Arlington, Virginia, October 13, 2011 – Being my first long bike excursion, Ride Allegheny surpassed my expectations of a challenging, yet beautiful experience. The group that organized the annual 320 mile bicycle ride from Pittsburgh to Gaithersburg, Maryland did an amazing job of organizing logistics. Through the ride, they brought riders together under the common mission to honor and aid wounded soldiers on their long journey to recovery.

Riders take a break on a bridge along the Ride Allegheny route. Photograph 2011 Kimberly Warpinsky.

A group of about 55 riders, traveling from across the country, came together October 6 to experience the famed beauty for which these trails are so well known. Our four-day route followed the Great Allegheny Passage rail-to-trail route, which transitions into the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal Towpath at Cumberland, Maryland. The trails along the course are extremely diverse. They range from paved rolling hills to muddy beaten paths hidden deep within the forests of the Appalachian Mountains.

Mornings on our ride were a time for inward reflection as our group steadily cycled its way through thick fog along the winding maze of corn fields and railroad tracks – setting a perfectly eerie scene similar to something out of Sleepy Hollow. As the miles passed, the chilly mornings transformed into warm energized hours of fast cycling; ripping through trails that oftentimes unexpectedly open up into wonderful vistas of rolling farmland framed by the turning colors of the season. The history of our nation revealed itself as we passed through old industrial railroad towns and historic sites along the trail; Pittsburgh Coal Seam, Meyersdale Train Station, the Eastern Continental Divide, Fort Frederick, the Mason Dixon Line, the Big Savage Tunnel, Antietam, and Harpers Ferry.

Riders pause at the famous Mason-Dixon Line along the Ride Allegheny route. Photograph 2011 Kimberly Warpinski.

Riders passed through several tunnels along the Ride Allegheny route. Photograph 2011 Kimberly Warpinski.

Arlington, Virginia, September 28, 2011 – I am very grateful to be alive and to have World T.E.A.M. Sports in my life.

World T.E.A.M. Sports has been an important part of my family’s lives for many years. My husband Mike and I started volunteering for the organization after my disabling automobile accident. At that time, World T.E.A.M. Sports was based in Boston.

We began our World T.E.A.M.relationship to introduce our daughter Rachael to children with disabilities who are empowered to do athletics, and frankly, just be kids. Our goal was for her to understand that I would be okay, even with my disability. We thought the best way for her to relate to people with disabilities would be for her to spend time with children her own age. For these kids, many labeled as disabled, in this inclusive setting, they were just kids playing. We loved this concept and thought it was a healthy approach for our family.

A June, 2007 World T.E.A.M. Sports indoor climbing event in Boston for disabled children. Photograph World T.E.A.M. Sports archives.

Rachael was very excited to play ice hockey, sled hockey, wheelchair basketball, and climbing a rock wall with the other children. Afterwards, she was exhausted. My husband and I asked her how her day was, and if she had fun. “Yes, I had a lot of fun playing ice hockey,” she said, “but sled hockey and wheelchair basketball are really hard.” It was the exact response we wanted from Rachael.

My husband and I looked at each other, gave a nod, and replied, “Well, some children are in different medical situations and may not be able to play hockey or basketball in the form you are used to. Maybe even some of the children might think that the ice hockey you think is so easy is too difficult to do. As a matter of fact, I think I saw some children in wheelchairs.”

We then shifted gears and asked what she thought about her experiences of the day. Her reply was great – she had a lot of fun with some really cool kids. Rachael asked if we saw the girl who had no legs and one arm, climb up the rock wall. We did, and were impressed at how quickly the girl climbed. This young lady had a great attitude and was the fastest to climb that wall.

When it was Rachael’s turn to climb, she was frightened and only got one foot off of the floor before coming down. We encouraged her to try again and she did, but her fear of heights limited her to a few more feet of climbing before she came down. That was a good start.

What Rachael got out of the day was invaluable. She literally climbed out of her comfort zone, played with children of all abilities, and tried some really cool sports. We knew then we made the right decision in allowing World T.E.A.M. Sports into our family. We already knew how to be family, but we were well on our way to learning how to be a family that is comfortable and accepting when one member has a disability.

Through our Boston experience, we learned about the Face of America ride. That was always something I wanted to do, but I put it off for many years. After my diagnosis of breast cancer in 2009, surgery, chemo and radiation treatments, I was determined to start exercising, cycling and getting physically fit. I wanted to participate in the Face of America ride that I had put off for too long.

