World T.E.A.M. Sports 2014 Annual Review | Page 21

Events

S tart : Ottawa, Ontario

T ota l mi les trave le d : 766

F inis h : Washington, D.C.

R i d e d onations : $58,926

World T.E.A.M. Sports’ inaugural CanAm Veterans’ Challenge in late
June and early July recalled other great cycling events, like our 1995
AXA World Ride and our 2012 Sea to Shining Sea cross-country
journey. Yet, the CanAm was different in that the participating riders
came from three nations, all of whom joined together to successfully
complete an inspiring challenge. For 16 days, a team of 15 injured
Canadian, Danish and American veterans rode alongside eight ablebodied riders on the nearly 800-mile bicycle and hand cycle ride from
Parliament in Ottawa, Ontario to the Capitol in Washington, D.C. Riding
south through one province and four states, participants provided
each other support and cooperation, making certain that everyone
reached their daily destination safely. Local communities, civic groups
and businesses turned out to show support along the route, and in
coverage by print and electronic media, riders encouraged support of
inclusive events like the CanAm. At ride’s end in Washington, D.C. on
the morning of July 4th, Canadian Ambassador Gary Doer welcomed
participants at his national embassy. The team and support crew then
rode in the National Park Service’s annual Independence Day Parade
along Constitution Avenue. Weathering an early season hurricane that
churned up the Atlantic coast the preceding evening, an audience
estimated in the hundreds of thousands cheered on the veterans.

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