Highway-395: A Bike&Climb Tribute for Nick Simon
Donation protected
A Final Tour.
“Highway-395: A Bike&Climb Tribute for Nick Simon”
My names Ryan Doherty. I’m 25 years old, I’ll be making a tribute video with friends to raise money and honor the passing of our dear friend Nicholas Simon. Aiming for a full on adventure; the plan is to bike 400-miles down Highway-395, camping along the Sierras and stopping to climb massive granite spires. With some committed friends, we are determined to reach $20,000 in donations and pay respect to Nicholas Simon, a legend who embodied the adventure spirit.
Last summer, I began a fundraiser bike tour from Canada to Mexico, along highway-1. Biking over 2,000 miles with a wooden sign spelling ‘ARIDE4NICK’, my experience was deeply memorable. I learned the importance of friendship, empathy, grief, love and everything between. Raising over $15,000 for the ‘Nick Would Foundation’ it filled my heart, leaving me determined to continue for Nick, his family and his legacy.
However, my 50-day ride was a solitary experience- a voluntary decision to deepen my connection with Nick, and this tough concept of ‘loss’. I wouldn’t change my experience, for being alone forced beautiful, valuable interactions. I imagine this would be different with a crew of friends, but to feel the Spirit of Nick and his unforgettable charisma, stories, love and humor, one must share the conversation with others. For this had led me to my next great tour.
Highway 395 holds an uncharted beauty. The two-lane highway follows rugged peaks, towering pines natural hot-springs, alpine lakes, unbelievable views, massive climbable spires. It’s a true treasure. I’ve rallied some close, corky friends who are in for the adventure. With a promise to warm fires, endless roasted sausages, cold beers, frigid lake jumps and novelty hot-springs, my enticing offer has worked.
Our ride will begin in South Lake Tahoe, following the 395. For 400-miles, we will bike southbound, hugging the snowy peaks, stopping to camp along the mountains, jumping in hot springs & alpine lakes, and playing old tunes around the fire, just how Nick would. We will carry everything we need for the ride, striving to be completely independent. I will break off to climb a ‘1,000ft’ vertical granite spire, nestled in the Sierras called the ‘Incredible Hulk’. All filmed by a dear friend, I hope this future video invokes inspiration and continues highlighting the spirit of Nick Simon and
help fund ‘Nick Would Foundation’.
About The Nick Would Foundation-
established to share opportunities to experience the thrill of outdoor sport, wildland exploration, and artistic development, by removing barriers and making these activities accessible to all. Nick Simon was an incredibly dear friend, housemate, brother, mentor, son of two incredible parents; a beloved man. Beyond luck, I had the privilege of sharing a living space with him in Santa Barbara, in 2022. He passed away in a tragic car accident Oct. 27th in New Zealand, after finishing a tough fishing season in Alaska. We dreamed of bike touring, flirting with the idea of riding down the Pacific Coast Highway. Nick’s mind and heart were full of ideas like this. I always listened closely when he spoke, feeling the inspiration grow within me. He was passionate about my thoughts and planned trips endlessly. He cared more than anyone I knew. The spontaneity of these types of trips was spoken about frequently, often over an early morning coffee at Ledbetter Point in Santa Barbara.
