Ride 2 Recovery riders enjoy stop in Keene

More than 200 bicyclists who are wounded military veterans and their supporters rode through Keene Saturday morning as part of the fourth “Ride 2 Recovery Texas Challenge.”
About 400 people lined Old Betsy Road as the bicyclists traveled south to north, riding under a “Let’s Roll” banner draped across Old Betsy supported by ladder trucks from the Keene and Cleburne fire departments.
The riders were escorted during the Keene portion of the route by a helicopter piloted by Dennis Lauterbach. A large U.S. flag was attached to the side of the copter visible to the riders.
The riders stopped at Callicott Student Park for a breakfast provided and served by members of 17 North Texas Pathfinder Clubs. Coffee was provided by Mark and Mary McDonald of Sweet Peppa’s Cafe. Lowe’s Home Improvement stores donated 15 cases of water.
Riders could select from muffins, made-to-order omelets, bean and potato burritos, pancakes, waffles, hash browns, a wide variety of fresh fruit and milk, juice and water.
In a brief ceremony that followed prayer by Keene Baptist Church pastor Lamar Black, Mayor John Ackermann, proclaimed April 21-22 as Wounded Warrior Weekend in Keene. Gerald Jacobs led the Pledge of Allegiance, and Steve Hubbard played Colors as the flag on the duck pond island was raised.
The Phil-am International Tamaraws Pathfinder Club sang “God Bless America,” directed by Nancy Cabansag.
The program concluded with the Keene High School choir singing “Thank You.” The choir was directed by Irene Herr.
The six-day, 350-mile ride began Tuesday in San Antonio and ended in Arlington a couple of hours after passing through Keene.
 R2R executive director John Wordin was so impressed with the reception the riders received in Keene in 2009, he made sure the route permanently includes Keene, said Marty Peters, leadership chair of the American Legion Auxiliary, Department of Texas, a sponsoring group of the ride. Peters is coordinator of the ride in Keene and Cleburne.
“The Keene stop is wonderful,” Wordin said. “The road is lined with U.S. flags and for the second straight year they provided a great breakfast which gives this place a community feel and a great way for us to start the last day of the ride.”
The helicopter is a neat addition, especially when riders saw the U.S. flag on its side, Wordin said.
“There is a great spirit in Keene,” Wordin said. “This is my fourth time here and I look forward to returning next year.”
Wordin completes seven R2R rides a year.
The cyclists are veterans who have received war injuries and turned to cycling to boost their physical and mental rehabilitation. The R2R organization assists these “wounded warriors” in their mental and physical rehabilitation through cycling.
R2R supports recovery labs and outdoor cycling events at military and VA locations across America to help injured veterans overcome the obstacles they face.
The Keene portion of the ride was organized by Keene Police Chief Rocky Alberti, the Keene Chamber of Commerce, chamber ambassador Yddo Ortiz, and Keene Fort Worth Pathfinder Area Coordinators Suzanna and Tony Facundo, who organized 17 of the area’s 21 clubs to assist with the breakfast.
The clubs involved represented 17 Adventist churches. They are: Alpha International, Alvarado Midnight Warriors, Alvarado Spanish, Arlington North Spanish, Arlington North Wolves, Burleson Bears, Crowley, Forest Hill Spanish, Fort Worth First Eagles, Fort Worth North Agulias, Fort Worth Salim, Fort Worth South Spanish, Joshua Wildcats, Keene English Rocketeers, Keene Spanish Soul Savers, Mansfield and Phil-am International Tamaraws.
 Pathfinder leaders have been making plans for the breakfast since asked by organizers after last year’s ride in April, Facundo said.