Welcome to Vets Riding for Vets™
Vets Riding for Vets (VRfV)
Vets riding for Vets™ is a global, non-political community of military veteran cyclists. Members live by the same code of ethics they followed when they were on active duty. The VRfV code is simple: Do Good. Inspire others. No one left behind. Never Give Up!
Our members are passionate about fitness, raising awareness for veteran causes, and helping prevent veteran suicide. The Vets Riding for Vets community gives veterans the opportunity to support their fellow veterans dealing with service-related conditions.
We encourage our members to connect with other veterans through organizations such as Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, and disabled veterans of America to create local cycling groups. We welcome links and members from all NATO member veteran organizations.
Our Mission
We have a twofold mission:
- To support disabled veterans throughout the NATO military community by raising awareness of the need for continued support to our disabled veterans, especially veterans dealing with PTSD, and
- To create a community of military veteran cyclists that promotes a healthy lifestyle and creates cycling adventures.
Why Our Mission Matters
U.S. Military veterans experience twice the annual suicide rate of the civilian population and the same is true for most of the European NATO member nations. Exercise has been shown to be effective in reducing the post-traumatic and depression symptoms that underlie suicide decisions and, as we cyclists know, cycling is both great exercise and a terrific mood lifter.
How You Can Help Support Veteran Community
- Grab a Vets Riding for Vets jersey from our store
- Ride as you normally do and just chat with your riding mates about your military experience and mention the importance of supporting disabled veterans
- Participate (or organize) a Memorial Day ride to a national cemetery
- Partner with a struggling “battle buddy” and get them involved with the sport of cycling
- Send us a picture for our online album and social media channels
We are in the process of building an online community forum. Fill out the contact form below and we will notify you when the forum is up and running.
Remember: Do Good. Inspire others. Never Give Up!
I look forward to seeing you in our future forum and perhaps connecting with you on the road (or in the velodrome!) Allez-y!
Robert Hess
US Army (R)
Vets Riding for Vets Cycling Jerseys
We have a very talented design team working with to develop jerseys and bibs for our veteran cycling program. Adam Birt at BirtMinusErnies Design Studio LLC created the design and BioRacer is making the final tweaks and will be doing the production.
We will have the final designs posted by the end of August 2020, along with a link to our online store.
And, we have established a USA Cycling club for veterans [and active-duty members] who don’t have a home club and don’t want to compete as unattached. Joining Vets Riding for Vets [there will be no membership fee]. Show up at an event wearing your Vets Riding for Vets kit and you might just find an instant teammate. How cool would that be?
Bookmark this page and check back before the end of August to see the final designs and place your order.
PS: Are you competing in our 2020 virtual KOM/QOM or Sprint competitions? Check out the locations here: 2020 KOM/QOM and Sprint competition.
Vets Riding for Vets Strava Community
Click this link to join Vets Riding for Vets on Strava: Vets Riding for Vets
When you join the Vets Riding for Vets club on Strava, your mileage will be added automatically to our collective weekly mileage.
You also will be able to connect with other veteran club members in your local area and in other parts of the US and Europe. As the community grows, we will have riding partners all over the world. How fun would it be to have a French veteran guide you up the Alpe d’Huez or le Col de Fer? Or to be able to do the same for an international veteran visiting your local area?