The Sea to Shining Sea bicycle ride entered Otoe County Sunday on the second half of a bicycle ride across America and growing confidence that disabled people can exceed expectations.
“Everyone is pretty optimistic and happy about the ride being half over. Some people have been surprised they made it this far, but that is what this is all about, exceeding expectations and exceeding your perception of yourself,” said Sgt. Marc Esposito.
Sgt. Esposito, who was on fire and unconscious when medics found him following an IED attack in Afghanistan, was among 18 disabled athletes to stop at Dunbar on Sunday.
The combat controller in the Air Force special operations said the best part of the journey has been the experience of seeing the riders come together.
When the riders left San Francisco May 22 on the 63-day ride, long distances developed between the leaders and those falling behind. As the ride went on, however, the distance shortened. All of the riders were in Dunbar at the same time.
“It’s awesome to break down barriers,” said Chad Jukes of Salt Lake, Utah.
Jukes, who lost his leg from injuries suffered in 2006 when his truck hit an anti-tank mine in northern Iraq, is using the ride to help train for a mountain climbing expedition to the Himalayas this fall.
He said the ride is an opportunity to change the perceived limits of people with disabilities, whether they are self-imposed or imposed by society.
“I knew a guy who was still in the hospital when the nurse said you need to find new hobbies. Obviously that’s not true,” he said.
“The message is people with disabilities can do this. We can alter the mindset of people,” he said.
Esposito, who passed Syracuse with the lead van and hand-cyclist athlete Eric Frazier, said logistics has been the biggest hurdle for the ride.
“We have a good group of competent interns, but really, there is no checklist for taking 20 wounded veterans across the nation,” he said.
The group arrived in Iowa with cheers, but Esposito said Nebraska made a good impression.
“It’s nice because we’ve seen so many patriotic citizens,” he said.
