This video has gone bonkers after being posted on January 22nd.  It’s up to 640,000 views and counting.  Funny thing is, I had NO idea what I was talking about.  I’m a biker all the way, but not a spandex wearing roadie…not at all.  When I walked into the Amante Coffee shop to film this video, the Barista noticed my kit and said, “What the hell are you wearing?”  

It’s official! I am now the Paradise Hunter and I will spend the rest of the year traveling to amazing locations around the globe documenting beautiful locations, people, and cultures.  It’s a tough job but someone has to do it, and I promise to do it well.  To me paradise doesn’t just mean sitting on a beach with a Corona in hand while admiring a beautiful the sunset.  Paradise is a state of mind, it can be found anywhere at anytime.  The main ingredients to creating paradise are good people, smiles, laughter, and maybe a plate of rice and beans.  This is going to be an unforgettable year full of surprises, inspirational moments, learning and loads of FUN! 

Here’s a video compilation of filming the first episode in Mexico.  It will put a smile on your face!

I began this journey on the beaches of San Diego by quoting Helen Keller, “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” 

 

Well I’ve been on countless daring adventures but none quite like this.  Instead of focusing on the physical aspect, I wanted to take this opportunity to dive deep into my heart and soul, and challenge myself mentally.  I needed a recharge and a little bike therapy was in order.

 

It felt incredibly freeing to move my body and mind all day long, I’d never felt so alive!  Traveling at 15mph is the perfect speed to really FEEL the world and appreciate all of Mother Nature’s magic.  But it wasn’t the spectacular sights that I’ll remember most about this trip.  It’s the amazing people I met all across this great country.  I was so lucky to have reconnected with old friends was blown away with how quickly I became close with total strangers.  Their endless amounts of kindness and generosity humbled me and solidified my belief that there is a lot more good in this world than bad. 

 

As I pedaled from big city to small town and everything in between I asked everyone I met a simple question, What do you love most about life? Their answers were simple, heartfelt and inspiring. 

 

So now it’s my turn to talk about what I love most in life… Every single day, with each stroke of the pedal, I thought about all the people that I love and how lucky I am to have them in my life.  and I thought about all the people I haven’t yet met and will someday love.  My wife, my children, new friends, maybe even a dog.   I love life, plain and simple…I know I’m not always gonna be a pefect human being, but I’m determined to follow my heart and spread as much love and happiness as possible…there’s nothing more important in this world.

 

My legs might be a little stronger after all this, but it’s my heart that has grown most on this journey.

I’m sitting here in Tarpon Springs Florida, there’s a warm breeze flowing through the palm trees, the sky is crystal clear and it’s blasting 80 degrees of pure summer lovin’ warmth on my face!  This is the way I envisioned the weather when I escaped from a cold, snowy Boulder over a month ago.

 

Our legs have become finely tuned pistons, I have crazy tan lines, and our metabolisms are on overdrive (which helps when you eat ice cream for lunch).  It was the adventure of a lifetime…actually, I’m incredibly fortunate to be able to say that I’ve had multiple adventures of a lifetime.  This particular journey was similar in some ways to my past bike rides, and completely different in others.  I saw new parts of America that I’d never seen before, I made lots of great new friends and was able to reconnect with many old pals along the way.  It was 2500 miles of pure LOVE!

 

Riding with Nick was amazing.  We spent 24 hours a day side by side, made every decision together and most nights we slept inches from one another.  It’s not often you get to spend this kind of time with one person and I’ll forever treasure this once in a lifetime experience. 

We talked about everything imaginable: Family, friends, girls, favorite movies, goals, dreams, food, and so on.  We sang songs (poorly), we danced (poorly) and destroyed a few all you can eat buffets. 

 

In this video, Nicks talk about the the last couple weeks of the ride.  I’ve said it many times but these experiences are not solely about the pedaling.  The physical aspect of riding a bike has very little to do with what makes these kinds of experiences magical. 

I’ve been singing the songs of the great Louis Armstrong ever since crossing the border into lovely Louisiana.  Everyday I see trees of green, not so many red roses, but unlimited skies of blue, clouds of white and I have ample time to think to myself about our wonderful world.  I love everything about Louisiana, the people are solid gold, the bayous are beautiful and the fried food powers my pedaling all day.  If I wasn’t burning 7,000 calories each day, I’d be a chunky monkey right now, those PO-Boys are dangerous!

 

This past week we’ve slept in a picnic area on the border of Texas and Louisiana and a city park in a tiny town (Nick actually slept in the bathroom to stay warm).  It may be cold at night but the people make up for it with their warm, caring hearts.  We’ve had countless meals bought for us by generous strangers, people curious to hear our story.  We’ve been invited to a Crayfish Boil and asked to appear in a Christmas parade all in the same day.  We’ve seen small town America at its finest and it continues to inspire me.  I’ve always loved my country and I’m immensely proud to be American and having the unique experience of seeing it go by at 15MPH allows us to really take it all in. 

