Amputee Veteran Nearing End Of Cross-Country Cycling Trip
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) – Rob Jones lost both of his legs during his deployment in Afghanistan, but he hasn't let that slow him down.
"I'm cycling across America, from Maine to Camp Pendleton," Jones said.
Jones, 28, started this journey on Oct. 14 of last year.
"It's been a tough winter. I'm happy to be in the warm California weather now," Jones said.
Unbearable temperatures, fatigue and the most inspirational piece of his story: pedaling with two prosthetic legs.
His life changed during his 2010 deployment to Afghanistan as a combat engineer for the Marine Corps.
"We were clearing a route; I was trying to find an I.E.D. … It exploded," Jones said.
He remembers waking up at the hospital, fully accepting what had happened to his legs.
"They were severed in the explosion below the knee and nothing was salvageable … so they had to amputate above the knee to save my life," Jones said.
After a year and a half in and out of the hospital, physical therapy is done.
"I guess you could say I'm still recovering. There's other things I can always improve on," Jones said.
But nothing holds this U.S. Paralympian back. With multiple marathons and triathlons on his list of achievements, he's spending his days trying to give back,
"It reminds me that everything I'm doing isn't that hard," said supporter Steve Miller.
Family and supporters are riding beside him as he raises money for charitable organizations that are helping injured service members and their families.
With 5,400 miles behind him, calling him an inspiration is an understatement.
"Everybody's coming out and riding with him. People come up to him crying and hugging him all the time. I think he's definitely inspired a lot of people; I definitely think he's doing a great thing," Miller said.
So far Jones has raised just over $90,000. The ride wraps up April 12 at Camp Pendleton in San Diego.