Wounded Warrior Project Soldier Ride Cycles Through Seattle Area

Injured Service Members Embark on Emotional Journey to Recovery July 30 - August 1

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Jul 30, 2015, 04:00 ET

SEATTLE, July 30, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- An area known for its avid cycling community and breathtaking views will soon serve as a backdrop for more than 50 injured service members taking an emotional first step towards recovery. Come show your support for our country's bravest men and women as Wounded Warrior Project^® (WWP) Soldier Ride^®presented by USAA^® heads to Seattle July 30 – August 1.

Often serving as an introductory physical health and wellness event for WWP veterans, Soldier Ride brings together injured service members for a long weekend that facilitates camaraderie and healing through various physical health and wellness activities. Adjusting to a new normal can be tough for our nation's heroes as they are learning to cope with mental and physical wounds. Participants often find Soldier Ride to be a life-changing experience as they connect with fellow troops who are battling the same struggles.

Before the ride, each disabled veteran is fit with adaptive equipment to meet their specific needs. After the fitting is complete, the weekend is action-packed with team-building activities aimed at providing veterans with an opportunity to lean on one another for support and the empowerment to take on civilian life. Over the course of Soldier Ride Seattle, the injured service members will cycle more than 35 miles as a team on an inspirational journey that is sure to stay with them forever.

Day One: Thursday, July 30

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. The WWP Soldier Ride team will help them find the right bike whether it's a recumbent, hand-cycle, trike or road bike.

Day Two: Friday, July 31

The ride will begin at Fort Casey State Park and wrap up 17 miles later at the Keystone Ferry Landing. After the ride, participants will spend the afternoon paddleboarding and kayaking at Cornett Bay in Deception Pass Park.

Day Three: Saturday, August 1

The following day, Soldier Ride will pick back up at San Juan Islands where they will cycle15 miles to the finish line.

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.

SOURCE Wounded Warrior Project