Cycling Saves Lives with Wounded Warrior Project's Soldier Ride

CHICAGO, June 22, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Returning home from war isn't easy, but many have found hope through cycling with the help of Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) Soldier Ride®, presented by USAA®. This June, the rehabilitative cycling event brings dozens of injured service members to Chicago for a long weekend of cycling, healing, and camaraderie. The 4-day event gives veterans an opportunity to challenge themselves in new ways and spend time with other men and women who have also served.

The first year after Army Corporal Joshua Sommers returned home from war, he couldn't find the strength or motivation to leave his home.  While serving in Iraq, he was injured by an RPG explosion that left him paralyzed on one side of his body and both his sight and hearing were nearly gone.  

After he spent several months at home, he learned about Wounded Warrior Project and the Soldier Ride program. WWP set him and his caregiver up with a tandem bike so he could participate. He says WWP has helped him stay active in ways he never thought possible, "It's amazing that they give soldiers like me an opportunity to do things that we would never have been able to do."

Day One: Wednesday, June 24

When each veteran arrives, they are fit with adaptive equipment designed to meet their specific needs. Some of the participants may be missing limbs or dealing with chronic pain. WWP's team will help them find the right bike whether it's a recumbent, hand-cycle, trike or road bike.

Bike Fitting10 a.m. – 2 p.m.Westin O'Hare Hotel at 6100 N. River Rd., Rosemont

Day Two: Thursday, June 25

Injured service members will gather at Justice Joint to begin their 17-mile ride to the Brookfield Zoo. After lunch they will go on a zoo tour then gather for a viewing of "Welcome to Soldier Ride," a film about the creation of this physical health and wellness program.

Soldier Ride                                                                 Start: 9:30 a.m.                                                             The Justice Joint7900 Madison St., River Forest                                        End: Noon at Brookfield Zoo       

Zoo Tour2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m     

Day Three: Friday, June 26

At 9 a.m. the group will meet at the Rosemont Firehouse to start their 17-mile trip to the Rosemont Baseball Field. After a quick lunch they will park their bikes and grab bats and gloves for a friendly softball game against local police officers and firefighters.

Soldier Ride (Rosemont)                          Start: 9:00 a.m.                                                         Rosemont Firehouse                                                  5800 N. River Rd., RosemontEnd: Noon at Rosemont Baseball Field27 Jennie Finch Way, Rosemont

Warriors vs. Police & Firefighters Softball Game Start: 1:30 p.m.Rosemont Baseball Field

Day Four: Saturday, June 27

This is the longest ride for the injured service members as they cycle 25 miles from downtown Chicago to Highland Park.

Soldier Ride (Downtown – Highland Park)Start: 9:00 a.m.St. Mary's Church1852 N. Hermitage, ChicagoEnd: Noon 1130 Central Ave., Highland Park

To schedule an interview with participating veterans and Wounded Warrior Project staff, contact Virginia Hilton at [email protected] or 757-340-7425.

Soldier Ride, presented by USAA, is also being supported across the country by U-HAUL, a founding partner of Soldier Ride, and TREK, both proud supporters of WWP.

About Soldier Ride

Soldier Ride® began in 2004 when civilian Chris Carney cycled more than 5,000 miles coast-to-coast in support of WWP. In 2005, Carney again cycled coast-to-coast, this time with several combat-wounded veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan. Soldier Ride has been welcomed at the White House since 2008 when President Bush called it "the most inspiring athletic event in the country," and most recently in April 2015 by President Obama where WWP Alumni met privately with him before the event.

Soldier Ride is a physical health & wellness program of WWP, which envisions a generation of wounded veterans well-adjusted in body, receiving the care they need to maximize rehabilitation and live active and healthy lives. Through peer support, adaptive sports, health, nutrition, and recreational activities, WWP helps warriors achieve independence and pursue an excellent quality of life.

More information on Soldier Ride is available at soldierride.org.

About Wounded Warrior Project®

The mission of Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) is to honor and empower Wounded Warriors. WWP's purpose is to raise awareness and to enlist the public's aid for the needs of injured service members, to help injured servicemen and women aid and assist each other, and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs. WWP is a national, nonpartisan organization headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida. To get involved and learn more, visit woundedwarriorproject.org.  

 

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SOURCE Wounded Warrior Project