End of Lap 1. Photo by Soldier On
It is my great pleasure to bring @Dan_R’s article to the Velominati. Frank has recently written about cycling as an addiction. It’s a “good” addiction but it is more than that. We worry about our Strava numbers, debate sock height, but forget that the simple act of cycling with others can offer more than just an endorphin buzz. Cycling can help heal body and soul. Viva La Vie Velominatus.
Yours in Cycling, Gianni
—
Application of Rule V is certain and clear. Victory, however, can be defined many ways. My most recent addition to my palmares may be a case in point. Here is the story.
In writing this article for my fellow Velominati, you will all learn more about me than many of my family, friends, and past acquaintances know about me. Not only am I retiring from the Canadian Army this spring, but I am retiring for medical reasons. It seems that the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder that I have been living with since my 2008 Rotation in Kandahar, Afghanistan effects me enough to no longer be advantageously employed by the Canadian Forces. After 20 years and making my way through the ranks from Private to Captain, this has been a tough pill to swallow. Due to the recuperative powers of Rule VI, I have managed my PTSD and inevitable retirement with some panache.
In early January, after returning to work after my Christmas Leave, I was selected to represent the Canadian Army at the United States Marine Corps Trials in Camp Pendleton, California. The USMC Trials is a multisport Paralympics training and competition event that the Marines use to reintroduce sports and athletics to wounded warriors and to select the Marine Corp team for the 2012 Warrior Games. At the Warrior Games, as defending champions, the Marines will compete against the other US military arms for bragging rights and the Warrior Cup. The US Paralympics Committee attends both events in order to scout potential new elite talent. Athletic categories are structured under the rules of the International Paralympics guidelines with an additional “Open” category for those warriors that suffer from PTSD, TBIs, cancers, and other illnesses that effect military service. While the Warrior Games does not invite allied nations to participate and compete, the Marines, looking for additional competition, do invite allies from Canada, the UK, Australia, the Netherlands, Germany, France, and Columbia. In order to further generate some fierce competition, the Marines establish teams of Marines East, Marines West, Veterans, and Allies. While I was representing Canada in rifle shooting as well as cycling, my heart and effort was clearly on the bike race. We received six days of intensive training and coaching before we pined on numbers on the morning of 19 February.
Every one of us rides for something. The cycling world if full of hyperbole and reverent prose. Hell, we are a large part of it. After Afghanistan, I continued to ride my bike as I tried to continue my life with my family and in the military. But much was wrong. My whole world was different and I could not explain it. I had lost all motivation at work, I was blocking out my family, and most of the time I was in a deep bad place. While I hadn’t noticed yet, I had little reprieve from my dance with the darkness, but two sources were very important. First my family – a wife that is beyond supportive, and two daughters that could melt any troubled thoughts away. The second was my bike. I found relief from depression, anger, hate, misery, and anxiety from turning the pedals. In my early fight with PTSD, this was not obvious to me. I would avoid riding, but I could not understand why. I could not bring myself to get back into racing, hell, even club rides were avoided.
Fortunately, I did ride on occasion, and a neighbor (@trustnoone) asked about riding in our small town. This led to more cycling as I had committed to riding with others, a sacred act of the Velominati. This rekindled my love of the sport and I found myself forced into longer group rides and even racing again. It was not easy. The mind games one plays with oneself before racing exponentially rise with PTSD. The physical manifestations can be literally debilitating. But I found that once on the road, these troubles would all fade away. So when an opportunity came to represent the Canadian Forces in Camp Pendleton, I jumped at it.
I found at Camp Pendleton an extended brotherhood that was all supportive of each other. Yet, wanted to hammer you in competition. Very much like the Velominati! The experience was life altering in a positive way. I have made inroads on living with PTSD (although there are still bad days), I am easier to live with and better with my family and I have found a stronger new passion for cycling. So much so that I will be building my post-military life around cycling including working with the Paralympic movement, establishing a full time bicycle business, and moving to a cycling friendly community. As the USMC Wounded Warrior Regiment motto says, “Still in the Fight.”
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View Comments
Well guys, again thanks for the good words! I keep the family my focus, and active with the cycling. All is much better these days. Stress, both good and bad - especially "change" effects me in odd ways, but at least I recongize what hell is going on. Above ground in good.
We were able to knock off 155km today. Some nice 8-10 degree rollers and 28C, with 20km headwinds for most of it. Worthy of some warm cokes. And a pinot afterwards.
Angain, thanks!
*again*
@Marcus
I a cool with knocking the piss out of the guys. Tool.
@scaler911
I worked with some seabees in '89. Good crew, and they could knock back a few too.
@Jeff in PetroMetro
SOLD! And everyone else that has "committed" I know how to find people...
Cheers
@Nate
Everybody capable of riding an regular upright bike departed together and Blaise held my wheel for nearly 2/3s of the race in a 30 breakaway, bofore rolling in with the peloton. He didn't realize how close he was, otherwise he probably would have attempted to attack out of the peloton.
He was leading a countre-IED team when he was injured. They found and exploited three unexploded IEDs before he tripped another one on a single call out. While he is now working at our combat engineer school, he recently aced his battle fitnees test and is looking to go back to a regiment.
