Fitness and physical exercise are instrumental components of any warrior’s military life. Cycling, when integrated with a comprehensive rehabilitation program, has proven an effective means for Wounded Warriors to achieve the best possible recovery. Team 4Mil is available for service members at every point in the process. It’s members actively engage wounded soldiers back from the battlefield who find that cycling provides enhanced mobility and rewarding physical challenges, and with those further along in their recovery as they conquer elite level challenges like extreme distance bike racing.

By competing in Race Across America, Team 4Mil will fulfill its mission by both raising coast-to-coast awareness of wounded veteran issues, and providing complete coaching, crew, and logistics support for its team of veterans who’ll be racing against their British counterparts in the 3,000-mile bicycle race.

On behalf of the military community, the veterans, crew, and racers of Team 4Mil we thank SIG for playing such an important role in keeping the warrior spirit alive!

The US Military Wounded Warrior Team is led by LtCol Mike Matney, USA.  His teammates include Mason Poe, Nieves Rodriguez, Brett Miller, John Fairbanks, Tom Murphy, Tim Conner, and Jeff Palenske.  Crew Chief Richard Wolak, USMA ‘66, has organized an effective race plan to compete successfully and safely neutralize the forces of nature that are encountered during each RAAM event.

Team 4Mil has announced CPO Wayne Dowd, USN (ret) as its 2012 Ride Captain.  His teammates include RAAM veteran’s Jim Weinstein, Kyle Pitman, and Jimmy Colgary, and new members Jason Peterson, Chad Connor, Alan Fischer, and Shawn Olin.

With a proud heritage of military service, these service members have experienced more than 40 deployments, hundreds of military missions, and led countless hours of mission planning.  Combined with their years of cycling experience and a tenacious interest in racing, they are prepared for the many unpredictable challenges that RAAM 2012 will present.

Team 4Mil is an IRS registered 501C3 organization.  As an all-volunteer team, our participation in veteran rehabilitation programs, National Soldier Ride support, and participation in RAAM are subject to voluntary charitable contributions.  To  make a tax-deducible donation via PayPal, please visit our website, www.team4mil.org or contact dan@team4mil.org for more info.

On Thursday December 8, Team 4Mil hosted a sold-out screening of Stephen Auerbach’s film, “Bicycle Dreams” (www.bicycledreamsmovie.com) at Arlington, VA’s Cinema ‘n Draft House (www.arlingtondrafthouse.com).

The film’s promoter, Garry Harrington sensed a strong passion for cycling in the National Capital Region and wanted to create an event, rather than just showcase an award winning film. Members of Team 4Mil and special guest Fred Boethling, President and CEO of Race Across America (RAAM), enjoyed the show and fielded audience questions afterward.

In addition, Team 4Mil pre-announced its partnership with the Wounded Warrior Project (R) to field a team of wounded veterans in the 2012 RAAM. They will join a representative team from the United Kingdom’s Battleback Battalion to form a keen competitive challenge in the world’s most challenging endurance event.

Also at the event, Joe Zuramski, President of ReliaSource, a Baltimore-based defense contractor, presented executives from the Wounded Warrior Project with a check reflecting their successful fund activities during the Baltimore Grand Prix.

Bicycle Dreams portrayal of RAAM as a transcendental experience fueled by the drama of endurance racing resonated throughout the evening by the many exciting activities coordinated throughout the evening.

Tax-deductible donations can be made via the Paypal link at www.team4mil.org or by sending your Paypal donation to info@team4mil.org.  

Thank you for your support!

Team 4Mil Wounded Warrior Nieves Rodriguez and team member Risa Riepma got the ride of their life this last weekend at the annual Livestrong, Ride For The Roses in Austin, TX. Thanks to FRS, both members were treated to some behind the scenes action which set the stage for the weekend of a life time!

Nieves is an Army veteran and wounded warrior who nearly lost his right arm in a vehicle accident while serving in Iraq. He is a role model for perseverance and service which has been demonstrated by his quest to live life to the fullest and help other wounded soldiers do the same. His love of cycling is what brought him together with Team 4Mil. Risa has been a team member since 2010

As part of the VIP treatment, Nieves and Risa participated in a riveting tour of the LIvestrong Foundation Headquarters in Austin, TX. Risa noted at the tour that seemingly different missions of Team 4Mil and Livestrong exhibited some similarities. The two organizations aim to bring awareness to a critical cause, motivate people faced with great personal hardship and support that personal journey of recovery as each individual aims to overcome challenges.

The tone of the weekend was set on Friday evening when both Nieves and Risa had the opportunity to enjoy dinner at Lance Armstrong’s personal residence! The event was attended by top Livestrong fundraisers for the prior year. Nieves noted it was an opportunity of a lifetime, a rare chance to spend a fleeting moment with an icon of the sport of cycling. Risa will deploy to Afghanistan in just 2 months and this experience will surely give her some bragging rights on the warfront.

The final event of the weekend was the actual cycling event. Although Nieves is an experienced cyclists and Risa, a new beginner, Nieves eased her nerves by stating that they would ride the entire 90 miles together. This took Risa a bit by surprise as she had planned on signing up for the 60 mile option. Nieves assured her “he would never leave a soldier behind” which turned out to be comforting words as they both set out for the epic 90 mile adventure with about two thousands other riders. The two finished the ride in just over 6 hours and both agreed that the weekend was something they would remember for the rest of their lives! What a great kick off for Team 4Mil as the organization prepares for the 2012 Race Across America! Big thanks to FRS for making this happen!

Pictured is the opening day reception hosted by the American AirPower Museum, Breakfast at Fox Broadcasting Studio in NYC and the start of the NYC Ride, and Joe Faugno, from Carlos Bakery who delivered a special cake to the warriors (and from the television series “Cake Boss”).

Team 4 Mil announced today that it is opening up the application process for racers and crew to join the team for the 2012 Race Across America event.    The 2012 race is scheduled to begin on 12 June, 2012 with the 8-person team competition starting on 16 June.   2011 Racer Captain Jim Weinstein said “The 2012 team will have their work cut out for them if they are going to improve on our fundraising and racing success but I’m sure they can do it!”  Many members of the 2011 team will be rejoining the team again in 2012 to help foster the teams sustainability and the mission of “keeping the warrior spirit alive” endures.  Team 4 Mil is an all volunteer, non-profit 501(c)(3), comprised of accomplished cyclists and experienced crewmembers united in their passion for the sport of cycling, deep commitment to the US Armed Forces, and to our charitable benefactor, The Wounded Warrior Project.  If you are interested in joining the team, fill out the application.  If you have any questions, please contact Jim Weinstein at weinsteinjames@yahoo.com.

2012 RAAM Crew and Racer Application

Sincerely,

Thank you Team 4Mil friends and family. We had an amazing journey and met a lot of really great people.

See you next year for RAAM 2012!

Click to watch an abbreviated slide show of this epic journey, courtesy of Bruce Buckley.