| Welcome to the 2009 Face of America Bike Ride. Our mission is to reach out to, and actively include service members who have been severely injured in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. We want to thank them for their service and to let them know that they can still be active members of the TEAM. Anybody else, including civilians, both with and without disabilities is welcome to join our ride! Here is an letter written from a 2007 participant. Also, click here to read an article from the American Forces Press Service News about this event and campaign.

2009 FACE OF AMERICA BICYCLE RIDE SUMMARY OF INFORMATION
Who:
World T.E.A.M. Sports (The Exceptional Athlete Matters) working with Soldiers Angels organization, the Injured Semper Fi Foundation, and service members at the Walter Reed Medical Center, the National Naval Medical Center, the Brooke Army Medical Center, U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, the U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, as well as others.
What:
Face of America is a two-day inclusive bike ride of approximately 110 miles, creating a TEAM of people with and without disabilities. We are honoring and actively including servicemen and women who have been severely injured in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
We will also have able-bodied active duty servicemen and women participating as well as anybody else who wants to be on the TEAM, both civilian and service members.
When: April 25 & 26, 2009 Service members & Sponsors kick-off dinner Friday night April 24th.
Where: The ride begins in Bethesda, MD and goes from there to Frederick, Maryland (approx. 60 miles of ride) on Saturday, April 25th. The ride continues from Frederick to and ends in Gettysburg, PA (approx 50 mile ride) on Sunday, April 26th.
Why: World T.E.A.M. Sports (The Exceptional Athlete Matters) creates inclusive sports
TEAMS; using the powerful platform of sports to bring together participants with and without disabilities. There are an increasing number of servicemen and women returning from the wars with severe injuries. This ride will honor them by actively using sports to help integrate these recently severely injured servicemen and women back into society. We want thank these young men and women for their service and also let them know that they can still be active members of the TEAM.
Face of America 2009, the seventh Face of America organized by World T.E.A.M. Sports, will highlight the potential and capabilities of all participants. Like previous efforts, this ride is about meeting challenges, a sense of camaraderie, and developing the lasting knowledge that ALL of the participants are integral members of our society.
Cost: There is NO charge for all active duty servicemen and women, both able-bodied and disabled. There is a $ 50 registration fee and a $ 400 minimum fundraising fee for all other participants. All registration can be done on-line at www.worldteamsports.org.
Timeline: (Subject to change)
The following is a brief outline of the events of Friday, April 24th:
| 2:00 - 7:00 |
Rider registration at the Hyatt Regency Bethesda, MD and bike storage parking lot by Capital Crescent Trail Bethesda, MD |
| 7:00 - 9:00 |
Service Members & Sponsors Dinner at the Hyatt Regency Bethesda, MD |
| 9:00 |
Group disperses - personal time |
The following is a brief outline of the events of Saturday, April 25th:
| 6- 7:30 |
Breakfast - parking lot by Capital Crescent Trail in Bethesda, MD |
| 7:30 |
Ride begins at the entrance to the Crescent bike trail in Bethesda, MD |
| 3:00-5:00 |
Riders staggered arrival into Frederick Sports Plex, Frederick, MD |
| 1:00 - 5:00 |
Riders proceed to Gym Building for showers, massage, secure cots |
| 5:00 - 7:00 |
Dinner and photo slide show at Frederick Sports Plex |
| 7:00 |
Overnight at Frederick Sports Plex |
The following is a brief outline of the events of Sunday, April 26th:
| 6:30 |
Ride begins from Sportsplex in Frederick, MD |
| 12:30 |
Full TEAM arrives at Seamus Garrahy's, 30 Plank Rd., Gettysburg, PA |
| 12:45 |
Awards, Remarks take place |
| 4:00 |
Group disperses |
Logistics:There will be buses going back to Washington DC from Gettysburg after the ride on Sunday May 4th for a nominal fee. You must sign up for a spot on the bus.
For all active duty service members, both disable and able-bodied, we will provide free lodging in Bethesda, MD on Friday evening. Please check back for Bethesda hotel information.
Saturday evening, we will be staying in Frederick, MD at the SportsPlex at Frederick (NEW this year)
You are responsible for bringing sleeping bags for Saturday evening.
We will transport all your baggage during the ride.
Food and drinks and a fully supported ride will be provided from Saturday morning through Sunday when the ride is completed.
Contact:
World T.E.A.M. Sports
Jeff Messner
303-912-7712
jmessner@worldteamsports.org |