This year, we will honor six special veterans: three teams of two, one Blind Veteran as the stoker, one sighted Veteran as the pilot guide, as they set out on Tandem Cycles to complete the first “Tour of the Canyons” through Southwest Colorado and Eastern Utah. This trip promises to be a most spectacular Tour, in both scenery and spirit!
This is one small way for LEADS Serves and Blind Endeavors to say thank you, not only to this special group of veterans but to ALL Veterans, and especially those who have fallen!
Please join us as our communities to turn out in recognition of our Veterans’ service and in acknowledgment of the needs that exist when our men and women come home. This Tribute Tour is intended to underscore our gratitude and to pay tribute to the strength, courage and resilience among the men and women who provide and defend the liberty and freedom we enjoy, not just on this weekend but throughout the year!
Here are just a few photos of what is to come!
Please join us at any of the following locations as the tour passes through our local communities:
May 26th Montrose: Welcome Home Montrose Breakfast Sponsored by BackStreet Bagels @ 8am
May 26th Route 50 Between Delta and Whitewater at the Odd Fellows Roadside Support @ 10am
May 26th Intersection of 141 at Whitewater, “Riders Up” the Tour Launches at noon.
May 27th Paradox Produce and Mercantile, Farm to Table Community Dinner 6pm
May 28th Moab, Utah TBA
May 29th Highline State Park, Loma: Ride Concludes, BBQ
May 30th Mesa County Sheriff’s Department, Grand Junction 8am Coffee
Following the LEADS acronym, the Tribute and Tour will underscore the following elements:
- Leadership Development in which volunteers and veterans learn how to support the independence of our athletes with adaptive needs;
- Education on not just the technical skills involved with the trip, but a brief history of the topography, geology and history of the canyons we will explore;
- Adventure of a once in a lifetime tandem tour through spectacular terrain;
- Development of local resources and community to rally around the honor and needs of our veterans; and a
- Service component in which our tour participants speak to local law enforcement teams and community groups to share the strength, resilience and courage that make our communities and our nation thrive.
Steve Baskis
Stoker / Mentor
Steve is the founder of Blind Endeavors Foundation and will be riding with the other two blinded Veterans to mentor and give instruction for pilots and stokers.
Dan Wallace
Stoker
Blind Endeavors Foundation
Nate Gorham
Stoker
Blind Endeavors Foundation
Victor Henderson
Pilot / Support
Victor will be a pilot/captain for one of the riders at times and will also be providing support when not on the bike.
Anne Ryan
Pilot / San Juan LEADS Serves Support
Blind Endeavors FoundationJoe Ryan
San Juan Hut System Guide
Blind Endeavors FoundationJerry Hauptmann
Pilot / Support
Blind Endeavors Foundation
This ride is a unique collaboration between Blind Endeavors Foundation and San Juan LEADS Serves. To find out more about the organizations, please visit the websites at:
SPECIAL THANKS TO THOSE THAT ARE SUPPORTING THE RIDE!
If you or your company may be interested in supporting the Memorial United Road Tour,
please let us know at info@blindendeavors.org
