Close×

In August this year, Soldier On took a team of cyclists to France to take part in the Trois Etapes race.

The Trois Etapes is the ultimate competitive pro-am cycling experience. The event is designed to give riders the chance to experience team cycling under race conditions, with the full support that a pro would have in a Grand Tour such as the Tour de France, with the race taking in many of the iconic legs of the race.

Charity teams from around the world compete for prize money in the three-day competition, which included timed hill climb stages, just like the real thing. Scorching temperatures pushed the riders harder than ever and the highlight proved to be on Stage 2 when the teams pushed up the highest passable road in Europe, the Col de l’iseran. There were eight riders in each team, with one professional and seven amateurs, and a total of 15 teams taking part this year. With 11 charities represented, $2.8 million was raised across the four day event bringing the total raised to $4.5 million in 12 months of Trois Etapes.

“The opportunity for these riders to train in the lead up, build a team, and conquer some extremely challenging legs on the course went a long way to enhancing their recovery from their service overseas,” explained Adam Evans, one of the Soldier On riders.

“Now that the team has returned, we’ll be working with Soldier On to get more veterans riding across Australia as a way for them to meet new people, stay fit and healthy, and ensure they have a way to interact with support services in a casual and informal way.”

“The social benefits of community based bike rides are well documented and the recent growth of cycling throughout the business community is evidence of the value to the community in participation in group rides,” Evans said.

Soldier On Cycling, which now has a social media presence on Facebook and Twitter, is an activity based strategy that leverages the cycling community to build communities, grow the sport and help Soldier On rebuild wounded veterans. It provides a forum for veterans around Australia to meet up and ride bikes. The benefits of cycling for physical and mental health are seen around the world, and are slowly being proven through numerous studies.”

In addition to the community building elements of this approach, Soldier On identifies opportunities to raise funds and awareness, objectives that are easily met through activities like Trois Etapes.

Participants were selected from around Australia based on criteria including effects of service, ability to fundraise, willingness to become a social ambassador and cycling ability. Once selected the team was trained and mentored by Scott Sunderland. This preparation included the first Australian Remembrance Ride with the PM earlier this year.

The team members were from a variety of backgrounds, with participants from the Army and Navy.

“Soldier On has given me something to aim for, to focus on - it has given me a sense of camaraderie and the chance to be part of a team again,” team member Shane said.

“That was the toughest thing I’ve ever done, and I’m proud I did it,” team member Chad Dobbs said.

Fundrasing efforts
Such high profile events are expensive and Soldier On does not have the resources, nor the intention, to fund large scale international programs with out clear tangible benefits being returned to the participants. In the case of Trois Etapes, these benefits are seen in a very personal and physical way, and funding was provided by the generous support of sponsors from both the defence and cycling industries (Thales, Bike Culture and Trek).

Riders on the Soldier On team have overcome physical and psychological challenges. Gunshot wounds, broken backs and the debilitating effects of PTSD had reduced some of the riders to social isolation, long-term rehabilitation and dependency on support services.

“Each of the riders in this year’s team are now more socially engaged, have improved their level of fitness and overall happiness,” Evans enthused.

In terms of corporate support for such a trip, the group used a number of fundraising avenues. Thales, Bike Culture and Trek supported the TE14 activity.

“Thanks to the support of Thales, Bike Culture and Trek, the costs associated with travel to and from France and the event itself were significantly reduced,” Evans said.

Benefits of #SOCycling participation are now being rolled out around the country with support being provided to smaller community events, such as the Scott 24 hour MTB event in September.

“Our team’s participation in Trois Etapes has inspired a new wave of riders to engage with Soldier On Cycling,” Evans said. “This will allow us to continue to reinforce the work of Bike Culture in Sydney, providing MTB to aid rehabilitation.

Cycling events are being rolled out in conjunction with Scott Sunderland, our cycling ambassador and famous Australian Pro Road Cyclist. We have attracted significant support and interest from Mike Tomolaris at SBS and now have our first Pro Cyclist member, Jo Hogan who will be participating in Victorian rides when she is back in Australia later this year.”

Apart from the individual benefits highlighted, the benefits to the #SOCycling community have been immense. Spontaneous events are popping up all over the country ensuring that veterans are reconnecting with other veterans and participating in healthy activity.

“Discussions have started with event managers around the country and the Soldier On cycling community is being invited with open arms into social rides and to events that are raising funds and profile for mental health,” Evans told ADM. “With the initial goal of building community, growing the sport and helping to rebuild veterans, the participation in Trois Etapes has already succeeded in establishing cycling as a viable and worthwhile initiative for the charity.”

Soldier On is also looking to expand their sporting and activity programs into other areas.

“We are rolling out a similar community event model with Golf, with programs planned for most states,” Evans explained. “There are also Learn to Surf events coming up across Australia, an equine Program in NSW and PT and yoga in NSW, ACT, SA and VIC.”

The main focus for Soldier On will continue to be the Reintegration and Recovery Network. The group is aiming to establish physical locations through the country, as they have been proven to encourage better participation by veterans, and better quality of services, based on similar work done in the US and UK.

For more information about Soldier On and its programs, please visit the website (http://soldieron.org.au), facebook (https://facebook.com/SoldierOnAust, or by emailing admin@soldieron.org.au

comments powered by Disqus