Chattanooga Veteran Tackles Peru’s Jungle on a Minibike
Chattanooga, TN – Imagine taking a thrilling ride on a minibike over rough cobblestones while dealing with the pain of three broken ribs. For 69-year-old Ace Rickard, this exhilarating yet painful experience became a remarkable reality during a daring adventure in Peru last month.
Ace, along with his son Dave Rickard, joined a cohort of brave souls in the 1,000-kilometer (approximately 600-mile) heart-pounding trek known as the Peru Monkey Run. This particular event, part of a worldwide series dubbed the “Monkey Runs,” was organized by an adventurous English tour company. It took them on a multi-day journey from the highlands of northern Peru to a breathtaking area near Machu Picchu, the ancient Incan city that continues to fascinate visitors worldwide.
Gear Up for the Journey
The duo, made up of two military veterans, called themselves the Zoomy (Dave, an Air Force veteran) and Grunt (Ace, an Army veteran) team. Yesterday marked a moment where the father-son bond was set to be tested physically and mentally. “When my dad first mentioned wanting to go to Peru for this trip, I honestly thought he was joking,” Dave admitted. “But after the fourth or fifth time he talked about it, I realized this was serious, so I decided to jump in and help him get ready.”
Ace, who once ran a business, was no slacker either! He took the lead and trained rigorously at the Sports Barn for an entire year, ensuring he was in prime condition for their adventure. His preparation provided some comfort to him, especially knowing that his son was right there with him, ready for anything that might come their way.
Challenges Along the Way
However, just two days into their journey, as they navigated through a rainstorm, fate had different plans for Ace. While steering his minibike through the deluge, he hit a gigantic pothole, tumbled off his bike, and in turn, broke three ribs. It wasn’t exactly the ideal start to their thrilling trek.
When Dave realized his father had crashed, he quickly circled back to assess the situation. Unsure of what to do, he asked, “Are you going to be able to do this?” Ace, ever resilient, responded, “I didn’t come here to (expletive) quit. Help me get this (expletive) thing back on the road.” With a little help from an Ace bandage (no pun intended) and a bottle of Advil, Ace was back on his minibike, determined to finish the run.
Endurance and Exhilaration
Despite the breakdowns of their bikes and “unique” living conditions (they mostly stayed in basic inns without hot water), both men found themselves enthralled by the ride. “You faced so many challenges, yet there were moments where the scenery and thrill took your breath away,” said Ace. Although the food was less than gourmet (chicken feet soup and guinea pig, anyone?), they laughed and rolled with it.
On the fifth day, when Ace was pushing upwards through a 14,000-foot mountain pass while battling cold rain, he yearned for a cup of coffee. Miraculously, he stumbled upon a small coffee shop with a sign that read “Coffee!” It seemed surreal, yet he couldn’t resist. Inside, they found hot coffee and soothing Frank Sinatra music, a delightful retreat amidst their challenging journey.
Completing the Challenge
By the end of their trek, Ace not only conquered the grueling course, but he also made history as the oldest person ever to complete the Peru Monkey Run. After crossing the finish line, Ace proudly reflected, “You old SOB, you did it.” In that moment, he felt everything ache, yet he wore his exhaustion as a badge of honor.
Later that evening, back in Chattanooga, Ace’s wife was shocked to see her husband covered in bruises and cuts. Instead of criticizing him, she told a friend, “You know, that’s my North Carolina redneck husband, and I’m proud of him.”
As their journey together showcased, age is just a number, and adventure knows no bounds! Who’s up for the next Monkey Run?
