Once more, I will be at the Vibrant Life Healthy Living Expo. I recommend you bring your kids along for the Tasting Safari. A great idea and a great way to introduce yourselves to some new foods and learn how to live a healthy, sustainable and FUN life. More info.

April 9th 2011 – 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Washington County Fair Park Pavilion

Last time I presented my famous slideshow: “Scott Stoll – The Man Who Biked Around the World! — Strength, Endurance and Muscle: How and Where to find it! Scott biked for 4 years, 33,000 miles, through 50 countries and 6 continents. He witnessed how cultures across the globe feed their families. Working on his third book, there isn’t a topic he doesn’t enjoy speaking about! Enjoy the adventures with Scott!”

I thought it was funny that according to a Google image search this is what I am supposed to look like.

One of the most popular questions people continue to ask me is: “What are you going to do next?”

If I were impeccable, I would say, “I’m doing it.” Being an author is truly an adventure and I hope to have many more schools illustrate my books of inspirational ideas that I have gathered during my world trekking.

In addition to that at-home-adventure, I have been planning an adventure abroad this winter to celebrate turning 40. Currently my passport is in the process of being renewed.

One of my ideas it to go back to Kenya to visit the local schools and really dig my feet into their culture. (One drawback of cycling around the world is that I actually went too fast.) And hopefully I can arrange a side trip to Uganda to see the wild gorillas. Or maybe I will bicycle-tour Puerto Rico if time and money become tighter than they already are. No matter what I do, I have already started inviting the local schools to follow my adventure. And I hope to make live video conferences from abroad via the internet with the classrooms.

Update: Despite my video being briefly showcased on the Chicago Sun Times website and my overwhelming (quite literally) desire to do this, I’m sad and a bit surprised (along with my friends) to say that I didn’t make it to the next round….

Here is video application to be a roommate at the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry.

I can’t express how much a dream it would be to live day and night for a month in the museum, and explore and report on all the amazing science. And, I would love to make a display of my bicycle and photos and all the discoveries I made while cycling around the world. And, of course, be part of the experiment to see how this experience changes me and everyone I meet. Wish me luck and stay tuned to vote.

My photo is on this wall somewhere:

Photo by Kate Heil

I’m a little sad to announce that my dreams to circumnavigate the USA on a bicycle for my Falling Uphill Book Tour has concluded here in Wisconsin. I traveled about halfway around the country before realizing I was being over-ambitious, and that promoting a book is a full-time job, which doesn’t allow for cycling 6-8 hours per day. However, I am grateful to also have discovered that by staying in one spot (planning events can take months) I can inspire many more people; indeed, I have rediscovered friends are the greatest resource on the planet, and I feel honored that the people of Wisconsin have welcomed me back. Someday, I do hope to continue traveling around the country bringing my stories of inspiration to people’s doorstep; however, for now I must also rest my aching body. Unfortunately, according to several doctors, I went too many days without proper nutrition and hydration which has affected how my liver metabolizes sugars. But rest assured, I continue to share my story at all the local schools and special events.

Thanks to everyone who supported the journey. ~ Scott

As a post world tour honor, me and my bike got to occupy first, second and third place on the podium at the Downer Classic race at the Tour of America’s Dairyland. I also had the chance to share my story with the crowd.

I’ve always been impressed that many world-class cyclists and teams that don’t qualify for the Tour de France come to Wisconsin for our excellent race series also including Super Week starting soon.

For tens of thousands of years the New Year has been a natural time to throw away what doesn’t work, so that you may walk unburdened into the future. This year instead of applying the 6-month rule to my material life, I’m going to apply the 6-month rule to the outdated laws that I’ve created for myself. For example, I’ve created a law that I won’t do anything productive until after my second cup of coffee. Out with the old idea, and in with the new idea. I will now occasionally be productive while I drink my coffee. That also applies my new rule: A baby step is better than no step. I applied that rule to going to the gym. I have set zero goals at the gym except to walk through the door. Another old law that I’ve created was that I get one treat at the end of the day to motivate myself. I’m throwing that one away. Now I will remind myself that I do everything for a reason, and that reason is the treat. I have created many more rules, but you should get the idea by now. And I must apply one more rule, and that is to keep this social networking (youtube, facebook, twitter, flickr, blog, etc.) that suddenly society has mandated you must do to be successful, to a bare minimum, and reclaim my life, which makes a nice segue to the question of the day: How does anyone make money, when everyone just gives it all away for free on the internet?

One of my favorite pictures of all time happens to be a snail :)

Why are you biking again?

The first trip was to discover the meaning of life and the secret of happiness. This trip is for living it.

What is your next adventure?

You’re looking at it. I’m circumnavigating the US on a bicycle to promote my book. I’m also having an incredibly different kind of adventure re-creating myself, exploring self-actualization, meeting people, and being a businessman. Though sometimes I wish I were bicycling Alaska or China instead.

I spent 2 hours down in the Port of Milwaukee on top of the salt piles for a photo shoot for Milwaukee Magazine with Dan Zaitz, who seemed like a great photographer. This is a quick snap shot with my phone and it looks pretty good.

The salt piles reminded me of the dry lakes or salt pans in Australia, where the sun fries you top and bottom. His assistant said, “I can’t believe you rode a bicycle around the world and are complaining about the sun in Milwaukee.” For the record, I’m burnt! But it is funny how every one eventually says, “For a guy who biked the world, you _______ !”

Recently my best friends said, after I tripped up the hose that opens the garage door said, “I can’t believe you made it around the world on a bicycle. You’d better go home, get down on your knees, and pray to God, because you owe him one.”

And one of my all time favorites from the ex-girlfriend who had a PhD in relationship counseling, “For a guy bicycled around the world, you’re not very worldy.”

