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UTAH
Wow its crazy to think I am already a week into this whole adventure. Its been hard to keep connected with the world out here with no cell service or internet most of the way so forgive me I am trying my best to keep everyone posted.
So I arrived late Tuesday to salt lake and got all settled in in the motor home when the week started we had like 7 people on the bus. First day we had to be up at 430am to do a morning news show with this local news personality “BIG Buddha”. So after thee longest morning every doing all that they had a hospital presentation set up for the afternoon. A huge part of going on this tour and a huge part of why it is all possible is to raise awareness for C.O.R.E. along with raise money to get the first one opened.
The next morning we all we excited to get some riding in at a local park with a group of sci hand cyclists to do a little send off before we hit the road. This one of the first times I have done miles on the trike. I made it like 7 miles and was getting a feel of how my legs are working. Its thee craziest thing almost hard to explain, I have to think about every movement just to keep my legs spinning. It is a struggle just to do that let along keep going for miles and miles. This first week has been just getting settled in and doing filming for the documentary so we are just doing stage rides so its good to get my feet wet. So after we got all that done we headed south to a state park for some more stage riding but about 100 miles we got a flat tire in the motor home. Someone was looking out for us because we got the flat just before the only exit in 40 miles and sure enough there was a tire shop. Oak Creek Tire ran by toothless Pete didn’t have our tire and couldn’t get it till the morning so we just camped out. We all ate a DQ and shopped the truck stop. And let me tell you I am never buying real sunglasses again. I found the same pair of glasses for $11 that I paid $107 man do I feel dumb. I did a little freestyle rapping for the crew then we all crashed out.
Wake up the next morning and got the tire done and back on the road headed south for cedar city Utah. So as we are driving Rex and Dane the film guru’s decided I needed to make a music video of my rapping skills they had witnessed last night. I am hoping I can get that video to show you guys, I was pretty pumped on it. We make it to a KOA in cedar city and did a little stage riding to do some more filming. Once again riding the trike and having to give my 111%. The only way me and Aaron could explain it was that we are putting out the same effort as the leaders in the Tour De France.
Woke up feeling good about my legs and my riding just waiting to get on the real road and doing all the miles. We had to drive to another national park were we can get some more riding and filming done. We have been in what I think is the coolest country side I have ever seen. We made it to Bryce Canyon and did some more riding right in the middle of this red rock canyon and it was once again a good ride. We camped out along this river bed that had a little creek running through it and I had a brilliant idea I was going to cross the mud to go lay in the creek. I grabbed my Leki hiking poles and 6 inches of mud deep was I. Rex had his camera out filming me almost falling every step in the mud, while everyone else stayed out of flying mud’s way. After my outdoor shower and some food we could all just relax and enjoy the silence of the middle of nowhere. Rex and Dane had this idea to do light paintings and I had no idea what lighting was. So in a nut sell you have the shutter of the camera stay open for like 15 seconds in the dark and use flashlights to expose what you want to be exposed to the camera. Some of the craziest pic’s I have ever seen were made. Hoping to get those to so you guys can check out that adventure.
Morning came and there was people everywhere one on the roof a few outside on the ground on the couch on the floor of the motor home, you just have to love camping. That afternoon we headed out up to a pass that we were going to do some filming. We made it to the summit and you look over the cliff and see the road just winding back and forth down into the canyon. This day I started my riding on the recumbent bike and after the day of riding some of the coolest road I have seen I fell in love with that thing. I am thinking that’s going to be my weapon of chose until I can progress to a trike full time or a regular bike. That night we ate a awesome little restaurant one my mom would have fell in love with. Sad night because Rex and Dane had to leave to catch planes the next day, these were to of the most down to earth coolest cats I have ever met. Going to miss you guys………..
The next morning with Rex and Dane we all just took the day to get things cleaned up and get things organized. Aaron and I shaved our legs and heads which us most of the morning along with an outdoor shower which was quite a hook like everything we do together its always one big laugh. Even though we can be serious and get our stuff we both have a sense of humor with it all. Which I think you almost have to have that to get through the stuff we go through. We drove up to scenic look out halfway up the summit are going to climb tomorrow. It was perfect it was raining we had thee coolest view so we all just sat down and played cards and got rest for tomorrows big ride and the start of the real riding.
Woke up ready for this ride. Shortly after doing a 6 mile 8% grade down hill to the bottom which took us 12 minutes when then turned around and 1 hour an 30 minutes we make it the 6 miles. Half way up it began to pour rain like no other at one point I swear it was hailing. After lunch we were back to it to the summit. I rode the recumbent and going up a 8% grade I maybe average 4 mph for hours. This part of Utah is so awesome we had thee hardest up hills yet thee funniest down hills. I really cant believe how much better my legs got even since the morning, every pedal stroke was a new beginning, I was giving my all every push every pull just to keep moving and not stop and roll down the mountain. Its hard to believe how awesome we all were doing for our first ride. At the summit of 10,000ft I just kept telling myself that for every insane uphill there is an even better down hill. We went up to 10,000ft back down to 6,000 then climb back up to 9,000 so it was a 48 mile 6 and half hour ride of death. After we made it to camp I literally fell out of my bike and laid there in the grass feeling like I was still pedaling. DAY 1 of real riding CHECKED off. Way excited to keep this momentum going and head on to Denver.
