Once Upon a Time on a Bicycle

Michael Russell had never heard of bicycle touring when, at the start of his eighth-grade summer vacation, he lashed a canvas pup tent and flannel-lined sleeping bag to his three-speed Raleigh and rode from his home in southern New Hampshire to his grandmother's farm on the Blackwater River. He was unaware at the time that others similarly journeyed and that such journeys could change, or even save, one's life. His passion for self-propelled physical endeavors led to his winning three world cups in ballet skiing and the creation of SnowDance - a first-of-its-kind theatrical dance company on skis - and inspirited a life-long dedication to achieving excellence in every quest. He has been a business manager, photographer, U.S. Freestyle Ski Team captain, stage actor, musician, logger, bartender, mechanic, motorcoach operator, teacher, builder, and uncompromising advocate for individual rights. He wrote the novel HONOR STUDENT in 1989 and a second edition 30 years later, ONCE UPON A TIME ON A BICYCLE in 2018, and WINTERDANSE: THE MISPLACED ART OF SNOW BALLET in 2022. He resides off-grid in a secluded mountain range with his wife, German shepherds, and wild-animal neighbors.