Since the debut of my website just over a year ago on my 10th birthday (that is, I have been able to celebrate 10 birthdays in my life thus far, and have always said I would love nothing better than to live long enough to enjoy 20 more such occasions), I have been completely amazed, honoured, baffled and humbled by you, the public, for your enthusiasm and kind words expressed to me in your emails concerning my radical lifestyle.

     At times, we all live in our own universe, going about our business to the point where the rest of the world and everyone in it passes by. I am no exception, for I actually believed that what I had done during my cycling-adventure days in the 1990s wouldn't much matter to anyone else, except they make good "Human Interest" stories for an audience weary of the world's strife.

     Boy, have all of you proved me wrong!

     Your emails have meant much to me this past year, and thankfully, I have been able to answer all of you, even if it's a short message. If that dreadful day arrives where I can't answer everyone's letter, and I have to resort to a "Thank-you" format, I'm going to make it an apology.

     Also, I thank each and everyone of you for your kind suggestions as to what we could add to the site to make it more interesting and fun, thereby having you return time and again. This new addition, Kevin's Khronicles, is a result of your input, as well as my new Webmaster, Rick Fairchild. He is Bucky, to my Captain America, and we met in much the same way I came to know many of you...through this website. Check out Rick's site when you get the chance at: www.richardandre.net.

     And since all of you seemed to enjoy the contest we had last year (who wouldn't want to win a $4200 tricked out mountain bike), we'll be bringing that back on May 1st, so click on over there and sign up to win, and make sure you do so each and every month!

     So, the question from many of you over this past year has been, "What have you been up to since returning from your tour of Cuba, and self retirement?"

     Can you believe it's been over three years since that eventful tour? Time really does fly and I feel like a slug, who, when not constantly moving forward and achieving, calls himself a failure.

     In reality, I've been keeping very busy, and in this introduction, would like to give you a few of the highlights (although boring as they may be) that have been going on since the Tour de Cuba...

     I took the next three years after my last tour to write (and rewrite) the book, Cycling Castro's Country: The Tour de Cuba that should be published sometime this year, and will be available for sale on my website (why buy it in the store when you can pay the same price for an autographed copy). I hope to see the book out in time for the Fall season (Christmas is coming!).

     Between tours, I have plenty of time on my hands working on future projects (some of which won't happen until 5-10 years away), as well as being more involved in my town and church. To that end, let me introduce you to my community...

     The tiny hamlet known as Kaweah Commonwealth, is situated at the base of the Sequoia National Park in central  California, with the nearby town of Three Rivers only a few miles away. We're generally regarded as a community of artists and retirees from all facets of the entertainment world (writing, acting, producing, theatre, film, painting and other crafts). Academy Award winning actress, Angelica Huston (Prizzi's Honor, Lonesome Dove, Cinderella) lives only a few miles from my place, while William Shatner (Star Trek) resides across the Kaweah River to name just a couple of our more infamous citizens.

     Kaweah Country is also a tourist area, where we have some of the most majestic mountains (Mt Whitney is about 30 miles as the crow flies), the prettiest scenery, the largest trees in the world, and the oldest (110 years), continuously running post office (and third smallest at 8x10 feet) in the country, where I receive my mail and have been working on its renovations these past six months.

     We've also been blessed with perhaps the only town sign known in these united States that count their inhabitants as "Souls" (480 of them to be precise). We do things a bit differently in these here parts, and our hospitality shines through when you pass our way.  

     In the Summers, I head up the North Fork River Patrol. A volunteer unit that monitors the North Fork of the Kaweah River, when out of town gangs enter our community thinking they can have their type of fun and terrorize our neighbors. It's not something we will ever tolerate around here, and our presence makes sure the gangs know it's better for them to go somewhere else.

     And, of course, there's the full time commitment to my church and congregation. Just a little country chapel situated on a winding country road, called The church at Kaweah. We're actually known throughout the country , because our pastor preaches the kinds of messages that we all need to adhere to, such as getting back to the Christian roots of what this country was founded on, and what our forefathers fought and died for. Being an old  Connecticut boy, this kind of preaching is right up my alley!

     There's enough to keep me busy around here other than having to go to work every few years. I like to tell people, I don't go to sleep at night, I pass out, which is pretty much the way of it, and my favorite time is at the end of a long day when I can return to my little Lhasa Apso sweetheart, Jia Chou Tu, which means in Chinese, "Beautiful Tomboy Wild Beast." I call her Jia Tu for short, and for the last 10 years she has been my love and my life.

     My line of work may sound romantic and daring, but in reality, no woman I've ever met could put up with the pace I have set for myself. Perhaps the right one will come along someday. It's all in the Lord's will and timing. Until then, I remain single and childless, and I pray that won't always be the case.

     But enough said for this introductory message. I wouldn't want to scare you off right away. Rick and I have yet to discuss how often a new entry should appear. Weekly? Bi-monthly?  Monthly? It'll be your feedback that will determine the answer and where we go from here.

     Until then, don't forget to go after your own dreams. They're what we live for. Keep focused, because persistence ALWAYS pays off!

In Peace and Friendship,

Kevin