A reporter and his photographer were among the large group of family and friends that greeted us, and of the many delving questions during the interview, one stumped me. “Did anything surprise you?” he asked.
The experience was a dream that I’d run through my thoughts for years, and I went into it with an open mind, so nothing stood out. Now that I’ve had a few days to process the humbling homecoming and look back, the answer is clear.
I was stunned at the time and still have difficulty contemplating the profound impact of the generosity and hospitality of everyone who shared the experience has had on me. From those who drove hours to ride with me for hours to the gracious hosts that opened their homes, the daily uplifting messages, and the generosity of donations to the cause, the response is one I will always look back on with humility and awe.
A few have called the ride inspirational, but I don’t see it this way. All I had to do was ride my bike, and if you’re a passionate cyclist given the opportunity, you may have done it too. It has changed me! I have a deeper understanding of myself and my relationships and discovered an appreciation for our country and its individuality.
The true inspiration is the spirit of selfless giving it took to make my dream a reality and the charitable cause a triumph. The team is the secret to my success, and that includes everyone who falls under the description. You know who you are, and to you, I say, “Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Semi-retired after more than 20 years as the owner and director of a private Orthopedic Physical Therapy practice, Chris now enjoys the freedom to dedicate himself to his passions—virtual cycling and writing.
Driven to give back to the sport that has enriched his life with countless experiences and relationships, he founded a non-profit organization, TheDIRTDadFund. In the summer of 2022, he rode 3,900 miles from San Francisco to his “Gain Cave” on Long Island, New York, raising support for his charity.
His passion for cycling shines through in his writing, which has been featured in prominent publications like Cycling Weekly, Cycling News, road.cc, Zwift Insider, Endurance.biz, and Bicycling. In 2024, he was on-site in Abu Dhabi, covering the first live, in-person UCI Cycling Esports World Championship.
His contributions to cycling esports have not gone unnoticed, with his work cited in multiple research papers exploring this evolving discipline. He sits alongside esteemed esports scientists as a member of the Virtual Sports Research Network and contributes to groundbreaking research exploring the new frontier of virtual physical sport. Chris co-hosts The Virtual Velo Podcast, too.
