Archive for May, 2010

The 68-mile route for Sunday, May 23 is as follows:

• Send off breakfast from Yountville, CA
• Water stop at Berryessa Highlands
• Lunch at Putah Creek State Area
• Water stop in Davis, CA
• Water stop in West Sacramento, CA
• Welcome event in Sacramento, CA

Click here for a full list of events from the start to the end of their journey
Click here for a detailed Day-2 route map
Follow the riders via Chris’ GPS tracker

This morning, our riders begin. From San Francisco to Yountville, CA, their first of 64 days will take them 77 miles, out of 4,000 on their way to Virginia Beach. See their various stops along the way, or view their detailed Day-1 route map.

UPDATE (8:46 a.m. PT): Looks like only Chris’ GPS provides real-time location data.

I’m excited that Andrew Hartzell, and Chris Frost and Marc Esposito have GPS devices enabled as they ride. We’ll see how accurate and up-to-the-minute those are. Access Andrew’s GPS, access Chris’ GPS, or access Marc’s GPS.

Good luck riders! Even those of us who aren’t riding with you - we’re with you.

Yesterday, prior to the start of the Sea to Shining Sea bike ride, the riders checked one ocean off their list, before beginning their journey to the next. In an afternoon ride to San Francisco Bay, shown in the video below, they dipped their rear tires into the Pacific waters. In two months, their front tires will touch the Atlantic.

What a great day! It is amazing that this is happening! Not only is ride itself something to be marveled at, but I am truly lucky to be in the company of heroes.

Thank you all for making this happen.

Kristen Seymour, of That’s Fit (an Aol blog) interviewed Chris Frost, Nicolette Maroulis and Seth Arseneau. The outcome? “We were blown away by their stories and responses, and we’re pretty sure you will be too.”

That’s Fit: Why are you doing the Sea to Shining Sea Bike Ride?

Frost: [After my doctor released me to do weight bearing exercise on a post-surgery ankle, but not being cleared for running], I asked him if cycling was okay and he said it was. Then on Veteran’s Day I got an email from someone in my cycling club asking if I was interested in taking part in the Sea to Shining Sea ride. After nearly four months in a wheelchair, I was highly motivated to do it.

Maroulis: This was such an amazing opportunity; I couldn’t imagine not participating in it! I think it gives me an opportunity to push myself both physically and mentally.

Arseneau: I have always wanted to ride across the country. The S2SS ride is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I can’t pass up. World T.E.A.M. Sports does an incredible job with their events, and there is no doubt in my mind that this ride will be an experience that I will always remember.

To see the other six interview questions and responses, read the full article at That’s Fit.

Here is my ride around SF. You can see where I turned around because I forgot my helmet. This is also my 1st ride on my Bruce Gordon.

Mike Aldax, of the San Francisco Examiner, met with five of the Sea to Shining Sea riders and published a great piece about their journey.

SAN FRANCISCO — Imagine pedaling a bicycle for nearly a month, traveling almost 4,000 miles during the peak of summer through every possible landscape, including deserts and mountain passes — while disabled. Sound difficult?

Not to hundreds of injured war veterans who fought enemy combatants in the Middle East and will be participating in a grueling cycling quest from San Francisco to Virginia that begins Saturday.

…

In 63 days, they will have only 11 days to rest. On five days, they will cycle more than 100 miles at a time. Their longest trip is 120 miles through southeast Nevada, where temperatures can exceed triple digits.

The article also features some nice quotes from our riders:

“If you succeed after an injury in anything, you’re taking the power away from the injury,” [he] said. “You’re taking the power away from the enemy.” – Josh Davis

“I have no doubt at all that I’ll finish,” [she] said. “I’m going to take it one pedal at a time.” – Nicolette Maroulis

“If we can get people to focus on what we can do, but not what we can’t do anymore, that will make the whole trip worthwhile.” – Chris Frost

“In most things, the majority of it is mental,” he said. “Your body can truly go farther than you expect.” – Marc Esposito

“I’m assuming the first two weeks are going to be painful,” he said. “And then after that, I’m going to go numb and it’s not going to bother me anymore.” – Stuart Contant

We all arrived safely in San Francisco last night. I attempted to ride up one of the monster hills here in the city unsuccessfully. After making it 3/4ths of the way up my wheel began to spin out and I tumbled back.

Our incredible group of riders will embark from the Golden Gate Bridge bridge on their first of 63 days, traveling towards Napa, CA.

