Eight veterans cycle over 40 miles with Adaptive Sports Foundation

WINDHAM―Despite the rain, the Adaptive Sports Foundation (ASF) managed to guide eight veterans through over 40 total miles and 3,000 feet of cycling during its first Warriors in Motion® (WIM) program of the season, held May 5-7.

“This week was great. It was good to get the juices going and exercise before the summer season,” Air Force veteran Robert Campagnone said. “It was also really good to see everyone, the staff and volunteers who are often here to help, as well as my fellow veterans, some of whom I’ve been friends with for a long time.”

The veterans arrived at the ASF’s Gwen Allard Adaptive Sports Center on Tuesday afternoon, where they were greeted by ASF staff and volunteers who would ride alongside them throughout the week. As the warriors arrived, smiles, laughter and stories quickly filled the lodge. Participants enjoyed lunch, formal introductions and a rundown of the week’s schedule, which was adjusted because of anticipated bad weather Wednesday. After being fitted for bikes and equipment, the cyclists departed around 1:30 p.m. for a ride around Windham Mountain.

The ride began at the ASF lodge as the group headed west on Route 23. They turned onto County Route 17 and began a long climb into Jewett. After navigating several back roads, the group descended County Route 23C and stopped at the large American flag at the intersection of County Route 40 for a group photo. The WIM participants continued into Hensonville before returning to Route 23 and heading back into Windham. The loop totaled 22 miles and featured more than 2,000 feet of elevation gain.

After checking into their hotel, the veterans returned to the ASF lodge for dinner. Participants enjoyed a catered taco bar from Zicatela’s 2 in celebration of Cinco de Mayo before returning to their hotel for the evening.

The original plan for Wednesday’s full-day ride was to cycle along the Albany-Hudson Electric Trail. However, as expected, rain altered those plans, but it didn’t dampen the spirits of the WIM participants. Instead, ASF staff and volunteers met the veterans at their hotel with their bikes, and the group set off on an approximately hourlong ride to and from CD Lane Park in nearby Maplecrest. The group completed the 8-mile ride before the rain intensified.

Afterward, the veterans dried off and gathered at the ASF lodge for an afternoon of indoor activities, including a golf putting contest and board games. Later that evening, the veterans and volunteers enjoyed another catered dinner from Windham’s Chicken Run.

The WIM group’s final ride took place Thursday morning, when participants were dropped off at Colgate Lake and completed a 12-mile ride back to the ASF lodge that climbed nearly 1,000 feet. Traveling along County Route 23C and surrounding back roads, the group navigated rolling hills that challenged the adaptive athletes throughout the ride.

When the cyclists returned to the ASF, the veterans and volunteers shared lunch and spent more time talking and joking together before departing.

“Mentally I was ready for a tough week of riding. Physically, I felt that I was slowly getting ready, but you don’t know if you’re ready for rides like this until you are forced to be ready,” Campagnone said with a laugh.

“The WIM program, and other veterans programs like it, all have a special ingredient to them,” Campagnone added. “This program gives wounded veterans a chance to get back into the community and be active again. It gives veterans a positive outlet in their lives that can help them get back on track.”

This was the first of six WIM programs ASF will host during the summer months. The next WIM event, the organization’s second and final road cycling program of the season, is scheduled for May 19-21.

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About the Warriors in Motion Program

The Warriors in Motion program provides injured U.S. servicemen and women with a foundation in wellness and lifelong healthy living. All programs are goal-oriented and empower participants to take charge of their fitness and well-being. For more information, or to register, visit www.adaptivesportsfoundation.org/military-programs.

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