This April, I’ll be setting out to South Lake Tahoe, to complete my highway-395 tour. Much more than the mileage, I’m riding for Nick. To spread awareness about the incredible nonprofit to all people I meet along the way; even the drivers who pass by my slab of carved-out driftwood, spelling out "A RIDE 4 NICK" with its nonprofit's link learn more. This ride is also aiming to discover a deeper spiritual connection with Nick. It’s hard to accept death, being such a blurry concept but I find it important to feel our emotions, to the most we can. This ride isn’t meant to shy away from his passing, but to truly feel him and what he meant to all of us; that loving the people around us is key in life. Nick did this the most, I will forever try to relay this to everyone around me. Artwork: @domfishh forwarded by The "Nick Would"
(Foundation Nick Simon, who passed away Oct. 27 at age 25 in a tragic car accident, was passionate about surfing, climbing, biking, fishing, hockey, skiing, hiking, backpacking, music and his friends and family. The fund intends to help spread these experiences to honor Nick’s legacy. Nick loved to share his excitement (“share the stoke”) with anyone who joined in these pursuits, and with this foundation, his “stoke” will be spread to future generations. Nick lived his 25 years as fully as anyone we’ve ever known. He worked hard and played hard and squeezed the nectar out of every single day. Nick changed the world by inspiring all who had the privilege of sharing in his energetic orbit. If you knew Nick, you knew a special, golden spirit who was as enlightened as they come. He had a knowing in life that we all wish we had. He was an old soul and his love, warmth, humor, and zest for squeezing every bit of joy out of life was infectious and intoxicating to be around. He just made you feel good, made everything okay. Born and raised in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, Nick embodied everything that makes his hometown such a special place for raising a family. Starting as a hockey player and Alpine racer with the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club, Nick progressed to freestyle skiing, then found his rightful place on the Big Mountain ski team, ultimately co-founding the Steamboat Van Clan, a team that successfully competed in the Open Class Big Mountain Tour in Canada and the USA. Nick never missed an opportunity to be out in nature enjoying everything it had to offer. If he wasn’t skiing or surfing, he was mountain biking, rock climbing, kayaking, or trekking in the mountains. From his NOLS trip in the Himalayas to his post-college solo bike-packing trip on the Colorado and Continental Divide Trails, he did it all. Nick was also a highly gifted musician and songwriter, having written over 50 songs, and sharing his talent with fortunate guests in every town he’d visited. He traveled to over 30 countries charging into his passions while inspiring countless people along the way. But the thing he did best was love. No one loved better than Nicholas. The concept of Nick Would is much more than approaching life boldly. It means Nick gave us all life lessons that we should take away with us from here forward. Nick wasn’t just a great athlete with a huge adrenaline appetite, he was also a talented musician with an incredibly sensitive and caring heart. Since Nick was a young child, he was always the first to offer a helping hand, supportive conversation, or simply let someone know they mattered. Nick’s spirit lives on for the legion of people he inspired, supported, and loved in his short 25 years. The “Nick Would” Foundation is a vehicle to share in Nick’s legacy for generations to come. )
“Highway-395: A Bike&Climb Tribute for Nick Simon”
My names Ryan Doherty. I’m 25 years old, I’ll be making a tribute video with friends to raise money and honor the passing of our dear friend Nicholas Simon. Aiming for a full on adventure; the plan is to bike 400-miles down Highway-395, camping along the Sierras and stopping to climb massive granite spires. With some committed friends, we are determined to reach $20,000 in donations and pay respect to Nicholas Simon, a legend who embodied the adventure spirit.
Last summer, I began a fundraiser bike tour from Canada to Mexico, along highway-1. Biking over 2,000 miles with a wooden sign spelling ‘ARIDE4NICK’, my experience was deeply memorable. I learned the importance of friendship, empathy, grief, love and everything between. Raising over $15,000 for the ‘Nick Would Foundation’ it filled my heart, leaving me determined to continue for Nick, his family and his legacy.
However, my 50-day ride was a solitary experience- a voluntary decision to deepen my connection with Nick, and this tough concept of ‘loss’. I wouldn’t change my experience, for being alone forced beautiful, valuable interactions. I imagine this would be different with a crew of friends, but to feel the Spirit of Nick and his unforgettable charisma, stories, love and humor, one must share the conversation with others. For this had led me to my next great tour.
Highway 395 holds an uncharted beauty. The two-lane highway follows rugged peaks, towering pines natural hot-springs, alpine lakes, unbelievable views, massive climbable spires. It’s a true treasure. I’ve rallied some close, corky friends who are in for the adventure. With a promise to warm fires, endless roasted sausages, cold beers, frigid lake jumps and novelty hot-springs, my enticing offer has worked.
Our ride will begin in South Lake Tahoe, following the 395. For 400-miles, we will bike southbound, hugging the snowy peaks, stopping to camp along the mountains, jumping in hot springs & alpine lakes, and playing old tunes around the fire, just how Nick would. We will carry everything we need for the ride, striving to be completely independent. I will break off to climb a ‘1,000ft’ vertical granite spire, nestled in the Sierras called the ‘Incredible Hulk’. All filmed by a dear friend, I hope this future video invokes inspiration and continues highlighting the spirit of Nick Simon and
help fund ‘Nick Would Foundation’.
