# 100 PEDALS

Incredible Accomplishments in the Face of Adversity

- Dave Cooke
- The 100 Pedals Story
- The Four Lessons
- The 100 Day Challenge
- Book Dave!

## The 100 Pedals Story

It was the Fall of 2009, when I first came to the reality of my youngest son’s heroin addiction-homeless, in legal trouble, and now, in jail. Over the next fifteen months, I drove cross country from Phoenix to Detroit twice to facilitate a change in his environment, only to deal with him getting arrested again, endured a sixty days jail stay, awakened him out of a near overdose high, kicked him out of the house several times and re-acquired several personal items back from pawn brokers that were sold to buy drugs. To say the least, it has been and still is quite an experience. And, is one that I would never have wished for in my life and have no way to avoid now.

During the 2010 holiday season, after removing my son from the house again, I realized the impact that his addiction was having on my life. My business, my relationships, and my overall physical and mental health had taken a toll during this fifteen month odyssey. I had invested every ounce of time and energy I could muster to help him, then 23, overcome this addiction. It seemed that his progress, if any, was minimal. And, the slower the progress the more I invested in helping him. That is when I realized that I cannot do this for him anymore, I cannot want it bad enough for him to recover, and that he needed my love and my support, but not my enablement.

The challenge I put in front of myself was how can I be strong for him when he is present and receptive and even stronger for me when he is not? Then, I came up with this crazy idea.

I made a commitment to ride my bike for at least one hour for the next 100 days. This commitment serves several purposes. First, it helps me understand the enormous burden of having to do something every single day for an extended period of time without knowing how or if I even could—in a small way it is like overcoming an addiction. Second, it provides an example to my son what making and fulfilling a challenging commitment looks like. Finally, this commitment gives me perspective, strength, and better mental and physical health.

From the beginning, my rides re-connected me to what I had been living, doing, thinking and being the past fifteen months. I also started taking my life experiences and my innermost feelings and beliefs on these rides; plus, Brandon’s addiction, our conversations, and related challenges came along, as well. Along the way, I started to connect with inspirational and educational opportunities these rides were offering me. Not only was I living the experience of the accomplishments of my commitment, but I was connecting in a sort of meditative state to clarity of purpose for these rides and my life. These rides started to engage and empower me and inspire me in the face of my pain and confusion.

Suddenly I discovered that not only were these rides providing me focus and clarity for my life, or for my Brandon’s life; but they were also providing potential messages of inspiration for others, as well. After all, everyone is going through something. And, everyone is continually looking for guidance, inspiration, and advice. Though the lessons in my rides were speaking to me and helping me with my issues with Brandon, I realized I was also being offered something to share with others as it relates to the challenges and frustrations in their lives.

In the end, 100 Pedals provided a lesson for all of us. It provided perspectives on our commitments, how we communicate, on the power of teamwork, the joy of fulfillment and accomplishment, and finding happiness. 100 Pedals provides a fresh perspective for individuals, teams, and organizations for defining and realizing great outcomes in the face of adversity. I am excited and inspired by the insights I have obtained on my rides; I am pleased to be have the opportunity to share them with you. While 100 Pedals is about my personal journey, I look forward to you joining me in your own personal, inspirational way. Let’s ride!

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## Responses

1. David - This is a very profound and touching revelation about what you and your son have been going through. I have enormous sympathy and respect for your journey. Please know that I am very proud to have you as a friend. I am here for you. Keep pedaling!!!

   By: Karen Goldberg on February 7, 2026
   at 11:05 pm

   Reply

   - Thanks for the kind words. I have found 100 Pedals to be a great source of clarity and inspiration. I hope that others will benefit and enjoy.

     By: Dave Cooke on February 7, 2026
     at 11:37 pm

     Reply

2. Sharing such a personal story openly is very courageous. To have such introspection and connecting it to your work is brilliant. You have found some great parallels to apply to individuals and organizations. The great part is that you will continue your journey even after your 100 days of pedaling around Phoenix. The lessons you are learning will provide so much rich information to develop innovative programs for business leaders. Not to mention the unintended consequences of better health. Congratulations on turning something negative into a positive for you and your family - and now for all of us!

   By: Deborah Peck on February 22, 2025
   at 3:00 am

   Reply

   - Deborah, thanks for the positive support and your added insight. You have been and great inspiration and mentor on this journey!

     By: Dave Cooke on February 22, 2025
     at 3:19 pm

     Reply

3. Hi Dave,
   I didn’t know all this, thanks for letting us glimpse into your journey, I know we will learn a lot of insight for the parenthood journey that lies ahead of Erick & I. While I hope for my daughter not to be in that situation during her lifetime (same as I am sure you never expected that for your son) I know there will be bumps in the road and we can never be too prepared or allow ourselves not to learn from others experiences, at the end the ultimate responsibility as a parent is to teach our children protect them from themselves and that is I believe, embedded in the parenthood path. Looking forward to all the insight we will get from reading 100 pedals and applying it to our own journey.
   Cynthia

   By: Cynthia Zarza on February 25, 2025
   at 6:13 pm

   Reply

   - Thank you Cynthia. Appreciate your kind words and your support. Keep reading and sharing. Thanks.

