Texas - Wounded Warrior/ Soldier Ride - DFW to San Antonio to Corpus - March 2008

I'm too excited. Weather looks perfect.

I am hoping to be in Benbrook to see ya'll off. I hate the fact that I cant go on this trip. Godspeed and safe travels to everyone going.

I am hoping to be in Benbrook to see ya'll off. I hate the fact that I cant go on this trip. Godspeed and safe travels to everyone going.

I hope we see you there, Luke.

See ya all ~8:30 Sat morning, wearing warm cloths but ready to shed them as we head south. 27 in the morning, up to 60 in the evening, with light winds OUT OF THE SOUTH!!!!

Blog has been updated for those following the Roll Aid Ride (ride to the WWP ride). Let's keep cheering these guys on, and please post any encouraging comments you might have on the blog as these guys will be needing it.

They had a 95 mile first day, and a 77 mile second day. Today they are doing 55 miles, and I believe it is now raining a bit.

For updates, go to http://soldierride.blogspot.com

Thank for the update

No problem, new updates today, and you can view the pictures here:

http://s155.photobucket.com/albums/s289/pkhakes/WWP%20Roll%20Aid%2008/

Incase anyone's following this, the guys have made it to San Antonio. After riding over 350 miles, they are now getting to know the Wounded Warriors and service men and women, and they will ride this weekend in the Soldier Ride to complete their journey.

If you haven't already, please take a look at the wounded warrior website at www.woundedwarriorproject.org (http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org).

Way to go guys!

Hey, we're back!! We all made it back yesterday afternoon. I haven't downloaded from the Garmin yet, so don't have the official miles, but my guess would put it at about 550 after the local ride on Saturday.

There are lots of pictures left to put up, that may take a little while. I've gotta say, the Wounded Warrior Project is probably one of the better orgs that I've seen when it comes to soldier benefits. They really seem to take care of the guys. And the wounded guys that were riding are really inspirational to meet. These guys overcome so much every day of their lives, it's really incredible.

To the guys that I rode with on the way down there: You guys are awesome! I'd love to ride with every last one of you again soon. I had a great time. Thanks for letting me tag along.

Steve

Tag along??? You were in front much of it. I had 459.8 miles, but I only rode 25 miles the day of you 108 mile ride. Riding with Matt, Luke, Kevin, and the rest was worth the lack of miles. What an inspiration they are...Cliff, Dave, Steve, and Dad, thanks for the great time, and I am already looking forward to next year....

I got all the photos I had up last night....Just need to edit some of the videos before I put them up. What a great ride, incredible sites, and super people we meet and saw along the way.

Barlows called it. Whether you rode the whole distance or spent some time in the truck, everyone who touched the Roll Aid Coast to the Coast made it a better ride by being there. And extra überspecial-type thanks to the Aycocks, Larry and Lari, for unwavering support and enthusiasm.

Now, who's up for getting a handcycle down to BAMC for Matty And Joe Dirt to fight over?

You guys are all great. Thank you for putting up with me for the trip, and thanks again to Truman for coming up with the idea. The ride down was great, but meeting the soldiers and riding with them for three days completely blew that away. I can't come up with words to describe the emotions that went through me those days.

Yes, they definately need a handcycle, but I don't think Joe Dirt would ever give it up. He might just live on the thing.

I've got a line on one up here. I'm gonna use the flag and maybe some pics of Matt and Luke to lean on the owner to see what his bottom dollar is. I emailed Matty to find out who I need to coordinate this with at BAMC.

Luke will give it up if Matt holds his Marlboros hostage. I also want to see if Joe at Joe's Pro Cycles will maintain it for them.

I got a chance to find out about this while riding Lancaster with Steve (I think it was Steve anyway, based on our conversation and looking thru this thread). This looks like a great movement and wish I'd hadn't taken that 3-4 month hiatus from bike forums.

Is this going to be an annual event? What would be the best way to stay informed if its going to be ongoing? As a former soldier (82d Airborne), I'd really like to support this project and if I can ride also, so much the better.

Thanks for the conversation and ride on Saturday Steve. Couldn't find you after we made the rest stop, but oh well. Sure turned windy on us, didn't it?

