Larry Walsh's Blog: Adventure Travel Memoirs
May 26, 2024
Game On! Let The Race Begin!
Six Days and Counting… I’ve been glued to the college track and field conference and regional championships for the past couple of weeks, and man, those athletes can really run! Now, it’s time to shift my focus to the Trans America Bike Race, “The premier self-supported road race across the United States”. The race kicks off on June 2nd from Astoria, Oregon.
This year, there are two destinations – some will end up in Washington D.C., while others will make the trek to Yorktown, Virginia. In 2019, 73 cyclists, including me, from 15 countries embarked on the epic journey across ten states, five mountain ranges, and covered 4,200 miles from Astoria to Yorktown.
Long-distance cycling takes you into a whole new world, far from the regular grind. I describe to others it’s like entering a parallel universe. You can follow the cyclists as they start their journey in a few days and imagine what it’s like to see America Up Close one pedal rotation at a time. Alternatively, you can catch me on August 22nd at 6:30 pm at the Williamsburg, Virginia Regional Public Library for a presentation about my cycling adventures, covering 7,300 miles across 18 states in the fall of 2018 and summer of 2019. To follow the race, click on the link below. For more details about the book talk, click the second link below:
https://trackleaders.com/tabns24
https://www.wrl.org/event/cycling-to-self-discovery/
The Yorktown Victory Monument in Yorktown, VA
I love talking to others about my cycling adventures
My friend, Jim had some fun with me. No kidding. No place like Kansas on a bicycle
The Trans Am Bike Route-Created in 1976 during the bicentennial celebration
A bit unnerving knowing I was about to cycle across Kansas Click link below to sign up for my newsletter, purchase books, view ride reels from the road, and more.
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January 1, 2024
Journey Through Time. A Trip Down Memory Lane
October 3, 1986 – Fort Polk, LA – Home of the 5th Infantry Division (Mech)
Sorting through old belongings often becomes routine after settling into a new home. For reasons unknown, certain items remain packed in boxes move after move—guilty as charged.
It’s also an opportune time for decluttering. Why I held onto piles of paperwork from past house closings, drowning in legalese, remains beyond me. But our move from New Jersey to Virginia prompted new thinking. Perhaps less storage space had something to do with it.
Then, there are those boxes filled with nostalgic items that, when opened, transport you back in time. Before you realize it, an hour slips by, consumed by memories.
Yesterday morning, December 31st, I stumbled upon a box. Within it, a weathered, yellow, and fragile paper caught my eye.
With age, I’ve grown to appreciate my tenure in the military and service to our country more. Initially, I joined for the allure of travel and a paycheck. Major Webb, the Bucknell University ROTC Department Head, told me I could continue playing basketball in the Army. That was the clincher.
Frankly, I don’t believe thoughts of patriotism were at the forefront; it simply felt like a practical decision back then.
Apparently, I did have reverence for the flag. On October 3, 1986, an article in the Fort Polk newspaper the Guardian, titled “Flag Represents Values of America,” and another titled “Flag Merits Respect,” struck a chord. For some unknown reason, I felt compelled to preserve them for posterity’s sake.
As the New Year begins, I extend wishes for a Happy New Year and express gratitude to all who serve our remarkable country.
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September 3, 2023
Adventurer. Explorer. Pathfinder. A Tiny Bit Crazy.
When I opened the August 2023 issue of Adventure Cyclist, a magazine for cycling enthusiasts published by the Adventure Cycling Association, and saw the article “Double the TransAm, Double the Fun,” I was immediately drawn in.
There are a lot of ‘crazies’ who tackle some wildly outlandish feats.
The article described German ultra-athlete Jonas Deichmann’s treks across America. In his native country, he’s known as the “German Forrest Gump”. After finishing a run across North America in 2021, he’s now attempting to accomplish an even more significant milestone: crossing the United States twice. On June 30, 2023, he set off from New York, cycling across the country. Arriving in Santa Monica CA on July 26, 2023, the next day, he turned east and began jogging to New York. As of Sept 3, he is in Colorado approaching Pueblo. Click to follow his journey across America.
Crazies come in all shapes and sizes and from different continents.
I’ve been a magnet following the exploits of super-elite adventure seekers since returning home to New Jersey in 2019 after finishing the 4,200-mile TransAm Bike Race from Oregon to Virginia. 2019 TransAm winner Abdullah Zeinab, who also won the Indian Pacific Wheel Race, a bike race across Australia in 2018 finished the TransAm in a little over 16 days. Do the math. That’s 250 miles per day-unsupported! Yours truly had just arrived at a campground in Riverside, Wyoming, near the Colorado border, less than halfway across the country when Zeinab arrived at the finish line – the Yorktown Victory Monument.
