Beth King, U.S. Army
I can remember my first Soldier Ride going from Las Vegas to Tucson. I remember people were riding alongside you; able-bodied people usually, and they're telling you what a great job you're doing, and it made an impact. Now, six or seven years later, I'm that person riding alongside recumbent or hand cyclists and I'm telling them, "Oh, yeah, keep doing that! Yeah! You're doing a great job!" and it has totally switched places and it means a lot to me.
Steven Peace, U.S. Navy
Soldier Ride was awesome because, for one, that was the furthest I had ever ridden a bike in my life, at that point. It sounded intimidating at first, like, 'We’re going to ride how many miles at the same time? So, that was pretty cool, just to be around so many other people, so many other veterans, and you got to bond with people and have that camaraderie. Then, you would just push yourself, like, 'OK, I can do this.'
Sharona Young, U.S. Navy
I remember taking my bike for a ride, and things haven't been the same since. That's what's kept me going physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually. That's been the best healing.
Mark Lalli, U.S. Army
I struggled with leaving my house. I had really bad depression and anxiety, and everything seemed to be a trigger. Soldier Ride is where I got a lot of my independence, like, 'I can do this. I need to stop letting other people tell me what is possible for recumbents. Instead, let’s see what I’m capable of if I put the time and effort in.' Then I went on a Soldier Ride and realized I could do things. A lot of things.