North Shore Century Bicycle Ride has Special Meaning for Veterans

What goes around comes around especially when it comes to bicycling. That’s the motto Rob Paddor is using as he prepares his Team Evanston Subaru/Ride2Recovery to ride in the North Shore Century this weekend.

Back in early June, Paddor organized the inaugural Honor Ride Chicago, and with the support of The Evanston Bicycle Club, more than 325 riders attended his charitable ride to benefit Ride 2 Recovery. Ride 2 Recovery is a national organization which aids injured Veterans with specially equipped bicycles, recumbent and hand bicycles adapted to accommodate their injury or disability.

This weekend, Paddor and his team of 12+ cyclers are riding in the North Shore Century representing injured Veterans and the rehabilitation benefits that cycling provides. In addition, Paddor’s Subaru dealership, Evanston Subaru in Skokie, is sponsoring the North Shore Century with vehicle displays, giveaways and a chance to win a brand new 2015 Subaru.

Joining Paddor on the ride is Chris Erickson and Mary Pounder who represent Ride 2 Recovery’s Project HERO Chicago (Healing Exercise Rehabilitation Opportunity) that provides training and supports cycling programs at military hospitals, Army Warrior Transition Units, Marine Wounded Warrior Units and VA locations to help Healing Heroes overcome obstacles they face.

Project HERO began in 2010 at Bethesda Naval Medical Center (now Walter Reed National Military Medical Center); Project HERO has proven the effectiveness of group riding in the rehabilitation of injured servicemen and women. Cycling is an important part of the recovery and rehabilitation program for many reasons.

“Since the Honor Ride Chicago in June, the Chicagoland bicycling community has really embraced the work of Ride 2 Recovery. The program is growing by leaps and bounds and our servicemen and servicewomen benefit greatly, I have seen it first hand”, Paddor said. He has not set a date for the 2015 Honor Ride Chicago but hopes to choose a date soon.

In October, Paddor is participating in Ride 2 Recovery’s California Challenge, from San Jose to Los Angles. Paddor is no stranger to the Ride 2 Recovery circuit. This summer he cycled in France in the Normandy Challenge. Over the years he has ridden in the Texas Challenge (Houston to Dallas), Great Lakes Challenge (Chicago to Detroit), the Gulf Coast Challenge (New Orleans to Tallahassee, FL.), Minuteman Challenge (Boston to New York) and in September 2011, he participated in the 530-mile, American Challenge, from New York City to Shanksville, PA and Washington DC, in memory of the 10th anniversary of 9-11. He has raised over $100,000 for Ride 2 Recovery over the years.

To learn more about Project HERO Chicago and Ride to Recovery visit https://ride2recovery.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/groups/436231363148591/?fref=ts To receive update on the next Honor Ride Chicago, like their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/HonorRideChicago or visit Evanston Subaru’s website at http://www.evanstonsubaru.com/honorridechicago.htm To donation directly to Ride 2 Recovery visit, https://www.ride2recovery.com/donate.php