Retired master sergeant rides bike to raise funds

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Geneva Croxton
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – For Larry Finan, May was been a busy month. 

 

While many slept, Finan packed up his campsite and prepared for another day on his self-supported bike ride from Vacaville, California, to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, to raise money through donations for the EOD Warrior Foundation. 

 

So far, Finan has traveled 1,300 miles, recently arriving in Oregon. 

               

Finan, a retired master sergeant, began his military career in the Army Reserves.  After two years, he the joined the Air Force, serving for 20 years as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal technician. 

 

To raise money for the EOD Warrior Foundation, Finan turned to cycling, which has always been his hobby, after falling in love with the sport early in his career.    

 

“I was very active in the mountain biking community when I was stationed in Germany,” Finan said.  “I realized I wanted to do a trip on my bike across the U.S. many years ago, but time constraints made it difficult with work.  Now that I’ve got some time, I figured it would be fun to ride up the coast.”

 

Finan’s goal is to complete the trip as quickly as possible. 

 

“If I average 50 miles a day, I should be able to make it in a month,” he said. “I will leave from Vacaville, and end my ride at Mad Bomber Brewing Company, in Hayden, Idaho.”

 

Mad Bomber Brewing Company is a special place for Finan. 

 

“The owners are all former Army EOD guys,” Finan said.  “It's special for me to get to ride there.  Across the services we share a special bond as EOD technicians.  It will be rewarding to finish my trip and celebrate with friends in our community.”  

 

Combined, Finans’ bike and gear weigh around 60-pounds.  He is self-supported, carrying three to five days of food, supplies and camping gear for each night.  Finan also carries three spare tubes for his tires and has one tire ready to be shipped to him if need be.  He plans to stock up at resupply points along his journey.

 

Though Finan is completing his ride alone, his wife, Camille, played a large role in the logistics and planning to get him on the road.

 

“It has been fun and interesting to try out all of the different technology with Larry and see what will and won't work,” Camille said.  “We have done a couple trial runs and are able to text and use a satellite phone to stay in touch.  He will be on pretty big roads, so safety is my biggest worry.  Fortunately, he looks like a small car, so people can see him coming.”

               

It took teamwork and preparation to send Finan on his journey.

 

“We have been training together and do many of activities ... always riding bikes and motorcycles, and lots of other fun things,” Camille said.  “I think that a family that plays together stays together and training and preparation for this ride was fun.”  

 

Though Camille is not riding with Finan, she is looking forward to hearing about the adventure. 


“I am most excited to hear about the people Larry meets on his trip,” she said. “He is very friendly and I think as people hear about his story they will want to help him out and donate to the EOD Warrior Foundation.”

 

“The biggest challenge starting this journey has been having the discipline to get going," Finan said. “My wife and I are both self-employed, on our feet all day working. The last thing we want to do in the afternoon is get out on a bike and train.”

 

Finan’s biggest concern about the journey is the weather. 

 

“I am expecting to be completely rained on,” Finan said. “Originally I was going to ride up through the Sierras, but part of that trip from Red Bluff up through Mt. Shasta I realized would be a little bit rough because it’s incredibly remote,” he said.   “Camille and I did a practice run on our motorcycles.  It was a good thing we did this, as most of the little markets and campgrounds were boarded up, closed from weather.” 

This was a time when preparation paid off. 

 

Finan has had great support from his EOD community.

 

“As soon as I put the word out, guys from the shop at Travis contacted me and asked what they could do to help out.  Beale Air Force Base EOD also reached out to me.”

 

Along his journey, Finan is using a tracking system, which locates him at all times using satellites.  This allows him to stay in touch with Camille and his contacts when he is in areas with no service.  Finan is also bringing his iPad, allowing him to update his blog.   

 

To follow Finans’ journey, check out his blog larryfinan.com