Defenders of Freedom
Veterans Recognition Ride
2910 N. Powers Boulevard, #174
Colorado Springs, CO 80922

For more information, please contact:
Brian L.A. Wess - Coordinator/Founder
Email: VetsRidegmailcom
719-528-6672

2022 Flyer (.PDF) - Please Post & Share

 

Planned Route

The ride will consist of a low speed law enforcement escorted staggered side by side procession of motorcycles on a route starting at Kings Chef Diner Fountain, CO. This is a City Police/County Sheriff escorted ride which means all riders will occupy the right lane ONLY as law enforcement motorcycles leap frog intersections utilizing the left lane at very high speeds.

 

From Hangry Ohana the procession will travel East on Fontaine with a Fountain Police Department Escort to Marksheffel turning North on Marksheffel and going past Peterson AFB East Gate to HWY 94 (The 94th Infantry Division Memorial Highway)

 

The Procession will then travel East on HWY 94 to Curtis Road where it will then turn South travelling past the Schriever AFB West Gate and joining into Bradley Road. At Bradley Rd and Marksheffel the procession will turn South and continue on S. Marksheffel as it turns into C&S Road continuing on to the intersection with Link Road.

 

Turning South on Link Road the Procession will continue South until Link Road intersects with Old Pueblo Road where the procession will turn onto Old Pueblo Road and continue until the Old Pueblo Road Onramp to I-25 where the Law Enforcement Escort will terminate and the procession will be released to merge onto I-25 to the After Party at Peaks N Pines Brewery in Fountain.

 

At ride end Riders are invited to travel to the After Party at Peaks N Pines Brewery on Illinois Avenue in Fountain just a few miles North off on I-25 Exit 128 South Santa Fe Ave.

 

Note: This ride IS NOT recommended for novice riders due to slow side by side formation riding and soft shoulders on County Roads.

 

Ride History

The first Defenders of Freedom ride held in 2008 included 215 motorcycles and raised $2,700 for The Wounded Warrior Project. Over the years, the ride has grown to include as many as 500 participants and has raised over $60,000 for special veteran causes.

 

The proceeds from this year's ride will benefit the El Paso County Homeless Veterans Coalition. The EPCHVC is an IRS 501(c)(3) charitable organization founded in 1998 with a focus on assisting Homeless Veterans and their families in Colorado Springs and El Paso County improve their housing situation by providing access to critical needs, services as well as both long and short term solution based resources through their annual "Stand Down" event and Transitional Housing Initiative. (www.EPCHVC.org)

Proceeds From The Ride

The proceeds from this year's ride will benefit the El Paso County Homeless Veterans Coalition. The EPCHVC is an IRS 501(c)(3) charitable organization founded in 1998 with a focus on assisting Homeless Veterans and their families in Colorado Springs & El Paso County improve their situations by providing access to both long and short term solution based resources through their annual "Stand Down" events, Transitional Housing Program and New Veteran Homeless Prevention Program.