We hope to make it a yearly event. Follow the link in my sig to the site we will keep up, or that will have the new link....WE make a few twiks for next year several WW said they want to ride too, but can't realy camp.

Great thanks. I checked out your link and will be visiting often.

For those that can't or don't like to camp, have you guys considered maybe asking the VFW halls to let you sleep on the floors there? Not wanting to ruffle anyones feathers (after learning about you guys 2 days ago)... was just thinking.

two Pauls, two Larrys and now 2 Cliffs? What a deal. Welcome.

I've recently learned that I will be in Aggieland for the next two years for graduate school, and am definitely interested in doing this ride... and as I plan to find people to ride with in College Station, would definitely be willing to help organize/get more folks involved... I could see an A&M cohort (maybe get some riders from the Corps of Cadets?) coming along for the ride, if it's during spring break.

I'm starting to see a possibility for multiple groups of riders starting from different points in the state, meeting up either on the way, or converging in San Antonio.

I like the idea checking for support with the VFW's along the route(s?). They were enthusiastically helpful whenever we met them last trip.

And I bet even if they can't participate much, they'd really appreciate being informed that we'll be passing through.

Cliff, it was good talking to you on Saturday, that was a nice ride. Yeah, it sure did get windy on the way back.

I'm glad you found this thread. It's a great bunch of guys and it seems like it will only be getting better for next year. Good call on getting with the VFW folks.

Welcome, glad you're interested. You too Chino, hope you can make it.

Thanks for the welcome guys. I did the Oklahoma Freewheel last year (south-north across the state), and basically they set it up to where we'd go to small towns for each daily stop and use their high school gyms for showers, etc. Was wondering if that idea could be used, and use the VFW halls instead. I'm sure they'd be a great resource for support, getting the word out, etc.

Barlows, that was a good ride, I saw you finish and tried to hook back up with you, but had to meet my "riding buddies" that I saw at the start and finish. LOL.

Any of you planning on doing the Muenster rally, or MS 150?

Not sure about Rallies yet, I do know I am not doing the MS 150, because I am doing a JDRF fund raiser so I can ride in Whitefish in Sep and got to raise a lot of money for that?? But I do plan on doing the HHH this year baring anymore car bike accidents.

http://ride.jdrf.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=rideCentral.personalpage&riderID=7945


I do like the VFW or school options, the only issue with schools is we ride while school is in so most would not let us because of security on most campuses. The VFWs seem to love to support stuff like this, and hopefully we will have more of the WW's on the ride with us, which should help.

Was looking at Muenster, but have a scouts camping trip with my boy that weekend. And I've got my first Tri on the Sunday of the MS ride. Bummer, those MS rides look like a good time.

Let's go eat us some dang steak at the Benbrook VFW this Saturday night (the 19th).

If you went on the Coast to the Coast, or you're interested in hearing about the trip or maybe planning to get involved in the next one, this is a great a great chance to meet the group while supporting the great guys at the VFW who supported us.

If you can't make it this weekend, I think some of us are going on Saturday, May 3rd, as well.

More details at the 'blog.

I will be there on May 3rd, spousal unit is gone that weekend so it will just be me.

I may be there with Beechnut.

I'd love to meet you guys and find out more about the cause and ride, but I have my son with me this weekend, and May 3rd is smack-dab in middle of MS150, so doubt I can make it then either.

I'll have to wait til the next one guys.

CliffyB, if you want to meet up and ride together some with my team for the MS 150, shoot me a pm and we can discuss.

Ryan

I am glad to here they are going to make it a yearly thing. I might be not as fat and in better shape for the next one. I will be there even if I am having to check out one of those handcylces. I will diffenetly be doing my training differently this time around.

The good news is the Doc has cleared me to start riding but I have to start slow. He limited my milage and does not want me to carry anything on my bike other then myself for now. I am going to follow the docs advice this time as I do not think I am going to be able to dodge surgery again. I have to do the PT and stick to the doctors orders. My knee is more stable since I have started the PT and I actually got out and rode a nice easy lap around WRL with out any issues.

Scuba, that's great news. Glad to hear you didn't have to go under the knife. Nothing wrong with taking it easy. I'm not far from you if you ever want a riding partner.

