WHO:
Veterans and athletes who care. We are currently building an International Team. Check out the roster below. Join us as we ride a bike 210 miles.
WHAT:
Raise awareness and funds for veterans in need with Honor Flight San Diego.
WHERE:
Death Valley is located in the Mojave Desert in southern California, USA. It is known as the lowest (-282 feet/86 meters) elevation point in the United States and the highest known air temperature (134 degrees) in the world.
WHY:
Our team goal is to raise $50,000 during a bike ride fundraiser to benefit Honor Flight San Diego.
Their mission is to fly World War II, Korean and Vietnam war veterans to Washington DC for 3 days of memorial tours, gala dinner and camaraderie to honor them for their service. Each full plane trip costs $300k to take 200 passengers ($1,500 per veteran).
Donate here to Honor Flight San Diego
I am a part of a team of Navy SEALs and like minded athletes who believe our veterans deserve full honor and respect. I believe very strongly that “to much that is given; much is expected” and I have an obligation to help others in need.
Our group will put our asses on the line – literally. I am paying for my own plane transportation ($750) from Florida to San Diego and driving a rental car ($500) to Death Valley for several days of type A fun and relaxation.
My personal goal is to raise over $5,000 to help veterans in need. Will you help me get the job done for veterans in need?
WHEN:
April 8-11, 2026
WHO IS THIS FOR?
When Lance first asked me about riding for this event -the first person that I thought of was my Uncle Steve. Steve was born in 1944 and grew up in Lake City, Florida. He played on the football team and graduated high school 1965. Steve joined the US Marines and served his country valiantly doing two tours in Vietnam (1966-1968).
He did not have to go back the second time – but he did it anyway as he loved his country. Steve passed away this past year but he will be remembered as a true American who served his country to the best of his ability. I know that Uncle Steve would have really loved to go on an honor flight to Washington D.C. This is a way to remember Uncle Steve and his sacrifice for this great country. Don’t let another Vietnam war veteran slip away without the honor and respect that they deserve. There are not many of them left.
The Death Valley National Park Routes
Our biking team will start from the Furnace Creek Campground and all routes are out and back. All riders will be accompanied by a support vehicle due to the remoteness and exposure of the area. Many thanks to Glenn Bland who has offered to bring his sprinter van with tools and follow us. Glenn may ride also – thanks Glenn!
#1 BADWATER (35 Miles):
A classic out-and-back to the lowest point in North America. The Badwater basin is known as the lowest point at 282 feet/86 meters in the Continental United States. This route is all about holding a line across the salt flats. It’s flat, fast, and exposed—a pure test of your ability to handle the desert heat and wind. This is one of the most barren places on earth and will be the first tough test we have to pass before advancing to the next stage.
#2 EMIGRANT CAMPGROUND (67.1 Miles/3,319 feet):
Heading out on Hwy 190, this asphalt 34.5-mile trek toward Stovepipe Wells and back offers a relentless, rolling landscape.
We will experience the vast scale of the valley floor as you push through the shimmering “false flats” of the Mojave while traveling around the northern base of Tucki mountain (6732 ft.).
Emigrant Campground route RWGPS file
Day 1 Total = 102.1 miles
#3 Crater Roundtrip from Oasis (100 Miles/3,935 ft):
A 50-mile mission up Scotty’s Castle Road. This route takes you north into the deeper reaches of the park.
It’s described as a a rhythmic, steady haul that rewards focused riders with stunning views of the jagged mountain ranges flanking the valley. Expect a long time in the saddle and crosswinds.
Rugged sounding places like Mars Hill (to the south) and Chloride Cliff (to the east) are reminders of how bleak and beautiful this place can be.
Crater Roundtrip from Oasis RWGPS file
#4 DAYLIGHT PASS (58 Miles):
This 58-mile round trip takes you toward the Nevada border via Daylight Pass.
Expect sustained gradients and significant elevation gain that will tax your legs before rewarding you with a massive, high-speed descent back to the basin floor.
Day 2 Total = 110 miles (double check mileage on Crater)
The average temperature range for April 8–11 typically fluctuates between a low of 58°F (14°C) and a high of 88°F (31°C).
I will be honest with you. 210 miles in 2 days in the desert scares me a little. I dont know much about that cactus land. I am a Florida man and will be like a frog in the frying pan.
What I do know is that the blistering sun and cross winds can beat you down quickly if you are not prepared. I am very excited for the physical challenge in the natural elements and am grateful for this opportunity to help veterans in need.
