Tour Divide!!!

On January 10th, I submitted my letter of intent to do the Tour Divide (www.tourdivide.org). This is the the most physically and mentally demanding event I have every attempted.

January 10th is also the day my father died. I know he would have demanded that I do it, so I am. I buried my mother on November 13. She would have supported me as well.

What has led me to this point in my life? Is it a mid life crisis? Am I a nut? Watched Forrest Gump too many times? Read too many Jon Krakaur novels? Not hardly.

I am simply a cyclist. The kind of person who loves to ride a bicycle. I never have stopped riding a bicycle since I started as a child. I just keep finding another aspect of the sport and new event, or something else to inspire my next ride. The decision to do the Tour Divide is influenced in part by: 1) 2010 finisher, friend and co-worker Shawn Sheppard; 2) I have logged more than 92,000 miles on bicycles during the past 30 years; 3) I believe that cycling is a life time sport for everyone - its just a matter of matching the right aspect of the sport to what fits your particular time in life. My decision takes into account my experience and a racer both on and off road, race official, coach (almost), event director, charity ride fund raiser, father, husband, son and brother.

2011 Tour Divide LOI

I have a goal to achieve, great people to meet, beautiful country to appreciate, equipment to prove, health to enjoy, and a dream to fulfill. Count me in at the start of 2011 Tour Divide race in Banff on June 10.

A very experienced cyclist and Tour Divide Rookie.

Richard W Ridlehuber

Spartanburg, SC

46  - married, father of 3.

My Dad's Obituary

(turn volume up all the way)
1) RBR Funeral - Beginning through Scripture readings
2) RWR Comments
3) Homily Part 1 Rev Tom Garman
4) Homily Part 2 Rev Tom Garman
5) Amazing Grace to end


RICHARD B. RIDLEHUBER

Richard Byrd “Dickey” Ridlehuber, 73, resident of 423 Willard Road, died January 10, 2011 at his home.

Born in Greenwood, February 13, 1937, he was a son of the late Ernest Owen Ridlehuber and Alma Wilson Ridlehuber. He was a graduate of Greenwood High School and Southern Technical Institute in Kennesaw, GA. Mr. Ridlehuber was the former owner/operator of Richard Ridlehuber Real Estate & Insurance. 

He was of the Episcopal faith and was a member of the Greenwood Motorcycle Club and the BMW Motorcycle Owners Club of America. 

Surviving are two sons, Richard Walter Ridlehuber and wife Janet Hollingsworth Ridlehuber of Spartanburg and Charles Brinson Ridlehuber and wife Gail Welsford Ridlehuber of Beaufort; a daughter, Page Brinson Fletcher and husband Matthew K. Fletcher of West Columbia; a brother, Ernest Owen “Buddy” Ridlehuber, Jr. and wife, Gertie Ridlehuber of Greenwood; and seven grandchildren. He was predeceased by a brother, Hugh Wilson Ridlehuber, MD of California.

Memorial services will be conducted at 11:00 am Monday at the Blyth Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Tom Garman officiating.

The family will be at their respective homes and will receive friends at the funeral home from 10 to 11 Monday morning.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the charity of one’s choice.

2005 deRonde van Vlaanderen (Tour of Flanders - Belgium)

The Tour of Flanders is one of the toughest single day cycling road races in the world. In my opinion it is the toughest - tougher than Paris Roubaix because the cobbles are climbed (Paris Roubaix is flat).  The event is 165miles long with the first 100 miles pancake flat, then the famous cobbled hills (bergs) of Flanders start. Each one is short, about 1 Km or less, but very steep with grades of 20-25% in some places. In years when is rains, the course is almost un-ridable. The number of climbs varies, but is between 15-20. The course changes slightly each year.

Every year the Pro's race on Sunday, however the Saturday before, the course is open to cyclo-tourists. Each year 10-15,000 cyclist tackle a version of the course. The ultimate test is to ride full distance that the Pro's do. In 2005, I was one of a hand full of Americans to complete the full course, thanks to the support of my co-corkers on "Team Milliken". The photo video below chronicles the entire trip, including a few surprises. Enjoy.

King Thomas Hill Climb at dusk while a dog attacks

Click the link and turn the volume up all the way ---> King Thomas Hill Climb at dusk while a dog attacks

Bike49 Crew spends Christmas in Spartanburg

3 weeks before Christmas I got an e-mail from my brother. He wanted me to know that 4 cyclists were riding around the 49 contiguous United States and were headed our way. They may want a place to stay. So I sent an e-mail to the web page address on http://www.bike49.org/ and heard from Sara: They are going through Spartanburg over Christmas and appreciate the offer for some floor space. Having lost my mother a month before, this Christmas was going to be first without her. The Bike 49 crew filled in the emptiness and it turned out to be a most memorable Christmas. The photo below was taken as we rolled out of Spartanburg in snow and ice headed towards Columbia, SC on Dec 26.
GodSpeed Bike49rs !! and thanks for a Merry Christmas.

Ridlehuber Reels em in

Check out footage of me reeeling in some friends on a Sunday afternoon group ride.

Click here ---> Ridlehuber reels em in