Hey. Anyone interested in riding to the Soldier Ride in Little Rock this November? 372 miles from Ft Worth... If we left from East Dallas, could we make it in 3 days?

I'll be out of the country for a couple of weeks starting in mid October, so I doubt I would be able to do it.

Only if it's all downhill.

Did I hear it's downhill the whole way?

Leaving from my place in Rowlett cuts it down to just over 300 miles. Staying off I-30, it's 100 miles to Bob Sandlin State Park, 105 miles to Hope, AR (for a hotel), and 117 miles into Little Rock. It could be done in 3 days. Too soon to say if I'm in or not, but definitely interested.

Yeah, I was thinking the Little Rock deal was just a one day affair, but it's actually a 3 day ride to Memphis as well. I doubt I can get another whole week off this year.


Still, it's interesting to note that we don't HAVE to coast to the coast again next year, we could route it to a different venue for variety's sake. I hear there's some truly epic road riding in Arkie, too. Talimena Skyway or something.

I was just reading last night about the Race Across Oregon. We could do our own version "Race Across Texas". It's only just over 800 miles from El Paso to Texarkana!! ;^)

Do we really have a race across texas? I could be talked into that!

No, at least I couldn't find it if we do. That could be fun though.

Got my hopes up for nothing, you b@stard!! :)

I have friends who rode race across oregon last year and came in 1st or second. Their team name is RAO Speedwagon :)

A race across Oregon would be vastly prettier than a race from El Paso to Texarkana.

You might post this on the blog, if anyone still reads it, and see if you get any responses in the comments. Also, you guys going to the VFW Steak Night anytime soon?

By now the VFW should be closed for 90 days to get a gas well in place. That was the plan, anyway. I'll gladly go back once they reopen.

I didn't put it on the blog because I didn't see it turning into a real ride. I suck at blogging.

Let's turn it into a ride - I'm all for it! Nothing goes better together than steak and cycling. I live right off the trail anyway.

I know I can't get a week in Nov. and have already asked for a week and a half for next years ride. I know there was interested from several of the soldiers to make the ride with us. But they were worried about accomidations etc due to wound care. I was hoping we could make a "solder" ride to the solder ride a possibility. We would definitely have to do some better planning and allow at least 1 more day to get there. Woody said he'd help us get the word to the groups in WWP. TO me that woud be a better time spent planning and looking for support along the way.

I might be able to get a week in Nov, but it is in our peak season. Most vacation request at that time are turned down. If you guys are serious about the November ride I need to drop some more weight. All in all my knee is holding up fairly well. I am back to commuting two days a week now and looking to add three by next week.

I am car light right now. My car is in the shop and I am FORCED to use my bike to get to and from work. I am hoping that they keep it till Thursday at least. If they take till Friday I will be doing a happy dance

I'm not planning a weeklong trip to Arkie.

My original thought was a fast 3-day trip to Little Rock, but it's just not to be.

I just proposed a route for 2009 on the blog. I'll start a new thread for info on the next ride.

Should the thread be kept here, or would it be more appropriate in the "Charity Rides" forum?

I'd like to see the next thread stay in the Texas forum like last time. You might post a link in Charity Rides once we get things set, but the more Texas folks that can see this the better. It was a great time this year, and I think with a little extra planning we could make this one as good or better.

Things to think about for 2009:
1) Camping was great when we did it. But we might get more interest if we can plan for both types of folks. If each stop had something for the camping and hotel folks we could cater to a wider audience.
2) Since March comes early in the riding season, I think it would be helpful to have some semi-organized riding before the trip to make sure everyone is ready for the miles.
3) If we can get some sattelite groups interested, things would be even more fun. If we had three groups (or more) converging on San Antone from different parts of the state, that would be way cool.

Steve

Yes, yes, and yes.

1. Only caveat here is the "Burning daylight" issue where a level of difficulty is added trying to reconverge the two groups.

2. Absolutely. I'll not be nursing a knee injury this year.

3. It's Spring Break time - I'd be shocked if there wasn't interest from the College Station area, at least, plus Lari may try to pull together a group from Kerrville.


Edit: Maybe we could make the trip interesting by pulling an empty handcycle with a big red bow on it?