Friends From the Road Podcast

We were in the heat so much our days leading up to this chat, that we made sure we did this episode indoors with Air Conditioning running. This episode, we have a repeat guest and 3 new guests to chat with on the episode. Let’s start with our repeat guest, Mark, who was on our August 5th, 2021, episode titled, “FFR: Another One PTC” when we had the chance to talk about his own bicycle ride with fellow old man Martin from Portland, OR to San Francisco, CA. Anyway, I’ve been swamped lately trying to get things done as I finish my own journey and asked my friend to the write up:

I was asked by Dan to do the write up for this episode of Friends From the Road podcast.  My name is Mark Ruiz, and I was lucky enough to provide support across the Mojave Desert for Dan, Scotty, Ryan Rose, and Kevin. It was great fun and an honor to serve such a great group of young adventurers. Dan, as you may know, is headed towards the end of his adventure to ride to and through all 48 states. He is on number 47 and will complete his ride October 10 in Las Vegas. He ended up being an inspiration to the others, whom I will introduce in a sec, by his determination, positivity, and dedication to his cause, suicide awareness.

Scotty and Ryan Rose set out from San Diego to ride/rollerblade across the country. Scotty is providing support to Ryan for her attempt to break the Guinness speed record for rollerblading across the country. Scotty rides his fully loaded bicycle and provides encouragement and carries most of their equipment and lots of water. Ryan rollerblades and/or walks, when necessary, in her rollerblades 35 to 65+ miles per day. Some roads are smooth, and some are dirt roads. Scotty is there to help her up when she falls, which isn’t very often. They are also doing their adventure for Suicide Awareness. Learn more about their journey at https://www.ryanrolls.com/ and on her Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ryanthegrill/

Kevin is a machinist who bought his bike ($25), welded brackets for disc breaks, made his own frame bag and decided to ride his bike to go see family in Philadelphia. This is his second bike tour and his longest. I think Kevin was very happy to be riding with others as he expected to not see anyone for a while. Follow him on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/kruser_kev/

And myself, I am retired, and met Dan while on a bike tour this summer. We crossed the Golden Gate Bridge together with 4 other new friends. I offered to assist him across the desert. He hesitated at first but finally said Ok. I’m so glad he did. I got to spend some special time with Dan and met 3 more Friends From The Road.

Remember to Subscribe to the podcast for future releases, leave a comment about the episode, Share with friends and family, and at the least come back for another FFR Podcast Episode!

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Today's guest, Gregory Kampf, was kind enough to open his home to allow me to stay when passing through Huntington Beach, CA. We had connected like many of my connections through social media, reaching out months before about helping me when I got closer and as I did, it became a reality. Here we are, together in person, talking about Greg’s most recent bicycle adventure that he did with his partner, Lisa. They just got back from riding the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP), a trail that I tell everyone to go ride. Listen to find out if he thinks the same thoughts. This wasn’t his first or only trip either, he’s been doing them since 1993, listing them off in the episode! He and Lisa are both educators so most of his and their journeys happen in the summer months and during school vacations. Greg is retired now but he shares the pros of being in the education field and his own love for service and teaching, as he started teaching at the bottom, as a tutor and a playground supervisor and finishing his career as superintendent.

Gregory tells us about how he was the first person in his family to go to college and become an educator. His love for teach also fed his love for adventures on his bicycle. One of those adventures led to the one thing we all wish to avoid, an accident. Greg shares his struggles after his accident, being hit at 60 mph, that left him with a broken leg in 2 places, pelvic ring expansion and other issues while on vacation near Kansas City, MO requiring him to be med flighted. After being laid up for 5 weeks, Greg returned to work as superintendent in a wheelchair, seeing the students even more eye to eye. He just had to move at a slower planned out pace, but he overcame his injuries putting in the extra effort and was able to get back to working at full swing and ultimately being able to get back to riding.

Remember to Subscribe to the podcast for future releases, leave a comment about the episode, Share with friends and family, and at the least come back for another FFR Podcast Episode!

