WE ALL RIDE THE SAME ROAD

World T.E.A.M. Sports is creating an inspiring family of inclusive, national-level events. From the established Face of America bicycle ride from Washington to Gettysburg, to the inaugural Face of America Texas event in the fall of 2012, World T.E.A.M. Sports brings a distinctive style of events to disabled and able-bodied riders across North America.

The Face of America rides are designed to honor the men and women wounded in the nation’s service. Riders include many wounded warriors as well as currently active military. Active duty service and emergency response men and women and hundreds of able-bodied citizens also participate.

World T.E.A.M. Sports has been organizing Face of America Rides for more than a decade. The original Face of America in 2000 saw two teams of cross-country cyclists meet in St. Louis, Missouri. In 2002 and 2003, the ride honored the victims of the September, 2001 attacks on America, attracting over 1,000 participants who rode from Ground Zero in New York to the Pentagon in Washington. Since 2006, the Face of America rides have honored wounded warriors with rides between the nation’s Capitol and the battlefields of Gettysburg. The New England Cable Network produced a ride documentary in 2006, The Long Journey Home. In April 2011, nearly 500 participants participated, riding from Washington to Gettysburg. Almost a quarter of the participants were wounded warriors, accompanied by scores of active and retired military members. Media followed the 2011 event, including FOX News, Maryland Public Television and The Pentagon Channel. A documentary for broadcast on the Pentagon Channel in late 2011 is currently in production.


FACE OF AMERICA 2012

On April 27-29, 2012, World T.E.A.M. Sports is hosting our tenth Face of America Bike Ride, a two-day bike ride from our nation’s capital to Gettysburg. Presented by Capital One, the annual ride honors and assist our military — injured, veterans and active duty—and the American Spirit.

This inspiring ride is an opportunity to welcome disabled and able-bodied servicemen and women as teammates and show them how much we appreciate their efforts and sacrifices.

Funds raised through this event will pay for participating wounded warriors transportation, hotels, food and support. Any funds remaining after the conclusion of the ride will be dedicated to future World T.E.A.M. Sports events for the disabled.

Online participant and team registration is now closed.

FACE OF AMERICA 2012 EVENT INFORMATION

Visit the Face of America 2012 event page for full event logistics, including accommodations, bike rentals, schedule and associated fees.

Planning on participating? Explore helpful training tips for riders from USA Cycling certified coach Bob Hillery.

SUPPORT FOR THE FACE OF AMERICA RIDES

“For most people, the road to recovery starts when they enter a rehabilitation hospital. But for me, the recovery process started in March 2007 when I left my final rehabilitation hospital and joined a team called World T.E.A.M. Sports. That’s when I accepted the challenge of riding the Face of America Ride–my very first ride and a ride that changed my life! As I look back to the harsh reality five years ago knowing I would never walk again, I am extremely humble and grateful that the Lord put World T.E.A.M. Sports in my life to be able to give me challenges that would in the most positive way alter my quality of life.”

- Eric Frazier, US Marine Corps., Face of America participant and candidate for Paralympics Biathlon

“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.”

- Gina Utegg, Face of America participant, Winner of the 2011 Nautica Malibu ParaTriathlon Women’s Division, and recipient of the 2011 Paul Mitchell Award.

“This was my first hand-bike run in my life and I enjoyed it immensely, even in all the rain. It was said at the ‘Farm’ that if anybody wanted to know what America was about they should be at the ‘Farm.’ I say if you want to know what America is about, you should be on this bike ride and talk to these heroes. To me, my ride was life changing.”

- Bill Czyzewski, Vietnam Veteran, Face of America participant.

