Found Alive WI - Ryan Borgwardt, 45, Green Lake, 11 Aug 2024 *evidence that he faked his death and is alive in Eastern Europe*

[Trino]

We don’t even know if the woman is Uzbek is a local, or has been recently displaced from Ukraine/Russia?
Islam in Uzbekistan is not extremist. Most that I heard from Uzbek taxicab drivers (when i used to visit my dad in Russia, so a while ago) was the inability to perform hadj because everything - the passport cost, the tickets - would grow up immensely in price during the hadj month.
We were considering visiting Samarkand during the holidays (as a tourist destination place it is amazing, just bring in Ciprofloxacin, and you’ll be fine).
The main thing people need to understand is that there is a wide difference between the urban and the rural life; that one can meet highly educated people in big cities and sheer poverty and minimal schooling in the villages; that Uzbekistan is in a difficult climatic zone as it is, and recent Islamization with the Ramadan did not make things easier. As many countries formed after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Uzbekistan hoped for economic independence (they have assets; cotton, agrarian sector, big plants in Tashkent) but mafia is mafia everywhere so many became migrant workers to Russia (I would not know about Ukraine and Belarus and whether recent events have reversed the process or not). So I see it from another side - many Uzbeks are trying to become migrant workers to other countries - so what would they do with a carpenter from the US remains unclear. This being said, the Uzbeks got used to hosting refugees (it started during WWII) and in general, are very hospitable. It is way different from any other Islamic country. I think RB might survive by the Uzbeks natural kindness, but it is not the life in the 1st world country, far from it. Well, maybe as a tourist guide for Americans he’d make a living. He can learn Uzbek; it is not horribly difficult.

Mostly - and I have experienced this - it takes around 6 months to adjust to another physical place and culture. For certain he'll have a few mishaps. From his video attitude and his months of planning I see him staying. He left Aug 11 - 3 months ago.

 

[Trino]

Been thinking more about his escape. I am a bicyclist, have ridden solo, self-supported half-way across the US. I also have ridden 6100 miles in a summer. I am now mostly a retired cyclist with an e-bike. Here are my questions/thoughts:

Most e-bike batteries are good for around 40 miles. Guess he could have purchased extra. Was he a regular cyclist? Cycling 70 miles isn't easy, especially at night. What about carrying luggage intended for Uzbekistan on a bike? Is there any confirmation of anyone seeing him during his cycling adventure? Would like to know more about this. Sounds fishy. And further - a carpenter in Uzbekistan without tools?

 

[Trino]

Been thinking more about his escape. I am a bicyclist, have ridden solo, self-supported half-way across the US. I also have ridden 6100 miles in a summer. I am now mostly a retired cyclist with an e-bike. Here are my questions/thoughts:

Most e-bike batteries are good for around 40 miles. Guess he could have purchased extra. Was he a regular cyclist? Cycling 70 miles isn't easy, especially at night. What about carrying luggage intended for Uzbekistan on a bike? Is there any confirmation of anyone seeing him during his cycling adventure? Would like to know more about this. Sounds fishy. AND, futher - a carpenter in Uzbkistan without tools?

 

[Inthedetails]

Been thinking more about his escape. I am a bicyclist, have ridden solo, self-supported half-way across the US. I also have ridden 6100 miles in a summer. I am now mostly a retired cyclist with an e-bike. Here are my questions/thoughts:

Most e-bike batteries are good for around 40 miles. Guess he could have purchased extra. Was he a regular cyclist? Cycling 70 miles isn't easy, especially at night. What about carrying luggage intended for Uzbekistan on a bike? Is there any confirmation of anyone seeing him during his cycling adventure? Would like to know more about this. Sounds fishy.

Maybe he stashed supplies in Madison ahead of time. Or, maybe he planned to purchase items in Madison, Detroit, Canada, or the new country and not bring much with him on the bike ride other than what could fit in a backpack.

I can envision him riding the ebike, though you're right that we shouldn't assume the liar is telling the truth now. However, I am tending to believe he acted alone in getting out of the country and didn't have a physical accomplice, though perhaps someone overseas was giving advice/instructions.

jmo

 

[Trino]

Maybe he stashed supplies in Madison ahead of time. Or, maybe he planned to purchase items in Madison, Detroit, Canada, or the new country and not bring much with him on the bike ride other than what could fit in a backpack.

