One Ride at a Time

Have you ever allowed your fears and doubts to prevent you from pursuing your boldest and most audacious goals? At an age when most people are slowing down, Rob Leachman and his wife put aside their doubts and fears and departed on their bicycles from San Diego, hoping to reach St. Augustine, Florida 46 days later. What they encountered during this 3,000-mile journey was even more life-changing than they could have imagined. Averaging seventy miles a day riding on busy highways and isolated country roads, through cities and deserts and over mountains, pushed them far outside their comfort zone and drove them to exceed their limitations in ways they never thought possible. They reached their destination in Florida shortly after experiencing a profound tragedy that came to define the entire journey. Now, Rob invites you to join him as he recounts this incredible adventure and the many life lessons he learned along the way, lessons that can help you to . . . • Stretch yourself and achieve goals you thought were out of reach. • Follow your heart and find your own adventure. • Break through limitations to live your best life. Written with humor and deep reflection, One Ride at a Time: Life Lessons Learned on a Cross-Country Bicycle Ride is an enchanting and inspirational story that vividly details the challenges (and stunning tragedy) faced by two recreational cyclists as they attempted to pedal across the southern United States. Avid cyclists and armchair adventurers will find this unique perspective on America and tale of personal growth a ride worth taking. And it may spur you to pursue your own bold and audacious goals.

Have you ever allowed your fears and doubts to prevent you from pursuing your boldest and most audacious goals? At an age when most people are slowing down, Rob Leachman set off on the adventure of a lifetime. In 2017, Rob and his wife, Bev, had just turned sixty years old and were recreational cyclists at best. But they refused to let their age prevent them from pursuing their goals and dreams. Instead, they embarked from San Diego on a 3,000-mile bicycle tour across the southern United States, hoping to reach the Atlantic Ocean forty-six days later. As they prepared to begin their journey, Rob and his wife found themselves nervous and more than a little fearful of what was to come. Unsure of their chances of success, they departed with seven other riders on what would become the adventure of their lives. Averaging seventy miles a day riding on busy highways and isolated country roads, through cities and deserts and over mountains, pushed them far outside their comfort zone and drove them to exceed their limitations in ways they never thought possible. They reached their destination in Florida shortly after experiencing a profound tragedy that came to define the entire journey. Now, Rob invites you to join him as he recounts this incredible adventure and the many life lessons he learned along the way, lessons that can help you to . . . • Stretch yourself and achieve goals you thought were out of reach. • Follow your heart and find your own adventure. • Break through limitations to live your best life. Written with humor and deep reflection, "One Ride at a Time: Life Lessons Learned on a Cross-Country Bicycle Ride" will leave readers captivated by the story of these cyclists pursuing a life-long dream and enchanted by such a unique viewpoint of this vast nation. And like these adventurers, it may leave you yearning to pursue that long-time goal you've always wanted to attain. Whether you're an avid cyclist or an armchair adventurer, you're sure to find this unique perspective of America and tale of personal growth a ride worth taking.

An educator, author, and occasional adventurer, Rob Leachman is the author of One Ride at a Time: Life Lessons Learned on a Cross-Country Bicycle Ride. Rob and his wife completed numerous "adventure travel" trips, including a bicycle trip across Missouri on the "Katy Trail" and a rim-to-rim hike across the Grand Canyon, before riding their bicycles across the United States. A retired school district superintendent and university instructor, Rob earned a doctoral degree from the University of Missouri and lives and works in the northern suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. He currently writes about areas of lifelong interest to him, including the history of track and field, leadership and goal setting, and "ageless adventure and fitness." He can often be seen hiking or riding on area roads and trails. He can be reached at RobLeachman.com.