''homeless addict'' to pro cyclist inspiration

[luigiV]

not sure if this is for this thread but very good story

http://www.homelessforums.org/showthread.php?t=3403

 

[Zweistein]

not sure if this is for this thread but very good story

http://www.homelessforums.org/showthread.php?t=3403

I like the last line. "It is like a Lance Armstrong story for drug addicts".

 

[theswordsman]

That's from early 2009. I have no idea how he's doing now, but things went South for him later that year, I'm sorry to say.

Chad Gerlach’s high-profile comeback to pro cycling after five years of abusing drugs and living on the streets took a reverse this summer as he once again appeared to spiral down into addiction and panhandling.

But more recently, with a new baby and assistance from family and friends, he’s off the street and back on the roads, in addiction treatment and hoping to resume his career.

After six weeks of a dismal life on the streets in his hometown of Sacramento, Gerlach called three days ago and said he was holding his newborn daughter in his arms, that he was devoted to getting clean and was ready to resume his comeback.

http://velonews.competitor.com/2009...et-back-in-his-much-publicized-comeback_99129

I'm sure there's an old forum thread if you'd like to Google it

 

[Barrus]

I thought some guys saw him last year at some races and he was looking better again

 

[Granville57]

I'm pretty sure I posted bits of this some time ago...

Gerlach was featured on A&E's show, Intervention.
Very sobering to watch. Troubling story, to say the least.
Part 1 gets very cycling-specific at the 9:15 mark—early years with U.S. Postal; Olympic training; run-in with Lance; etc.

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

-------------------

December 2008 PEZ interview

Wins KOM at 2009 Nature Valley Grand Prix (short video)

Wins the Tour de Nez, June, 2009

5th in '09 Nevada City, behind Lance & Levi.

Back in rehab, Oct. '09

Crit crash; hospitalized; March, 2010

 

[montel]

Chad was enjoying the Tour of California last week - ran into him on Sierra Road.

He was offering beer feeds to the riders (only a few tried to grab it!)