FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. -- (Oct. 9, 2015) Last month's Bluegrass Rendezvous -- a 167-mile ride between Fort Campbell and Fort Knox -- served as the capstone for the cyclists involved in Fort Campbell's Adaptive Reconditioning Program. As early mornings begin to darken and temperatures begin to drop, wounded warriors are shifting attention to indoor sports. Still, there is a small group of Warrior Transition Unit cyclists who still have work to do in the name of making their way to the Warrior Games to represent the Army.
The small group met outside of Angels Gate Tuesday afternoon to begin time trials and see which cyclists would advance to the regional time trials in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Regional trials are set to take place Oct. 30 through Nov. 7.
"We've switched regions, so a lot of Soldiers didn't have as much notice as they would have liked," said Sgt. 1st Class Thomas A. Rutledge, noncommissioned officer in charge for Fort Campbell ARP. "Still, we currently have about 11 Soldiers and four veterans committed to participate."
Fort Campbell trials mark the beginning of the race toward the Warrior Games. Following the Fort Bragg regionals, top cyclists will convene in Fort Bliss, Texas, to see who goes on to represent the Army for the finals at West Point, New York.
While the competitive nature of the games drives participants to compete, many agree that the true purpose of the games -- and the ARP in general -- span far beyond a desire for medals.
"Cycling is very therapeutic," Rutledge said. "Even if it's adaptive, on a recumbent bike or a hand cycle, you're still able to get out and participate in these events. You can do things you didn't think you were able to do anymore."
It was this aspect of cycling that drew Sgt. Michael Cavoto, Warrior Transition Unit, to the sport.
"It keeps you in shape and athletic," Cavoto said. "It gives us confidence in ourselves."
Cavoto recently returned to active duty and will soon be relocating to a new unit. Though his health and confidence have been restored, he admits that he was a different person when he first came to WTB following a brain injury he sustained from a motorcycle accident.
"Starting off I didn't know who I was," he said. "When I came to the ARP program, I didn't have any confidence in myself. But doing the Warrior Games let me have a little fun and it let me see that I can still do things. It was good."
Cycling was a way for Cavoto to come back to himself, and learn more about the person he is today.
"I'm just giving everything a shot, seeing what I like and what I'm good at," he said. "Because I don't remember a whole lot."
Sergeant Hongadema Tchamitoki, Alpha Company, WTB, had never been active in cycling before becoming part of the WTB in July 2014. But he was pleased to discover that he had a knack for the sport.
"Personally, I think I've been able to do good because I was a runner," he said. "I used to run a lot before my injury. I am not able to run now like I used to, but I think I still have some leg strength and have been able to use it on the bicycle. And that's what's kept me going. I've been able to transfer it to the cycling program."
Tchamitoki said he is grateful for the physical aspect of the ARP, and that cycling has given him a way to stay in shape and be healthy. There is another aspect, however, he said is just as important.
"Emotionally and mentally, I feel like I am part of a team," he said. "When we're out there, we try to help each other, pick each other up and push each other. Doing that makes me part of the team. Being on the battlefield, helping and doing stuff with other people -- it's stuff we don't get to do at the WTU. But I still get that same feeling by doing this."
Recovery, camaraderie and self-identification are all driving factors for the cyclists. But the competitive drive and desire to win are there as well.
"It would mean a lot to represent the Army," Cavoto said. "It would mean I could compete for the brothers I've lost, the ones I've carried. It would mean a lot to be able to compete for them."
"That would be a great reward for me to make it all the way, and I will definitely push myself," Tchamitoki said. "Hopefully I'll be able to do it. It will mean a lot to represent Fort Campbell WTU in the final games."
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