I can envision him riding the ebike, though you're right that we shouldn't assume the liar is telling the truth now. However, I am tending to believe he acted alone in getting out of the country and didn't have a physical accomplice, though perhaps someone overseas was giving advice/instructions.

jmo

Someone, even at night, had to see him somewhere. Has the sheriff asked anyone?

 

[Inthedetails]

Someone, even at night, had to see him somewhere. Has the sheriff asked anyone?

If LE needed public input or witnesses to come forward, I think there would be a request for it.

Maybe they are simply re-telling a lie to let RB think he is getting away with his deceit and/or LE knows how he got out of the country and it's not a mystery to them.

jmo

 

[Trino]

If LE needed public input or witnesses to come forward, I think there would be a request for it.

Maybe they are simply re-telling a lie to let RB think he is getting away with his deceit and/or LE knows how he got out of the country and it's not a mystery to them.

jmo

I would think it would be worthwhile to check his story, especially if thoughts are he was catfished. He doesn't seem especially travel savvy. I wonder if he's even had international experience.

Supposedly he had been planning this since January 2024. How? Did his wife not show financial concerns, or did he solo run their bank accounts? How was he able to hide his plans for months? Was his behavior suspect?

Being a long distance cyclist, I'm still suspect about those 70 miles. He must have been cycling quite a bit before his night trip. You don't just get on a bike and cycle that distance - e-bike or no. Seems there's a lot we do not know.

 

[Trino]

I would think it would be worthwhile to check his story, especially if thoughts are he was catfished. He doesn't seem especially travel savvy. I wonder if he's even had international experience.

Supposedly he had been planning this since January 2024. How? Did his wife not show financial concerns, or did he solo run their bank accounts? How was he able to hide his plans for months? Was his behavior suspect?

Being a long distance cyclist, I still question those 70 miles. He must have been cycling quite a bit before his night trip. You don't just get on a bike and cycle that distance - e-bike or no. Seems there's a lot we do not know.

 

[Inthedetails]

I would think it would be worthwhile to check his story, especially if thoughts are he was catfished. He doesn't seem especially travel savvy. I wonder if he's even had international experience.

Supposedly he had been planning this since January 2024. How? Did his wife not show financial concerns, or did he solo run their bank accounts? How was he able to hide his plans for months? Was his behavior suspect?

Being a long distance cyclist, I'm still suspect about those 70 miles. He must have been cycling quite a bit before his night trip. You don't just get on a bike and cycle that distance - e-bike or no. Seems there's a lot we do not know.

Yes, I think there is a lot we do not know.

jmo

 

[peas n carrots]

Watertown is home to Trek bicycles, and cycling culture in that area is huge (I live a few hours away and have cycled in the Madison area a dozen or so times). It’s hard to tell, but he looks to be decently in shape for a middle aged man, I wouldn’t be surprised if he could cycle 70 miles overnight, especially with an e-bike. I think it would be likely he had an extra battery or batteries.The only thing questionable is night riding - that would have been super dangerous, but doable.

If he was riding at a very comfortable 15 mph pace then he trip would have taken a little over 4.5 hours.

 

[Trino]

Maybe he stashed supplies in Madison ahead of time. Or, maybe he planned to purchase items in Madison, Detroit, Canada, or the new country and not bring much with him on the bike ride other than what could fit in a backpack.

I can envision him riding the ebike, though you're right that we shouldn't assume the liar is telling the truth now. However, I am tending to believe he acted alone in getting out of the country and didn't have a physical accomplice, though perhaps someone overseas was giving advice/instructions.

jmo

I would like to know his cylcing history. Cycling 70 miles - even on an e-bike - without training would be like running 20 miles with no running history. A normal person does not get on a bike and cycle 70 miles with no experience, especially at night.

 

[Trino]

Watertown is home to Trek bicycles, and cycling culture in that area is huge (I live a few hours away and have cycled in the Madison area a dozen or so times). It’s hard to tell, but he looks to be decently in shape for a middle aged man, I wouldn’t be surprised if he could cycle 70 miles overnight, especially with an e-bike. I think it would be likely he had an extra battery or batteries.The only thing questionable is night riding - that would have been super dangerous, but doable.

If he was riding at a very comfortable 15 mph pace then he trip would have taken a little over 4.5 hours.

My husband is a randonneur (1200 k rides). I consulted with him. No way would this guy have averaged 15mph w/o major experience. You're talking with no stops. Nope. Not doable in 4.5 hours for a normal person.