For 2010, I decided to ride the Face of America, from Washington to Gettysburg. Patti Haley, who I met at the Boston World T.E.AM. Sports events helped me get onto a team. I think I smiled most of the ride. It was one of the most amazing things I have done in my life. I impressed myself and made it to the finish.

Gina Utegg was awarded the 2011 Paul Mitchell Award at the Nautica Malibu Triathlon. Photograph by Timra Stump.

Completing the ride meant a lot to me. First, I showed up. I had also become more comfortable with my disabled self, with my cancer survivor component. For two days, though, I was just a cyclist having fun, meeting people, talking, helping, achieving and finishing under those beautiful howitzers at Seamus Garrahy’s Gettysburg farm. That ride changed my life for the better and that is why we come back each year. I have made so many friends and connections to which I am grateful and lucky.

Competing in the 2011 Nautica Malibu

My goal at the September 17-18 Nautica Malibu Triathlon was just to finish. I could have done “just the cycling leg” on the ParaTRI relay if I wanted. Believe it or not, my swimmer at southern California’s Zuma Beach could have been 1972 Olympic champion Mark Spitz. That would have been really cool. What was much cooler, though, was doing all three legs of the triathlon by myself. Pushing through my challenges, I won first place in the Parathlete women’s division!

I remember seeing Timra Stump from World T.E.A.M. Sports while I was running the course. We high fived as we passed, and she said, “WOW, you are doing great!” The next time I saw her, she cheered me on as I entered the chute at the finish line. Big smiles all around.

I knew the moment I crossed the line I had won the 2011 Paul Mitchell Spirit Award, presented annually to an athlete with disabilities who has overcome obstacles and who has also given back to help others. The award could have been presented to anyone, and I am honored it was me. I also am humbled and even more motivated to represent older, disabled, cancer-surviving moms, and the two communities that I strive to do so much for. I get so much back in friendship, laughter, sanity, fun and very crazy sports. I climbed up onto the stage to receive the award and was surprised to hear the announcement: “And first place winner in the women’s ParaTriathlon division is Gina Utegg.” Holy cow! I nailed it!

Smiling ear-to-ear, I was so proud. I remember looking out into the crowd and seeing Timra cheering me on, taking pictures. I was all decked out in my World T.E.A.M. Sports gear, and wearing my badges of honor on each wrist: LIVESTRONG, Face of America, Wounded Warrior Project, and a lot of mementos from my cancer warriors and angels. I had a lot of people in my heart and mind that day, especially my husband Mike and daughter Rachael, as they inspire me. They have always supported and loved me, as my team, as I approach challenges in my life. I have battled my way out of some very dark places and I have lost too many friends, especially to cancer. I do not take my experience lightly and have become a warrior to compete and advocate for myself, my disability, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and my military and cancer communities.

When I learned that World T.E.A.M. Sports would sponsor my flight for the triathlon, I was shocked and amazed. Starting my training for the triathlon, I received my World T.E.A.M. Sports tri suit in the mail. I thought I looked like a superhero suit and when wearing it, I felt like one, too. I love this organization and I believe very strongly in what it does in empowering athletes of all abilities to succeed.

Not only was I fortunate to be supported by World T.E.A.M. Sports, I received emotional, calming, athletic, friendship, and just great personal help from Timra. She came out for the triathlon and was my handler. I was so happy to see her and am not sure how I can ever thank her. As an experienced triathlete, Timra helped me organize myself, thoughts, strategy and lay out my gear, explaining what to do for a fast and efficient transition. She helped me with my swimming, but we lost each other, as she needed to assist an athlete with one leg. I made it through the 0.5 mile swim doing the back stroke, as I did not want to injure my neck more, and made it to shore to find Timra ready to help me. She found me and cheered me all the way to the transition area. She then ran me in and helped me with the swim to bike transition. Needless to say, things were very good.

Thank you, World T.E.A.M. Sports. You helped me become a better person and a symbol for those who need inspiration, like I needed at one point in my life. Thank you all very much for believing in me.

Timra’s Story

“You will find, as you look back on your life, that the moments that stand out are the moments when you have done things for others.”- Henry Drummond

BY TIMRA STUMP

Since my first experience with World T.E.A.M. Sports in the summer of 2010, I have had the honor to participate alongside of some truly inspiring and amazing people. World T.E.A.M. Sports board member Erik Weihenmayer, Face of America teammate Jothy Rosenberg and Adventure TEAM Challenge teammate Sherry Schulz are just a few of these athletes. Events with World T.E.A.M. Sports, whether participating, working or volunteering, have given me so much inspiration. My job, however, as Gina Utegg’s Sherpa at the Nautica Malibu Triathlon proved to be beyond exceptional.

