Ed. Note: This post was supposed to include a new Gray Graham song but unfortunately editorial (that would be me) screwed up and it didn’t. Good news? We will have more Graham-goodness later in week WITH the tune. My apologies to Gary and those readers confused by this, but it’s still a damn fine standalone editorial. And to answer a commenter’s question, no I wasn’t drinking, just careless. — JN

So I’ve been plinking around at my main hobby – music – for years.  Just playing for my own amusement, or so it started out.   Now I’ve got a band, we sound pretty good, we gig around town sometimes… (played for the wounded warriors’ Ride-2-Recovery event in Ventura, and we’re playing two gigs for the “Republican Party Animals” – one at the end of May and another in June)… and between that and film and TV assignments, I keep fairly busy.

Flashback to the last presidential campaign, 2007.   I meet a bunch of conservatives in Hollywood.  Who knew?!   In liberal Hollywood, there are actually a bunch of folks who work in the film industry and think a lot like I do.  Limited government, more personal freedom, individual responsibility, yada yada.  I’d been a conservative for some time but the risks to our nation now seem much more pronounced and pressing than at any other time in my life.

And the primary threat I see is not from without – but from within.

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Dennis with the R2R Pig

Today the R2R gang headed out towards the Danish tourist town of Solvang. But first, the kids of Oceana Elementary in Pismo came out in full force to cheer on the riders. Today featured a special American Legion Post 534 Lunch in the town of Orcutt. This is the most popular lunch on the ride and the Legion really stepped up with a great presence. They even arranged for a rocket launch at Vandenburg AFB just as we sat down to lunch. The Delta 2 rocket had a special R2R designation painted on the side and the roar after the launch shook the ground. (more…)

Hello, Everyone following us! Today was my first day on the ride, riding from San Simeon to Pismo Beach. I cannot even describe what a rush it is to ride along side our Wounded Warriors; it is an absolute Honor! They all have been so incredible towards me, making sure I know what I am doing and don’t get hurt.

Actress Kristy Swanson

I admit, I did have one spill at a rest stop today. LOL!  It was my own fault not getting out of my clips properly. So, of course, I fell in front of everyone! They picked me up, dusted me off, and patted me on the back.  Several guys said, “Oh, we’ve all done that several times!” They made me feel at home. (more…)

Join us for our next events:
California Challenge – Oct. 4-10
Florida Challenge – Dec. 12-17

Day 5 – Williamsburg to Hampton saw the return of Patty Collins to the Ride. Patty has been very motivational for all of us as we have seen her develop over the past few rides. It was a year ago that Patty made her debut at a R2R event participating in last years East Coast Challenge.

Riding along the James River

Day 5 also saw the debut of Jackie and Dr. Wayne on the tandem. Jackie has never ridden a bike before, not even as a kid until she showed up at the start of the Memorial Challenge. She has come a long way since day one. She was quite shy and kept to herself and now is fully integrated into the group. She is fully enjoying the R2R experience. (more…)

Day 3 started with a great weather report as the front that threatened rain had passed thru and the weather was mid 70’s, perfect for a great ride though the Virginia countryside.

The 65 mile ride to Richmond along a good portion of Virginia Bike Route 1 promised to be a lot of fun.

Bike Route 1

Most everyone knows that Richmond was the capitol of the Confederacy, but did you know that: In 1775, Patrick Henry delivered his famous “Give me Liberty or Give me Death” speech in Richmond and in 1781, under the command of Benedict Arnold, Richmond was burned by British troops. (more…)

The Ride 2 Recovery kicked-off today with a ride from the National Memorial Parade to Manassas. The 50 mile journey, with about 2,000′ of climbing, would take the riders down the beautiful George Washington Parkway, past Mount Vernon and the west to the town of Manassas.

250,000 people lined the route

The Parade features many Military groups and R2R was honored to be a part of such a great event.

The riders left the Parade area and headed down the GW parkway under the usually great escort of the American Legion Riders. (more…)

General David Blackledge (rt) in Iraq

Major General David Blackledge is not a superhero. He’s a human hero. 

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.  (more…)