Day 7 Eureka to Ft. Bragg 105 miles

Day 7 started with the worst weather Jack and OAS has experienced. With 105 tough, hilly miles ahead in the rain with over 8700' of climbing on the day, it was sure to be the toughest day in the saddle.

Watch out for Big Foot....

After 6 straight days of 100 miles of great roads, Friday was nothing short of spectacular scenery and although the mountains would come fast and furious, Jack knew that San Francisco was only a day away.

The route followed the 101 out of Eureka and a right hand turn at the town of Ligget and HWY 101.

After 2 very tough climbs, OAS reached the coast.

California Dreamin'

You can join Jack and the OAS Crew at the north end of the San Francisco bridge at 3 PM for the crossing and trip to Scoma's for dinner at 6 PM with proceeds going to the OAS Fund.

Check out the view

No rain this afternoon....

Day 6 Brookings to Arcata - 100 miles

Jack and the OAS crew made it to California today with another great ride along the coast. The day featured 2 major climbs with over 2700' of climbing on the day. With 6 days now complete, Jack is now more than 1/3 of the way home.

Jack is Back...

The California Coast provided a great backdrop and Jack was happy to be back. With more than 630 miles ridden, fatigue is a factor each day. Jack has been doing a great job of recovery eating well (no cheeseburgers for the past 6 days) and getting a daily message. Tomorrow the ride heads to Ft. Bragg which is often mistaken for the Ft. Bragg in North Carolina.

We are almost to San Francisco and hope to see you out at Scoma's or on the ride Sunday from the SF VA.

Great day to ride a bike

Some fun facts on Eureka:

Eureka's Pacific coastal location on Humboldt Bay adjacent to abundant Redwood forests provided a rich environment for the birth of this 19th century seaport town. Beginning more than 150 years ago, miners, loggers, and fishermen began making their mark in this pristine wilderness of the California North Coast. But the area was already occupied by small groups of indigenous peoples, whose lives were changed forever, if not lost completely, after thousands of years of relative stability in bountiful surroundings.
Jack, JR, and John meet Paul Bunyon......

Day 5 Coos Bay to Brookings 109 miles

With yesterday's ride among the best around, today's segment was again right up there at the top of any cyclist's wish list of rides to do before you die.

The weather has been nothing short of spectacular since Jack and the OAS crew left Seattle, but as you can see from the pictures, today was the best so far. The 109 mile trek featured the most climbing so far (2725') and some of the longest climbs. It was by far the hardest day of the tour.

Jack likes what he sees

JR "Cash and Burn" was back on the bike after his escapade from yesterday and he rode like a champ for the longest (40 miles) segment so far.

Along the way each day, we have a break somewhere along the day to eat and get something to drink. Jack enjoys stopping at the local coffee shop. Today's stop was the best of all time at Battle Rock.

Battle Rock

Oregon has a rich history from Lewis and Clark to the Oregon trail. The Oregon National Guard was started in 1843. They have served in most of the major conflicts since including Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Brookings is famous for Easter Lilies growing nearly 90% of all US production. It is located approximately 6 miles north of the California border on Hwy. 101.

Brookings-Harbor is the only spot in the continental U.S. that was bombed by a foreign power (Japan) in World War II. The bomb site is marked by a monument accessed from the Bombsite Trail, located about 10 miles inland from Brookings-Harbor on South Bank Road. The pilot of the plane returned to Brookings twenty years after the bombing during their annual Azalea Festival, and presented the town with his personal samurai sword. The sword, now on display at Brookings City Hall, had been carried in his plane for good luck.

Had some climbs today, but what a view

Tomorrow we reach California!

News Release - Salem, Oregon

Disabled Vet Riders Visit Oregon Guard in Salem

Salem-News.com

Hollywood actor is among the Disabled Veteran Foundation riders who visited the Oregon National Guard Headquarters in Salem.

Riders with Operation American Spirit, stopped at the Oregon National Guard's Anderson Readiness Center, in Salem Monday. From left to right: Oregonian Kerry Kingsley-Smith, Actor Jack Scalia, Organization Executive Director, John Wordin, former Army Soldier, J.R. Martinez. The group plans to ride from Seattle to San Diego in order to raise funds and awareness for severely injured military veterans. Photo: U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Nick Choy, Oregon Guard Public Affairs.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Emmy-nominated actor Jack Scalia visited Soldiers at the Oregon National Guard's Anderson Readiness Center in Salem, Oregon Monday. But instead of arriving in a limousine, as is customary for most actors, he arrived on a road racing bicycle.

