Ride 2 Recovery commercial punctuates benefits of cycling during Tour de France

 

"This trip is not so much about having fun as it is about transforming your new body into something you can work with the rest of your life."  ~Capt. Ferris Butler

While watching the Tour de France, I was distracted by one of the many commercials that punctuate the coverage each day. The cyclists in the commercial wore colorful (red, white, and blue) spandex, like the Tour competitors... but something was different. 

The commercial was for Ride 2 Recovery (R2R), a program produced by Fitness Challenge Foundation, in partnership with the Military and the Veteran's Affairs Volunteer Service Office.  As I explored their website, some "differences" between R2R and the Tour de France became clear.

The Tour happens once a year for about a month. R2R is a year-round program. The Tour has riders from around the world. R2R riders are U.S. Veterans and their supporters. The Tour is a for-profit competition between professional riders. R2R is a non-profit organization that features cycling as a core activity to benefit mental and physical rehabilitation programs for our military personnel.

Tell Me More abour R2R
"Held in partnership with the Fitness Challenge Foundation, the R2R will raise money to support Spinning® Recovery Labs and outdoor cycling programs at Military and VA locations around the U.S. to help injured veterans overcome obstacles they face. Cycling is an important part of the recovery and rehabilitation program for two reasons:
1. Cycling is an activity where almost all patients with mental and physical disabilities can participate.
2. Participation in the Ride2Recovery Program helps speed up the recovery and rehabilitation process."

Ride 2 Recovery Goals
+  Provide financial assistance for VA/Military Cycling Rehab Programs
+  Provide equipment, clinics, and outings for Vets 
+  Improve morale

Upcoming R2R Challenges

Golden Gate Challenge
San Francisco to Los Angeles
Oct 4 - Oct 10     450 miles

Florida Challenge
St Pete to Tampa to Jacksonville
Dec 12 - Dec 17 

Interested in helping R2R?
Make a donation
Sponsor a Rider
Join the ride

Tax deductible donations to Ride 2 Recovery can be made online through Google Checkout or by mail.

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