@Dan_R
Dan, thanks for sharing your story, and I echo all the previous sentiments in wishing you well... you guys are really Rule V-ing it!
@Dan_R
Excellent. Then I feel very comfortable to unload on that fucking hideous helmet of yours. WTF were u thinking?
@Dan_R
Dan,
Thank you for your amazing contributions, in vivo and on paper. Sharing such tales with an unknown audience takes a bravery that few recognize. I have had the privilege of working with Veterans at the VA here in Boston as a psychologist-in-training, and have certainly learned as much from them as I have offered.
I'm so glad that you've found some aid in cycling, and as an avid racer myself I understand the role it can play in our lives. Thankfully research is starting to recognize the importance of exercise in mental as well as physical health, and is recommending it along with other proven treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy and prolonged exposure. I had to smile when you said "I didn't know how I would react to public exposure." Facing our fears like you have marvelously here is so hard, but so important. Thank you for leading the way in recovery as well as in arms.
Great article, thanks for sharing. And nice reference to Rule VI... classy. I have an addiction to new sets of hand-built wheels... if you are going to ship internationally, let me know.
Riding can do so much more than fitness. And the brotherhood you all share is tremendous. Great piece. Thanks for everything.
Earlier today...
Captain Dan Richter enrolled in to the Canadian Forces in 1987 as a private with The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada. After his Reserve Basic Training, he served as a rifleman until he decided to transfer to the Regular Forces in 1988. After completing recruit training at CFB Cornwallis and Basic Infantry training at the PPCLI Battle School in Wainwright, Dan was posted to 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, Work Point Barracks, in Esquimalt, BC. While serving with 3 PPCLI, he was employed in Charlie Company, Reconnaissance Platoon, and Mortar Platoon. In addition to the typical CF and NATO Cold War operations and exercises he participated in as a member of 3 PPCLI, in 1989 Dan served at Naval Air Station Bermuda in a support role to NATO anti-sub-marine operations. Yes, he drank a lot of rum and got sunburn on the beach too. In 1992, Dan left the Canadian Forces to pursue an entrepreneurial opportunity and eventually attend university.
While attending the University of Winnipeg, Dan re-enrolled into the Canadian Forces as an Infantry Officer in 1997, again as a Cameron. While serving with the Camerons, he was employed in various regimental duties including Recruiting Officer, Platoon Commander, and Company 2IC. Also during this time of his career, Dan participated in Op MANDALLIN (CF support to the 1999 Pan-Am Games), trained soldiers at LFWA TC, was seconded to 73 Communications Regiment as the Regimental Operations Officer, and most importantly, he met and married his wife Rita, a Communications Officer, in 2000. After graduation from university and in light of the events of 9/11, looking for full time service he transferred into the Regular Forces as an Army Logistics Officer.
In 2003, after barely completing second language training at CFB St. Jean, QC, and finishing logistics phase training at CFB Borden, Dan was posted to LFWA TC as the Base Transportation Officer. As the Transportation Officer, he oversaw a ten-fold increase of A & B vehicles to the local vehicle fleet in preparation for the stand-up of the Canadian Manoeuvre Training Centre. Also while at LFWA TC, Dan served as the Quarter Master and as an Observer Controller Trainer with the Training Support Company. In his role as an OCT, Dan was able to influence the training of Reserve Service Battalions across LFWA. Let's all hope they can all recover. In April 2006, Rita and Dan welcomed their first daughter Danica to the family.
In the spring of 2006, Dan was posted to 1 Service Battalion at CFB Edmonton as the 2IC of Administration Company. He did not get to stay in that role very long, as he was soon off to CFB Kingston to attend the Army Operations Course. Soon after his successful return from Staff College, Dan was assigned to the National Support Element of Task Force 1-08 to begin work-up training for Op ATHENA Roto 4. In 2008, Dan deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan as the 2IC of Force Protection & Camp Services Company. While Dan was overseas, his wife Rita gave birth to Leah, their second daughter in August 2008. After a hard but successful tour, he returned to his newly expanded family and to CFB Edmonton to become the Base Adjutant.
After a short period as the Base Adjutant, Dan was posted to CMTC in Wainwright as the Operations Officer of the OCT Group in 2009. As Operations Officer, He successfully navigated the planning and conduct of the OCT Group's support to Task Force 1-10 training at the United States Army's Manoeuvre Training Center in Fort Irwin, California. In 2010, Dan was posted across the base to the Integrate Personnel Support Centre and employed as the Projects Officer at CFB Wainwright Headquarters.
In May 2012, Dan will be retiring from the CF with over 20 years service. Dan and his family will be relocating to the Greater Calgary area, where Rita will be continuing her career with 41 CBG HQ. In retirement, Dan will be expanding his small business venture, Richter Bicycles, into a full-time operation, occasionally getting out for a bike ride or golf game, supporting Rita's career and raising his daughters, and eventually frightening any of Danica's and Leah's potential suitors with grossly exaggerated stories of his days in the army.
Thanks to all the V, I have a clear and exciting future!
Congratulations, Dan! Good luck upon your new path.