A Visit with Sgt. Joe Lawhorn, Pro Cyclist

Presented by Hometown-Motors, Inc.

He’s a fixture on the highways and byways of Southern Ohio, head into the wind, pedaling against the clock, with a carriage for his son in tow.

Chillicothe’s Joe Lawhorn of Team Dayton Cycling, spent 12 years serving his country during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, first in the US Marine Corps, then another six years in the US Army.

A broken back forced Sgt. Lawhorn into retirement. Rehabilitating from the injury, he rediscovered cycling.

Litter Media introduced viewers to Lawhorn for a video project promoting the Tour of Ross County Heroes, a fundraising cycling event in 2019 to assist the Chillicothe VA Medical Center’s Veterans Bike Program, which Lawhorn is a peer volunteer assisting the program’s director Matt Cox, a US Army veteran. The two were friends at Unioto High School before the attacks on 9/11 in 2001.

Lawhorn tells of his cycling experiences, transitioning from a runner to a cyclist and its rewards. He also recounts the emotional ride into Chillicothe during the grueling 3,000-plus mile Race Across America and how cycling has helped him connect with veterans.

Selecting the roadways for the Tour of Ross County Heroes was easy because the were routes used in his training each day. Lawhorn also talks about a special stretch of roadway he always visits near Southeastern Local Schools, the gravesite of his friend Aaron Reed who was killed in action in Iraq.

What’s ahead for 2021? Lawhorn recently posted on his facebook page, an attempt to chase 500 miles in 24 hours and breaking the Trans-Ohio record, traveling from Pennsylvania to Indiana… then turning around and going for “a double”.

The interview below is unused footage from an conversation with Lawhorn in preparation for the 2019 Tour of Ross County Heroes ride.