SOLON — With the Hoover Nature Trail passing through Solon on the former Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific (Rock Island) Railroad right-of-way, bicyclists have become a common sight. However, an uncommon group of cyclists rolled through last week on an epic journey.
Seven veterans departed Washington, D.C. May 8 with a final destination of La Push, Washington via the Great American Rail Trail, a 3,700 mile route utilizing former railroad right-of-way, which has been converted to trails. The journey is organized by Warrior Expeditions, a veteran nonprofit organization that offers a trio of outdoor therapy programs designed to help veterans transition from
their wartime experiences through long-distance outdoor expeditions including eight different long distance hikes, a canoe expedition running the length of the Mississippi River (from Minnesota to Louisiana), and the Great American Rail Trail.
This year’s riders were Brandon Blankenship of Weeki Wachee, Florida (Army), KP Haueter of Green Ridge, Missouri (Air Force), Michael Kohler of Josephine, Texas (Army), Callie Leaver of Auburn, Alabama (Army), Allen Megginson of Winston Salem, North Carolina (Army), Suzanne (Suzy) Williamson of Milford, Pennsylvania (Army), and John Wirth of Rapid City, South Dakota (Army).
Leaver, who served from 1987-2022 retiring at the rank of Sgt. Major, explained Warrior Expeditions provides the vets with a bike, clothing, camping equipment, an orientation session, and shadows them for the first few days of the ride. The organization also provides a $300/month stipend for food and incidentals along the way, however she noted individual preferences (eating out frequently, for example) dictate out-of-pocket expenses beyond the stipend.
The riders’ pace varies with an average of 50 miles per day the goal including rest stops along the way. It also varies among the individuals as Kohler, Megginson, and Wirth came through a couple of days ahead of Leaver and Blankenship, who were a day ahead of Haueter and Williamson. Even among the pairings there are differences. Williamson, for example, will sprint ahead and stop when something catches her artist’s eye. While she’s photographing her subject for a future painting, Haueter will catch up.
Time out on the trails, which varies from dirt and crushed gravel to paved, gives the riders time for personal reflection while challenging themselves physically and mentally.
Many nights are spent in tents, some in hotels, others in homes through the kindness and generosity of the people they meet. Warrior Expeditions has a network of Community Supporters such as Al Wells, owner of Solon’s Literary Hotel who provided complimentary rooms to the riders and the Bluebird Café who provided a free meal (breakfast for Leaver and Blankenship (“Best pancakes ever!,” she said) and supper for Williamson and Haueter). Community Supporters typically provide lodging, meals, even transportation if needed.
“Every time we meet these Community Supporters, it’s like a hug,” said Williamson, who served from 1987-2014 retiring with the rank of Major. “It’s welcoming, we feel like we’re spoiled, like we’re being taken care of, it’s so nice. We don’t know anyone, we’re not home. It’s hard to sleep when you’re not home.”
For more information on Warrior Expeditions go to https://warriorexeditions.org.
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Veterans Brandon Blankenship and Callie Leaver pose with Literary Hotel owner Al Wells during an overnight stop in Solon last Tuesday. The pair are among seven veterans traversing the country on bikes via the 3,700 mile Great American Rail Trail on a trip organized by Warrior Expeditions, a veteran nonprofit organization. Wells provided complimentary hotel rooms to the riders.