Warsaw To Kick Off 500-Mile Cycling Event Benefiting Military
Posted
Staff Report-
Wish for Our Heroes has announced the first Ride Indiana, a 500-mile cycling endurance event to support members of the United States armed forces. The Noblesville-based national charity has partnered with The Kroger Co. for the event. The ride will begin Wednesday in Warsaw and will have stops in South Bend, Lafayette, Bloomington, Columbus, and conclude in Indianapolis at Monument Circle on Sept. 21. A total of 15 riders will cycle an average of 7 hours per day as a team, at a rate of 15 miles per hour, until nearly 500 miles are completed. A number of celebrity and military riders will join the event for various legs of the ride, including former Gov. Mitch Daniels, Mayor Greg Ballard and George Hill of the Indiana Pacers. The ride will be led by three combat-wounded heroes. “This is the first event of its kind in Indiana, and we are thrilled to already have so much community support, starting with our title sponsor, Kroger, who continuously contributes to our efforts in supporting the troops,” said Ken Holder, event coordinator for Wish for Our Heroes, in the event announcement. Kroger is providing ride support and monetary contributions for Ride Indiana, and several store locations will serve as stopping points for the riders. Scheduled stops include: Wednesday: Warsaw to South Bend (6:15 a.m. at Owens Supermarket, 2211 E. Center St., Warsaw) Thursday: South Bend to Lafayette (10:30 a.m. at Kroger, 2040 Peace Tree Village, Rochester) Friday: Lafayette to Bloomington (6 a.m. at Pay Less Supermarket, 65 Beck Lane, Lafayette) Saturday: Bloomington to Columbus (3:30 p.m. at Kroger, 3110 N. National Road, Columbus); Sunday: Columbus to Indianapolis (11 a.m., Kroger, 3100 Meridian Parke Drive, Greenwood). The conclusion is at 3:30 p.m. at Monument Circle, Indianapolis. Other sponsors for Ride Indiana include Old National Bank, Indy Eleven, Notre Dame Army ROTC, Purdue Military Family Awareness, Indiana University Army ROTC, Veteran Centers of Indiana, as well as VFW and American Legion posts across Indiana. For more information on Ride Indiana, including routes and ways to support the event, visit http://wishforourheroes.org/rideindiana