I will do my best to update more often and have more pictures up. This is my first time working with creating my website so I am still trying to figure it out. Make sure to check out RISEABOVETOUR.COM for more updates. Thank You for checking it out. |
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<< Navigate to 7/15/2008 |
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Amazing! A couple months ago I was in an atv wreck and had a t6 burst fraction. right away my b/f found your video's on youtube and we watched them day by day for motivation! I also was told to deal w/ being in the wheelchair. 3 months into it i started to gain hip movement and has started to work it's way down so far. I find you very motivational and strong!! Keep on goin! you've come this far and now look at you! I just can't wait til I am there!! I'd love hearing from you drew82586@yahoo.com
Good luck with all you do! |
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what's up Yo Jordon, just learned about your trek ,,,You are amazing !!
Just keep pedeling ,,, the checked flag is always just around the corner
Stay in touch !!!
bob |
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Hey Cuz! Hey Jordan it's your cuzin Chelsy! Just wanted to say hi and that we are all very proud of you.. we missed you over the weekend up at Aunt Shelia's but you keep truckin along bud.. Miss ya!... Chelsy |
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Big Sexy!! Hows it goin bro?!? The website is lookin pretty damn good.. Hey when ever you get back in cal you need to hit me up and we'll get a poker game goin so i can take all your money like the good ol days.. |
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Hi Jordan Go Jordan Go. In our hearts we are pedaling with you (and wishing we were there) every turn of the wheels.
Love Bill and Linda |
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you are one insperational kid i work for your father and i am very happy to see you are doing so well.i applaud you in your efforts to bring awarness to spinal cord injuries.you are what makes being part of the human race special.may god continue to inspire you to greatness. |
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Hey Jordan!! Love ya Jordan!
Keep up the hard work and get the Rap video up, everyone wants to see it.
If you can't make it in music I see you can write a book.
Love ya, proud of your hard work.
DO WORK SON!!
Dad |
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Rise above your demons. See the world from a New Perspective. Its hard to comprehend what your doing Jordan. Most live life in a fog, they will never truely live. Everyday is the same for them because they think the world owes them better. Your proving the world owes you nothing, all you have to do is live it to the highest possiblities. Seeing it in a new light will help other see it too.
You've just begun your Road Trip, but just know you've set an example and helped one person here see a little better in the fog.
Andrew
Love ya brother
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AN AMAZING KID!!! Hey Jordan,
My name is Tom and I live in Vista, CA -- not that far from Corona and definitely not that far from Sharp Grossmont. I work at Palomar College in San Marcos as the Sports Information Director (I do our athletic web site, among other things) and I was sports editor of a daily newspaper in Vista for 23 years. I've visited Jamestown twice in the last nine months (what a great place), I have a mail subscription to the Sun and I first heard about you by reading the article in the July 17 edition of the Sun. Your story is very touching and inspiring, and you are a very amazing person. We should hook up and write a book, which could be a great vehicle for making people aware of spinal cord injuries, the Rise Above Foundation and CORE .. plus the expenses for your medical care and rehabilitation have to be overwhelming, over and above any insurance your family may have had. Your story is so complelling, I really believe a book could sell big and help in that area as well. E-mail me at tsaxejr@palomar.edu or my cell is 760-518-7564. Hit me up and I would love to meet you and your family and talk about this when you return to California. I really look forward to meeting you in person. I'll leave you with these thoughts, Jordan: You will ride again. Bottom line is that you will. Your determination is incredible. I am praying for you and very much look forward to meeting you in person. |
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Hey 111 !!! You better get that rapping video up I'm interested in seeing what you can do dogg!! Don't sweat it; your website is looking good. I'm glad your Dad emailed me your site, can't wait until your next blog. I envy you; the scenery you're witnessing must be next to beautiful. Keep it up bro, will see you when you make it back to Cali!! -- Daniel |
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Hey Hey looks like your first week in Utah was pretty sweet. Riding bike all over must have bean pretty fun seeing the area and stuff. Your doing a amazing job keep it up. Later. |
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hey little brother! hey jordan i'm glad to see you finally made a real blog entry! you make me so proud. i love you and i wish i could be there riding beside you! i just got back from another week in the mtns. i'll try to give you a call sometime tomorrow. i love and miss you like crazy! |
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There's nothing you can't do. Hi Jordan,
Keep inspiring others with your determination. Good things come to those who give. You are my hero.
Your Uncle Brent |
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am-a-zing That is the one word that cpmes to mind when I read your story and watch your videos! You are truly amazing! keep it up honey! =] |
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hi jordan sounds like you're having fun...isn't utah beautiful? you are absolutely amazing Jordan! keep up the hard work! |
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goon u've got all these people fooled jordan! u know i can work u on a bicycle anyday (hand cycle)! dont come anywhere near texas unless u want to get worked!!
ds |
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Hey savage! Congrats on the big day yesterday! Keep riding hard. Q2W misses our little mascot, your desk is always open don't forget to come visit. |
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Jordan 111 Jordan,
This is the big ride for a good cause, you have already made us proud and inspire many our prayers are with you have fun Rod and Sandy |
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Hey Jordan! You need to get going on updating your site. I sent you the links. Have a great week in beautiful Utah!!
Love ya,
dad |
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Never Quit Good Luck Jordan on your tour, I know your uncle Rod pretty good. Keep up the hard work! |
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