Danny’s Ride

Daniel Leonard

Quote: Life is just a blink of the eye, a very short journey. Put God first in your life and always give Him time. Help others, and enjoy all your blessings. Always challenge yourself mentally and physically, regardless of your age. Never, never give up no matter what crosses your path.

Age: 69
Occupation: Music Instructor for forty-eight years and Owner of Leonard School of Music

Why do it again?
Main reason– Millions of people heard our message and my story when we crossed the US in 2000. You never know how many people you really helped, but knowing your helping someone or maybe even saving a life – how could you not do it again?

The first time I crossed the US was 10 months from my last chemotherapy treatment. I wasn’t prepared mentally or physically for the bike trek. Overall, I didn’t get to really enjoy the ride like I know I will this time.

When did I decide to do it again?

As soon as I got back from the ride in 2000, I knew I would do it again

How did I find Drew?

I put information about the Ride on Craigslist. I was looking for someone that was a Christian, who cared about people and had a connection with someone in his family that had cancer. We met at Earth Fare, in South Windermere and talked several hours and seem to hit it off. As soon as we started talking I felt real comfortable. Drew has a lot to offer on this bike trek across the country. He is a great guy with a lot of character and I’m blessed and so is our team, to have him for this ride.

How did you find your driver?

I only contacted on person that I wanted to drive and that was Charlie (Butch) Beck. We go back a long way – James Island high school – Charlie was several years behind me in school. We both ran track – both were involved in music – and we both set Physical Fitness Records in the service. Butch was in the Army Special Forces, in the 82nd Airborne Division. He set the Physical Proficiency Test Record of 498 points out of 500 at the Army Base, Fort Jackson, SC, during basic training in 1961. Butch lost his arm in an accident in Charleston. He was quite a guitarist. About six months after his accident I went to his house to ask him if he would like to play trumpet and his reply was instant and I just happen to have a trumpet in my car with a lot of different mouthpieces. He started taking lessons, sometime daily and became a real fine trumpet player. Playing in bands around Charleston for 14 years. Butch and I have always had mutual respect for each other for many, many years. I could not find a more dedicated person or a better driver for this trip.

Communications person

Kenneth Skipper and I go back also to the sixties. Kenneth was also the Director of Bands at Stall High School for four years and a principal in the Charleston County School System for 17 years. He received his music education degree from the University of Miami and two graduate degrees from the Citadel and a doctorate degree from Nova South East University. Kenneth also played with the Tommy Garrett Orchestra for over 10 years.

How has your health been in the past 10 years?

My health has been good until last May a year ago. I had a heart attack and four by-passes. After the operation my heart surgeon, Dr. David Peterseim, from Roper St. Francis Cardiothoracic Surgery of Charleston told me that I had been living on a fourth of a heart for over three years. In August of 2007, I started working out very hard and by the end of September I hadn’t had any problems with my heart. In fact, I was in better shape than I had been in years. I haven’t had a relapse, or any other major issues.

Have you biked this last decade or coming back for this ride?

For many, many years the only bike I rode was a 1992 Harley Ultra Glide. At the end of my first ride I had not worked for over a year and I wasn’t able purchase the bike I used when I crossed the US. After my heart attack I sold the motorcycle and started riding a stationary bike at West Ashley Aerobic and Fitness Center. So, Basically, I haven’t had a bike until we received our bikes from Schwinn in March.

Hope to Convey

When we make our talks we will encourage everyone we talk to, go to the Leukemia and Lymphoma website. I have never talked to anyone that has not had someone in their family affected by cancer. If everyone we talked to would donate monthly.”Thier donation will help Leukemia and Lymphoma Society continue to make a difference in the quality of life of those battling with leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Your secure online tax-deductible donation will help fund lifesaving research, education, and patient services while providing help and hope to thousands. Encourage people to get regular check-ups and make awareness of all the different blood cancers and what LLS can do to help them.” When you as a parents look at your spouse, your children and the rest of your family and see them so healthy but in time – they may be affected. Thinking of cancer that way, it makes so much sense to give now. Also, we give people hope and a booklet by Charles Capps, God’s Creative Power for Healing, the most powerful booklet that I have ever read. This booklet gave me the faith to know that I would be healed and I continue to read this booklet daily.

What is the toughest Part of the ride going to be?

The toughest part of the ride will be TIME. Everyday we will be talking with newspapers, TV and radio stations — Eating five or six times a day — dealing with flat tires, bike problems, rain — and riding an average of 75 miles per day will be very time consuming. Drew and I plan to start riding every morning between 5:30 and 6:00am.