FORT BENNING, Ga., (March 4, 2015) -- Approximately 175 veterans, supporters and representatives of organizations and companies made a stop in Columbus during their 490-mile cycling journey to New Orleans for the Ride 2 Recovery Gulf Coast Challenge March 2.

The Gulf Coast Challenge started March 1 in Atlanta and will continue to New Orleans, their final destination. Stops along the way include Columbus; Montgomery, Alabama and Pensacola, Florida. Before reaching New Orleans, the group will also make stops in Mobile, Alabama, and Gulfport, Mississippi.

On day one of the challenge, the cyclists faced pouring rain, said Sheri Goldberg, R2R director of publicity, yet many of them continued to ride on.

"That's why we call it a challenge," Goldberg said.

R2R is an organization whose mission is to provide mental and physical rehabilitation and recovery programs for veterans through cycling. R2R raises money to support cycling programs at military and VA locations around the U.S. to help healing heroes overcome obstacles they face, Goldberg said.

"We call them healing heroes, because we don't consider them wounded," Goldberg said. "Even though they have injuries, they're healing. That's what this program does; it heals them."

R2R can create bikes with custom frame designs and any adaptations needed. Cyclists who don't have the use of their legs can use hand cycles, cyclists with back and shoulder issues can use a recumbent and Goldberg said they even have a blind cyclist who rides tandem with someone pedaling in the seat behind her.

Thomas Schwerin, a contractor working at Kelley Hill and retired Army veteran, said cycling has helped him come off some of the medications he was taking.

"I'm not just sitting at home, I'm actually out mingling with other people," he said.

Schwerin said he rides for Team Red, White and Blue, another veteran organization.

"For us cycling, period is therapy within itself," Schwerin said. "So, to be able to come out and here do this for a week is awesome."

Ride 2 Recovery has four programs to support healing heroes: 300-400 mile challenges, one-day honor rides, Project HERO and special events by request of veterans.

Project HERO (Healing Exercise Rehabilitation Opportunity) provides training and supports cycling programs at military hospitals, Army Warrior Transition units, Marine Wounded Warrior units and VA locations to help healing heroes overcome obstacles they face.

UnitedHealthcare is the 2015-presenting sponsor of the six R2R cycling challenges scheduled across the United States and in Germany, said Nancy Oliker, cyclist and vice president of marketing for UnitedHealthcare.

R2R covers all expenses of the cyclists, from the cost of meals, travel and hotel stays as well as repairs needed to their bikes along the way through contributions from individuals, foundations and corporations, Goldberg said.

National Director for Project HERO, and a retired Army veteran having served 25 years, Barbara Springer said she got involved when the founder and president of the program, John Wordin, found out Springer was retiring from the Army. Wordin wanted to have a rehabilitation person and leader on staff, she said, so he recruited her.

Springer said there are 61 programs through Project HERO around the country, which train and rehabilitate veterans.

"The folks learn how to ride safely, they get fit, they get better physically and psychologically," Springer said. "We've been able to (prove) that they've been able to decrease their pain, increase their sleep, increase their overall wellness and decrease their medication."

Springer said the psychological healing comes from the peer-to-peer counseling they receive and the sense of community and belonging that comes along with the group events.

Dovi Goren, a Project HERO representative from Orlando, Florida, served in the Israeli military but was asked by his friend, Dan Wermouth, to take over the Orlando location. The location now has 83 veterans involved.

"It's getting bigger and bigger," Goren said. "I'll never forget that he introduced me to this."

The Gulf Coast Challenge is the first of six 2015 challenges. For information on ways to get involved, visit www.ride2recovery.com.