Summary
A preview of the ASF's Warriors in Motion Road Cycling Event on May 19-21.
WINDHAM, N.Y. — The Adaptive Sports Foundation (ASF) is set to host its second of two Warriors in Motion® (WIM) Road Cycling Programs next week, May 19-21.
Nine veterans are scheduled to arrive at the Gwen Allard Adaptive Sports Center on Tuesday afternoon. Participants will meet with staff and volunteers before a welcome lunch, a road cycling safety course, and fittings for bikes and other equipment.
U.S. Navy veteran Cristian Cantos is one of the WIM participants attending the program. He is not an experienced cyclist and is looking forward to the new challenge and spending time in the Northern Catskills.
“I live in the city, so coming up to Windham and taking in the views while bonding with my fellow veterans is something I’m looking forward to,” Cantos said. “I’m also excited to try an e-bike for the first time. I’ve ridden a regular bike, but I can’t wait to try the e-bike, especially on the many hills up there.”
Cantos and the other participants will begin with a ride from the ASF lodge to the Ukrainian Church in Hunter. The 10-mile ride, which includes hills, will serve as an introductory workout for the week. Depending on how the group is feeling, the ride may extend to Prattsville Park, adding another seven miles. After the ride, the veterans will head to their hotel before returning to the ASF lodge for dinner.
On Wednesday, ASF staff will transport participants to Albany for a full-day ride. The group will cycle either 22 miles to Kinderhook or 36 miles to Hudson along the Albany-Hudson Electric Trail, part of the Empire State Trail, with a brief lunch break along the route. That evening, participants will return to their hotel before another catered dinner at the Gwen Allard Adaptive Sports Center.
The program’s final ride will take place Thursday morning. The route has yet to be determined and will depend on how participants are feeling after Wednesday’s ride, but it will take place either in Windham or in one of the neighboring towns. Following the ride, the veterans will return to the ASF lodge for a barbecue lunch before departing.
“A program like this is very important to me because it gets me out of my everyday norm,” Cantos said. “I feel really comfortable with fellow veterans who are going through similar things that I’m going through, and it also gives me some peace of mind. I enjoy leaving the city, relaxing a bit, learning new things and, again, being with my fellow veterans.”
Thanks to grants and private donations, ASF provides equipment, helmets, water bottles, meals, hotel accommodations, snacks, drinks, sunscreen, bug spray, ponchos, if needed, and both digital and printed maps.
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, visit www.adaptivesportsfoundation.org/military-programs.