Patagonia has just launched a podcast, Patagonia Stories. In each episode,

host our Chana Rom will explore how we gather knowledge and ask questions about our relationship

to each other in the natural world. Questions like, how are lessons passed down through generations

to help us feel at home? What barriers prevent us from acquiring natural wisdom? How can we adapt

in the face for rapidly changing climate? There's so much more to come. You can find the first season

of Patagonia Stories wherever you get your podcasts. You're listening to The Derback Darius,

a production of Duck Tape Than Beer, with additional support from Kuat Racks because you love your

bike, athletic greens, the daily drink for healthier you, and kicking horse coffee, wake up and kick ass.

The spring sun radiated under the dry concrete sidewalk as the remnants of the Wisconsin winter

melted from the surrounding snow banks. As a three-year-old, this sidewalk was my ticket out of the

house. My ribbon of freedom to explore on two wheels. Plus my training wheels.

From the driveway, a long sweeping uphill turn led me to the straightaway, bordering the back yard

before the sidewalk ended at the cul-de-sac, marking the end of my territory. I would speed back

and forth, taking off from the driveway until I slammed on the coaster brakes and skidded to a stop

before my tire hit the tarmac. I turned around and repeated it, over and over, as the buds on the

trees blossomed and filled out with green leaves. Before they turned brown in the fall, I pleaded for

my dad to take off the training wheels. I was about to turn four.

My dad took me to the local softball field, where my tumbles were padded by gravel and grass.

Forgiving compared to the concrete that would break my fall at home. We left the first few evenings

marked with blood and tears, but my determination did not wane. When I finally rode away from my

dad's outstretched arms, I rode to the freedom that only two wheels could provide.

I peddled steadily down the first baseline into right field before carefully turning around

...