RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KABC) — An Air Force veteran has a new mission. This time, Pete Steer’s mission is to bike more than 500 miles along the coast. This isn’t just a day of exercise; at the California Coastal Classic, he’s trying to raise awareness and funds to fight arthritis.
“I’m trying to make a difference, I’m trying to inspire people to get off the couch, that’s what I really want,” Steyer said. “We raise over $1 million every year for the Arthritis Foundation, which is pretty amazing considering we have 250 riders.”
Steyr wasn’t always a bike rider – he played basketball for a while – but then he started to develop arthritis in his knees.
“I had a couple of doctors tell me, ‘You’ve had a good life, just stay on the couch,’ and I said, ‘You’ve got to be kidding me, I’m not,'” Stiller said.
He underwent double knee replacement surgery and made a quick recovery, but Stiller feared his CCC riding days were over. But he discovered he could ride again with an e-bike.
“E-bikes have given me wings. It’s been a game changer,” Steyer said. “I literally stopped riding, gave up my bike, my bike equipment and just became a volunteer for these rides. Then two years later I discovered e-bikes and now there’s no stopping me.”
Training with Vim and Vigor Fitness, he hopes to invite as many people as possible to join him on the ride and raise money for the Arthritis Foundation.
“This isn’t just advocacy, it’s education and research,” Steyer said.
Shannon Malan Cox is the Ride Director for CCC.
“Whenever I go out to dinner or have coffee with Pete, he’s always telling someone about CCC and how he’s riding his bike to share our mission and raise awareness,” Cox said.
This year’s ride is scheduled for Sept. 1, and Stiller hopes others will join in too.
“Some people said, ‘That’s a cheater bike,’ No, I ride it. Trust me, I ride it!” said Stiller. “Come ride with me. I ride it, and it’s really good exercise. If I can improve the quality of my life and help those around me, that’s the best way to do it.”
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