My name is Tom Bilcze and I love to blog. I have been blogging about my life since 2006. I am excited to join my good weight loss buddy Chuck in blogging on Crossing Mountains, Chasing Rivers. My personal blog, Beariatric.com, is a good place to really get to know me.

In January of 2011, I refocused Beariatric.com as a blog about health and wellness from a weight loss surgery patient point of view. In the summer of 2008 I had Lapband adjustable gastric banding weight loss surgery and have lost approximately ninety pounds. Beariatric.com gives me a chance to speak to the experiences of my “new” life and changes I have encountered in my post-op world.

Tom @ Dam 5 on the C&O Canal Trail

I am a mid-50s baby boomer living in Northeast Ohio with my partner of twenty two years, Brett. In 2009, we were married in Provincetown, Massachusetts. We live a pretty typical suburban life with our three hounds. At times I think we are the Bumpus family from the Christmas Story movie with howling dogs chasing each other around our house.

I became an avid cyclist after my weight loss surgery and cycle whenever I can. In 2010, I co-founded the Spin-Off Cyclists, a cycling group that encourages members to cycle for weight loss. I’ve cycled in organized and charity rides including the MS Pedal to the Point from Cleveland to Sandusky and back. Cycling has become a passion for me.

Chuck and I were contemplating some cycling trips for 2011 including part of the great Alleghany Passage. A few days after our discussion, Chuck emailed me that he was going to follow the Great Alleghany Passage and Chesapeake & Ohio Canal Trail from Pittsburgh to Washington, D.C. as his cycling journey for the year. He invited me to cycle with him on at least a portion of the trip.

My weight loss has made me a person who looks for life challenges and opportunities to venture into the unexpected. I thought quite a bit about his invitation. Although I welcome a challenge and the unexpected, I found myself looking for excuses not to go. This trip definitely puts me outside of my comfort zone. The more I thought about it, the more I became convinced that this was the journey for me. I accepted Chuck’s invitation to not only travel a portion of the ride but to do the complete ride.

I have chosen to ride with Chuck because of my respect for him and his successes in his post weight loss surgery life. Only year out of weight loss surgery, he ran a marathon and regularly runs shorter races and cycles with my cycling group. Chuck is a motivational person who challenges me to be more active and physically fit. He is a supportive person and a true friend. These are attributes I value and know will help me complete the journey.

What are my expectations of our trip through the Alleghenies and along the Potomac to the Chesapeake Bay? I am certain we will make it to D.C. We both have the determination and willpower to make that a reality. I believe our personality types with compliment and support each other. I think we will be a winning team.

Beyond the finish line, I believe I will find myself in a better place as a person. I see this as one of those defining moments in my life. The week or so that I spend on my bike will leave me with experiences that will be with me for the rest of my life. It will give me a spirit of adventurous that will lead me on to many future journeys crossing mountains and chasing rivers.