Haff

He has been in the area for about a month, so that seems about right.

chibul

He does this a lot, I've noticed. I've attempted to gently explain to him that he needs to make official status reports instead of just responding to comments, but he either ignores those comments or LOL's them off with an "aw shucks" attitude.

You pretty much have to go through all of the "Posts To Page" and read all of the comments on those to get the full scope of what's "going on". He's definitely not making it easy.

Sounds like this whole bike shop thing will now prevent him from leaving tomorrow as well.

Haff

If he actually lost the amount of weight he says he has since this started, thats actually pretty impressive. (trying to find the positive). Though some before an after pictures would add some credibility.

billyymc

I'm going to be the ultimate hater here and predict by this time next week some emergency will have them on a plane headed home, with their bikes and gear safely stowed at Newport Cycles awaiting their return so they can "finish" their journey.

They will never return to Rhode Island.

Little Darwin

When I read this, I thought of the opening narration for the old Odd Couple TV Show...

Several years earlier, Madison's wife had thrown HIM out, requesting that HE never return. I suspect that the sentiment of some in RI will be that he never return.

But, it made me think of modifying the opening narration a bit too...

One day, Eric Hites was asked to remove himself from his place of residence; that request came from his wife. Deep down, he knew she was right, but he also knew that some day he would return to her. With nowhere else to go, he appeared at the home of an internet friend on Martha's Vineyard. After some unnecessary delays he started his trek across the country until he reached the distant city of Newport Rhode Island. Several days later his wife joined him in recognition of his heroic efforts. Can two people travel at a snails pace on the charity of others, without driving each other crazy?

OK, everyone can hum the theme now...

nordek

I think his theme song could be Shut up and Ride,like the Shut up and Dance song.

TrojanHorse

I can't find jack on his facebook page... picture of his wife's bike? Can't find it. I thought I saw a comment that he posted a video of himself (allegedly) riding a bike, can't find that either. If he had a half a brain, he'd post an update and then just let people comment on it, but since he buries his comments in replies to other replies, it's hard to see what's going on and there's no continuity.

Today's gem, for your reading enjoyment (directed at Sara, one of the people who is more directly questioning his dedication):

Fat guy Across America Clearly im.changing my life and I have been open about quitting smoking. It's obvious I wasn't in good health when I started. What's great is I will be able to stop smoking, lose weight, and regain my life, whereas you will always be a miserable individual Sara

Try not to drown in the irony. Clearly, he's going to lose weight and stop smoking, just not any time soon.

Tomorrow's (allegdly) the day - who's willing to take up the other side of my $1 bet he doesn't budge. Any non-haters out there?

indyfabz

Nut sure if he's just confused or trying to make it look on his journal like he's been moving, but the July 29th entry says he giving an update from New Bedford, MA. I am pretty sure he was in Newport, RI by then.

indyfabz

*crickets chirping*

TrojanHorse

He's got to do it his way, man!

Actually, if you aren't at his feet hollering about how awesome he is, he thinks you're a hater. I actually thought he had a snowball's chance of making any progress before his wife got there, but unless she flies back home in a snit, I don't think he has even a snowball's chance.

I remember what it was like when I re-took up cycling as an adult and I was dramatically lighter than Eric and wasn't hauling an unreasonably heavy trailer, and it was hard to sporadically ride a few miles. SMH. That spot GPS is going to come in super handy (for somebody else, when he sells it on ebay)

scrming

from the main FB page, select "Posts to Page". Lots of stuff there... including someone asking what bike his wife got. Click on that and you'll see the Liv.

nordek

I never understood why his wife had to join him so fast,you would think she would of been waiting for him at the Indiana border,and ride with him.My guess is she going to have a health problem and he will have to quit the ride and go back to Indiana to nurse her back to health,she is going to be is out.

bassjones

These are The Days Of Our Lives...

Maybe Lifetime will do a movie "based on a true story" about Eric's epic ride to nowhere. He could be played by Ralphie May. It'd be a 2 hour movie with Ralphie just sitting and doing nothing, but at least Ralphie would be reasonably entertaining and coherent.

indyfabz

You must be new here.

At one point the plan was to use some of the GFM money to get his truck fixed. She was then going to drive east and drive SAG for him until IN, where she would then start riding with him.

She admitted to not having been on a bike in 13 years. So it makes total sense for her to join him now. NOT!

Beachgrad05

I asked.

TrojanHorse

Ugh, found it. That's precisely what I mean - you can't see that in his list of photos, it's not in one of his updates, it's a reply to some visitor's post.

Here's the believable way to manage your FB updates: how about a short post saying "Hey, we picked up Angie's bike, here she is with it" and a pic.

Can anybody even tell if the plates in the background are RI plates?

indyfabz

LOL! Ralphie would be perfect! I can just see Ralphie sitting on a milk crate in front of that tent of Eric's (with the trailer in the background) rambling on and on.

I am going to call a good IP lawyer I know and have her start preparing the papers so I can buy the film rights from Eric.

Haff

Self-proclaimed 'fat guy' is biking across America to save his marriage

gotta love it.

CreepyAlan

She is now banned.

Beachgrad05

Who?

bassjones

I want Royalties. It was my idea LOL

CreepyAlan

Sara Martin the "instigator" on the Fat Boys page.

billew

I live in Newport and he has not been seen riding and I stopped in at Newport Bicycle and I don't think they are too proud of him. Maybe less skeptical than me. Getting over the bridges is all of a 5 mile ride and you can put your bikes on the bus for a $2.00 fare. He could hire the local cab company that uses minivans for about $20.00 and carry the trailers too. Total fraud if you ask me.
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CreepyAlan

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_Hg0yhnUas

Haff

Do you know where he shacks out? Maybe go find him and offer to put up a video of him riding for his adoring fans! Hell, even just sitting on the bike would be something. (not trying to make you work, just really curious how he responds)