On Thursday, Oct. 10, you may have seen a large group of cyclists in Logan County heading south from Bowling Green to Clarksville, Tenn. Those cyclists were part of a group of veterans and volunteers involved in a program called Ride 2 Recovery, which helps rehabilitate veterans.
The cyclists began their six day ride in Covington, Ky., traveled through Louisville, Elizabethtown, Bowling Green, Clarksville, Tenn. and ended in Nashville, Tenn.
They stopped for a rest just outside the City of Russellville at a truck stop on Clarksville Road.
“The purpose of Ride 2 Recovery is to help wounded and seriously injured veterans heal through cycling.” said David Haines, Lt. Col. Tet. U.S. Army and R2R participant.
Haines became aware of R2R in 2009 and became involved as rider in 2010. He was seriously wounded in Baghdad in 2006.
“It’s one of those things that obviously helps people physically get stronger, but by just being with the group, it helps them psychologically and emotionally as well,” said Haines.
The Ride 2 Recovery is produced by the Fitness Challenge Foundation (50c3) in partnership with the Military and VA Service Office, to benefit Mental and Physical Rehabilitation Programs for our country’s wounded veterans that feature cycling as the core activity.
Held in partnership with the Fitness Challenge Foundation, the R2R raises money to support Spinning Recovery Labs and outdoor cycling programs at Military and VA locations around the U.S. to help injured veterans overcome obstacles they face.
Cycling is an important part of the recovery and rehabilitation program for two reasons:
1. Cycling is an activity that almost all patients with mental and physical disabilities can participate.
2. Participation in the Ride 2 Recovery program helps speed up the recovery and rehabilitation process.
Ride 2 Recovery began in 2008 and was founded by John Wordin, out of Calabasas, Calif. where the organization’s office is located today.
Ride 2 Recovery has rides all over the nation. Every year they have six domestic rides, one international mutli-day ride and 18 single day rides called auto rides.
Regular bicycles are used as are hand cycles for veterans that have issues with their legs. Recumbent leg peddle bikes are also used for guys that have sever back pain, neck injury and stability issues. The R2R even built a custom bicycle for a United State Marine who is blind and a double amputee. “We will adapt bikes for injury,” said Haines.
For Haines Ride 2 Recovery has helped him in many ways and he feels the program to be very worthwhile to those who participate.
“Its made me physically stronger and psychological it has helped me out a bit by dealing with other veterans that have gone through what I have. Its the camaraderie we share through these riding experiences with veterans that have common experiences to mine,” said Haines.
It is possible for almost any warrior to participate in the program, including quad amputees.
The Mission of Ride2Recovery is To improve the health and wellness of healing heroes by providing a life changing experience that can impact their lives forever.
If you are interested in the Ride 2 Recovery Program you can contact them at Ride 2 Recovery 23679 Calabasas Rd. #420 Calabasas, CA 91302 or call (818) 888-7091 or email: MariaA@ride2recovery.com
You can become a Ride 2 Recovery rider by registering for one of the Challenges or Honor Rides through the registration tab on their website at www.ride2recovery.com. Please note that if you are a Healing Hero, you must register through your Program Manager (insert link to PM’s). General Public riders may register directly through the website by clicking on the “Event Registration” tab.
Interested in being part of an Honor Ride Event for 2012 as a Volunteer? The organization is always looking for individuals to help before, during and after each Event. If you want to be part of the fun in a way other than biking then join them as a Volunteer. To get signed up please contact Chris Swan at: chriss@ride2recovery.com
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