MIAMI BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) - Over 60 veterans are gearing up before an annual bike ride from Miami to Key West in support of the Wounded Warrior Project.
Law enforcement from multiple agencies across South Florida came out to support the riders in Miami Beach before they departed on Thursday morning.
Those participating in the bike ride will travel from Miami Beach to Marlins Park to start their journey of approximately 100 miles across South Florida.
The Wounded Warrior Soldier Ride will run several days as the riders spend the weekend along the Overseas Highway in the Florida Keys.
“This is our 16th year doing the Miami to Key West Soldier Ride,” Wounded Warrior Project co-founder Nick Kraus said, “couldn’t be happier to be back down here. We’ve got over 60 Wounded Warriors coming into town.”
The veterans and service members said the event is not only a personal journey, but it’s about being with people that know what they are going through in overcoming their war-related injuries, visible and invisible.
“Get out and do something different and challenge myself,” U.S. Army veteran Tim Cooper said about his motivation. “For one, to push us to do better and to get us out of the house, because I know a lot times people stay in the house and don’t get to get out and fellowship with other veterans, so this is something that is good for all of us.”
“For me it was tremendous, you know. It’s the first time riding long distances after getting injured and doing it with a group of people, like-minded, motivating me to push past my perceived limits,” said Patrick Nugent, who lives in Washington, D.C., and did the bike ride there in 2019.
“I know there’s no hills like Tennessee, so I’m good to go,” U.S. Army veteran Steve Guionnaud said jokingly, “just meeting some folks and come ride, get along with people and just have fun, enjoy.”
“We all have the same understanding and beliefs, and we all get along,” participant Harry Dumont said. “We all know what we need and want, so it makes it easier to communicate with others that are here with us.”
“It’s more than just riding a bike,” Kraus said. “The difference you see over the four days, it doesn’t get old.”
A Wounded Warriors founder told 7News Miami draws the biggest law enforcement presence out to the event.
“It’s just fabulous to know we have that type of support,” one of the participants said.
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