Take A Seat: Sharing A Ride Across America

Last night I was watching the Giro on Universal Sports and left it on in the background. A show came on following the coverage called “Take A Seat: Sharing a Ride Across America”. I was instantly glued to the screen and couldn’t stop watching this.

Dom Gill, a Climber, Videographer, Adventurer and Jack of all trades takes a modified tandem bike ride across America. Beginning in Santa Monica, CA and finishing in New York, NY. During each leg of the tour he is joined by someone with a disability.

The show was inspired by a planned trip with Ernie Greenwald. A man Dom had met a few years ago on a tandem trip from the states down to Argentina. He was sick with Lymphocytic Leukemia. He wanted to cycle across the states but prior to the journey was diagnosed with stage one prostate cancer. They started off on the trip but unfortunately he had to stop to go get treatment.

Dom continued the journey and decided to invite people with disabilities to take part. The show does a great job of showing how inspiring people can be; despite their disabilities the riders show true grit and determination to live their life to the fullest. It’s a true example of people embracing life no matter what challenges come their way.

In the first of the two episodes I watched last night he picked up a man by the name of Kelly Lane, a 59 year old with Parkinson’s disease. It was incredible to see the struggle and determination of this man. The more he pedaled the more determined he was to be able to ride 100 miles. Despite the flare ups of his disease and the complications of his medicine regime he was able to complete five days of cycling including a ride of 100+ miles to finish it off.

In the second of the two episodes he picked up a woman name Rachel. She has Cerebral Palsy. Rachel was only able to talk via a voice machine and using a word card. At first she was unable to reach the pedals on the bike but Dom made some nice adjustments and she was able to get to them. This woman was awesome. She pedaled like a champ and you could see how thrilled she was to be able to do this.

I’m looking forward to catching up on this amazing show.

If you ever come across a time when you think you can’t do something. Watch this show.

You can see more about the show at

http://blue-ant.tv/domandernie/01/index.htm

http://www.universalsports.com/take-a-seat/index.html

This is the site for the original documentary
http://www.takeaseat.org/