Adventure Cycling Magazine Interview with the Old Guy

Posted by on May 10, 2012 in Videos and Press Releases | 10 Comments

I was totally surprised when Adventure Cycling Magazine contacted me for an interview which I did.  After answering a slug of questions for writer Alison Riley she put together a creative piece which borders on fantasy, reminds me of being a Walter Mitty.  Though I have done everything listed in the interview my exploits never seemed that adventuresome or extraordinary to me.

Adventure Cycling Magazine May 2012 issue, page 38

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10 Comments

  1. Ron Unger
    June 21, 2012

    Frank:
    You may remember having dinner with Judy and me at our ranch near Fredericksburg, Texas. On Nov 5, 2009, we did a bike ride together. My notes indicate we rode the Wendel Loop near Harper.

    I enjoyed reading the article about your latest adventure in Adventure Cyclist. After reading about some of your exploits, I’m amazed you are still able to get out of bed in the morning. Last summer we were both fortunate to achieve our goals of riding across the country. Your goal was set many years ago. My goal was set very recently and related to doing something special for my 70th birthday. I didn’t ride as many miles as you did — a little over 4,000 miles along the northern tier of states from Anacortes to Bar Harbor. However, I am sure we share many of the same feelings about doing such a trip. It’s an incredible journey and accomplishment.

    In any event, as I recall in one our e-mail exchanges, you asked that I let you know about any tours in which you might be interested. I have done more than a dozen international tours. Of those, five have been with Rick Bauman — three in Southeast Asia and two in Africa. His tours focus on longer distances in areas less traveled. You may be interested in the descriptions of the two tours I have attached.

    Although I would like to go on the Bhutan trip, I am uncomfortable with sheer dropoffs and, after viewing pictures taken by a friend of mine on a previous tour, I have decided not to subject myself to such situations. On prior tours of Rick’s, I have been in Vietnam [twice], Laos, Burma and Cambodia. Although I very much enjoyed all three tours, I don’t have a strong desire to visit those countries again.

    If you are interested in either tour, feel free to e-mail me or call me on 989.786.5101.

    Regards, Ron

    Reply
    • 4theoldguy11
      June 21, 2012

      Hi Ron,
      I sure do remember riding with you and having dinner at your home with Judy as a great time in Texas Hill Country. One day I hope to be able to ride with you again, maybe on a tour to some exotic place in the world.
      Your 70th birthday celebration riding the Northern Tier is quite an accomplishment and I commend you for it. Hope, I’m able to accomplish such an adventure at 70.

      The Bhutan tourn looks like it would be a thrill for sure, if I had the $4,500 plus air-fare expenses I’d jump on it. However, that doesn’t appear to be something I’ll be able to do unless I win PowerBall or Mega Millions. I’ll have to be content doing adventures here in the USA, fortunately we have a big country to explore which should keep me busy for a few years. My big adventure for this year will be riding the Mississippi River from the headwaters to the Guld or vise-versa. Looking to begin that adventure about the middle of July.

      Please stay in touch. May you enjoy many many more miles of bicycle adventures!

      Always your friend, Frank

      Reply
    • 4theoldguy11
      May 21, 2012

      Glad I haven’t had much in the way of back pain. Perhaps some of my readers see your link they will ckeck it out and get fixed.

      Reply
  3. Suzy McDonald
    May 10, 2012

    Hi Frank,
    We arrived in Athens , Greece yesterday. We will be in Greece for 6 days then on to Venice and then Verona where join the 7 day bike trip. We have ridden the NH hills , ugh, and several 14 and 18 mile rides but that one day of 33 may be a challenge. And you scoffed at 40, usually riding 50 or60 if I remember.
    Would love to have you come back for a visit. How are you doing? Where is life taking you now?
    Thanks for the inspiration,
    Suzy

    Reply
    • 4theoldguy11
      May 10, 2012

      Hi Suzy and Ed,
      Wow! Great to hear you are on your adventure. The magnificent scenery and food will make the adventure unforgettably awesome. So proud of you guys.

      I’m doing well, getting lots of short rides in. In June I’m going to be SAG for two couples riding the entire length of the Katy Trail here in Missouri. Then depending on other commitments I’m planning on riding the length of the Mississippi River from the headwaters to the Gulf or vise-versa.

      I’d love to be able to visit you once again if not this year maybe next? We could finish my ride down to San Francisco or further?

      Take care and enjoy the journey!

      Frank

      Reply
      • Jack & Connie Odell
        May 10, 2012

        Great article Frank. Are you doing the Mississippi with a group? It’ll be great to see your adventure on your blog. Hope you have some kind of excursion planned for your birthday (doesn’t have to be 6300 miles like last year). Birthdays on a bike are great, aren’t they.

        Jack & Connie

        Reply
        • 4theoldguy11
          May 10, 2012

          Hi Jack and Connie!

          I’m going solo on the MRT, hoping to be able to do between June 25th and August 10th which means this adventure will be during my vacation. Though this time frame depends on when Ms. Vickie wants to go to Seattle to visit nephew. You can be sure I’ll take my laptop to keep a journal. Are you going to do another Century this year for your BD? Watched the clip for your Cruz Bike. If I could find a recumbent that would climb hills I might be a convert, until then I’ll rely on using my aero bars. Still unable to sit upright on a bike thanks to the guy who cracked my tailbone last year.

          Reply
          • Jack
            May 16, 2012

            Hope it’s not to hot for your MRT ride. Now that you have mastered the art of finding food and places to stay, perhaps you won’t need to carry as much “ballast” as in the past. Yes, would like to do another BD century – nice tradition. I have seen some recumbents with small electric motors to assist on hills – something to think about if that tailbone doesn’t heal.

          • 4theoldguy11
            May 17, 2012

            Hi Jack,
            No problem, I prefer heat as most summers here are 90+ with high humidity. Last year Crossing America I had the least problem of all riders. Yes, I have discovered outside of full SAG riding self-contained solo is the way to go for me. I would be able to carry less with the exception have to have my laptop. We had a gal Susan Walker doing a solo cross country stay with us a couple weeks ago. She encountered a recumbent rider with an electric assist for climbing hills. She stated he was draging a fully loaded Burly trailer and about 95 lbs of gear on his bike plus his weight. I guess the assist gave him the confidence to carry all the gear he would ever need. It does suck that I can not ride more than a few minutes sitting upright, thus the extensive use of Aero bars even when loaded with gear has become the norm for me. Maybe in a couple years when I get older? Ha, Ha!!!

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