The Fun Mover Chronicles

Imagine you're a middle-aged man who just discovered that the "golden years" you've heard about aren't necessarily that "golden" after all-and, worse yet, aren't guaranteed. The sudden loss of both parents provided the author proof positive that life IS unfair. His personal countdown clock began ticking all the louder with both of his parents gone. The author suddenly understood the importance and the urgency of enjoying life all along the way.

So what did he do with his new perspective on life? Buy a Ferrari? Run with the bulls? Start doing sit ups and wearing tight shirts in an attempt to look young again?

No, he didn't. Your humble author re-prioritized his Bucket List by putting a decades long dream at the top-- riding a bicycle from one side of America to the other.

Armed with a burning desire to ride a really long way on a bicycle, he mounted up and pedaled onward across the United States as a newly minted orphan. Along the way he met new people, saw new places, and discovered a hidden strength masked by his grief.

He also discovered a nearly endless parade of characters that together underscored how terrific it is to be above ground and riding a bike. There is fun and adventure to be had when you're cruising across the country, and the daily dose of random was just what the doctor ordered. "Take two wheels and call me in the morning." Since the whole thing-the bike trip, life-is all just a tad absurd in the first place, why not name your bike The Fun Mover and write a book about the stars of the show--the people met along the way?

Middle-aged guy gets off couch and rides bike in the face of pending death. Adventure and hilarity ensues.

Bike travel can be grueling, physically and mentally. The loss of your parents can be devastating. And getting older ain't no picnic. But obstacles can be overcome and goals can be reached if you keep trying and just keep pedaling.