RIDE Indiana is a multi-day 500-mile bike ride throughout Indiana.
The ride, which started in Warsaw, Ind., has different stops located in South Bend, West Lafayette, Bloomington and Columbus, with the trip concluding in Indianapolis at Monument Circle.
The event was created by the Wish for Our Heroes Foundation to raise money to help military families in need.
Upon arrival, riders and IUAROTC members engaged in a meet and greet. After a few words, riders were given a tour of Assembly and Cook Hall.
IUAROTC cadet Blake Lemmons mentioned that afterward the riders and IUAROTC were going to head to Nick’s English Hut, which he also noted was donating five percent of its proceeds to RIDE Indiana.
Erich Orrick, president of Wish for Our Heroes, said the purpose of the foundation is to help the leaders deal with what he referred to as the 10 percent of problem children in regards to ?soldiers.
“We’re here to help those guys,” Orrick said. “You cannot have combat control and dude is wondering my wife is at home and there’s no food on the counter. What would you rather have, a private that mind’s mission is on the Taliban or he’s waiting and thinking, my gosh my daughter doesn’t have new school clothes? So, we try to get those problems before they become problems with leadership.”
Rider Antonio Patton said the help of a single person can make a difference for RIDE Indiana.
“We’re trying to bring awareness and let everyone know that all it takes is one person to start donating and helping out,” Patton said. “It makes a world of difference. Somebody’s family who’s down on hardship can be fed or whatever needs to be met. Our goal is to bring awareness and blossom beyond Indiana. I’m just happy to be a part of it.”
Some riders are wounded warriors and such people are an inspiration to Patton who, prior to joining RIDE Indiana, had zero days of riding experience, he said.
He mentioned he went through a spin cycle at LA Fitness before he signed up to participate but that was nothing compared to what he endured during the course of the 500-mile ride.
Patton said part of his motivation came from watching the movie “Lone Survivor” and afterward gaining a greater sense of appreciation after seeing what troops went through.
He said he felt that participating was the least he could do to support the troops. The other motivation came from the riders alongside him.
“We got guys here who are double amputees who lost their legs and peddling this ride whole way with their arms,” Patton said. “This is faith being demonstrated in 3-D. We live by the motto ‘Never accept defeat’ and I just thank God for it.”
