Summary

Veterans enjoy camaraderie, despite heat and air quality hampering mountain biking experience.

WINDHAM, N.Y. — The Adaptive Sports Foundation (ASF) welcomed six wounded veterans to its Warriors in Motion® (WIM) Mountain Biking event July 14-16. What was supposed to be three full days of mountain biking was disrupted by extreme heat and poor air quality throughout the week.

The warriors were able to ride through the woods for only about an hour Tuesday afternoon before the intense heat became an issue. They rode for another hour Wednesday morning before the Air Quality Index (AQI) reached unhealthy levels because of wildfire smoke. Thursday morning’s ride was also affected by the poor air quality, causing the ASF to cancel it altogether.

While the conditions limited time on the trails, the event’s larger purpose remained unchanged. The ASF’s Warriors in Motion program is designed to foster connection among veterans, using outdoor recreation as a vehicle for healing and renewed confidence.

“Although we didn’t get as much biking in as we hoped, out on the trail, as vets, we don’t have to explain our past. We’re surrounded by people who get it,” U.S. Army veteran Ryan Pearson said. “That unspoken connection can break down the walls of isolation, bringing back the trust, teamwork and shared purpose we lived in the military.”

The WIM group arrived in Windham on Tuesday and was welcomed with lunch at Christman’s Windham House. After lunch, the group traveled to Round Top to be fitted for bikes before riding the Glens Falls House trails. The ride, which was originally supposed to end at a swimming hole, was cut short as a precaution after some participants began showing signs of heat exhaustion. The veterans then returned to their hotels to rest before having dinner with ASF staff.

Wednesday’s ride was originally scheduled for Thacher Park, but poor air quality caused by Canadian wildfire smoke forced the ASF to change plans. Instead, the group rode the Colonial Trails in nearby Tannersville. After about an hour, the AQI reached an unsafe level for outdoor exercise, prompting the group to return to the ASF’s Gwen Allard Adaptive Sports Center for lunch and time together. The veterans later returned to their hotels for some downtime before enjoying another dinner with the group.

Because of the high AQI on Thursday morning, the week’s final ride was canceled altogether. Instead, ASF staff and volunteers met with the veterans at Christman’s Windham House for breakfast, where they shared stories before everyone departed.

“Being outdoors and being together as a group of veterans heals and separates us from the stress for a period of time where it matters,” Pearson said. “The ASF continues to show dedication and support for all of us.”

The ASF’s final WIM event of the summer will take place Aug. 24-27 with a special four-day retreat exclusively for female veterans. The event will introduce or reintroduce participants to multiple sports while creating an environment designed to empower women veterans. Women who have served in the military often share unique experiences and bonds, and the retreat aims to foster those connections while promoting health and wellness.

About the Warriors in Motion Program

The Warriors in Motion program provides injured U.S. servicemembers with a foundation for wellness and lifelong healthy living. All programs are goal-oriented and designed to empower participants to take charge of their fitness and well-being. For more information, click here.