And they're off...

The ride has officially started and so I have had little time or energy to post at the end of the day, but I at least wanted to get a few pictures up. On Monday the riders took from San Francisco, starting at the Golden Gate Bridge and rode to Petaluma, CA. On Tuesday they rode to Fairfield, CA, and today to Jackson, CA. So far things have gone fairly smooth, but as we started to head into higher elevation today things became more challenging for the riders and staff more than just physically. We will continue to work out the kinks, but as a whole the experience has been awesome so far. I have never been to California before, and although I've been to plenty of places much more beautiful it is cool to see a new part of the country. My primary responsibility so far has been to drive a mini bus that helps to lead the riders and pick them up if they are not able to finish the days ride.

Golden Gate Bridge on the morning we left

Most of the riders and staff with the managers of Fresh and Easy. They gladly allowed us to set up our lunch stop in their parking lot on Tuesday, and even donated a couple carts full of groceries. It is awesome to see people's generosity when they hear about what we're doing! Today at lunch we set up at a winery and they gave us a bunch of fresh cherries and a few cases of wine. 

The past couple days we've been driving through California wine country 

Some of the riders resting at a water stop along today's route which ended in a pretty long climb

My First Ride

Yesterday I went for my first ever ride on a road bike. The night before I was talking with one of the riders and he invited me along on his morning ride. I didn't take him very seriously, but then later that night he showed up at my hotel room with one of the spare bikes for me to ride the next morning. It was only about a seven mile ride from our hotel to AT&T Park and back, but it was a lot of fun. It was also a chance for me to build confidence on a road bike so that hopefully I can do a leg or two of the ride. Ever since I did my first triathlon a few years ago using a mountain bike, I have been saying that as soon as I can afford a road bike I'm going to buy one so that I can start riding and doing triathlons more often. Riding yesterday morning definitely solidified in my mind that I am going to buy a road bike as soon as I can.

We rode along the pier that runs between AT&T Park (San Francisco Giants) and the bay,

where you can see straight into the outfield

Wheel Dip Ceremony

A tradition for cross country bike rides is for riders to dip the rear wheel of their bikes in the Pacific Ocean when the ride begins, and their front wheel in the Atlantic Ocean at the end of the ride. Although our wheel dip ceremony had been originally planned for Sunday, we were forced to move it to Saturday due to celebrations for the 75th anniversary of the Golden Gate Bridge taking place that day. So yesterday afternoon the riders loaded up on their bikes and rode the few miles from our hotel to a beach near the Golden Gate Bridge. It was fun watching the riders bring their bikes up to the ocean to dip their rear wheel in, symbolizing the beginning of the long journey ahead. Afterwards we returned to the hotel for dinner and watched the documentary Two Shining Seas, which tells the story of the 2010 Sea to Shining Sea ride. It was a very emotional film that detailed how many of the riders became disabled and the struggles they've been through since. The film also did an excellent job of displaying the spirit of both the riders and the American people who they met along the way. Seeing the film helped give me a better idea of what's ahead, but it's difficult to wrap my mind around everything that is to come in the next two months. I just hope that I don't become too overwhelmed, and am able to fully absorb every precious moment of this amazing opportunity.

Getting to Know the Riders

Now that all the riders have arrived in San Francisco we've been begun to develop relationships and create team chemistry. This is very important for us a group because that trust and camaraderie will help carry both the riders and support staff through the difficult journey ahead. Among the sixteen riders, there are two blind riders who will ride tandem bikes with a "pilot." Other disabilities include missing limbs, paraplegia, TBI (traumatic brain injury), PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder), and cancer. Many of the riders are retired from the military, but some are still in active duty and all five branches of the military are represented.

I had the privilege of getting to know one of the riders over dinner the other night. He is a retired Marine who served four tours in Okinawa and one in Iraq. He retired after his tour in Iraq, but struggled with mental illnesses that haunted him and made it very difficult to sleep. As a result he turned to alcohol because it was the only way he could sleep at night. Eventually he hit rock bottom and admitted himself into a VA hospital for rehab. Once he got out, a friend bought him everything he needed to start cycling and forced him to start riding. Ultimately cycling came to take the place of alcoholism in his life, and he has found freedom and rest in riding every day. Hearing his story opened my eyes to what so many veterans go through on a daily basis as a result of their time in the service. I'm excited to get to know all of the riders on a more personal basis and hear their stories.

Vietnam vet, Bill, is an amputee who will be riding a hand cycle along the route

Sightseeing

So far we've had a surprising amount of free time in the afternoons and evenings. Our hotel is located in the Fisherman's Wharf area so a lot of that time has been spent wandering through the streets filled with tourist traps. Despite being so touristy it was still cool to see something new and to be right on the water. I have already visited the famous sea lions a couple times.

Pier 39 at dusk

Sea lions at Pier 39 who are apparently celebrating their 22nd anniversary...whatever that means

Off to San Francisco

On Wednesday I left from Grand Rapids and flew to San Francisco to begin this awesome journey. We were only allowed to bring a carry on suitcase and a backpack so I had to be very selective in what I brought along. I've never packed so efficiently in my life!