I am a Navy veteran and Cross Country Cycle 4 Vets was started for a single cycling journey that took me 3042 miles as a self-supported solo cyclist in 2018. I cycled from San Diego, CA to St Augustine, FL. I was on the road for 61 days where I was raising money for injured veterans and first responders for the Gary Sinise Foundation. I was able to raise $30,685 over my goal of $25,000. I returned home in May, and I started feeling lost; I felt as I had lost the meaning in my life. With two years of fundraising to make my goal. My purpose in my life was: waking up, cycling east, eating, talking about our veterans in need, shower, map out my next stop, sleeping and repeating. My mission was to raise money for our veterans and first responders now as I sit here at home looking for a job so I can pay my bills. I felt that I had lost the most important meaning in my life, which I had found as I rode across the Southern Tier toward the end of my ride. I thought that I had to find that meaning again, that meaning of helping my brothers and sisters found an excellent foundation called: Oscar Mike Foundation. This foundation gets injured veterans and first responders “On-the-Move” again through adaptive sports.
My first ride was not without many challenges. Cycling across the country is challenging by itself; it is a bit more intense as I had a brain tumor. I had my tumor removed on May 20th, 2020, so my next ride will be tumor-free. They were able to remove the whole tumor; however, I still cycle with Asthma, Diabetes and Epilepsy. I had 16 seizures when I cycled the Southern Ter for Gary Sinise Foundation. Each time, I needed to stop for about 10 to 30 minutes and could sometimes take an hour to fully recover. Some of my attacks are scary as I laid on the side of the highway shaking by myself listening to the rattlesnakes. But they never discouraged me from my journey. Just as others suffer from disabilities, you learn to live with them, and it becomes part of your life. As long as I can cycle, I will cycle for my sisters and brothers through various foundations! I have also written a book about my journey across America: 10MPH Coast to Coast.
I wanted to find any way to help with the challenges that some undoubtedly face today. My cycling and raising funds are my way of shining a light and letting all injured military members know that they always appreciated everything they do for me. For their sacrifices and unwavering commitment, they have given to our great nation!
Donate to Tracy's fund here: https://donorbox.org/cccycle4v...
