100 Miles for Hope x three.

 

100 Miles for Hope x three

San Jose , CA

Ed Carpentier, a U.S. Marine Corps Vietnam veteran, rides 300 Miles for Hope following a bike accident that nearly took his life! Here is his incredible story.

I had always planned on doing the 100 Miles for Hope. I am an avid bicycle rider and knew I had until Veterans Day to complete the 100 miles.
On Aug. 28, 2020, I got a phone call from Post Chaplain Bill McCorquodale ("Pastor Bill") informing me that the past commander and adjutant of Post 858, Chris Cabaya, had unexpectedly passed away from COVID-19 complications.
That was my wake-up call to get moving on the bike ride.
On Aug. 31 I signed up for the 100 Miles for Hope, knowing I was still recovering from a near-fatal bike accident.
On April 28, 2020, I was 27 miles into my 40-mile bike ride from San Jose, Calif., to Morgan Hill. As I was crossing
over the 101 Freeway on Bailey Road, a car that was exiting the freeway onto Bailey Road failed to stop for the red light and hit me. The impact threw me onto the hood with such force that the car sustained damage to its left front fender, hood and windshield. I was then thrown about 6 to 8 feet out onto Bailey Road. I was unconscious for a short time. The first thing I remember was two ladies (angels to me). One of the ladies was holding my head and the other my knee. The impact broke my helmet, which probably saved my life. I was taken to the hospital ER by ambulance.
Once there I had CT scans, MRIs and X-rays. All revealed no broken bones! The doctor sewed up my knee and tended to all my lacerations. To this day I am receiving physical therapy for damage to the muscles in my neck, torn meniscus and bursa in my left knee, and treatment for torn muscles in the left side of my abdomen.
After two months of extensive rehab I slowly and carefully resumed riding my bike.
When I heard about the 100 Miles for Hope I signed up for it because I felt I could finish the 100 miles by Veterans Day. When Chris Cabaya passed away, I knew I could do more.
I rode another 100 miles in memory of Chris, and added another 100 miles for members of Northside Post 858.

Ed Carpentier, USMC
Vietnam veteran (1966 -1972)
Semper Fi

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