Whether you are a serious bicyclist or a casual rider, it will be worth your while to pull out your biking gear, pump up your tires and get ready to enjoy a beautiful fall bike ride through the woods and farmlands of Burlington County in support of New Jersey’s military community.
On Oct. 19, the Military Support Alliance of New Jersey and HeroCare Connect will cosponsor the inaugural Warrior Bike Tour. The two partnering organizations are vested in the health and well-being of the military members stationed at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst and other military installations across New Jersey.
Riders can choose from a 10-mile leisurely family ride, a more challenging 25-mile ride or a “push yourself” 50-mile route. All three rides have been carefully planned for safety and natural beauty.
The rides have individually staged start times, but all three routes kick off at Deborah Heart and Lung Center in Browns Mills. Deborah is located one mile off the Joint Base, and riders will return to the hospital for a “thank you” celebration.
Along the way, riders will have designated rest stops, bike repairs and tech support, and volunteers who will ensure a day of smooth riding.
“We are excited about this inaugural bike ride,” said Gino Sciorilli, president of the MSA-NJ, which addresses food insecurity, mental health problems and a variety of quality-of-life issues for active-duty military, veterans and their families. “The ride provides an opportunity for our military families to get out and spend a fun day biking together, and for our more competitive riders to come and join together in raising money for a good cause.”
HeroCare Connect spokesperson Christine Carlson-Glazer, whose organization represents military health care services provided by Deborah Heart and Lung Center and Cooper University Health Care, is thrilled.
“As health care provides for the military, we are delighted to support this bike ride,” she said. “This is a win-win from our perspective.”
Riders can register online here.
The 50-mile distance riders starts at 8 a.m.; 25-mile riders will starts at 9:30; and the 10-mile family ride begins at 11.
Registration for all rides costs $60; active-duty military pay $30; children under 13 pay $10.
