By Gary Robinson, Owner/Founder-AvidCyclist.com
It is hard to keep a good man down, especially when that man has made a life out of picking others up. Jerry Schemmel is a good man. For 14 seasons, he was the beloved radio voice of the Colorado Rockies on 850 KOA, painting vivid pictures of the diamond for fans across the state. Before that, he spent 18 seasons broadcasting for the Denver Nuggets. But in October of last year, a brief phone call ended his tenure with the Rockies, marking the second time in six years he lost his job as a Rockies announcer due to corporate cuts.
While the transition stung, Schemmel, 66, is not one to dwell on setbacks. A survivor of the tragic United Airlines Flight 232 crash in 1989—where he heroically reentered the burning wreckage to save an 11-month-old baby—Schemmel has long understood that life’s greatest trials often reveal its deepest purposes. Today, he channels his boundless energy into a new, profoundly personal mission: competing in the grueling Race Across the West (RAW) to raise $20,000 for Best Day Ministries, a Longmont-based nonprofit serving the special needs community.
A Deeply Personal Mission
Schemmel’s connection to Best Day Ministries is rooted in family. His four-year-old grandson, Henry, has Down syndrome. The diagnosis was a shock to the family, who had no idea until Henry was born. Schemmel admits he initially mourned the traditional grandfather-grandson experiences he had envisioned, like teaching Henry to fish or play baseball. But that perspective quickly shifted.
“One man told me, ‘Those with Down syndrome don’t judge, they don’t complain, they don’t whine. All they want to do is love on people. Their value in life is judged by how many people they can hug in a day,'” Schemmel recalled.
Today, Henry is the light of Schemmel’s life. Though Henry is not yet walking and struggles with communication, Schemmel sees only pure joy in his grandson’s eyes. “Every day is his best day,” Schemmel says. With Henry facing major surgery, Schemmel found the perfect motivation to get back on the bike and ride for a cause greater than himself.
Best Day Ministries: Empowering the Special Needs Community
Best Day Ministries, founded by Joe and Marla Truitt, is dedicated to empowering adults with special needs through faith, joy, and purpose. The organization’s flagship initiative is Best Day Ever
Coffee & Crepes, a vibrant coffee shop in downtown Longmont that employs 16 special-needs adults—many of whom had never held a job before.
The nonprofit also features an online platform where these individuals, affectionately known as “Besties,” can sell handmade items like mugs, artwork, and candles. Additionally, they host a monthly church service led by the Besties themselves. As an ambassador for the ministry, Schemmel brings his voice, story, and heart to an organization devoted to inclusion and hope.
| Best Day Ministries Initiatives | Description |
| Best Day Ever Coffee & Crepes | A downtown Longmont coffee shop employing 16 special-needs adults, providing them with valuable job skills and independence. |
| Joy House Online Platform | An e-commerce site where special-needs adults can market and sell their personally crafted products, such as artwork and candles. |
| Best Day Church | A monthly, inclusive church service hosted at the coffee shop and led by the Besties. |
The Grueling Race Across the West
The Race Across the West is not for the faint of heart. Spanning 860 miles from Oceanside, California, to Durango, Colorado, the race covers the first third of the legendary Race Across America
(RAAM) route. Riders traverse four states and endure a staggering 56,000 feet of elevation gain.
Schemmel is no stranger to ultra-endurance cycling. In 2015, he won the two-person relay division of RAAM, a feat documented in
the film Godspeed. However, his 2021 solo attempt at RAAM ended in heartbreak when severe heat stroke forced him to withdraw on the second day in the scorching desert near Blanding, Colorado. That year, the heat was so oppressive that only three out of 27 solo racers finished.
This time, Schemmel is returning with a vengeance and a refined strategy. Starting on the afternoon of June 16th, he aims to reach the Mojave Desert by sunset to avoid the lethal midday heat. His training regimen has been intense, featuring 100- and 200-mile days, hill sprints, and a week of dedicated heat acclimation in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Because he lives and trains at altitude in Colorado, Schemmel views the final climb into Durango—sitting at 7,100 feet—as a distinct advantage. His goal is to finish the 860-mile trek in just three days, riding a punishing 20 hours a day with minimal sleep.
Fueling the Journey
Nutrition is a critical component of ultra-cycling, and Schemmel faces the added challenge of managing hypoglycemia. To maintain steady energy levels without spiking his blood sugar, he relies heavily on a liquid diet, utilizing Tailwind nutrition powder for hydration and Clif Bar gels for their low glycemic index. Solid foods are kept to a minimum, consisting mostly of small sandwiches that are easy on the stomach.
Supported by a dedicated crew traveling in two SUVs and a camper van, Schemmel will have the logistical backing necessary to tackle the relentless terrain. But his true fuel comes from his faith, his bond with Henry, and the knowledge that every mile pedaled helps support the Besties in Longmont.
How to Support Team Best Day
As Schemmel pushes his physical and mental limits across the American West, he invites the community to join him in supporting Best Day Ministries. His goal is to raise $20,000 to help fund the coffee shop, the online store, and the community events that bring so much joy to adults with special needs.
“I say I’m semi-retired, but I’m busier than ever,” Schemmel reflected. “I’m pretty blessed.”
To follow Jerry Schemmel’s progress during the Race Across the West or to make a donation to his campaign, visit TeamBestDay.com. To learn more about the incredible work being done by Best Day Ministries, visit BestDayMinistries.org.
Authors Note:
Sometimes I am asked to write a story. In this case, the story writes itself. I have had the privilege of knowing Jerry for a number of years, and his story is a continuous one that has inspired me at every turn. Jerry Schemmel is the type of person that makes you feel your day, or your life, is better just by knowing him. I am looking forward to following this journey, as well as his next one. “Thank you Jerry for all of the stories, and the ones to come.”
Gary Robinson