FACE OF AMERICA PARTICIPANT PROFILES

Diane and Michael Brickert: Face of America 2012. Mike is retired from 34 years in law enforcement in Washington state. His service took him from a Washington state trooper, to deputy sheriff to sheriff. He also proudly served his county in the Navy, Army Reserve and Air Force Reserve. Mike retired from the military as a Senior Master Sergeant after 27 years, with service in Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan. During his service in Afghanistan in 2003, he was paralyzed in an accident. He gave 100 percent to serving and helping others. Mike also is a strong athlete and has been his entire life. He has participated in track, football, cycling, cross-country skiing, and biathlons. “Mike was outstanding,” said Diane, “And he still is!” Not to be beaten by being relegated to using a wheelchair, Mike was determined to keep doing what he loves. He started handcycling in the spring, summer and fall and cross-country skiing in the winter. Next, he started riding in marathons and participates in several in the Northwest each year. “When he saw the ride from DC to Gettysbury,” Diane recalls, “he was intrigued. One day, he said he wanted to do it to meet and support other wounded warriors. Since I ride with Mike, except in marathons where only handcycles are allowed, I am going to make this journey as well.” Diane reports that she and Mike were married in August 2011 and that “riding is a mutual passion for us – that is a good thing! I am so excited to do this ride with Mike to support our veterans and meet some incredible people. We both love our country and are so proud of our men and women who have served and given more than just their time to this great nation. We will be coming from Montana to take our place among heroes and supporters in a great ride. We will be there, heart, mind, body and soul! We are ready!”

FACE OF AMERICA 2012 SPONSORS

Capital One

Face of America 2012 Presenting Sponsor. Capital One Financial Corporation, headquartered in McLean, Virginia, is a Fortune 500 company with approximately 1,000 branch locations primarily in New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, Texas, Louisiana and the District of Columbia. Its subsidiaries, Capital One, N.A. and Capital One Bank (USA), N. A., offer a broad spectrum of financial products and services to consumers, small businesses and commercial clients. We apply the same principles of innovation, collaboration and empowerment in our commitment to our communities across the country that we do in our business. We recognize that helping to build strong and healthy communities – good places to work, good places to do business and good places to raise families – benefits us all and we are proud to support this and other community initiatives.


American Portfolios

American Portfolios Financial Services, Inc. (APFS) is a full-service broker/dealer and registered FINRA/SIPC member firm, whose primary mission is to provide the best business solutions, support and services that its financial professionals require to achieve financial freedom for their clients. The firm currently has more than 800 independent investment professionals located in over 360 branch locations throughout the nation. APFS has created a decidedly competitive presence in the industry as one of the top 50 independent broker/dealers in the country. The firm offers a full range of: 1) non-proprietary investment products, 2) personal services such as insurance planning, retirement, estate and college planning, 3) full service securities brokerage through its clearing relationship with Pershing, LLC, a BNY Mellon firm and 4) fee based asset management services through parent company subsidiary, American Portfolios Advisors, Inc. (APA), an SEC registered investment advisor.

Booz Allen Hamilton

Booz Allen Hamilton has been at the forefront of strategy and technology consulting for nearly a century. Today, the firm provides services primarily to the US government in defense, intelligence, and civil markets, and to major corporations, institutions, and not-for-profit organizations. Booz Allen offers clients deep functional knowledge spanning strategy and organization, engineering and operations, technology, and analytics—which it combines with specialized expertise in clients’ mission and domain areas to help solve their toughest problems. Learn more online.

General Electric

GE works on things that matter. The best people and the best technologies taking on the toughest challenges. Finding solutions in energy, health and home, transportation and finance. Building, powering, moving and curing the world. Not just imagining. Doing. GE works. Learn more at GE online.


Penske Truck Rental

With more than 200,000 maintained trucks and more than 1,000 locations nationwide, Penske partners with you to meet your changing business demands and keep your company growing. We work closely with you to address your toughest challenges and create opportunities for your company. Our search for leading-edge solutions includes everything from implementing productivity-driven technology to defining optimum fleet performance strategies. Individual Penske locations actively support neighborhood charities. Our associates contribute hundreds of thousands of dollars annually to the United Way, and when multiple hurricanes struck Florida and the Gulf Coast, we were there with trucks and fuel for emergency response teams. Move ahead with Penske Truck Rental.


