Miniature Terrain Building

This year I’ve decided once again to dust off my bike shoes and get on my bike for a cause.  Over the last few years, I have done 3 MS150 tours for Multiple Sclerosis (150 miles) and one Tour de Cure for Diabetes (65 miles).  This year I’ve decided to try to do the Ride 2 Recovery.

What is the Ride 2 Recovery?  It is a 350-450 mile bike tour to benefit mental and physical rehabilitation programs for our country’s wounded veterans through indoor spinning and outdoor cycling.  Some of these wounded veterans will be accompanying the challenge riders for the entirety of the tour or for single days, and some of those veterans will be on bicycles adapted for amputees or for other disabilities.

This event is scheduled to take place in the September-October timeframe and will follow the below route:

Bluegrass Challenge: http://www.ride2recovery.com/bluegrass-challenge.html

• Day 1:  Cincinnati, OH to Carrolton, KY
• Day 2:  Carrolton, KY to Louisville, KY
• Day 3:  Louisville, KY to Ft. Knox, KY
• Day 4:  Ft. Knox, KY to Bowling Green, KY
• Day 5:  Bowling Green, KY to Ft. Campbell KY
• Day 6:  Ft. Campbell, KY to Nashville, TN

My challenge for this event is to raise a MINIMUM of $3000 to be able to participate.  While this seems daunting, it pales in comparison to the challenges faced by those who have had life altering injuries, both physical and mental that will be with them for a lifetime.

I have until September to reach this goal, and would really appreciate anything anyone can spare between now and then.  If you wish to sponsor me on this ride, there are a couple ways to do it:

• You can donate via the Ride 2 Recovery website:  http://ride2recovery.com/r2r-sponsor-a-rider.html .  This site uses both PayPal and Google Checkout for your donations.  If you use this method, please be sure to let me (Eric Samson) know so I can ensure that it is properly credited.  There is also an option to mail a check – please be sure that you put my name on your check comments (Eric Samson) to ensure that it goes toward my fundraising goal.
• You may contact me and make arrangements for me to pick up your donation – I will ensure that it is sent in and properly credited.

About me:

I am a 10 year veteran of the U.S. Army (7 years active, and 3 spent as a reservist), and a life member of VFW Post 7309 in Mason, Michigan.   I participated in Operation Desert Shield/Storm in 1990-1991, and was one of the many fortunate who came home with no lasting injuries.  I come from a multigenerational line of veterans, my Father having served in the Army during Vietnam, one Grandfather who served in the Army, and another Grandfather who served in the Navy, both during World War II.

For more information, you can check out the charity’s website http://www.ride2recovery.com .

If you know anyone that would be interested in sponsoring me, please share this message with them!

Thanks!