Bucky McQueen pedals for Ride 2 Recovery On February 27, the riders on the bikes pedaled furiously but went nowhere. But their efforts took injured soldiers’ journeys further down the road to recovery.

Nine riders at Columbia’s Hampton Hills Athletic Club participated in a two–hour spinning class/ fundraising effort for Ride 2 Recovery, a national charity that raises money for mental and physical rehabilitation for men and women in the armed forces. The group, a partnership between the community, Hampton Hill, and Ft. Jackson’s Wounded Warrior Division, raised $1,500, a figure that continues to rise as donations trickle in. More than 400 athletic clubs around the country participated in the third annual Spinning Nation event that day. Last year more than $250,000 was raised, and organizers hope to top that number this year.

Host instructor Bucky McQueen said he was proud of the effort made by his fellow cyclers.

“It was two hours of continuous spinning,” McQueen said. “I thought it was a great opportunity for the city of Columbia and Ft. Jackson to come together for a good cause.”

Sgt. W. Ambrose, who is the platoon sergeant for the Wounded Warrior Division at Ft. Jackson, said bicycling is something that almost any recovering soldier can do, and it is often a lifesaver for those who are used to an active lifestyle that might be curtailed by illness and injury.

“For those who have run for five, 10, or 15 years every day of their lives, having an injury can be pretty tragic,” Ambrose said. “They don’t know what to do, but biking is often the answer. It’s very low impact and almost everyone can do it, even amputees.”

That proved to be true during the Saturday class. Ambrose said his friend rode with his arm in a sling, and another female participant rode the entire time, despite just getting over a bout with the flu.

“I was very impressed and inspired by them,” he said.

The February 27 event is just one of several held nationwide to assist soldiers who have become ill or injured while serving their countries. Ambrose and two other soldiers participated in December in a 350–mile bike ride across Florida in December that inspired him to start a fundraising effort here.

“We were able to bike 266 miles in only four days with a couple of other warriors from Ft. Jackson,” Ambrose said. “We saw participants riding using just one arm and one leg.”

According to its website, funds from Ride 2 Recovery will benefit mental and physical rehabilitation programs that feature cycling as the core activity. Ride 2 Recovery raises money to support Spinning Recovery Labs and outdoor cycling programs at Military and VA locations around the U.S. to help injured veterans overcome obstacles they face.

“Cycling is an important part of the recovery and rehabilitation program for two reasons: it is an activity in which all patients with mental and physical disabilities can participate, and participation in the Ride 2 Recovery Program helps speed up the recovery and rehabilitation process,” according to its website.

Those who wish to support the Ride 2 Recovery fundraising efforts can make an on–line donation by visiting www.ride2recovery. com.