Today has been a day of reflection for me. I found out this morning that my grandmother passed away after 93 years on this earth. I have mixed opinions today--part of me is extremely sad. The other part of me is happy for her due to the last year of her living in pain. I would not wish even my worst enemy to live in the pain that she endured in the last battle (year of battling--anxiety and fear--while not giving up). She was an amazing woman and her name (nickname) was Panky (coined by a childhood friend who could not pronounce her real name -- Franklina). Panky was a hero to me for reasons that I do not need to carry on about in this post. She was also married to another hero in my life--my grandfather--Papa Jim. Papa Jim was a marine (US Marine Corps) who served in Iwo Jima and managed to live despite having a grenade tossed into his 'fox hole'. He was among three soldiers in the 'fox hole' and the only to live (with shrapnel in his back for the remainder of his life). He was an amazing man who went onto design 'the black air force' for the infamous Lockheed Skunkworks division. They (Panky and Papa Jim) were a 'power couple' -- supporters of the secret defense of our nation and adamant supporters of veterans (which is completely normal given my grandfather's history). At this point, you are probably wondering what if anything this has to do with riding bicycle with the title of my blog "Riding Bicycles with Heroes--Ride 2 Recovery"???? Let me explain...
Over the last two years, Kayla and I have become friends with an amazing man -- John Morlock. John is a veteran ( served in the US Marine Corps) and is also an adamant supporter of veterans--which is how we met him. Kayla is a great supporter of veterans ( and I am a veteran--served in the US Air Force) and is highly motivated to take part in veteran efforts at any given chance. I am truly blessed to have such a wonderful wife. Like I said, I am a veteran and I owe that to those who served before me (including John Morlock and my grandfather) which provided me the opportunity to serve my country. During my service, I had the opportunity to serve with a few of the finest individuals I have ever met since. And I continue to meet other fine Service Members day to day in my journey through civilian life after the military. The appreciation led me to a volunteering event for veterans out in Burbank at the American Legion Club (a veterans organization) to help raise money for an organization that I was completely unfamilar with and will discuss below -- "Ride2Recovery".
I owe this blessing to my grandparents -- Panky and Papa Jim. I dropped out of a university (UC Riverside) and lived with my grandparents wondering what to do in Northern California. Papa Jim suggested I serve and finish school in the military (I was in the middle of college). Well, as luck would have it, I would end up spending time in the wonderful Middle East living in a tent (some of the time) and fixing F-16 fighter jets (incidentally, a college was never located until after I got out of the military). After coming out of the military I would return to the university and finish school (to earn a doctorate degree in Chemistry) and land a wonderful job (my current job) maintaining scientific instruments in the Chemstry department at California State University at Northridge. I love my job and the great people that I have a chance to interact with (through training and troubleshooting) throughout the day. Life is good. A couple of years ago I was asking myself -- how could life get better? Unbeknownst to me, the answer was right in our back yard (Burbank and Hollywood) and involved riding bicycles.
I thought that my life was good, but to be honest I was not living up to the potential that I had seeked out. In retrospect, I was not living in parallel with the values with which I was raised (hard work, exercise, happiness, and service to others). I was lazy. Periodically, I would get outside and run a few miles (I used to run a lot under the age of 20 years old -- and I mean alot). I was drinking more than usual. I chose to drink alcohol to relax (I do not know why now that I gave up drinking). Over the past year and a half, I have refrained from drinking just because I let alcohol consume too much of my time. Kayla and I tend to be 'extrme' individuals. We tend to throw all of our effort towards events/projects and need to be busy and challenged at any given moment. When we moved to Glendale, Kayla had the foresight to choose a location that would allow a blended commute to work. I did not realize this at the time, but am reaping all of the benefits of that vision today. I wrote a blog post last week discussing the beginning of my advocacy of 'blended commuting' (bicycle plus train--light rail--Metrolink). At the end of the blogpost, I started to allude to the many benefits of riding bicycles. One of which is the joy of riding with groups of other cyclists. Here is a passage from a letter from Professor Bryan Kohler after telling him that I would not be able to continue at UC Riverside and start research in his lab--but instead head off to the military for service:
"Secondly, I am delighted by your interest in chemistry and have no doubt about your ability to go as far as you want to. There are lots of ways to live a good and interesting life but I always get a special kick out of people who also like science. You're made of the right stuff, you're going to do fine."