Subway of the Bethesda Naval Hospital
With a mixture of fresh ingredients, a whole lot of customer service, and a dash of innovation, the SUBWAY® brand continues to be the leader of providing nutritious and delicious sandwiches the whole family will love. SUBWAY® of the Bethesda Naval Hospital is committed to providing a wide range of great tasting, healthier food choices while reducing our environmental footprint and creating a positive influence in the communities we serve. We know that it takes more than just good food to nourish a strong people and build a vibrant community. It starts with taking care of people, the heart and soul of the SUBWAY® experience. We value the cultural richness and breadth of ideas resulting from the diversity that is fostered in who we are and what we do. We are dedicated to building strong business relationships through open communication, respect and with each other as well as by serving our customers and our neighborhoods; much like we do within our own families. We draw on the strong entrepreneurial spirit and passion that exists throughout our organization to help shape and grow our business. We strive to and create opportunities for people within the communities in which serve. We continually challenge each other to succeed through teamwork, against shared goals & benchmarks, and to be accountable for our actions. We take great pride in our business and are committed to being good global citizens; to encouraging healthy, active lifestyles and to making a difference where we live and work.

Veteran Corps of America

The Veteran Corps of America is a premier provider of high quality Information Technology, Homeland Security and Office-related services and products. Our mission is to meet and exceed expectations, achieve exceptional customer satisfaction, improve and expand our capabilities and support military service and service disabled veterans. “We Are Veteran Enabled” is more than a company slogan; it guides us in our daily work ethic. The mission of the Veteran Corps of America is absolute dedication to exceeding the needs of our customers through intelligent, proactive customer service and commitment to excellence in all of our partnerships. The Veteran Corps of America was founded on a family legacy that includes six year Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Earle G. Wheeler (1964-1970) and more than a dozen other decorated military veterans who served the United States in the Navy, Army, Air Force and Marine Corps. We support, and encourage others to support, organizations that value the ongoing service and sacrifice of military veterans and their families.



Revolution Cycles and Raleigh America

Revolution Cycles and Raleigh America supported the 2012 Face of America ride through a special promotion. The purchase of a selected new Raleigh bicycle at any metro Washington Revolution Cycles location through March 31 entered the purchaser into a raffle to win Face of America ride entries and more. Winners were selected on April 1, 2012 and were notified directly by Revolution Cycles.


Road ID

Be Safe with Road ID. World T.E.A.M. Sports has joined with Road ID for a special promotional program that will provide a portion of the proceeds from sales through World T.E.A.M. Sports to support upcoming WTS events and participating athletes who are disabled.

Road ID is the creator of innovative ID bracelets and dog tags that are perfect for participants in sporting events. Durable and comfortable, the bracelets and the tags provide critical information about the wearer in case of a medical emergency, including name, phone number, and contact information. By wearing the bracelet or the tags in an event, you’ll be assured that even if you are unable to talk during an emergency, you’ll be able to provide critical information to medical authorities.

Exceptionally cost-effective, the Road ID bracelets and dog tags can be ordered online through their secure website. By placing your order through World T.E.A.M. Sports, a portion of the proceeds will benefit the organization and its participants.

Order your Road ID today.

MOBILE MESSAGING DURING THE RIDE

Recognizing that emergency situations happen during a ride that covers 110 miles over two days, World T.E.A.M. Sports is adding an optional mobile messaging service for participants in 2012. This new service will allow for nearly instant communication from ride leadership by cell phone messaging during the ride itself. The mobile messaging service will also be used during the ride for any important scheduling updates or changes. There are no fees associated with this service other than the usual messaging fees that may apply from your cellular phone company. To sign up, simply text FOA2012 to 69302. Or, you can sign up using the form below.

FOLLOW THE RIDE – LIVE!

On Saturday, April 28 and Sunday, April 29, follow the riders live on MyAthleteLive.com. We’ve added GPS trackers to our pace car, moto crews, sag wagons and even our team leader, giving you the opportunity to follow the participants as they travel the 110 miles from the Pentagon at Washington to the historic battlefields of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

Coverage begins each day at 7:30 a.m.

SPONSOR A FACE OF AMERICA 2012 PARTICIPANT


Help support a participating Face of America athlete by donating today using your VISA, MasterCard or American Express card. Our convenient participant search page brings you direct to personal event pages, as well as team pages. Funds raised through donations support our events and disabled athletes participating in our events.












2011 FACE OF AMERICA INFORMATION


Explore our 2011 Media Coverage and Photo Galleries.

Visit our 2011 Face of America event page.



Face of America 2011 – “A Renewed Spirit” from Outdoors Maryland