Cycling, Hiking, & Walking Around America

This is me Butch Miller:

An over-the-road truck driver for Shaffer Trucking, professional pedal pusher, and part-time web wizard! When I’m not busy hauling freight across the country, you can find me cycling gravel trails, hiking up mountains, or rock climbing—because who needs a gym when you have Mother Nature?

Living in Augusta, Kansas, I balance my life between the open road and my favorite people: my amazing wife, Nancy, and our adventurous boy, Chris. Family time is sacred, especially when it involves cycling together and taking epic photos that make my Facebook followers question if I’m a truck driver or a travel influencer. ????????‍

Oh, and did I mention I’m also a web designer? Yup, I created this site, Cycling Around America, and run my own business, Miller Media and Web Design. So, while I’m out there exploring the great outdoors, I’m also crafting websites that’ll make your jaw drop. Check it out—you might just find the secret to my cycling routes! Probably Not

So, if you ever see a truck parked next to a trailhead, it’s probably me—just a guy balancing tires and tires of fun! Follow me on my gravel biking adventures!

This is Currently My Longest Ride

You can also follow me on Strava!

Profile Link:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/137174384

My Latest Rides

I’ve officially leveled up my gravel game with the arrival of my new Ari Shafer 2.0, and I couldn’t be more excited to hit the trails. Dressed in a stunning “Fog Grey” finish, this bike looks as fast as it feels. The sleek MonoForm™ CleanCast™ carbon frame isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s incredibly lightweight and stiff, giving me immediate responsiveness whether I’m grinding up a steep fire road or sprinting on the flats. It’s the perfect blend of modern engineering and rugged capability, designed to handle everything from smooth tarmac to the roughest backcountry routes I can find. Gravel biking at its finest, follow my journey!

The real game-changer, however, is the drivetrain. I’m running a 12-speed setup paired with a massive 10-52T cassette, which gives me an incredible 520% gear range. That means I have a gear for literally every situation—whether I’m tackling a vertical wall of a climb or powering down a descent. The shifting is crisp and precise, letting me focus entirely on the ride without worrying about finding the right cadence. It feels empowering to know that no matter what the terrain throws at me, I have the mechanical advantage to conquer it.

This bike represents total freedom for me. With its generous 50c tire clearance and vibration-damping carbon construction, the Shafer 2.0 eats up miles of mixed terrain without beating me up. It’s versatile enough for my daily training rides yet robust enough for multi-day bikepacking adventures. I’m ready to push my limits, explore new paths, and get a little dust on that beautiful Fog Grey paint. The gravel biking adventure starts now.

As an over-the-road truck driver, I spend countless hours behind the wheel and away from wide open trails. Hopping on my Shafer 2.0 means swapping highways for gravel paths and finding a whole new sense of balance after a long haul. The freedom I enjoy on the bike is a perfect counterpoint to life on the road—it lets me unwind, reconnect with nature, and pursue adventure on my own terms, wherever my next stop might be.

Cycling Around America Blog Motivation

Why did I start this blog? Honestly, why not? I’ve always loved capturing moments—whether through a camera lens during a sunrise hike or jotting down thoughts after a long bike ride that “accidentally” ended at the best coffee shop in town. This is my creative playground, a space where photography and storytelling collide.

To be fully transparent: while I hope to monetize this venture one day, none of these reviews are sponsored. Every product I mention is something I personally use and trust. My ultimate dream is to see my photography—from the quiet stillness of a starry night to the vibrant energy of a glowing cityscape—hanging on someone’s wall. I find myself constantly drawn to the raw beauty of astrophotography, vast landscapes, and gritty urban scenes.

Travel photography is also a major focus. I want to document the world in all its big, weird, and wonderful glory, from towering natural wonders to the quirky charm of a hidden city alleyway.

Writing forces me to slow down. It encourages me to notice the small things—the rustle of wind through the pines or the rewarding exhaustion that follows a steep climb. Documenting these moments allows me to savor them, and I hope it inspires you to do the same.

Right now, my goal is to find my tribe: fellow gravel biking adventurers who embrace the “oops, I fell in the mud” moments. I want this to be a community where we swap stories and survival tips, whether that’s navigating a swaying suspension bridge or safely avoiding a bear on the trail. It’s about exploring the wild responsibly and having a great time doing it.

We all need a little nature therapy. When life feels like an endless to-do list, stepping outside is the ultimate reset. For me, the outdoors is both a muse and a therapist—it’s non-judgmental, transformative, and perfectly fine with the fact that I occasionally talk to myself. Whether it’s a twenty-minute stroll through a local park or a multi-day trek into the backcountry, there is a piece of the outdoors waiting for everyone.

Here’s to the highs, the lows, and those inevitable “I didn’t realize the trail was this steep” realizations. I hope these stories inspire you to step outside, embrace the beauty around you, and find your own path. Let’s explore, laugh, and get a little muddy along the way. Deal?