New videos are posted here each week. Visit us on Facebook to see all of them!

Here I share why I wrote it and what we hope to accomplish!

 How did Marty talk me into doing a bike trip from Pittsburgh to DC?  I hadn’t ridden a bike in years and didn’t even own a bike.  And how did he then get me to do all the planning?  Well, it all started with a simple “Jimbo, why don’t you see what you can do?"

Well, it was Marty's idea that "we" should write a book, followed by the usual "Jimbo, why don't you see what you can do?"  Ten years later, we had a book.  Here I tell the story! 

Years ago, our Chinese sister-in-law (Xiao Hong) gave Marty the name “Bu Dong,” which means “not moving.”  However, Marty is an avid cyclist, probably because it is one of the few forms of exercise one can perform while sitting.  Here Xiao Hong explains the origin of the nickname!

Marty and I started our ride here on the GAP towards DC.  It's a beautiful spot with lots of history, as the French and British fought for control of The Point in the 1750's. The video tells the story, including how Pittsburgh got its name!

Jim tells the story of meeting the woman with Foreign Accent Syndrome at the Mexican restaurant in Connellsville - one of fewer than 100 in the entire world!

Marty and I returned to Connellsville, PA recently and ran into Carlos, who served us lunch at El Canelo on Day 1 of our GAP trip 11 years before!  Here he tells the story of the woman with Foreign Accent Syndrome, whom we met that day in the restaurant.

Here Carlos tells the story of why the name "Speedy Gonzales" was given to the #1 Lunch Special!

Marty told me about a life-changing milkshake he'd had in Meyersdale a couple of years before.  I spent the entire day thinking about that milkshake.  Marty got ahead of me, and after over an hour of riding alone, I spotted him in the distance on a bench.  He was dejected and eating an O'Henry bar.  Remember what happened next?

Here I tell the story of the O'Henry and the discovery of the Meyers' cemetery. This was soon followed by a trip over the Salisbury Viaduct (aka "Bridge to Happiness") which led us to the life-changing Maple Milkshakes in Meyersdale!

In the summer of 2003, an abandoned station wagon was parked next to Marty’s house for over a month.  Marty called the city, but no one would come to remove it.  At that time he was renovating a room in his 1890’s Victorian home and needed to get rid of lots of debris.  Marty discovered that the abandoned car was unlocked.  Well, you know the rest of the story...

A surprise visit from Ellen, who hosted Marty and Jim at her B&B in Berkeley Springs, WV. She grabbed the mic at Beans in the Belfry in Brunswick, MD and told the story of the "Wee Bed"!

One of Marty’s two physical frailties is his eyesight. He is both near and far sighted, yet he doesn't carry reading or prescription glasses. This can sometimes cause problems.

Thomas Jefferson described the view from this spot as "One of the most stupendous scenes in Nature." It is worth the climb.

Spectacular views and pristine trail conditions along this stretch of the C&O and Potomac River!

Jim explains how "Get Up and Ride" deals with some taboo topics that many people experience but don't like to talk about.

Jim explores how Marty has lived for over six decades without ever owning a watch or a calendar.

Ohiopyle is where we stayed on the first night of our trip.  The name comes from a Native American word "Ohio-pehelle" which means "white, frothy water."  Check out that waterfall!

Thirty years ago, Katie used Isaac Newton's First Law of Motion to describe Marty:  "A Marty at rest tends to stay at rest.  And a Marty in motion will soon be at rest."

 Here Marty explains the difference. Is there really only one difference?

 Jim and Marty tell the story of visiting Bill's Place, a biker bar just off the C&O Canal in Little Orleans, MD.  The biggest Harley Rally on the East Coast was underway, and Bill's Place was HQ. We were in neon and spandex, eating bananas and drinking diet cokes. Everyone else was wearing Harley shirts and drinking beer. 

Jim tells the story of the Battle of Ball's Bluff, which occurred three months into the Civil War on October 21, 1861

Jim describes how the writing process unfolded for the book.  It took a very different turn compared to the way it started!

Marty is delighted that the book now comes in a version with larger print, and with a hard glossy cover that stands up to his beer spills.  Who knew Marty was a pitchman?

Jim tells the story of Marty taking him to the bike shop to buy gear before the trip.  Jim was puzzled to hear what bikers wear under their shorts (very little). This fact turned into a hilarious story when Jim met a group of women on the GAP near Rockwood!

 After leaving the Antietam Battlefield, Marty and Jim (of "Get Up and Ride") got caught in a violent thunder and lightning storm.  They found relief on the front porch of a dilapidated old house. What happened next made for a great story!  

Jim explains what it's like to ride with Marty.  When someone passes him, he forgets about me and takes off after the passing rider like a dog chasing a car.