Injured Veteran Cyclists to Pass Through Triangle Thursday

Thursday, June 02, 2011

 

When retired Army National Guard Sgt. 1st Class Mike McNaughton lost his right leg from above the knee in a mine explosion in Afghanistan in 2003 and left the service, one of the things he missed most was the camaraderie he had with his fellow soldiers.

Since his accident, he has found that same feeling with fellow cyclists in Ride 2 Recovery, a cycling program for injured veterans like himself. More than 200 cyclists with the group will be coming through the Historic Triangle Thursday during the Ride 2 Recovery Memorial Challenge, a six-day, 325-mile ride that kicked off May 30.

The point of the organization is to offer physical rehabilitation programs to injured veterans, with cycling as the core activity. It’s great exercise, according to McNaughton, who has eight different prosthetic legs and one specific one made just for cycling.

The added benefit in his estimation, though, is meeting other veterans with common experiences. “The first ride I went on was a blast, but what helped me was the camaraderie,” he says. “We all missed that, going overseas with our [military] buddies. Now, we’re all going through the same thing and can talk about it.”

McNaughton, who has worked for Veterans Affairs in Louisiana, enjoys the Ride 2 Recovery program so much he agreed to head up the group’s veterans' assistance program about six months ago.

McNaughton, who is an experienced runner and cyclist, finds specific cycling prosthetics for the group’s riders, works on adapting bikes and helps injured veterans get used to riding. “I also get to help with the emotional well-being of the riders,” he says, “and that makes it rewarding work, and rewarding for the riders, too, because now they know they can do it.”

The group does seven rides across the country each year, and McNaughton makes sure to go on every one. WYDaily caught up with him Tuesday, and so far the current ride has been going well.

“The ride has been beautiful, the rolling hills and all the scenery, it’s been great,” he says. He has also enjoyed chatting with familiar folks and new riders. “People are close-in and quiet when they come in, but while you ride and talk, you open up.

“Monday was tough, though, I won’t lie,” McNaughton says. “It was extremely hot and we had a few heat casualties.” The riders have support personnel who are on hand to help those who are having problems or who are injured.

The Memorial Challenge riders started in Fort Myer, in Virginia near Washington, D.C., and they will pass through the Historic Triangle Thursday afternoon before concluding the ride in Virginia Beach on Saturday.

Along the route, people periodically stop by the side of the road or in neighborhoods to wave and cheer riders on as they pass. “When people wave or other vets stop their cars and get out and salute, it feels good to be appreciated, and I think it’s good for them to see us,” says McNaughton.

Local residents who want to support riders as they come through the area can view a map and details of the route online (scroll down to the page with Thursday’s information).

The Knights of Columbus are hosting a barbeque dinner at St. Bede’s Catholic Church in Williamsburg for the group. At the church, cyclists will be escorted to the picnic tent by the Williamsburg Colonial Fifes and Drums, and afterwards the Knights will present riders with the National Colors.