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Check out Strada Soul for durable and expertly hand-crafted products made from used bicycle inner tubes and upcycled materials. Stradasoul.com

Try Athletic Brewing (https://bit.ly/3aQ4u8n)

Brew without Compromise!

Use RWD20 to receive 20% OFF your first order!

Follow Dan’s Journey at Ridewithdanusa.com

Support Dan’s Cause for Suicide Awareness at Opaatmovement.com

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10 Month Update

Listen to what this episode is about!

The road till now, the struggles, the road ahead, October 10th, 2021 and the plan moving forward! 

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00:00 We start the conversation with the oldest guy in the group, Paul Grigoruk, who is 77 years old and doing a section of the Pacific Coast from San Francisco to Orange County. This is something he has done every year for nearly 30 years! He will make the trip to about 10 miles away from home from which he will have his wife come get him with his pickup, where he gets her involved. They have made their marriage last now for 55 years! Paul and I have been camping together for several days; he gets up super early, 4:30am and is on the rode before 6am to avoid the morning traffic and he motivated me to get moving earlier. If this old guy can do, so should I, just not that early.

06:22 Our next guest is Troy Mayers, who has been into Mountain biking for over 30 years in the Santa Cruz area, that’s when they weren’t the bikes we have today. Now forced into earlier retirement because of the pandemic, he has got further into biking with gravel biking and starting short local tours before linking all of that into the larger picture with longer tours hoped for in the future. This trip was to make it to Big Sur CA through alternative routes. When I met Troy, he was doing just that, recon to a route to avoid cars and making it safe that much longer, I was unsure and didn’t go with him and went the crazy way, listen to how it went for him on his way to camp.

12:49 Matty and Taylor is a couple doing their first bike adventure together. Matty, is from Australia, did this route in 2019, which he says was completed different from this one. Listen to find out why! Matty met Taylor at the end of his tour and on their first date, he showed up to the date in bike clothes and he knew she was the one when she said she would love to do things like that. Now going full circle, they are reliving how they met and doing it together. Taylor has done short little trips but nothing to this magnitude, and after day 2 who would think they would make it. They share the events of Day 2! Also they are doing this as Vegans, something I was always found interesting while on the road, listen as they share how they survive. Follow their adventures

Matty Freedom

Taylor

Instagram

26:21 Ollie Day and Daniel Khorrami are two friends that have been friends since they were toddlers, being neighbors. They are on their first tour going from their hometown, Seattle, to Las Angeles to visit a buddy going to school there. They were on a hike when the idea came about a year ago, then 6 months ago they started kind of planning. Then a month before they set a date, June 6th. That date came and they were like “let’s leave the 9th” and then they were off. They have known each other practically their whole lives yet on this trip they would learn things about each other you only learn with this type of travel. They also share a story about the emerald triangle, murder mountain, the events leading up to it and the road angel that came to the rescue, this is a must hear! They referenced this film on Netflix, see it HERE. They share the some of the experiences they have had up to this point including the road angel they had that morning.

40:36 Cody Bryan is our last and youngest guest on the episode! He is from my home state of New Hampshire and ended up on this journey kind of by accident. He got out of college early and went back to working at his previous summer job and hated it! He quit and thought what should I do now? He knew a friend that just finished a coast-to-coast trip and got info about it. Then talked to another friend of a friend that did the Pacific Coast and then was set. Two days before leaving he bought his ticket and boxed up the bike. With the help of a friend, Hannah Fry, which helped him prepare and get started. So, he kind of just rolled into this whole situation. He also has acquired multiple pairs of shoes for climbing and trail running in between the biking, because that’s not enough. Listen as Cody shares his story while we are in Big Sur for the night! Even at 20, he reminds us to just try to go have fun.

I hope you Enjoyed this Lineup on another Picnic Table Chat (PTC) and stay tuned for another episode coming soon!

Remember to Subscribe to the podcast for future releases, leave a comment about the episode, Share with friends and family, and at the least come back for another FFR Podcast Episode!

