 |
 |
|
1968 & 2005 |
 |
|
Friendship Based on Common Values
INTERVIEW - September 20, 2005
INTERVIEWER: Today we are privileged to witness the reunion of two like-minded men. We sit with K.C. DenDooven and Joe Bowen to talk about "The Story Behind the Scenery", Western Gateways Magazine and a bicycle trip across the United States in 1967 that began a friendship that spans nearly 40 years. Joe and K.C. you have remained in touch all these years, am I correct? Was it your. . .
"mutual love and respect for this great country and places such as:
Mesa Verde National Park,
Ouray, Colorado,
Moab, Utah,
Canyonlands National Park,
the Colorado River,
Lake Powell,
Grand Canyon National Park,
Monument Valley"K.C. DEN DOOVEN: Yes, I first met Joe in 1967 when he was touring the United States by bicycle and he wrote an article for my Western Gateways Magazine.
Joe Bowen: I remember it like it was yesterday. Everywhere I stopped in Utah, Arizona and even parts of Colorado, I saw this incredible magazine that showcased the great Southwest with beautiful photography and fasinating stories and interviews. I said to myself, I'm going to find this guy and talk to him. I think he's got something special going on.
K.C. DenDooven: Joe, correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe you hold the honor and recognition of being the first person to tour the United States by bicycle. Is that true?
Joe Bowen: Yes I'm known in Kentucky as "the bicycle man" and. . .
K.C. DenDooven: . . . Joe is not only the first person to ride across the country on a bike, he is also the first person to walk across this country on stilts. He was walking to raise money for Muscular Distrophy. Joe uses his bike to raise money for worthwhile charitable causes. Here it is in 2005 and Joe at the age of 62 is riding his bike across the US again.
ITERVIEWER: Joe, how did you become to passionate about riding your bike such long distances?
Joe Bowen: Well, when I was in the Air Force I read a book that deeply inspired me. I read John Steinback's biography: "Travels with Charlie," about his travels across the states in a travel trailer with his dog, Charlie. I read the book several timees while in the Air Force, and upon being discharged I hopped on a bike that had beeen prepared and waiting, and rode from California all the way back to Kentucky.
"I couldn't wait to go!" "I had to see America."
I did not take a straight route, but I stretched the trip to encompass 14,000 miles.
ITERVIEWER: That was 38 years ago.
Joe Bowen: Yes.
ITERVIEWER: . . . and I understand that this year you got quite a send off.
Joe Bowen: That's right. On March 25th of this year (2005), the governor and 3,000 fourth and fifth grade students gave me an honorable send-off from Kentucky's state capital building, and after flying to California
I again started off on my bike, which is named Rocinante, (originally the namee of Don Quizote's faithful steed, which John Steinback named his travel trailer.)
I am representing the state of Kentucky, bearing the state's new tourism logo: "Unbridled Spirit."
INTERVIEWER: Well, you are certainly "The exuberant Kentuckian" -- I think that is what I read about you in the newpaper.
Joe Bowen: Well, this ride has a special purpose:
"To work with kids and promote the Red River gourge National Scenic By-way."
Over 220 elementary schools and high schools are following my route and being educated in the process. Every day I speak to classes across my state via conference calls and through e-mails, and every week the classes pull visitor's names off my Webpage and place a pin in the guest's town.
I also send fascinating photographs of my travels such as the turn of the century hogan (Indian homee) that a Navajo family invited me to visit while traveling through Flagstaff. In turn the children stay abreast of weather condditions and give me daily reports.
K.C. DenDooven: What will happen to your bike when you complete this ride? I imagine you pretty much wear out a bike on a trip like this.
Joe Bowen: When I return, my bike will be retired in a Kentucky museum, as was the original.
INTERVIEWER: If you were to sum up the what the ride means to you what would you say?
Joe Bowen: Many of the children are poverty sticken. . . . I hope to build fires under these kids -- in their minds,
"I want them to dream dreams and go on to do something wonderful with their lives."
To follow Bowen via the Internet go to www.ridejoeride.com