Dot Watcher Chatting with Zeinab.https://rhinorun.cc/2022-race-film
Not one to settle, in 2022, Zeinab went on to win “The Rhino Run,” a 1,700-mile mixed gravel/dirt/paved race from South Africa to Namibia. The “Don’t Look Back – The Rhino Run Story” video is a must-see. The finish is gripping. Click link above.
Six years earlier, it was another incredible race finish that inspired me to hop back on the saddle. Searching online one afternoon, I stumbled upon the story of Lael Wilcox and read about her come-from-behind victory in the 2016 TransAm Bike Race. It all happened near Bumpass, Virginia. The race leader, at the time, woke up after a catnap with less than a 50 mile lead on Lael and started riding west due to sleep deprivation. Lael, who rode the last 400 miles with limited sleep as well, met her competitor in Bumpass. He realized his error and turned east and began cycling with Lael. After a while, he says to Lael, “Let’s finish this thing together.” Lael’s reply, “This is a race,” and pulled ahead winning by about two hours. The first American and first woman to win the race, I remember thinking, “I want to race just like Lael!”
Click on the link below to read more about Lael’s incredible victory.
In 2017, a friend and former work colleague, Jeff Peterson, walked the Appalachian Trail (Georgia to Maine) and posted daily updates. I was hooked from the first day to the last and could not wait to read his daily blog. Every morning, with coffee and the sense of anticipation I immersed myself in Jeff’s universe for a few minutes and soaked up his story word by word. In 2021 he hopped on a bike and rode from Anacortes, Washington to Key West, Florida. Jeff wrote a book about his thru – hike on the Appalachian Trail. Check it out. Click on the link below to learn more about Jeff the explorer.
“I was, and still am, a dreamer, and I have always had a habit of acting on my dreams.“ Excerpt From Suit to Saddle: Cycling to Self-Discovery on the Southern Tier
I am fulfilled to have followed my heart and set aside returning to work immediately after getting laid off from a job I had held for many years. I didn’t know what to do at the time, but I knew I wanted to do something. Entering the TransAm Bike Race seemed like a cool thing to do. So that’s what I did. To be completely honest, sometimes I do wonder what the hell I was thinking at the time. As I reflect, I do think a lot about the countless people I’ve met during my talks who are genuinely interested in hearing my story and sharing theirs with me. Or the strangers who have contacted me to let me know they’ve read my books and wanted to share a personal story of their own. Pretty cool stuff. The two year anniversary of the publication of my first book – Suit to Saddle: Cycling to Self-Discovery on the Southern Tier is right around the corner-Sept 22, 2021. Thank you to the folks who have read the book (s) and special thanks to those who have left a review. The more reviews the more likely the books show up in searches. Click below to view pictures, videos, and book buy links.
Have a great Labor Day 2023!
https://larry-walsh.com/books/
The post Adventurer. Explorer. Pathfinder. A Tiny Bit Crazy. first appeared on Larry Walsh.
July 30, 2023
A Few Of My Thoughts About Cycling
Over the past two years, I’ve given many presentations about my bike rides and inevitably talked about lessons learned from the heartland.
I’ve been part of teams responsible for driving business results for much of my adult working life. Establishing a vision, strategy, goal setting, handling objections, and many other vital activities is necessary-important work that helps point teams in the right direction. Not until I completed the Trans Am Bike Race did I genuinely appreciate how crucial conviction and ownership are in leading to a successful, rewarding, and fulfilling journey.
Cycling is much like leading a team. Both require a combination of parts that must work together. If any ‘part’ is broken, it’s not much fun to continue riding. Adjusting on the fly, overcoming obstacles and unforeseen challenges while in perpetual motion, even if the pace varies, nailing these principles can lead to a successful result.
My handlebars steered me toward my objective; the Yorktown Victory Monument. My vision, that clear image of riding to the base of the monument, lit the fire inside for me to never give up.
Lessons From the Road: #7 – “Keep Eye on the Prize, but Don’t Let it Consume You.”
The joy of the journey is the focus of this video—celebrating small victories. Reflecting and appreciating the moment is vital to maintaining motivation and a positive outlook.
I’m often asked, “what’s your favorite state?”
My answer: Oregon
I rode through history and passed by crystal clear rivers described in the journals of Lewis and Clark. I scaled Santiam Pass and the snowcapped Cascade Mountains. I descended into Hells Canyon, North America’s deepest River Gorge. And I met some cool folks who always welcomed me into their community.
