3 Things Keep Me Warm During Winter- Shaving, Letters, and Crusty Old Men

The first question people ask me about my bicycle route and schedule for my 22,000-mile tour is, "Omg, you poor thing.  How do you ride through the winter?"  Well, I meticulously plan my route to time the seasons, enjoying optimal weather year around.  So don't feel too bad for me, especially right now.

My current location

No really, don't feel bad for me.

20% chance of rain?!? Brrrrrr...

But it's not to say that I haven't encountered my fair share of brutal weather.  During my previous 11,000-mile bicycle tour, I had to bicycle through freezing rain in West Texas and I hibernated during 8-inches of snowfall in New Mexico.  When I was bicycling through West Texas, I would have to stop every mile to return feeling to my hands and feet.  As I was riding down the deserted highway through West Texas, I layered my hands with as many leather work gloves as I could find on the side of the road.  At one time I had five pairs of mix-matched cow-hide gloves, with two left handed gloves on my right hand.  I couldn't do much for my feet though.

Here are three things that keep me warm during my 100+ mile winter rides:

Number 1- Shaving.  Contrary to popular belief, facial hair does not keep your face warm.  Well, at least not mine.  I'm sure your face would stay warm if you have a massive 'Grizzly Adams' beard.  But I can't grow one.  So I was much better off clean shaven then with a 5 o'clock shadow.  It works so well, in fact, I tested the theory on my legs and yes, not only does it feel awesome under the sheets, but also eliminates the wind chill factor.

Shavestrong.

Number 2- Letters.  And not the ABC's, but actual penpal letters sent to me from kids around the country!  Not even my grandma's chicken noodle soup can warm my insides like a letter from a school or class I have previously visited.  I mean, YOU try reading this letter without tingling inside.  I am often asked how I am able to continually ride thousands of miles, month after month.  With moments like this, how could I stop??

$20 if you can figure out what's on the back of my bicycle.  A carrot??

And number 3- Crusty old men.  Meet Boston Bill.  No really, click here to read about his truly touching story; I can not, and will not attempt to, do it justice.  In 2007, Boston Bill became an amputee after an infection spread through his foot.  After his quick recovery, and determination not to let it get in between his lifelong passion for running, he became an inspiration to the amputee patients he visited, and all those he encounters.  It is because of people like Boston Bill, and the incredible inspiration and perspective they grant me, that I am able to endure all.

After becoming an amputee at age 70, Boston Bill rides his bike cross-country to inspire.

I was sitting inside Tour de Pizza, local cycling-themed pizza shop in St. Petersburg, FL and home of the 30 day pizza diet, when Boston Bill pulled open the glass door to walked in.  I had met Boston Bill by chance on my first tour for all of 10 minutes, in front of a coffee shop while departing St. Pete, and his warm and generous spirit stayed with me for 15,000 miles.  He walked in proud and confident, wearing a gray crew neck sweatshirt and a generic 5k/10k benefit run baseball cap.  Boston Bill strutted the 7-feet from the front door to the cash register, with such humility, that I couldn't help but smile.  I immediately jumped from the pizza bar, displaying 10 different pizzas in a uniformed line, to greet him at the cash register with dim hopes that he would remember who I was.  Well, if he didn't remember me, he did a tremendous job of acting like he did.  A beaming, almost presidential-like, smile, a hand shake and a 'How the heck are ya?!"  But I am sure that this is how he treats anyone he meets, strangers and friends alike.  He immediately invited me to sit with him as he enjoyed his usual slice of cheese pizza.  We shared stories from the road, and the hospitality of people for, an hour without pause or change of subject.  It was like we were long lost friends with a lifetime of catching up to do.  We parted with a warm and genuine hug, his right cheek pressed firmly against mine, as I whispered my gratitude towards him.

Boston Bill and Matt McClellan, owner of Tour de Pizza

We often get overwhelmed from the very thought of the long, cold road we must take towards our goal or dream, even before taking the first step.  We talk ourselves out of even beginning the journey by over-thinking about the struggle, and all that could go wrong in pursuit of our dream.  The reason we do, is because we feel like we have to go down this road by ourselves.  I would be the biggest fool in the world if I told you that I completed my first tour by myself.  Although I was physically by myself, I encounter thousands a people, that seemed to be placed on my path at precisely the right time, with a purpose; to help further me along my own path.  Whether it was money, a place to stay, a pat on the back, or a simple smile, every single person I met helped me, in some way, motivating me to continue one more day.  The next day, I would meet someone else.  And the next day, and the next day.  If I would have gone one day with out meeting an incredible soul, I am certain that I would have quit.

