A group of U.S. soldiers rode their bikes into Philadelphia on Thursday as part of a 1,000-mile journey up the East Coast organized by the Wounded Warrior Project.
The ride, which is in commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary, began in Jacksonville, Florida, on May 14. The journey is being completed in four groups.
The riders are expected to finish Friday, May 29, at Ground Zero in New York City, where the World Trade Center towers were attacked on Sept. 11, 2001.
Among the riders is Zach Tidwell, a Marine veteran who is blind following a suicide attempt while going through some personal struggles after deployment.
Tidwell rides alongside his guide, Eric.
“The last couple days, it’s been wet,” Tidwell said. “It’s looking like it will be nicer today. This is totally out of my wheelhouse. It’s awesome to try something new.”
Many of the riders are living with physical impairments, but continue the demanding ride as a reflection of the same commitment they showed while serving in the military.
Tidwell said ending the ride at Ground Zero carries special meaning.
“Being with that group that is partially responsible for the country being here and heading all the way to Ground Zero, which encouraged a lot of people to go into the military in the first place, it’s so powerful,” Tidwell said.
During their stop in Philadelphia, the cyclists visited several iconic landmarks, including the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
For Tidwell, the ride represents more than just a physical challenge.
“Life has ended up more meaningful on the other side of this and on so many deeper levels than you would ever expect,” Tidwell said. “It’s really been a beautiful thing.”
This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC Philadelphia. AI tools helped convert the story to a digital article, and an NBC Philadelphia journalist edited the article for publication.