How the Wounded Warriors Ride
On its fourth and last day, the Wounded Warrior Project’s Soldier Ride from the White House to the Lighthouse passes through Annapolis. The goal of the ride is to rehabilitate soldiers severely wounded in mind and body.
This is my third year guiding the 35 wounded vets around the narrow streets of Annapolis. Half of our riders have lost at least one limb, and many have lost both legs. For most of the riders, this is a first foray back into normal life. Their first test is a hard one.
The journey begins with a 20-mile ride through Washington and Arlington Cemetery. Day two, they ride through the streets of Baltimore, hosted by Under Armour, ending with an Orioles game. This year, the Birds played the Yankees. Day three 2010 was a hot and difficult 33-mile ride from Andrews Air Force Base to Annapolis, with a crab feast at Mike’s Crab House sponsored by Boston Scientific. The final day we did a 21-mile romp through Annapolis, ending at Armadillos, where owner Brendan Fisher pulled out all the stops for the tired riders.
Riding this year were two amputees who had lost their legs less than two months ago in Iraq. But this is not a pity party. None of the riders want you to feel sorry for them. The Soldier Ride is a journey that leads from the hospital bed at Walter Reed to a brave new life wherever they call home. They want only respect.
The logistics of a Soldier Ride are mind-numbingly complicated. U-Haul, the major sponsor, provides the trucks that haul the bikes and gear around and support the riders at every stop.