Giving All for the Gulf
Roger Grooters ceremoniously dips his rear bike tire in the Pacific Ocean Sept. 10 before beginning his cross-country journey. Photos courtesy Vicki Grooters
Giving All for the GulfA Gulf Coast lover and resident, charity cyclist Roger Grooters brought a personal focus to the oil spill By Wendy O. Dixon
Roger Grooters was an athlete, running daily for 30 years until doctors told him he would have to find another form of exercise due to the stress on his joints. He then took up cycling.
Grooters kisses the Florida state line sign in celebration of crossing into his home state on Day 20 of his ride. Photos courtesy Vicki Grooters
It was while on an inspired cross-country bicycle ride across America — to raise awareness and money for victims of the Gulf oil spill — the 66-year-old Emerald Coast resident was killed on Oct. 6 as he rode along State Road 20 north of Panama City. His bike was struck from behind by a pickup truck, just days before he was slated to finish his epic journey.
He began his ride on Sept. 10 in Oceanside, Calif., where he dipped the rear tire of his bike into the Pacific Ocean. Grooters spent 21 days on the road, heading east with his wife, Vicki, who provided support and gear for him along the way as she traveled by car. He crossed the Colorado River, then the Mississippi River, and finally entered into Florida, always with his eye on Jacksonville and the Atlantic Ocean. Riding about 100 miles a day, he wrote a blog (rogerxcountry.blogspot.com) to chronicle his progress and marvel at what he saw along the way.
After logging 2,179.4 miles, he wrote of his entry into Destin the day before he died, “It is no longer a village, but a busy resort destination, with beautiful emerald waters and pure white sand.”
Vicki and Roger Grooters in Johnson City, Texas, on one of Roger’s rest days. Photos courtesy Vicki Grooters
Roger and Vicki Grooters built a home in Gulf Breeze to live out their retirement dream on the white sand beaches and emerald green waters of the Gulf Coast. But their home was destroyed by Hurricane Ivan, and seeing the devastation the 2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons brought to the region was heartbreaking for them. With the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, they again saw devastation as tar balls washed on shore, sea life died and the fishing and tourism industries languished. According to Vicki Grooters, her husband contacted BP, wanting to help aid in clean-up efforts. But his offer was turned down.
“Roger was the type of person that needed a purpose each day, something to wake up for and do,” she says. “He never wanted to sit around and relax. He was always on the move and onto the next project or goal.
He was very determined, persistent and goal-oriented in every facet of his life.”
He convinced the leadership of his church, Gulf Breeze United Methodist Church, to start a mission to help victims of the oil spill. And he spread the word about the cause throughout his long journey. As a result of his death, national media coverage has brought even more attention to the cause.
“People from all over the country have said that they want to come to Florida to complete the journey,” Vicki Grooters says. “I think his story has touched many people. The ride of silence on Pensacola Beach (a tribute ride organized by the West Florida Wheelmen Bicycle Club to remember Grooters) was especially touching and the church has provided me so much support and comfort. I think Roger would have been in awe of the media coverage, too. The stories have been great to read. It’s been nice that other people can get to know the Roger that we all knew and loved.”
On Oct. 14, the couple’s six sons, Kol, Jon, Josh, Mark, Ben and Steve, and their son-in-law, Jason, went to the scene of the accident to place a cross in Roger’s honor.
Though the bike’s frame and back tire were mangled, the front wheel and handlebars are intact. Friends, fellow cyclists and family members are planning to remember Roger Grooters by finishing his ride, starting from the accident site and riding to Jacksonville Beach. They will dip his front tire into the Atlantic Ocean as a symbolic gesture of honor.
“Even though he accomplished many great things in his life, he was a humble, modest person,” Vicki Grooters says of her husband. “He shied away from the limelight. Many people never even knew his many great accomplishments, as he was never one to boast. He loved life and hoped to live each day to its fullest.”
You may contribute to Roger Grooters’ cause by making a donation through Gulf Breeze United Methodist Church. Make checks payable to Gulf Breeze United Methodist Church, 75 Fairpoint Drive, Gulf Breeze, FL 32561, or visit gbumc.org and click on the red “Give Now” button. Please specify “Oil Spill Response/Roger Grooters Memorial” in your check memo or in the “Other” field for online donations.