Enjoy this short ride reel from the road!
Roger and Larry soaking up the Oregon sunshine – June 2019
Lessons From the Road
Presenting to Rotary ClubAdventure Travel Series Book #2The post A Few Of My Thoughts About Cycling first appeared on Larry Walsh.
June 3, 2023
“Cyclists, More Cow Bell. Let The Race Begin!”
Common Folk Doing Uncommon Things
In March 2019, I watched a YouTube video of the 2016 TransAm Bike Race (TABR). Lael Wilcox overtook Steffen Streich on the last day of the 4,200-mile race and won. She completed it in 18 days, the first woman to win the grueling unsupported 4,200-mile race across America. Streich was leading with 110 miles to go. On the final morning, he started riding in the wrong direction-the effect of sleep deprivation. He realized his error when he met Wilcox in Bumpass, Virginia, cycling in the opposite direction. They rode together briefly, and Streich suggested they ride to the finish together. Wilcox responded, “This is a race,” and sprinted the last miles to become the first woman to win the TransAm Bike Race, beating Streich by two hours.
I remember the feeling I had imagining cycling through Bumpass on my way to the finish line. I pondered what it would feel like to race across America like Lael. It’s a powerful motivator when the heart and head align.
I reflected for hours, sitting alone in my home office. I wanted to experience complete solitude in the middle of America while pushing my physical and mental limits. My inner restlessness and gnawing sense that something was missing disappeared. That same crisp thinking that was my North Star in 2018, the magnet that drew me to San Diego to ride the Southern Tier, had returned. I blurted, “Hell Yeah! I’m doing this race!”
Less than three months later, late afternoon on June 1, 2019, I entered the Armory in Astoria, Oregon for the pre-race orientation. I did not know it at the time, but Abdullah Zeinab, from Australia, sat two chairs away from me. The start of the 6th annual TABR was less than 12 hours away. Tensions were high. Light chatter filled the large gym area. A good night sleep soon to follow. The bells rang and we were off to the races. Darkness would soon turn to the morning light. By the end of June 4, race day three, Abdullah would be so far ahead of all others that it was a foregone conclusion he would win. Eventually, he won in a record time: 16 days, 9 hours, and 56 minutes averaging 254 miles per day. The record still stands.
The 9th annual TABR begins tomorrow morning, June 4 at 6 am PST.
Check out this video of Abdullah, interviewed by Dot Watcher/Trail Angel Matt Gholson during the 2019 TABR.
Matt Catches Up With Abdullah Zeinab Near The Kentucky Border During the 2019 TransAm Bike Race (TABR). Abdullah’s Record Breaking Performance Still Stands. Forty Six Racers Start 2023 TABR tomorrow morning June 4th. Will The Record Be Broken?We Will Soon Find Out!
The post “Cyclists, More Cow Bell. Let The Race Begin!” first appeared on Larry Walsh.
April 30, 2023
A Shout Out To Our Veterans
Have you ever asked yourself, “What’s the significance of the little red flower?”
It’s that time of year again.
In 5 days, service members of VFW posts (and other veteran organizations) throughout the country will stand (or sit) proudly at the entrance of your local coffee shop or grocery store, handing you that little red flower, universally known as the Buddy Poppy.
When you see the person wearing the recognizable “Overseas Cap” (adopted as part of the uniform for members of the American Expeditionary Force in February 1918), Buddy Poppy displayed on tables, and a canister inviting you to donate, you know Memorial Day Weekend is right around the corner.
Since 1922, VFW has distributed “the flower of remembrance,” or Buddy Poppy. Assembled by disabled veterans at locations in West Virginia, Kansas, Texas, and Oregon, donations assist needy and disabled veterans, active service members in local communities, and support activities encouraging patriotism.
The inspiration behind the Buddy Poppy came from a poem, “In Flanders Fields,” written by WWI Canadian Veteran Colonel John McCrae. This site in northern Belgium was the location of intense fighting during WWI and the final resting place of 368 U.S. Troops. The poem presents the image of bright red poppies blooming among the rows of white crosses marking the graves. Poppies grew well in the churned-up soil of the battlefield.
Inspired by the poem, the VFW approved the poppy as the VFW’s official flower in 1922. The first official Buddy Poppy was presented to President Warren Harding by Babe Ruth in 1923, and since then, over 1 billion Buddy Poppies have been distributed.
Sharing poppies is a staple of Veterans and Memorial Day activities nationwide.
