Courtesy Photo | Four National Guard cyclists were among a group who rode in the second annual Wounded...... read more read more
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By Master Sgt. Greg Rudl
National Guard Bureau
ARLINGTON, Va. – Four National Guard cyclists were among about 100 who rode in the second annual Wounded Warrior Unity Ride, Sept. 27-28, 2008.
Starting at Ft. Eustis, Va., riders peddled 220 miles in two days finishing at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington to raise awareness and donations for recovering troops there.
"We not only honored those wounded warriors, we spread the word about the Guard," said Capt. Mark Burns, who belongs to the National Guard Cycling, a club based in Arlington that's geared to promoting cycling for guard members and dependants.
Their red, white and blue jerseys were noticed by many, he said. All branches of the service took part in the ride.
"National Guard Cycling is not only about health and fitness, but awareness," said Guardsman Maj. Tom Crotty, who also took part. "I can't think of a better cause to draw attention to than wounded warriors."
Riders peddled together over a hilly route through northern Virginia that was broken up into roughly 25-mile segments. Fort A.P. Hill served as the mid-way point. On Sunday, the caravan of riders and support vehicles stopped in Fredericksburg, Quantico, Ft. Belvoir and then finally to the Malogne House at Walter Reed.
Once riders reached Walter Reed, they did a ceremonial circle around the medical campus before being met by members of Rolling Thunder, a motorcycle group that takes up veteran's causes. As a band played, cyclists shook hands with wounded warriors and shared a meal.
The ride was organized by the non-profit Armed Forces Cycling Association and was open to active-duty military, veterans, family members and friends wishing to honor wounded warriors and show support for them with individual or organizational donations.
Last year's event had 18 riders.
"We experienced all kinds of weather and riding conditions – manhole covers, pot holes, ungraded pavement, fog, humidity, sun, clouds and heavy rain," Burns said via e-mail. "Through it all, we pedaled on. The National Guard was represented through the whole event."
Also taking part in the ride for the National Guard were Majs. Brad Martching and J.R. Fernandez.
Crotty's wife Stephanie and Burns' wife Emma drove along in a truck providing SAG support should riders need assistance.
Back-to-back "centuries" on rolling roads can make for a grueling test of endurance. Crotty, currently the medical operations officer for the Army Guard's chief surgeon, rode 75 miles on Saturday – before cramps made it impossible to go on – and 50 miles on Sunday.
"We got nailed with weather when we hit U.S. Route 1," he said, referring to a windy and wet weekend.
Crotty said that at many locations along the route townspeople cheered and waved. Even cars and trucks passing in both directions honked supportively. The mayor of Fredericksburg, Va., made a presentation to the group at the city's World War II memorial.
Burns, who works in the National Guard Bureau's J-1 (Manpower and Personnel) office, said that extra work devoted to hurricane response recently curtailed his training. It was the first time that he ever did back to back centuries.
National Guard Cycling began in 2007. Burns says that the club not only strengthens family bonding, but also brings together military families with the same interests. Guard cycling clubs exist in many states and continue to grow.
Burns says that Guard Cycling is working with the NGB Decade of Health office to put on a cycling event next year with a hardy group riding from coast to coast, drawing attention to the DoH's theme of "Year of the Family."
| Date Taken: | 09.28.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 10.01.2008 15:19 |
| Story ID: | 24383 |
| Location: | ARLINGTON, VA, US |
| Web Views: | 169 |
| Downloads: | 140 |
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