“I have never heard anyone profess indifference to a boat race. Why should you row a boat race? Why endure long months of pain in preparation of a fierce half hour, or even six minutes, that will leave you all but dead? Does anyone ask the question? Is there anyone who would not go through all its costs, and more, for the moment when anguish breaks into triumph – or even for the glory of having nobly lost? Is life less than a boat race? If a man will give all the blood in his body to win the one, will he not spend all the might of his soul to prevail in the other?”
―
Dawn, Bachman Lake, Dallas, Texas
Bill Chance 
It’s a tough one to explain… the drive to put yourself through hell for a few moments of glory.
I like what the guys in the photo were doing – a nice, vigorous but not overly, boat ride at dawn.
My preference is an early morning mountain bike ride or a hike in Spring or Fall. I’ve had some nice views, but also some sounds. The mix of your heart beat, breathing and flight of geese calling to each other somewhere below along the river valley.