Meet the “Love of My Life” and partner for 35 years.   Even as I make this statement she is correcting me by saying that “it wasn’t 35 but 34 or 36 years”.   In this partnership of around 35 years I have only been right once or twice – just ask her!

Maybe marriage isn’t for everyone but from my perspective life can never be “excellent” till you have found a “life long partner”.

This is the person that you trust implicitly with your deepest secrets, that understands when you hurt, makes life sparkle,  someone that shares your life, and yes even completes it.   My wife Jill is the person that completes my life.

While I have told others, in those slow moments when you talk about just about anything, how much Jill means to me and how colorless life would be without her I really never take the time to let her know.

Well Jill here it comes.   You are the sun that never sets in my life, the light that shines on the darkest day and the one person that I could never live without.   Thanks for spending the last 35 or so years patiently accepting my faults and wisely letting me be a kid when needed.

I love you!

Rob a.k.a. The Scotts Kid

 

Years ago I traveled to the West Coast on a motorcycle and while eating at a bar met another traveler.   He introduced himself as “Wolf”.   When I asked about his strange name he informed me that everyone should have a “travel name”.   Made sense to me so know I will adopt the travel name, The Scotts Kids!  The reason for this is simple.    For the last 9 years I have worked at the best company in the world: Scotts Miracle Gro (see the full story on Pelotonia.org at this link Full Story).

Seldom do you find a company that supports shareholders, associates, and customers with superlative products and a commitment to make the Earth a better place to be.  Scotts is this company and I feel very fortunate to have found them.

“The Scotts Kid” handle is my attempt to thank Scotts for all the wonderful things they do and further our interest in eradicating cancer in our lifetime by supporting the 2018 Pelotonia.   Scotts has paid the entrance fee and matched donations for all riders on the Scotts Peloton.

THANKS SCOTTS – WE LOVE YOU!

THANKS!!!

As I’ve tried to find corporate sponsors I have been sorely disappointed.   I thought that corporate sponsors, news agencies, and businesses would all be willing to support my dream – wrong!   My realization is that this is MY dream and I shouldn’t have expected outside support.

There is one notable exception and that is Dave Baer who owns “Baer Wheels” located in Columbus at N. 3510 High Street.   Dave is also a Pelotonia supporter.   I met him last year at Gambier, the Saturday night Pelotonia stop.  Dave volunteers his time to support Pelotinia riders who need their bikes quickly tuned or fixed.  One of his co-workers said he was the “best bike toolman” in the state and I am a believer.   What others had tried to fix and billed for, Dave fixed free in 15 minutes.  His magic made the last 80 miles back to Columbus a breeze.  My trip across country required a bike not made for speed but one that was a workhorse.  My street bike, light and fast, is not designed to carry weight (tents, food, clothes, etc.) and I know nothing about touring bikes.   The bike decision was key for me since it would have to carry me through rain, heat, mountains and deserts.  I have no desire to be stuck.

I visited Dave one Saturday morning just after Christmas.   He spend hours going over the finer points of touring the country, helped me select the “right” bike and helped me ensure it was properly provisioned for the trip.   Dave didn’t try to “sell” me anything.  Dave “informed” me how to think about the trip and the equipment needed to succeed.

If you need a bike, bike repair, or information about biking, I would strongly recommend a visit to Baer Wheels!   Dave is THE BIKE MAN!

I feel obligated to speak a bit about my new touring bike which should be delivered in about two weeks.   While my bike won’t be exactly configured like the one shown above, it is close.

When I was young, many of my Saturday mornings were filled with cowboy movies.   It was pretty standard fare with names such a Bonanza, Wagon Train, Maverick, Rawhide, The Rifleman, and my personal favorite Have Gun Will Travel.   I understood the concept good versus evil but struggled a bit with the serious punishment delivered when someone stole a horse that is until I started riding my bike for any distance.

Once I started the long trips the thoughts of “what would I do if I broke down 30 miles away from home kicked in”.   My bond with road bike only grew over time.   I “trusted” my bike to get me wherever I needed to go with only minor difficulty.   It became an extension of my personality.

Yeah, I know it sounds a bit weird but don’t mess with my bike!

 

 

This is the 7th year I’ve ridden in the Pelotonia, a Columbus centric bike ride where 100% of every dollar donated goes straight to the fight against cancer.   The first 5 or so years I rode because it was for a good cause and “fun”.

In November of 2014 the battle began personal when it struck my mother.   At this point the Pelotonia changed.  Rather than being “something to do” it became a reason for existence.   I began to notice the other riders.   The ones that had a picture pinned to their jerseys, names scribbled on their legs and arms in marker, and those that wore clothing that announced they were a “survivor”.

Since that point in time I wanted to do something more.   As time went on the feeling that I needed to do something more grew.   Suddenly I knew how to translate my adventurous spirit and desire to “do something” into action.   I would “retire” from work and ride my bike to the Pacific Ocean and back (from Columbus, Ohio) soliciting donations across America from people that believed as I did that cancer needed to be stopped once and for all.

My vision is to collect $1M in donations as I ride across America from April 30th to August 3, 2018 when the 2018 Pelotonia charity bike ride is conducted.

Hope you share this vision and either donate (remember every donation is HUGE and 100% of every donation goes to fight cancer.   Hoping to see many of you on the road!

 

 

Thanks for joining me!

Cancer is an ugly blight that touches every family, friend, and neighbor.   The Pelotonia 2018 event is where I, with your help, intend to take a stand.

P

The Ride to End Cancer