Meet Paul: Finding Freedom One Climb at a Time
Testimonial:
“I always want to say, ‘I’m glad I did,’ instead of, ‘I wish I had.’”
Ride & Seek puts on truly incredible tours. The routes are unforgettable, taking you through amazing landscapes and places you’d never experience the same way by any other means. But what really makes the experience special are the guides—they are exceptional, taking care of every detail while sharing their knowledge, passion and encouragement every step of the way.
If you’re thinking about booking a tour, do it. You won’t regret the adventure you choose to take.”
Introduction
Some people have ridden bikes their whole lives. Others rediscover cycling later in life and find it opens up an entirely new way of seeing the world.
For Paul, long-distance cycling arrived at exactly the right moment. What began as a retirement project during COVID has since evolved into a way of life, taking him to far-flung corners of the globe. Along the way, he's embraced the challenge of conquering some of Europe's most iconic mountain passes and discovered the unique joy and passion of exploring the world by bike.
One of our Guides Bea caught up with Paul to chat about why the journey matters more than the destination and the climbs that continue to stay with him long after returning home.
How did the bike come into your world?
Paul’s relationship with cycling began long before he ever considered himself a cyclist. Growing up on a farm in the US, about four miles from town, he saw bikes as freedom and independence. He remembers the last day of school each year when he and his friends would jump on their Schwinn coaster bikes and ride together, sometimes with baseball cards clipped into the spokes to make that unmistakable clicking sound. The reward at the end of the ride was a Cherry Coke and time spent exploring.
As he got older, though, cycling took a back seat and running became his main sporting passion throughout his career. He was a dedicated runner, completing several marathons. Quite a coincidence, but over breakfast on the first day of the Caesar Tour, Paul and another rider, Tom Aakker, discovered that in 1988 they both ran the Boston Marathon, with nearly identical qualifying times. It wasn’t until retirement that cycling came back into his life.
During COVID, with more time on his hands, Paul decided to invest in his first “proper” bike, his trusty Surly that he still rides today. Living in Colorado, surrounded by incredible roads and elevation, he started exploring further and discovered something new: climbing.
“That was really my first experience with cycling as an adventure,” he says. “I’d always been a runner, but there was something about riding into the mountains that hooked me.”
Left: Always proudly rocking the Ride & Seek jersey! Paul out chasing new adventures, recently conquering the iconic Copper Triangle route (at 70!). The ride packed a punch: 80 miles (129 km), three mountain passes, and 6,600 feet (2,010 m) of climbing, topping out on Fremont Pass at over 11,000 feet (3,350 m) above sea level.
Right: Paul at the Loveland Pass, just a snapshot of Colorado’s riding potential.
Why do you keep coming back to long-distance cycling adventures?
For Paul, long-distance cycling comes down to two things: challenge and opportunity.
The challenge is what keeps him coming back. He loves pushing himself into situations where, at 5:30am in the dark before a big ride, he might wonder what on earth he has signed up for, but it’s always worth it.
“Those are the moments you remember,” he says.
The other part is opportunity.
Paul grew up in a place where a four-mile bike ride to school felt like an adventure. Travelling across Europe by bicycle—from Rome to London—would have been something he could never have imagined as a kid.
“That opportunity is incredible,” he says. “To be able to see these places, experience these cultures and do it by bike is something I don’t take for granted.
The multi-week format of Ride & Seek tours was also a huge draw. Spending four or five weeks on the road gives you time to settle into the rhythm of riding, connect with people and experience places beyond the typical tourist path.”
What made you decide to book a Ride & Seek tour?
After hearing about guided cycling tours from a neighbour, Paul started researching different companies online, and Ride & Seek consistently stood out.
Then, by complete coincidence, while cycling in Mallorca, he discovered our Director and Founder, Dylan, was running a tour nearby. The two met for a beer in the town square in Alcúdia, and immediately clicked.
“I’d never done anything like this before,” Paul says. “I was asking myself, what is this actually like?”
That first conversation gave him the confidence to take the leap.
He has now completed multiple Ride & Seek adventures and is looking ahead to his fourth tour: Napoleon.
“Meeting Dylan definitely helped, but I also spent a lot of time reading testimonials and researching the company. What appealed most was the combination of challenge and exploration.
