2009 Blog
You
can also follow the ride by joining our Facebook R 2 R group. You can also read
the blog on Bighollywood.brietbart.com
MORE
INFO: Ride2Recovery.com
Some
of the media coverage received
http://www.forthoodsentinel.com/story.php?id=597
http://www.sanmarcosrecord.com/local/local_story_088103621.html
http://www.news8austin.com/content/your_news/default.asp?ArID=236528
http://www.cleburnetimesreview.com/johnsoncounty/local_story_092115656.html?keyword=topstory
http://www.kdhnews.com/news/story.aspx?s=32347
#BushWatch:
W. Encourages Wounded Warriors | NBC Dallas-Fort Worth
http://cbs11tv.com/local/George.Bush.Wounded.2.976033.html
http://www.star-telegram.com/state_news/story/1296743.html
http://www.cleburnetimesreview.com/local/local_story_095184015.html
http://www.cleburnetimesreview.com/local/local_story_096084303.html
DAY 1
The
day got off to a great start as the weather was great with sunny skies and
temps in the mid 80's as a tailwind blew the R2R group all the way 55 miles to
San Marcos. After a quick ride briefing and ceremony where Chad was presented
with a special bike that Cowboy legend Roger Staubach autographed for him, it
is neat to see grown men brought to tears....
The
guys and gals also got geared up, can't say enough about all of the support
this program receives from our partners....Jersey's, socks, arm warmers,
glasses, the all important Chamois butt'r, and T-shirts, soon we were
off........
Each
of the R2R events has it own character and brand. Texas is the land of BIG. Big
country, Big hair, Big personalities, and Big Stars.....
Travis
heading down the road
The
Texas Challenge features 7 hand cycle riders that are certainly big stars. It
is the first event we have done with such a big presence and we were not sure
what to expect. These guys have been preparing for the ride to Arlington for
some months. Thru a program supported by a local foundation, Operation Comfort,
the warriors showed unbelievable courage as almost all of them made the entire
55 mile ride to San Marcos with 2 of them in the 2nd group on the road.
Made
it all the way
The
Texas ride also features some new riders to the program, Actor Adam Baldwin,
CNN contributor Steve Hayes, and even a General...David Blackledge.
In February of 2004,
Major General Blackledge’s convoy was ambushed in Iraq. The interpreter, who
was sitting next to him, was shot through the head. Taking fire, the vehicle
rolled. But the survivors were able to escape. He sustained a broken back and ribs,
with other injuries requiring eleven months of recovery and physical therapy.
Fifteen months
after the ambush, Major General Blackledge was deployed back to Iraq. While in
Amman, Jordan for meetings, he was in one of three popular hotels that were struck
by terrorist bombs. The explosions killed over 55 people and injured over 110.
He suffered a neck injury.
Major General
Blackledge has demonstrated his courage during three combat tours (he also
fought in the Persian Gulf War). He has been awarded five Bronze Star
Medals as well as the two Purple Hearts he received for combat injuries.
The
American Legion Auxiliary did their usual great job with dinner tonight.
several community groups put on quite a feast including San Marcos Mayor Susan
Narvaiz, who will also be on hand tomorrow to cheer on the riders and the city
will put on a show of force with their police leading the group thru town. It
was great to see Chad interviewed as he was still beaming from the gift of his
new bike....
It's
on to Austin.......
DAY 2
The
day got started with cloudy, cold, and windy weather as the group made its way
to breakfast. By the time the ride briefing was over and it was time to start,
the skies became blue and the roads dry. It was a beautiful day to ride to Austin.
Day 2, the ride always goes smoother and the pace picks up a bit as everyone
settles into their rhythm. Despite a brisk head wind, the groups finally formed
and the fun got into full swing....
Each
day along the route, the USO Canteen sets up a lunch rest stop and sets up a
great relief for all of the riders. Today, the town of Manchaca hosted the
ride. A local insurance agent, Lety Johnson was so happy to have met us as
her son is leaving on Saturday for bootcamp as a new US Marine. She wants to
make sure that next year, the group comes back and she wants to sponsor lunch.
time
for lunch
After
lunch was over, it was time to head to Austin where a very special greeting
awaited the riders. More than 1,000 students lined several blocks waving flags
and chanting and cheering the riders. For those that had been in California, it
was even better as the Fire Dept. hook and ladder was set up across the road
holding a US Flag.
Kids
as far as the eye can see.......