 

[Trino]

Here's exactly what my randonneur husband said, and he took under consideration RB's age. Randonneurs are very experienced, ride through the night. (My husband has ridden Paris Brest Paris several times, plus still rides through the night - and into Wisconsin.) Average speed for them is around 15 DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS. He said at night the speed is typically lower. Randonneurs are long distance riders, not racers. RB is NOT a randonneur. My husband also said RB would have had stops, slowing for traffic, plus RB would not have ridden 70 miles without more than one rest stop. Remember too the route is not a flat track; there would be hills. Question: did he stop at a convenience store en route? And no one is looking for the bike he supposedly left? No bike description?

 

[Inthedetails]

Here's exactly what my randonneur husband said, and he took under consideration RB's age. Randonneurs are very experienced, ride through the night. (My husband has ridden Paris Brest Paris several times, plus still rides through the night - and into Wisconsin.) Average speed for them is around 15 DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS. He said at night the speed is typically lower. Randonneurs are long distance riders, not racers. RB is NOT a randonneur. My husband also said RB would have had stops, slowing for traffic, plus RB would not have ridden 70 miles without more than one rest stop. Remember too the route is not a flat track; there would be hills. Question: did he stop at a convenience store en route? And no one is looking for the bike he supposedly left? No bike description?

Let's keep in mind this midwestern guy was a kayaker (and likely an outdoorsman all his life). If he's fit enough for kayaking, I think he's fit and capable of a long ebike ride at night as a very motivated rider. He wanted to make that trip more than he even cared about his family - that's determination!

He might be lying a big lie or he might be telling the truth, or his story might be in between. I await further info, but for now, I think he got out of the country on his own (except for advice) and I'm not tossing away the idea of an ebike just yet.

But as long as we are scrutinizing his escape story, what did he do with the inflatable raft he said he used to stage the kayak? Did LE find that, I wonder?

jmo

 

[FansBlowing]

Why bike for hours along roadways where thousands of people can see you, if you are faking your death? Someone gave him a ride.

 

[caradana]

I have zero notion of why anyone wants this guy back here. Let Uzbekistan have him! I hope his kids find peace (confident they will. Lackluster liar fathers are a recoverable ailing, ask the family court systems) and I hope she finds a true king of Wisconsin for companionship and future romance. This guy is the proverbial guy who doesn’t like you. The proverbial guy who sends one-text responses. Let him go be the mediocre DNA that he is! He can ride his bike and miss out on Propecia and all the things. Let us all not devote another word of brainpower to him.

 

[Inthedetails]

Why bike for hours along roadways where thousands of people can see you, if you are faking your death? Someone gave him a ride.

He was on his way out of the country forever - he wouldn't care if someone later ID'd him because he'd be long gone by then.

jmo

 

[Inthedetails]

I have zero notion of why anyone wants this guy back here. Let Uzbekistan have him! I hope his kids find peace (confident they will. Lackluster liar fathers are a recoverable ailing, ask the family court systems) and I hope she finds a true king of Wisconsin for companionship and future romance. This guy is the proverbial guy who doesn’t like you. The proverbial guy who sends one-text responses. Let him go be the mediocre DNA that he is! He can ride his bike and miss out on Propecia and all the things. Let us all not devote another word of brainpower to him.

I think this story is more than a runaway dad.

jmo

 

[caradana]

I think this story is more than a runaway dad.

jmo

Even if it is, let’s say hypothetically there is fraud or embezzlement. Unless he was going full Madoff here, let him cycle around Uzbekistan in his unitard and let’s spare the taxpayers the cost of importing him back here, which would likely exceed the amount of loss anyone incurred on him. Sometimes in life it’s best to cut one’s losses, especially when the loser took himself out of the game. MOO.

 

[Inthedetails]

Even if it is, let’s say hypothetically there is fraud or embezzlement. Unless he was going full Madoff here, let him cycle around Uzbekistan in his unitard and let’s spare the taxpayers the cost of importing him back here, which would likely exceed the amount of loss anyone incurred on him. Sometimes in life it’s best to cut one’s losses, especially when the loser took himself out of the game. MOO.

I don't think this case necessarily centers around his actions or intentions.

jmo

Edited to make sure it's clear I don't imply anyone in his family is involved. In fact, I don't think anyone in USA is at the center of this situation.