Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/15908
Trucker webmasters of their creations. Stephen Adams, fellow YouTube trucker and blogger (truckersteve.com), calls them “a truck driving couple who are living and loving life on the road.” From “Bobby Boofay’s 24-Hour Truck Driving School,” YouTube.com/keystrucker TRUCKER STEVE There seems to be three versions of TruckerSteve, the nom de plume of May Trucking company driver Stephen Adams. He presents a blog offering advice and stories from his life on the road; a series of audio podcasts in which he plays a some- what unsavory character who takes nearly the opposite of Adams’ professional approach to truck- ing and life; and, finally, a series of well-produced short videos. www. TruckerSteve.com and www.Trucker- Steve.tv THE “How much would you pay to become a profes- sional truck driver? $50,000? $40,000? $30,000? Well come on down to Bobby Boofay’s 24-Hour Truck Driving School. We’re running a special for just $49.95!” Paths less traveled ‘See the country’ by truck – and bike – and get more out of it. 4 Scott Grenerth 4 www.truckercycler.com 4 TRUCK: 2002 International Eagle hauling flatbed freight 4 FLEET: Leased to Fikes Truck Line TRUCK STAR Ask drivers why they got into the business, and a common answer is “I wanted to see the country,” observes Scott Grenerth. “Well, how much do you get to see from the truck, pulling into the Walmart or the Costco, the Lowe’s Store loading dock?” Not enough, he says, “but I’m loving driv- ing more than ever since I’ve gotten to take my bike with me.” Combine that two-wheeler with his transition Former hotshot boat hauler Daniel Audet hosts this online free-form radio show, run- ning most nights, as an open forum for long-haul driv- ers to “call in and hang out,” he says. He’s been focusing this year on turning to more themed shows with fea- tured guests. www. TheTruckStar. wordpress.com For stories of other drivers making their presence known online, tune into Overdrive Senior Editor Todd Dills’ Channel 19 blog: overdriveonline.com/ channel19. almost two years ago from company driver to owner-operator, so that he schedules his own loads and gets longer hauls, and Grenerth has experi- enced some unexpectedly delightful insights he wants to share. That’s why he launched www.truckercycler. com. Click “How to Trucker Cycle” and you’ll see illustrations of how he carries his Schwinn (bought for $1 at auction in his northwest Ohio hometown) strapped to the front of his flatbed. He says he’s compiling examples from other drivers on how they carry their bikes and adding new places to explore on bike within easy distance of truck stops. His site includes guides to rides through Columbus, North Baltimore and Brookville, Ohio, as well as Okla- homa City; Kansas City, Mo.; New Haven, Conn.; and more. Biking during off time on the road has obvious fitness implications, but Grenerth sees broader 32 OVERDRIVE SEPTEMBER 2010 VIDEO For a video interview with Scott Grenerth (pictured) about his cycling outreach efforts, background in environ- mental education and work as a naturalist – and how all that dovetailed into trucking (baking is involved, too: think cost per pie) – visit www.overdriveonline.com. benefits. “A couple Mondays ago in Nashville,” he said in April, “I jumped on my bike and went over to see the Time Jumpers. Great music – two miles each way, basically, from the truck stop.” He uses his bike to visit local farmers’ markets, grocery stores and healthy restaurants, too. “I’m in the best shape I’ve ever been in my whole life, at 40 years old,” he says. From Trucker Cycler Columbus, Ohio Where to park: Pilot, I-70 Exit 94 Distance to attractions: Under 7 miles General terrain in area: Flat to gentle grades What’s nearby: New minor league baseball stadium in Huntington Field, home of Columbus Clippers; state capitol building (free tours); Ohio State University campus (including the famous football stadium and more than 50,000 students); loads of great food options to suit every taste; nice waterfront with multi-purpose trails; thriving music scene; for more: www. jnybny.com/OverviewFm.htm n Do you read fellow trucker/owner-operator blogs or websites? Yes, a few 16% Yes, but rarely 11% Yes, many 9% No, but I keep up on Facebook, Twitter 6% Yes, but just one 2% No 56% eTrucker.com poll, 131 responses Todd Dills