Sports
Cyclists Ride for Wounded Veterans
Ride 2 Recovery Cycelfest tours Calabasas and neighboring communities
More than 200 cyclists participated in the Ride 2 Recovery Cyclefest that started at the Malibu Lost Hill Sheriff's Station and looped through Calabasas, Agoura Hills and Westlake Village on Saturday morning.
Some of the more adventurous riders opted for the 63-mile route that winded out to Camarillo and Point Mugu before wrapping back around through Mullholland Drive and Agoura Hills.
Ride 2 Recovery is a nonprofit that assists in the mental and physical healing process of wounded soldiers through fundraising cycling events. The group organizes one-day events called Cyclefests, and multi-day events called Challenges, throughout the country.
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One of the riders on Saturday was Sean McEndree of Temple, Texas. He was one of the injured soldiers participating in the ride. McEndree was serving in Iraq when he was wounded by an IED (improvised explosive device). The blast resulted in McEndree’s spine becoming separated from his pelvis.
He said he was an avid cyclist before he was injured in Iraq. During his recovery, he not only battled physical rehabiliation, but depression.
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“Not just physically, but the mental healing I’m getting from Ride 2 Recovery, the comraderie,” said the 40-year-old McEndree who was in the Army. “I was in a pretty bad spot before I found this group and now I’m happy again. I’m losing weight. I’ve become a better father and a better husband to my wife thanks to Ride 2 Recovery.”
McEndree has participated in both Cyclefests and Challenges through Ride 2 Recovery.
“The weather’s perfect today, but I still believe this will be the toughest one I’ve done,” McEndree said. “Hills are really challenging for me right now.”
Gary Hanson, the Cyclefest event director for Ride 2 Recovery, which is based in Calabasas, estimated about 20 injured soldiers participated in the ride. There were about two dozen sheriff’s deputies who also joined the ride.
“It’s therapeautic. It’s something that’s hard and difficult for the average person, but it’s something that’s completely attainable,” Hanson said. “Cycling is a healthy activity. Almost every vet can do it. This is my way of serving them.”
Two Marines from Camp Pendleton participated in the ride. Jenny Kerr and Melissa Jones have not been injured in combat, but they show their support for wounded soldiers and their families by riding in the Cyclefest events.
“I came out to this ride to support the wounded veterans and the police department out here,” said the 29-year-old Kerr from Poconos, Penn. “I love coming out to these rides. I think it’s a meaningful way to relieve stress and for the guys who are injured to regain their physical abilities.”
Her boyfriend, a fellow Marine, was wounded in Iraq and developed post-traumatic stress disorder. Kerr said her boyfriend competed in triathlons before he was wounded. As a way of helping him recover, she started cycling with him. It led her to start participating in Ride 2 Recovery events.
The Agoura Cyclefest was only the second ride for Jones. She has been in the Marines for seven years and works with injured soldiers at Camp Pendleton.
“I became acquainted with the Ride 2 Recovery group because I worked at the wounded warrior batallion, so I have a lot of friends and co-workers who are wounded,” said the 25-year-old Jones from Detroit. “I supported them. I also love to meet new people. This is my second ride. I expect to do well.”
