World Pillow Fighting Championships (take 2)

You did not misread that headline. After watching a scintillating Masters tournament this weekend, we were channel surfing (or more accurately streaming service surfing) and stumbled across the final minute of the final round of the World Pillow Fighting Championships. We were “L”ingOL. The winner got $5,000 and a big belt. From their website at fightpfc.com

“PFC: Pillow Fight Championship is the world’s first professional pillow fighting league featuring professional fighters engaging in intense, fast-paced and all ages-friendly combat unrivaled by any other professional sports entertainment or fighting organization.”

I disagree. It’s two people that probably couldn’t cut it in MMA or even Dodgeball, for that matter, swinging pillows that appear to be fastened to one wrist. They weren’t even wearing pajamas.

But while we’re on the subject of oddball events, let’s bring this back to the reason I write this silly blog in the first place. An oddball

bike ride. As mentioned previously, I’m setting out next month (May 17th to be exact) to ride for 7 days whichever way the wind is blowing. I will be starting in Kansas City, MO. There has been a little bit of buzz about making a game of it - perhaps we can contact ESPN to televise it. (It would definitely get more viewers than the PFC). I have been told I cannot be involved, lest I be tempted to compromise the integrity of this contest. However, I’m going to be involved only to the point of setting the rules and reporting my results daily.

The contest will be run by my IT Manager, gambling consultant and oldest daughter, Erin.

The rules are simple. Send a Venmo for $10 to @ErinScott12. We had some pushback from some younger - but still legal gambling age - potential participants about the original $20 entry fee. Since Kelly and I are the ones funding that particular participant in the first place, I caved and reduced it to $10.

When sending the Venmo, in the “What’s this for” box, simply indicate where you think I will end up at the end of the day on May 23rd.

That’s it. Each night, I will report my whereabouts with a blog post on this site. If Erin is on it, she will take all the guesses, and create some sort of spreadsheet or map. The person who is closest to my final stop will win whatever is in the pot.

Finally, because I know some will wait until The last minute to place bets so they can check their phones for weather and wind direction info, we will cut off the bets on May 10.

Also, if you check out the comments, I was asked how far I planned on going each day. There’s a little analytical info in my reply. In broad terms, if the wind blows the same direction every day, depending on what that direction is, my target circle is bounded by Fargo, ND, Lexington, KY, Waco, TX and Denver, CO. Doesn’t narrow it down too much 😁