Team Warriors of Freedom did it!  12 wounded soldiers/Marines, 11 support riders, and several other support volunteers crossed the finish line in Corpus Christi after a grueling 2 days! 

Operation Comfort did an outstanding job of training, motivating and coordinating everyone.  Janis Roznowski, the founder, and her husband Tom, really went all out to make sure our team was well taken care of. 

This was my second year, and as long as they'll have me, hopefully not my last, as a support rider, and Chris, my husband’s, first.  I am so happy that he now knows first hand how amazing it is to be a support rider with this team. 

Chad, Stephanie, and Thomas at the finish in Corpus.

We started Saturday morning at the SBC Center in San Antonio.  As the sun was rising, a group of mounted patrolmen presented the colors to our team, followed by singing our National Anthem.  Our soldiers are honored by leading off the ride of over 3,100 cyclists.  I can’t describe the amount of pride I had standing there at that moment with our brave heroes. 

I started day one with Thomas.  I really enjoyed riding with him.  He was outgoing and funny!  That made the long day a lot more enjoyable.  We were separated later on during the first day and I rode some with Alex and Ginger.  We rode about 65 of the 90 miles on the first day in 10 hours.  It was a very long, tiring day, but no one wanted to quit. 

Thank you so much to everyone who supported me on this ride! I couldn’t have done it without you.  I saw people with multiple sclerosis riding their bikes and volunteering.  It was heartbreaking to see how MS effects these folks.  Thank you for donating to their cause. 

Shane and Chris at the finish in Corpus.

Chris paired up with Shane for the weekend.  Chris really had a great time.  He said he’s never done anything as worthwhile in his life.  It is impossible to spend time with these young men (there are women too, but they weren’t on the team this year) and not be deeply affected.  In the face of their serious injuries—physical and mental—they are amazingly determined to help other people, reach their goals, succeed at rehabilitation, and return to as normal a life as possible. 

Other riders cheer us on all along the way.  Before the finish line, someone yelled to Thomas that he was “awesome”.  He responded that they were awesome too because they did it too!  They were optimistic the whole way. 

Stephanie and Chris celebrating the finish!

Sometimes Chris just has to admit that his wife is right!  I don’t think he regrets one bit going on this ride and he’s even talking about doing it again next year.  Operation Comfort does so much for our wounded heroes.  Shane’s mother was along for the whole event, riding in a support vehicle.  Through tears she told Chris that she hadn’t seen Shane smile and laugh so much in a long time.  This event is more than just a bike ride for these guys.  It is a chance for them to break away from the rigors of their daily hospital routines.  They get a chance to enjoy things they used to, or learn they are capable to doing new things in spite of their injuries.  They make new friends and see they can be out in the “rest of the world” and that it’s ok.  These young guys have come a long way, and some have a long way to go.  But they’re out there trying new things and persevering. 

Thomas burning rubber on day 2.

Thomas, Chad and I crossed the finish line around 2 in the afternoon on Sunday, 10/21.  There are always lots of people at the finish line.  Everyone goes nuts when they see the “disabled” cyclists cross the finish line.  It is a real honor to finish this ride with these guys.  I was really, really proud to be there with them.  While the MS150 Bike to the Beach raises needed funds for MS research, it’s become much more than that to me since I became a support rider.  I participated in an organized ride the weekend prior to the MS150, not as a support rider, just by my self.  Starts and finishes just don’t have the same meaning when I’m in it just for myself.  I love the experiences I gain through being a support rider.  Helping someone else while doing a sport that I love really overwhelms me with plain old happiness.  I can’t wait until our next ride!

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