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, 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. Jerseys, 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…..
The Texas Challenge features seven 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 months. Through 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 two of them in the 2nd group on the road.
The Texas ride also features some new riders to the program, Actor Adam Baldwin, CNN contributor Steve Hayes, and even 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 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 through 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….
You can follow the ride by joining our Facebook Road 2 Recovery group.
San Marcos Daily Record article here.
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