Haute Route, the most prestigious multi-day event series for amateur cycling worldwide, is expanding its charity partnerships with the addition of Project Hero, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to helping Veterans and first responders affected by post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and injury achieve rehabilitation, recovery and resilience in their daily lives through cycling, research and community HUB. The new partnership will provide opportunities for Project Hero athletes to participate in Haute Route and Gran Fondo National Series (GFNS) events in 2018.
“Every day, the brave men and women of the US military as well as first responders throughout the US, put their life in harms’ way for us. Making Haute Route events more affordable for them is a way to show our gratitude to those who defend us,” said Haute Route North America Chairman Alain Lambert. “We are honored to provide opportunities for the inspiring athletes of Project Hero to participate in Haute Route events and help them in their journey to recovery from injury, PTSD and TBI through cycling.”
“Our goal is to help increase support for Project Hero and enable as many veterans and first responders, along with their family, friends and supporters, to participate in GFNS events,” said Reuben Kline, Series Director for GFNS. “We will honor every Project Hero rider at the start of each of our events in 2018. We look forward to making a positive impact in their recoveries.”
The partnership between Haute Route, GFNS and Project Hero is also designed to raise awareness for Project Hero and the work the organization does utilizing cycling as a recovery tool, while providing a new competitive pathway for Project Hero athletes. Project Hero supporters, friends and family will be encouraged to ride alongside veterans and first responders in an Haute Route or GFNS event.
“Our programs have helped more than 10,000 veterans and first responders through cycling-based programs and other events since 2008,” said John Wordin, President and Founder of Project Hero. “Cycling events such as Haute Route and GFNS help Project Hero participants eliminate and decrease use of prescription drugs, increase injury recovery rates, and improve sleep habits and overall daily life functions.”
Taking place over seven- or three-day formats, the timed and ranked Haute Route stage events are embedded in the world’s most iconic cycling terrain. Each Haute Route event offers a premium level of rider services usually reserved for the professional peloton. The 2018 calendar of events includes three brand-new three-day U.S. events in San Francisco, Calif.,
