National Cycling Event for Injured Service Members Rolls into Charleston

Inaugural Solider Ride South Carolina offers therapeutic fitness through cycling with southern charm

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Sep 17, 2015, 07:00 ET

CHARLESTON, S.C., Sept. 17, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Wounded Warrior Project^® (WWP) Soldier Ride^® presented by USAA^®offers injured veterans from across the country a chance to maximize rehabilitation, and reduce stress and combat depression by cycling. This year, the event has added more than 10 new locations, including a chance for our nation's service members to explore Charleston, S.C. from Oct. 15-18.

"We can't wait to experience the rich culture of the area," said Dan Schnock, director of Soldier Ride at WWP. "Charleston is going to make for a beautiful backdrop as our veterans work together to complete each leg of the ride."

This four-day event encourages participants to push their mental and physical boundaries through adaptive sports while bonding over shared experiences of service and sacrifice as they enjoy local flair. WWP servicemen and women will enjoy Charleston's scenic landscapes and savor the city's famous low-country cuisine.

All cycling equipment and activities are provided to WWP veterans at no cost through generous donation and the support of U-HAUL, a founding partner of Soldier Ride, and TREK.

Over three days, riders will take on more than 40-miles of paved courses through Charleston and Folly Beach and experience the city's unique offerings.

When participants arrive on Oct. 15, they will be fit for their equipment and enjoy a carriage tour through historic Charleston.
On Oct. 16, the injured service members will cycle 14-miles through Hampton Park. That afternoon and evening, they will play adaptive tennis with the College of Charleston tennis team and dine on the USS Yorktown.
On Oct. 17, the final day of cycling, veterans will ride a 25-mile course at James Island County Park ending at Folly Beach County Park. Afterward, participants will be able to wind down from the strenuous day of biking with a painting class.

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.

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.

SOURCE Wounded Warrior Project