Members of VFW Post #7858 Outside Priscilla’s Pantry Basking Ridge, NJ in 2021VFW Fun Facts—5,800 VFW Posts
—1.5 Million Members
—4.9 Million Volunteer Hours Contributed By VFW Members Annually
—$44.8 Million Donated Annually to Local Community Service Projects
—3.3 Million Buddy Poppies Distributed By VFW in 2021
—25,000 High School Students Competed in the 2021-2022 VFW Voice of Democracy Competition
—72,000 Middle School Students Competed in the 2021-2022 VFW Patriot’s Pen Competition
(Ask your local VFW representative about Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen. Writing | Patriotism | Scholarship $$$ )
The Medal of Honor HighwayWhen I opened my monthly American Legion magazine, the first article I saw was the announcement about The Medal of Honor Highway, a 3,365-mile stretch along U.S. Highway 20; honoring our nation’s heroes coast to coast (Sea to Shining Sea). I won’t lie. I immediately thought it would be so cool to cycle this route. Two Coast-to-Coasts are in the rear view mirror. They say good things come in threes. But I digress…
The twelve states that make up the route honor about 65% of the 3,515 recipients awarded the nation’s highest award for valor. This five-year effort was launched by two Oregon Legionnaires and many American Legion members helped persuade state legislatures to support the campaign. The overarching aim is for the U.S. Congress to pass a resolution designating U.S. Highway 20 as the National Medal of Honor Highway. A bi-partisan effort led by Senator Wyden from Oregon and Representative Kelly from Pennsylvania have agreed to sponsor the legislation.
Pictured Below: My son with retired Colonel Jack Jacobs, Medal of Honor (MOH) recipient. He was awarded the MOH for his bravery in action during his time in Vietnam, serving with the U.S. Army on a mission in 1968. This picture was taken outside TD Bank Ballpark in Bridgewater, NJ, in August 2015, an annual celebration of Veterans hosted by the Somerset Patriots.
My Military Service was Truly an AdventureThe post A Shout Out To Our Veterans first appeared on Larry Walsh.
February 25, 2023
The ‘Wisdom’ that Leads to Jackson, Montana (pop. 38)
What can I do with hundreds of pictures, hours of video, and countless anecdotes?
I thought about it a lot. And then I did the math.
What if I write a monthly newsletter – each edition highlighting a different town?
I call it America Up Close-One Small Slice of America at a Time.
I keep it short, about a 2-3 minute read.
I add a little history, including images, and recount personal stories.
I pondered. With 528 towns to write about, I’ll have 44 years’ worth of material!!!
It will be tons of fun creating each edition. My mind will travel back in time, reliving the memories from the heartland. Similar to publishing, writing each feature will be gratifying.
But what then? How do I create buzz? Get the word out?
Build a website? Sure thing.
Join the social media craze? Unthinkable a few years before. But now, it made sense.
Yup. Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Linkedin. Twitter…not so sure about this one. Time will tell.
Writing and publishing Suit to Saddle and Forty to Finish was very challenging, but satisfying.
That’s so cool! The thought that entered my mind when I saw Suit to Saddle was first available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other platforms.
I wasn’t working a regular job then, in 2019. My days were consumed with sitting in front of the computer and writing, writing, and writing. Over 6.5 million words.
Now I am back to work at a ‘regular job.’ One that enables me to continue writing.
Snapshots from the saddle shape the content for America Up Close.
Read the Bubble below. A teaser about the March edition of America Up Close.
While at it, read about a few other one-stoplight towns that gave life to earlier editions.
The Bunkhouse Hotel – Jackson, Montana (My Home For a Night)The post The ‘Wisdom’ that Leads to Jackson, Montana (pop. 38) first appeared on Larry Walsh.
February 3, 2023
Excited about my Kirkus Review!
Kirkus Verdict - GET IT
Forty to Finish: Cycling to Victory on the TransAmerica Bike Trail
January 2, 2023
America Up Close – The Year In Review
Southern Tier and TransAm Bike Trail towns referred to in my 2022 Monthly Newsletters.I rode through Marfa on October 10, 2018:
A bird’s-eye view of the Capital of Quirkiness, Marfa, Texas, kicked off the 2022 edition of America Up Close – A Slice of America One Small Town at a Time.
Why is Marfa known as the Capital of Quirkiness?
A fake Prada store 30 miles west of town, smack dab in the desert…a not-so-subtle clue.
The late Anthony Bourdain highlighted this hidden gem in a Parts Unknown 2018 episode.
One can walk down the main street and understand why Marfa has been referred to as a ‘western-themed outpost of Brooklyn.”
I rode through Tallahassee on November 16, 2018:
A couple of miles outside of Tallahassee, Florida, my body was frigid because of the near-freezing temperature; I stopped at a grocery store for hot chocolate in Capitola, Florida.