Gina Utegg (left) and Timra Stump competed in the 2011 Nautica Malibu Triathlon. Photograph courtesy Timra Stump.

Several weeks ago, I received a Facebook message from longtime World T.E.A.M. Sports participant Gina Utegg. It was kind of cryptic – “Got a second, need to pick your brain” was all it said. Sure, I replied, give me a call. Gina had just received news that she was nominated for the 2011 Paul Mitchell Spirit Award at the upcoming Nautica Malibu Triathlon in California, and had made the decision that she was going to participate as well. She was curious if I thought she could compete, and if I could help her with what she needed to know to participate.

I told her that not only was I sure she could do a triathlon, I would also be honored to help her. We spent some time discussing the basics of triathlon, the gear she needed, and what training she could do over the next two weeks to prepare for her first triathlon. Having only two weeks to prepare for a triathlon would probably defer most people from even considering it. Not Gina, two weeks – GAME ON was her attitude! Gina’s excitement was contagious and I quickly found myself looking at flights from D.C. to Malibu to see if there was any way I could go out to support her. I think things have a way of working out when they are supposed to do so, so I was able to book a flight to California.

A few days prior to the event, Gina received a telephone call from the event promoters. She had been selected as the recipient of the 2011 Spirit Award. When she called to let me know, I was so happy I had made arrangements to attend the race and give her some support.

Before arriving in Malibu, I received a call from one of the parathletes who was working with Gina in Los Angeles. Not only was he helping Gina with her logistics, but he was also fielding additional parathlete teams for the event. He inquired if it would be possible for me to swim with Gina since it would be her first triathlon swim and it would be in the Pacific Ocean. I agreed happily – if I could help, I would. He also wanted to know if I would mind lending a hand to another team that did not have anyone to do the run leg of the race. Honored to help with any parathlete team, I accepted.

On the Saturday before the race, Gina and I were able to check out the site, pick up race packets and get the lay of the land for the following day. Gina was the celebrity of the day, doing interviews and being pampered by the event sponsors. It was great to watch her basking in the excitement and yet remaining so calm! Her positive attitude is so contagious; she either has no fear or just covers it well. Gina’s excitement on race morning continued to inspire me as well as everyone she talked to. She was ready to have the time of her life and nothing was going to keep her from giving her all. She conquered the swim with no help from me, she rocked the bike with a smile so big you couldn’t imagine and she ran like she’d been doing triathlons all her life. Gina is a role model for anyone who faces adversity; she never lets it get her down and certainly doesn’t feel sorry for herself. She is positive and giving and not only appreciates the life she is living, but those around her who choose to give as well.

For my part, participating alongside athletes who are physically challenged is always a reminder how lucky I am to be able bodied. Knowing the stories of so many of athletes I have had the honor to support reminds me it can all be temporary. I loved swimming and running on Sunday, not just because I enjoy triathlon, but because I had an opportunity to be part of a T.E.A.M. and help two incredibly strong athletes reach their goals of participating. This is the true essence of what World T.E.A.M. Sports is all about, to inspire people to try, and give them help if and when they need it.


Watch Fox Sports coverage of the Nautica Malibu Triathlon, including a profile of Gina.

Sunday morning was sunny but cool for the Face of America ride. Photograph by Richard Rhinehart.

At the conclusion of the 2011 Face of America ride, nearly 500 Americans from across the continent who joined together for a weekend set off on their separate ways, returning to their lives and businesses. Yet, they are fundamentally changed for the better, having shared the common experiences and challenges of the 110-mile ride from Washington to Gettysburg.

The Face of America is much more than a simple bike ride, it is an opportunity to meet, talk with, and support those Americans who have chosen to defend this country. Throughout the weekend, and along the streets and highways of rural Maryland, participants had a chance to talk with active and retired servicemen and women, wounded warriors, successful businessmen and women, public servants and the common man. All worked together to meet the many challenges that arose during the 2011 ride.

Following a rainy, stormy Saturday ride, which saw the last ten miles into Frederick abandoned owing to severe weather warnings, participants arrived in the west central Maryland city by shuttle van. Settling into their hotels, dinners were delayed or interrupted by tornado, flash flood and severe thunderstorm warnings from an epic storm front that had earlier brought destruction and tragedy to the southeastern United States.

