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About
Rolling Roads
The Question – Why do we run a company that specializes in taking people on active outdoor vacations? The Answer – Because we love being on our bikes, in a canoe or hiking a trail to discover new vistas, in fact we dream about being on our bikes, hiking those trails and paddling peaceful waterways. There is a gratifying pleasure in seeing the joy on a persons face when they discover a new place, when they experience a moment they will talk about for a lifetime! We know that feeling, we live for that feeling, and our job is to create those rare moments for you! Our Story One beautiful memorial day morning our founder, Gary Hancq, was rolling down the Avenue of the Giants in Humboldt County California on his Bicycle, while taking a break from cycling to soak in the beauty of the giant redwood trees that surrounded him he had an epiphany. He was experiencing the perfect ride in the perfect place, the kind cyclists dream about all year. It was then that he realized that he needed to share such a beautiful place with other cyclists who appreciate what nature has to offer. An idea was born! As a consummate adventurer who is always seeking out new places to explore he has seen his share of “great places to cycle, hike and canoe,” in fact, he goes to great lengths to hunt out such places just for the pure pleasure of doing so. More than once the idea crossed his mind that other people might enjoy these places as much as he does. There had to be others who sought that magical feeling of wonder and amazement when you discover a truly awe-inspiring place for the first time. And what better way to experience such wonderful places than to be rolling down a country road on a bicycle at 11 mph? (hence the name “Rolling Roads”) or from a pair of hiking boots along a pacific coast trail or down a lazy river from the bow of a canoe? The decision was made, Gary decided to start Rolling Roads and share his knack for finding beautiful places with the world, but due to personal obligations it took Gary several years to bring this dream to fruition. In the fall of 2006 Gary's friend and fellow Adventurer/Cyclist Joe "Metal Cowboy" Kurmaskie (Best Selling Author and journalist) had started Camp Creative (and Arts & Expedition based summer camp for kids and their families based in the Columbia Gorge in Oregon) and it dawned on Gary that Rolling Roads would be a perfect complement to Joe's new camp. The two brain stormed and worked through the details and formed a partnership between Camp Creative and Rolling Roads and the dream came alive! Gary and Joe haven’t stopped searching for those perfect places and those perfect days, we invite you to join us, that Rolling Road is calling your name! And when you go on the "Ride The Redwood's" vacation, if Gary just happens to be your Tour Leader or SAG Driver ask him to tell you his Elmer story! Stray Well and keep the rubber on the road! Gary & Joe About Gary Gary Hancq is a veteran adventurer, cyclist, entrepreneur, accomplished musician and student of life. At a young age he fell in love with the outdoors, he loved the freedom and sense of peace that a bicycle ride, a long hike or a calm paddle could bring. After reading his dad's copy of Walden (Henry David Thoreau) in 1976 he became consumed with the thoughts and ideas of Thoreau's Walden, the simplicity, logic, self sufficiency and back to nature theme of Walden resonated deeply within and has led him on a journey of discovery and exploration that continues today. Gary has pedaled tens of thousands of miles on his bicycle exploring the beauty of America from East to West and North to South, he has camped in sub freezing weather, baked in the plains, fought off hordes of mosquitos, hiked pristine alpine draws and tramped through clear cool bogs. He's dipped a paddle in waters that time has long forgot, repelled off of 150' cliffs and crested mountain passes on a fully loaded touring bike that he was sure would finish him off! In 2005 Gary rode his loaded Touring bike on a self supported 2100 mile (read about it here) adventure from Bangor, Maine to Minot, North Dakota. From a business standpoint he has been involved in several successful business ventures over the last 20 years, founding and running an electronics firm and a software development firm during the mid 80's and 90's. Prior to starting Rolling Roads in late 2006 Gary held senior and executive level management positions in the telecommunications industry, Gary is still active as a telecommunications industry consultant. About Joe Best Selling Author Joe Kurmaskie was dubbed the "Metal Cowboy" by a blind rancher he encountered one icy morning in Idaho while straddling a loaded touring bicycle. He has been addicted to the intoxicating freedom and power of the bicycle ever since he "borrowed" his big sister's banana-seat bike at the age of five. In his first book "Metal Cowboy," Joe offers up an infectious and big-hearted collection of true adventures and misadventures, chronicling his time touring America on his bicycle. Whether he is climbing a tree to avoid the insistent pecking of a flock of geese in New Hampshire, tooling around a motel parking lot in Utah with a touring group of Elvis impersonators, or filling in as a last-minute scarecrow in a North Carolina Halloween parade, Joe revels in the charm of small town America and the unforgettable characters who dot our landscape. Full of energy, wit, and wisdom, his best selling book "Metal Cowboy" is both an inspiration and a call to the road, full of the simple joy of a path well pedaled and a life less ordinary. Joe has been a journalist for two decades. He's been a contributing writer to Bicycling Magazine, Details and Men's Journal. He worked as an editor for five years at an AP newspaper, before becoming an author and entertainer. His work has appeared in Details, Midwest Bike and The SF Chronicle. He reviews books for The Oregonian and is an educator for Literary Arts Inc and Community of Writers (COW) and is a writer in residence at Portland State University. He lives in Portland, Oregon with his wife Beth and his three boys Quinn, Lorenzo and Matteo. They attempt without much success to grow webbed feet during the "wet" season. |
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