About Me

I'm recently retired from the corporate world. Currently, along with my wife Claudia, own and operate several small businesses in the Sandpoint area. We have two children and are new grandparents.

We've been residents of Sandpoint area for 10 years, full-time since 2002, and plan to retire in Sandpoint.

I'm 54, in good health (although considered mentally unstable by most because of my upcoming cross-country bicycle ride).

I enjoy traveling, boating, bike riding and the outdoors. I also enjoy community involvement -- over the years I've been involved in several non-profit organizations ranging from education to human services.

I grew up on a farm in South Dakota and have lived in several different cities in the U.S. Plus I've traveled extensively around the world during my career -- though, up till now, never for so far and so long on two wheels.

Why I'm Riding

There are a few reasons for this bike trip: To fulfill a life-long dream of riding across the U.S. To enjoy the "sights, sounds and smells" of 10,000-plus miles of back roads across the U.S.

And not the least, to use this trip to raise money for the Panhandle Alliance for Education, a local independent community-based foundation that supports public education in northern Idaho.

I grew up in South Dakota riding my bicycle every day to a small one-room country school and like most kids, my Schwinn was my most prized possession and main means of transportation. High school and college years brought with them a car, although I remained a bike rider in college, riding to and from classes. After college, I became an avid cyclist, routinely going on long weekend rides and riding the annual Colorado "Ride the Rockies" bicycle tour several times during the 1980s.

As with many others, however, career and family commitments started to take priority and I "hung up" my trusty bicycle approximately 20 years ago. Two years ago a co-worker and good friend convinced me to start riding again and I slowly began to get back into riding shape.

After two years of training, dusting off my 20-year-old bicycle and numerous discussions with family and friends trying to convince them I am not crazy, I am about to embark on an unsupported 10,000-plus mile solo ride across the U.S. I depart Sandpoint on June 1, 2008 for the northwestern-most tip of the continental U.S. From there my hope to arrive at the southeastern-most point in the U.S., in Key West Florida, in early 2009. My route will be entirely on back roads and I will ride across or through at least 20 states. Click to see my intended route.

I am extremely excited and hope to raise funds during my ride for the Panhandle Alliance for Education. There are no "administrative" fees here -- all funds raised will go directly to the Alliance, specifically to PAFE's new program to improve early childhood literacy for disadvantaged youngsters. None of the contributions will be used to fund my ride. Click to learn more about the cause.

So it's that simple: I'll put in the sweat. You can "join" me on this adventure by pledging or donating to this worthy cause. So please, click now to pledge or donate. With my effort and your pledge, we can make a difference in the lives of children who can need a hand.