Saturday evening's storms severely flooded the Loy's Station Park along Old Frederick Road. Photograph by Richard Rhinehart.

Participants awakened to mostly sunny skies on the following morning, Sunday, April 17. From their hotels in Frederick, the disabled and non-disabled riders arrived at the day’s starting point and enjoyed a breakfast sponsored by the Frederick Marine Corps League.

The ride was about an hour late in starting, owing to the previous evening’s storms and resulting last-minute changes to the day’s route. The Loy’s Station Park on Old Frederick Road with its historic covered bridge was set to serve as a rest stop for the ride, but flooding Saturday evening knocked over portapotties and filled all but one with mud and debris. The large tent for food service was inaccessible owing to wet, flooded terrain. With Old Frederick Road closed to traffic by the county, the rest stop was set up on the road itself, on both sides of the wooden bridge.

At Barlow along the Taneytown Road, the Barlow Fire Company 22 hosted one of the largest rest stops of the weekend, with hot food and beverages. This was a welcome rest stop for many participants, following nearly 20 miles of riding since Loy’s Station. Importantly, the portapotties were available for rider use.

The first wave of wounded warriors reach the finish of the 2011 Face of America ride. Photograph by Richard Rhinehart.

North of Barlow, the riders passed over Route 15, turned and entered the Gettysburg National Military Park, passing Scouts and families near Little Round Top and the Devil’s Den. Following a staging stop at the Michael Posner farm, the riders proceeded the final mile to Seamus Garrahy’s, passing beneath the massive howitzer guns on Black Horse Tavern Road and riding toward a huge United States flag flying high from a Gettysburg Fire Department ladder truck. Grilled steaks and cold beer awaited the participants, their friends, families and supporters.

While Saturday’s weather was often miserable, Sunday’s sunny but cool day provided a fantastic finish to the weekend. For many as they climbed aboard the coaches for their ride back to the Hyatt Regency Washington, plans were already being made for the 2012 Face of America ride, scheduled for April 27-29.

World T.E.A.M. Sports thanks all those who participated as riders in the 2011 ride, along with the many safety marshals, motorcycle crew, food and transportation volunteers, guest speakers, and sponsors. Your support and tireless effort is critical to the success of the Face of America and to the organization.

Explore media coverage of the Face of America 2011.

Participants celebrate in Gettysburg at the conclusion of the 2011 Face of America Ride. Steaks and beers for all. Photograph by Richard Rhinehart.

Riding from Washington to Frederick, Maryland, the Saturday, April 16 ride started out cloudy but dry. Less than an hour into the ride, however, a light rain began to fall, becoming increasingly heavy as the morning progressed. By lunch at the Upper Montgomery Fire Station in Beallsville, the rain had turned to a downpour with gusty winds and falling temperatures. With tornado and severe thunderstorm watches issued by the National Weather Service, the race directors decided to cancel the afternoon leg from Beallsville to Frederick, a distance of 21 miles. Instead, riders, bikes and gear were transported to the hotels by van, truck and shuttle bus.

Riders line up behind the Hyatt Regency Washington for the start of the 2011 Face of America. Photograph by Richard Rhinehart.

The cancellation of the afternoon segment is a first for the Face of America. The previous five editions of the ride had experienced only minor weather problems, including light rain in 2010 and extreme heat the previous year.

The day’s activities began with a group breakfast at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill, the host hotel for the event. Susan Powell, Miss America 1981, provided a rousing rendition of the National Anthem. Brief remarks of praise and encouragement from General James E. Cartwright, the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, followed, and the riders were off.

Owing to concerns about the expected rainfall, the ride began at the Hyatt this year, rather than Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the Capitol. From the Hyatt, participants cycled past iconic Washington monuments, such as the Iwo Jima Memorial. Unfortunately, by time the ride reached the first rest stop at Montgomery Fire Station #30 in Potomac, the rain had begun. As the rain increased, riders began having difficulties on the wet pavement.

En route to the second rest stop in Poolesville, Maryland, problems began. One group through no fault of their own took an incorrect turn, and spent several miles on the wrong route. Slick road conditions led to falls by other riders. As the rain increased, riders began reaching the Upper Montgomery Fire Station in search of not only food, but warmth and an opportunity to get away from the soaking precipitation.

The Upper Montgomery Fire Station was crowded with more than 400 riders. Photograph by Richard Rhinehart.

Despite some interest in completing the first day’s route, the overwhelming concern for riders’ safety, particularly with increasing thunderstorms and lightning, encouraged the directors to make the decision to cancel the afternoon leg.

