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. The annual ride honors and assist our military — injured, veterans and active duty—and the American Spirit.

This inspiring ride, put on in cooperation with the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, 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 open. Save on early bird registration through mid January, 2012 – use registration code FOA12EB.

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.

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.

WORLD T.E.A.M. SPORTS FACE OF AMERICA FUNDRAISING


UpCycle With UpCycle4Hope

World T.E.A.M. Sports is proud to partner with UpCycle4Hope to raise funds for our Face of America ride and upcoming events nationally. With UpCycle4Hope, a Florida non-profit organization, we are collecting dormant and unused electronic devices. Items we are collecting include cell phones (particularly smart phones), laptop computers, iPods, video games and consoles and digital cameras.

This fundraising program requires no selling, nothing to buy and no upfront investment. The average US home has over $1,600 in dormant/unused electronics. These items can be donated and UpCycled (meaning they are given a second life through resale) in many cases. Donations provide funding to World T.E.A.M. Sports.

We will be collecting donations at the Face of America kick-off dinner Friday night at the Hyatt Regency Washington and throughout the event, culminating in Gettysburg. Be sure to tell your friends and family to bring in their devices for donation.

For more information regarding this program, please call toll-free 888-442-0862 or visit the UpCycle4Hope website.











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.

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