A year passes faster than you think, isn’t that always the truth. Just a year ago we were riding and reporting live as inspirational men and women made the trek from north to south across the ‘Golden State’ as part of Ride to Recovery. If you have been along California’s scenic coast the last couple of days you’ll notice the inspirational ride as the race past. Saturday they finish at the Santa Monica Pier.

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Simply put, the program helps wounded veterans of all types recover by riding a bike. While that sounds simple, I can say from experience this is no leisurely ride through the park, but a race down the coast at a pace much faster than I expected. The whole idea is to physically and mentally challenge the men and women and those who ride right along with them. The VA and medical professionals of all types agree that cycling has proven more than effective in helping our men and women recover after returning from service.

We obviously cannot cover the event every year, but we can follow and support from afar. R2R President John Wordin passed along these pictures and a rundown of Day Five, also written by Jason Bryan…

After gathering for the group photo this morning, we pushed off from Pismo Beach and headed south for Solvang. The kids of Oceana Elementary School lined the roads as we passed through. I was wearing the “CPT Juan Guerrero Cycling Posse” t-shirt that Jim DiChecco (“Mr. D”) dropped off at the hotel for me before the ride this morning. I peeled off and stood with the kids and high-fived the riders as they past.

Right out of town, we hit the first climb of the day. I sat at the back of the pack and enjoyed watching riders that would have walked their bikes up the same hill on Sunday. After four challenging days of riding, these guys are really riding into form. Their confidence and strength grows with every pedal stroke.

We continued through lettuce and celery fields, until I flatted and had to wait for help. Within minutes, US Marine Nate Lynch pulled up. Nate is about 6′5″ and he’s been pushing a recumbent or suffering rider every time I’ve seen him all week. Not only is he a very strong rider, he has an amazing sense of duty. He waited with me until a van arrived with a new wheel.

After 65 miles of marigold fields, vineyards, llamas, ostriches, and absolutely perfect weather, we pulled into Solvang. I was greeted in the parking lot by the original R2R celebrity rider, Mike Vogel. Best of all, the team is really coming together. The ScanVan is packed tonight and we’re ready to make the 65 mile trek over San Marcos Pass, through Santa Barbara and to Ventura.