My mind raced back to Memorial Day Weekend, May 1990, in Capitola, California, meeting Kelley for the first time.
I continued pedaling…my mind now occupied, no longer thinking, “dang, my hands and feet are cold!”
I traveled to Astoria on May 30, 2019:
Several months later, walking around Astoria, Oregon, sparked my renewed interest in the history of America in the 1800s.
Standing in front of a large mural depicting the Lewis and Clark Expedition, thinking about that arduous journey in 1805-1806.
Those memories gave me the resolve to pedal during the challenging early days of the race riding through Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming.
My history lesson on the saddle continued.
I rode through the Wind River Indian Reservation on June 16, 2019:
I paused my race effort for less than an hour in Fort Washakie, Wyoming, home to the Eastern Shoshone Tribe and Sacajawea, the famous Corps of Discovery Indian woman who guided their journey over the Bitterroot Mountains to Astoria, Oregon, in 1805.
To learn more about the Eastern Shoshone, read the Afterword in Forty to Finish, written by the Eastern Shoshone Cultural Center.
I rode through Fordsville, Kentucky, on July 1, 2019:
Where I first saw the “Be Kind” campaign sign, a movement started by two pre-teen girls.
The girl’s hometown is forever known as the “Kindness Capital of Kentucky.”.
There are plenty more examples of Kindness displayed in Kentucky that I will feature in 2023.
Bid farewell to 2022. And a bon voyage toast to 2023!
Silver City, New MexicoLook for the next edition of America Up Close, highlighting Billy the Kid’s hometown from 1873 to 1875. Click on the link below to sign up for my monthly newsletter.http://www.larry-walsh.com
Received a Gift Card for the Holidays?Click to purchase http://www.larry-walsh.com/books
The post America Up Close – The Year In Review first appeared on Larry Walsh.
December 15, 2022
Throw Caution To The Wind!
Maybe in 2023, the coin will land on the ‘this is the year to write a book’ side“I’ve thought about writing a book someday.”
A statement I heard a lot over the past several months when talking to folks about my cycling and writing journey.
Over 80 percent of people want to, but less than 20 percent will take the plunge (according to a 2002 survey).
I never envisioned writing a full manuscript that eventually became two books.
During the summer of 2019, my mind shifted once I sat back and realized I had been on an incredible trek across America twice.
I had seen America Up Close from a unique vantage point. An amazing experience.
At that point, I decided to hunker down and write. And write. Days turned into weeks, which turned into months. Five months to be exact-August 2019 through December 2019.
In January 2020, I went back to work.
In March 2020, the Pandemic hit.
One morning during the summer of 2020, I was relaxing on my front porch when my neighbors walked by.
“I wrote a manuscript, but I don’t know what to do with it,” I replied to a frequently asked question.
“You should reach out to Kathy. She can point you in the right direction.”, the last thing I remember hearing from that serendipitous front porch encounter.
The following week I spoke to Kathy.
I knew right away I had my answer.
I needed help editing and proofreading. I needed help preparing files for wide eBook and paperback distribution. I needed to learn; I wanted to learn about the entire publishing process. I became a student once again.
Passion, Persistence, and Belief in Self drove me. I had unconditional support from my family to try something new. I was energized to tackle this new thing. I still am.
There is something very special about writing a book.
A sense of pride. A feeling of accomplishment.
Not knowing if the story will delight the reader is a bit unnerving.
That’s the whole point. Isn’t it? To delight the reader. At least try to.
Creating author brand and book awareness when over 50,000 books are released each month is not as easy as it seems from the outside.
That’s the task at hand.
Writing a book is not easy. Like anything else, it takes discipline and persistence to see something to the end.
Find the time when the mind is fresh, and don’t overthink. Just let your words fill the pages.
Stay with it.
Don’t set an artificial timeline.
Don’t settle.
Welcome feedback.
Write it again and again.
Until you are pleased with the result and love reading your own story!
Many people want to write a book. If you are one, I encourage you to click on the link below and reach out to my friends at Bublish.
Maybe they can point you in the right direction. https://form.jotform.com/223465598330158
If you’ve gotten this far, you might as well click on this link and read about balancing Craft and Commerce. https://gosolo.subkit.com/larry-walsh/
Figuring out that right mix is the #1 lesson from my publishing experience.
Quiet Time @CabinFeverPress
Give the gift of reading. Click here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09CJMHWGKThe post Throw Caution To The Wind! first appeared on Larry Walsh.
Adventure Travel Memoirs
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