100 veterans bike their way to Georgetown D.C.

JUL 6 2017

SHANE DUNLAP | Saturday, July 1, 2017, 1:45 p.m.

Nearly 100 veterans are riding the Great Allegheny Passage trail to Washington, D.C., for Fourth of July celebrations and a ceremony commemorating their ride.

They stopped Saturday for lunch at the Great Allegheny Passage Trail Headquarters in West Newton before continuing on their 335-mile bicycle ride. The cyclists left from Point State Park on Friday morning for the second annual 335 Miles for Veterans event.

Doug Riegner of the Allegheny Trail Alliance and Diane Sarver of Monaca, PA, a US Army veteran, wash the dirt off from her bike.  The riders stopped in West Newton to enjoy a pizza lunch from Fox's pizza Den and pastries from Gingerbread House. 

The Veterans Leadership Program's diverse group of cyclists includes Vietnam veterans and those who served in recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Each rider's goal is to raise at least $1 per mile, or $335 total, for the organization. To date, the team has raised more than $44,000 in four months.

The 4-day group riders amass at Point State Park, Pittsburgh PA before biking the day one leg 72 miles to beautiful Ohiopyle PA.  There, riders will refuel, rest and relax in comforts of one of Americas most epic outdoor recreation areas, the Laurel Highlands!  

“I don't think there is a single person that doesn't meet that goal,” ride organizer Dan Blevins of Pittsburgh said.

Read Shane's Full article HERE.

*To learn more about the ride and see photos go to Facebook group page.  Here the riders posted comments and photos throughout their 335 mile journey.