Ride 430
(10 Year Anniversary)
Park City, Utah 2017
Every Year we kick off the event with a local gathering where we eat, drink and have a great time before loading our bikes and bags into the Free Wheel Foundation trailer. All of our bikes and belongings are transported safely each year from Phoenix to our ride destination.
DAY 1: The Free Wheel Foundation Team is made up of riders from all over the United States that raise money and then come together for our events to provide support to our recovering warriors. In 2017, the team arrived throughout the day in Utah and was greeted by our logistics staff. After settling in, everyone gathered for a “meet and greet” in our Free Wheel Hospitality Room.
DAY 2: We were up early for our first team ride. The team grabbed breakfast in the Free Wheel Hospitality Room and then we met for our Ride In-Brief. After all route and safety instructions were provided, we were off on our first ride challenge! The day was packed with beautiful scenery, great company, an occasional supportive push, and lots of chatting and laughter as the team got to know one another better.
A quick break for brunch at Woodland Cafe where we were treated to an amazing selection of good eats! The Free Wheel Team was joined today by Julius, a local Veteran and supporter of the Semper Fi Foundation.
After brunch, we were back on the bike for more adventure in the Wasatch Mountains!
After our first challenging ride, the team enjoyed a relaxing evening in downtown Park City at an outside restaurant venue with live music.
DAY 3: The team rose early to get in a challenging ride up to the Olympic Ski Park before spending the rest of our day at the National Ability Center experiencing first hand what a warrior must adapt to on their recovery journey.
Next stop, lunch at the National Ability Center!
The National Ability Center Team taught us about how horses are used in recovery therapy.
The National Ability Center Team showed us skills they teach injured warriors for adaptive archery.
The National Ability Center Team introduced the Free Wheel Foundation Team to their adaptive ropes course.
The Dinner theme that evening was Military Night, and we paid tribute to the men and women who have served their country with honor and bravery.
DAY 4: The team was up early to face the Ultimate Challenge!
Once the Free Wheel Team had completed the Ultimate Challenge (61 miles and 7,700ft elevation gain), it was time for us to kick back, enjoy some barbecue, and cheer on the Pro Racers as they made the same trek from Heber Valley to Snowbird (Tour of Utah – Stage 6).
The team spent its final evening having a pool side pizza party and exchanging our goodbyes until we see each other again. It was another successful fund raising year that concluded in the mountains of Utah with warriors and friends having a great time together fueling recovery and supporting our military families.
