Warrior Expedition cyclists pass through Mineral County
From left, Diane Magone, Linda and Ron Forest, Tim Davis and Loie Turner at the Savenac Nursery in Haugan. Davis is riding a bicycle from Warrior Expeditions across the country using as much of the National Rails to Trails route as possible. Magone is the Mineral County Rails to Trails chairperson and quickly organized a fun evening to welcome Tim and show support for his endeavor.
“This is day 65 and 3,200 miles so far with maybe two weeks left before I finish the journey. I’m shooting for the first part of August,” shared Tim Davis last Tuesday evening under the shaded Douglas fir picnic area at Savenac Nursery.
Davis was the fourth of five bicycle riders this year traveling from Washinton D.C. to the Washington coast as part of the Warrior Expeditions program. Warrior Expeditions connects with veterans, and especially combat vets, for incredible excursions to help them wrestle with PTSD, anxiety and depression.
They’ve been around since 2013 with this being the third year of what is known as the Warrior Bike/Great American Rail Trail which is a project of the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. This option of adventures is 3,700+ miles long and crosses 12 states.
Davis could have opted for the Warrior Paddle which is canoeing the Mississippi River from Minnesota to Louisiana that crosses 10 states and covers 2,302 miles. Or one of the nine Warrior Hikes ranging from 800 miles on the Arizona Trail to 3,100 miles from Mexico to Canada on the Continental Divide Trail.
The veterans who participate are not on any schedule. They are alone in most cases. No family or friends and only service dogs are allowed to accompany them and they cannot provide their own gear. Warrior Expeditions outfits veterans with some of the most highly rated equipment, clothing and supplies available from the outdoor retail industry to ensure that they are set up for success.
Davis grew up 30 minutes outside of Chicago and served 20 years in the U.S. Air Force retiring as a MSgt. His first Permanent Change of Station (PCS) was Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada which is where he became involved with hiking and biking for six years and met his future wife. Then seven years in Italy at Aviano Air Base. Over to Lakenheath Air Base in England wrapped around two tours in Afghanistan, a year in South Korea and Honorably Discharged in 2019. His dad and sister remain in the Chicago area but he and his wife and dog live in Bordeaux, France.
“Yeah, when I retired, we stayed in Europe. My wife runs a travel blog and when I complete this ride and go back, I’ll probably be back to assisting her,” he laughs.
Warrior Expeditions coordinates support in the forms of transportation, lodging and food from community supporters located along the trail and the ambassadors of County 54 jumped into action.
Ron and Linda Forest brought fried chicken, lemonade and watermelon. Diane Magone brought vanilla ice cream along with fresh raspberries from her garden and a relaxing evening was enjoyed by everyone.
Ron is a Vietnam veteran and he and Linda are very involved in the Vietnam Veterans of Montana chapter in Kalispell.
Magone is the chairperson of Mineral County Rails to Trails and the contact person for Expedition Warriors. She sends out a notice to veterans in the area inviting them to the get-together, and it’s always short notice. E
ven during the busiest time of the year, Brooke Lincoln of the $50,000 Bar, Restaurant and Motel finds, and discounts, a room for the riders. Lookout Pass offers a free pass to ride the Hiawatha and most of the cyclists take them up on their proposal.
“I do want to clarify that the VFW in Missoula has gotten on board and are a big help,” said Magone. “Working with them for food and lodging is going well and then they help in communication once the cyclists leave and head this direction on I-90. And our own VFW is a great partnership, too.”
“I think Yellowstone (Park) has been the highlight at this point,” said Davis. “I’d never been and seeing the bison and Yellowstone itself is just naturally beautiful, besides the animals.” Somewhere in Nebraska was the most challenging with the heat and breaking a wheel, but Davis, who is naturally upbeat and positive said that he appreciated every part. “I’ve enjoyed each section of the route. The farther west you get, the more scenic it gets. And the more hilly,” he smiles. So, what will take place when this ends?
“The bike will go to a local bike shop and then get sent back to Warrior Expeditions and they’ll get it refurbished and prepped for the next group, next year. We get to keep all of the camping gear and everything else, but the bike goes back to them,” Davis explained what happens after he dips the front tire into the Pacific Ocean.
Warrior Expeditions will arrange through community support to get him to Port Angelous to take the ferry back to Seattle and he uses the second half of the round-trip ticket that he purchased himself to fly back to France.
“It’s been a privilege to do the ride across America. I’m lucky to participate in it. It’s been amazing,” said Davis as everyone cleaned up the picnic tables.