We are not alone.  Once you set down the road towards your dream, you will meet people that are placed on your path, with the sole purpose of helping you get one step closer to your dream; just long enough until you meet the next person.  But nobody will or can help you take that first step.  That one you'll have to do by yourself.  Something tells me you can handle it though.  And when your road becomes so cold that you don't feel like you can continue, just shave, read a letter a kid wrote you, and talk with a crusty old man.

Thank you Matt McClellan and Tour de Pizza for sponsoring the St. Petersburg/Tampa, FL tour stop!  And thank you Boston Bill for your tremendous strength and uplifting presence.  You are no longer crusty, and you will never be old for as long as you inspire.  I am very proud to know you.

You may help others obtain a prosthetic leg by donating to the Boston Bill Foundation.

Please forward this message to family and friends to help me reach as many as possible with my message.  Follow my 22,000-mile bicycle tour to raise awareness for childhood obesity with daily updates on Facebook and Twitter.

My Human Thread in New Orleans

I laid on a futon cushion on the ground, staring at the reflection of the 'Face of New Orleans' as he quickly, but meticulously, cut his hair in a full-length mirror, which leaned against the wall as the only piece of furniture in the room.  My back was against the only window in the halfway renovated room as the dust absorbed the little sunlight that shined through, preventing the slightest twinkle of light from reaching the wood flooring.  A single bulbed lamp shined on his head, like a spotlight, as he took center stage to share with me the true essence of New Orleans- the people.

His words matched the rhythm of the local blues music that echoed down the hallway of the shotgun house.  Very rarely do we feel an extremely high level of content, in which confirms our intuition in any single given moment of time, that we are exactly where we are supposed to be, at precisely the right time.  I had reached that state of euphoria, as it felt like my spirit had elevated from my laying body, gracefully rising to observe this wrinkle of time from the rafters of the room.  How did I arrive to this moment?

His name is Dancingman 504, the face of New Orleans.  I stood up from the futon cushion and walked down the shotgun house towards the shower, in preparation for the 12th day festivities, which signalled the start of the Mardi Gras season.  It was Tootie Montana day, and Dancingman and I were going to his statue in Armstrong Park to pay our respects.  I first walked through the kitchen, then the living room before arriving to the shower, reflecting on the events that had unfolded in search for the, now repetitious and pestering question- how did I arrive to this moment of time?

It started with a follow-up email, that created a ripple effect of amazing people and events to follow.  After meeting Dancingman at a health fair at an eastside New Orleans high school, I followed up the next day with an email to his manager (the 'hey, great to connect' kind of email).  I was supposed to depart that day to Mobile, AL, but I chose instead to continue down this thread of events to discover where it would take me.  It took me down a chain reaction of amazing people and experience.  The result- the rawest cultural experience of a lifetime, against the sights and sounds of the Cresent City.

Dancingman playing with local band on Frenchman Street (©Crystal Shelton)

Member of Skinz and Bonez, a local New Orlean faux-gang (©Crystal Shelton)

Walking down Bourbon Street (©Crystal Shelton)

(©Crystal Shelton)

Skinz and Bonez in front of Joan of Arc statue on her 600th birthday (©Crystal Shelton) 

Imagine the countless people you didn't follow up with.  Or the people you come in contact with every day, whom you dismiss as insignificant occurrences.  Each one of those 'coincidental encounters', are the starting points of threads in time that will cause a ripple effect, taking you on a journey you never before imagined.

"My mother told me, she said, 'there is no one in this world, you don't have something in common with.  Everyone person in this world has one thing in common, if nothing else.'  I asked what is that, and she said, 'you have a mother.  You have a mother, they have a mother'.  And if you have one thing in common, you have two things in common, and from there you keep on growing." - Dancingman

Seize these opportunities today.  Say hello to every single person you make eye contact with.  Introduce yourself, and seek what it is you are meant to learn from them at that moment in time.  You can learn something from everyone you encounter!  Be open to the endless opportunities that will surely be presented.  And most importantly, follow-up.

These amazing photos were captured and created by Crystal Shelton, another amazing person in which directly resulted from my follow-up email to Dancingman's manager.  Follow-up with Crystal.

A special thank you to Dancingman and his manager for opening their hearts and home to me!  Connect with Dancingman on Facebook.  Follow-up with Dancingman.