SPONSORS:
We greatly appreciate the generous donations and sponsors that we have for this event. So far we have raised $4,725 and are 94% towards the $5,000.00 goal.
Event organizer Navy SEAL Lance Cummings
Glenn Bland – Sprinter van support and bike rider
George Shepherd – bike rider
Faris Amra – bike rider
Jason Smith – bike rider
Brad McLeod – bike rider
Sean Easton – bike rider
Jason Hathorn – $100
McLeod family – $250
Glenn Bland – $200
Scott Hooten – $50
Phil Gilbreth – $50
Linda Culbreth $50
Maine Marine veterans $200
Shane Anglin $250
Joe Gunter $100
Ronald Rembish $50
Hamish Lilley $100
Derek Kozlowski – $100
Joe Jenkins – $500
Terry Dupriest – $25
Rick Hays – $100
Andrew Knasinski – $50
Danny Blaylock – $200
Turn & Burn – $50
Shawn Herman $200
Adam Barabell – $100
Francis Pizzani – $25
Anonymous – $50
Diane Stone – $100
Amy Deweese – $200
Joe Falcone – $50
Oliver Vollrath – $15
John Sites – $100
Billy Dewayne Avans – $25
Richard Lightsey – $100
Kristen Craig – $25
Nancy Montcalm – $100
Patrick Martin – $50
Tom Proctor – $25
Spencer Wolfe – $25
Curtis McWhirt – $100
Justin Sikorski – $50
Graham MacKenzie – $50
Michael Evans – $25
Andrew McCormick – $250
Jeff Naville $50
Virtual Rider International Team
- Dewayne Avans (121 miles so far rucking, walking, elliptical) Tennessee
- Patrick Martin (120 miles so far run, ruck) Missouri
- Craig Patrick (90 miles so far ride) Florida
- Brian Oullette (60 miles so far bike hike)
- Graham MacKenzie (46 miles row, run so far) Idaho, USA
- Charles Allen – (70 miles so far) Texas, USA
- Michael Evans (52 miles so far ruck, run)
- Graham MacKenzie (46 miles so far trail run) Washington
- Neil Heckman (40 miles so far ruck, ruck, walk
- Ronald Rembish (34.8 miles walk, bike)
- Bob Yu (32 miles ruck, run) China
- Phil Gilbreth (30 miles so far walk)
- Scott Hooten (20 miles so far run)
- Simion Candrea (run) Canada
- Hamish Lilley (run, ruck) New Zealand
- Dewayne Avans (run, ruck) Georgia, USA
- Ronald Wyncott (walk, hike, run, row)
- Curtis McWhirt (run, ride)
- Matt Rogers (run, ruck) Australia
- Doug Freer (TBD) California
- Renee Petruna (run, walk, row) Pennsylvania
- Richard Charette (row) Canada
- Jeff Naville – ride
- Virtual – your name – join us.
GEAR SPONSORS:
BUBS Naturals – over $1k in electrolyte and collagen protein check out our BUBS collagen protein review.
Many thanks to BUBS Naturals who has stepped up again to be a kick @ss sponsor of SGPT projects. We used BUBS hydrate or die during our last trip to climb 14ers in Colorado last summer. Thanks BUBS!
Con-cret Creatine
All of our SGPT athletes know the benefit of creatine and use it daily.
Thanks Mark Faulkner and Con-cret for supporting our cause.
Kuhl Clothing
Many thanks to Kuhl as they have allowed me to review their gear and sent me some really cool stuff that I have worn on several bike ride fundraisers (TNGA & Natchez Trace).
I will be wearing Kuhl shorts, trousers and shirts on the bike and off during the Death Valley event. Thanks so much to all the Kuhl reps. Check out my review of the Kuhl Outsider shorts here:
Past Bike Ride Fundraisers
Natchez Trace Bike Ride to help Veterans in Need 2024
TNGA 350 for Tallahassee NICA Thunder Mountain Bike Team 2020
TNGA 350 for Navy SEAL Foundation 2019
You can help Honor Flight San Diego which will give veterans get the respect and honor they deserve. DONATE here
About the Author:
Are you looking to achieve big goals? Do you have a monster event on the horizon and you want to finish the drill?
Wanting to complete a Spartan race, GORUCK, Tough Mudder or climb a big mountain?
Get individual athlete and life coaching from former Navy SEAL Coach Brad McLeod. Check out SGPT coaching here: