Barrington Honor Ride and Run

Under blue skies, the multicolored leaves barely hung on the trees in the crisp autumn air. Runners lined up on Cook Street and Cyclists took their place on Main.  The first ever Barrington Honor Ride and Run was getting ready to start. One man standing with a bicycle had never heard of Barrington until the honor ride came to town. He is Medal of Honor recipient Sal Giunta. “My first impression of Barrington was that I didn’t think anything could be so scenic and hilly just outside of the city. I didn’t think places like that still existed,” Said Giunta.

Flags blew in the Breeze behind the Harley Davidsons of the Rolling Thunder honor guard. They were there to ride in advance of the cyclists, enhancing their safety. Vietnam Veteran Wayne Kirkpatrick looked back from his Harley at the athletes, volunteers and supporters waving and shouting from the side of the road. “I’m contrasting it to Vietnam and the way we were treated when we came home. It is the complete other end of the spectrum of patriotic appreciation,” Said Kirkpatrick.  “What a feeling of solidarity and camaraderie. That’s what Americans have over so many other cultures, our ability to come together like this.”

Engines roared, cyclists clipped in their pedals, runners took off and the Honor Ride was underway.  Fitness buffs and people who just dusted off the old bikes in the garage were shoulder to shoulder with veterans raising money for America’s fighting men and women. “For the people of Barrington to come out and get behind the first honor ride was pretty cool,” Said Giunta. “It shows that America does support and appreciate you. To see it on that level, It says we’ll be here if you need us.”

The Honor Ride was born, while Barrington High grads Mike Tobin and Greg Dallstream were out cycling. The original idea was for something much smaller but when the concept got out, the desire to show a little appreciation for our warriors this little Northwest suburb took over. “It took off and Mike and I just rolled with it,” Said Dallstream. “I think about the number of people who came up to us the day of the event and said thank you for doing this. Our town needs something like this. Let us know when you are doing it next year.”

Well, it is next year and they are doing it again. September 22^nd is the date of the next Barrington honor ride and run.  The cycling route will once again wind from the center of town 30 miles through the rolling (and slightly challenging) country roads of Barrington Hills and Tower Lakes. The 5k and 10k runs will stick to the streets this year. The runs will be timed, the ride will not.

Money raised goes to an organization called Ride 2 Recovery: www.ride2recovery.com. The organization benefits the mental and physical rehabilitation programs for the nations wounded veterans featuring cycling as a core activity. Among other activities, R2R outfits wounded vets with custom bikes to accommodate their injuries. The vets are then encouraged to participate in cycling events such as challenge rides that can stretch 350 to 400 miles. Participants are stretched to the ends of their physical and mental limits. Warriors with life changing injuries see that the days of being tough and challenging themselves did not end with the roadside bomb or the AK-47 round.

By keeping a low overhead, 91% of the money raised by R2R directly benefits wounded vets.  The team of volunteers at the Barrington Honor Ride and Run raise money to cover their own overhead. So, as a participant 100% of your entry fee will go to a Soldier, Sailor, Airman or Marine who honored a commitment to the nation’s security and paid a very heavy price. The post party and drink proceeds also benefit America’s fighting men and women.

Wayne Kirkpatrick and Rolling Thunder will definitely be back. “We were honored to be able to participate with America’s most precious natural resources: America’s young men and women. Some of them wore uniforms and some of them just supported the ones who did. You bet we will be part of that again,” Said Kirkpatrick.

Please visit the Barrington Honor Ride and Run website for more information.

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