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May 01, 2015
In Crawford, TX. Wounded warriors ride with President Bush in 5th -annual 100K
Crawford, Texas Wounded warriors ride with President Bush in fifth-annual 100K
The he three-day event will see George W. Bush mountain biking with nearly 20 wounded warriors injured in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Each spring, approximately 20 servicemen and women wounded in the global war on terror join President George W. Bush for a 100-kilometer mountain bike ride. Part of the Bush Institute's Military Service Initiative, the W100K highlights the bravery and sacrifice of warriors and recognizes organizations that support America’s veterans.
Seventeen wounded veterans joined former President George W. Bush at his Central Texas ranch Thursday morning for the first day of his institute’s annual 100-kilometer bike ride.
The fifth annual Warrior 100K, which is part of the George W. Bush Institute’s military service initiative, is a three-day bike ride to honor service members injured in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Before setting off on the 12-mile ride around the president’s ranch, Bush shook hands with all of the warriors before getting on his red, white and blue bike–that was outfitted with the presidential seal.
Bush’s rider number was–of course—43.
Trek Bicycle Corporation donated a bike to each of the warriors Wednesday night in preparation for the ride.
After quick opening remarks, which ended with Bush saying “let’s ride!” the riders set out on the nearly hour-and-a-half long bike ride.
Throughout the trail, which took the vets through creeks and down slick ravines, Bush could be heard encouraging the group and yelling out his signature trail calls: “Yeah, baby!” and “That’s what I’m talking about!” He also offered an Elvis impersonation, saying “thank you, thank you very much.”
During one part of the trail, in which the group passed through a water crossing, where the water was deeper than expected, the warriors could be heard cheering as they made their way through.
“There were a couple spots where some of [the water] came to my calves and this was deeper than I thought, my pedals were under water and my feet were wet, but this is a blast,” said Command Sgt. Major Brian Flom. “You don’t want to come clean right on the road–you are mountain biking.”
Flom, who was injured during a rocket attack in Baghdad in October 2007, is one of this year’s Warrior 100K riders.
The weekend continues with a 30-mile course Friday and a 20-mile ride Saturday.
Bush has said the ride serves as a reminder of the extraordinary resilience displayed by the country’s more than 2.5 million post-9/11 veterans. The former president has made veteran’s well-being and their re-entry into society one of the institute’s priorities.
Wild Thing's comment..........
I love that he does this with America's heroes.
Posted by Wild Thing at May 1, 2015 12:55 AM
Comments
Sure can't see obama doing this. I don't know if he could get 20 veterans willing to ride with him. I don't see obama's girlie bike running down dirt trails and through creek beds.
Posted by: TomR,armed in Texas at May 1, 2015 02:45 PM
