Reddit mentions of One Man and His Bike: A 5,000 Mile, Life-Changing Journey Round the Coast of Britain

how about a book?

these are pretty inspirational (Though UK centric)

• normal guy rides round coast of uk (5000miles)
  http://www.amazon.co.uk/One-Man-Bike-Mike-Carter/dp/0091940559
  
  
• a different normal guy tackles the route of the tour de france (perhaps relevant because he hadn't cycled for years)
  http://www.amazon.co.uk/French-Revolutions-Cycling-Tour-France/dp/0099433826
  
  
• adventurer breaks round the world cycle record while being thoroughly nice and pretty normal
  http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Man-Who-Cycled-World/dp/0593062337
  
  
  or is there a velodrome or bike race nearby you could go and see?
  
  
  regarding tech, it's a bit tricky. Maybe a gps cycle computer to track rides. or maybe pay for one of his bikes to get a service / tune up at a local shop?
  
  just send him the link to r/bicycling
  
  EDIT: another suggestion, why don't you start cycling as well?