Even though I left Rider magazine in March 2024, I’ve been fortunate to continue writing for them. It’s been a great way to combine my love of writing with the love of riding that got me the job with Rider in the first place.
This particular ride marked 10 years since being diagnosed with kidney cancer, an experience that I’ve written about considerably and which you can read more about in my “Motivation” pieces.
My article appeared in the May issue of Rider. As is often the case, my first draft was considerably longer and had to be edited down…the constraints of print. It’s also understandable as a good bit of the longer version was navel-gazing about surviving cancer, which I recognize isn’t exactly relevant to the ride itself.
There is one part of the article I might’ve kept, though, if I had the space. To be fair (as my 15-year old would say) to Lehman Caves, they are pretty cool and worth the stop if you are a cave fan. I just didn’t think they were as awesome as some of the other cave tours I’ve been on, like Lehman Caves in Virginia. But that one sets a pretty high bar.
Anyway, from the article:
“When the surgeon told me I wasn’t going to die, I gained a new appreciation for living in the moment. Riding is the ultimate practice in mindfulness, staying focused on the immediate and appreciating what is around you.”
Find the full article here.
And you can also scroll down here to see more photos that weren’t included in the article on Rider, once again in the interest of space.
Click on photos to enlarge and use arrows to scroll through the gallery
Paul D. Dail 
Thank you for this great article, my friend! It’s always great to hear from you!
Blaze
Thanks Blaze! This was a fun one to write.