The visit came during the Oregon leg of Scalia's Seattle-to-San Diego bicycle trek aimed at raising awareness and funds for injured military veterans and their families.

His riding companions included injured Iraqi veteran, J.R. Martinez, former Oregon Soldier, Kerry Kingsley-Smith, and John Wordin, executive director of Operation American Spirit – which aims to raise $50 million for severely injured military veterans over the next few years.

According to the organization's website, operationamericanspirit.org, donations will help injured military veterans concentrate on their recovery efforts, and ease financial burdens on their families. The organization aims to provide mentoring, recovery programs, job and trade assistance, and activities intended to improve morale.

Kingsley-Smith, who lives in Sheridan, joined up with the group in Portland on September 23rd, and planned to ride through Oregon. He said the ride is personal to him because of his friendship with fellow rider Martinez.

Kingsley-Smith and Martinez met in 2003 while they were both at the Army's burn treatment unit at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas. Martinez, a former Soldier who was injured in the line of duty, had been burned over 40-percent of his body. Kingsley-Smith, an Army nurse working as a therapist at the burn unit, found inspiration in Martinez's recovery.

"He had to put up with me because I kept sending him in to talk to the other veterans at the burn unit," Kingsley Smith said.

When Kingsley-Smith found out about the ride on the local television news, he jumped at the chance to be with his old friend Martinez, but also liked what Operation American Spirit was doing.

"I wanted to see the foundation reach their goal," said Kingsley-Smith, who planned to ride with the group toward southern Oregon before returning to his job in public health.

He added that though there are a lot of good stories about returning veterans, most of the stories about military members have a strong political angle. Being a part of the bike ride was his way of raising awareness for a really good story, he said.

Scalia echoed Kingsley-Smith, saying that the organization's goals have nothing to do with politics or the government. "This is about mom and apple pie," Scalia said. "The military members of this country have stood watch for us for so long, and now it's time for us to stand up and do what's right for them."

If you would like to contribute to Operation American Spirit, or join in the journey to San Diego, visit their website at operationamericanspirit.org. The website also contains blogs and news releases which are updated daily.
Source: Oregon National Guard Public Affairs

Day 4 Eugene to Coos Bay 112 miles

Day 4 started out at the Eugene Vet Center with a crisp cold morning with temps at 36 degrees. The road ahead promised to be one the most scenic rides a bicyclist can take anywhere in the US. Taking route 126 out of Eugene and up into the mountains headed to the Oregon coast and the town of Florence, turning left down Highway 101 to Coos Bay.

Jack and the OAS crew took off with Jack riding his Lady Liberty Cervelo outfitted with full Dura ace and Easton Wheels...after the ride, you will be able to bid in the Operation American Spirit Auction to own this sweet ride.

Jack's ride

Now that the ride is into the 4th day, the OAS crew has started to get to know each other a bit better and nicknames for everyone is part of the bonding process. JR Martinez has probably been through more than 99% of us. Yet, he has been having some problems staying upright on the bike. Already he has hit the deck 3 times since we left in Seattle. Also, he does ride the whole distance each day, but manages to get his picture in the paper each day. For all this effort, he has earned the nickname CASH AND BURN...

Check out that elbow....

The ride down the Oregon coast is just about the best any rider can take. Here are a couple of pictures to give you an idea of the scenery. Joining us on the ride is Jack's old friend Doc. Brown, who just so happens to be a chiropractor and an avid fisherman. Just about every lake, river, and stream along the route today had plenty of fisherman. He made sure to stop and check it all out.

It's a Small World

KOIN News 6 for Local News Weather and Sports, Portland, OR; KOIN.com - Disabled Vets Ride

The day started out under cold cloudy skies at the Portland VA. As Jack and Co. headed south towards Monroe with a stop at the Salem, OR Anderson Readiness Center, the Oregon headquarters for the National Guard.

Jack, JR and John visit the troops

All Oregon National Guard troops deploying to Iraq or Afghanistan go through this facility. On the way to Salem, the ride went through the central Oregon farming valley. There was plenty of cows, corn, and the biggest pumpkin patch Jack has ever seen.