After
we reached the hotel, it was time to relax, eat more Otis Spunkmeyer cookies,
and get ready for dinner.....at perhaps the nicest American Legion Post in the
Country. Post 76 sits on a bluff above Lake Austin and dates back to the
1800's. At the dinner, the Austin fire dept. presented the flag that flew over
the road earlier in the day to Conrad Calderon, who displayed courage as one of
our hand cycles who keep amazing everyone with their determination by finishing
each day.
At
the dinner, the most popular person was actor Adam Baldwin as all of the ladies
from the AL Aux. just had to have their pictures taken with him. It's nice to
know that the demo of "Chuck" was out in force in Austin.....
Tomorrow,
the group heads to Ft. Hood and some very special guests will be joining the
ride. A large group of the Army Cycling Club members, USO VP Jeff Hill,
and General Cheek, the director of all WTU's.
Nice
AL Post
DAY 3
It
was the start of another great day in Texas as the R2R group was strengthened
by the arrival of several new riders including Preston from the League of
American Bicyclist, Ryan from Team Astana, and 12 members of the Army Cycling
Club.
As
we left Austin, the local elementary school gave us a big sendoff as they lined
the road to greet the wounded warriors. They really got into it as we did
a second pass through the kids giving high fives and waving signs.
Last
night, several of the riders paid a visit to a local bike shop to get some
gear. Among the most common purchase was new shoes. For those of you who do not
ride much, cycling specific shoes make a big difference in both power and
efficiency. Comfort also improves greatly with harder soled shoes. If you try
to ride a 6 day ride with tennis shoes, your feet are going to hurt. One of our
CFI riders was not sure he was even going to ride, did not know if he even
liked to ride, and just came along at the last minute. Ryan Clark is an amazing
person. He is an engineer and has a Master's degree. When he is discharged, he
will have lot's of job offers and as engineers are, very analytical about
making decisions.
After
a lot of lobbying, he decided to invest a modest sum into a pair of cycling
shoes. After a brief tutorial on how to use his pedals and cleats, he was ready
to ride. After about an hour, he was the happiest man in the group. 100% better
he gleamed as he headed off the front of the group.
The
riders were outfitted with deFeet arm warmers as part of the gear they received
at the beginning of the event. It should come as no surprise that arm warmers
are being used for very creative use's by the wounded warriors. check out this
photo as arm warmers are used as sun protector's.....
One
of the new rider's today was General Gary Cheek. He is the director of all
of the WTU's for the Army. The WTU's (Warrior Transition Unit) are where all of
the wounded warriors goes as they rehab. Most of the wounded warriors that
participate in Road 2 Recovery come from WTU's. As the Commander, he is very
interested in programs that help rehab the soldiers, whether it is physical or
mental rehab that is needed. He had heard some things about R2R and wanted to
see first hand about how the program worked.
Gen.
Cheek
Gen.
Cheek got the full blown Wayne Stetina treatment, kitted up and spent the day
talking to the wounded warrior participants to get their perspective on how the
program helps or not their recovery.
The
ride was fast today with the big tailwind and we got to the finish more than 1
hour early, which gave everyone a chance to get some extra rest before heading
off to Ft. Hood for a gala event with Commanding General Rick Lynch. Gen. Lynch
was one of the commanders of the recent surge in Iraq. The surge turned around
the fortunes of the people of Iraq and the Ft. Hood 3rd Corp. were instrumental
in this success.
General's
Cheek, Wenz, and Lynch
More
than 400 people paid tribute to the wounded warriors of Road 2 Recovery. It was
one of the best evening's in the history of R2R....
now
onto Waco.....
DAY 4
Legion
Riders....
Today
was really windy...mostly a cross wind...the wind blew at about 40 mph all
day....but the American Legion riders came out for the first time on the Texas
Challenge and provided excellent support for the R2R riders today....
The
ride from Ft. Hood to Waco was the longest of the event, but some of the nicest
roads in Texas. The group pulled out from the 3rd Corp Command and were greeted
by some of America's finest cheering loudly with Chief of Staff Mike Tarsa
hoping on his Harley to help lead the wounded warriors on their way.
One
of the most interesting civilian riders on the tour is CNN contributor Steven
Hayes. Hayes also writes for the Weekly standard and is an avid mountain biker.
When he heard about the Road 2 Recovery, he thought it was a natural way
for him to get some great riding in but more importantly show his support of
our wounded warriors. He spends his off the bike time, filing his reports
on the Wolf Blitzer show.
