JOE MATTHEWS Interview Published on: 11, Oct 2024
Can you tell us a bit about the inspiration behind "Cycling for a Cause: A Cross-Country Adventure"? What motivated you to undertake such a challenging journey?
The Russian invasion of Ukraine inspired me to bicycle across the country. I wanted to help the Ukrainian people who needed it most, and a fundraiser came to mind. I decided to cycle across the United States and raise money for The World Central Kitchen, an organization feeding Ukrainian refugees.
How did your experiences as a New York City firefighter influence your approach to cycling across the country?I was working as a New York City Firefighter on 9/11/2001 when a terrorist organization attacked the World Trade Center. Fortunately, the two towers collapsed before Engine 227 (the company I worked for) arrived at ground zero. I remember the world coming together and helping the FDNY in many ways. That was another factor in my decision to help out the people of Ukraine.
What were some of the most memorable moments or challenges you faced during your cross-country bike ride?One of the most challenging days I faced in my bicycle ride across the country was the day I biked 67 miles from Pampa, Texas to Amarillo, Texas, against a steady 25 miles an hour headwind. That day took a toll on me, from which I never fully recovered. For the remaining five weeks of the journey, I had to battle with bouts of anxiety and insomnia.
In your book, how did you balance recounting the adventure with the underlying message or cause you were supporting?I kept a daily journal of the bicycle ride to create the book's original outline. For the time not covered in the journal, I used photos from my iPhone to remind me of what was happening during those periods.
What was the process of writing your book like after completing your journey? Did you encounter any unexpected challenges or joys in the writing process?My process of writing the book may have been a bit unconventional. Using my journal and photos from my iPhone, I opened a Word Document and began typing with my two index fingers. It was quite a long and tedious process. During this period, there were several ups and downs, good days and bad days. I would be lying if I didn’t say there were several times that I wanted to throw the book into the garbage can.
How did your background in firefighting and philanthropy shape the narrative of your book?As a firefighter, your primary objective is to help people. With the Russian invasion of Ukraine, I felt that I could help people the most through philanthropy, and I couldn’t think of a more critical way than raising money to feed people.
Can you share a particular story or anecdote from your trip that stands out as especially significant or impactful?Two come to mind immediately:
One was the morning after a difficult day on the bicycle when I didn’t want to get back on my bike and start pedaling. That morning, in the hotel, I bumped into an 8-year-old girl who wanted to know why I had my bicycle in the hotel. When I told her that I was attempting to bicycle across the country, her eyes lit up like it was Christmas morning. That smile was the motivation I needed that morning.
The other was when I met an Arizona entrepreneur with Down syndrome. She worked in a café that her family owned six days a week. She was truly inspirational.
What role did your family play in your adventure and writing process? How did their support influence your journey?My family and friends were highly supportive of my adventure both mentally and generously when it came to donating to my fundraising for The World Central Kitchen. Their moral support helped me through the difficult days.
As a philanthropist and someone who enjoys volunteering, how do you see your book contributing to causes or communities you care about?The proceeds from the sale of my book support my six favorite charities. The World Central Kitchen, St. Judes Children’s Hospital, Shriners Children’s Hospital, New York Firefighters Burn Center Foundation, Tunnel to Towers Foundation, and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Research Foundation.
What advice would you give to someone who is considering taking on a similar cross-country adventure or pursuing a personal dream?One of the lines in my book is, “Don’t be afraid to live your dreams.” Another is that “Life is not a dress rehearsal.” If you can help someone in a big or small way, do it. You will be rewarded tenfold.
What message or takeaway do you hope readers will gain from "Cycling for a Cause"?Life will sometimes throw you a curveball. It is better to swing and miss than let it pass you by.
Can you discuss any particular challenges you faced in staying fit and healthy during your long bike ride?The biggest challenge I faced was insomnia and not sleeping well. I believe I became anxious about the prevailing winds that blew from west to east, the opposite direction I was riding. I was also 62 years old at the time of the adventure. But as one great philosopher said, “Nothing ventured, nothing gained.”
What role did your hobbies, like playing guitar and cooking, play in your life during and after your cross-country journey?I now have more time to devote to my hobbies, and I really enjoy them. They help keep me young.
How do you plan to continue pursuing your passions and interests now that you've achieved these two major goals?I plan on continuing philanthropy by promoting this book. Since I wrote and self-published the book and am now self-promoting it, I have had ups and downs, good days and bad days. But isn’t that what life is all about? I wouldn’t want it any other way!
What has your AllAuthor experience been like so far? What are some highlights?I am looking forward to this interview with AllAuthor, and I hope that the experience will lead to more of my books being in the hands of readers who like adventure and giving back to the world in which we live.