______________________________________________________________________________________

As a leading manufacturer of bike accessories, SKS Germany has been ensuring that wheels roll for 100 years now. If you’re looking to set your ride up with the best go to https://sks-us.com.

Use FFR15 to receive 15% OFF your order!

Try Athletic Brewing (https://bit.ly/3aQ4u8n)

Brew without Compromise!

Use RWD20 to receive 20% OFF your first order!

Follow Dan’s Journey at Ridewithdanusa.com

Support Dan’s Cause for Suicide Awareness at Opaatmovement.com

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Well I keep running into these amazing people in groups that weren't groups before. So we have yet another one, a Picnic Table Chat this time at Gualala Regional Park. Cyclists out on our own adventures but have this time together.

00:00 Eddie was planning to originally do this journey early 2020 when those plans were halted. With a history of camping and backpacking he wanted to see more but go longer distances with limited time. Bicycle touring and the Pacific Coast seemed to be the spot and the way to accomplish what he wanted. He started with a bicycle bag because starting somewhere was better than nothing. Last year, he instead did Pittsburgh to Washington DC via the GAP and C and O trail. This year, he had 3 weeks off work to ride from Seattle WA to San Francisco CA. With hopes to do more adventures overseas, with thoughts of Italy. Follow him on INSTAGRAM to see all his adventures!

08:49 Our next two guests are Mark and Marty, the old guys of the group. Mark known as the slow guy is 63 years old and Martin is 73. They have been cycling buddies for 27 years now and coworkers in the education field for over 30 years. The first adventure was Seattle WA to Mexico. This trip is reliving a segment of that ride and a route they have done many times. They haven't let age stopped them, this trip started in Portland OR and will end in San Francisco CA. They love adventure and though age is a factor, they keep moving. Listen as Mark shares a hilarious story from the day on the road. Great guys, No shame! 

21:02 Our third segment is with Brandon that spent the night with me the night before  in Manchester CA at the KOA and road some miles with me that morning. He did his first tour 10 years ago with a friend which changed his life to a life of travelling. The last couple months he has been back home with his parents. He felt stuck and the way to change that moving. He borrowed his mom's bike with some gear and took off on the public transit to Fort Bragg CA and is working back to his parents home in the Bay area. He will finish and start his van life after and plans to work in the river areas as an experienced river guide. He loves the water and the beaches are the same for him, he enjoys the breaks and we share a moment when he is torn to ride or stop. Follow him on his adventures on INSTAGRAM 

27:15 Our Last Guest is Patrick, which came from Germany to see more of America after visiting here 30 years before. He started this journey in April 2021 in Savannah, GA on the one year anniversary of his best mates death. He didn't know what to expect but started in the warmth heading across in a northerly direction. Warmth changed to riding through snow, ice and cold then back to the warmth changing time zones along the way. Patrick shares his experiences of over 4000 miles and will also finish in SF where he catches a plane home. He enjoys getting on his bicycle and the freedom of touring, we all in this episode can relate in this! He shares his experience of seeing another cycling tourist for the first time and the encounters he had along with other experiences with "road angels". Amazing stories were shared and memories that couldn't had been without the bicycle. Set mini goals to accomplish the larger goal as patrick says listen to his amazing adventure through america.

This was a great line up and I hope you enjoy the stories and find your own inspiration and motivation to do your own journeys whether that's on a bicycle or other form or movement. Stay Encouraged!

Remember to Subscribe to the podcast for future releases, leave a comment about the episode, Share with friends and family, and at the least come back for another FFR Podcast Episode!

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Let’s make Suicide-safer communities by bring us closer to a world where living works for everyone!

Livingworks Start 

Start.opaatmovement.com

"Start Help" [email protected]

Try Athletic Brewing (https://bit.ly/3aQ4u8n)

Brew without Compromise!

Use RWD20 to receive 20% OFF your first order!

