PIGG, our mascot, was picked up in Louisiana where he shared alligator and shrimp po'boys with the hungry ScanVan crew. He was honored to have been photographed with General Cheek and Admiral Roughead. Click on PIG for a new window that allows you to control him with your mouse (It may take a moment to load).


Richard Brock is raising $4000 for Ride 2 Recovery and will ride from San Antonio to Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX, from April 6-11, 2010, in support of the program.

Representing the Marines and the Navy, Russ Volk, Matt Labady, Tony Soares, Joe Jackson and David Lang pose with me, the only civilian to drive the ScanVan on the 5,000 mile Florida trip.

After he drove down from Oakland, we caravaned to Florida with David Lang and his newly wrapped R2R truck. With stops in San Antonio and Louisiana, we went coast-to-coast in three days.

Wayne Stetina, VP of Shimano and whose cycling pedigree is way too long to list here, has ridden in every R2R event and presents group riding clinics before each ride. Here he's emphasizing his primary mantra: "Don't crash!"

Injured Marine Nick Lerma and his 13-year old son, Brandon, share a moment before the ride. Brandon rode every mile as he and Nick made a very special re-connection in Florida!

Part of the UnitedHealthcare team, our first corporate sponsor. From left, marketing manager Mark Robinson, CEO-Florida David Lewis and operations manager Dan Cole. Thanks, guys!

Having shared many rides together, April Blackmon, Matt Labady, my brother Russ Brock, Tish Sweeney, Joe Jackson, Larry Jester and I enjoy some time in the ScanVan.

Injured verteran Jerry Majetich signs the jersey of a new friend. Social interaction with riders and supporters of all backgrounds and ages is one of the key feaures of every R2R ride.

Injured veteran Noah Galloway found a convenient parking spot for his bike and replacement arm. Special fittings allow excellent control of the bike.

A strong rider, Chief Naval Officer Admiral Gary Roughead, who rode with the fast group the entire last day, graciously shares a moment with me. He spent time with every injured veteran.

Injured veteran and eye doctor Jeanne' Goldy-Sanitate with Marine (now firefighter in CA) David Lang as they share a moment after the ride. Despite suffering from MS and a broken back, Jeanne pedalled her tricycle by hand, with David as escort much of the way.

Dennis Angelo and Scott Summey (top row, left to right) with the last R2R participants in FL before heading home. Due to unforseen circumstances, we needed an additional bike carrier for our trip back to CA. We called several stores and were quoted about $250 plus installation for the unit we needed. The last shop the hotel concierge found for us to call was Scott Summey's OpenRoad Bicycles in Jacksonville. Having read about R2R's Florida Challenge, Scott donated a 5-bike carrier and installed it for us onto David Lang's truck. Thanks, Scott and Dennis!

Russ Brock and Duane Wagner share good times in the ScanVan. Florida was the fourth ride Russ has photographed and the fifth in which Duane has ridden.

Kathy and Marty Cole, the parents of Dan Cole of UnitedHealthcare, graciously drove the ScanVan every day and kept it in tip-top shape. Thanks, guys!
Hi everyone,

The first annual Florida 2009 Challenge came off without a hitch. It had the most riders of any R2R event and featured General Cheek and CNO Admiral Roughead actually riding with the pack. Considering how many new riders we had, the flat Florida terrain was a blessing for their first ride. The weather turned from very cold to warm on the evening of the first day, and we dodged strong winds and sheets of rain that poured down the day after the ride, making for a most enjoyable ride every day. Many thanks to UnitedHealthcare (Florida), our first corporate sponsor. Some of their managers rode every mile with us and they put on an unforgettable tailgate party on the last evening. Thanks, guys!

Click on the appropriate links below to see photos of that day's events:


Tips:

  1. To get to the next page view, click on the appropriate page number in the lower right hand corner of the page while in the thumbnail view.

  2. If you click on a thumbnail image, it will be displayed larger, all by itself.

  3. Below the larger image is a file name. If you want a hi-res file of that image for your own use (make a print, post to your own web site or whatever), make a note of the last 4 digits of the filename. We will eventually put all hi-res files on the web, and you'll need that number in order to locate and download the hi-res file(s) you want.

  4. In the Thumbnail View, you will notice a light grey number by each image. That is for your own use in re-locating an image within the slide show. Make a note of that light grey number and the page number (shown in the lower right hand corner), and you'll always be able to get back to any image or e-mail a friend as to how to locate an image.

  5. If you have a special request, just let us know. This could be in the form of re-cropping, changing format, adding text, making a collage... or whatever. These images are for you, and we want you to enjoy them as much as possible.

High Resolution Images

  1. In order to make hard copy photos from your favoriate images, you'll need the high resolution files.

  2. In order to download the high resolution file(s) you want, you'll need the last 4 digits of the file name from section Tips(3) above.

