What it feels like up here:

Lake Willoughby:


The moose:

Farmers with too much time on their hands:

Me at my lunch stop:

Taking (more) Time Off

My last post was about taking time off. Well, I got so into it, that I decided to take a few more days off. I’ve had the opportunity to take some walks, ride my cross bike, watch the Sox beat (and lose to) the Indians, watch the Pats beat the Cowboys, pick some apples, wash my car, work on my bikes, eat a lot, and best of all, do some great late-season open-water swimming. The water temperature in Lake Spofford is right about 65 F, perfect autumn temps if you have a wetsuit. The crisp air makes it all that much tougher to get in, but once you’re swimming, there’s something about this time of year that makes it so nice... especially when you're looking at a sunset or at changing leaves on each breath. Really, it’s been a fantastic couple days.

The pictures below are one each from Friday evening and Saturday afternoon. That’s me in the wetsuit, and my good-buddy Steve, being a badass in just a Speedo:

Who We Are (Part 3) - Taking Time Off

We here at Multisport Maps work hard. When I’m home, I’m in the office throughout the day, and often into the night. When I’m on the road, I routinely log 12-hour days. Now granted, these hours are spent driving around, riding my bike, and doing things I like to do, but the point remains… we work hard.

Especially on the road though, I have to be watchful that I get rest too. A stretch of traveling and mapping, without any significant downtime, always takes its’ toll - I have less energy, less motivation, and generally, do a worse job in creating the product I’d like to create. Too much work, without sufficient rest, works contrary to my long-term goals.

So, while I constantly want to get more done, I’ll always stop for a break. I keep a growing list of things that are, no questions asked, worth stopping for: a nap, good food, a workout, talking with friends and family, a ballgame, hitting golf balls, reading a book, going bowling, catching a movie, or even going on a date. Though I may miss a couple hours of valuable work time while I’m out on the course or taking a nap, these things keep me balanced, and keep me excited. I may have seen a few less roads last week, and won’t be able to visit that shop until tomorrow, but I feel better, and because I do, I’m sure the final product will be better too.

It’s all a part of the consistent, patient approach that we take in our training, racing, and in our work. Now that I think about it, I’m about due for a break – I’m going for a hike. If you’re looking for me tonight, I’ll be watching the ball game.

The picture is me (w/ backed turned) taking some time off, with my father and his girlfriend in the row boat, my two best friends in the kayaks, and fellow swimmers Hank Lange and Steve Tavella (off-camera). It was a great day:

Back From Stowe

I just returned home from another trip. I went for three days of mapping up around the Canadian border, then three days of selling jewelry with my father in Stowe, VT. Then, one more day of mapping with my father in tow, before coming back home. I had a good time mapping, a good time at the show, and a great time working yesterday with my father – his enthusiasm and fresh outlook were a huge boost to the process. We found some great roads, took some nice pictures, and even stumbled across a really cool abandoned asbestos mine (though we admired from a distance). I’ll write more about the trip piece by piece (including a nausea inducing climb up smugglers notch and some great swimming at the town pool) sometime in the coming months. It’ll be nice to look back on a perfect autumn trip come February.

A couple autumn pics:



The abandoned mine:



My father, at our lunch stop:

And me, loving this time of year:

Cyclocross Triathlon

Hanging out on slowtwitch.com, a couple ideas were thrown around about having a triathlon with a cyclocross course as the bike leg. It sounded like a blast, but the original venue fell through. It seemed like it may not happen, but after looking around a bit, I think I've found a good place to do it - my hometown of Putney, VT.

The swim would take place in the Connecticut River. It would be two-laps, going from a small beach, down to a nearby dock. You’d have to get out onto the dock, then dive back in (ITU style). Each lap is maybe 200-300 yards. The swim is about 1/4 mile from the West Hill Shop cross course (home to the November race). You’d get out of the water, pick up your bike, and go for a couple laps on the course (45 minutes or so), then back down to transition. The run would go out the opposite way, out-and-back down a flat, dirt path. It would be a three-loop run, each loop right around a mile long.

I did a run-through of the course last night, and it was a blast... this should be a fun time. I'm organising an informal race coming up soon, probably on Saturday, October 20th. Of course, all readers are welcome to join, just drop me an email at multisportmaps@gmail.com to let me know.

Some pictures from the course:

Swim:


Bike:




Run: