I pedaled through dark tunnels of green with mountain laurel to my right and the sound of rushing waters to my left for three days. The forest unfolded and the sun streamed on my bike…
This life your life
My mind often wanders when cycling. I enjoy the solitude of cycling solo and the conversation and company cycling with others. This past week my pal Greg and I spent considerable time in conversation on…
Books, organ recitals and retirement
I am challenging myself to read more, a failed challenge for several years. I recently found the magic bullet to making it happen. I read in bed for an hour before I fall asleep. It’s…
The Spin-offs and finding my tribe
I pedaled west from Berea towards Sandusky from the starting line of the 2010 Bike MS 150 Pedal to the Point. I was surrounded by 2,400 cyclists, most of them much more experienced, fitter, and…
Tom’s bicycle touring hacks
I recently posted a photo on Facebook of my first bicycle tour. I looked at my fully loaded bike in that post. It looked like one of those third world cargo cyclist photos where the…
Knowing when to give a f*ck
Using the “f” word was a criminal offense punishable in the most severe way in my childhood home. One of my favorite scenes from A Christmas story was when Ralphie utters the f*ck word. It…
The day that changed my life
February 21, 1970 was not a typical Saturday morning. I would normally be glued to the TV watching cartoons. Instead, I was preparing to visit my father in Alliance City Hospital. He was being transferred…
Appearance, health, or weight
I nervously scanned the people in the conference room at Summa Akron City Hospital on that cold January night in 2008. I was taking my first step towards bariatric surgery by attending a weight loss…