Me and CVV after the 2009 Qualcomm Million Dollar Challenge

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Qualcomm Million Dollar Challenge

This was the third year that I have done the QMDC. It’s an event to raise money for the Challenged Athletes Foundation.

I had the pleasure of riding with Danny Pate and Timmy Duggan last year. This year Christian Vandevelde, Peter Stetina and Dave Zabriskie joined us. Dave Z only rode for one leg of the 7 day ride, but CVV and Peter rode with us from Big Sur all the way to La Jolla.

There was a section of PCH when CVV jumped and I gave it everything I had to get on his wheel. I turned my self inside out trying to hang on. Then he just hit the switch and was gone. The power these guys have is amazing. So much more impressive in person.

Peter Stetina

by johnw on Oct 24, 2009 12:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Very nice

but now post the one with the bunny ears

by Monty. on Oct 24, 2009 12:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Very cool, johnw. You look damn happy!

by Ruthann on Oct 27, 2009 2:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Very happy

My bum was very relieved to be off the bike. :) 620 miles is a loong way.

by johnw on Oct 27, 2009 3:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Reason

This is why we do this ride

Cody is a double AK (above the knee) amputee. At 8 he has more strength than most adults I know.

Another phenomenal Challenged Athlete is Rudy Garcia-Tolson. Rudy is the first double AK to compete in the Ironman in Kona. His first attempt was this year. He completed the swim in 1:05, but missed the bike cutoff by 9 minutes. The amazing part is that being an AK, Rudy has no Quads or Hamstrings to cycle with. Everything is done with his Glutes.

Blows my mind.

by johnw on Oct 27, 2009 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hey John!

I had been hearing about this as time was approaching knowing C was doing it and I had shared that I knew you had been doing it for a few years and I figured you would be there again. I’m so excited you got to meet C and hang on for dear life to his wheel. I’ve heard nothing but true amazment regarding the trip and I’ve also heard some stories of some of the other riders that were met. Very inspirational stories, one even almost brought a tear to my eye hearing about it.

Amazing event and I will once again be looking forward to hearing about the next one. Thanks for sharing it again and job well done for hanging on for the time you did to C’s wheel! :-)

I'm ready for this road season to wrap up. Bring on Cross!

by nikki on Oct 29, 2009 2:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs