Annual United Healthcare 516 Mile California Challenge
More than 200 injured veterans and their supporters will set off Sunday, Oct. 18, on the UnitedHealthcare Ride 2 Recovery California Challenge, a seven-day, 516-mile bicycle ride along the scenic California coast from the San Francisco Bay area to Los Angeles.
Ride 2 Recovery is a unique mental and physical rehabilitation and recovery program for veterans. The veterans are able to adapt, improvise and overcome the issues they face.
From outdoor training at military installations to multi-day, long distance rides, Ride 2 Recovery helps injured veterans heal through the challenge of cycling using custom adapted bicycles, hand cycles, recumbents, tandems and traditional road bikes.
Ride 2 Recovery (R2R) provides physical and psychological rehabilitation programs for injured veterans, featuring cycling as its core activity. This is the sixth year UnitedHealthcare is serving as R2R’s title sponsor, providing financial, in-kind and volunteer support to help America’s injured veterans.
The Ride 2 Recovery Bicycle Challenge will move through the Central Coast next week and will result in moving closures on the following portions of the state highway system. The public is encouraged to gather along the daily ride routes to support the cyclists.
Sunday, Oct. 18: depart from Palo Alto VA to Santa Cruz — Riders will use State Route 9 in Santa Cruz County between Redwood Gulch Road and Encinal Street.- Monday, Oct. 19: Carmel — Riders will use State Route 1 from Jensen Road in Santa Cruz County to State Route 68 in Monterey County.
- Tuesday, Oct. 20: San Simeon — Riders will use State Route 1 between Carmel in Monterey County and San Simeon in San Luis Obispo County.
- Wednesday, Oct. 21: Pismo Beach — Riders will use State Route 1 from San Simeon to Pismo Beach in San Luis Obispo County.
- Thursday, Oct. 22: Solvang — Riders will use State Route 1 from Pismo Beach to State Route 246 near Solvang in Santa Barbara County.
- Friday, Oct. 23: Ventura — Riders will use State Route 246 in Solvang, State Route 154 near San Marcos Pass, State Route 1 in Carpentaria and US Highway 101 towards Ventura County.
- Saturday, Oct. 24: Los Angeles — Arrive around 2 p.m. to West Los Angeles VA
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) will be present to ensure a safe condition for everyone.
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For more information, visit www.ride2recovery.com.