Posts Tagged ‘Christopher Frost’

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.

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.

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

Currently Resides: Alexandria, Virginia
Hometown: Campbell, California
Birthplace: Los Gatos, California, United States
Formerly Stationed: Hill AFB in Ogden, Utah, Beale AFB in Northern California

 ”My injuries have slowed me down, but they cannot stop me.”

 – Christopher Frost

Christopher Frost joined the military in 1996 and currently serves as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team Leader for the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Flight stationed at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland. Frost will bike with the Sea to Shining Sea team and represent his fellow EOD operators.

In 2008, Frost served as the Team Leader for Weapons Intelligence Team One (WIT) in Iraq, where his team provided battlefield forensic evidence collection, post-blast analysis and counter-IED intelligence.  On May of 2008, Christopher was responding to an IED attack when his vehicle rolled across a pressure initiated IED.  It detonated beneath his vehicle and the resulting explosion led to a death and serious injuries, within the vehicle.  Christopher’s right leg had to be amputated below the knee and many surgeries and rehab at Walter Reed Army Medical Center followed. The Pentagon awarded Christopher the Warrior of the Week award in 2008.

Since Christopher’s doctors have yet to clear him to resume running, he began cycling. “My injuries have slowed me down, but they cannot stop me,” Chris says. I joined the Sea to Shining Sea team in honor of all of the EOD operators who have been killed or wounded in combat, I think about them everyday.”

Christopher is most excited about seeing the Sierra Nevada and the Rockies during the summer trip. He will also be joined by many family and friends along the way.

While recovering at Walter Reed, Christopher met his fiancée, Catherine Neary, who was receiving treatment for pancreatic cancer. Christopher and Catherine are preparing for their wedding on August 21, 2010. The couple currently resides in Alexandria, Virginia.

Donate for Christopher

Read Chris’ blog posts

Track Chris via GPS