[caption id=“attachment_1824” align=“aligncenter” width=“500” caption=“A group of riders 130 strong set off from the Center for the Intrepid at Brooke Army Medical Center. on our way to San Marcos. They had the Army Band, the UCONN and Stanford cheerleaders (who were in town for the women’s Final Four), and American Idol singer Ayla Brown there, too!”][/caption]

The USO is proud to be a partner of Ride 2 Recovery, which is guided by two simple principles:  1. Cycling is an activity that almost all patients with mental and physical disabilities can participate; 2. Participation in the Ride 2 Recovery Program helps speed up the recovery and rehabilitation process.

Wounded veterans of any ability level are welcome - with proper training - to participate in rides like the “Don’t Mess with Texas Challenge,” sponsored by United Healthcare.  The challenge - created by R2R - will take cyclists from Brooke Army Medical Center to Dallas/Ft. Worth, a distance of over 350 miles!

We’re proud of these veterans and look forward to keeping you informed of their progress.  Check out the first batch of photos and be sure to scroll down for Friday and Saturday’s routes.  Come out and say hi if you’re in Texas!

[caption id=“attachment_1826” align=“aligncenter” width=“468” caption=“Throughout the day they had great support from the American Legion Riders keeping rider safe and free of traffic. The only time rider hit the brakes all day was for the USO lunch stop! With many different types of ability levels on the ride, many of the more significant injuries need some extra help from 10+ volunteer support drivers also along for the ride.”][/caption]

[caption id=“attachment_1827” align=“aligncenter” width=“500” caption=“On Friday, April 9 riders will travel 65 miles from Ft. Hood to Waco.”][/caption]

[caption id=“attachment_1828” align=“aligncenter” width=“500” caption=“On Saturday, Apr. 10 riders will travel 72 miles from Waco to Cleburne.”][/caption]