  3. Click on the appropriate day section below.

  4. Under the "Edit" menu in your browser, select the "Find" option.

  5. Enter the last 4 digits of the file name from above into the "Find" box, and your cursor will be put onto the file name you want.

  6. Click on the file name and a new window will open, into which the file you want will slowly appear (remember, these are BIG files).

  7. Under the "File" menu, select "Save as..." and name the file whatever you want to name it, and select the folder in which you wish to save it.

  8. Copy that file onto a USB thumb drive or burn it to a CD/DVD and bring it to your local photofinisher to make a print. Or, just print it out onto any printer connected to your computer. The file is in standard JPG format and can be opened by any photo editing program you may have on your computer.

  9. To select another file number, click on this window again and start the selection process all over.

Click on the appropriate links below to download high resolution photos of that day's events:

If you have any questions, call Dick Brock at 949-336-2524 or just send an e-mail.

More to come:

We will eventually have a DVD of the Memorial Challenge. If you filled out one of our Participant Forms, you will automatically receive a DVD in the mail at the address you specified. If you did NOT fill out one of our Participant Forms and would like a DVD of the Florida 2009 Challenge, just e-mail me with your mailing info.

FOR THOSE WHO WEREN'T THERE...


Why Ride 2 Recovery?

The 2008 California Challenge bicycle ride changed my life. I met injured veterans with extraordinary courage and the ability to withstand pain voluntarily, in order to overcome a challenge that most able-bodied folks would never even consider undertaking.

In these photos, you'll see lots of smiles. That's due to a combination of R2R's comprehensive program and the ability of the injured veterans to "suck it up." Far from just a bicycle ride, R2R provides a sheltered environment where new age injured veterans suffering from physical wounds, PTSD and TBI, can interact with fellow injured veterans from all conflicts, as well as veterans and civilians, while overcoming the challenge of the ride that all participants face. 1-888-SCAN-VAN is especially supportive of the PTSD and TBI injured veterans, who suffer from a wide variety of symptoms that often limit social interaction.

These rides are always several days long in order to let the magic of the program take hold of the injured veterans. Strangers at first, everyone bonds to at least some degree by the end of the ride. If you suffer alongside someone while accomplishing a common goal, even if you don't talk together much, you gain mutual respect and a friend for life. It's obvious when even just eye contact is made.

After the ride, the injured veterans take their newfound confidence and skills home with them and apply them to the challenges they face in their personal and family lives as well as their professional lives.

The VA has begun to include cycling as an activity within their treatment. Cycling gives these men and women a sense of normalcy, accomplishment, pride and camaraderie, while providing relief from depression and other problems that accompany their wounds. Cycling is the one activity that both patients with mental and physical disabilities can participate.

The Fitness Challenge Foundation and the VA would like to expand this program to include both active duty and those already discharged, and allow more vets to take advantage of this important program. This would include cycling programs of all types. Trauma Recovery Program participants need counseling, special outings, equipment, bike skills training and technical wear among other needs. The money raised will go directly to these needs.

Ride 2 Recovery is gearing up for the 2010 Don't Mess with Texas Challenge ride, and to show my level of committment to this project, I will ride my bicycle from San Antonio to Dallas/Ft. Worth from April 6 thru 11. Also, I will drive the ScanVan to San Antonio, and the ScanVan crew will document the ride in photos and video. As usual, in the evenings, we'll open up the ScanVan for social activities.

We need your help. The program is already doing great things to help injured veterans get into cycling, but we’re really just getting started. Despite some great sponsorship from the cycling industry (Star Trac, Giant, Rudy Project, Sidi, Shimano), United Healthcare and others, the program must generate much more financial support to meet its goals.

When most folks make a donation, they want to know their money is going to make a difference to those for whom it is intended. That's the beauty of Ride 2 Recovery. You can see how your money is used by viewing our photos and DVDs of each ride and the brand new bikes that the injured veterans are riding. The smiles on their faces and the miles they ride their bikes are proof of their determination to help themselves, as well as their appreciation of your support.

You can participate in this project by sponsoring my ride and helping me achieve my personal goal of $4,000 in donations. This program needs money to survive!

You can sponsor my ride at www.r2rriders.com/sponsor [Name: Richard Brock], or you can send a check (made out to “Ride 2 Recovery”) to the address below. Your contributions are tax deductible, and any donation is greatly appreciated.

  • Richard Brock
    10181 Finchley Ave.
    Westminster, CA 92683
    949-336-2524

This is a financially challenging time for many, but imagine how much more difficult it is for these injured veterans and their families. Your donation will honor their sacrifice.

Thanks for your consideration, and please forward this request to anyone whom you feel may want to participate.

Personal regards,


Dick