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FREEDOM RIDE 2014 MEMORIES


Carole Sheets (event Co-chair) and I would like to thank all of our loyal EBC members and all the participants who came out last Sunday to ride for a great cause.


More than 700 cyclists, including 33 hand-cyclists, participated in the Everglades Bicycle Club Homestead Speedway FREEDOM RIDE on October 19th.

 

In one word, it was INSPIRING.  Why?  The Members of the Freedom Team of Wounded Veterans (Achilles International) have suffered serious injury from combat, protecting our country and our freedom.  In an effort to explore their athletic potential and overcome challenges, they have turned to hand-cycling as their new sport.  At our event, they were paired with able-bodied cyclist volunteers who assisted on their rides and many completed a century or the metric century courses.  That is quite a remarkable feat for these amputees, paraplegics and quadriplegics.  Many of the ride buddies reported to have moved by the experience, and like us, inspired!

 

This was the first time the Everglades Bicycle Club has reached out to disabled cyclists and created an event built around their special needs.  It was also the first time the Achilles’ hand-cyclists participated in a pure “cycling” event.  The history-making FREEDOM RIDE resulted in a new alliance between the Club and the disabled cycling community, and,  not only opened up opportunities for joint-participation in future events and rides,  but created new friendships and respect for these amazing athletes.

 

Net proceeds from the FREEDOM RIDE will go to the Freedom Team of Wounded Veterans  to be used to purchase  handcycles so that more of our wounded veterans can rehabilitate from their injuries, and, adopt cycling as the way  to participate in mainstream athletic events.




Sue Kawalerski

FREEDOM RIDE Co-Chair



Video: EBC Freedom Ride 2014, presented by Alex Pruna and introduction by Juan Alban. Thank you Alex Pruna for sharing this on YouTube.




Check out these awesome photos from the event from your fellow EBC members and friends of EBC facebook page. Only EBC Members can upload photos to to this Album (you have to login as an EBC member first, then come back to this page, the "upload" button will show up at the top, left of the album below. You can upload up to 5 photos at a time). Or you can send your photos to admin@everglesbc.com and we will upload the photos for you.



Freedom Ride Photo Album

<< All album photos 16/78 photos
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