 

We’re in New Orleans now with our buddy Sam and his amazing family.  This city has some serious culture and I wish we could stay longer, but the road calls our name.  Florida is just 200 miles away and then we’ll take a turn south and head to Nick’s hometown of Tarpon Springs. 

 

If you’re looking to visit that long lost friend this holiday season, check out the deals at Cheap international flights.

 

 

I’ve had A LOT of time to think lately.  8-10 hours a day on the bike allows for some serious pedal powered pondering.  It would fill endless pages to list everything I’m been thinking about, but the main topics of my Thankgiving Love-a-Thon are as follows:

 

-Family,Friends,Health,Love,Life,Laughing,Burritos,Sunrises,Sunsets,Good shelters in the rain,Downhill,Tailwinds,Starry Nights,Friendly Strangers,Train horns,Smooth pavement,Boston Cremes, and the ability to follow my dreams…That’s what I’m thankful for today and will forever be grateful for.

We’re in Austin now with Darryl and his family from Loving the Bike.  I’d never met him in real life but it’s like we’ve been buddies for years.  He and his wonderful family have generously taken our stinky feet in for a couple days.  They’re Canadian and for them, Thanksgiving is in October.  So what did we make for the big meal? Thanksgiving Burritos of course!

 

I absolutely LOVE Austin Texas.  It’s kind of like a bigger version of Boulder.  There’s live music on every corner, great Tex Mex food and everyone here has that sweet southern charm.  So if you’re flying from the UK to Texas don’t forget you can leave your car at Airport Parking at Edinburgh, or Airport Parking at Liverpool or Airport Parking at Glasgow  for your holiday.

 

 

 

I’m proud of Nick.  He’s one of the toughest guys I’ve ever met but he’s definitely not a cyclist.  He looks like a Silverback Gorilla on a childs BMX.  This isn’t easy for him but he’s pushing through the pain, much like he was doing one year ago as we suffered together in the jungles of Venezuela.  His ass is sore, his legs are tight but he keeps on pedaling, quitting is not in his vocabulary.

 

One year ago I promised that I’d get him across the USA on a bike, and here we are.  I know I can ride thousands of miles, I have nothing to prove to myself in the physical realm.  My goal on this mission is to make sure we ride into Florida together. 

 

I’m guessing that by the time we roll into Tampa, he’ll ditch his car, stop eating meat and will rush out and join the Peace Corps. 

 

 

I’m gonna start this right off by saying that I cheated…I put my bike in a Uhaul and skipped out on 200 miles of my cross country ride.  Life presents certain unique situations and this is one that I could not let pass by.  My heart told me to take action and I did.  I don’t want to ever live with regrets and I couldn’t let this once in a lifetime moment pass me by.  In this video you won’t see my traditional footage filled with happy dances and beans.  You’ll simply see Ryan following his heart.  It was the most freeing feeling I’ve ever had, I went for it full blast, put myself on the line and in the end….well, you’ll see. 

I love riding my bike, plain and simple.  It feels amazing to be back on the road, eating beans, sleeping under the stars (and full moon) and moving my body…and mind.

 

Someone asked me recently how I maintain the inspiration to pedal day after day.  Well…It’s like anything in life, you power through it.  I wake up, set a goal and charge.  Yeah the cold sucks, yeah the headwinds are brutal and yeah my legs are sore as hell but I push all that aside and pedal myself into the zone.  It’s helpful to make little rewards and always have something to look forward to. I’ll often say, “Ok, ten more miles and I’ll treat myself to a huge Peanut butter and honey tortilla.”  There is always something good waiting down the road…a friend, a warm bed, or a beautiful city.  Pedal Pedal Pedal.  Stay positive, stay focused and eventually you’ll get a magical day with the wind at your back, sunshine above and all is beautiful in the world.  

 

People often ask if I get bored, and to tell you the truth, I never ever get bored.  My mind is always running, always thinking, I’m planning out life, thinking about fun memories, dreaming about girls (girl), singing songs to myself, gazing at the clouds or simply focusing on the beautiful nature around me.  Being out in the elements makes me feel more alive than anything.  I  breathe fresh air all day everyday, it’s the most healthy feeling in the world. 

 

Am I really taking a month to ride across the country…AGAIN? Yes! I know I’m incredibly lucky, I know I live a charmed life and thank you all for letting me share these adventures with you. 

 

The road less traveled is where you can find me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’m in Tucson right now and I love it here, it’s an edgy western meets funky southwestern city.   So if you’re flying from the UK to Arizona don’t forget you can leave your car at Heathrow Airport Parking or Manchester Airport Parking or Luton Airport Parking for your next holiday to Arizona.

I’m hitting the road once again, here’s my kickoff video from the sunny shores of California.  I’m riding from San Diego to Florida and my good friend Nick will join me in Tucson for the adventure of a lifetime.