Richard Brock is raising $4000 for Ride 2 Recovery and will ride from Washington, DC to Virginia Beach, VA on May 25 - 30, 2009 in support of the program.


Hand cyclists lead the first group of riders into one of the many schools we visted during the Texas ride. The hand cyclists rode an average of 65 miles per day over six days.


Jason Brock, one of the Texas ride's ScanVan crew members from Wisconsin, photographs a group of Wounded Warriors with President Bush as John Wordin, Executive Director of R2R, looks on.


In Texas, President Bush let the Wounded Warriors know how much he respects them and appreciates their sacrifice.


President Bush and I greet each other just before the last day's ride in Texas.
Hi everyone,

Texas was a blast, and these pictures will prove it!

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. Under the larger image is a file name. If you want a hi-res file that you can download for your own use (make a print, post to your own web site or whatever), make a note of the last 5 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 file(s) you want. Go here to see what can be done with some photos that may not look great to start with, but can be easily fixed up.

  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 in 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.

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 file number 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 file number from above into the "Find" box, and your cursor will be put onto the file number you want.

  6. Click on the file number 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.

If you have any questions, call Dick Brock at 714-904-7925 or just send me an e-mail.

Go here to see what can be done with some photos that may not look great to start with, but can be easily fixed up.

More to come:

We will eventually have a DVD of the Texas 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 2009 Texas Challenge, just e-mail me with your mailing info.


Why Ride 2 Recovery?

The 2008 California Challenge bicycle ride changed my life. I met Wounded Warriors 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.

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, camaraderie, and provides relief from depression and other problems that accompany these issues. 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 2009 Memorial Challenge ride, and to show my level of committment to this project, I will ride my bicycle from Washington, DC to Virginia Beach, VA from May 25 - 30, 2009. Also, I will drive the ScanVan to Washington, DC and the ScanVan crew will document the ride in photos and video.

We need your help. The program is already doing great things to help Wounded Warriors 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 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 was used by viewing our photos and DVDs of each ride and the brand new bikes that the Wounded Warriors are riding. The smiles on their faces and the miles they rode 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 Wounded Warriors 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