Road
2 Recovery Bikes in action...get yours soon....
Hayes
has been able to talk with most of the wounded warriors and spends his ridding
time getting to know their stories. He is quite fit for a journalist.
Avenue
of Flags...notice the wind....
We
continue to be impressed by the strength and determination of our 7 hand
cyclist. With the strong winds today, nobody would have thought badly if they
packed it in at any time. But they rode all the way. There is just no quit and
while they have been training for this for some months, it is still remarkable
to everyone what they have accomplished.
Tomorrow
we head to Cleburne......
DAY
5 Waco to Cleburne - WOW!
Day
5 felt a bit different. Maybe it was the fact that we did not have 40-50 mph crosswinds,
or perhaps it was the larger than expected turnout of American Legion Riders,
but all of the riders could tell that this was going to be different than the
previous 4 days. The R2R crew took off on the ride thru Johnson County to
Cleburne with a relief that the tailwinds had returned.
As
soon as the ride reached the first big town of Whitney, you could tell that the
difference was the amount of people that had come out to greet the riders.
Each
day, the local American Legion Auxiliary helps plan and support the event.
Whether it is our lunch stop, dinner, or getting the local schools and business
showing their support of the wounded warriors.
Smith
Middle School
The
stories of the wounded warriors makes this ride special. Many of the Texas
Challenge riders have participated before. One such special man is Juan
Guerrero from the Alaska National Guard. Juan has participated in 2 previous
events and was looking forward to seeing Arlington. Unfortunately a wayward
driver in Killeen caused a crash and Juan will not make it this time. Juan has
a wicked sense of humor and that helps keeps his spirits up as he looks forward
to the Memorial Challenge.
On
Friday, the amount of people cheering on the side of the road was spectacular.
From having lunch with the students of Whitney, or the assembly in Cleburne,
the enthusiasm of the kids is a really uplifting for the riders.
After
we left the assembly at Smith Middle School, the parade to the hotel was lined with
the townspeople cheering and waving signs. It was one of the great days in a
person's life and it meant a lot to the recovering warriors.
When
everyone pulled into the hotel, we all looked at each other and said WOW!
Day
6 Cleburne to Arlington...till next time...
The
day got off to a great start when former President George Bush showed up to
visit the wounded warriors and give us a big send off on our way to Arlington
and Texas Rangers Ballpark.
President
Bush with the R2R group....
The
weather again cooperated with a brisk tailwind to get to the Ballpark in time
to throw out the first pitch. The last day is full of celebration and looking
back at the week that brought us all together. The ride is full of stories that
none of us will ever forget.
Another
great Texas town greets the riders....
The
3 handcycle riders, Travis, Nate and David, who made every mile of the ride. A
true show of strength and courage especially with the wind of day 4. They loved
getting the new Michelin tires to help them go faster.
The
face of Ryan Clark the 3rd day of the ride after he learned how much fun
cycling could be with the proper shoes. The new electronic shimano shifting
kits that Dean and Kenny used. Kenny especially was a changed man and was
always riding strong.
Our
blogger in action....
All
of the riders exceeding what they thought was possible and what their
expectations were going into the ride. To see the faces of the riders like
Allan Annert and Chad Fleming, who was to ride a hand cycle until Roger
Staubach stepped up. Chad was able to get President Bush to sign the bike also,
making it one of the most unique bikes in the world.
The
towns and schools who came out to greet us waiting until we got there. Cheering
and singing as we rode by. There was some disappointment as Juan Guerrero was
not able to finish the ride.
The
public and guest riders like Steve Hayes, Adam Baldwin, and Rich Arthur, who
add such a great dynamic to the ride. Our wounded Vietnam vets, Duane Wagner
and Jim Penseyres who help guide and mentor the younger guys. To all of the
volunteers and wives that come along and help out. To all of the sponsors like
the American Legion, USO, Star Trac and especially Benetech of Texas who help
get the Shimano electronic shifting.
We
made it!
We
hope that you can join us for the next R2R event....the Memorial Challenge May
25-30... the finish features American Idol winner David Cook in concert in
Virginia Beach....
Regards,
John Wordin
Executive Director
Road 2 Recovery
Making a Difference in the Lives of Wounded Warriors
818.888.7091x1
818.710.1453 Fax
www.TheRoad2Recovery.org
Supporters include American Legion Auxiliary, USO, Star Trac, VFW, Otis
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