HERO RIDE USA
Steven's note upon completing his journey:
This summer, I was gifted with the great opportunity to cycle across the United States while
raising funds and awareness for Project Hero. Along the journey I encountered many high points
and only one true low point. Of the high points, I was thrilled to have the great privilege of
meeting and riding with veterans and first responders from the Project Hero community and
many remarkable people whom I once called strangers but now consider family. Hearing their
stories and outpouring of wisdom will continue to inspire me long after the ride. The natural
landscapes and natural beauty along the route were absolutely breathtaking and remarkable to
ride through. The only low point of the ride came thirty-five days in when I found myself
contemplating on whether I should really be peddling harder to reach the finish faster or slowing
down to savor the last moments of a what was a truly life-changing experience. The solution was
simple because everyone always tells you to pedal hard; and so we did, which made me realize
every finish line is just the marking of a new starting line, and that my journey of giving back
didn’t have to end with the completion of this ride.
raising funds and awareness for Project Hero. Along the journey I encountered many high points
and only one true low point. Of the high points, I was thrilled to have the great privilege of
meeting and riding with veterans and first responders from the Project Hero community and
many remarkable people whom I once called strangers but now consider family. Hearing their
stories and outpouring of wisdom will continue to inspire me long after the ride. The natural
landscapes and natural beauty along the route were absolutely breathtaking and remarkable to
ride through. The only low point of the ride came thirty-five days in when I found myself
contemplating on whether I should really be peddling harder to reach the finish faster or slowing
down to savor the last moments of a what was a truly life-changing experience. The solution was
simple because everyone always tells you to pedal hard; and so we did, which made me realize
every finish line is just the marking of a new starting line, and that my journey of giving back
didn’t have to end with the completion of this ride.
Steve's Story
Upon turning fourteen I had one simple dream: to cycle across the United States. My name is Steven Blackwell, and I am currently seventeen years old and seeking for everyone to let my story be told in hopes of effectively helping others who have been more bold.
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In pursuit of this dream, I made plans to cycle alongside veterans in Project Hero’s California Challenger Series in 2013. Two years following this volunteer experience I went on to complete my second Double Century Cycling Race at the age of sixteen: The Davis Double Century. Upon completing this two hundred mile ride, my pride was deprived. At mile five I learned how very lucky I was to survive. Early in the race I witnessed the results of an eighteen wheeler fatally striking a cyclist.
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The accident took a while for me to process. However, after some time passed, I came to one simple realization after losing another fellow cyclist to a tragic accident in my local cycling club. If this experience is challenging for me to process, I can not even imagine the barriers our service members and first responders hurdle on a daily basis.
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It was following this realization that I had one solution to the problem. I will support them just like they support me. Although I lack the degrees necessary to carry out their occupational duties, I have been gifted with the legs, heart and determination to support this great organization (Project Hero) that offers these brave men and women effective methods of coping and treatment. Now, I hope at the age of seventeen we can partner and help each other accomplish this dream, and make many lives gleam.
Route:
I will be traveling across the United States via TransAmerica trail. This route will take me from Florence, Oregon to Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia. This route is 4,228.5 miles long and is anticipated to be ridden in 40 days.
*Please note there will be a slight detour from the map depicted above. From Christianburg there will be a slight northward detour to Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia rather than Yorktown, Virginia.
Follow my progress!
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