For a great majority of the participants, both disabled and non-disabled, the decision was welcomed with relief. No one wanted to be the first to drop out of the ride and abandon the goal of working together as a team, one of the primary purposes of the Face of America ride.

Like all World T.E.A.M. Sports events, the Face of America ride is an opportunity to support our nation’s military in an inclusive two-day ride. Riders of all ages and abilities, from across the country, participate. Funds raised through the Face of America ride are used to pay for the participation of disabled soldiers, and help fund future inclusive events.

Ike Isaacson nears the summit of Lobuche. Photo by Didrik Johnck.

KATHMANDU, October 20, 2010 - Outward Bound’s Luis Benitez talks to Didrik Johnck in this video clip shot in the Khumbu Valley about the World T.E.A.M. Sports‘ October 2010 Soldiers to the Summit expedition team and the end of their hero’s journey.

After the success of World TEAM Sports’ Adventure TEAM Challenge held in Leadville, Colorado this past June, the Center for Discovery partnered with WTS to create a similar event for their athletes. A four-stage Adventure race including a lake challenge, an orienteering challenge, a climbing challenge up Slide Mountain and a bikers challenge will make up the Adventure TEAM Challenge in New York.

Participants will be divided into 5 teams consisting of 2 athletes per team, “The Magnificent Ten.” These athletes have a wide range of disabilities, and each team will consist of 1 wheelchair-bound athlete and 1 intellectually disabled athlete. The teams will complete the lake and orienteering challenges on Saturday and the Slide Mountain Climbing and bikers challenge on Sunday.

What an awesome weekend. With the Soldiers to the Summit trip rapidly approaching (10 days from today) there was a desire to get some additional training done in Colorado. The added bonus of this training is that we were joined by GX magazine as the National Guard is one of many great sponsors of this trip. Brad Bull (one of the guides for the trip), Aaron Isaacson (Ike), and myself participated in training in the mountains. Charley Mace (another guide) assisted us with final gear preparation and Chris Morris (Guide) smoked us in the gym. It was really great to reconnect as we look forward to our trip.

The training started with the arrival of Ike from Kansas. We met at the Mace residence and worked through final preparations on gear. We had to ensure that we would be taking everything we would need and really nothing we didn’t. I would personally like to thank the kind folks at Bent Gate Mountaineering for their support once again. The deals that they are giving us on gear is exceptional and I can not imagine how we could have pulled this off without them.

One of the things the guys from GX magazine wanted is photos of us in all aspects of our training. I am sorry I don’t have photos of this but Chris smoked us in the gym. It was a great workout. He is an exceptional personal trainer. We did a lot of work on the gym rings and I learned some new exercises that I will be incorporating in my workout regiment. We promptly undid everything we did at the gym at the Wynkoop brewery that night. What can I say that is why we work out so hard.

Due to the late night Friday night Saturday was a much slower day. We hiked up to St. Mary’s glacier for some more glacier training. The unfortunate thing is that most of the glacier is melted. We did manage to hang a rope on what appeared to be the longest section of the glacier and jug a line for a bit. The best part of the day was getting off of the glacier and scrambling up the hill. It was really a great time to hang out with some exceptional people and continue to build the bonds that will help get us up Lobuche.

We needed to get a full day of training in on Sunday. After a little deliberation we decided that Kelso Ridge located on Torreys Peak. Torreys peak is 14,267 feet and the close neighbor to Grays peak. We had to get an early start on this one so we decided that we would meet at 5:00 am and try to be on the trail by 6:30 am. We met both of those goals and actually got started 10 minutes early. On of the exceptional things on this trip is that Adam (GX magazine) and Ike had never been to that elevation before. They also did not have much time to acclimate to the altitude. Along with the altitude Kelso ridge not your standard “walk up” 14er route. It is a climb. Here is a view of the route.

The climb up was great. We had an awesome day and built some camaraderie. I can not wait to get to Nepal to climb with these guys. Photos can tell the story better than I can so here are a few photos Brad took on the way up.

Next stop Nepal! See all of you on the trip in 10 days!

Day One of our Outward Bound course is complete. Lots of gear sorting, today, followed by hours spent high in trees — in ropes, of course. The weather threatened all day, with possible snow and rain. But it never opened up.

The team — Steve, Ike, Cody, Mike, and the film crew — will camp out under tarps tonight. The MSR stoves should be going any second now. I’m hungry and looking forward to dinner.

Here are a few camera-phone pics: