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Video created by Jim Ray.

A Tribute to our Teammates
Past and Present

Meet the
2018 Warrior Recovery Team

The Free Wheel Foundation Team is made up of sponsors, beneficiaries, support and riders who work together as a community to fuel the recovery of our warriors.

Semper Fi Fund

The Semper Fi Fun is one of America’s highest rated charities, providing urgently needed resources and support for post 9/11 combat wounded, critically ill and catastrophically injured members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families.  This year the Semper Fi Fund will be working with the Free Wheel Foundation to identify heroes in need that will attend the 2018 Wasatch Expedition.

Knights of Heroes

For the 2018 Expedition Wasatch, the Knights of Heroes (KOH) will have a team of riders participating in the event. One of KOH’s key goals for 2018 is to pay off the mortgage on the Knights of Heroes Camp and be debt-free in order to focus strictly on their mission of  empowering children who have lost their fathers during military service by providing positive adult mentorship, character development, and lasting friendships, which are forged during an annual wilderness adventure camp.

National Ability Center

From individual activities to seven-day retreats, the National Ability Center offers a number of individual and group programs for servicemen and women and their families. These programs are designed to develop and encourage independence and general health and wellness consistent with a balanced and physically active lifestyle, as well as smooth the transition from military to civilian life. Military programs include: individual, family and group sports and recreation opportunities, health & wellness retreats and Military Family Retreats.

Marine Raider Foundation

The Marine Raider Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides benevolent support to active duty and medically retired MARSOC Raiders and their families, as well as to the families of Raiders who have lost their lives in service to our Nation. On March 10, 2018, the Free Wheel Foundation supported Brix Wines that conducted an auction raising over $100,000 for the Marine Raider Foundation.

Cider Corps

Cider Corps is an exciting new collaborative partnership for the Free Wheel Foundation.  We are exploring new and creative ways to team with Josh and Jason to support our wounded warriors. Stay tuned in 2018 for exciting news!

Brix Wines

Brix Wines is a true gem within the community of Cave Creek AZ, and loved by anyone who has ever had the opportunity to stop in for a glass of wine.  Brian and Nancy Franks have been a long time supporter of the Free Wheel Foundation, and have helped our foundation raise incredible amounts of money over the years to support our wounded warriors.

Velozoom

A cycling community needs a reliable bike shop with a supportive staff.  Velozoom has been our bike shop since the first year when we rode from Phoenix to San Diego, and has provided amazing support year after year ever since.  Don and Amber are accomplished cyclists with all the knowledge and skills to keep the Free Wheel Foundation rolling strong!

What's Crackin

What’s Crakin’ Cafe is an exciting new collaborative partnership for the Free Wheel Foundation.  We will be kicking off our Warrior Recovery Challenge this year at What’s Crackin on June 18, 2018 (4pm) with our Inaugural Auction to Support our Recovering Warriors.  Don’t miss this opportunity to come out and support us for an evening with music, wine, food, silent and live auctions, raffles, and more!!!

Your Jubilee

No event is amazing without detailed planning and effective orchestration, and Meagan and Ashley keep Free Wheel Foundation events running smooth.

Ride Event Logistics Made Easy!

Janine Willis, Tami Thompson, Meagan Pinney, Ashley Allan, Leslie Bieberdorf, and Linda Liner (not pictured), make up the core Free Wheel Support Team.  No event can be successful without a team of hard working and caring individuals who operate behind the scenes of the ride. Yes, riders and warriors are spoiled by our support team.  These ladies are the best!

2018 Wasatch Expedition Riders:

Brett Bieberdorf

“The Free Wheel Foundation has been a big part of my charitable life. One of my closest friends, John Greenway, recruited our family on the crazy first year that we rode from Scottsdale to San Diego. The second year, I drove support and asked about learning to ride, and the rest is history. 10 years of events, 10 years of supporting our best and brightest, 10 years of discovering who I am.  There have been lots of changes over these 10 years, but the mission remains the same, supporting our injured service persons and finding ways to assist in their recovery.  I’m not sure who benefits more from our efforts, our charities, or us as supporters.  Join the cause, you will not be disappointed.”

“Three reasons why I ride.

  1. To challenge myself to accomplish distances and mountain rides I never thought would be possible on a bicycle.
  2. To push myself out of my comfort zone to raise funds helping our service members in need.
  3. The third and main reason I ride is my form of recovery after years of flying medivac from Iraq and Afghanistan and witnessing the devastation to our service members lives. This outlet of cycling helps me knowing that we are doing many great things to renew hope and create a better future for our heroes.”

Kendra Befort

“I have been riding with the Free Wheel Foundation for 6 amazing years!  Each year I have become stronger in body and in faith that a small group of motivated individuals can make a big difference in this world.  Everyone on the foundation board volunteers their time and effort and we support each other and our warriors like family, which makes this organization truly one of a kind.  Join us!”

Steve & Dee Dee Wheeler

“The reason we ride is very simple.  We ride in order to raise money and give back to our military Heroes and their families who sacrifice their lives each and every day so that we can enjoy our freedom here at home.  Raising money in order to provide much needed assistance, adaptive equipment and therapy pails in comparison to what our men and women in uniform do around the world to protect us and ensure our safety.  Volunteering our time and making a monetary contribution to support them on their road to recovery, in my opinion, is the least we can do to show our gratitude.”

Davis Mcneil

“We raise money to support warriors and their families that we find through organizations that enable us to fill funding gaps for adaptive sports equipment and rehabilitation opportunities that they would not get otherwise.  Most importantly, our organization provides the human element of support that fuels recovery. I have supported this organization for 8 years and I have seen first hand the lives we have changed and the lives we will change this year with your continued support.”

Greg Schultejann

Please support me in raising funds for the 2018 Expedition Wasatch!

Joe Liner

“I ride because I want to give back to those who are willing and sometimes do sacrifice everything they have to protect my family and community. Without these heroes protecting our freedom we would not be able to live the lives we do so this is one small way to giveback in their time of need.”

Brian Marcucci

“I want to do more than speaking the words “thank you for your service.”  I want to enable a real difference.  I want to cause tangible, positive, long-lasting impact in the lives of those who have been injured in service to our country, and for the families of those who made the ultimate sacrifice.  I want to be part of and build a community that provides support and inspires our injured military heroes to grow and evolve past their challenges.”

Tom Willis

“Having been in the military, I appreciate what is required to rejoin civilian life. I was honored to lend my support and time to bring awareness of our servicemen and women and their families who have faced additional challenges after their tours. Joining the ride for the first time as a rider, it was an experience that reminded me of the camaraderie and commitment of being in the service. It was definitely the hardest cycling challenge I’ve ever done, but I am so glad I did it. It is a great group of individuals who came together to make a positive difference for an amazing cause. “

Steve Harold

When we started we didn’t know what we were getting ourselves into.  But from day one, seeing the commitment of the riders to do these amazing physical feats and push themselves in order to bring awareness to the need of helping injured service members and their families. We were inspired year after year to be a part of the community that was created and friendships that were made. It has been an honor to know the men and women who have answered the call of service to something greater than themselves.

Tami Thompson & Janine Willis

“When we started we didn’t know what we were getting our selves into. But from day one, seeing the commitment of the riders to do these amazing physical feats and push themselves in order to bring awareness to the need of helping injured service members and their families. We were inspired year after year to be a part of the community that was created and friendships that were made. It has been an honor to know the men and women who have answered the call of service to something greater than themselves.”

Robin and Micah Akin

Please support us in raising funds for the 2018 Expedition Wasatch!

Tres Smith and Mikael Hughes

Please support us in raising funds for the 2018 Expedition Wasatch!

Bernie Ryan

I’ve been blessed with a wonderful life, family, and friends.  My good fortune has led me to places I could only dream of and meet amazing people of all ages.  Many of them are part of the Knights of Heroes and Free Wheel Foundation teams.  To be part of something bigger than yourself is extremely fulfilling.  The  camaraderie is fantastic.  It reminds me of the times I spent in my Navy squadrons where teamwork with a common goal always achieved amazing results.

The goal of reaching out to help those who may have been dealt an unfortunate hand in life is notable but with the Knights of Heroes and Free Wheel Foundation we get to provide more than a simple handout.  We have the opportunity to provide support and guidance as these young men and women grow into future leaders and productive citizens of our great country. My fellow brothers and sisters in the Knights of Heroes and Free Wheel Association are inspiring to not only our campers but to each other.  I grow more every time I’m with them.  I’m looking forward to another great event as we tackle the mountains of Utah on our bikes and support these great organizations.

Please support us in raising funds for the 2018 Expedition Wasatch!

John Mattie

Please support us in raising funds for the 2018 Expedition Wasatch!