WINDHAM, N.Y. – The Adaptive Sports Foundation (ASF) concluded its first Warriors in Motion® (WIM) program of the season on Thursday afternoon after three days of road cycling in and around Windham.
The ASF welcomed eight U.S. Military veterans to its Gwen Allard Adaptive Sports Center on Tuesday afternoon, where the warriors met with the ASF staff and volunteers who would be riding along with them during the week. The warriors were fitted for their safety equipment, bikes and adaptive equipment before sitting down for a lunch and listening to safety tips about cycling on the road. Once everyone was ready to go, the WIM group set out for a ride around town. The participants began their ride from the Windham Mountain Club parking lot, riding along South Street before taking a right onto NY-296 heading into Hensonville. After passing Windham Town Hall and entering the heart of the hamlet, the riders turned left onto County Route 65, took a left onto NY-23 and rode through the town of Windham before turning on South Street again and completing the 9.5-mile loop back to Windham Mountain Club. The veterans then checked into their hotels to get ready for a 5:30 p.m. dinner back at the ASF lodge, catered by Jessie’s Harvest House.
Tuesday’s picture-perfect weather didn’t translate into Wednesday, as the planned cycling trip on the Albany-Hudson Electric Trail was canceled due to rain. Instead, the WIM group enjoyed a group breakfast at the Windham Diner before heading to Haines Falls for a mile-long nature walk near Kaaterskill Falls. The warriors and volunteers returned to the ASF lodge to enjoy a lunch from Hickory Hill Market before deciding to go for a quick afternoon bike ride since the rain halted in the area. The WIM group set out for a ride along NY-23 to Elm Ridge and back and despite getting sprayed with water from passing cars on the road, they completed the 9.2-mile trek. The warriors were able to go back to their rooms for a shower and return to the Gwen Allard Adaptive Sports Center for another dinner.
The week’s final ride on Thursday morning departed from the Windham Mountain Club parking lot with aspirations of riding to the Prattsville Town Park, but the incessant rain cut the ride short almost as soon as it started. The riders made it down Windham Mountain Club’s long driveway before the decision was made that it was too wet, and the rain was affecting the cyclists’ vision. The WIM participants rode back to the ASF lodge to chat about the week and eat an early lunch before they departed.
In total, the WIM riders traveled about 20 miles on their bikes this week.
“The ASF’s WIM program is important to me because it helps me cope with my depression and anxiety,” U.S. Army veteran Alberto Corales said. “It also gives me the opportunity to meet other veterans, which lets me know I’m not the only one. I have other people I can relate to, we share information, share activities and camaraderie. It has been very helpful and I’m looking forward to many more events.”
The next WIM event will take place on May 29 when the ASF will head to Bear Mountain for its first of two hiking excursions.
The Warriors in Motion program provides participating injured United States servicemen and women with a basic knowledge and practice of wellness and the importance of lifelong healthy living. All WIM programs are goal-oriented and empower the warrior to take charge of their own fitness and wellness.
Thanks to grants received and private donations, the ASF is able to provide bicycles (to those who need them), helmets, water bottles, all meals, hotel rooms, snacks, water, sports drinks, sunscreen, bug spray, ponchos (if necessary) and maps, both digital and paper copies. If you’d like to learn more about the Adaptive Sports Foundation’s Warriors in Motion program, visit www.adaptivesportsfoundation.org/military-program.