Today Indian Motorcycle announced its continued support and sponsorship of the sixth-annual Veterans Charity Ride (VCR) to Sturgis. The VCR offers a ride where combat veterans can participate in the freeing and often therapeutic act of motorcycling, but this year VCR is taking things a step further with its “service before self” initiative. This new initiative hopes to directly support and show appreciation for our nation’s first responders, who have been working the frontlines during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 2020 Veteran’s Charity Ride will include 15 veterans total; nine new veterans and six returning veterans to serve as mentors.
The VCR is a non-profit organization that uses “motorcycle therapy” as a means of healing combat veterans dealing with PTSD. Dave Frey, U.S. Army Veteran and Veterans Charity Ride Founder, highlighted the significance of the ride by stating, “During these extraordinary times, getting our veterans out of the house and supporting them with the liberating power of motorcycle therapy is more important than ever.
“To be able to combine those efforts and honor our selfless and invaluable first responders during this unprecedented pandemic makes this journey even more gratifying. In light of COVID-19, we will be implementing necessary precautions to stay safe and healthy, as we come together to heal and support one another on our ride to the legendary Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.”
This year’s ride will begin on July 29, 2020 in Moab, Utah, where the group will cruise through scenic mountain roads on the way to Fort Collins, Colorado. From there, the VCR will explore some of the best riding that the nation has to offer before arriving at the legendary Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in South Dakota on August 7, 2020.
The riders will be aboard Indian motorcycles outfitted with a variety of components to help amputee and paraplegic veterans operate their motorcycles with confidence. Those modifications include ReKluse auto clutch systems and custom built Champion Sidecars. Beyond the ride, the VCR also provides an experience for veterans to bond by giving them an opportunity to participate in team-building exercises and engaging in open dialogs about their service during the two-week motorcycle ride.
For several years, the VCR has supported veterans by building a healing atmosphere through motorcycle riding. However, the organization will also be attempting to engage with more people outside of the combat veteran community, which includes first responders who have bravely continued to help those in need in the face of a global pandemic.
VCR participants will be following strict safety and sanitary guidelines, extending a helping hand by providing much needed personal protection equipment and hosting barbecues at select tour stops.
Our nation’s veterans and healthcare workers are an inspiration, and we’re grateful to be a part of an experience that honors their selflessness and sacrifices for our country,” said Reid Wilson, Vice President of Indian Motorcycle. “We’re honored to continue supporting the Veterans Charity Ride and are humbled by their work and positive impact on our veterans.”
The Veterans Charity Ride to Sturgis was conceived and developed by veteran Army Paratrooper Dave Frey and Emmy Award-winning producer and director Robert Manciero, leveraging the therapeutic effects of motorcycle riding to create an adventure of a lifetime for wounded veterans.
If you’d like to support the Veterans Charity Ride, donate, or to learn more, visit IndianMotorcycle.com and VeteransCharityRide.org. Riders can also follow along on Indian Motorcycle’s social media channels: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and Veterans Charity Ride’s social media channels: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Source: RiderMagazine.com