Go and do: My Bucket List

I think, at one point or another, every person has said, 'before I die, I would like to (inset legendary action here)'. I personally know that I have said this about one thing or another many a times before.

I have, of course, lived a pretty awesome life to date. If I died tomorrow, I would die a happy, albeit young, man. I have travelled across Canada racing my mountain bike, surfed in Hawaii, hiked in the Canadian Rockies, strolled through Central Park and crossed the Brooklyn Bridge. I have waded into the frigid waters off both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, conquered the Grouse Grind and caused the Capilano Suspension Bridge to sway. I have ridden my bike across dew soaked mountain roads in BC, kayaked in the Bay of Fundy, run around Diamond Head Crater in Honolulu and SUP'ed our majestic cottage-country lakes. I have skied in the Rockies and the Eastern Townships, ridden from Niagara Falls to Niagara-On-The-Lake and back (with a few beverage breaks on the way) and rafted the mighty Ottawa River.

I have, you could say, lived a very privileged life. And I would not disagree with you. However, it is by looking forward that bigger and better things get done. So, I present to you my bucket list. Something I have created over the past few weeks upon realization that without some idea of what life means to you, you are only wasting away your precious time here.

I have stolen some of these ideas from others previous adventures, and I have stolen some from an Outside magazine article. Though, despite this, this list is entirely my own. This is purely me as honest and bold as I can be. I encourage you to do this yourself and post yours in the comments. Just don't be upset with me if I steal the odd idea.

Life is not short, it is the longest thing you will do. So fill it with awesome...

1. Climb Mt. Everest
2. Climb the highest peak on each continent. (probably before no. 1)
3. Learn an instrument. (Not a guitar, or something of the like, but something different, like a Didjeridu or an Ektara)
4. Volunteer to build a school in a third world country.
5. Volunteer after a disaster abroad.
6. Go on an African Safari, and see the Big 5.
7. Stay overnight on Antarctica.
8. Ride a Tour de France stage (or two, or three, or all...) including Alpe d’Huez.
9. Run the NYC, Walt Disney and Boston marathons.
10. Live abroad for at least a year (see no. 12).
11. Learn to sail, then sail across an ocean.
12. Work on a vineyard, sheep farm and cattle ranch. (Abroad)
13. Race/ride the BC Bike Race.
14. Learn to fly a plane.
15. Hike the Pacific Rim Trail on Vancouver Island.
16. Surf in Tahiti, Fiji, California and Tofino.
17. Volunteer/work at the Olympics.
18. Swim in every major Ocean, naked.
19. Work/Volunteer at an animal sanctuary/orphanage.
20. Go deep sea fishing. (And catch a fish.)
21. Learn to Scuba Dive.
22. Skydive on every feasible continent.
23. Fill a passport to the point of completion.
24. Visit the wine regions of France, Italy, Greece, Germany, New Zealand, Australia, British Columbia and California.
25. Ski the worlds best, most renowned ski hills (Whistler, Chamonix, etc.)
26. Ride the Leadville 100 mountain bike race.
27. Get married to the most beautiful, adventurous, sexy, smart and funny woman in the world.
28. Become a father.
29. Practice yoga in India.
30. Sleep over on the Great Wall of China.
31. Bungee jump in New Zealand.
32. Visit the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro.
33. Paddle the Nile, Congo, Nahanni and Mississippi rivers.
34. Fly in a helicopter.
35. Drive from the most Eastern point of Canada to the most Western point. In one go.
36. Witness the Northern Lights.

(Editors Note: I intend on updating and growing this list as more inspiring adventures come to me. Life is ever changing and so too should be this list.)