Inner journey

All journeys have an element of introspection, but these inner journeys focus on personal growth and finding oneself. You could also call this the hero’s journey, vision quest, coming-of-age ritual, spiritual awakening, enlightenment, self-transcendence, self-actualization and many other names.

Scott Stoll wearing an embarrassingly tight swimsuit.

Harnessing the passion to swim one mile

A story about getting fit both physically and mentally to swim one mile. I also share the process that I created to harness different types of passion. Did you know there is more than one kind of passion? I didn’t. In retrospect, it’s a similar process that I used to cycle around the world. And, it’s a process that you can use to achieve your goals, too.  
Calvin's final resting spot under a tree in the backyard.

Sacrificing physical health for mental health

Time for an update on my progress of losing weight while literally doing nothing. A sad update leads to renewed motivation. I also added a few new rules to try, like: Put down the spoon in between bites. 
Rachel and Patrick's first day on the bikes

Another one for the bikes

After hunkering down for a year during the pandemic, at 71-years-old, Rachel begins her fourth bicycle tour with partner Patrick.
A photo of us mimicking the pose of the presidents on Mount Rushmore.

How to make a memorable moment

In celebration of my website's 20th anniversary and my 50th lap around the sun, I've written an extra-special story about how I live a life worth living, including making memorable moments and how friends shed new light on life.
Dolly Sods Wilderness panorama. Flowing boulders in the foreground followed by rows of pine trees, mountains and clouds.

Old friends never die

A heart-warming story about how our true friends never leave us even when they take that last great adventure into the sky.
Rachel Hugens and Patrick standing on Uhuru Peak, Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. The highest point in Africa. 5895 meters.

A new way of seeing

Rachel Hugens, world traveler by bicycle, shares the biggest lesson she learned after 25 years on and off the road. Avid traveler or armchair traveler, this will change your life, too!
Thunder Mountain Trail, Utah. A hoodoo that resembles a statue from Easter Island.

Desolate highways to Thunder Mountain and beyond

It has been 20 years since adventurer Mark Loftin has contributed his first story to our website. Your future self will thank you for his insights and wisdom that you can apply right now to your travels. Besides it is a beautiful story about biking Thunder Mountain Trail and exploring the Extraterrestrial Highway.
Tim Moss pictured on the left as adventurer summiting an icy mountain, on the left in a suit as an accountant. "Why I quite being an adventurer to become an accountant.

Why I quit being an adventurer to become an accountant

Tim Moss explains how being an accountant is more fulfilling than being a full-time professional adventurer. Don't worry, he explains how you can do both.
Rim Trail, Grand Canyon Village, United States

How my teacher helped me live my life

In seventh grade, I had a teacher, Mr Montgomery, who changed my life in more ways than one. We exchanged addresses so that we could send each other postcards of our summer vacations.
Rachel Hugens and Patrick on the equator in Africa. They stand in front of sign that says, "You are now crossing the equator. Jambo. Kenya!"

Dreaming of doing the absurd

Rachel tells her story: "I found myself without obligations, dealing with the pain of ending a long-term relationship when the idea of cycle touring started to form."
marc jason bicycle tourer riding down a road with steep snow banks

For those who want more from life

Mark Jason explains his motivation for riding a bicycle around the world and gives some advice for living life to the fullest.
Lance Armstrong Livestrong

Challenging oneself

This recent guest post arrived just days ahead of a news story about Lance Armstrong full of controversy, upset and -- maybe -- inspiration.