     By: Dave Cooke on February 28, 2025
     at 7:36 pm

     Reply

4. Dave — Wow. On so many levels. This is inspirational. Can I join you on one of your rides? Karen

   By: Karen Strauss on February 28, 2025
   at 3:37 pm

   Reply

   - Thanks, Karen. You are always welcome to join me. In many ways my best friends are always on my rides with me.

     By: Dave Cooke on February 28, 2025
     at 7:36 pm

     Reply

5. I knew you were doing this and “kinda of” knew the story - but for whatever reason today, I read the story for the first time. I have to tell you that I read it with tears in my eyes. You said it best, we are all going through something and I have been through trauma and drama with my own son and there are times when I don’t have any more to give, to anyone because of the effort it takes to try to help him. I am going to move on and keep reading - I am excited to share your journey if only through your blog. Its already inspiring! Thank you!

   By: Gail Keith on March 1, 2025
   at 10:48 pm

   Reply

6. [...] attempt to tell you Dave’s story, I’ll let him tell it in an excerpt from his blog, 100 Pedals. Please be sure to visit his blog for “the rest of the [...]

   By: Best Gifts Come in Ugly Paper -The YOU Coach, goldeneaglescoaching.com goldeneaglescoaching.com on March 4, 2025
   at 1:48 pm

   Reply

7. Dave - Your post on Facebook today about looking beyond imperfections is what brought me here. Good luck to both of you. I can tell by the clarity of your writing that your plan is working already.

   Jeff

   By: Jeff Korhan on March 5, 2025
   at 7:21 pm

   Reply

   - Thanks Jeff for joining in. Appreciate the support and the conversation. All the best!

     By: Dave Cooke on March 5, 2025
     at 8:01 pm

     Reply

8. I have read excerpts from 100 Pedals before today but it was today’s Remember What is Important (Part II) that made me dig a little deeper in here to find out about Brandon. You are living one of my greatest (unwarranted) fears.

   I applaud you for sharing your stories and insight here and for taking action where you can. Only within you. You are setting a wonderful example to Brandon and your followers.

   You and your son are in my thoughts,

   Jo

   By: Jo Ellen Verna on March 19, 2025
   at 7:38 pm

   Reply

   - Thanks for your comments and your support. This has been quite an experience, though it has provided many learning and educational components for my life, as well. Stay tuned and stay engaged — I always value feedback and input.

     By: Dave Cooke on March 19, 2025
     at 10:57 pm

     Reply

9. I love it when my wayward stumbling through the veritable vast universe of blogs leads me to one with such a profound inspiration and intent. Thank you for sharing your back-story and your forward-stories, as you pedal one day at a time. What an incredible commitment you’ve made, so I honour it by committing to becoming a new fan and daily reader.

   I wish you every good thing.

   By: seekingcat on March 30, 2025
   at 10:02 pm

   Reply

   - Thanks for your kind words and your comments. I have also subscribed to your blog. Looking forward to learning from you, as well.

     By: Dave Cooke on March 31, 2025
     at 3:37 pm

     Reply

10. Dave - I just found this blog and like so many others that have posted already, I want to thank you for your courageous act in sharing this most personal story. I have a similar story that involves my youngest daughter and share a lot of your experiences along her journey and mine. I am grateful and thankful to say she has been clean and sober and leading a most productive life these past 6 years. Your commitment to your son is commendable, and your insight into yourself is to be admired. Best of luck on this journey. My thoughts and prayers will be with you as you pedal your heart and soul out.

    By: Margaret on April 4, 2025
    at 2:09 am

    Reply

    - Thank you for you encouraging words. I really appreciate your support!

      By: Dave Cooke on April 4, 2025
      at 2:44 am

      Reply

11. Wow! Somehow I was thinking of the lotus blossom and thought Therese had surely meant petals. Now I understand. I am a recovered alcoholic so know first hand about addictions. I’m honored to read your story. You were certainly in tune with Spirit to come up with your epiphany and decision. Blessings to you for continued awareness and growth and for the recovery and growth of your son. I am going to email this story to a friend who is having a similar situation to yours. I know it will help her in making some of her decisions. Bless you for sharing.

    By: Hilary Manley on April 16, 2025
    at 8:52 pm

    Reply

    - Thank you for your interest and your kind words. Please share with anyone who would benefit from the story and the message. It has been a challenging period in my life. However, I have learned a great deal about myself, my son, and addiction along the way. Every challenge is an opportunity to learn and grow.

      By: Dave Cooke on April 16, 2025
      at 9:46 pm

      Reply

12. Wow, you really expressed what so many are going through in such a clear and concise story. I too have been down your road as I know unfortunately many others have. Through your own recovery many miracles will happen and hopefully your son will find his recovery. I am grateful that that has been my experience. Just by sharing your story I know that it has helped to heal others that you may never even know about. I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.

    By: Nina Laveson on April 29, 2025
    at 3:18 pm

    Reply

    - Thank you for your comments and your words of encouragement. This started out as a journey for my survival. I am energized and humbled in the way it has connected with so many others. My awareness of these challenges in others has been heightended significantly.

      By: Dave Cooke on April 29, 2025
      at 3:22 pm

      Reply

13. Thank you for sharing your story Dave! #TagTeam

    By: Andia Winslow on October 24, 2025
    at 10:24 pm

    Reply

14. Thank you for sharing your story. I have been involved in many similar stories.

    By: Dr, Nick messina on January 31, 2026
    at 5:13 am

    Reply

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