Imagine riding a bicycle from Washington, D. C. to Washington State! I grew up on a bicycle. From about the age of 10, until I got my first car, my mode of travel was usually by twos…two feet, or two wheels. I wore out several sets of tennis shoes and tires, but with all that riding, I doubt that I peddled 3,700 miles in total. That’s exactly how many miles Warrior Expeditions participants will ride on the Great American Rail Trail. I used to ride to my friend’s house on the other side of town. These riders will ride to the other side of our nation.
Warrior Expeditions is a military veteran nonprofit outdoor therapy program. They help veterans transition from wartime experiences through long-distance outdoor expeditions. Each year, they coordinate several hiking, biking, and paddling expeditions. The “Super Bowl” of these events is a cross-country bike event called The Great American Rail Trail Ride. This ride covers 3,700 miles through 12 states. My legs are aching from just writing about it, without riding in it! Warrior Expeditions, along with support from corporate sponsors, provides most of the clothing and equipment, including bikes, panniers, and camping equipment.
Seven veterans from across the nation have been selected for this year’s ride. Participants must meet four requirements. They must have: 1. Served in the military 2. Be assessed as physically fit to complete the route 3. Be assessed to represent veterans and the organization well 4. Be assessed that they would benefit from the program. The chosen participants are now in the process of preparing for the expedition. Those riders will meet in Washington, D.C., on May 6, 2024, for a day of training. Obviously, that is not their first day of training. They will hit the trail on May 8, 2024. Staff members will shadow riders on the first leg of the ride to ensure they understand the navigation technology and the equipment. Warrior Expedition staff coordinates community support along the trail.
The seven riders have been chosen and were notified on Christmas Day. Simply being selected as part of this elite group of riders is quite an honor. One of the chosen ones is from right here in Lee County, Alabama. Callie Leaver is a 29-year military veteran. She earned the rank of Sergeant Major. She served our country long and well, including four years of active duty in the Army, during which she served in Desert Shield and Desert Storm, followed immediately by four years in the United States Army Reserve. After the 9/11 attacks, she joined the Georgia Army National Guard and deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, and Operation Inherent Resolve. Upon her retirement in 2022, she received a Trek bike as a gift and began riding. Now, about a year and a half later, she is about to take the ride of her life.
Most of us may never ride 50 miles in a day on a bike. Sergeant Major Leaver will average that many miles a day. She will ride 10 miles and stop for 20-30 minutes, followed by another 10 miles until she reaches 50.
She said, “My mindset is that I will do 370, 10-mile rides!” She is projecting to complete her ride around the last week in July. If my math is correct, that is about 12 weeks. I just finished 12 weeks of cardio rehab, so I can’t imagine riding a bicycle across the country for that same length of time!
Congratulations to Sergeant Major Callie Leaver and the other veterans who were selected. Thank you for your service to our country. My thoughts and prayers are with you as you complete this journey!
Bill King, a Rainsville native, is a columnist in the Mountain Valley News and North Jackson Press newspapers. He is a writer, musician, and author. King can be reached at [email protected].