A four or five-week ride isn't just about ticking off kilometres—it's enough time to really immerse yourself in a place. Growing up on a farm, most people around me rarely left the state, let alone travelled overseas. The chance to explore countries by bicycle felt extraordinary. Sure, there are moments when you're climbing a mountain thinking, "Why am I doing this? I could be lounging on the sofa" But those are also the moments that make the experience worthwhile."
*A snapshot of Paul on the Sultans Trail from Vienna to Istanbul.
What were you hoping to get out of the experience?
Before his first tour, Paul had one big goal: to learn to enjoy the journey as much as the destination.
“I’ve always been a destination person,” he says. “Whether it was work or travel, I was always focused on getting to the end.”
Ride & Seek helped him slow down and appreciate the moments in between. With the guides taking care of the logistics, routes and details, Paul could simply focus on riding, enjoying the scenery and connecting with his fellow riders.
“The guides also really brought each day to life by sharing the history, stories and local insights behind the places we travelled through, helping riders feel connected not just to the journey, but to the landscapes, villages and cultures along the way.”
Rather than rushing through lunch or racing towards the next checkpoint, Paul found himself embracing the full experience—the people, the places and everything that happens between the start and finish line.
Another thing that stood out to Paul was the sense of community he found on tour. As a relatively new rider and first-time Ride & Seek guest, he wasn’t sure what to expect, but he quickly discovered a group of like-minded people who shared the same curiosity, passion for adventure and love of cycling.
“I wanted to earn the respect of the people I respected,” he says.
Rather than feeling like an outsider, Paul found the opposite. The warmth and encouragement from fellow riders made him feel welcome from the very beginning. Ride & Seek has a unique ability to bring together incredible people from different backgrounds, creating a sense of camaraderie that quickly feels more like a family than a group of strangers.
For Paul, the friendships and connections made along the way became just as memorable as the riding itself.
Was there a particular moment when you thought, "This is exactly why I do this"?
“One day stands above all the others. It was the ride from Arabba to Belluno, on the Caesar Tour. I left early to beat the heat and climbed over the little pass of Colle San Lucaia.
It had rained overnight. There was fog sitting in the valleys, crisp mountain air and hardly another person around. I reached the top completely alone before descending towards Belluno.
It wasn't one of the famous climbs like Stelvio, but it was simply one of those perfect mornings where everything clicked. The bike felt effortless. I felt like you could ride forever. That's one of the moments I think back to most often. Pure freedom and joy on the bike”.
What surprised you most about the experience?
One unexpected highlight for Paul was how Ride & Seek brought riders directly through the heart of historic villages and towns.
“Coming from Colorado, where very few buildings are more than 150 years old, riding through ancient European villages was a completely different experience. Rolling through those old towns, over cobblestones, right into the town squares—it was incredible,” he says.
“It wasn’t just seeing history and how the routes link up so many beautiful backroads and monuments, but also moving through it on the bike at human speed. Experiencing those places from the saddle of a bicycle was incredibly special. It felt like being part of the place rather than simply passing through it.”
What memory will you still be talking about years from now?
There are two climbs that immediately come to mind: Stelvio Pass and Nufenen Pass.
“Both were unforgettable, and Nufenen especially was a huge achievement for me. There was even a climb before the actual climb. I remember reaching lunch, looking up at the road winding into the mountains and thinking, "What have I got myself into?"
But I dropped into my easiest gear and just kept turning the pedals. When I finally reached the summit and saw Nicolas (guide) waiting there, the look on his face said everything. There was such a strong sense of accomplishment.
Those are the kind of moments that stay with you”.
What role did the group, guides and fellow riders play?
“It’s indescribable how amazing the Ride and Seek guides are. On top of making sure everything is looked after, they are a huge encouragement, but in a way that is realistic. It’s not just empty cheerleading. They know what you’re capable of and genuinely want to see you have fun, but also push through your comfort zone. They never pretended something would be easy, but they always made you believe you were capable of doing it. "Go ahead—you've got this." That kind of encouragement really matters, especially when the climbs become difficult. You know they have your back. Knowing that support was always there made a huge difference.
I also really appreciated the acceptance from the other riders. As the newcomer, I assumed I'd be completely out of my depth and I was thinking, ‘I’m way over my head.’ Everyone has better bikes, more experience, more stories. Yet I found that the group welcomed me immediately. That sense of belonging became one of the best parts of the tour.”