About The Nick Would Foundation-
established to share opportunities to experience the thrill of outdoor sport, wildland exploration, and artistic development, by removing barriers and making these activities accessible to all. Nick Simon was an incredibly dear friend, housemate, brother, mentor, son of two incredible parents; a beloved man. Beyond luck, I had the privilege of sharing a living space with him in Santa Barbara, in 2022. He passed away in a tragic car accident Oct. 27th in New Zealand, after finishing a tough fishing season in Alaska. We dreamed of bike touring, flirting with the idea of riding down the Pacific Coast Highway. Nick’s mind and heart were full of ideas like this. I always listened closely when he spoke, feeling the inspiration grow within me. He was passionate about my thoughts and planned trips endlessly. He cared more than anyone I knew. The spontaneity of these types of trips was spoken about frequently, often over an early morning coffee at Ledbetter Point in Santa Barbara.
This April, I’ll be setting out to South Lake Tahoe, to complete my highway-395 tour. Much more than the mileage, I’m riding for Nick. To spread awareness about the incredible nonprofit to all people I meet along the way; even the drivers who pass by my slab of carved-out driftwood, spelling out "A RIDE 4 NICK" with its nonprofit's link learn more. This ride is also aiming to discover a deeper spiritual connection with Nick. It’s hard to accept death, being such a blurry concept but I find it important to feel our emotions, to the most we can. This ride isn’t meant to shy away from his passing, but to truly feel him and what he meant to all of us; that loving the people around us is key in life. Nick did this the most, I will forever try to relay this to everyone around me. Artwork: @domfishh forwarded by The "Nick Would"
(Foundation Nick Simon, who passed away Oct. 27 at age 25 in a tragic car accident, was passionate about surfing, climbing, biking, fishing, hockey, skiing, hiking, backpacking, music and his friends and family. The fund intends to help spread these experiences to honor Nick’s legacy. Nick loved to share his excitement (“share the stoke”) with anyone who joined in these pursuits, and with this foundation, his “stoke” will be spread to future generations. Nick lived his 25 years as fully as anyone we’ve ever known. He worked hard and played hard and squeezed the nectar out of every single day. Nick changed the world by inspiring all who had the privilege of sharing in his energetic orbit. If you knew Nick, you knew a special, golden spirit who was as enlightened as they come. He had a knowing in life that we all wish we had. He was an old soul and his love, warmth, humor, and zest for squeezing every bit of joy out of life was infectious and intoxicating to be around. He just made you feel good, made everything okay. Born and raised in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, Nick embodied everything that makes his hometown such a special place for raising a family. Starting as a hockey player and Alpine racer with the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club, Nick progressed to freestyle skiing, then found his rightful place on the Big Mountain ski team, ultimately co-founding the Steamboat Van Clan, a team that successfully competed in the Open Class Big Mountain Tour in Canada and the USA. Nick never missed an opportunity to be out in nature enjoying everything it had to offer. If he wasn’t skiing or surfing, he was mountain biking, rock climbing, kayaking, or trekking in the mountains. From his NOLS trip in the Himalayas to his post-college solo bike-packing trip on the Colorado and Continental Divide Trails, he did it all. Nick was also a highly gifted musician and songwriter, having written over 50 songs, and sharing his talent with fortunate guests in every town he’d visited. He traveled to over 30 countries charging into his passions while inspiring countless people along the way. But the thing he did best was love. No one loved better than Nicholas. The concept of Nick Would is much more than approaching life boldly. It means Nick gave us all life lessons that we should take away with us from here forward. Nick wasn’t just a great athlete with a huge adrenaline appetite, he was also a talented musician with an incredibly sensitive and caring heart. Since Nick was a young child, he was always the first to offer a helping hand, supportive conversation, or simply let someone know they mattered. Nick’s spirit lives on for the legion of people he inspired, supported, and loved in his short 25 years. The “Nick Would” Foundation is a vehicle to share in Nick’s legacy for generations to come. )
Organizer
Ryan Doherty
Organizer
Santa Barbara, CA