Follow Dan’s Journey at Ridewithdanusa.com

Support Dan’s Cause for Suicide Awareness at Opaatmovement.com

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I knew when I hit the Pacific coast highway that I would see cyclists touring the ACA route and maybe some hikers along the way. I didn't expect to see so many at camp and they all had an amazing story to share! We all set up camps, got cleaned up, ate and then it was time to record at Standish Hickey State Recreation Area. We start the conversation with Brittany.

Brittany is partnered with Tom on a trip that the took from their current home in Eugene OR to Fort Bragg CA to relive a segment they did together in 2016 with their dog. After the bicycling, they upgraded to the RV and continued travelling until the pandemic. Now they have reintroduced themselves to travel with bikes again before picking up roots and beginning travel again. Listen to their story!

THEROLLINGPACK.COM INSTAGRAM 

11:58 Then we have Jack and Hannah. A father/daughter combination on a trip around North California and enjoying some rock climb before and after the cycle portion. They are the first such combination I have met on this journey. Listen As Jack shares what inspired these journeys and a huge shoutout to his wife, Laura, who inspired these journeys. Oh yeah, he went across the country with his son 4 years earlier and I forgot to mention, they are on a tantum! Hannah was not wanting to do the same thing as her brother, she wanted to something different! Can you relate? Hannah Loves rock-climbing and wanted to combine that into her adventure with dad. The plans didn't go to plan from day one and they modified adapted and overcame. Listen to as they overcome these challenges together!

HANNAH AND JACK EXCELLENT ADVENTURE

31:50 Then we finish it off with the high energy and this episode’s cohost, Adam! He started in Johnson City, TN making it to the west coast and now going north through California on CA-1, He says, "I'll tell you what California has been nuts" listen to what he means in the episode! The peaceful start to his ride then turning into amazing times but chaos, like that of my own journey. He was inspired after returning as a Peace Corps Volunteer and experiencing Africa. He needed movement in his life and started thinking, how he could explore America. Now hopes to become a full-time writer and is seeking out schools now. See about his adventures HERE and INSTAGRAM

Remember to Subscribe to the podcast for future releases, leave a comment about the episode, Share with friends and family, and at the least come back for another FFR Podcast Episode!

_____________________________________________________________________________________

As a leading manufacturer of bike accessories, SKS Germany has been ensuring that wheels roll for 100 years now. If you’re looking to set your ride up with the best go to https://sks-us.com.

Use FFR15 to receive 15% OFF your order!

Bern Helmets "Stay Out there"

Check out the Bern Barn for great Deals Here

Let’s make Suicide-safer communities by bring us closer to a world where living works for everyone!

Livingworks Start 

Start.opaatmovement.com

"Start Help" [email protected]

Try Athletic Brewing (https://bit.ly/3aQ4u8n)

Brew without Compromise!

Use RWD20 to receive 20% OFF your first order!

Follow Dan’s Journey at Ridewithdanusa.com

Support Dan’s Cause for Suicide Awareness at Opaatmovement.com

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An update from the host, Daniel Hurd, on restarting his journey. The challenges faced to this point and the road ahead. Listen as Dan shares the emotional stresses and the reasons he continues and why he looks forward to finishing. What's to come when he is done this mission? Listen to Dan as he shares his update and relate to him as he continues his mission of the Lower 48 States.

Remember to Subscribe to the podcast for future releases, leave a comment about the episode, Share with friends and family, and at the least come back for another FFR Podcast Episode!

___________________________________________

Let’s make Suicide-safer communities by bring us closer to a world where living works for everyone!

Livingworks Start 

Start.opaatmovement.com

"Start Help" [email protected]

Try Athletic Brewing (https://bit.ly/3aQ4u8n)

Brew without Compromise!

Use RWD20 to receive 20% OFF your first order!