Well, ironically I feel like I’m getting to see a lot more of how the world works on my book tour, zipping from Minneapolis, over the Mississippi, through the dells, and Madison, the capitol of Wisconsin, to the newsrooms of Chicago, a hotdog at Wrigley Field and ride down the Lake Front, and back to the uniquely industrial urbanized Milwaukee.

Here’s a Skype interview done by Rick Owens, a guy that is truly passionate about everything bicycles. With my experience in the world of websites and video, I can attest that he puts far more effort into these videos than is apparent.

Watch the webisode.

For the record, I’m enjoying Minneapolis. Bicycling down the Greenway (a rail to trail) and around the lakes could keep me busy for a long time.

The Falling Uphill Book Tour continues.

Currently, I am in Wisconsin, my home state. I have been really impressed with the hospitality and friendliness. It’s so refreshing not to be lost in the shuffle. And I’ve discovered that one of the best ways to bring my book to life is by speaking to the local schools. It can be overwhelming at times to be the center of a mad rush of 150 students, but I love to see their eyes sparkle with inspiration.

I shall be here a few months as I try a new strategy of planting some seeds. I have discovered in my traipsing around the country is that a rolling stone gathers no moss, but it also gathers no community either, and I’ve come to believe our greatest resource on the planet is our network of friends.

So, I’d like to extend an invitation to join my adventure.

Of course, bicycling isn’t everyone’s dream, but everyone has dreams. Why not join me for a ride through the countryside as an example that you can take that first small step in your own personal adventure of discovery? Why not challenge yourself and inspire your loved ones by sharing the adventure for an hour?

Maybe you’re not a bicyclist but your passionate about the message. Why not help co-create the adventure (and your own) by helping network, or just sharing a hot cup of coffee and a warm conversation. If you’re a really ambitious community member why not plan a speaking engagement at your business, church or school, or organize a local bike ride in your town. Some quick ideas.

Thanks to everyone for helping to make our “impossible” dreams possible
~ Scott

PS. I’m creating this as I go along, and I’ve literally risked everything I have, and teaching myself the same lessons, so if it’s any comfort to those who may be feeling too fearful to risk living the life they truly want to live—believe me!— we are all in the same boat.

How does going home constitute an essential aspect of travel? I share some of my ideas and discovery’s of returning to home after traveling the world.

Watch the video, approx. Min 22.

or, listen to the audio.

Rip Van Winkle has this to say about returning home:

‘He had now entered the skirts of the village. A troop of strange children ran at his heels, hooting after him, and pointing at his gray beard. The dogs, too, not one of which he recognized for an old acquaintance, barked at him as he passed. The very village was altered: it was larger and more populous. There were rows of houses which he had never seen before, and those which had been his familiar haunts had disappeared. Strange names were over the doors–strange faces at the windows–everything was strange. His mind now misgave him; he began to doubt whether both he and the world around him were not bewitched. Surely this was his native village, which he had left but a day before. There stood the Kaatskill mountains–there ran the silver Hudson at a distance–there was every hill and dale precisely as it had always been–Rip was sorely perplexed–”That flagon last night,” thought he, “has addled my poor head sadly!” ‘

I was impressed by the latest report of my adventures. (Read the Waukesha Freeman article.) The journalist was really passionate in his questioning and accurate in his reporting. He highlighted all the main points. And I think really captured the vibe of my whole journey. So, thanks to Carl Engelking.

As pictured above the article spawned my recent book signing at Martha Merrell’s bookstore in Waukesha, WI. Falling Uphill was selling like hotcakes to an Eskimo. When I was a young teenager, I used to special order all my sci-fi books here.

Also, This Friday, July 17th, I’ll be on the Morning Blend TV show in Milwaukee.

After cycling up the West Coast, and struggling with a worn out bicycle, including a cracked fork and broken front axle, and a worn out body, including creaky knees and a dislocated rib, I decided to recuperate at my family’s home in Waukesha, WI. My re-imagination of my book tour is going well. I plan to restart soon from Maine and head south to Florida in a literal going-for-broke bicycling book tour blitz.

I’ve also had a bit of epiphany earlier today while de-kinking my body in yoga, that my negative emotions are not so negative. For example, isn’t guilt really saying, “C’mon, you’ve got talents you’re not using.” Isn’t pain saying, “Do something different.” Isn’t boredom saying, “This isn’t my path in life.” Isn’t doubt really saying, “I can’t do something, but I think I might like to try.”

Aren’t “negative” emotions like guardian angels? And besides, isn’t it fun to laugh until you cry?

Today’s assignment: What are you afraid of? Why is that a good thing?

Pictured above:

I cycled with Edwin Tucker from Nepal to Tibet, including cycling up to Everest Base Camp. Edwin met Cathy in Kathmandu shortly before I arrived on the scene, and here we see the result — Ms. Anna Tucker getting an early start as a world bicycle tourist featured here aboard my bicycle. The Tucker’s went above and beyond the call of hospitality when hosting my recent stay at their lovely home in Vancouver. And for the record, I’ve actually been inspired to think about this having kids thing everyone seems to be doing at my age.

I’ve currently re-imaging my book tour, while having an unusual adventure visiting my tribal elders and childhood friends, who are now middle-aged. It’s like viewing myself in a magnifying mirror as I re-realize on a deeper level that I am an odd combination of the pros and cons of my parents, siblings and friends. And I have one interesting story for the next book about how a raisin can influence four generations of a family.

Coming up next, the tour continues from Acadia National Park, Maine to Key West, Florida.

I’m contemplating riding through New York City naked to get my book noticed, but I’m told this is an every day occurrence in NYC.