News From the Cause
Former president accompanies injured vets on grueling bike ride (REPORTER-TELEGRAM, MIDLAND, TX)
April 26, 2011
A group of young veterans, accompanied by a special guest, began a grueling 100-kilometer, or 62.1-mile, mountain biking trek through Big Bend National Park in the heat Monday afternoon. Though the narrow, single track trails aren't much wider than the bikes they ride, they have all fought bigger battles to be where they are today.
The 14 "Warrior" riders, along with former President George W. Bush, knocked out 12 miles of the three-day journey Monday upon arrival at the park. The group said they planned to leave early in the morning for Tuesday's 30-mile and Wednesday's 20-mile trek.
For most of the riders, like Iraq veteran Andy Hatcher, the activity has been key to their rehabilitation.
Hatcher grew up playing a variety of sports and, following in the footsteps of his father, became a reconnaissance Marine at the age of 17. He was deployed to Iraq in 2004 during the second Battle of Fallujah. He suffered severe injuries to his right leg -- which he ultimately had to have amputated -- after his vehicle was struck by an explosive device.
Hatcher said medical specialists were searching at that time for ways to keep young military service members and veterans who have suffered permanent physical injuries motivated through rehabilitation. One program created out of that need was the Challenged Athletes Foundation's Operation Rebound. Sports would become a central part of Hatcher's life once again.
A mere five months after Hatcher's surgery, he completed the Wounded Warrior Project's "Soldier Ride," a trek via bicycle from Washington, D.C., to New York City. The journey took seven days and covered 450 miles. Hatcher has participated in multiple Olympic and Ironman triathlons as well, and recently earned a spot on the U.S. Paralympic National Cycling Team.
"It was long and slow-going, but I fell in love with riding bikes," the veteran said. Hatcher said his house has been overtaken by cycling gear, and "it's a surprise he even has room for a bed," said his friend, Nick Steshko. Click here to view more