Halloween is coming...

About 30 miles into the ride, an old friend of JR's, Kerry Kingsley-Smith showed up to ride along. It seems Kerry saw JR on TV the night before in Portland and looked up the route on the Operation American Spirit website. It seems Kerry was the Charge Nurse in the acute burn ward during JR's rehab at Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC). Kerry was nice enough to buy an Operation American Spirit Jersey to finish off his ride.

It's a small world

JR spent 34 months at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, undergoing approximately 32 different surgeries to repair burns over 40% of his body. He was driving a Humvee in Baghdad and hit an anti-tank mine with the explosion trapping him in the vehicle. He is a testament to the great care the troops receive and this is one of the things that Jack is trying to highlight with this ride.

Jack showing off the OAS uniform

The last 40 miles of the ride went gently uphill with Jack and Co. awaiting tomorrow's ride to the Oregon Coast. The day starts early with Jack and JR appearing on the local morning news show......

The end of Day 3......107 miles....

Day 2 Centralia to Portland

Day 2 started from the Town of Centralia where last night saw the OAS fundraiser at the Olympic Club movie night. Jack and JR woo'd the crowd with stories. OAS T-shirts were a hot commodity.

Jack and Co. took off on Sunday headed for the Rose City of Portland 105 miles down the road. With a mostly downhill route to the Columbia river the pace was quite a bit faster than yesterday. In fact, the ride was an hour faster than the first day.

The highlight of the morning was a passing motorist from Winlock, home of the self-proclaimed world's largest egg, stop the ride to buy $100 worth of T-shirts. In fact to the average cyclist who is generally greeted with shouts and honks, the OAS crew has been greeting very warmly by the folks of Central Washington and Oregon. Friendly waves, thumbs up and cheers have greeted the riders along the route. A great image for cycling.

The weather cooperated with clear skies, no hint of rain, and temps in the mid 60's.

As the ride entered Oregon, Jack and Co. were treated to a tailwind into town. They were greeted by all 4 major networks at the Portland VA. Jack, JR and I were given a tour of the 9th floor ward of the Hospital and visited with patients and given a tour of one of the nicest VA's in the US. Sitting on top of the hill overlooking the Columbia River. Thanks again to Mike and the gang for all of the hospitality.

See you tomorrow from Eugene......

Press Release

SEATTLE -- Wounded soldiers and a Hollywood star hit the road on Saturday morning to head to Los Angeles on two wheels. Actor Jack Scalia is fronting a team called Operation American Spirit in order to raise money for wounded vets through the 1,500-mile ride. The soldiers are relying on pedal power to help them heal from the war. "We all have scars," said J.R. Martinez, a rider. "With mine, you can see them on the outside. There's millions of people that have them on the inside. You can't see them. We can all relate because we have all had to overcome something in life. "Martinez is just 24 years old, but the Iraq war veteran has already looked death in the eye. " My vehicle ran over a landmine. I was trapped inside the vehicle, the vehicle caught on fire. By the time they were able pull me out of the vehicle, I was burned over 40 percent of my body," he said. Many of the participating vets barely survived a war zone only to go under when they get back home." And you still have a mortgage, you still have a car payment, you still have utilities, you still have bills to pay," Martinez said. Scalia and the team are stopping at various towns for various fundraiser's planned. The riders are also raising money through pledges. "The men and women of the Armed forces, once they come home, their lives are just beginning again and now we need to step up for them as they have stepped up for us," Scalia said. Scalia says it's also about saying "thank you" to veterans." The reason we can talk here and make films and do television and leads these fairly safe lives because of the sacrifice they are making over there," he said. The team hope every mile will put more dollars in the pockets of wounded vets when they need it most. "Giving them opportunity to move on with life and be independent again and feel like the provider for their family," Martinez said. And make it easier to put some of the scars of war behind them. You can follow the ride online and make a donation to help wounded soldiers at Operation American Spirit's website.

http://www.komotv.com/news/9937136.html
http://www.komotv.com/news/9937136.html?video=YHI&t=a

The Route

Jack Scalia will be biking from Seattle to San Diego in 14 days to help raise funds for wounded soldiers. Please join and support him during the trip!

Check this journal each day of the ride for photos, videos and to find out where Jack is on the route!