Wounded Warrior Project, NFL Team up for Soldier Ride From Las Vegas to Phoenix

Dozens of veterans are currently cycling from Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas to Phoenix, a collaborative effort between the Wounded Warrior Project and the NFL designed to foster recovery through physical activity.

According to FOX5, the event, known as Soldier Ride, serves as a bridge for participants to reconnect with one another while managing the transition from military service to civilian life.

The ride is structured in relay teams, with about 20 veterans departing from Las Vegas toward Arizona. A second group is scheduled to pick up the route in Phoenix, continuing the journey toward Los Angeles. While the logistics involve significant distance, organizers emphasize that the program’s intent remains focused on community and healing rather than athletic performance.

The Wounded Warrior Project reports that the initiative addresses both visible physical injuries and the invisible wounds of war.

Walt Pyatt, of the Wounded Warrior Project, highlighted the difficulty of this transition during the event.

For warriors, every warrior, whether they have a physical wound that you can see or an invisible wound, it shouldn’t be harder to come home than it is to go, but it is. Most warriors come back, but they don’t truly come home. Wounded Warrior Project, we’re committed to finding every warrior everywhere and bringing them home, mind, body and soul.

Wounded Warrior Project, NFL Team up for Soldier Ride From Las Vegas to Phoenix — Photo: woundedwarriorproject.org

The Soldier Ride program is designed to create a supportive environment where participants can build confidence and strength. According to official program documentation from the Wounded Warrior Project, the event is rooted in road cycling but has expanded to include mountain biking, skiing, snowboarding, and virtual training challenges to accommodate varying fitness levels.

Participants are not expected to fund their own participation or equipment. The nonprofit provides access to all necessary gear and training at no cost to the veterans. The program aims to help warriors achieve several specific goals, including:

Increasing overall riding awareness and confidence.
Learning proper equipment maintenance and care.
Improving handling skills through guided drills.
Gaining comfort while riding in a group setting.

The ride structure mimics the unit cohesion experienced during active military service, ensuring that warriors do not ride the course alone. By moving forward as a unit, the program seeks to replicate the support systems that many veterans find difficult to replace once they leave the service.

This approach is intended to provide a pathway for veterans to continue riding and engaging in physical activity long after the organized event concludes.

The program is open to post-9/11 veterans interested in participating in future events. Eligible individuals can register for the Soldier Ride and other Wounded Warrior Project programs through the organization’s official website. The organization states that all programs are offered free of charge to those who qualify.

For the participants currently on the road between Las Vegas and Phoenix, the journey represents a tangible step toward finding that elusive sense of home.