(Photo by Rick Musselman) Robert Laux approaches the finish line of the Fort Belvoir Warrior Transition Battalion’s 15-mile Ride 2 Recovery bicycle race Tuesday near the USO Warrior and Family Center.
By Rick Musselman/Sports editor Belvoir Eagle
The Fort Belvoir Warrior Transition Battalion celebrated Warrior Care Month by hosting a 15-mile cycling event Tuesday, starting at the USO Warrior and Family Center.
Fifteen riders participated in the Ride 2 Recovery race, following a tough course over varying terrain that covered large portions of the North and South post areas of the installation.
According to Steve Smutak, Fort Belvoir's WTB Adaptive Sports program director, the event challenged riders physically and mentally.
"This was a good ride, almost 16 miles long, and part of the course had the riders going all the way down Warren Road through the Outdoor Recreation area," he said.
"There were definitely some tough points along the way, especially through the leafy trails that had about a 60-degree angle over about 400 yards," added race participant, Michele Sundin. "This was my first Tuesday morning race here at Belvoir so it was my initiation to come join (the WTB riders). Now that I've surveyed the land I'm hoping to do more."
Fort Belvoir's WTB hosts bicycle rides each week to support its servicemembers' physical rehabilitation process, noted Master Sgt. Jarrett J. Jongema, noncommissioned officer-in-charge, Adaptive Sports and Reconditioning branch, Warrior Transition Command.
"Every Tuesday the WTB does riding - once in the morning and once in the afternoon - and it's part of the regularly scheduled adaptive physical fitness program," he said. "This is done by Warrior Transition Units all over to recognize Warrior Care Month."
Jongema said the course the riders followed developed through his own experience in designing other adaptive reconditioning activities on post.
"I got with some of the cadre here at Belvoir and came up with a good walking path that used the old route around the golf course that people could run or walk, and from that I came up with the 15-mile bike ride that doesn't break any rules in terms of riding where we shouldn't. For this course I used the Google Earth website. I ran the entire route using a chase-plane view, and because that camera angle is in 3D you can see how the whole course plays out in terms of terrain."
The race began at the north parking lot of the USO Metro Center and wrapped up in the courtyard of the main WTB complex where participants received refreshments and spent some time interacting with their fellow cyclists and reflecting on the challenge.
Ride 2 Recovery events are hosted every month by the U.S. Army Warrior Transition Command to improve the health and wellness of injured veterans by providing a life changing experience that can impact their lives forever, according to Ride 2 Recovery's mission statement. R2R supports Spinning Recovery Labs and outdoor cycling programs at military and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs locations around the U.S. to help injured veterans overcome the obstacles they face. Cycling is an important part of the recovery and rehabilitation program for two reasons: cycling is an activity that almost all patients with mental and physical disabilities can participate, and participation in the Ride 2 Recovery program helps speed up the recovery and rehabilitation process. Ride 2 Recovery provides program events and site locations, and designs and builds specially adapted bikes to suit injured veteran's needs, making it possible for almost any wounded warrior to participate in the program, including quad amputees.
For more information regarding Fort Belvoir's WTB Adaptive Sports program, call Smutak at (703) 805-6898 or (440) 334-0228, or email Steve.A.Smutak.ctr@health.mil.
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