Sep
18
Interbike Welcomes The Wounded Warrior Project Soldier Ride
By Rich Kelly, Filed Under Attendee News, Exhibitor News, Interbike, Rides
You’ve heard about them in the news, you may have seen the HBO Documentary “Alive Day Memories”, now’s your chance to meet this brace group in person and show your support.
On Thursday the 27th, the Soldier Ride High Desert Challenge Presented by U-Haul is coming to Interbike after beginning in Phoenix, Arizona the day before. The group will ride through Las Vegas to the Sands Expo Center to visit Interbike with a 4:00 pm event in Casanova room 606 in the Venetian. Please come meet and support these brave individuals who have given so much in service to their country. Selected riders will be presenting their stories as well as sharing their thoughts on their Soldier Ride experience. Bob Roll, of Tour Day France fame, will also be in attendance to support the vets.
The Wounded Warrior Project Soldier Ride is an adaptive cycling program that provides a cycling experience for servicemen and women who have been wounded in combat or seriously injured in the line of duty. WWP provides all cycling equipment and gear for the riders. In years past the soldier ride was a cross country trip but this year they are focusing on specific regions throughout the United States. The Soldier Ride also helps to raise awareness for the Wounded Warrior Project and the many programs and services provided to injured veterans.
For many of the veterans the Soldier Ride is the first athletic event they participate in after being wounded or injured. Cycling on their own outside the hospital is a great morale boost and lets them prove to themselves that they can lead an active lifestyle in spite of any disability. Some of the riders have recovered from their wounds and injuries and help motivate the more recently injured. Many Soldier Ride alumni have gone on to participate in competitive events such as bike races, triathlons, and swimming and skiing events. Some have even been selected for the US Paralympic team.
It’s an honor to have this awesome group at Interbike.
Here’s the schedule for the ride:
Day 1: Ride from U-Haul HQ in Phoenix towards Kingman, Arizona.
Day 2: Ride to and cross Hoover Dam. 1:30 pm Ceremony at The Bass Pro Shops in LV. Ride up the Strip to the Interbike Trade Show in at the Sands Expo Center in Las Vegas. Press conference at 4 pm at the Interbike with special guest cycling celebrity Bob Roll.
Day 3: Ride from McGhies Outpost in Blue Diamond to Red Rock Canyon.
To find out how you can help or for sponsorship inquiries, visit the Wounded Warrior Project at Interbike in booth 6383. You can also call or email Woody Groton, their National Tour director, at 603-727-1284 or wgroton@woundedwarriorproject.org.
Check out their website www.woundedwarriorproject.org
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One Response to “Interbike Welcomes The Wounded Warrior Project Soldier Ride”
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Rich,
Thank you for the great write up on our event. If anyone reading this can not attend our event at 4 pm on Thursday please visit our booth (6383) and say hello to Ryan Kules. Ryan is a former Army armor officer and was injured in an IED attack on November 29, 2005. Ryan retired from the Army as a Captain and participated in Soldier Ride last year.
Thanks,
Woody