Disabled veterans cycle across U.S.

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SAN FRANCISCO, May 26 (UPI) -- Organizers say a disabled veterans' cross-country bicycle ride will show the disabled "can lead productive lives and accomplish remarkable athletic feats."

The World T.E.A.M. Sports' Sea to Shining Sea ride will bring together veterans from all branches of military service for the nearly 4,000 mile ride, the organization said on its Web site.

"Since the majority of the participants are disabled, the ride will provide a dramatic example that disabled Americans can lead productive lives and accomplish remarkable athletic feats," World T.E.A.M. Sports said.

"These wounded warriors participated in wars and conflicts from Vietnam to Bosnia to the Gulf War to Afghanistan and Iraq," World T.E.A.M. Sports said in a statement. "Through their service, many of these veterans received injuries ranging from amputations to blindness to post-traumatic stress disorder. Others experienced life-threatening illnesses such as cancer."

The team will cycle together across deserts, mountains, grasslands, cities and woodlands as they see America at 10 mph. Like their forefathers, these veterans will experience America minute by minute, mile by mile, World T.E.A.M. officials said.

"Leaving San Francisco on Memorial Day morning, the team will arrive in St. Louis in time for the city's Independence Day celebration, and then reach the east coast of Virginia by July 28," the officials said. "Through the miles, the team will bond together, as will the thousands of Americans who will follow the ride's progress online and in person along the route."

More information about the Sea to Shining Sea ride is posted at http://s2ssbikeride.org/, where users can track riders' progress.