Little did I know at the time of reading this letter -- nearly 20 years ago -- that his predictions would play out so well. I have obtained the degree that I wanted and found the job that I wanted. As Professor Kohler points out though, there are many ways to live a great life and science is just one of them. My curiosity of science has led me to see others too. Kayla and I are intensely interested in wellness--improving the quality of life through better living. Over a couple of years ago, this site was created to document our progress. Our mantra is that we are two normal people trying to live a better life through educating ourselves and the community and vice versa. As I mentioned, I was introduced to "Ride2Recovery" a wonderful organization -- which highlights another great way to live one's life -- through service to help veterans. John Morlock is a great example of a veteran who gives back through rehabilitation of veterans leaving the military by conducting rides (ride leader) on bicycles through hollywood. The purpose of the organization is easily comprehensible -- Ride to Recovery. This organization capitalizes on the benefits of riding bicycles. Studies are emerging along with previous studies documenting the benefits of exercise on wellness and mental health. Ride to Recovery targets a certain group of people -- veterans. Veterans joining a club to exercise is not a typical occurrence and further--riding bicycles in the conditions sets these heroes onto a new level of fitness. Ride to Recovery has special bicycles built to accommodate veterans with multiple or single amputations. More importantly (even most important) is the brotherly love (cohesiveness--team work) that is displayed during the various rides. No rider is left behind. Values that are instilled in each of us from the military (or the stamp of Uncle Sam as my wife states the case).
Riding in groups is nothing new, although group exercise is catching on and is highlighted in a few of the links on the Kaiserwellnesscenter's 'Fitness Awareness page' (accessible on the left hand side of your browers). The 'R2R' as the organization is referred to as -- is an amazing group of riders. You do not need to be a veteran to ride with the group. Honestly, I do not feel that I can do the organization enough justice by simply describing the rides with the following words: Inspirational, Motivational, Extraordinary, Empowering, Invigorating. I learn something new about cycling and myself everytime that I ride with these awesome riders. When I learn something about myself, I mean, I revisit my past by riding with fellow veterans (soldiers of strength, inspiration, successful pursuits). After every ride, I ride away feeling better---I challenge any person to ride with this group and not walk away feeling inspired, motivated, ready to conquer the world. The values with which this organization motivates the riders and spirit of the rides align perfectly with the values of the Kaisers (Kayla and myself) and the vision of the Kaiserwellnesscenter. We aspire to learn and contribute to more future rides.
Veteran's Day Ride Nov. 11th:
This last Veterans day we got a chance to ride with the group. Here is an example of the beginning of the ride where the riders meet up and discuss the route:
Center: John Morlock talks with fellow cyclists about the ride of the day
Taking a brake after riding up over the hill into downtown Los Angeles ("Hollywood" sign in back")
Riders of the day who came out to celebrate Veterans Day (Griffith Observatory in rear)
On this particular celebratory ride, we managed to have a wonderful meal -- BBQ in the park after. Below is one of the riders who after cycling still had energy to cook. Everyone helped out in some sort of way illustrating the values of teamwork--each of us brought food or help or Both in the case of the gentleman below.
Chef Dick Brock -- A huge Thank You for cooking!
Enjoying the wonderful weather
Mike (me) -- caught in the middle of eating a dog
The day was great to say the least. Another wonderful ride that we had recently with 'Ride2Recovery' was when we rode (Kayla and mike) the last day of the 'California Challenge.' I show pictures in my last blog. I cannot say enough great statements about the 'R2R' organization. And to think that I owe the start of this relationship to my grandparents (Panky and Papa Jim). I thought riding my bicycle home tonight -- to write this post would be a start to pay tribute to my wonderful grandmother who has left us today. My grandfather passed away a few years ago. I will never forget what he said to me many years ago (in the 1990s) regarding my grandmother. "Mike, she is tough as nails. Mark my words, that woman ( his wife Panky) will be one tough person near the end of her life" He was referring to the fact that she would be a 'fighter' and hold on to the last of life. Thinking back today....He was right. She really gave life a battle. I hope that I inherited some of those genes. She is just one example of an extraordinary woman who raised two children and raised three grandchildren. My parents were around but were workaholics which left us to be raised by the two of them. I am blessed to have such wonderful grandparents. I am equally blessed to have been introduced to R2R through our appreciation and support of veterans.
Here are a few pictures that I got from a facebook page from "Project Hero Hollywood" a local chapter with which we ride (are starting to) when they hosted an event at a local indoor track to highlight a few of the fastest riders of the group. While you are viewing them and reading more of the post below, think of the obstacles that are holding you back in your life. What is holding you back? What is stopping you from getting on a bicycle and taking your mental (and physical health to a new level)??
A hero -- a single amputee rockin' the track
Again, ask yourself--what is holding you back either "mentally" or "physically" from achieving your goals in life????
A hero -- a double amputee rockin' the track
Again, ask yourself--what is holding you back either "mentally" or "physically" from achieving your goals in life???
To close, here is another pictures of heroes: