BY RICHARD RHINEHART

Arlington, Virginia, Veteran’s Day, November 11, 2011: World T.E.A.M. Sports‘ iconic Sea to Shining Sea cross-country bicycle ride will make its official return in the summer of 2012. The Sea to Shining Sea ride across America May 28 – July 28 will include 15 to 18 wounded warriors from our nation’s military, accompanied by a small team of able-bodied riders.

Taking about 60 days to travel from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean, the Sea to Shining Sea ride will pass through towns and cities both small and large, bringing inspiration and honor to spectators, supporters and the riders. Riders on bicycles, recumbents and handcycles will cross deserts, mountains, plains and woodlands during their long journey east.

With the exact dates and route to be confirmed in the coming weeks, the 2012 ride will follow the premiere this November of Austin Smithard’s “Two Shining Seas” feature documentary. This dramatic film about World T.E.A.M. Sports‘ successful 2010 cross-country journey will help communities better understand the sacrifices members of our military make in fulfilling their duties, and the inclusive message from the organization.

In 2010, participants included Eric Frazier, a disabled Marine who remains a competitive athlete despite a spinal cord injury; Nicolette Maroulis, an injured Navy K9 Handler who began the cross-country journey on a handcycle but completed the ride on a bicycle; Chad Jukes, an Army Reservist who lost a leg while on duty in Iraq who remains an active mountaineer and climber; and Rory McCarthy, an experienced hand cyclist who has participated in past World T.E.A.M. Sports events, including the nine month AXA World Ride in 1995.

In early 2012, World T.E.A.M. Sports will invite selected disabled veterans to participate in the 2012 ride, a life-changing experience for all participants. The ride will be fully supported, but participants will be challenged daily by varying weather conditions, lengthy distances and varied topography.

State Farm, the Presenting Sponsor for the inaugural Sea to Shining Sea ride in 2010, has committed to serve as the Presenting Sponsor for 2012. Other sponsors and local hosts will soon be joining the team.

Actor Robin Williams (in white jersey) joins the 2010 Sea to Shining Sea riders in Marin County, California. Photograph copyright 2010 Austin Smithard. Top photograph: 2010 Sea to Shining Sea riders honor America Veterans. Photograph copyright 2010 Van Brinson.

The 2012 ride follows three previous cross-country bicycling rides from World T.E.A.M. Sports. These include the 2010 Sea to Shining Sea ride, the 2000 Face of America cross-country ride, in which two teams of riders from each coast met at the arch in Saint Louis, and the 1987 Ride Across America, which served as the stimulus for founding the organization.

At all World T.E.A.M. Sports events – whether mountain climbing, biking, white water rafting or many other sports – four things always happen:

• Disabled participants build self confidence and physical fitness
• The disabled provide a role model for other disabled citizens, encouraging them to take up athletic activities
• The disabled provide a moving inspiration to other participants and to spectators when they see disabled individuals can reach goals and meet challenges beyond anyone’s imagination
• The disabled and non-disabled participants become a team, working together to overcome those challenges

Be Inspired by the Incredible Cross-Country Journey

A New Film by Austin Smithard

BY RICHARD RHINEHART

Arlington, Virginia, November 3, 2011: Veteran director and cinematographer Austin Smithard brings this November a breathtaking new odyssey of 18 wounded warriors from America’s Armed Forces on a cross-country journey to discover the nation they gave so much for in the line of duty. From the shores of San Francisco near the majestic Golden Gate Bridge to the warm sunny sands of Virginia Beach, Virginia, these disabled veterans and their able-bodied colleagues pedaled across North America, “from sea to shining sea.”

Sgt. Chris Frost during the 2010 Sea to Shining Sea ride. Photograph copyright 2010, Austin Smithard.

Over 64 days, the cyclists traveled an astounding 3,687 miles through 12 states and Washington, D.C. Along the way, they met with challenges and difficulties, faced their own fears, and learned to trust and support one another as a team. Through snowstorms, rain, heat of desert, hostile traffic, and miles of lonely wilderness, the riders found that the heart of America is not the country’s majestic scenery, but the people who proudly call themselves Americans.

For these American heroes, the athletic accomplishment of crossing the country by bicycle, recumbent and hand cycle is surpassed by the warm support they received from the people in the small towns, communities and large cities they passed on their journey. Their disabilities they received in support of their country are badges of the cost of freedom and democracy. It is what makes Americans American.

“Two Shining Seas” is a film that captures this strong bond between Americans, who, in the face of adversity, pull together and work as a team no matter their politics. It is a celebration of the true American spirit.

Riders celebrate the crossing of the Continental Divide at Monarch Pass, Colorado during the 2010 Sea to Shining Sea ride. Photograph copyright 2010 by Van Brinson. (Above image of riders in the morning fog is also by Van Brinson.)

A native of the Isle of Wight off the coast of southern England, Austin Smithard learned about film making from acclaimed director Stephen Spielberg. Smithard’s first picture, “The Scream,” was produced by Spielberg in 2000. Smithard worked with Francis Ford Coppola’s American Zoetrope Company as a writer before launching a successful career as a director and cinematographer for numerous television commercials. In addition to commercials, the southern California filmmaker also directed documentaries, such as “Marine One – The Presidential Flight,” about the helicopter and the Marine crew for the President of the United States.

Two Shining Seas Trailers

Washington, D.C., April 29, 2011 – World T.E.A.M. Sports‘ 2010 Sea to Shining Sea cross-country bike ride is the subject of the new documentary, “Two Shining Seas,” directed by veteran director and cinematographer Austin Smithard.

Van Brinson and Paul Bremer assist Clay Rankin in the high Sierra Mountains during the 2010 Sea to Shining Sea ride.

The trailer for the film premiered at the banquet for the annual World T.E.A.M. Sports‘ Face of America ride on April 15 in Washington, D.C. Several of the participants of the 2010 ride were in attendance for the Washington to Gettysburg ride, which was well-received by the nearly 500 participants.

Smithard, originally from the Isle of Wight near southern England, learned the film industry from acclaimed director Stephen Spielberg, who produced his first picture, “The Scream,” in 2000. Smithard worked with Francis Ford Coppola’s American Zoetrope Company as a writer before launching a successful career as a director and cinematographer for numerous television commercials. In addition to commercials, the southern California filmmaker also directed documentaries, such as “Marine One – The Presidential Flight,” about the helicopter and the Marine crew for the President of the United States.

“Two Shining Seas” is scheduled for release in late 2011.

For a gallery of still photographic images of the 2010 Sea to Shining Sea ride, visit Smithard’s SmugMug site.

• traveled 3,687 miles (an average 70 miles per ride day).
• ascended a combined 110,470 feet of elevation (an average 2,084 feet per ride day).
• passed through 12 states, plus Washington, D.C. (and Kansas, I’ve heard, by accident).
• reached an altitude of 11,312 feet, as well as sea level on both coasts.
• rested 11 of 64 days.
• stayed in 53 hotels, where they left behind cell phones, wallets, keys and spare legs, but never lost luggage.
• were rained on, snowed in, sunburned, windswept, frozen and baked.

As Van Brinson said on the final night to the gathered group, “You go home and you remember this ride.  You let everyone know that they too can achieve unimaginable goals.  You let them know that they can reach higher, ride faster and travel further than anyone thought.”

Please leave some comments to help us wrap up this ride.

Follow the riders via Van’s GPS tracker

Saturday, July 24^th – Virginia Beach Itinerary *updated 7/16/2010

12:00 p.m.

• Sea to Shining Sea riders get off ferry at Town Point Park in Norfolk.
  • Riders go to Boardwalk at 17^th Street for 14-block ride to Neptune Park @ 31^st Street. 

3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

• Sea To Shining Sea riders arrive at Neptune Park

4:00  p.m. (immediately following arrival of riders)

• Finale Ceremony
  • Welcome remarks
  • introduction of riders by World Team Sports
  • presentation of the colors
  • singing of the National Anthem
  • comments by local military leader
  • comments by Kevin Voigts from State Farm
  • comments from World Team Sports
  • check presentation by State Farm to Habitat for Humanity
  • singing of America the Beautiful
  • Riders receive military order to officially complete their journey.

4:30 p.m.

• Sea To Shining Sea riders ride ramp down to the ocean for front tire dip celebration

*All timing is approximate and is subject to change based on ride variables.

Follow the riders via Van’s GPS tracker

Follow the riders via Van’s GPS tracker

Follow the riders via Van’s GPS tracker

Follow the riders via Van’s GPS tracker

Follow the riders via Van’s GPS tracker

Follow the riders via Van’s GPS tracker

Follow the riders via Van’s GPS tracker

Follow the riders via Van’s GPS tracker

Follow the riders via Van’s GPS tracker