Did the experience change the way you see yourself as a rider—or as a traveller?
“Absolutely. As a rider, being surrounded by stronger, more experienced climbers encouraged me to push myself further than I probably would have on my own.
Ride & Seek does an amazing job of bringing together like-minded people, and there's something incredibly motivating about that environment. Rather than feeling intimidated, I felt inspired. There is a real camaraderie in the group that makes these adventures all the more special.
As a traveller, every trip is an opportunity to learn. When you're surrounded by people who've travelled extensively, you hear their stories, discover new perspectives and see places differently. Travel isn't just about the destinations—it's about learning from the people you meet along the way.”
For Paul, travel also creates understanding. “I genuinely think the world would be a better place if more people travelled. So many prejudices disappear when you actually meet people and experience different cultures”.
One memory that has stayed with me happened while riding through Serbia on the Sultan's Trail - Vienna to Istanbul. Early one morning I saw a woman sweeping her doorstep with a handmade straw broom.
Someone has probably been doing that same simple task in that same village for hundreds of years!
Meanwhile, we're back home debating which vacuum cleaner to buy.
Moments like that remind you that people live very different lives—and that understanding those differences makes us more tolerant, more grateful and more connected.
When you travel, you realise people have different ways of living. It increases your appreciation and your understanding of how other people live. And cycling allows those moments to happen in a unique way, giving you the chance to witness those moments in a way very few other forms of travel can.
You’re not passing through at 100 miles an hour on a train. You’re moving at the speed of a human being, and you can really interact and take in what’s around you.”
Why do adventures like this matter?
Paul believes strongly that most people regret the things they don’t do more than the things they do.
“I always want to say, ‘I’m glad I did,’ instead of, ‘I wish I had.’”
That philosophy has shaped many decisions in his life, including leaving the business world to become a professional ski patroller.
“When I did that, so many people said, ‘I wish I could do that.’ And I thought, you can—you just have to decide.” That really helped to influence my decision ever since, and I think while I have the capacity and ability to go on these big adventures, why not?
Eventually there will come a day when I won't be able to ride big mountain passes anymore. I don't want to look back wishing I'd taken the opportunity while I could.
I want to look back and be glad I said yes. Even if it’s outside of my comfort zone and challenging, I always want to remember saying yes and be glad I did, instead of regretting not going”.
What would you say to someone who's thinking about booking a Ride & Seek tour but isn't quite sure?
“Do it.
You will almost never regret having done an adventure like this. What people usually regret are the opportunities they let pass them by. As I said before, aim to be able to say, "I'm glad I did," instead of, "I wish I had."
Any hot tips for new riders?
“Pack light. I’ve never heard anyone say, ‘I wish I brought more.’ But I hear all the time, ‘I overpacked.’
Everything else tends to fall into place. “Just show up ready to enjoy it.”
And finally, there's a quote Paul comes back to often—one that captures exactly why he keeps seeking out new adventures:
"Do one thing every day that scares you."
For Paul, conquering Nufenen Pass gave him enough confidence to last an entire year. The mountain didn't just change the ride—it changed how he saw himself.
Paul trusty Surly steed by the elephant statue in Chambery, France
*A view from the top of Stelvio - something to whet the appetite.
Paul’s journey proves that it is never too late to embrace the thrill of long-distance cycling. By choosing challenge over comfort, he transformed a retirement project into an extraordinary lifestyle filled with epic mountain passes, rich history, and lifelong friendships. Beyond the physical achievements, his experience highlights how Ride & Seek’s expert support and welcoming community allow riders to slow down, connect deeply with local cultures, and build lasting confidence by always choosing "I'm glad I did" over regret.
Ready for Your Next Adventure?
Have you ever conquered a climb that completely changed how you see yourself, or are you dreaming of taking on your first multi-week cycling tour? We’d love to hear your thoughts—leave a comment below or share this post with a friend who needs a little inspiration to say "yes" to the journey!
If you're ready to test your legs on legendary mountain passes, explore our iconic Caesar Tour or tackle the epic climbs on the Hannibal Tour.
Keen to book your next Ride and Seek Adventure? Reach out here.
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