The approximate route/schedule for May 22 is as follows:

• 6:45 a.m. - Water stop in Sausalito, CA
• 7:00 - Water stop in Fairfax, CA
• 10:00 – Lunch in Petaluma, CA
• 1:00 p.m. – Water stop in Sonoma, CA
• 4:00 – Welcome event in Yountville, CA
• Eventual arrival in Napa, CA for the evening

Click here for a full list of events from the start to the end of their journey

A team of exceptional athletes, many of whom are wounded Iraq and Afghanistan veterans representing all military branches, will depart from the Golden Gate Bridge on Saturday, May 22 for World T.E.A.M. Sports’ inaugural bike trek across America called Sea to Shining Sea. The goal of Sea to Shining Sea is to honor the courage of our service men and women, recognize the strength of the American spirit and challenge perceptions of how we view athletes. The ride will conclude in Virginia Beach on July 24.

Spanning 63 days and 4,000 miles, the cyclists will test their physical limits and inspire people, disabled or not, to live active and enriched lives. The group will cycle through deserts, mountain passes and historical landmarks providing dramatic proof that disabled Americans can lead productive lives and accomplish feats most people only dream about. Several riders have specially-designed bikes that make it possible for them to participate.

Among the supporters joining the group will be Army Brig. Gen. Arnold N. Gordon-Bray, retired Marine Corps Gen. Robert Magnus, and Ambassador Paul Bremer, who oversaw the reconstruction of Iraq from May 2003 to June 2004.

 “The selfless service of these warriors, including the injuries they sustained, is evidence of their courage, honor and commitment. Their indomitable will to succeed by completing the daunting Sea to Shining Sea ride is a testament to today’s American military men and women,” said retired Marine Corps Gen. Robert Magnus. “I commend World T.E.A.M. Sports and State Farm for their own commitment to making this great ride possible.”

State Farm is proud to sponsor the Sea to Shining Sea ride across America as a way to show support for service men and women and their commitment to being there for our country. In addition to funding, State Farm agents across the country will be there for all 63 days of the Sea to Shining Sea ride, serving as community coordinators — providing local information, helping with logistics and route planning, and rallying folks to turn out to celebrate the riders along the way.  

For more than 65 years, State Farm has demonstrated its commitment to service men and women through a world-class military leave policy and company programs like the employee Military Affinity Group, Adopt-a-Soldier, the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, and now as presenting sponsor of the Sea To Shining Sea cross-country bike ride.

Currently Resides: Chevy Chase, MD   
Hometown: New Canaan, CT
Birthplace: Hartford, CT
Served as: U.S. Envoy to Iraq

“It’s a great privilege to honor the men and women in our armed forces through this unique ride across America.” – Jerry Bremer

As a diplomat turned businessman, author, philanthropist and then government official again, Ambassador Paul “Jerry” Bremer is a true Renaissance man.  

With sports interests just as diverse – his interests include skiing and cycling – it’s no surprise that he is taking on the challenge of e Sea to Shining Sea.

As U.S Presidential Envoy to Iraq from May 2003 through June 2004, Jerry headed Coalition Provisional Authority during the critical first year following the fall of Saddam Hussein and was responsible for Coalition efforts to start rebuilding the country’s shattered political and economic structure.  He received the Medal of Freedom for his service in Iraq.  

A career diplomat, he held various posts with the State Department during the 1970s and was American Ambassador to the Netherlands from 1983 to 1986 and then Ambassador at Large for Counter Terrorism in the second Reagan Administration. Before returning to government service in Iraq, Jerry was a successful businessman.  

He is the author of My Year in Iraq: The Struggle to Build a Future of Hope, which describes the many challenges facing the coalition.

Always looking to inspire and motivate others, Jerry founded the Lincoln/Douglass Scholarship Foundation, a Washington-based non-profit organization providing high school scholarships to inner city youths. He also serves on the Board of Catholic Charities of Washington and is a Director of the National Fibromyalgia Association and World Team Sports.

He is married to author Frances Winfield, is the father of two and grandfather of four.  Although Sea to Shining Sea is his first cross-country challenge, he has competed in triathlons and in marathons. 

