Bicycling Presents: The Ultimate Gift

By the time Mike Cohen turned 33, he had been at the top of the heart transplant list for a month. His old life – where he rode his bike across the country and hiked and biked all over San Diego – seemed like a thousand lifetimes ago. Then just three days after his birthday he received the ultimate gift.

He had sold his bikes and thought he might never ride again. The left ventricle assist device (LVAD) that pumped blood his heart was too weak to move had literally tethered him indoors, requiring constant access to electricity. When he received the heart of Navy flight surgeon Lt. James Mazzuchelli, he immediately felt his new chance at life, and maybe even a chance to get back on the bike.

When he received a letter from James’ mother, and began to understand just how special his new heart was, he immediately knew he wanted to get back in the saddle and ride across the country to meet let his family know James’ heart was in a safe place, and to pay respect to the man who saved his li