The Ongoing Unfulfilled Promise of Chad Gerlach

A former subject of an episode for A&E’s Intervention, cyclist Chad Gerlach, who recently raced for Amore & Vita and won this year's opening stage of the Tour de Nez, seemed to have silenced the demons that plagued him. But addiction is a tricky thing and more than often wrought with a physiologically and psychologically perilous path.

Sadly, the Sacramento Bee reported on Sunday that Gerlach had recently relapsed and returned to a life of “drinking, panhandling and living on the streets.” Zach Medina of BikeReviews.com actually caught up with Gerlach on the streets of Sacramento last month and offered up a different perspective of the once promising professional cyclist who some had thought could have been as good as another former US Postal rider, Lance Armstrong.

Tragically, in early July of 2009, Gerlach said he reverted back to using crack-cocaine. I caught up with him late last month in front of a Downtown Sacramento pub, a location he deemed his spot to panhandle for the night. With a crisp grey t-shirt on, some shorts, and a pair of Specialized cycling shades, Gerlach didn’t appear homeless at all. Behind him, perched against a wall, stood his transportation, true to form a yellow Specialized mountain bike. When asked where he was living, Gerlach replied jokingly, “‘District 9′ . . . like the movie”.

The once professional cyclist expressed his desire to “kick the habit” again, stating with little confidence in his voice that he’s checking into rehab soon. As he hustled for cash, Gerlach shamelessly heckled on-goers in a humorous fashion as they passed by, while still remaining engaged in our discussion.

“I’ll race again one day”, Gerlach assured. The very talented Gerlach hopes to be competing against his former teammate Armstrong one day. Now a father to a newborn baby girl, Gerlach has one more reason for checking into rehab. Gerlach reminded me that he’s still working on a book, which he said he is having trouble completing.

Read the Full Story

Listen to Capital Public Radio's Interview with Chad Gerlach before this year's Nevada City Bicycle Classic (begins at the 13:00 mark of the broadcast)

Watch a segment of A&E's Intervention Season 5: Episode 64 - Chad

Photo: Courtesy Amore & Vita

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