Thank you to my friends Robin and Bryan for your generosity, hospitality and encouragement!  And thank you Jade, for placing me at the start of this thread!

Follow my journey, as I bicycle 22,000-miles to fight childhood obesity, with daily updates on Facebook and Twitter.  Please forward this to your friends and family!  And help us reach the next community of youth by becoming a personal sponsor here.

5 Tips to Achieve Your Resolution

The man, the myth and the legend- Ted Herrera

Happy New Year everyone!  First and foremost, thank you for all of your support and encouragement over the past years.  A lot has happened since the day I lost my father on September 11, 2007, most notably my current endeavor of inspiring our youth to actively chase their dreams, while leading healthy and active lifestyles.  Across America for Childhood Obesity has made huge strides in such a short amount of time, and I am proud to announce that AA4CO will soon be registered as a 501 c3 non-profit.  Thank you everyone that has made this dream a reality, and a special thank you to the incredible people I have invited to sit on our board of directors, whom I will announce once we obtain our non-profit status.

In the spirit of the New Year, I wanted to help you reach the most allusive goal of all- the New Year Resolution.  Whether it was my Grandpa trying to quit smoking for the past 10 years, or my own resolution last year of never spending another New Year's Eve in a honkie tonk bar, with a helium balloon drop, in Texas City, TX (true story). We all make them, and we all break them.  Here are 5 things you must do to do in order to turn your resolution into your reality!

My resolution on June 5, 2010- The start of my first tour

1. Write it down.  Write down your resolution on paper with the words, "I am going to.." before it.  Place this piece of paper on your bathroom mirror and repeat it to yourself multiple times as you brush your teeth in the morning, and night.  In the morning, visualize what you are going to do today to get one step closer to reaching your resolution.  And at night, reflect on all you had accomplished and what you could have done better.

2. Make a plan.  Make a plan that outlines your entire resolution, start to finish.  This plan should include your year long resolution, as well as weekly goals.  Set your weekly goals so that when you accomplish them every week, you will have accomplished your resolution at the end of the year.  Also plan an event that will showcase your new habit or talent for the end of the year.  For instance, if your resolution is to learn the guitar, schedule a open mic night for the end of the year at your local musical showcase.  Is your resolution a personal transformation, not easily showcased?  Then this is a perfect excuse to throw a party for yourself!

3. Keep track of your progress (or lack thereof).  If you accomplish your weekly goal, place a big smiley face on the calendar that week.  If you don't reach your weekly goal, place a big red 'X' on the calendar that week.  By keeping track of your progress, you will be able to tangibly see that you are making strides in the right direction.  If you notice you haven't reached your weekly goal for the past two weeks, you tend to give yourself a proverbial kick in the butt to strive that much harder for the next week's goal.  And go ahead and reward yourself every time you reach your weekly goal.  Even if your resolution is to lose weight, reward yourself with a cheat day from your diet and exercise program.  And also punish yourself when you don't reach your weekly goal, by donating to AA4CO to help us reach the next community of youth!  I hope you never have to click on this link, but you can donate here.

"Kids, why can't a bicycle stand on its own?.. Because it's two-tired!"

4. Verbalize your resolution.  Your words become your reality.  Tell all of your family, friends, co-workers and even every person you meet, about your resolution.  Not only will these wonderful people keep you on the path towards success, but you will also attract like-minded individuals whom can help you achieve your goal, by either joining you or offering their expertise.  In addition, before you begin your resolution, send everyone an invitation to your year end showcase event or party.  This way you are locked in and failure will not be an option.  This is it, don't get scared now!

5. Be consistent.  Experts say that it takes 21 days of doing something for it to become a habit, and that it takes 6 months to become apart of your personality.  So keep at, one day it will all of a sudden become a way of life.  Imagine, if you will, that your resolution is like breaking through a brick wall.  You may not notice progress through day 139, and then you finally break through the wall on day 140, waking up a resolved person.  Move forward day by day, and know that whether you're moving forward slowly or quickly, YOU'RE STILL MOVING FORWARD!  Progress is progress, the finish line will never move!

Do these 5 things when working towards your resolution and you will succeed!  Don't ask yourself what the new year is going to bring you, but what YOU are going to bring to the new year!  I am very excited for what AA4CO, with your help, is going to bring to the youth of America this year!

What is your resolution?  Write it below in the comment box!  Mine?  Never spend another New Year's Eve in a honkie tonk bar in Texas City, TX!  This year, the balloons actually fell down.

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