SAN DIEGO (NEWS 8) — A month-long bike ride across the U.S. came to an end Sunday, but this wasn’t any ordinary bike ride. The riders were Wounded Warriors raising awareness for veterans.
12 Wounded Warriors biked into Quivera Basin where they crossed the finish line for the coast-to-coast ride across America.
Steve Dabroski is a Marine Corps veteran who was one of those selected to make the third leg to San Diego.
“A year ago, I was on a recovery bike, I couldn't even walk without a cane and I just rode [here] from Texas.
The Soldier Ride Across America left the 9/11 memorial in New York a month ago.
Teams of 12 rode about a thousand miles each until they ended up here. But these veterans say more than just those 36 men and women were with them on the journey.
“All the guys who didn't make it home... guys that got hurt and aren't fortunate enough to be out here yet. We think about them,” said Dabroski.
The goal of the ride is to raise awareness about veteran's issues. Riders stopped at cities across the country discussing the challenges faced by Wounded Warriors and re-integrating at home.
Steve Peace was in the Navy stationed in San Diego when a stroke ended his career.
“When I ride I feel like I’m free and I love that feeling,” said Peace. “As long as I can keep pedaling, that feeling will be there.”
Peace is riding to help others like he was helped by the Wounded Warrior Project.
“It’s an amazing healing process and Wounded Warrior Project - if someone is hurt and alone, you can’t get up and do something again - come out and find us, we'll change your life,” said Dabroski.