Follow Dan’s Journey at Ridewithdanusa.com

Support Dan’s Cause for Suicide Awareness at Opaatmovement.com

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When I was on my way to Bend, Oregon, I had no idea where I was going to stay or what I would be able to do while I was there. Well, my host before arriving to Bend knew some in town and reached out. The next thing I knew I was talking to Nick Larson about staying in his tiny home that he is selling (if it has gone yet). Anyway, we both quickly learn that we had a lot of stuff in coming. One of those things is biking and the need for adventure. We made plans to do some downhill mountain biking, a new experience for me, for an afternoon at Mt. Bachelor. It was a great time other than ripping my shorts up towards the end of the day. Listen as we talk about that then we transition to the other thing we had in common, overcoming tragedy.

As many know I was hit by a car in October, and I am now back on the road fighting to not be afraid of the roadways and vehicles on them. It's a challenge even with all my experiences! The same goes for Nick in a different situation. It was Memorial Weekend 2020, Nick was planning a quick day to Mount Hood, when things didn't go to plan! What was planned as a couple hour day change into moments of life or death! Listen as we talk about this whiteout event and the chance to overcome his tragedy with those involved in his rescue. It’s really a powerful one that I hope someone is inspired by!

Follow Nick:

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See another podcast with the account of what happened both from the rescuee and the rescuer's point of view. I cried throughout this episode with many emotions occurring.

Have a listen with Rescue Radio HERE

Portland Mountain Rescue (PMR) were the ones that did the rescue for Nick and stayed with him through and past the rescue. These volunteers are the reason Nick get to continue what he loves today!

Please consider contributing to help others in their time of need HERE

Learn more about PMR and their mission HERE

Remember to Subscribe to the podcast for future releases, leave a comment about the episode, Share with friends and family, and at the least come back for another FFR Podcast Episode!

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Let’s make Suicide-safer communities by bring us closer to a world where living works for everyone! We are giving away courses to anyone wanting to take the online course. When you buy your own course you help towards others too!

Livingworks Start 

Start.opaatmovement.com

"Start Help" [email protected]

Try Athletic Brewing (https://bit.ly/3aQ4u8n)

Brew without Compromise!

Use RWD20 to receive 20% OFF your first order!

Follow Dan’s Journey at Ridewithdanusa.com

Support Dan’s Cause for Suicide Awareness at Opaatmovement.com

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With the world as big as it is,  it's crazy when small world things happen! I had made it into Oregon and was making my way to Portland when I began reaching out to WARMSHOWERS hosts. I contacted several with 2 responds, one of those people was Mari Rudd. At the time I had no idea but we met back in March 2020 when she was riding the southern tier with her son, Erik. After we realized we met on our journeys it became even more exciting. A one night stay would turn into 3 nights of amazing times and stories. Today we talk about Mari and Terry's first cross country adventure and how that has led to others and more. Listen as Terry shares the struggles he fought and the accident that delayed them. They would finish their first journey where I would start my years later. This is our conversation!

Mari wrote a book about their adventure called PEDAL PUSHERS COAST-TO-COAST which I am currently in the process of reading myself thru SMASHWORDS.COM

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Follow Shadow's journey HERE 

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It was by chance that I met our next guest! I was in the Quinault Lake and Rainforest Region hanging at the museum when I saw a touring cyclist approaching! I out of excitement yelled, “Yeah Cyclist” and through my hands up in the air. It doesn’t matter if you’re on your journey for a day or years when you see others doing things like you, you get excited or at least I do. After chatting for a few minutes we decided to split the camping bill and stay together. The cyclist is Grant Stringer and it was the end of his 2nd day since starting his adventure. Listen as we talk about where the journey is going, what inspired the ride and the special guest that will be joining him down the road. Grant is a freelance reporter and writer so be sure to see all his stories and write ups about his adventure at BLOND MAN ON A BIKE BLOG

And follow him on Instagram HERE

Remember to Subscribe to the podcast for future releases, leave a comment about the episode, Share with friends and family, and at the least come back for another FFR Podcast Episode!

______________________________________________________________________________________

Check out Strada Soul for durable and expertly hand-crafted products made from used bicycle inner tubes and upcycled materials. Stradasoul.com

Try Athletic Brewing (https://bit.ly/3aQ4u8n)

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