They came in full force. Armed with bicycles and a sense of purpose, nearly 200 military veterans overtook Duke of Gloucester Street Thursday afternoon.
The stop was one of many along the 350-mile “UnitedHealthcare Memorial Challenge” bike tour, which kicked off Monday in Washington D.C.
The tour was organized by Project Hero, a national non-profit organization working to raise awareness and aid veterans impacted by injury, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and traumatic brain injury.
Herb Jones, an Army veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, said joining the tour has helped him with own experiences with PTSD.
“The purpose of this is recovery, resilience, and to help veterans deal with setting a goal and reaching it,” Jones said. “Riding is therapeutic, especially for folks who suffer some of the things we’ve suffered.”
Before reaching Williamsburg, cyclists passed through Manassas, Fredericksburg, and Richmond. The riders conclude their tour on Saturday in Virginia Beach.
Jones, who said he spent 30 years in military service, which involved two tours in Iraq, some time in Afghanistan and a fair bit of “jumping out of airplanes,” noted the bike tour’s physical difficulty.
“This has been one of the most challenging things I’ve ever done…physically,” Jones said.
He added he and his fellow bikers have had to battle not just the hundreds of miles of their ride, but their own physical and mental challenges.
Omar Duran, who served in the Army in Iraq and Afghanistan, was also among those riding that day. Duran uses a wheelchair. To accommodate his disability during the ride, he uses a hand cycle. Other participants used modified bicycles as well, like custom tandems, recumbent cycles and adaptive bikes.
“That’s why it’s called a challenge. It challenges every rider in a different way — mentally, physically, or spiritually,” Duran said.
This was Duran’s fourth year participating in the challenge, and he spoke favorably of this year’s ride.
“I’ve met new friends, I’ve challenged myself on my bike, I’ve met new goals, and the staff members–it’s just a great organization to be associated with,” Duran said.
The riders received a special welcome from George Washington, who greeted them on horseback as they rolled into Colonial Williamsburg Thursday. Mitchell Reiss, president and CEO of Colonial Williamsburg Foundation and Williamsburg Mayor Paul Freiling also greeted the riders.
“The ideals that formed our nation–responsible leadership, self-governance, individual liberty, public service were nurtured by famous men, like Washington, Jefferson, and Madison, but they were secured by thousands of lesser-known individuals who paid the ultimate sacrifice,” Freiling said, addressing the crowd. “We are humbled by your presence and honored to welcome you…and we thank you for your service and for your sacrifice.”
When it comes to sacrifice, Jones has made his share. Three years ago, he was diagnosed with PTSD, which doctors believe stems from his time in Iraq. Common symptoms associated with the disorder include traumatic flashbacks, fear and severe anxiety.
“Being involved with organizations like this…helped me cope,” Jones said. “It’s actually saved my life.”
Jones said he found a lifeline in his fellow cyclists.
“If I have any message for those veterans out there who are struggling — reach out,” Jones said. “Because they’re not alone…And I know that sounds cliché, but it works.”
