#24447 Carlos Toribio was an essential member of the 2016 and 2019 A-Hut Teams. His energetic and friendly demeanor will be remembered by anyone who worked with Carlos.  Today he is in training for one of the biggest adventures of his life–a cross country tandem bike ride with his longtime friend Tim Conners. Tim is a cancer survivor, a mountain climber, author,  motivational speaker, and Carlos’s best friend.  

At 16, Tim battled T-cell acute leukemia that almost cost him his life after his vital organs failed. The resulting battle left him blind and weakened, but after a year of recovery, he came back strong, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in 2017.

Carlos and Tim first met in a Microeconomics class at Ithaca College. Says Carlos, “I got to know him better a little later in the year when Tim walked into the wrestling room and Coach Nichols introduced him to us. Have you ever been in a situation where you put your hands up to give someone a handshake, but they just leave it hanging? It’s not a nice feeling. I quickly got over it when I realized that Tim couldn’t see my hands in front of his face.” We have been good friends ever since.

Carlos and Tim discovered that they had similar interests in taking such an adventurous trip together. Carlos says, “I personally am interested in meeting as many people as possible on the trip and seeing all the beautiful places we will visit.  I’ll be able to share that with Tim. I also look forward to helping Tim accomplish another one of his dreams.”

Tim is setting out on this ride to continue his mission of overcoming adversity and taking control of your life. Spreading this message has been a focus of his life since his recovery.  Read more about Tim’s inspiring message on his website.

Tim and Carlos will ride a recumbent tandem bike which uses the power from their backs to apply extra force on the pedals. Tim said he and Carlos will begin in Washington State and travel east.  Said Tim, “We want the winds to our back, so that helps us if we go from west to east.”

Tim and Carlos are planning on the trip taking about three and a half months.  They will stop along the way to speak with groups about their mission and will continue to spread their message of hope and inspiration.  They will be supported on their journey by a small team of family and friends who will help with logistics.  Tim and Carlos estimate that the trip will cost about $20,000 and are currently working to raise the needed funds while training. Carlos notes, “We are purchasing a new bike for the trip and will be prepared to make repairs on the road. We will make the trip with the support of a travel camper. Our team will cook our own meals and will stay at campgrounds throughout the journey. The support vehicle needs gas even though we will travel by “peddle power.” It would be terrific if my Dudley friends would consider supporting Tim and me in this historic adventure by making a gift to our go fund me site.”

As Carlos and Tim prepare for this epic ride, Carlos finds himself frequently reflecting on one of his favorite quotes from Saint Francis of Assisi:  “ O Divine Master, Grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console; to be understood, as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.”

We wish Tim and Carlos the best of luck on their journey. The Other Fellow First E-News will keep you updated as we learn of their progress starting on June 6, 2021.