Donate for Jerry

Major Van Brinson enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1986 and was selected for a commissioning program in 1988. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1992 after his graduation from North Carolina State University. During his time in the Marine Corps, Major Brinson served as a Communications Officer for three years prior to being selected for training as a Naval Aviator. He received his wings in 1997 and since then has been stationed in El Toro and Miramar, Ca and Quantico, Va.

He has participated in humanitarian assistance operations in East Timor, the evacuation of the crew of the USS Cole and has flown in both Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Upon his return from Iraq, Major Brinson was selected for duty with the Presidential Helicopter Squadron, HMX-1 where he served for four years. He is now assigned to the Operations Department at the Marine Corps Air Facility, Quantico Va.

He will retire from the Marine Corps on 01 August, 2010. Major Brinson first became associated with World T.E.A.M. Sports during the inaugural Face of America Ride. Having seen the difference that athletics made in the lives of wounded service members, he became more actively involved with World T.E.A.M. Sports.

He and his wife Allyson live in Alexandria, Va. and are expecting their first child in August.

Donate for Van

Follow Van via his GPS tracker

Currently Resides: Alexandria, VA
Hometown: Levittown, NY
Birthplace: Brooklyn, NY
Served as: 30th Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps

“I’m riding because of the marines; the marines that are on the ride, the marines that couldn’t make it, and the ones that are not with us here today.” – Bob Magnus

Bob Magnus, a retired U.S. Marine Corps general, served as the 30th Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps from September 2005 to July 2008. He retired from active duty in 2008 after 39 years as a U.S. Marine.

An avid runner and road biker, he looks forward to riding each year with wounded warriors and disabled veterans. Spending recent years watching marines recover and rehabilitate has been Bob’s inspiration and motivation to participate in Sea to Shining Sea as well as his other two rides with World T.E.A.M. sports.

An east coast native, Bob’s excitement to see the D.C. National Museum of the Marine Corp is met by his motivation to see his daughter, grandchildren, and wife along the way there in Pennsylvania. He’ll also participate in the kick off in San Francisco, the ride through Bloomington (“because I want to thank everyone at State Farm for their support”), as well as the D.C. leg of the trip.

Bob’s military career began in 1969, when he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Corps and became a Naval Aviator. In 1974, Bob briefly left the Marine Corps to work on Wall Street. Within 15 months he realized: “I really liked flying, I really liked leading people, and Wall Street wasn’t for me.”

Returning to the Marines, Bob served in a variety of positions, including as Commanding Officer HMM-365; Commander, Marine Corps Air Bases Western Area; Deputy Commander Marine Forces Pacific; Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff (Plans, Policies & Operations); Deputy Commandant (Programs & Resources); and Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps. He was advanced to rank of General in 2005.

Bob received the Navy Distinguished Service Medal for his years of superior service. In retirement, Bob continues to serve his fellow Marines and their families through the Marine Corps – Law Enforcement Foundation and Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation.

Donate for Bob

Currently Resides: Vail, AZ
Hometown: Phoenix, AZ
Formerly Stationed: USMC – Iraq 2004, 2006

“I love to put energy into things that honor my heroes and help me move forward. The entire ride seems like a once in a lifetime opportunity and I am eager to see how it turns out.” – Joshua Davis

Each time Joshua Davis faced a physical setback in Iraq, he got right back up and continued to put himself to the test; however, since his third brain injury in 2006, the USMC Marine has remained stateside rehabilitating. It is with this 4,000-mile trip that he’s about to “put two years of physical therapy for pain control and balance to the test,”

After two serious brain injuries in 2004 – one during a night driving mission and the other in a mine blast, Joshua rehabilitated himself back into able-bodied condition and returned to Iraq in 2006. Shortly thereafter, an IED blast knocked him out of his machine gun post in a Humvee and sent him to a hospital in San Diego for intensive rehabilitation and care. Although his armor protected his body from serious injury, it didn’t stop the blast shock from causing severe brain damage.  He still has not recovered some brain functions, like the ability to multi-task.

During recovery, Joshua started cycling and fell in love with the sport. By biking, he kept himself physically strong.  As a result of his injuries, thought, he decided to retire from the military and is now attending college, optimistically in search of an alternate career path.

Joshua is looking forward to Sea to Shining Sea, because his passion in life is to honor the fallen and injured. More specifically, he is dedicating his trip to his friends from the Marines, and all U.S. veterans suffering from PTSD. As he states, “These people all changed my life and saved my life: they are my heroes and I feel I owe my life to the honor of all of them.” 

Donate for Josh