Jim Serger's Blog

It is crazy, moreover it is awesome what the world of reading has done for me personally. Nearly 5 years ago to the date I picked up my first book, which took me three weeks to finish. I read nearly 200 books then I decided I would write my first book--Go The Distance. Today I average around 80 books a year reading; but what I love the most is that I have continued to challenge myself with writing and pushing myself to come up with creative ideas that would be fun for me to write,plus be fun and engaging for readers to read. My second book 2000 Miles on Wisdom is my first business book that I have done; but what separates this book from others is that I was the customer that was given superior customer service. I was the one who applied all the traits the store shared with me and put them in motion. The book is about a tiny bicycle shop here in Indiana; but the book is about the growing need for, demand for customer service, customer interaction and creating a loyal customer. They handed me their passion and zest, I felt it so therefore I had to write a book on it. The book is up for pre-sale on Amazon and soon up for grabs on Goodreads.
Here is a recent article about the mission behind the book, the shop and why I wrote the novel.

http://currentincarmel.com/bike-shop-...

I have had set backs, I have had failure--but, one thing remains I never gave in, or gave up. Today I have a relationship with my dad, because I was not willing to stop. If you want it bad enough, you can have anything you would like.

Here is a nice write up this week

http://www.myaddiction.com/

Year ago, and I mean years ago--back in the teen years; over 25 years ago I loved my family. Today at 42, my parents are 65 and I still love my family--however, after high school I began too take notice that my dad had a drinking problem. I cared for him, I loved him but i did not understand him, I was not educated on the disease of alcoholism, nor was educated on the topic of talking and sharing my worries with others. I just swept it under the table, I was doing what I felt was best. Today my dad is 13 years sober, surrounded by family and friends who love him. Looking back I feel we did the right thing, however today I wish we would have fixed our communication on facing a crisis--I love my family, they are the best, but our communication could have been better--My dad and I wrote our book Go The Distance.
http://www.amazon.com/Go-Distance-fat...

With that to help others our Kindle version is 1.99

please visit www.jimserger.com to learn more, and where to get assistance.

WOW! Next week is Opening Day--my favorite time of the year. Baseball, baseball and more baseball. Baseball to me is more than just a game, it is about family, friends and great company. Baseball has always been a part of my life, my dad was my coach for 14 years, I played many, many games in the summer, on summer traveling teams, high school--my dad played at University of Cincinnati. Third base, the hot corner. So baseball the father/son connection was the best, to this day at 42 and my dad 65 we still see at least one or two games a year. We wrote our true story about a father and son who would not give up, and with this week coming up being so special we are giving the Kindle version away for 1.99

http://www.amazon.com/Go-Distance-sto...

http://www.reading.org/general/Public...

I missed out for years, I thought that is what other people did too pass the time. I was wrong--I picked up the habit and now I am not looking back. The pay off has been incredible and I love it.

http://www.indystar.com/article/20130...

I never was one for reading or one to give up on the big game of the day. That has not all changed, I still enjoy the games, but I still make time to read--which has lead to doing other things to challenge my life.

http://www.amazon.com/Go-Distance-sto...

I wrote this book with my dad--we wrote it to help others understand that time will heal all wounds as long as you want it too.

http://www.indystar.com/article/20121...

Yesterday the Indianapolis star had a great write up about bicycle ride from Indiana to Florida....

All of this happened because I met an author, who challenged me to read 15 minutes a day.

HE has written over 70 books, and he has a new one out now, one in December and two in 2013--this author is Pat Williams..

I wrote my first book, read 164 books in the 30 months since I have met him.

READING changed my attitude, my goals, and gave me a new hobby that I just love, READ.

check out our site www.jimserger.com/1033

WE are raising money for literacy, cancer, suicide and addictions.

October 3 --- Indianapolis to Cincinnati
Up and at them at 5:30--downtown Indianapolis by 6:30, and on the road--me, the bike and a back pack headed for Cincinnati--my plan was to get 100 plus miles and tackle hills, test gps, test how bike would hold up and think about the mission down to Orlando from Carmel.

I headed out through downtown--stop light, after stop light. It took me 2 hours just to get out side of 465, and then I could really begin to get my speed up--and head for Shelbyville. I finally made it to Shelbyville at 10:30, went into Kroger with the bike on my shoulder--used the bathroom--refilled water bottle, ate a protein snack and back on the bike headed for Greensburg.

I must say that I really enjoy the country roads much better than the city roads--1 less traffic, obvious. 2 I get to see the farms, and pastures of Indiana, instead of just the highway and motorists passing by. I took in the scenery--but I was maintaining 19 miles an hour, which was a good thing since I averaged 9 miles and hour for 2 hours going through Indy. I finally made it past the Honda plant and through the heart of Greensburg at 12 noon--pulled over, used bathroom, filled water bottles, ate protein bar--450 calories. Took a few electrolyte pills--to maintain salt level. Then onto 46 east towards Cincy.

At this point I was feeling pretty good--10 minute break at each stop was way better than I have ever done before. I pulled onto 46 which the speed limit was 55, but the should was 3 feet wide, so plenty of space for me to be on. I rolled pretty fast around 18 or so--and finally made it to Batesville around 1:15--once again I ate a small gummy protein snack--and hit the road again headed for Harrison Ohio.

The hills now were pretty noticeable speed was dropping down to 15 or so, then back up to 25 then back down to 15--then I hit 28 miles an hour, BIG huge dog came running right at me, and I had to kick it in, and I am glad I did. Cujo--would of nailed me. So for the next 1/2 hour I was looking for more dogs and sure enough another one came out of no where--and I had to turn on afterburners to out gun it--thank God, I was able to speed up fast.

I finally made it to West Harrison--which at the time was 3:45. I had to pull over and do interview with Eddie Fingers and Tracey Jones on WLWT radio in Cincinnati--they did live talk and they had me on talking about the ride--sure was nice of them to have me on and chit chat about sports, and the bike ride to help others.

4:00 up Harrison Avenue I went, and I made all the way up the BIG hill, then I made it all the way down--I ended up in St. Bernard parish in Cheviot and called it a day at 4:45.

107 miles, the most I have ever done in 1 day--plus I went up a ton of hills--and 2 hours through a major city. I was happy with my results, happy with the bike, happy with my training--but I was the happiest when my buddy, my friend, my dad--picked me up at 5:15.--we headed back to his house and mom cooked us a great meal--we watched the debates and up and at them at 4:30 and dad drove me back to Indianapolis.

Fast day, tiring day--but well worth it.........It gave me an idea of what I need to plan for in another 2 weeks.
But most of all cancer, suicide, literacy and addictions--are all worth the journey, and that is what I am riding for.

To donate--or learn more on why I am riding please click this link
http://www.jimserger.com/1033/

I met Pat Williams 30 months ago, author of over 70 books--SR VP of Orlando Magic, runner of over 50 marathons, father of 19 kids.
He challenged me to read 15 minutes a day, I had not read a book in 20 years. Now today I have read 161 books--reading has changed my life. I even wrote my first book which was just a great feeling.
I am riding bicycle down to Orlando to say thanks to a man, a leader who gave me knowledge of the power of reading . I am going down there to say thanks and raise money and awareness of his cancer.
Multiple Myeloma Cancer--
http://www.active.com/donate/2012mmrf...

This is the donation site--